cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The structure and mechanical properties of physically vapor deposited chromium

Physical vapor deposition (PVD), using electron beam evaporation, was employed to create thick (0.1 cm) films of chromium. The structure and mechanical properties of these deposited films were studied as a function of deposition temperature, deposition rate and background pressure. It is observed that a columnar, submicron grain size is produced over a wide range of deposition parameters. Texturing is observed. Mechanical tests performed between room temperature and 1270 K resulted in brittle, intergranular fractures. This behavior is shown to be related to intergranular defects present in the deposited material. The defect concentration, as reflected in density measurements, is found to be linearly dependent on the concentration of dissolved oxygen.
Plant defense associations in the marine environment

In contrast to terrestrial systems, few positive plant-plant associations have been recorded in tropical reef environments. This study, conducted at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize during 28 March–10 April 1984, provides the first documentation of herbivore escapes for natural combinations of palatable and unpalatable marine plants. For example, there was a highly significant association of several macrophyte taxa (Laurencia poitei, Dictyota spp., Amphiroa fragilissima, Cladophoropsis macromeres, Galaxaura cylindrica, rhodophycean turf) within a 2.0-cm radius of the herbivore-resistant brown alga Stypopodium zonale. Almost twice as many taxa occurred within 10 cm of S. zonale as within 10 cm of an equal number of random Stypopodium-free points, and there were no algal species negatively associated with S. zonale. The association of A. tribulus, L. poitei, Digenia simplex, rhodophycean turf, and Jania adherens with S. zonale provided them a fourfold greater survivorship per 48 h in the presence of grazing activity by fishes (mainly Acanthuridae and Scaridae). Reduced herbivory by fishes on macroalgae associated with S. zonale was not solely a consequence of its structural aspect. Losses of the palatable alga Acanthophora spicifera were significantly greater for thalli spatially remote (30 and 60 cm) from either a real or simulated Stypopodium; however, losses of A. spicifera adjacent to actual Stypopodium plants were significantly less than the losses next to models. The inter-relationships studied here, where an abundant and well-defended plant provides a significant refuge habitat for at least five relatively edible macroalgae, clearly facilitates the survival of certain taxa in the reef system and concomitantly enhances the within habitat diversity. Our findings also suggest an interaction counter to the process of competitive exclusion, since the single predominant plant has a positive rather than negative net effect on the abundances of other species that utilize the same general resources (e.g., light, space, nutrients).
The Concept of Equilibrium Temperature Time Equivalents in Accelerated Stability Testing: a New Mathematical Formulation and its Effect in Pharmaceutical Product Development

AbstractBorrowing the mathematics used in the nonisothermal kinetic method, a new and simpler mathematical treatment of the concept of the Equilibrium Temperature Time Equivalents (ETTE) is presented. The effect of the ETTE in the pharmaceutical product stability assessment is discussed. The analysis shows that due to the stability characteristics of most drug candidates, the ETTE has very little effect on the stability data treatment.
Optimism and pessimism in social context: An interpersonal perspective on resilience and risk

Using the interpersonal perspective, we examined social correlates of dispositional optimism. In Study 1, optimism and pessimism were associated with warm-dominant and hostile-submissive interpersonal styles, respectively, across four samples, and had expected associations with social support and interpersonal stressors. In 300 married couples, Study 2 replicated these findings regarding interpersonal styles, using self-reports and spouse ratings. Optimism-pessimism also had significant actor and partner associations with marital quality. In Study 3 (120 couples), husbands' and wives' optimism predicted increases in their own marital adjustment over time, and husbands' optimism predicted increases in wives' marital adjustment. Thus, the interpersonal perspective is a useful integrative framework for examining social processes that could contribute to associations of optimism-pessimism with physical health and emotional adjustment.
Preserved antigenicity of HIV-1 p24 produced and purified in high yields from plants inoculated with a tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-derived vector.

Abstract Production of structural proteins from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and bovine herpes virus (BHV-1) in Nicotiana benthamiana through the use of a tobacco mosaic virus-based vector (TMV-30B) has been reported previously. The development of the TMV-30B-HISc vector, a new version that adds a C-terminal histidine (His) sequence to the foreign protein expressed is described. Coding sequences from the FMDV VPl protein and the core protein, p24, from a clade C HIV-1 isolate from Zambia were cloned into the new vector and infective RNAs were generated for each construct to inoculate N. benthamiana plants. His-tagged proteins were purified from inoculated leaves using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) as detected by Coomassie blue staining and proteins were further characterized in Western blot assays using a commercial anti-6xHis mAb and specific polyclonal antisera for each protein. While yields obtained for the VPl-His protein after purification were similar to those in crude extracts obtained with the previous TMV-VPl vector, p24-His yields were 10–15 times higher than those of VPl-His. Twenty-five grams of TMV-p24-HISc inoculated leaves were processed to obtain 2.5 mg of isolated p24-His and the recombinant protein was inoculated in rabbits to test immunogenicity and antigenic integrity of the plant-produced p24-His. Animals developed a strong and specific humoral response to the p24-His after the first booster and immune sera was able to recognize the native p24 from a different clade expressed on the surface of the HIV-1 chronically infected HUT78/ARV T-cell line. Importantly, the recombinant p24-His proved its efficiency by confirming the serology of 117 samples previously tested by two rapid HIV-1 tests, thus representing an excellent alternative for production of highly specific diagnostic reagents for HIV endemic regions in the developing world.
A novel fluorescent sensor for hydrophobic amines in aqueous solution

