cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A 74.5-dB Dynamic Range 10-MHz BW CT-ΔΣ ADC With Distributed-Input VCO and Embedded Capacitive- π Network in 40-nm CMOS

This work introduces a second-order voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)-based continuous-time delta–sigma modulator (CTDSM) that incorporates a distributed-input VCO as the second-stage integrator and quantizer. The distributed-input VCO topology virtually eliminates the VCO’s voltage-to-frequency (V-F) parasitic pole. One of the key ideas of this article is to demonstrate the use of a capacitive- $\pi $ network in the modulator’s loop filter to break the constraint between the size of the modulator’s inner capacitive digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and the factor by which the front-end Gm-C integrator is impedance scaled. This, in turn, helps to significantly reduce both analog and digital powers. The prototype chip has been fabricated in a 40-nm CMOS process. Despite not using any DAC calibration or explicit dynamic element matching (DEM) circuits, the worst case spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) is −82 dBc across the signal bandwidth. The fabricated CTDSM achieves a 71.8-dB signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SNDR) and a 74.5-dB dynamic range (DR) in a 10-MHz bandwidth at 655 MS/s, yielding an SNDR-based Walden figure of merit (FoM) of 45.6 fJ/step, an SNDR-based Schreier FoM of 167.2 dB, and a DR-based Schreier FoM of 169.9 dB.
Association of financial assistance programs and time to completion of therapy in women receiving chemoradiation for cervical cancer.

Abstract We aimed to evaluate how the need for social services programs is associated with outcomes amongst patients with cervical cancer undergoing chemoradiation with a single institution, retrospective analysis of patients from January 1, 2015-July 31, 2018. Demographic, clinical, and social services utilization data were collected. Descriptive statistics and Chi-squared tests were performed. Kaplan-Meier curves estimated progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Among 117 eligible patients, median household income was $45,782 ($19,771 – $96,222). There was no difference in stage among income cohorts. Uninsured/publically insured patients had a higher stage at diagnosis than those privately insured (p = 0.003). Patients used 0–5 assistance programs during treatment. 77.6% of low income versus 54.2% of high income patients utilized ≥1 program. Assistance with lodging was utilized more often in low than high income patients. (36.2% vs 15.7%, p = 0.013). 58.3% of patients completed therapy in less than 56 days. Patients who completed therapy in >56 days utilized 1.44 social services while patients completing in ≤56 days used 1.06 (p = 0.102). Social security disability utilization trended towards completion times >56 days (p = 0.064). There was no difference in PFS or OS based on income or social services utilized. Financial toxicities associated with therapy are not limited to uninsured/publically insured or low income patients as over 50% of high income patients utilized at least one service. Additionally, the trend towards significance between enrollment in disability and completion of chemoradiation >56 days may highlight a group of at risk patients who need additional support.
L(3,1)-labeling of circulant graphs

An L(3, 1)-labeling of a graph Γ is an assignment of non-negative integers to the vertices such that if two vertices u and v are adjacent then they receive labels that differ by at least 3, and whe...
Patterns of Family-School Contact in Preschool and Kindergarten

Rates and characteristics of contact between families and schools, in preschool and kindergarten, were examined both cross-sectionally (N = 290) and longitudinally (N = 71). Family-school contact w...
Usual Nutrient Intake of Older Adults in the U.S. Is Lower Among SNAP Participants Compared to Income-Eligible Non-Participants

Objectives Policy proposals to limit use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and to allow dietary supplement (DS) purchase with SNAP benefits draw attention to knowledge gap of usual nutrient intake and adherence to the Dietary Reference Intake recommendations from foods alone and with DS (total intake) among low-income older adults. To address this gap, the estimated distributions of usual nutrient intake (from foods alone and total) and risk of inadequate intake among U.S. older adults participating in SNAP were compared with income-eligible non-participants.
Information asymmetry, trade, and drilling: evidence from an oil lease lottery

We exploit a government oil lease lottery that randomly assigned leases to individuals and firms. We examine how initial misallocation affected trade, drilling, and production outcomes. When parcels are far from existing production, leases won by individuals have similar drilling and production outcomes as those won by firms. However, for parcels close to existing production, we find that leases are about 50% less likely to be drilled when they are won by firms. We find evidence that information asymmetries drive these results.
Triunitary quantum circuits

