cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crossbar-Multi-Processor Architecture

The crossbar-multi-processor (CMP) architecture is an interconnection of multis using a hierarchy of crossbars. It is intended to be the base architecture of an architectural framework that can be used to experiment with different processors, various directory protocols for communication among multis and memory to keep caches coherent, and different parallel programming paradigms. Each multi in the architecture provides low latency communication between a small (<8) number of processors. Communication between multis is supported by crossbars. To support a large number of multis a hierarchical connection of crossbars is employed. The CMP architecture combines the advantages of snooping cache schemes and directory schemes to keep the caches of a scalable multiprocessor consistent. The shared memory is distributed among the multis in the system. To reduce global interconnection traffic each cache also has a small associative store that contains a directory of locked data items in that processor.
Design of Model Reference Adaptive Controllers

Prior to the case study presentations in this chapter, it is useful at this point to review the algorithms that have been presented in the previous three chapters. These algorithms vary in complexity according to the need for satisfying positivity and/or robustness constraints that guarantee asymptotic tracking or stability at the very least.
Computational thinking: expanding the toolkit

In this paper we describe a set of tools, LEGO® Mindstorms NXT, SCRATCH, App Inventor, and CS Unplugged, that was presented to teachers to support computational thinking curriculum initiatives. During a workshop sponsored by GOOGLE's CS4HS program, educators were given step-by-step instructions in the basics of each tool, along with a computational thinking activity/challenge that can be used in the classroom. Survey data from the workshop indicated that a breadth first, intensive introduction influenced educators to consider these tools. The educators cited deficient school resources as a possible barrier to implementation, but the introduction of the Raspberry Pi holds promise for mitigating this. Educators unanimously found the workshop useful and indicated that they are likely to include the tools in their classrooms
Chromosomal Polymorphism and Vagility in Natural Populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura

If one desires to study the evolutionary genetics of a behavior, one must select a trait that is important in the natural setting of a species. However, given the differences in ecology that normally occur over the range of most species, one must anticipate that different populations of the species will vary in the level of expression of the behavior. In such a study, one wants to be able to identify ultimately the gene differences among populations that result in their observed behavioral differences. Unfortunately, for most behaviors we do not know which genes play major roles in the expression of the trait, and at least initially, we may have to look for associations between the behavior and chromosomes or even complexes of chromosomes. Dispersal is a behavior that is important in the natural setting of most animal species; Drosophila pseudoobscura Frolova is a species whose populations vary in their degree of chromosomal polymorphism. These polymorphisms have been found to be associated with certain behaviors and other factors affecting fitness, and it is therefore reasonable to look for their association with dispersal behavior.
Ligand Tracer Kinetics: Theory and Application

In this chapter we have presented the basic theory underlying the quantitative modeling of neuroreceptor imaging studies using PET and SPECT. Quantitative estimates of receptor parameters that are independent of effects such as clearance and regional cerebral blood flow require fitting data to a mathematical model that takes these factors into account. We have shown how basic models of the relevant physiological processes are combined into a comprehensive compartment model of the time course of the radioligand during a scan. The standard compartment model described in this chapter incorporates transport of ligand into brain tissue and subsequent binding of ligand to receptors into a coupled set of differential equations. Provided that the experimental conditions satisfy the assumptions of the model (tracer dose, constant regional cerebral blood flow and an available receptor population that is unchanged during the course of the scan), outcome measures that are proportional to available receptor density can be estimated. A good understanding of the approximations and assumptions that are incorporated in the models and the relationships between the various components of the measured signal will lead to more insightful interpretation of data obtained using PET and SPECT.
Adjustable Autonomy: A Response

Gaining a fundamental understanding of adjustable autonomy (AA) is critical if we are to deploy multi-agent systems in support of critical human activities. Indeed, our recent work with intelligent agents in the “Electric Elves” (E-Elves) system has convinced us that AA is a critical part of any human collaboration software. In the following, we first briefly describe E-Elves, then discuss AA issues in E-Elves.
Exact Solutions for Nonlinear Systems under Parametric and External White-Noise Excitations

The probability density of the response state vector of a nonlinear system under the excitation of Gaussian white noises is governed by a parabolic partial differential equation, called the Fokker-Planck equation. Exact solutions to such equations are difficult especially when both parametric (multiplicative) and external (additive) random excitations are present. In this paper, methods of solution for response vectors at the stationary state are discussed under two schemes based on the concept of detailed balance and the concept of generalized stationary potential, respectively. It is shown that the second scheme is more general and includes the first scheme as a special case. Examples are given to illustrate their applications.
Design and Characterization of Edible Soft Robotic Candy Actuators