A novel fluorescent tweezer was designed and synthesised to sense hydrophobic amines in aqueous solution. Association of the guest was driven by both hydrophobic effect and electrostatic interactions, with the hydrophobic interactions being dominant. The affinity and selectivity of the sensor for amine-based stimulants are reported.
Determinantal identities over commutative semirings

Abstract We present a development of determinantal identities over commutative semirings. This includes a generalization of the Cauchy–Binet and Laplace Theorems, as well as results on compound matrices and adjoints. It is further shown that Laplace's Theorem is a special case of the grade- s -adjoint identity.
Fast statistical timing analysis by probabilistic event propagation

We propose a new statistical timing analysis algorithm, which produces arrival-time random variables for all internal signals and primary outputs for cell-based designs with all cell delays modeled as random variables. Our algorithm propagates probabilistic timing events through the circuit and obtains final probabilistic events (distributions) at all nodes. The new algorithm is deterministic and flexible in controlling run time and accuracy. However, the algorithm has exponential time complexity for circuits with reconvergent fanouts. In order to solve this problem, we further propose a fast approximate algorithm. Experiments show that this approximate algorithm speeds up the statistical timing analysis by at least an order of magnitude and produces results with small errors when compared with Monte Carlo methods.
Atypical Carcinoid Tumor of the Lung: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database Analysis

Background Atypical carcinoid (AC) of the lung is a rare form of thoracic malignancy. The limited knowledge of its biology and outcome stems largely from small, single institution experiences. We analyzed the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (SEER) to better understand the clinical characteristics of this disease. Methods Demographic, treatment, and outcome data on all patients with pulmonary AC were obtained from the SEER database with 18 reporting sites from 1973 to 2010 using SEER*Stat 8.1.2. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). Results There were 947,463 patients diagnosed with lung and bronchus tumors in the SEER database, of which 441 had AC (0.05%). Median age of AC patients was 65 years; 69% were women and 87% of white ethnicity. Metastatic disease was present in 20% of patients at diagnosis. In terms of treatment, 78% of patients underwent resection and 12.5% received radiation. The overall 1-year and 3-year survival rates were 86% and 67%, respectively. The 3-year survival rates for distant (M1), regional (lymph node involvement), and localized (lung only) disease were 26% (13 of 50), 69% (50 of 72), and 85% (99 of 116), respectively. On univariate analysis, patients treated with surgery had reduced risk of death (hazard ratio, HR 0.19; p Conclusions AC accounted for less than 1% of all lung cancers diagnosed and was more frequent in women. The best outcomes were observed with surgical resection for localized disease.
Spatiotemporal Intracellular Deformation of Cells During Freezing-Induced Cell-Fluid-Matrix Interactions

Freezing of biomaterials is emerging as one of the key biotechnologies in cell/tissue engineering, medicine and biology. Its applications include — 1) preservation of cell/tissue engineering products, 2) quality control of biospecimens cryopreserved in tissue banks and repositories, and 3) synthesis procedures of biomaterials such as decellularization of native tissues to create acellular (i.e., cell-free) complex three-dimensional extracellular matrices (ECMs). Traditionally, research efforts have focused on determining optimal freeze/thaw (F/T) protocols with chemical additives, so called cryoprotective agents, for a given cell/tissue-type by comparing the outcomes of F/T protocols, which are mainly gauged by cell viability. Although cell viability is the major constituent, it has recently been recognized that other features beyond viability are also critical to the functionality of biomaterials, including the microstructure of the ECM, the status of cell-matrix adhesion, and the cytoskeletal structure and organization [1, 2, 3].Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Development and evaluation of magnetic resonance technologies, particularly NMR, for detection of explosives

Beginning in 1972 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technologies for detecting explosives and illegal contraband were developed and evaluated at the Southwest Research Institute. Fullscale systems on the basis of hydrogen transient NMR were developed and evaluated in laboratory and field tests with generally favorable results but with some limitations. These included (1) an experimental, mobile system for detecting buried, nonmetallic land mines; (2) an instrument for inspection of letters and small parcels for small quantities of explosives or illegal drugs; (3) a system for inspection of checked airline baggage and air cargo for concealed explosives and illegal drugs; and (4) a system for rapid inspection of quantities of mail for illegal drugs.1H NMR offers high sensitivity and detects high-energy explosives such as RDX, TNT, and PETN, as well as nitroglycerine and ammonium-nitrate-based explosives and illegal drugs. Challenges in both physics and engineering were successfully addressed to achieve the goals of rapid inspection with low false-alarm and high detection probability. Electron paramagnetic resonance was found suitable for detecting black powder in laboratory tests as was nuclear quadrupole resonance for a few high-energy explosives. Low-field1H NMR was also explored in the laboratory to make it practical for explosives detection and found to have potential, but numerous implementation problems must be overcome.
Cost containment in gastroenterology.