We introduce a class of quantum circuits that are unitary along three distinct ``arrows of time.'' These dynamics share some of the analytical tractability of ``dual-unitary'' circuits, while exhibiting distinctive and richer phenomenology. We find that two-point correlations in these dynamics are strictly confined to three directions in $(1+1)$-dimensional spacetime---the two light cone edges, $\ensuremath{\delta}x=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}v\ensuremath{\delta}t$, and the static worldline $\ensuremath{\delta}x=0$. Along these directions, correlation functions are obtained exactly in terms of quantum channels built from the individual gates that make up the circuit. We prove that, for a class of initial states, entanglement grows at the maximum allowed speed up to an entropy density of at least one half of the thermal value, at which point it becomes model-dependent. Finally, we extend our circuit construction to $2+1$ dimensions, where two-point correlation functions are confined to the one-dimensional edges of a tetrahedral light cone---a subdimensional propagation of information reminiscent of ``fractonic'' physics.
Discovery of [(11)C]MK-8193 as a PET tracer to measure target engagement of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitors.

Abstract Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibition has recently been identified as a potential mechanism to treat multiple symptoms that manifest in schizophrenia. In order to facilitate preclinical development and support key proof-of-concept clinical trials of novel PDE10A inhibitors, it is critical to discover positron emission tomography (PET) tracers that enable plasma concentration/PDE10A occupancy relationships to be established across species with structurally diverse PDE10A inhibitors. In this Letter, we describe how a high-throughput screening hit was optimized to provide [11C]MK-8193 (8j), a PET tracer that supports the determination of plasma concentration/PDE10A occupancy relationships for structurally diverse series of PDE10A inhibitors in both rat and rhesus monkey.
Radial profiles of neutral argon in a helicon source

Summary form only given. Ion-neutral and electron-neutral collisions can be important mechanisms for Alfven wave damping, ion cyclotron wave damping, and flow thermalization in helicon sources. The phenomenon of neutral pumping, leading to reduced neutral pressures on axis, has been suggested to play an important role in the physics of cylindrically symmetric helicon sources. However, the spatial distribution, temperature, and flow of neutral atoms in helicon sources are poorly understood quantities. We have obtained laser induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements of argon neutrals, helium neutrals, and argon ions as a function of radial position with a low power, tunable diode laser in the Hot hELIcon eXperiment (HELIX) at West Virginia University. Using radial profile measurements of electron density and electron temperature, the neutral (or ion) density profile can be extracted from spatially resolved LIF measurements of the interrogated species. LIF neutral density profiles are compared to neutral density profile measurements obtained through spatially resolved, passive emission spectroscopy measurements.
The Challenge of Including Customer Satisfaction into the Assessment Criteria of Overseas Service-Learning Projects

There has been a dramatic increase of student groups participating in international service learning projects. For engineering students it is not difficult to identify meaningful educational objectives. The students improve their analytical and problem solving skills. They design and build something that fulfils a list of engineering specifications; they execute a solution to some problem. However, these projects have a human dimension. Service-learning involves changes in peoples’ beliefs, attitudes and values; impacting both the students and the recipient community. It is important for the academic community to develop assessment criteria that includes perspectives from all stakeholders engaged in the experience. It is imperative to assess not only the technical success but also the sustainability of the project and its larger effect. In courses involving service-learning, assessment needs to occur on three levels: the traditional evaluation of the student’s knowledge of the technical content, the assessment of the experiences impact on the students’ broader more humanistic “soft skills”, and the customer’s satisfaction. The paper examines the obstacles and opportunities in assessing project success from multiple international service-learning programs, and compiles insights and reflections that could serve to inform future projects.
N–PtIV–H/N–H⋯PtII intramolecular redox equilibrium in a product of H–C(sp2) cleavage and unusual alkane/arene C–H bond selectivity of ([2.1.1]pyridinophane)PtII(CH3)+

T-shaped 14 valence electron (η2-L)PtMe+ (based on DFT geometry optimization, L = [2.1.1]-2,6-pyridinophane) reacts with benzene to give (η3-L) PtIV(Ph)2H+ and methane; the latter cation is in thermal equilibrium with the N-protonated PtII tautomer (η2-L-H)Pt(Ph)2+, and these complexes react with ethane or cyclopentane to produce benzene and (L)PtH(olefin)+.
Item Response Theory (IRT) Models for Rating Scale Data

