cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term, low-intensity warfarin after idiopathic venous thromboembolism

Ridker PM, Goldhaber SZ, Danielson E, Rosenberg Y, Eby CS, Deitcher SR, for the Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism (PREVENT) Investigators. Long-term, low-intensity warfarin therapy for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism. To be published in N Engl J Med 2003; 348(15).
Discovering Spatial Co-location Patterns: A Summary of Results

Given a collection of boolean spatial features, the co-location pattern discovery process finds the subsets of features frequently located together. For example, the analysis of an ecology dataset may reveal the frequent co-location of a fire ignition source feature with a needle vegetation type feature and a drought feature. The spatial co-location rule problem is different from the association rule problem. Even though boolean spatial feature types (also called spatial events) may correspond to items in association rules over market-basket datasets, there is no natural notion of transactions. This creates difficulty in using traditional measures (e.g. support, confidence) and applying association rule mining algorithms which use support based pruning. We propose a notion of user-specified neighborhoods in place of transactions to specify groups of items. New interest measures for spatial co-location patterns are proposed which are robust in the face of potentially infinite overlapping neighborhoods. We also propose an algorithm to mine frequent spatial co-location patterns and analyze its correctness, and completeness. We plan to carry out experimental evaluations and performance tuning in the near future.
Conformal divergences and spacetime foam in an R+R 2 theory

An ${R}^{2}$ term is added to the gravity Lagrangian, in an effort to eliminate the conformal divergences of Euclidean quantum gravity reported by Gibbons, Hawking, and Perry. The curvature is taken to be a Cartan curvature (one with torsion) rather than the standard Riemannian one, so that the ghost ordinarily associated with the ${R}^{2}$ term will be absent. After constrained torsion degrees of freedom are eliminated from the classical theory, one finds that the ${R}^{2}$ term disappears from the Lagrangian. Implications of this result for the spacetime-foam concept of Wheeler and Hawking are also discussed. Classically, the theory discussed here, with Lagrangian of the form $\ensuremath{-}\frac{R}{2K}+\frac{{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{1}{R}^{2}}{2}$, is equivalent to Einstein's theory whenever the trace of the matter energy-momentum tensor vanishes and fermions are absent. Independently, Rauch, in a recent paper, has also shown that the two theories are equivalent.
The Sins of the Fathers: Intergenerational Income Mobility in China

This paper aims to obtain an accurate estimate of China's intergenerational income mobility and to present evidence on its distributional pattern. Using panel data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) over the period 1989–2009, I find that China is less mobile than most developed countries. Then, I employ five different approaches to investigate the distributional pattern of China's intergenerational mobility across income levels. The results suggest that poor families have relatively high mobility, indicating opportunities for the poor children to escape poverty. Finally, I show that while wealthy fathers are likely to pass on their favorable economic status to their sons, rich sons come from a very wide range of family economic backgrounds.
Burden of present-on-admission infections and health care-associated infections, by race and ethnicity

Background: In the United States incidence of sepsis and pneumonia differ by race, but it is unclear whether this is due to intrinsic factors or health care factors. Methods: We conducted a study of 52,006 patients hospitalized during 2006-2008 at a referral hospital in upper Manhattan. We examined how the prevalence of present-on-admission and health care-associated infection compared between non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites adjusting for sociodemographic factors, admission through the emergency department, and comorbid conditions. Results: Non-Hispanic blacks had 1.59-fold (95% confidence interval [CI],1.29-1.96) and 1.55-fold (95% CI, 1.35-1.77) risk of community-acquired bloodstream infection and urinary tract infection compared with non-Hispanic whites. Hispanic patients had 1.31-fold (95% CI, 1.15-1.49) risk of presenting with community-acquired urinary tract infection compared with non-Hispanic whites. Controlling for admission through the emergency department, comorbidity, and neighborhood income attenuated the
Improved tests reveal that the accelerating moment release hypothesis is statistically insignificant

[1] We test the hypothesis that accelerating moment release (AMR) is a precursor to large earthquakes, using data from California, Nevada, and Sumatra. Spurious cases of AMR can arise from data fitting because the time period, area, and sometimes magnitude range analyzed before each main shock are often optimized to produce the strongest AMR signal. Optimizing the search criteria can identify apparent AMR even if no robust signal exists. For both 1950–2006 California-Nevada M ≥ 6.5 earthquakes and the 2004 M9.3 Sumatra earthquake, we can find two contradictory patterns in the pre–main shock earthquakes by data fitting: AMR and decelerating moment release. We compare the apparent AMR found in the real data to the apparent AMR found in four types of synthetic catalogs with no inherent AMR. When spatiotemporal clustering is included in the simulations, similar AMR signals are found by data fitting in both the real and synthetic data sets even though the synthetic data sets contain no real AMR. These tests demonstrate that apparent AMR may arise from a combination of data fitting and normal foreshock and aftershock activity. In principle, data-fitting artifacts could be avoided if the free parameters were determined from scaling relationships between the duration and spatial extent of the AMR pattern and the magnitude of the earthquake that follows it. However, we demonstrate that previously proposed scaling relationships are unstable, statistical artifacts caused by the use of a minimum magnitude for the earthquake catalog that scales with the main shock magnitude. Some recent AMR studies have used spatial regions based on hypothetical stress loading patterns, rather than circles, to select the data. We show that previous tests were biased and that unbiased tests do not find this change to the method to be an improvement. The use of declustered catalogs has also been proposed to eliminate the effect of clustering but we demonstrate that this does not increase the statistical significance of AMR. Given the ease with which data fitting can find desired patterns in seismicity, future studies of AMR-like observations must include complete tests against synthetic catalogs that include spatiotemporal clustering.
Conductive thin film multilayers of gold on glass formed by self-assembly of multiple size gold nanoparticles