In the last fifteen years the onset of federal funding for health care plus rapidly rising inflation have caused government officials to become acutely aware of the enormousness of health care costs. Now, the press, the public, and physicians are preoccupied with the issue of "cost control." Statements of concern about costs have been made by presidents of the United States and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), as well as in the report of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases (1). Physicians play the major role in cost generation. Either we can change our behavior voluntarily or the government may force change by regulation. To facilitate change, a discussion of our responsibilities and opportunities from a gastroenterological viewpoint is important. Society's expectations have shifted. Once the physician could follow the ancient guideline: "guerir quelquefois, soulager souvent, consoler toujours" (cure occasionally, relieve often, comfort always). Now he must also prevent vigorously, diagnose accurately, order tests discriminatingly, economize adequately, and know currently (2). The physician finds himself between the Scylla of ethical requirements to maintain health at all costs and the Charybdis of paying heed to demands for thrift. Although "no man can serve two masters," eg, provide "ideal" care while maximizing thrift, physicians must try. In the fee-for-service system, the patient and physician seek "ideal" care, but cost to the patient increases as this search is prolonged. The greatest reward for patient and physician comes from the highest quality care, but this may be technology and hospital intensive. In health maintenance organizations (HMOs), the physician is re-
1992 NAPNAP membership survey. Part I: Member characteristics, issues, and opinions

Significant changes have occurred in the 4 years since the last NAPNAP membership survey was conducted. Membership in NAPNAP has shown strong, sustained growth; the role of nurses in advanced practice has expanded greatly, and an increasing possibility exists for national health care reform. In response to these changes and as a part of its long-range strategic planning, the NAPNAP Executive Board, in 1991, authorized an ongoing plan to conduct a membership survey every 4 years. The 1992 membership survey was mailed to a random sample of 800 NAPNAP members. Sixty-five percent were returned. The survey collected information on (a) demographic characteristics of NAPNAP members, (b) practice characteristics of NAPNAP members, and (c) opinions of NAPNAP members related to health care issues. This article presents summary data on demographic characteristics, issues, and opinions of NAPNAP members.
Application of Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy to Ultrathin Langmuir−Blodgett Films

The dynamic properties of ultrathin Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) films of side chain liquid crystalline copolymers were studied by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). The technique is sensitive in ...
On the mechanisms of ku protein binding to DNA

The in vitro DNA-binding activity of Ku protein, a heterodimer of 70 and 86 kDa subunits, was studied using affinity-purified protein. Ku protein bound to different DNA probes and displayed a multiple-band pattern in band mobility shift assays. The protein-DNA complex formation was effectively blocked by different DNA competitors, indicating a non-sequence specific binding of Ku protein to DNA; no preference of binding of Ku protein to regulatory sequences derived from U1 snRNA, U6 snRNA or nucleolar protein p120 genes was observed. The number and size of the Ku protein-DNA complexes increased with increasing of the protein concentration and the size of DNA probe, suggesting that the protein accumulates on the DNA fragment until saturation of the binding sites. In UV-crosslinking experiments, the binding of Ku protein to DNA was shown to start with the 70 kDa subunit contacting free DNA ends.
Transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: optimizing image interpretation with 3D reconstructions

This article reviews the pathophysiology of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), CT urography (CTU) protocols, different possible 3D reconstruction techniques, and the importance of 3D reconstructions for appropriate interpretation. CTU has largely replaced conventional IV pyelography in the evaluation of the upper urinary tract for TCC. The majority of large lesions can be easily seen on standard axial images with multiplanar reformats. However, it is imperative to also use 3D reconstructions when interpreting these studies, as subtle lesions can be difficult to visualize on the more traditional images. In this pictorial essay, we present multiple cases of upper urinary tract TCC which illustrate the value of 3D reconstructions for increasing the conspicuity of lesions, particularly at the junction of the infundibulum and calyx and in the ureters. As these cases demonstrate, each of the three possible 3D reconstruction techniques (maximum intensity projection, volume rendering, and volume rendered “virtual ureteroscopy”) has its own distinct advantages, although the pitfalls of each technique must also be kept in mind.
Modern analysis of surface irrigation systems with WinSRFR