The purpose of this entry is to provide a brief description of several IRT models that can be used to analyze rating scale data. Rating scale data are defined as responses scored in two or more ordered categories. Rating scale data represent the most common formats for collecting information from examinees or raters. The basic idea that motivates the use of IRT models for rating scale data is that the scoring of m + 1 ordered categories with ordered integers (0, 1, …, m) using the assumption that there are equal intervals between the categories may not be justified. IRT models provide a framework to explicitly examine this assumption, and parameterize the categories without this assumption. The specific IRT models that are described in this entry are direct models (Partial Credit Model, Generalized Partial Credit, and Rating Scale Model) and indirect models (Graded Response Model and Modified Graded Response Model). Graphical procedures are used to illustrate various aspects of these IRT models. Keywords: IRT; rating scale data; Partial Credit Model; Generalized Partial Credit model; Rating Scale Model; Graded Response Model; Modified Graded Response Model
Photovoltaic module calibration value versus optical air mass: the air mass function

So-called “air mass functions” of photovoltaic modules are used to approximate the effects of spectral responsivity and to correct short-circuit current to or from a reference condition. These empirical functions are determined from outdoor measurements with test modules mounted on two-axis solar trackers and then calculated from plots of normalized calibration value (short-circuit current divided by total irradiance) versus optical air mass. Because they are incorporated into a number of photovoltaic system modeling and sizing software programs, the accuracy of the functions has direct implications for system costs. We discuss the assumptions associated with these functions that are generally not considered or ignored, and study their variability with respect to atmospheric constituents. The variability study included a 6-month outdoor measurement on a crystalline-Si module and a software simulation of the same module using a solar spectral irradiance model. We conclude that airmassfunctionsdependonthemeasurementlocationandtime, andthereforearenotuniquetoaparticulardevice.Also,using these functions introduces two distinct errors, the magnitudes of which are unknown without knowledge of spectral irradiance conditions. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Evidence-based management of otitis media: a 5S model approach.

Objective:The 5S model proposes five hierarchical levels (systems, summaries, synopses, syntheses and studies) of pre-appraised evidence to guide evidence-based practice. This review aimed to identify and summarise pre-appraised evidence at the highest available 5S level for the management of different subsets of otitis media: acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma in both adults and children.Method:Data sources were pre-appraised evidence resources. Evidence freely available from sources at the highest available level of the 5S model were summarised for this review.Results:System level evidence exists for acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. Summary level evidence exists for recurrent acute otitis media and medical management of chronic suppurative otitis media. There is an absence of randomised controlled trials to prove the efficacy of surgical management of chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma.Conclusion:Until randomised controlled trial data are generated, consensus publications on the surgical management of chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma should be used to guide best practice.
Computation of flow and heat transfer in rotating two-pass rectangular channels (AR = 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4) with smooth walls by a Reynolds stress turbulence model

Abstract Numerical predictions of three-dimensional flow and heat transfer are presented for rotating two-pass smooth channels with three aspect ratios (AR = 1:1; 1:2; 1:4). Detailed predictions of mean velocity, mean temperature and Nusselt number for two Reynolds numbers (Re = 10,000 and 100,000) were carried out. A total of fifteen calculations have been performed with various combinations of rotation number, Reynolds number, and coolant-to-wall density ratio. The rotation number and inlet coolant-to-wall density ratio varied from 0.0 to 0.28 and from 0.13 to 0.40, respectively. The focus of this study is to investigate the effect of the channel aspect ratio, the Reynolds number, and the coolant-to-wall density ratio on the nature of the flow and heat transfer. A multi-block Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) method was employed in conjunction with a near-wall second-moment turbulence closure. In the present method, the convective transport equations for momentum, energy, and turbulence quantities are solved in curvilinear, body-fitted coordinates using the finite-analytic method.
Interleukin 2 Therapy for Disseminated Cancer

To the Editor.— In the Dec 12 issue of JAMA , Lotze et al 1 described the National Cancer Institute's experience with high-dose recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) therapy without lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells in patients with advanced melanoma and colon and ovarian carcinoma. This trial demonstrated antitumor activity of recombinant IL-2 alone in patients with malignant melanoma, but it was associated with considerable toxicity. In the same issue, Dr Moertel 2 stated that IL-2 therapy as administered in these studies is associated with unacceptably severe toxicity and astronomical costs. These are not balanced by any persuasive evidence of true net therapeutic gain. This specific treatment approach would not seem to merit further application in the compassionate management of patients with cancer. He suggested that general use is not justified. We agree that recombinant IL-2-LAK therapy as practiced by Rosenberg et al 3 and as adopted by six other centers funded by
Heterogeneity of stromal fibroblasts in tumors.