One of the goals of soft robotics is the ability to interface with the human body. Traditionally, silicone materials have dominated the field of soft robotics. In order to shift to materials that are more compatible with the body, developments will have to be made into biodegradable and biocompatible soft robots. This investigation focused on developing gummy actuators which are biodegradable, edible, and tasty. Creating biodegradable and edible actuators can be both sold as an interactive candy product and also inform the design of implantable soft robotic devices. First, commercially available gelatin-based candies were recast into pneumatic actuators utilizing molds. Edible robotic devices were pneumatically actuated repeatedly (up to n=8 actuations) using a 150 psi power inflator. To improve upon the properties of actuators formed from commercially available candy, a novel gelatin-based formulation, termed the “Fordmula” was also developed and used to create functional actuators. To investigate the mechanics and functionality of the recast gummy material and the Fordmula, compression testing and biodegradation studies were performed. Mechanical compression tests showed that recast gummy materials had similar properties to commercially available candies and at low strain had similar behavior to traditional silicone materials. Degradation studies showed that actuation was possible within 15 minutes in a biologically relevant solution followed by complete dissolution of the actuator afterwards. A taste test with elementary aged children demonstrated the fun, edible, and educational appeal of the candy actuators. Edible actuator development was an entry and winning submission in the High School Division of the Soft Robotics Toolkit Design Competition hosted by Harvard University. Demonstration of edible soft robotic actuators created by middle and high school aged students shows the applicability of the Soft Robotics Toolkit for K12 STEM education.
Axial Resistance of Nondisplacement Pile Groups in Sand

AbstractWhen subjected to axial loading, the response of a pile in a pile group is different from that of an isolated single pile, all other factors being the same. Three-dimensional finite-element...
Efficient fail-fast dynamic subtype checking

We address the problem of dynamically checking if an instance of class S is also an instance of class T. Researchers have designed various strategies to perform constant-time subtype tests. Yet, well-known production implementations degrade to linear search in the worst case, in order to achieve other goals such as constant space and/or efficient dynamic class loading. The fast path is usually optimized for subtype tests that succeed. However, in workloads where dynamic type tests are common, such as Scala's pattern matching and LLVM compiler passes, we observe that 74%--93% of dynamic subtype tests return a negative result. We thus propose a scheme for fail-fast dynamic subtype checking. We assign each type a randomly generated type identifier with fixed size and fixed parity. In the compiled version of each class, we store a fixed-width bloom filter, which combines the type identifiers of all its transitive supertypes. At run-time, the bloom filters enable fast refutation of dynamic subtype tests with high probability. If such a refutation cannot be made, the scheme falls back to conventional techniques. This scheme works with multiple inheritance, separate compilation, and dynamic class loading. A prototype implementation of fail-fasts in the JVM provides provides 1.44x--2.74x speedup over HotSpot's native instanceof, on micro-benchmarks where worst-case behavior is likely.
Basics on Finite Fields

This final set of lectures on finite fields is not aligned exactly with the character of the first four, but we are grateful that the editors have decided to include it here because it is an interesting manifestation of the spirit of exposition of the volume.
E864: Experimental results on exotic nuclei and rare probes

Abstract Experiment 864 at the BNL-AGS was designed to search for exotic states of strange quark matter and other rare composite particles. The experiment was commissioned in 1994 and completed its final run in 1998. Here, we present an overview of the experimental results for the production of light nuclei up to A = 7, antiprotons and antideuterons, hypernuclei and production limits on new states of quark matter.
Clutter Modeling from UWB Data for LPI/LPD Radarcom Signal Encoding

In this work we propose a method of clutter deconvolution and modeling using experimentally obtained UWB radar data. The obtained clutter models are then used for random sequence encoding (RSE) of radar-communication (radarcom) signals to achieve clutter-masked transmissions and improve covertness of the scheme. We present the results of clutter modeling from the laboratory data obtained with the software-defined OFDM radar system. We also present the results of communication and radar performance of the radarcom signals created using the derived clutter model. It is shown that this method has the potential to achieve secure communications in adversarial conditions, while simultaneously addressing radar sensing needs.
American Expansionism, 1783-1860 : A Manifest Destiny?