WinSRFR is a new generation of software for analyzing surface irrigation systems. Founded on an unsteady flow hydraulic model, the software integrates event analysis, design, and operational analysis functionalities, in addition to simulation. This paper provides an overview of functionalities, interface, and architectural elements of the software, and discusses technical enhancements in version 2.1, released in late 2007, and version 3.1, scheduled for release in 2009.
Insect Segmentation: A glance posterior

Segmentation gene expression patterns can be radically different in some short-germ and long-germ insects, but other types of short/intermediate-germ insects may use Drosophila-like segmentation mechanisms.
Interaction of Staphylococcus epidermidis with endothelial cells in vitro.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a leading cause of nosocomial bacteremia, yet virtually nothing is known about how this pathogen interacts with human endothelial cells. We present evidence here that two biofilm-producing strains of S. epidermidis adhere to two types of endothelial cell lines in vitro and that adherence is significantly increased after briefly heat-treating the bacteria at 40°C in the presence of calcium. This mild heat treatment resulted in bacteria that were 5 to more than 20 times more adherent than untreated controls. While the adherence of bacteria in all phases of growth was increased after heat treatment, heat-treated late stationary phase cells were generally the most adherent. Electron microscopy demonstrated that S. epidermidis was internalized and appeared to exist free in the cytoplasm. Adherence to endothelium, should it occur in vivo during bacteremia, may be a virulence factor associated with this bacterium's pathogenesis.
MMPI patterns of shoplifters within a college population.

The hypothesis of an interaction between personality and shoplifting behavior was supported. A shoplifting questionnaire and the MMPI were administered to 170 undergraduates. The respondents were g...
Cleft palate and craniofacial teams in the United States and Canada: A national survey of team organization and standards of care

Abstract Objective: This study is the first comprehensive national survey of the organization, function, and composition of cleft palate and craniofacial teams in the U.S. and Canada. Complete descriptions of cleft and craniofacial teams are not currently provided in the literature, and this study will provide an overview for health services research and policy use. Conducted by a national organization, this study examines teams in detail using a pretested and standardized methodology. Design: All known (n = 296) North American cleft palate and craniofacial teams were contacted for team listing purposes using a self-assessment method developed by an interdisciplinary committee of national stature. Team clinical leaders classified their teams into several possible categories and provided data on team care. The response rate was 83.4% (n = 247). Results: The distribution of listed teams was: 105 (42.5%) cleft palate teams, 102 (41.3%) craniofacial teams (including craniofacial teams that are both cleft pala...
Large zeolite crystals: their potential growth in space

Abstract The possibility of synthesizing molecular sieve zeolites in space permits one to take advantage of a micro-gravity environment. Particle settling and thermal convective currents can be avoided in space. Data from ground-based experiments are presented which suggest that large zeolite crystals can be produced in high yield in the microgravity environment of space. These experiments used triethanolamine (TEA) to suspend zeolite NaA nuclei in solution. This resulted in hindered settling and reduced the shear normally associated with settling. The average and maximum crystal sizes from these experiments are shown to be 50–100% larger than identical experiments with no TEA. Analysis of these data illustrate that there is an optimum TEA Al 2 O 3 ratio.
Singular instantons and the creation of open universes

Singular instantons of the type introduced by Hawking and Turok lead to unacceptable physical consequences and cannot, therefore, be used to describe the creation of open universes.
High pressure studies of moist carbon monoxide/nitrous oxide kinetics

Flow reactor experiments were performed over the pressure range of 3--15 atm and temperature range of 950--1,123 K to study the reaction kinetics of CO/N{sub 2}O/H{sub 2}O/N{sub 2} mixtures. Experimentally measured profiles of Co, CO{sub 2}, N{sub 2}O, NO, O{sub 2}, H{sub 2}O, and temperature were used to constrain the development of a detailed chemical kinetic mechanism. For the first time, the catalytic effect of water vapor has been clearly measured and a quantitative treatment of its influence on the overall reaction rate has been possible. Even at the lowest level of water vapor achievable in the experiments ({approximately}10 ppm), the reaction proceeded through the two-step straight-chain sequence of hydrogen atoms reacting with nitrous oxide, producing hydroxyl radicals, which then reacted with carbon monoxide to reform H-atoms and continue the chain. The direct reaction of carbon monoxide with nitrous oxide was found to be insignificant and not necessary in the model to predict the observed species profiles. However, the high-temperature rate constant of this reaction still remains in question. The results also show that pressure fall-off behavior of the reaction CO + O + M = CO{sub 2} + M must be included in the mechanism at intermediate temperatures andmore » superatmospheric pressures. Finally, the detailed kinetic model developed predicts the measured species profiles over the entire range of conditions studied here, and is consistent with previously and concurrently studied mechanisms for N{sub 2}O decomposition and reacting H{sub 2}N{sub 2}O mixtures.« less
Fumonisin B1 and implications in nursery swine productivity: A quantitative exposure assessment