Abstract Highly conductive thin films of gold have been fabricated on glass substrates by the deposition of gold nanoparticles of two different diameters. A deposition sequence, alternating between 2.6-nm and 12-nm diameter particles, was used whereby the 2.6-nm particles served to fill in the gaps created by the assembly of the larger 12-nm diameter particles. The resulting thin films, with thicknesses of less than 35 nm, displayed high conductivities, yet were fabricated in substantially fewer deposition cycles than required by previous methods. Analysis of surface morphology performed by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that the high conductivity is the result of a less porous surface structure than can be achieved through the layering of a single size nanoparticle. Conductivity analysis was performed by 4-point probe with resistivities of 5.00 ± 0.4 × 10 − 6 Ω m for 5 layers and 4.49 ± 0.2 × 10 − 6 Ω m for the 6-layer films.
Response of Annular Plates to Circumferentially and Radially Moving Loads

The boundary conditions are that the inner boundary of the plate is clamped and the outer boundary is free. An analytical expression in Fourier Bessel series form is obtained for the forced deflection response to an arbitrarily moving concentrated load
Failures in inspection procedures: case studies

Abstract The most frequently used inspection methods, i.e., visual examination, dye penetrant examination, magnetic particle examination, eddy current examination, and ultrasonic examination, are, for the most part, effective and reliable. There have been instances, however, particularly in the aviation field, where the designated methods of inspection were not able to detect cracks, and as a result catastrophic failures occurred. In the aviation field, when major-accidents occur there is usually a thorough investigation to determine the cause. We are fortunate the accident reports concerning such events are made public, so that engineers can learn from the mistakes which led to an accident and take corrective action to prevent a recurrence of such accidents. The present paper discusses a number of cases wherein faulty inspection procedures resulted in accidents. These cases are based upon published reports as well as personal experiences, and will deal with the crashes which involved: a 707 freighter (visual examination), a DC-10 (dye penetrant), a small passenger plane (magnetic particle), a 737 (eddy currents), and a 747 freighter (ultrasonics).
Reproducible tip fabrication and cleaning for UHV STM

Abstract Several technical modifications related to the fabrication and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) treatments of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips have been implemented to improve a reliability of the tip preparation for high-resolution STM. Widely used electrochemical etching drop-off technique has been further refined to enable a reproducible fabrication of the tips with a radius ⩽3 nm. For tip cleaning by a controllable UHV annealing, simple and flexible setup has been developed. Proper W tip preparation has been demonstrated via an imaging of the TiO2 (1 1 0) surface atomic structure.
Determination of N-methylurea: Comparison of two colorimetric methods using diacetyl monoxime or α-isonitropropiophenone

Abstract N-Methylurea was estimated qualitatively as well as quantitatively by two colorimetric methods using diacetyl monoxime and α-isonitropropiophenone as the color-developing agents. For qualitative purposes, the α-isonitropropiophenone method was superior while diacetyl monoxime was a much better reagent for quantitative determination of N-methylurea. Furthermore, since the colored product of urea and α-isonitropropiophenone is much more labile than that of N-methylurea, this property can be advantageously employed to determine the enzymatic formation of N-methylurea in the presence of relatively large amounts of endogenous urea.
Chronic Diarrhea in Diabetes Mellitus: Mechanisms and an Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment

In this study, our aim was to develop a practical strategy to facilitate the management of patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic diarrhea in a tertiary referral practice. We reviewed the pertinent English-language literature of the past 30 years that described the pathophysiologic mechanisms and treatment of patients with diabetic diarrhea and retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients with diabetic diarrhea examined at the Mayo Clinic during 1990. Three typical case studies are described to illustrate the diverse mechanisms that lead to chronic diarrhea in patients with diabetes. No report in the literature has systematically evaluated all the putative mechanisms of chronic diarrhea in any group of patients with diabetes. In our tertiary referral practice, diabetic diarrhea was frequently due to celiac sprue, bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel, or fecal incontinence in conjunction with anorectal dysfunction; however, in almost 50% of the patients, these causes were excluded, and abnormal intestinal motility or secretion was postulated to be one of the likely causes of the diarrhea. These data suggest a practical algorithm based on three sequential assessments: first, tests of blood and stool specimens and flexible sigmoidoscopy to detect evidence of malabsorption or disease in the distal colon; second, small bowel aspirate and biopsy if the results of initial blood or stool tests are abnormal or anorectal function tests if those test results are normal; and, finally, measurement of gastrointestinal transit or therapeutic trials with opioids, clonidine hydrochloride, and, rarely, cholestyramine resin or octreotide acetate (or both methods). The mechanisms whereby abnormal neural function due to diabetes results in altered digestive, secretory, absorptive, or motor function necessitate further elucidation. The management of chronic diarrhea in patients in a tertiary referral practice, however, can be based on a practical algorithm to determine the cause and to adopt specific treatment to correct it.
Does deflux alter the paradigm for the management of children with vesicoureteral reflux

The recent approval by the US Food and Drug Administration of Deflux (Q Med, Uppsala, Sweden), a particulate biodegradable polymer of dextran, has led to an understandable enthusiasm for treating children with vesicoureteral reflux by a routinely simple outpatient endoscopic procedure. However, Deflux is but one of a variety of particulate substances, both permanent and absorbable, that have been used to treat reflux in Europe for well over a decade with varying degrees of success. The purpose of this review is to place Deflux in this wider context to anticipate what can be expected realistically regarding the efficacy and potential hazards of this seductive technique and to make recommendations regarding its incorporation, in selected cases, in our therapeutic armamenftarium.
Effects of trichinellosis on levels of eosinophils, eosinophil major basic protein, creatine kinase and basophils in the guinea pig

Summary The effects of multiple infections with Trichinella spiralis on the levels of eosinophil major basic protein (MBP), creatine kinase (CK), and leucocytes were studied in the guinea pig. Plasma MBP levels increased after each of four successive infections with T. spiralis. The times of peak elevations in MBP levels and eosinophilia correlated significantly, and both peaks occurred earlier with increased infection dose. CK levels were elevated most dramatically in the primary infection. A direct correlation between peak CK values and larval dose was observed, and the peak occurred earlier with larger larval doses. A dose-dependent basophilia was observed in the primary infection and, like the eosinophil response, basophilia occurred earlier and was markedly enhanced after the second infection. The elevations in MBP levels and eosinophil counts persisted into the third and fourth infections; the basophil response persisted only through the third infection.
Risk Reduction Behaviors and Provider Communication Following Genetic Counseling and BRCA1 Mutation Testing in an African American Kindred

Little is known about the impact of cancer genetic counseling and testing on health behaviors in racial and ethnic subgroups. This prospective observational study examined use of risk reduction strategies following BRCA1 counseling and testing. Participants were female members of an African American kindred who received genetic education, counseling and testing (n = 40) and completed a 1-year follow-up interview. Mutation carriers were more likely to opt for breast (100%, 7/7) and ovarian (25%; 1 of 4) cancer surveillance than prophylactic surgery. Following genetic counseling, 71% (5/7) of the BRCA1 carriers who opted for surveillance reported having a mammogram within the year following receipt of their genetic test results. Ovarian cancer screening among mutation carriers increased from 0% at baseline to 25% (one of four) at 1 year. Compared to noncarriers (23%, 7/30), carriers (70%, 7/10) were more likely to discuss their BRCA1 test results with their primary health care providers. Surveillance for breast cancer was preferred to prophylactic surgery and chemoprevention as a way to reduce risk for these cancers. Our data indicate that patient-provider communication about BRCA1 test results is suboptimal.
Biomedical scientists' perceptions of ethical and social implications: is there a role for research ethics consultation?

Background Research ethics consultation programs are being established with a goal of addressing the ethical, societal, and policy considerations associated with biomedical research. A number of these programs are modelled after clinical ethics consultation services that began to be institutionalized in the 1980s. Our objective was to determine biomedical science researchers' perceived need for and utility of research ethics consultation, through examination of their perceptions of whether they and their institutions faced ethical, social or policy issues (outside those mandated by regulation) and examination of willingness to seek advice in addressing these issues. We conducted telephone interviews and focus groups in 2006 with researchers from Stanford University and a mailed survey in December 2006 to 7 research universities in the U.S. Findings A total of 16 researchers were interviewed (75% response rate), 29 participated in focus groups, and 856 responded to the survey (50% response rate). Approximately half of researchers surveyed (51%) reported that they would find a research ethics consultation service at their institution moderately, very or extremely useful, while over a third (36%) reported that such a service would be useful to them personally. Respondents conducting human subjects research were more likely to find such a service very to extremely useful to them personally than respondents not conducting human subjects research (20% vs 10%; chi2 p<0.001). Conclusion Our findings indicate that biomedical researchers do encounter and anticipate encountering ethical and societal questions and concerns and a substantial proportion, especially clinical researchers, would likely use a consultation service if they were aware of it. These findings provide data to inform the development of such consultation programs in general.
Efficient diffractive optical elements for depth from diffracted rotation systems

We design efficient diffractive optical elements to generate rotating point spread functions for incoherent three-dimensional computational imaging systems. Higher diffraction efficiency is important for increasing signal-to-noise and accuracy. We present examples of three-dimensional information retrieval.
Rat pineal Gsa, Gia and Goa: relative abundance and development.