This new Seminar Study surveys the history of U.S. territorial expansion from the end of the American Revolution until 1860. The book explores the concept of 'manifest destiny' and asks why, if expansion was 'manifest', there was such opposition to almost every expansionist incident. Paying attention to key themes often overlooked - Indian removal and the US government land sales policy, the book looks at both 'foreign' expansion such as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and the war with Mexico in the 1840s and 'internal' expansion as American settlers moved west .Finally, the book addresses the most recent historiographical trends in the subject and asks how Americans have dealt with the expansionist legacy.
Risk assessment of vector-borne disease transmission using spatiotemporal network model and climate data with an application of dengue in Bangladesh

Abstract Vector-borne disease risk assessment is crucial to optimize surveillance, preventative measures (vector control), and resource allocation (medical supplies). High arthropod abundance and host interaction strongly correlate to vector-borne pathogen transmission. Increasing host density and movement increases the possibility of local and long-distance pathogen transmission. Therefore, we developed a risk assessment framework using climate (average temperature and rainfall) and host demographic (host density and movement) data, particularly suitable for regions with unreported or under-reported incidence data. This framework consisted of a spatiotemporal network-based approach coupled with a compartmental disease model and a non-homogeneous Gillespie algorithm. One-month and two-month lagged temperature and rainfall data have been used to develop the correlation of climate data with vector abundance and host-vector interactions. This correlation can be expressed as vectorial capacity— a parameter, which governs the spreading of infection from an infected host to a susceptible via vectors. As an example, the novel risk assessment framework is applied for dengue in Bangladesh. Vectorial capacity is inferred for each week throughout a year using average monthly temperature and rainfall data, while the whole country is divided into some spatial locations (upazilas). Long-distance pathogen transmission is expressed with human movement data in the spatiotemporal network. We have identified the spatiotemporal suitability of dengue spreading in Bangladesh as well as the significant-incidence window and peak incidence period. Analysis of yearly dengue data variation suggests the possibility of a significant outbreak with a new serotype introduction. The outcome of the framework comprises of weather-dependent spatiotemporal suitability maps and probabilistic risk maps for spatial infection spreading. This framework is capable of vector-borne disease risk assessment without historical incidence data and can be a useful tool for preparedness with accurate human movement data.
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-antibody (504B3) engagement detected by interferometry identifies off-target binding

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lysophospholipid that acts through its six cognate G protein-coupled receptors. As a family, lysophospholipids have already produced medicines (e.g., sphingosine 1-phosphate) as is being pursued for LPA through the use of specific antibodies that reduce ligand availability. The binding properties of a commercially available, reportedly specific, monoclonal LPA antibody named 504B3 that is related to the clinical candidate Lpathomab/LT3015 were reexamined using a free solution assay (FSA) measured in a compensated interferometric reader (CIR). Measurement of 504B3 binding properties with an FSA-CIR approach revealed similar binding affinities for 504B3 against LPA as well as the non-LPA lipids, phosphatidic acid (PA) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). Antibody binding specificity and sensitivity, particularly involving lipid ligands, can be assessed in solution and without labels using FSA-CIR. These findings could affect interpretations of both current and past basic and clinical studies employing 504B3 and related anti-LPA antibodies.
Orbital floor fracture repair with implants: a retrospective study

Background Although prompt surgery after an orbital fracture is preferable, the actual timing of surgery in real-world settings varies. Therefore, this study investigated the outcomes of implant surgery for inferior orbital wall fractures by comparing three groups according to the time interval between the injury and surgery. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of patients' medical charts and initial computed tomography images from 2009 to 2020. The time to treatment was chosen by patients or their guardians based on the patients' comorbidities and the physician's explanation. The patients were divided into three groups according to the time of surgery (group 1: 3-7 days, group 2: 8-14 days, group 3: 15 or more days). Data were collected on age, the time interval until surgery, the dimensions of the defect, the operation time, the follow-up period, and the postoperative paresthesia score (ranging from 0 to 10). The outcomes were evaluated using a 4-point scale: 4= good (no complications), 3 = fair (no subjective symptoms), 2 = poor (remaining paresthesia), and 1 = very poor (strabismus and/or enophthalmos). Results The study included 85 patients with unilateral fractures who underwent surgery from 3 to 93 days after injury. The overall score distribution of the surgical outcomes was as follows: good= 63, fair= 7, poor= 6, and very poor= 9. The three groups showed no significant differences in the transverse dimension of the injury (p= 0.110) or the anteroposterior dimension (p= 0.144). In groups 1, 2, and 3, the postoperative outcome scores were 3.84± 0.37, 3.63± 0.87, and 2.93± 1.33 (p= 0.083), and the percentage of patients with good outcomes was 84%, 81.25%, and 57.14%, respectively. Conclusion Performing surgery using an artificial implant within 2 weeks of the injury showed better outcomes and fewer postoperative complications than when treatment was delayed.
Epithelial Plasticity and Innate Immune Activation Promote Lung Tissue Remodeling following Respiratory Viral Infection