This study estimated the long-term exposure of fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ) in nursery swine diets and associated toxicological adverse effects on negative productivity potential using quantitative exposure assessment. Fumonisin B 1 is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum and is a common biological contaminant of corn (Zea mays L.) and other grains. Acute effects from FB 1 exposures are well recognized and managed in the swine industry, but practices to limit prolonged low-dose exposures to FB 1 have been less fully considered and may negatively affect production efficiency. Deterministic (single-point estimates) and stochastic (probabilistic) modeling were performed for comparative analyses of FB 1 exposures originating from genetically engineered Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-corn, conventional non-Bt corn, and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Six feeding scenarios differing in the source of corn in diets were modeled to assess variation in FB I exposure representing a mixture of 1) Bt and non-Bt grain and DDGS (blended); 2) Bt grain and Bt DDGS; 3) non-Bt grain and non-Bt DDGS; 4) Bt and non-Bt grain; 5) Bt grain; and 6) non-Bt grain. Long-term exposure estimates (49-d duration) were compared with chronic levels of concern (LOC). The first LOC (LOCI; 1 mg of FB 1 /kg of diet, least observed adverse effects concentration) represents a decrease in ADG. Concentrations of 5 mg of FB 1 /kg of diet represent the second LOC (LOC2), which showed pulmonary pathological alterations and a significant dose-dependent increase in pulmonary weight. Estimates indicated LOCI was frequently exceeded regardless of feeding scenario, but LOC2 was not attained. Diets where the corn fraction was entirely from Bt-corn showed the least FB I exposure (exceeding LOCI in 35% of occasions), whereas a blended diet or diets using non-Bt grain and DDGS sources more commonly exceeded this threshold (95% of occasions). Based on these estimates, under blended corn source feeding conditions, swine populations in nursery facilities may frequently exhibit incipient effects (i.e., LOCI) of FB 1 toxicity; however, impacts on production efficiency remain uncertain.
Environmental Controversies, Interactional Resources, and Rural Communities: Siting Versus Exposure Disputes

Abstract Differences in the types of social conflict occuring in facility siting disputes and toxic contamination cases are compared. An ecological-symbolic perspective and the concept of strong and weak ties are used to interpret the nature of social conflict in two rural Pennsylvania communities and in cases in the literature. Overall, community solidarity appears likely to be enhanced in siting disputes and undermined in exposure situations. To explain this, two conflict paths are developed that move from the presence or absence of the hazard agent to individual perceptions, the generation of collective threat beliefs and the formation of strong ties, the emergence of alternative leadership and its relationship to official authorities, and finally the formation of weak ties. In each case, the type of community conflict results from the nature of the perceived environmental threat and the social process that threat sets in motion. Practical implications for rural community development are discussed.
The choreographer's notebook: a video annotation system for dancers and choreographers

We present a collaborative tool for choreographers and dancers, the Choreographer's Notebook, which allows multimodal annotation of rehearsal videos during the dance production process. The dance production process is a creative process in which exploration and expression are paramount and we describe issues we have observed over four different dance production cycles. The Choreographer's Notebook addresses the recurring problem of scarcity of rehearsal time and space, which is a limiting factor for exploration and expression. The tool is a web-based video application that enables choreographers to provide multimodal, context-sensitive instructions and feedback to the dancers outside of formal rehearsal time. The novelty of this tool is its ability to provide a multimodal collaborative video-based workflow. This article also presents a thorough ethnographic investigation of the dance production process and results from the use of the Choreographer's Notebook as an artifact within that process.
Wind-powered ammonia fuel production for remote islands: A case study

Abstract This work investigates the prospect of producing ammonia from a wind turbine in order to displace diesel fuel requirements on isolated islands. In the proposed system, wind power is used to produce carbon-free ammonia fuel directly from water and air using traditional air separation units, alkaline electrolyzers, mechanical vapor compression desalination and a Haber–Bosch synthesis loop. The ability to produce synthetic fuel on site is potentially valuable both because it mitigates fuel transportation costs and insulates islanders from oil price fluctuations. A general overview of the process and required components is given. The analytical model used to calculate the technical and economic performance is summarized. Monhegan Island in Maine is used as a case study for a wind-powered ammonia production facility to demonstrate the potential of ammonia fuel production. Actual wind data and electrical load data from Monhegan Island are incorporated to determine the expected ammonia production. The results are compared to the existing system in which all fuels and electricity are ultimately derived from petroleum-based fuel. Total lifetime system costs are calculated with the results normalized so that the wind-ammonia system can be directly compared to a conventional diesel-only system. A breakeven diesel price is calculated at which wind-powered ammonia production becomes competitive.
SU-E-J-126: Generation of Fluoroscopic 3D Images Using Single X-Ray Projections on Realistic Modified XCAT Phantom Data