Abstract The adult rat pineal gland contains relatively high concentrations of Gsα, low amounts of both Giα and Goα, and undetectable levels of G t α. During development the amounts of 45 kDa Gsα and of Giα remain constant. In contrast, 42 kDa Gsα and Goα are nearly absent at birth and increase in abundance markedly thereafter. G t α is undetectable at any age. It would appear that multiple mechanisms regulate the expression of G-proteins in the pineal gland.
Phylogeny of South American Bufo (Anura: Bufonidae) inferred from combined evidence

Despite the considerable research that has focused on the evolutionary relationships and biogeography of the genus Bufo, an evolutionary synthesis of the entire group has not yet emerged. In the present study, almost 4 kb of DNA sequence data from mitochondrial (12S, tRNAVal, and 16S) and nuclear (POMC; Rag-1) genes, and 83 characters from morphology were analysed to infer a phylogeny of South American toads. Phylogenies were reconstructed with parsimony and maximum likelihood and Bayesian model-based methods. The results of the analysis of morphological data support the hypothesis that within Bufo, some skull characters (e.g. frontoparietal width), correlated with the amount of cranial ossification, are prone to homoplasy. Unique and unreversed morphological synapomorphies are presented that can be used to diagnose recognized species groups of South American toads. The results of all phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of most species groups of South American Bufo. In most DNA-only and combined analyses, the South American (minus the B. guttatus and part of the ‘B. spinulosus’ groups), North American, Central American, and African lineages form generally well-supported clades: ((((((((South America) (North America + Central America)) Eurasia) Africa) Eurasia) South America) West Indies) South America). This result confirms and extends prior studies recovering South American Bufo as polyphyletic. The biogeographical results indicate that: (1) The origin of Bufo predates the fragmentation of Gondwana; (2) Central and North American species compose the sister group to a large, ‘derived’ clade of South American Bufo; and (3) Eurasian species form the sister group to the New World clade. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 146, 407–452.
Photoluminescence from Inner Walls in Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Some Do, Some Do Not

Double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) have recently been recognized as important members in the carbon nanotube family because they are expected to have certain unique properties. For example, DWNTs are expected to replace single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in biomarker applications and optoelectronics if the observed luminescence from DWNTs can be verified. However, due to unavoidable byproducts, such as SWNTs, optical properties of DWNTs still remain controversial. There is an ongoing debate concerning the ability of DWNTs to exhibit photoluminescence (PL). In this report, we aim to clearly resolve this debate through the study of carefully separated DWNTs. DWNTs were successfully separated from SWNTs using density gradient ultracentrifugation. Here we clearly show that light is emitted from the inner wall of DWNTs; however, the intensity of the emission is significantly quenched. Interestingly, it was found that a very narrow range of diameters of the inner walls of DWNTs is required for PL to be observable. All other diameters led to complete PL quenching in DWNTs. In short, we have shown that both sides of the debate are correct under certain situations. The real answer to the question is that some DWNTs do emit light but most DWNTs do not.
Prognostic Markers in Resected Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: An Patients with 5 Year Follow-Up

We performed a retrospective analysis of potential prognostic markers in 260 patients with surgically resected stage I and II non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a minimum 5-year follow-up. Cox proportional hazard models and Wilcoxon tests were employed to analyze the effect of patient characteristics on survival and disease-free survival (DFS). In the univariate analysis, the following were significant predictors of shorter overall survival: N-stage (N1 vs N0) (p 63.5 vs <63.5) (p=0.03); mucin (positive vs negative) (p<0.03). The following were significant predictors of shorter DFS: N-stage (p<0.001); T-stage (p=0.001); loss of antigen A (p=0.01); mucin expression (p<0.01); cough (p=0.02); Ki-67 expression (p=0.02) and negative bcl-2 expression (p=0.03). Analysis of survival difference for histologic subtype, degree of differentiation, aneuploidy, %S-phase, codon 12 K-ras mutation, and immunohistochemistry staining for Lewisy, p53, Rb, microvessel count, HER2, E-cadherin and neuroendocrine markers did not reach statistical significance. In multivariate analysis, the following predicted for shorter overall survival: N-stage (p<0.01), antigen A (p=0.01), age (p<0.01), and bcl-2 (p=0.05); and for DFS, N-stage (p<0.01), antigen A (p<0.01), Ki-67 (p=0.03), mucin (p=0.04) and T-stage (p=0.05). Of all the clinical-pathological, proliferative, and biological markers studied, only a few carried independent prognostic significance.
Ambiguities inherent in sums-of-squares-based error statistics