Summary Epithelial plasticity has been suggested in lungs of mice following genetic depletion of stem cells but is of unknown physiological relevance. Viral infection and chronic lung disease share similar pathological features of stem cell loss in alveoli, basal cell (BC) hyperplasia in small airways, and innate immune activation, that contribute to epithelial remodeling and loss of lung function. We show that a novel lineage of distal airway secretory cells, intralobar serous (IS) cells, are activated to assume BC fates following influenza virus infection. Nascent BC differ from pre-existing BC by high expression of IL-22ra1 and undergo IL-22-dependent expansion for colonization of injured alveoli. Resolution of virus-elicited inflammation resulted in BC>IS re-differentiation in repopulated alveoli, and increased local expression of antimicrobial factors, but failed to replace normal alveolar epithelium. Epithelial plasticity therefore protects against mortality from acute respiratory viral infection but results in distal lung remodeling and loss of lung function.
Using proof-of-work to mitigate spoofing-based denial of service attacks

This paper proposes a new strategy for using proof-of-work (PoW) to mitigate certain Denial of Service attacks which rely on address spoofing. By requiring clients to include a very small PoW in their requests to establish new connections, servers can protect connection resources from spoofers who lack the processing power to compute sufficient proofs for each packet in their floods. We present a methodology for evaluating this system empirically in a network testbed.
Moems Modeling Using the Geometrical Matrix Toolbox

New technologies such as MicroOptoElectro-Mechanical Systems (MOEMS) require new modeling tools. These tools must simultaneously model the optical, electrical, and mechanical domains and the interactions between these domains. To facilitate rapid prototyping of these new technologies an optical toolbox has been developed for modeling MOEMS devices. The toolbox models are constructed using MATLAB's dynamical simulator, Simulink. Modeling toolboxes will allow users to focus their efforts on system design and analysis as opposed to developing component models. This toolbox was developed to facilitate rapid modeling and design of a MOEMS based laser ultrasonic receiver system.
Fibrillin microfibrils in bone physiology

The severe skeletal abnormalities associated with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA) underscore the notion that fibrillin assemblies (microfibrils and elastic fibers) play a critical role in bone formation and function in spite of representing a low abundance component of skeletal matrices. Studies of MFS and CCA mice have correlated the skeletal phenotypes of these mutant animals with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms that reflect the contextual contribution of fibrillin-1 and -2 scaffolds to TGFβ and BMP signaling during bone patterning, growth and metabolism. Illustrative examples include the unique role of fibrillin-2 in regulating BMP-dependent limb patterning and the distinct impact of the two fibrillin proteins on the commitment and differentiation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Collectively, these findings have important implication for our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that drive age- and injury-related processes of bone degeneration.
ATOMISTIC METHODS FOR STRUCTURE-PROPERTY CORRELATIONS

There is a general belief that physical properties of crystals can be classified, to a first approximation, according to its structure. The basis of this thinking is that there is close correlation between structure and the chemical bonding between atoms which in turn controls the properties [1]. Although it is not guaranteed to be always successful, this can be a good starting point toward the understanding of materials properties and behavior. In this section we discuss the use of atomistic techniques to study interfaces, primarily grain boundaries, in the context of structure-property correlation. As we will see, these methods are a subset of the multiscale techniques treated extensively in Chapters 1–4. Using grain boundary as a prototypical crystal defect, we examine how atomistic simulation techniques can be brought together to determine the physical properties of crystalline materials with well-characterized defect microstructure. This section also serves as an introduction to the subsequent sections which are concerned, in one way or another, with probing the structure and associated properties of grain boundaries.
A point mutation abolishes binding of cAMP to site A in the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Each regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase has two tandem cAMP-binding sites, A and B, at the carboxyl terminus. Based on sequence homologies with the cAMP-binding domain of the Escherichia coli catabolite gene activator protein, a model has been constructed for each cAMP-binding domain. Two of the conserved features of each cAMP-binding site are an arginine and a glutamic acid which interact with the negatively charged phosphate and with the 2′-OH on the ribose ring, respectively. In the type I regulatory subunit, this arginine in cAMP binding site A is Arg-209. Recombinant DNA techniques have been used to change this arginine to a lysine. The resulting protein binds cAMP with a high affinity and associates with the catalytic subunit to form holoenzyme. The mutant holoenzyme also is activated by cAMP. However, the mutant R-subunit binds only 1 mol of cAMP/R-monomer. Photoaffinity labeling confirmed that the mutant R-subunit has only one functional cAMP-binding site. In contrast to the native R-subunit which is labeled at Trp-260 and Tyr-371 by 8-N3cAMP, the mutant R-subunit is convalently modified at a single site, Tyr-371, which correlates with a functional cAMP-binding site B. The lack of functional cAMP-binding site A also was confirmed by activating the mutant holoenzyme with analogs of cAMP which have a high specificity for either site A or site B. 8-NH2-methyl cAMP which preferentially binds to site B was similar to cAMP in its ability to activate both mutant and wild type holoenzyme whereas N6-monobutyryl cAMP, a site A-specific analog, was a very poor activator of the mutant holoenzyme. The results support the conclusions that 1) Arg-209 is essential for cAMP binding to site A and 2) cAMP binding to domain A is not essential for dissociation of the mutant holoenzyme.
'Listening In' to Find Unmet Customer Needs and Solutions