Commentary to:Identification of Fibroblast Heterogeneity in the Tumor MicroenvironmentHikaru Sugimoto, Thomas M Mundel, Mark W. Kieran and Raghu KalluriCancer Biology & Therapy Volume: 5 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 1640 - 1646
AutoTutor and affective autotutor: Learning by talking with cognitively and emotionally intelligent computers that talk back

We present AutoTutor and Affective AutoTutor as examples of innovative 21st century interactive intelligent systems that promote learning and engagement. AutoTutor is an intelligent tutoring system that helps students compose explanations of difficult concepts in Newtonian physics and enhances computer literacy and critical thinking by interacting with them in natural language with adaptive dialog moves similar to those of human tutors. AutoTutor constructs a cognitive model of students' knowledge levels by analyzing the text of their typed or spoken responses to its questions. The model is used to dynamically tailor the interaction toward individual students' zones of proximal development. Affective AutoTutor takes the individualized instruction and human-like interactivity to a new level by automatically detecting and responding to students' emotional states in addition to their cognitive states. Over 20 controlled experiments comparing AutoTutor with ecological and experimental controls such reading a textbook have consistently yielded learning improvements of approximately one letter grade after brief 30--60-minute interactions. Furthermore, Affective AutoTutor shows even more dramatic improvements in learning than the original AutoTutor system, particularly for struggling students with low domain knowledge. In addition to providing a detailed description of the implementation and evaluation of AutoTutor and Affective AutoTutor, we also discuss new and exciting technologies motivated by AutoTutor such as AutoTutor-Lite, Operation ARIES, GuruTutor, DeepTutor, MetaTutor, and AutoMentor. We conclude this article with our vision for future work on interactive and engaging intelligent tutoring systems.
Distributed and boundarycontrol of the viscous burgers' equation

Earlier results for distributed and boundary controls of the viscous Burgers' equation were established by Burns et al. and Byrnes et al. In their results there are technical restrictions on the sizes of the initial data. In this paper we relax these restrictions, as well as treat the Burgers' equation with other nonlinear boundary conditions.
π-Stacking between Pentafluorophenyl and Phenyl Groups as a Controlling Feature of Intra- and Intermolecular Crystal Structure Motifs in Substituted Ferrocenes. Observation of Unexpected Face-to-Face Stacking between Pentafluorophenyl Rings

Ferrocenes containing phenyl and pentafluorophenyl substituents on the cyclopentadienyl rings have been prepared, and their solid-state structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray studies. In the homoleptic ferrocene Fe(Me 2 PhCp) 2 (5), no intra- or intermolecular face-to-face π-stacking of the aryl rings is observed, as expected. The intramolecular conformation has staggered cyclopentadienyl rings with the phenyl groups in an anti conformation. However, the mixed ferrocene Fe(Me 2 PhCp)(C 6 F 5 Cp) (6) crystallizes with eclipsed cyclopentadienyl rings and intramolecular π-stacking between the phenyl and pentafluorophenyl substituents. In addition the π-stacking between phenyl and pentafluorophenyl rings occurs between neighboring molecules, and controls the intermolecular crystal motif. Yet a different molecular architecture is observed in the homoleptic ferrocene Fe(C 6 F 5 Cp) 2 (2) which crystallizes surprisingly with intramolecularly π-stacked pentafluorophenyl rings. The overall crystal architecture in this case in controlled by π-stacking between pentafluorophenyl rings on one molecule with the cyclopentadienyl rings of neighbors, to afford a third structural motif. These results illustrate that both the intra and intermolecular solid-state structures of simple organometallic molecules can be controlled by stacking interactions involving pentafluorophenyl rings and suggest that these attractive interactions can be added to the repertoire of attractive forces used to effect crystal engineering in organometallic systems.
Managerial incentives, derivatives and stability