Abstract Commonly used sums-of-squares-based error or deviation statistics—like the standard deviation, the standard error, the coefficient of variation, and the root-mean-square error—often are misleading indicators of average error or variability. Sums-of-squares-based statistics are functions of at least two dissimilar patterns that occur within data. Both the mean of a set of error or deviation magnitudes (the average of their absolute values) and their variability influence the value of a sum-of-squares-based error measure, which confounds clear assessment of its meaning. Interpretation problems arise, according to Paul Mielke, because sums-of-squares-based statistics do not satisfy the triangle inequality. We illustrate the difficulties in interpreting and comparing these statistics using hypothetical data, and recommend the use of alternate statistics that are based on sums of error or deviation magnitudes.
The ammonia-hydrogen system under pressure.

Binary mixtures of hydrogen and ammonia were compressed in diamond anvil cells to 15 GPa at room temperature over a range of compositions. The phase behavior was characterized using optical microsc...
THE EFFECTS OF CLIENT-THERAPIST MATCH ON SERVICE USE AND COSTS

The author explores the impact of ethnic matching between clients and their therapists or case managers on mental health service utilization and costs. Length of stay in outpatient and case management services of matched and unmatched clients was examined as well as the offset effect of this match on use of intensive and costly mental health services (inpatient, emergency, and skilled nursing facility). Matched clients had longer lengths of stay in outpatient but not case management services, and had significantly less utilization of all three intensive services. Annual cost savings to the system amounted to about $1,000 per matched client.
Decadence? the Khaldunian cycle in Algeria and South Africa

This article asks if Ibn Khaldun's cycle – his study of how civilisations rise and fall – is relevant to the modern world. Two introductory sections set the stage for the reply: a series of early nineteenth century American paintings is used to explicate the theory, which is then put in historical context. The theory is applied to two countries – Algeria and South Africa – where the sense of national solidarity changed radically at the end of the twentieth century. The decay of Algeria's nationalist and socialist identity and the rise of South African non-racial citizenship show how flexible and subject to rational calculation asabiyah can be in the modern world. Group feeling can be redefined most successfully in situations of prosperity, as well as when state institutions have the capacity to check and balance executive power. But as recent United States history indicates, we remain vulnerable to the misuse of those institutions: the paper concludes by suggesting that even countries once proudly confide...
Place Orientation and Rural–Urban Interdependence

An entire economic system cannot be understood unless there is reliable knowledge about both rural and urban sectors, including their interactions. In particular, there are two anomalies that cannot be rationalized satisfactorily by existing economic theory: the decentralizing economic activities that proceed from the city to the countryside; and the unequal per capita economic rewards between rural and urban people over time. This article presents empirical evidence on the two anomalies, proposes an integrated framework of rural-urban space, discusses the historic interdependence of rural and urban places from the perspective of the integrated framework, and looks at the implications for research and public policy.
Suppression of Mitogenic Response of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells by Bovine Mammary Secretions

Effects of bovine mammary secretions collected at different stages of the lactation cycle on blood mononuclear cell response to mitogens were evaluated. Mammary secretion skims and wheys collected 7 and 28 d following cessation of milking, at parturition, and during early lactation were used. Colostrum and mammary secretions obtained 7 d after milk cessation were associated with greatest inhibition of mononuclear cell blastogenesis. Milk collected during early lactation caused the least inhibition. Mammary secretion wheys caused greater inhibition of blastogenesis than skims. Dilution of mammary secretions reduced blastogenic inhibition. Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated mononuclear cells were less inhibited by mammary secretion than Concanavalin A-stimulated cells. Suppression of mononuclear cell activity, particularly during early involution and at parturition, may influence susceptibility of the bovine mammary gland to new intramammary infections during physiological transitions of the udder.
Calculations of pressure-induced phase transitions in mantle minerals

The crystal structures and energies of SiO2 stishovite, MgO periclase, Mg2SiO4 spinel, and MgSiO3 perovskite were calculated as a function of pressure with the polarization-included electron gas (PEG) model. The calculated pressures of the spinel to perovskite phase transitions in the Mg2SiO4 and MgSiO3 systems are 26.0 GPa and 27.0 GPa, respectively, compared to the experimental zero temperature extrapolations of 27.4 GPa and 27.7 GPa. The two oxide phases are found to be the most stable form in the pressure range 24.5 GPa to 31.5 GPa, compared to the experimental zero temperature extrapolation of 26.7 GPa to 28.0 GPa. The volume changes associated with the phase transitions are in good agreement with experiment. The transition pressures calculated with the PEG model, which allows the ions to distort from spherical symmetry, are in much better agreement with experiment than those calculated with the modified electron gas (MEG) model, which constrains the ions to be spherical.
Early College High Schools: Lessons Learned in the College Science Classroom.