In many industries, such as the automotive, travel, and health industries, customers routinely use the Internet to gather information on product features and to refine their choice sets. As a result, many websites (e.g., Kelley's Blue Book) now provide virtual advisors to help customers narrow their searches. Customer preference data from these virtual advisors are available at little incremental cost and provide a natural source of ideas for new product platforms. In this paper, we explore a practical marketing research methodology to identify new high-potential unmet-need segments for product development by "listening in" to these ongoing dialogues between customers and web-based virtual advisors. The methodology is designed to be practical when there are large numbers of options (e.g., as many as 150 trucks when studying the automotive market) and many potential customer needs. Calibration is based on activities, interests, and opinions data (AIO) that are collected routinely by many firms. For example, automotive firms collect AIO data periodically for a variety of purposes. Calibration can evolve with incremental data collection as new products enter the market and as new customer needs are identified. The methodology, designed to complement extant methods, uses five modules - a Bayesian virtual advisor, a listening-in trigger, a virtual engineer, a design palette, and a mechanism to identify the underlying unmet-need segments. We also provide an "opportunity-sizing" method which takes product costs into account and provides a rough estimate of the size of the opportunity using available data. The modules are flexible; most can be used with other extant methods. We describe the methodology and examine its properties through formal analysis and Monte Carlo simulation. We demonstrate feasibility by applying the methodology to the pickuptruck category (over 1,000 web-based respondents). The methodology identified two ideas for new truck platforms worth approximately $2.4-3.2 billion and $1-2 billion, respectively.
Aligned molecular gases for quasi phase matching

We demonstrate that nonlinear gratings formed by a spatially modulated alignment pulse enable quasi phase-matched frequency conversion in aligned molecular gases. This process is simulated for third harmonic generation in a gas of linear molecules.
Evolution of the Halpha luminosity function

The Smithsonian Hectospec Lensing Survey (SHELS) is a window on the star formation history over the last 4 Gyr. SHELS is a spectroscopically complete survey for Rtot ~ L* in each of the redshift bins. We conclude that triggered star formation is an important influence for star forming galaxies with Halpha emission.
Effects of Stall Design and Rubber Alley Mats on Cow Behavior in Freestall Barns

Abstract The objectives of these studies were to evaluate cow preference between different stall designs and effects of rubber flooring on stall use and time at the feed bunk. Both studies were conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station. In the stall design study, cows could choose among seven different stall base types, each available with a U-loop and 112-cm (45-in) neck rail or a new Y2K® stall partition (Artex Fabricators, Ltd., Langley, British Columbia, Canada) and 125-cm (50-in) neck rail, without a front mounting bar. Stall status was recorded four times per day, 2 d/wk. Data collection began January 29, 2003 for a 1-mo period. Cows had a 1-mo acclimation period to the new stalls, and data were collected for another 1-mo period. Cows were observed lying significantly more (P
Study designs for dose-ranging.

Premarketing dose-ranging studies of a drug are done to establish a reasonable initial dose. According to the current procedure sanctioned by the Food and Drug Administration, each patient is given one of several possible doses, including placebo, after an initial placebo run-in period. Data analysis is based on a model in which the mean response at each dose is independent of the magnitude of the dose. The initial dose is the lowest dose tested that has a response that is statistically significantly greater than the response after placebo administration. We suggest that the present conceptual approach to, and standard study design and analysis for, dose-ranging studies be changed. We believe one must begin with a parametric model for patient-specific dose-response curves. Knowledge of the distribution of these curves in a population provides a basis for choice of an initial dose (e.g., the dose that achieves a given response in a given fraction of patients) and, after observation of response to an initial dose, for choice of an incremental dose for a specific patient (by use of Bayes rule). The current parallel-dose design can provide only poor information about the distribution of dose-response curves, biased estimates of the typical curve, and little information on interpatient variability. Crossover studies provide better information. In studies in which a parametric patient-specific dose-response model is used, a dose-escalation design provides no less information than a crossover design, and it has ethical advantages that allow a more representative patient group and clinical setting to be studied.
Architectures, mechanisms and molecular evolution of natural product methyltransferases