In this paper we model the derivative strategies optimally undertaken by a manager (or head of a profit center in a hedge fund) when the detailed derivative positions taken are not contractible. We show that the commonly-used incentive features in the compensation structure of topmanagement in firms or hedge-fund managers may induce them to implement complex derivative strategies that lead to the following pay-off pattern: a high probability (close to one) of a slight increase in performance measures at the cost of allowing for the possibility of disaster states involving large losses, although with a very small probability. These disaster states cause systemic instability (similar to the experience of Long-Term Capital Management in September 1998). We discuss possible audit strategies, governance mechanisms and incentive structures that will ameliorate the probability of systemic instability arising from such incentives in a market with a rich enough menu of derivatives. We characterize the optimal intensity of audit effort with and without the presence of such derivative strategies. The dependence of the optimal audit intensity on the legal liability regime and different rules for apportioning the auditor’s liability is derived. Our results also relate the optimal audit intensity to the cost and efficiency parameters of the audit firm.
Infused communication skills in an engineering curriculum

Among the important ABET mandated aspects of any engineering program is the incorporation of communication skills in the curriculum. This article discusses some of the research results obtained by a team of faculty members tasked with the goal of infusing communication skills in a new electrical and computer engineering program under development. This program is project-based and includes innovative and multidisciplinary aspects in its curriculum. The results presented here include the development of a modern technical writing course, the integration of communication skills into engineering materials, and multidisciplinary methods that partner students enrolled in the Arts, Media, and Communication Studies with Engineering teams. In addition, data collected from the students will be used to help understand the role that communication plays in the design and manufacture of products. The outcomes of this externally funded research are useful to engineering programs but they can also be adapted to other disciplines where communication skills play an important role.
Schizophrenia — a category error

Abstract According to conventional psychiatry, the schizophrenic is a ‘patient' helplessly in the grip of an ‘illness' that ‘causes' him to display abnormal social behaviour, much as a patient with diabetes displays abnormal carbohydrate metabolism. In fact, however, schizophrenic behaviour is conduct, not ‘symptom'. Persons called ‘schizophrenic' do not lack the capacity to make moral decisions: on the contrary, they exaggerate the moral dimensions of ordinary acts, displaying a caricature of decision-making behaviour. "The last thing that can be said of a lunatic", writes Gilbert K. Chesterton, "is that his actions are causeless. If any human acts may loosely be called causeless, they are the minor acts of a healthy man; whistling as he walks; slashing the grass with a stick; kicking his heels or rubbing his hands." Chesterton 2 then delivers this stunning aphorism about madness: "The madman is not the man who has lost his reason. The madman is the man who has lost everything except his reason." I agree. I believe that whatever small truth might lurk in the biological and psychological ‘explanations' of schizophrenia, such accounts are largely false- for the same reason that the schizophrenic's ‘delusive' explanations of the world about him are false: both accounts serve to disguise certain unbearably painful truths about human existence. In my opinion 8 , being schizophrenic (in the sense of schizophrenia as mental disease) is a career, just as being a psychiatrist is a career. We are now prevented from seeing this because officially ‘schizophrenia' is the name of a psychosis and ‘psychiatry' is the name of a profession. But names are only labels. Conventional psychiatry refuses to scrutinize schizophrenia as a name and insists that because it is the name of a disease, the thing it names is a disease. That reasoning is not worthy of further criticism. Except when used in the highly restricted sense of a name for an as yet undiscovered brain disease, schizophrenia is not a medical but a moral problem. Bleuler's great predecessor, that famous physician of the soul, has warned: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Jesus understood that the man who loses his soul loses everything — except his reason! That is why the poets used to call madmen "lost souls" or the "living dead". Accordingly, such persons need spiritual regeneration (or generation) — something that theologians no longer respect and therapists refuse to recognize. The void between the spiritual and material realms has plagued mankind for millennia. In the past, men tried to fill that void with theological fables. Today they try to fill it with therapeutic fables. Among these fables, the theories and treatments of schizophrenia are among the most popular.
Picturing climate change