The Gates Foundation has given more than US$100 million to establish approximately 160 early college high schools (ECHSs) across the nation. The ECHS goal, to send traditionally low-performing stud...
Advanced LIGO: the next generation of gravitational wave detectors

The Advanced LIGO gravitational wave detectors are next generation instruments which will replace the existing initial LIGO detectors. They are currently being constructed and installed. Advanced LIGO strain sensitivity is designed to be about a factor 10 better than initial LIGO over a broad band and usable to 10 Hz, in contrast to 40 Hz for initial LIGO. This is expected to allow for detections and significant astrophysics in most categories of gravitational waves. To achieve this sensitivity, all hardware subsystems are being replaced with improvements. Designs and expected performance are presented for the seismic isolation, suspensions, optics and laser subsystems. Possible enhancements to Advanced LIGO, either to resolve problems that may arise and/or to allow for improved performance, are now being researched. Some of these enhancements are discussed along with some potential technology being considered for detectors beyond Advanced LIGO.
Cor triatriatum dexter: Two-dimensional echocardiography diagnosis

Cor triatriatum dexter is a malformation resulting from lack of normal regression of the embryonic right valve of the sinus venosus. In this situation, the right atrium is divided by a membrane into two chambers. Two-dimensional echocardiography was used in the antemortem diagnosis of this rare cardiac anomaly in a neonate. Associated cardiac lesions were also documented. The patient died, and findings were verified at autopsy.
Schottky contacts on rapidly thermally annealed GaAs

Abstract Unimplanted n-GaAs wafers have been rapidly thermally annealed with and without using proximity techniques for the same annealing conditions as that used for activating ion-implanted impurities. The Schottky contacts on GaAs wafers rapidly thermally annealed in the proximity of GaAs did not exhibit any significant degradation, whereas those on wafers annealed without the use of a proximity technique were found to be degraded. The Schottky contacts were electrically characterized by current vs. voltage and capacitance vs. voltage measurements and the surface morphologies were observed using a scanning electron microscope.
The era of computer-aided viewing of the lung volume.

At the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Roentgen Society in 1963, Dr. Leo G. Rigler predicted the future of radiology practice in his speech entitled, “My Grandson, the Radiologist: “Film would be succeeded by electronic imaging media, and the file room would give way to magnetic tapes. Computers would become important, first as analytical tools and then for the analysis of images . . .” (1). One can almost hear the sighs of satisfaction emanating from Dr. Rigler in the hereafter as today’s daily radiology practice mirrors his predictions. A fleet of digital radiography machines, multidetector row CT scanners, MR scanners, ultrasound equipment, and scintigraphy cameras generate many terabytes (TB) of digital imaging data into PACS systems every day. We are often required to view more than a thousand images in a few minutes and give quick interpretations. In the current issue, Sun and colleagues report the results of their investigation in “Three-dimensional Computerized Segmentation of Lung Volume With Computed Tomography” (2). This paper presents a method for segmentation and visualization of lung volume by the combination of anisotropic filtering, wavelet transform-based interpolation, and an adaptive three-dimensional (3D) region-growing algorithm incorporated by an automatic seed locating method using fuzzy logic algorithms and 3D morphology closing approaches. In other words, they have developed a robust and automatic tool to extract lung volume from a volumetric CT data set. The article demonstrates a stepwise description of mathematical and computer science theory to perform this complex task. The lungs have an extremely complex 3D shape that is reflected by many “lines” and “interfaces” de-
Testing and Design-for-Testability Techniques for 3D Integrated Circuits

Technology scaling for higher performance and lower power consumption is being hampered today by the bottleneck of interconnect lengths. 3D integrated circuits (3DICs) based on through-silicon vias (TSVs) have emerged as a promising solution for overcoming the interconnect bottleneck. However, testing of 3D ICs remains a significant challenge, and breakthroughs in test technology are needed to make 3Dintegration commercially viable. This paper presents a survey of test challenges for 3D ICs and describes recent innovations on various aspects of 3D testing and DfT. Topics covered include pre-bond testing (BIST and TSV probing), optimizations for post bond testing, and cost modeling for 3D integration and associated test flows.
How Media Ecologies Can Address Diverse Student Needs