Purpose: To simulate the process of generating fluoroscopic 3D treatment images from 4DCT and measured 2D x‐ray projections using a realistic modified XCAT phantom based on measured patient 3D tumor trajectories. Methods: First, the existing XCAT phantom is adapted to incorporate measured patient lungtumor trajectories. Realistic diaphragm and chest wall motion are automatically generated based on input tumor motion and position, producing synchronized, realistic motion in the phantom. Based on 4DCT generated with the XCAT phantom, we derive patient‐specific motion models that are used to generate 3D fluoroscopic images. Patient‐specific models are created in two steps: first, the displacement vector fields (DVFs) are obtained through deformable image registration of each phase of 4DCT with respect to a reference image (typically peak‐exhale). Each phase is registered to the reference image to obtain (n‐1) DVFs. Second, the most salient characteristics in the DVFs are captured in a compact representation through principal component analysis (PCA). Since PCA is a linear decomposition method, all the DVFs can be represented as linear combinations of eigenvectors. Fluoroscopic 3D images are obtained using the projection image to determine optimal weights for the eigenvectors. These weights are determined through iterative optimization of a cost function relating the projection image to the 3D image via the PCA lung motion model and a projection operator. Constructing fluoroscopic 3D images is thus reduced to finding optimal weights for the eigenvectors.Results: Fluoroscopic 3D treatment images were generated using the modified XCAT phantom. The average relative error of the reconstructed image over 30 sec is 0.0457 HU and the standard deviation is 0.0063. Conclusions: The XCAT phantom was modified to produce realistic images by incorporating patient tumor trajectories. The modified XCAT phantom can be used to simulate the process of generating fluoroscopic 3D treatment images from 4DCT and 2D x‐ray projections.
Deformations of a Hamiltonian Action of a Compact Lie Group

Let (M, ω) be a compact 2n-dimensional symplectic manifold, G a commutative connected compact Lie group, and τ : G × M → M a Hamiltonian action of G on M with moment map, J : M → g*. Since M is compact, J can be normalized by requiring that $$\int {J{\omega ^n} = 0} $$ I will assume (1.1) to be in effect from now on. Also to simplify the exposition below I will make the following three assumptions: $$\matrix{ {1.{\rm{ }}G{\rm{ acts freely on an open dense set}}} \hfill \cr {2.{\rm{ }}{M^G}{\rm{ is finite}}} \hfill \cr {3.{\rm{ }}J:{M^G} \to g*{\rm{is injective}}} \hfill \cr } $$
AMBER FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: ANALYSIS BY NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY

The carbon-13 NMR spectra of amber from several mining sites in the Dominican Republic show considerable variation. In certain cases the differences are sufficiently distinct to serve as a reliable indicator of provenance. The gradations within the resonances of unsaturated carbons may reflect the relative ages of the samples, because fossilization and diagenesis can remove this functionality.
A novel dual-polarity device with symmetrical/asymmetrical S-type I-V characteristics for ESD protection design

A novel and compact device with adjustable forward and reverse conductions and symmetrical/asymmetrical I-V characteristics for ESD (electrostatic discharge) applications is presented. The device allows for the dual-polarity conduction with the proper selection of blocking junction configurations. This design enables high-level ESD protections for various mixed-signal integrated circuits operating under a wide range of symmetrical and asymmetrical bias conditions.
Mortality and excess risk in US adults with pre-diabetes and diabetes: a comparison of two nationally representative cohorts, 1988–2006

Background There is strong evidence on the efficacy of behavioral modification and treatment for reducing diabetes incidence and diabetes-related morbidity and mortality in persons with pre-diabetes and diabetes. But the extent to which the evidence has translated into gains in health in these population sub-groups in the US is unclear. Monitoring national diabetes-related mortality levels over time is important for evaluating the effectiveness of the US health system response to diabetes.
The missing memristor found

Anyone who ever took an electronics laboratory class will be familiar with the fundamental passive circuit elements: the resistor, the capacitor and the inductor. However, in 1971 Leon Chua reasoned from symmetry arguments that there should be a fourth fundamental element, which he called a memristor (short for memory resistor). Although he showed that such an element has many interesting and valuable circuit properties, until now no one has presented either a useful physical model or an example of a memristor. Here we show, using a simple analytical example, that memristance arises naturally in nanoscale systems in which solid-state electronic and ionic transport are coupled under an external bias voltage. These results serve as the foundation for understanding a wide range of hysteretic current-voltage behaviour observed in many nanoscale electronic devices that involve the motion of charged atomic or molecular species, in particular certain titanium dioxide cross-point switches.
Regulation of human Δ-6 desaturase gene transcription identification of a functional direct repeat-1 element