Covering: up to January 2012 The addition of a methyl moiety to a small chemical is a common transformation in the biosynthesis of natural products across all three domains of life. These methylation reactions are most often catalysed by S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases (MTs). MTs are categorized based on the electron-rich, methyl accepting atom, usually O, N, C, or S. SAM-dependent natural product MTs (NPMTs) are responsible for the modification of a wide array of structurally distinct substrates, including signalling and host defense compounds, pigments, prosthetic groups, cofactors, cell membrane and cell wall components, and xenobiotics. Most notably, methylation modulates the bioavailability, bioactivity, and reactivity of acceptor molecules, and thus exerts a central role on the functional output of many metabolic pathways. Our current understanding of the structural enzymology of NPMTs groups these phylogenetically diverse enzymes into two MT-superfamily fold classes (class I and class III). Structural biology has also shed light on the catalytic mechanisms and molecular bases for substrate specificity for over fifty NPMTs. These biophysical-based approaches have contributed to our understanding of NPMT evolution, demonstrating how a widespread protein fold evolved to accommodate chemically diverse methyl acceptors and to catalyse disparate mechanisms suited to the physiochemical properties of the target substrates. This evolutionary diversity suggests that NPMTs may serve as starting points for generating new biocatalysts.
Stress, inflammation and preterm birth in African American Women

Abstract In 2011, 11.7% of babies in the U.S. were born prematurely. African American women have higher rates of preterm birth compared with non-Hispanic white women. Chronic stressors experienced by African American women, such as living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and experiencing racial discrimination, have been related to higher rates of preterm birth. One potential pathway by which neighborhood disadvantage and racial discrimination can affect preterm birth is by increasing cumulative stress burden for these women. Psychological stress has been linked to preterm birth. The effects of chronic stress on preterm birth may occur through alterations of immune functions, thereby predisposing women to infection/inflammation. This review focuses on stress and inflammation as potential mechanisms for disparities in preterm birth in African American women. Prior research provides some evidence that stress-related immune interactions may contribute to preterm birth. Nurses need to be aware that African American women may experience chronic stressors in addition to the acute stress of having a premature infant.
Methotrexate treatment of recalcitrant childhood dermatomyositis.

Objective. To review the clinical course of 16 children with recalcitrant dermatomyositis (DM), who were treated with oral methotrexate (MTX) in addition to prednisone. Methods. Sixteen patients with recalcitrant DM who were treated with MTX in addition to prednisone were followed between 1984 and 1990. The patients' clinical responses to treatment, including alterations in muscle strength and muscle enzyme levels, changes in prednisone dosage, and development of toxicity or complications were reviewed retrospectively. Results. All 12 patients who received MTX for at least 8 months regained normal muscle strength. In 11 of the 12, the prednisone dosage could eventually be tapered to ⩽5 mg/day. Complications during MTX treatment required discontinuation of MTX in 5 patients, and were unrelated to the cumulative dose of the drug. Active disease recurred in 5 patients in whom MTX had been discontinued after apparent clinical remission had been achieved. Conclusion. MTX, in combination with prednisone, is a useful adjunct in the treatment of recalcitrant childhood DM. However, recurrence of disease after withdrawal of MTX suggests that the drug may have a suppressive, rather than a remittive, effect.
Disorders of the mandibular articulation: A diagnostic technique

Abstract The clinical nature of the mandibular articulation has been outlined. A fourphase method for diagnosing disorders of the mandibular articulation has been presented. Emphasis has been focused on the facts that the mandibular articulation has the capacity for self-injury, that malocclusion is only one of the many causes of these disorders, and that occlusal balancing techniques are not always indicated as a therapeutic measure. This article emphasizes the importance of discovering all factors which interfere with synchronous and normal movement of the muscles controlling the mandible in addition to muscle spasm as etiologic factors. The importance of abnormal tongue movement and habits has been demonstrated. These and the synergistic movement of the external pterygoid muscles can be etiologic factors in indirect trauma of the mandibular articulation. The coronoid process, carrying the insertion fibers of the temporal muscles, also is an important traumatic factor. Pain from cervical tooth erosion can affect the manner of function of masticatory muscles and give rise to traumas. If the diagnostician approaches such disorders with only the temporomandibular joint in mind, he will be incorrect in the location of the area of the indirect traumas in approximately 60 per cent of patients with mandibular articulation disorders. More often, the lateral head pain reported by the patient arises from injury to the fibers of the muscle at their insertion and from the coronoid process.
Growth of Actinomyces bovis; quantitative cultural methods.