Post-secondary education sees an increasing variety of instructional media and an increasing diversity among learners. The goal of this study was to ascertain whether students of different learning styles, majors, and genders benefited from particular instructional media. Students completed a learning styles inventory and a survey of perceived usefulness of each instructional medium. Qualitative information was collected in student focus groups. All students perceived some of the same instructional media as useful and all valued a mix of media. A rich ecology of media appears to enhance student learning.
Effect of Femoral Socket Position on Graft Impingement After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Despite improved biomechanical stability and kinematics with anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, concerns regarding notch impingement of the graft have persisted, particularly with increasingly anterior tibial tunnel position. The potentially mitigating effect of anatomic femoral socket position, however, has not been evaluated.Hypothesis: Placement of the femoral socket in the central or posterolateral bundle footprint reduces the risk and magnitude of graft impingement after ACL reconstruction compared with placement in the anteromedial bundle footprint.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: This study employed computer-assisted navigation in a cadaveric model to evaluate the effect of tibial and femoral tunnel position on ACL graft impingement. Sixteen cadaveric knees were tested using the Praxim ACL Surgetics Navigation System, with the tibial tunnel positioned in the footprint of the anteromedial bundle and the femoral socket placed in the (1) anteromedia...
The eigenvalues of matrices which commute with their derivative

Abstract Let F be a differential field whose field of constants is algebraically closed and let A be a matrix with coefficients in F which commutes with its derivative DA . We show that all the eigenvalues of A lie in F , answering open problem 22 of [1] . We also give a simple proof of a theorem of Schur characterizing matrices A with the property that the derivatives of A of all orders mutually commute.
Impact of carnivore ravaging on zooarchaeological measures of element abundance

Most zooarchaeologists estimate limb-bone abundance from limb ends. Researchers have provided detailed documentation of the preferential destruction by carnivores of limb ends (Binford 1981; Binford et al. 1988; Blumenschine 1988; Brain 1981; Marean et al. 1990; Orloff and Marean 1990; Sutcliffe 1970). Others have observed differences between limb abundances calculated on limb shafts vs. ends, suggesting shaft pieces may provide more accurate estimates of original element abundance in carnivore-ravaged assemblages (Bunn 1986; Bunn and Kroll 1986; Blumenschine 1988; Klein 1975; Marean et al. 1990; Orloff and Marean 1990). However, the exact quantitative effect of carnivore ravaging on measures of element abundance has never been investigated. We provide an experimental test of the accuracy of different bone portions for estimating the original element abundance after carnivore ravaging. Spotted hyenas were allowed to ravage 33 simulated archaeological sites of known element abundance. Estimates of abundance calculated on limb ends differ greatly from original bone abundance, and estimates based on proximal/distal-shaft pieces are also inaccurate. Estimates from middle-shaft fragments, however, are uniquely accurate. These experimental data mandate reanalysis of assemblages where limb frequencies were calculated from limb ends and carnivore ravaging is implicated, and experimentally vindicate observations originally provided by Klein (1975).
Developing siRNA therapies to address osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a skeletal system pathology characterized by low bone mineral density and tissue structural deterioration. This malady is associated with high fracture risk that severely compromises quality of life. Osteoporosis incidence is becoming more significant with increasing lifespan worldwide. However, current approaches for treating osteoporosis cannot and do not treat the disease in the most ideal manner for diverse reasons. Substantial research has sought both the discovery of new targets and new therapies. In this review, emerging possible RNAi-mediated therapeutic opportunities for osteoporosis are identified and associated challenges discussed. Targeted delivery strategies capable of more reliable and efficient delivery to skeletal tissue are described, as well as possibilities to treat bone-forming cells with siRNA to produce cell-based therapy.
Distribution Formulation of Diffraction. The Monochromatic Case

The diffraction due to a monochromatic source is treated with the use of mathematical distributions. A significant departure from the conventional literature on distributions is manifest in the choice of test functions. These latter are tailored to reflect the important physical properties of the specific problem of electromagnetic diffraction. In this context, we derive two original results. The satisfaction of Maxwell’s equations in the diffracted field is shown to be equivalent to an orthogonality condition on the boundary. The diffraction process is shown to be governed by a one-parameter group of diffraction operators.
Beam divergence and waist measurements of laser diodes by near-field scanning optical microscopy

We demonstrate the use of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) for the measurement of the beam properties of single quantum well, graded index separate confinement heterojunction ridge laser diodes. Using NSOM, we measure the field intensity in the transverse plane at near field and as a function of distance from the facet. The divergence of the laser beam and the beam waists in vertical and lateral dimensions are directly measured and the astigmatism of the mode is determined. In the near field, we observe a nearly ideal Gaussian shape in the vertical dimension which is consistent with the beam divergence as measured in the far field. In the lateral dimension, the beam shape deviates from the ideal Gaussian since the mesa structure of the laser diode provides an effective step-index waveguide. The non-Gaussian structure of the mode is also observed in the beam divergence properties.
Effect of fat source differing in fatty acid profile on metabolic parameters, fertilization, and embryo quality in high-producing dairy cows