The rate-limiting step in 20:4(n-6) and 22:6(n-3) synthesis is the desaturation of 18:2(n-6) and 18:3(n-3) by Delta-6 desaturase. In this report, we demonstrate that n-6 and n-3 PUFAs suppressed the hepatic expression of rodent Delta-6 desaturase by inhibiting the rate of Delta-6 desaturase gene transcription. In contrast, consumption of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)alpha activator WY 14,643 significantly enhanced the transcription of hepatic Delta-6 desaturase by more than 500%. Transfection reporter assays with HepG2 cells revealed that the PUFA response region for the human Delta-6 desaturase gene involved the proximal promoter region of -283/+1 human Delta-6 desaturase gene, while the WY 14,643 response element (RE) was identified as an imperfect direct repeat (DR-1) located at -385/-373. The WY 14,643 induction of the human Delta-6 desaturase promoter activity was dependent upon the expression of PPARalpha. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that nuclear proteins extracted from HepG2 cells expressing PPARalpha specifically interacted with the -385/-373 DR-1 sequence of the human Delta-6 desaturase gene. The interaction was eliminated by the unlabeled PPARalpha RE of the rat acyl-CoA oxidase gene, and the protein-DNA complex was super-shifted by treatment with anti-PPARalpha. The -385/-373 sequence also interacted with a mixture of in vitro translated PPARalpha-retinoic acid receptor X (RXR)alpha, but by themselves neither PPARalpha nor RXRalpha could bind to the Delta-6 desaturase DR-1. These data indicate that the 5'-flanking region of the human Delta-6 desaturase gene contains a DR-1 that functions in the regulation of human Delta-6 desaturase gene transcription, and thereby plays a role in the synthesis of 20- and 22-carbon polyenoic fatty acids.
Retinal cell transplantation

Transplantation of embryonic neural retina may some day be a treatment for retinal diseases such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, but only after strategies are developed that result in appropriate functional connections of the transplant with the host retina and in restored visual function. We have been developing and testing a transplant system which provides information that may help solve these problems. Our basic experimental approach has been to use embryonic donor tissue which has the greatest potential for developing appropriate synaptic connections and elicits little or no immune responses when transplanted within the central nervous system of the same species. We have shown that long-term embryonic retinal transplants grow neuronal processes that form synapses with the host retina. Our latest approach (unpublished) has been to transplant intact sheets of embryonic retina that can develop normal retinal layers.
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with esophageal involvement.

Objective: to report a case of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis with diffuse involvement of the esophagus in a child. Design: retrospective case report and literature review. Setting: Tertiary Children's Hospital. Conclusion: endoscopy is recommended for detection of esophageal papillomas, especially in patients with significant laryngeal lesions or post-cricoid involvement.
Mutations in the IMD Pathway and Mustard Counter Vibrio cholerae Suppression of Intestinal Stem Cell Division in Drosophila

Vibrio cholerae is an estuarine bacterium and an intestinal pathogen of humans that causes severe epidemic diarrhea. In the absence of adequate mammalian models in which to study the interaction of V. cholerae with the host intestinal innate immune system, we have implemented Drosophila melanogaster as a surrogate host. We previously showed that immune defi- ciency pathway loss-of-function and mustard gain-of-function mutants are less susceptible to V. cholerae infection. We find that although the overall burden of intestinal bacteria is not significantly different from that of controlflies, intestinal stem cell (ISC) division is increased in these mutants. This led us to examine the effect of V. cholerae on ISC division. We report that V. cholerae infection and cholera toxin decrease ISC division. Because IMD pathway and Mustard mutants, which are resistant to V. chol- erae, maintain higher levels of ISC division during V. cholerae infection, we hypothesize that suppression of ISC division is a virulence strategy of V. cholerae and that accelerated epithelial regeneration protects the host against V. cholerae. Extension of thesefindings to mammals awaits the development of an adequate experimental model. IMPORTANCE Here we show that Vibrio cholerae and cholera toxin suppress intestinal stem cell (ISC) division. This is the first evidence of manipulation of ISC division by V. cholerae and demonstrates the utility of the Drosophila model in generating novel hypotheses regarding the interaction of V. cholerae with the intestinal epithelium. Furthermore, we add to the body of data suggesting that the IMD pathway and the Mustard protein modulate ISC division independently of the overall load of com- mensal intestinal bacteria.
Phase imaging with the scanning acoustic microscope

A new mode of operation for the acoustic microscope is described whereby the phase shift through the object is displayed in the form of an image. Experimental results are presented at an acoustic frequency of 1000 MHz. It is hoped that the `phase-only? images obtained with this technique will complement the conventional amplitude transmission images by providing additional information about the acoustic properties of the object.
Warping-Based Offline Signature Recognition

Offline signature recognition is an important form of biometric identification that can be used for various purposes. Similar to other biometric measures, signatures have inherent variability and so pose a difficult recognition problem. In this paper, we explore a novel approach for reducing the variability associated with matching signatures based on curve warping. Existing techniques, such as the dynamic time warping approach, address this problem by minimizing a cost function through dynamic programming. This is by nature a 1-D optimization process that is possible when a 1-D parametrization of the curves is known. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for solving the curve correspondence problem that is not limited by the requirement of 1-D parametrization. The proposed approach utilizes particle dynamics and minimizes a cost function through an iterative solution of a system of first-order ordinary differential equations. The proposed approach is, therefore, capable of handling complex curves for which a simple parametrization is not available. The proposed approach is evaluated by measuring the precision and recall rates of documents based on signature similarity. To facilitate a realistic evaluation, the signature data we use were collected from real-world documents, spanning a period of several decades.
The discovery of secretory IgA and the mucosal immune system