Summary(1) Cultural methods are described for obtaining concentrated growth of A. bovis in a dialyzable liquid medium. (2) Growth of A. bovis has been determined by quantitative technics. (3) A special ridged culture tube has been designed for growing, A. bovis in a liquid medium under ordinary atmospheric conditions.
Surface energy and configuration of inert gas crystals—I

Abstract An expression is derived for the average potential energy of a particle at any given distance above the plane face of a semi-infinite crystalline array of similar particles obeying an inverse power, pairwise additive potential function with spherical symmetry. This expression is then used with a Lennard-Jones potential function to discuss various models for the surface configuration of semi-finite crystals by comparing the minimum excess surface energy of the model with that of the undistorted half-crystal. The results indicate that the only likely distortion in the surface of the static lattice at0°K is a slight expansion normal to the surface as indicated by s huttleworth 's calculations (1)
Spatial Unmasking of Birdsong in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata) and Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Budgerigars and zebra finches were tested, using operant conditioning techniques, on their ability to identify a zebra finch song in the presence of a background masker emitted from either the same or a different location as the signal. Identification thresholds were obtained for three masker types differing in their spectrotemporal characteristics (noise, modulated noise, and a song chorus). Both bird species exhibited similar amounts of spatial unmasking across the three masker types. The amount of unmasking was greater when the masker was played continuously compared to when the target and masker were presented simultaneously. These results suggest that spatial factors are important for birds in the identification of natural signals in noisy environments.
Surface optomechanics: Mechanical whispering-gallery modes in microspheres

We analyze circumferentially circulating mechanical whispering-gallery modes [WGM] resonating in a micron scaled silica sphere. We recently showed that such modes can be excited optically [1]. A variety of modes are calculated in which the deformation is polar, radial or azimuthal. Additionally, we calculate Rayleigh WGMs for which points on the surface follow a circular path.
Colony formation from protoplasts derived from Douglas fir cotyledons

Abstract Proliferation of Douglas fir cells regenerated from protoplasts has been accomplished using cotyledons derived from 2–4 week old seedlings. Yield of protoplasts was significantly increased by subjecting cotyledons, prior to protoplast isolation, to a preconditioning treatment for 8 days in the presence of 15 mu;M N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 500 nM 2-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Protoplasts cultured on a fabric tissue support saturated with a liquid nutrient medium containing a high concentration (10 mM) of glutamine were capable of undergoing rapid cell division leading to colony formation.
The Agonistic Social Media: Cyberspace in the Formation of Dissent and Consolidation of State Power in Postelection Iran

In this article an attempt is made to rethink the phenomenon of emerging social media, not merely as a means of communication, but as social space wherein confrontational activities of political significance take place. How do political movements manifest new forums, promoting or resisting state power through social networking sites such as Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, or YouTube? How do states exert authority in the realm of digital activism? Unrest over official election results in Iran represents a case in which social media sites shape distinct sites wherein dissent is virtualized to challenge authoritarian rule, both offline and in cyberspace. Such cyberspaces of protest should be viewed in close connection with online governance through which the state can exert authority through surveillance operations, propaganda, and hacktivism. Online social media are agonistic arenas where information, ideas, values, and subjectivities are contested between (uneven) adversaries, and where new contexts could poten...
A PSYCHOMETRIC APPROACH TO THE MEASUREMENT OF COLOR PREFERENCE

A three-part investigation was conducted to explore the meaning of color preferences. Phase 1 used a Q-sort technique to assess intra-individual stability of preferences over 5 wk. Phase 2 used pri...
Assessing the impact of an alternative biochemical failure definition on radiation dose response for high-risk prostate cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy.

Abstract Purpose The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) biochemical failure definition has recently been compared with various alternative definitions. We assessed the effect of using an alternative failure definition on the dose–response characteristics of high-risk prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy alone. Methods and materials This study included 363 high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiotherapy alone from 1987 to 1999. These patients have one or more of the following: 1992 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) digital rectal examination (DRE) stage ≥ cT3, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) > 20 ng/mL, and/or biopsy Gleason score ≥ 8. We previously reported the dose response based on the ASTRO definition for these patients. In this study, a biochemical failure is defined as a PSA rise ≥ 2 ng/mL above the current nadir PSA (CN + 2). The failure date is defined as the time at which the event occurred (i.e., the call date). Results Using CN + 2, the tumor control probability (TCP) continues to decrease with time as opposed to reaching a plateau as with the ASTRO definition. At 5 years, TCD50 (95% CI), the dose to achieve 50% tumor control, for high-risk prostate cancer, is 70.4 (68.0–72.9) Gy using CN + 2 [ASTRO: 75.5 (70.7–80.2) Gy]. The relative slope, γ50 (95% CI) is 1.8 (0.8–2.8) [ASTRO: 1.7 (0.7–2.7)]. Recursive partitioning again identified two subgroups: PSA 20 ng/mL). The difference in TCD50 between the two subgroups is about 20 Gy at 5 years (ASTRO: about 15 Gy at 5 years). Conclusion This analysis using the CN + 2 failure definition continues to show a dose response for the high-risk group of patients. However, the dose–response characteristics differ from those estimated using the ASTRO definition. We observed that the position (TCD50) and steepness (γ50) of the dose–response curve changed with time as long as the TCP continued to decrease. This suggests that the dose response characteristics derived from data with longer follow-up may be different from those derived with shorter follow-up using the CN + 2 or similar failure definitions which do not back-date the failure. These changes in dose–response characteristics as well as the time dependence of dose response should be noted when investigators design dose escalation trials for the high-risk prostate cancer patients.
Effect of forced laughter on mood