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of source of fatty acids (FA) on embryo quality of dairy cows. A total of 154 Holstein cows were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 sources of FA supplemented at 2% of the dietary dry matter as calcium salts of either palm oil (PO) or linoleic and trans-octadecenoic acids (LTFA) from 25 d prepartum to 80 d in milk (DIM). Cows were presynchronized beginning at 30 +/- 3 DIM and then subjected to the Ovsynch protocol beginning on d 39 +/- 3 postpartum. Timed artificial insemination was performed 12 h after the final GnRH of the Ovsynch protocol with semen from a single sire of proven fertility. The uteri of cows were nonsurgically flushed at 5 d after artificial insemination for collection of embryos-oocytes. Ovaries were examined by ultrasonography throughout the synchronization protocol. Blood was sampled and plasma was analyzed for concentrations of metabolites and hormones. The body condition score and yields of milk and milk components were measured throughout the first 90 DIM. Treatment did not affect concentrations of nonesterified FA, beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, and progesterone in plasma. Body condition was similar between treatments. Milk production was similar between treatments, but concentrations of fat in milk and yields of fat and 3.5% fat-corrected milk decreased in cows fed LTFA, whereas concentration of true protein increased. Source of dietary FA did not influence ovulatory responses, diameter of the ovulatory follicle, and diameter of the corpus luteum during synchronization. Embryo-oocyte recovery relative to the number of corpora lutea did not differ between treatments. Fertilization tended to increase in cows fed LTFA compared with cows fed PO. Feeding LTFA improved the proportion of excellent-, good-, and fair-quality embryos, and embryos from cows fed LTFA had a greater number of blastomeres than embryos from cows fed PO. Feeding a more unsaturated source of FA improved fertilization and embryo development in lactating dairy cows, despite similar indicators of metabolic status.
The identification and quantification of δ5-androstenetriol (3β, 16α, 17β-trihydroxyandrost-5-ene) isolated from the urine of premature infants

Abstract Δ5-androstenetriol was isolated from a premature infant urine pool and identified by chromatographic proceduRes and IR spectroscopy. A procedure for measurement of this steroid in urine samples is described. The daily excretion of Δ5-androstenetriol by 23 premature infants was measured and the mean excretions were found not to increase or decrease significantly over the first five weeks of life.
Hybrid Optoelectronic Analog-To-Digital Conversion System

A new hybrid, direct, real-time, and parallel analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion system has been theoretically and experimentally investigated. Basically this system consists of an A/D conversion screen, a photosensor panel, a comparator, and a coder. For the purpose of designing an A/D conversion screen, various quantizer characteristics and the minimization of the mean-square distortion are briefly described. Based on the quantizer characteristics, the design algorithms of the A/D conversion screen are developed. It is found that charge-coupled device (CCD), charge-injection device (CID), and metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) photodiode image sensor arrays can be used for the large-area hybrid A/D conversion system, and photodiode or photocell arrays can be applied for a single-pixel A/D conversion system. An error analysis shows that the conversion errors result from the discrepancy between the fabricated and designed transmittance function of the screen cells and the nonuniform characteristics of the photosensors. Also, this system is theoretically compared with existing electronic A/D conver-sion systems. To show the feasibility of this system, a single-pixel 16-level A/D conversion system using a single-cell 16-level A/D conver-sion screen, a photosensor panel of 16 photocells, and accessory elec-tronic circuits is designed, constructed, and experimented with input op-tical signals. The experimental results proved that this system can be used for achieving A/D conversion of both coherent or incoherent and monochromatic or polychromatic optical signals. The system can be potentially applied for the interface at the optical input of a digital computer for real-time optical data processing, picture coding, and optical telemetry.
Public health physicians: An endangered species

Abstract Background: Questions have arisen regarding the competency levels of the various professions within the public health sector, including those of physicians. Protection of the nation’s health requires that physicians on the public health team be competent practitioners of both medicine and public health. Physicians practicing in this arena are required to possess a vast array of knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be effective contributors in the field. Methods: Using focus groups of key informants in public health, the context of practice, inventory of required competencies, current competencies, and identified gaps in these competencies, measures to address the situation were identified and discussed. Results: Recommendations from the focus groups include: use of distance-based learning, development of educational materials and programs, use of the American College of Preventive Medicine as a facilitator, improved remuneration, changes to the certification process, utilization of mentoring programs, introduction of new marketing strategies, use of professional publications, and increased governmental/agency support. Contributors to this endeavor are identified. Conclusions: While we strive to improve the physician workforce entering the field, creative strategies for continued lifelong learning are urgently needed to facilitate ongoing development of physicians in the current public health workforce. This situation presents a major research agenda for public health practice. Identification of the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes for public health physicians is the first step toward narrowing gaps in required competencies.
ACE: A congestion estimator for wiring custom chips

Abstract Because wiring a chip is so time consuming, it is highly desirable to be able to evaluate a particular placement of macros on a chip in terms of its wirability, or choose among several candidate placements, prior to any actual wiring. A method is presented to do this. The expected wire congestion is derived and the critical areas exposed, thereby enabling improvement of the chip layout.