The debate on climate change and anthropogenic influence on climate has a long his- tory, which involves more than just scientific findings and meteorological observations. In this paper, the question of how the scientific concept of climate change has been communicated to the public, in the past and at present is studied using pictures and historical analyses. Publications popularising cli- mate change today are sometimes illustrated with pictures showing palm trees and glaciers together in one scene. This is nothing new: the motif of palm trees and glaciers was used for the same purpose early in the 20th century. Several examples of such illustrations are presented and discussed in a his- torical context. The basic meaning of such pictures is that palms stand for warm climate and glaciers for coldness, and both together signify climatic change. The use of this motif to illustrate climate change originates in the popularisation of the theory of ice ages and climates in Earth's history, which took place towards the end of the 19th century. At about the same time, the motif of palms and glaciers was also used in tourist advertisement for certain alpine destinations. In this case, the motif stands for the variety of the alpine landscapes, which offer spectacular high-mountain scenery and exotic flora close to each other. It is suggested that the use of this motif to illustrate climate change in the early 20th century expresses an ambivalence towards climate change, consisting of age-old concerns about extremes of climate on the one hand and tourist illusions of a warm climate on the other. Towards the end of the 20th century, the motif appears in context with the popularisation of the concept of anthropogenic global warming. The ambivalence has given rise to a clear negative value judgement. Today, photos of recent extreme weather events are used more often than palm trees and glaciers to illustrate climate change.
The present position of theory and experiment for VO2

Abstract The most important electrical and optical properties of VO2 below and above the transition temperature between insulating and metallic behavior are analyzed to provide a few basic conclusions regarding the band structure and the transport mechanism. An argument is presented that electron-phonon interaction is the basic mechanism underlying the phase transition.
“Do Not Let the Grange Die!” Michigan Grangers' Struggle for Continued Relevance in the Twenty-First Century

The Grange was founded during a time when farmers were the majority of the population and secrecy was a means of survival. More than one hundred thirty-five years later, those characteristics are still strongly associated with it. Yet there is a growing consciousness among many members that the Grange has to become better at promoting itself among nontraditional constituencies-or it will die. This article explores the Grange experiences of five members. All have been profoundly affected by their membership. All are struggling with the need to reconcile loyalty to tradition with the need to change and adapt. In sharing their thoughts and feelings, the study has the opportunity to consider what the Grange's past was, what its present is, and what its future may become.
Dehydration effects on D96N bacteriorhodopsin films

Abstract Dehydration effects on gelatin films of the D96N mutant bacteriordopsin (BR) and wild-type BR were studied. Unlike the wild-type BR films, wherein dehydration to 12% humidity results in an approximate 200-fold increase in the lifetime of the M state. D96N BR films dehydrated to the same extent have been shown to exhibit only a 17- to 20-fold increase in the lifetime of the M state. Chemically-enhanced D96N BR films possessa total bleaching efficiency of the initial-to-M-state transition that is close to theoretical maximum (1.0) over a wide range of relative humidity (35 to 85%). This provides an additional benefit to the D96N BR films as a material for storage and retrieval of optical information.
Bacterial load and inflammation in fetal tissues is not dependent on IL-17a or IL-22 in 10–14 day pregnant mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes

In this study, we first assessed the effect of intragastric infection of pregnant mice with Listeria monocytogenes on relative expression of select genes associated with T cell subsets. Relative gene expression was moderately increased in placental tissues for IFNγ, IL-4, IL-17a, IL-22, CD3, and FoxP3. To assess the roles of IL-17a and IL-22 in resistance to listeriosis during pregnancy, we compared the severity of maternal and fetal infection in IL-17a((-/-)), IL-22((-/-)), and IL-17a((-/-))/IL-22((-/-)) mice with that of wild type C57BL/6 mice. Intragastric infection with modest numbers of bacterial cells (10(5) CFU) caused reproducible maternal and fetal infection in all four mouse strains. We recovered greater numbers of CFU from the bloodstream of pregnant IL-22((-/-)) mice than pregnant wild type mice. Otherwise we found no significant difference in bacterial load in maternal or fetal tissues (spleen, liver, fetoplacental units) from pregnant IL-17a((-/-)), IL-22((-/-)), or IL-17a((-/-))/IL-22((-/-)) or wild type mice. Nor did we observe histopathologic differences in severity of inflammation in maternal or fetal tissues from the various groups of mice. Although IL-17a and IL-22 are up-regulated in placental tissue, our study suggests that antibacterial resistance and the host inflammatory response are not dependent on IL-17a or IL-22 during infection of mice with L. monocytogenes at 10-14 days of gestation.
Energy Costs of Singular and Concomitant Pressure and Volume Overload Lesions