This study examined the effect of a brief period of forced laughter on the mood of adults. Participants (N=17) rated their mood before and after 1 min. of forced laughter. Although the participants generally rated their mood as positive prior to the intervention, after forced laughter more participants rated positive affect significantly higher.
The Caenorhabditis elegans heterochronic gene lin‐14 coordinates temporal progression and maturation in the egg‐laying system

Heterochronic genes function to ensure the timing of stage-specific developmental events in C. elegans. Mutations in these genes cause certain developmental programs to be executed in a precocious or retarded manner. Canonical precocious (loss-of-function) and retarded (gain-of-function) mutations in the lin-14 gene lead to elimination or reiteration of larval stage-specific cellular events. Here, we describe a hypomorphic, missense allele of lin-14, sa485. lin-14(sa485) hermaphrodites pass through normal larval stages, but exhibit asynchrony between vulval and gonadal maturation in the L4 larval stage. We show that a subtly precocious morphogenetic event in the vulva disrupts tissue synchrony and is followed by retarded vulval eversion. Additionally, uterine uv1 cell differentiation is retarded in lin-14(sa485) animals that exhibit delayed vulval eversion. Together, these experiments outline a function for LIN-14 in coordinating the temporal progression of development, which is separable from its role in regulating stage-specific events during C. elegans postembryonic development. Developmental Dynamics 238:394–404, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A model of economic incentives for volume reduction of low-level radioactive waste

Abstract A model is developed and demonstrated to evaluate the economic incentives for volume reduction of low-level radioactive waste. Cost functions for waste disposal versus waste volume are generated. Cost functions for volume reduction are described which are unique to individual waste generators. A model is developed for total cost, the sum of disposal, and volume reduction costs. Volume reduction results in lost economies of scale at a disposal site and therefore higher disposal costs. Calculations are presented for disposal by shallow land burial pursuant to IOCRF Part 61. In general, total cost to a waste generator in a small compact is predicted to be 10 to 15 times that of a generator in a large compact. Unsited regions subject to surcharge penalties have a substantial economic incentive to reduce volume. An individual waste generator has an economic incentive to reduce volume to a greater extent than the average volume reduction implemented throughout the compact; however, there may be an overall economic penalty if all generators reduce volume. As a whole, large compacts are predicted to experience greater costs when volume is reduced to less than 50% of the original volume. Small compacts are redicted to reach an optimum total disposal plus volume reduction costs savings of 9% when waste volume is reduced to 30% of its original volume. Present legislation unnecessarily penalizes the consumer who benefits from processes resulting in low-level radioactive waste production.
The dependence of char and carbon yield on lignocellulosic precursor composition

Abstract A set of lignocellulosic precursors of widely varying composition was pyrolyzed under argon at 15°C/min to 500°C. Variation in the total mass and carbon yields among precursors was found to be due to variation in composition, i.e. distribution of the main organic components (lignin, holocellulose and extractives). Simple models for total mass and carbon yields of the precursors allowed determination by multiple regression analysis of the total mass and carbon yield of the components pyrolyzing in their native state in the lignocellulosic matrix. The component yields thus estimated were compared to results observed in studies of isolated components, such as reagent-grade cellulose. The char yield from lignin (53%) was found to be three times that of cellulose (18%) because of the higher initial carbon content in lignin (63 vs 44%) as well as the higher carbon yield (76 vs 40%).
The use of gold plate for the closure of oro-antral fistulas.

Abstract A method of treating oro-antral fistulas by the use of 24 carat gold plate to cover the opening in the bone is described. For the closure of this type of defect, I believe that metal plate should always be tried and that 24 carat gold plate is the metal of choice.
Transitioning the Elderly into Long-Term Care Facilities: A Search for Solutions

An increasing number of elders will be moving into long-term care facilities in the coming decades. This review identifies a number of factors that predict the degree to which an individual's adjustment to his or her new environment will be successful. In addition, a number of potential interventions are described which may help to alleviate some of the difficulties elders may experience upon relocation.