After completing my medical training, I began an affair with research that has not yet ended. Rockefeller University accepted me into their PhD program and, because of my interest in protein chemistry, I asked Dr Henry Kunkel to be my advisor. As was the tradition in the Kunkel lab, there were a large number of fellows and visiting scientists studying an array of medically related problems. One of the investigators, Halstead Holman, was interested in patients who had a gastrointestinal (GI) disease that was characterized by the transudation of large amounts of serum proteins into their GI tracts the so-called protein-losing enteropathies. During the course of these studies, Hal showed me an Ouchterlony plate from a normal control subject that contained GI fluid reacting with antiserum to several serum proteins. Macroscopically, by the intensity of the precipitation arc, the fluid seemed to contain much more gamma-globulin than albumin. This was surprising because by simple transudation, one would expect a larger proportion of the smaller albumin molecule. I suggested that, since the fluid was obtained via a nasogastric tube, these results might be due to swallowed saliva. None of us knew very much about the proteins present in saliva, and a few weeks later I simply expectorated into a beaker and, using gel-diffusion techniques with defined antisera, confirmed that human saliva gave a similar pattern to that of gastric fluid.
CAPABILITY INDICES FOR PROCESSES SUBJECT TO UNILATERAL AND POSITIONAL TOLERANCES

Capability indices such as Cp and Cpk are used to evaluate the ability of a manufacturing process to meet specification requirements on variability and targeting. These indices are found to be inadequate in performing this function in special situations..
ESTIMATING DIVERSIFICATION RATES: HOW USEFUL ARE DIVERGENCE TIMES?

The dynamics of species diversification rates are a key component of macroevolutionary patterns. Although not absolutely necessary, the use of divergence times inferred from sequence data has led to development of more powerful methods for inferring diversification rates. However, it is unclear what impact uncertainty in age estimates have on diversification rate inferences. Here, we quantify these effects using both Bayesian and frequentist methodology. Through simulation, we demonstrate that adding sequence data results in more precise estimates of internal node ages, but a reasonable approximation of these node ages is often sufficient to approach the theoretical minimum variance in speciation rate estimates. We also find that even crude estimates of divergence times increase the power of tests of diversification rate differences between sister clades. Finally, because Bayesian and frequentist methods provided similar assessments of error, novel Bayesian approaches may provide a useful framework for tests of diversification rates in more complex contexts than are addressed here.
Effect of phase noise and imperfect channel estimation on coded OFDM transmit diversity with application to IEEE 802.16e

In this paper, we investigate the effects of RF impairments and imperfect channel estimation (ICE) on the performance of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems employing transmit diversity with two transmit antennas and one receive antenna in a Rayleigh fading environment. We derive the bit error rate (BER) expressions of space-time block codes (STBC)-OFDM system using the Alamouti code. Although the analysis is presented for 16-QAM, it can be easily extended to higher order square QAM constellations. Simulation results are also presented to illustrate the extent of the effects on system performance degradation, with emphasis given to the IEEE 802.1e standard.
Power-efficient inductive link optimization for implantable systems

This paper studies an inductive link optimization for implantable systems. By considering the relationship between wire diameter, number of turns, quality factor, coupling coefficient, and shape of coil, we can optimize the inductively coupled coils to maximize the power transfer efficiency in the face of geometric constraints. In this work, an intraocular prosthesis is used for a design example and power transfer efficiency of 45.8% is achieved where the secondary coil has a single layer of 11 turns, 0.064cm wire diameter, a self-inductance of 3.8µH, and Q of 65.
Vertical capacitive SiBARs

This work introduces high frequency, vertical silicon bulk acoustic resonators (SiBAR). A combination of the new resonator structures with much larger transduction area and the HARPSS fabrication process is used to demonstrate high frequency capacitive resonators with significantly lower impedances compared to the previous capacitive resonators. Impedances as low as a few kilo-Ohms and quality factors in the range of 20,000 to 50,000 in the VHF range have been achieved for the first thickness mode of the fabricated resonators. Resonant frequencies as high as 983MHz are demonstrated for the third thickness modes of the capacitive SiBARs.
The Monotonicity of Information in the Central Limit Theorem and Entropy Power Inequalities

We provide a simple proof of the monotonicity of information in the Central Limit Theorem for i.i.d. summands. Extensions to the more general case of independent, not identically distributed summands are also presented. New families of Fisher information and entropy power inequalities are discussed.