Severity assessment in concomitant hypertension (HT) and heart valve disease or multiple heart valve disease is vague, and there exists no established severity index. The objective of this study is to propose a theoretical framework to utilize the ventricular power overhead rates of HT, aortic regurgitation (AR), aortic stenosis (AS), and mitral regurgitation (MR) as a new means to assess severity, particularly under concomitant conditions. A lumped parameter model was utilized to evaluate the ventricular energy budget under normal, singular, and concomitant combinations of HT, AS, AR, and MR; and calculate energy overhead rate defined as the % increase in ventricular power output. Disease severity for each lesion was modeled at mild, moderate, and severe levels per AHA/ACC guidelines. The overhead rate for HT and AS were 15% (mild), 25% (moderate), and 45% (severe); AR and MR corresponded to 40% (moderate) and 100% (severe). The overhead rate as a function of regurgitant fraction was shown to be highly nonlinear. The overhead rate for concomitant lesions were 39% (mild HT+mild AS), 51% (mild HT+mild AR), 46% (mild HT+mild MR), 51% (mild AS+mild AR), 37% (mild AS+mild MR), and 44% (mild AR+mild MR). Power overhead under volume overload increases nonlinearly while that for pressure overload is linear. Concomitant lesions involving pressure (and volume?) overload produce a net overhead rate greater than the sum of individual lesions. Synergy in overhead rates is most with the presence of uncontrolled HT.
Climate system modeling using a domain and task decomposition message-passing approach

Abstract We have developed a Climate System Modeling Framework (CSMF) for high-performance computing systems, designed to schedule and couple multiple physics simulation packages in a flexible and transportable manner. Some of the major packages in the CSMF include models of atmospheric and oceanic circulation and chemistry, land surface and sea ice processes, and trace gas biogeochemistry. Parallelism is achieved through both domain decomposition and process-level concurrency, with data transfer and synchronization accomplished through message-passing. Both machine transportability and architecture-dependent optimization are handled through libraries and conditional compile directives. Preliminary experiments with the CSMF have been executed on a number of high-performance platforms, including the Intel Paragon, the TMC CM-5 and the Meiko CS-2, and we are in the very early stages of optimization. Progress to date is presented.
Definitions of terms for practical superconductors 3. fabrication, stabilization and transient losses

Abstract The definitions of terms used in describing the phenomenology and measurement practices of practical superconductive materials are proposed. The definitions cover the subject categories of: 1, fundamental states and flux phenomena; 2, critical parameters; 3, fabrication, stabilization, and transient losses; and 4, Josephson phenomena. It is intended that these terms will become the basis for the development of standard measurement practices and responses are invited.
The “Picrate Effect” on Extraction Selectivities of Aromatic Group-Containing Crown Ethers for Alkali Metal Cations1

As evaluated with 15 crown ethers which contain varying numbers of benzo substituents, the magnitude of the extraction selectivities (and in one case, the selectivity order) of aromatic group-containing ionophores for alkali metal picrates may vary significantly from those for alkali metal salts with inorganic anions as a result of π−π interactions between picrate ion and an aromatic unit of the ionophore. The importance of the “picrate effect” increases as the number of benzo groups in the crown ether is enhanced and varies with their location in the macrocycle. To verify the involvement of picrate−crown ether π-stacking in complexation, crown ether−alkali metal picrate complexes were examined in solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy and solid-state structures for nine complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction. Dependence of the chemical shift for the picrate proton singlet in the NMR spectrum on the metal cation and/or macrocycle identity in the metal picrate−crown ether complex was found to be a conveni...
Altered protein synthesis in a cell-free system exposed to a sinusoidal magnetic field.

Abstract This report describes a new approach for examining weak extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic field interactions with living systems that exploits a cell-free transcription/translation system derived from Escherichia coli . Using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gell electrophoresis we previously had determined that the level of the α subunit of RNA polymerase in intact E. coli was elevated by exposure to weak ELF magnetic fields. In this paper, plasmids containing the α, or both the β,β′ subunits of the RNA polymerase from E. coli were placed into a cell-free expression system. When this transcription/translation system was exposed to a 72-Hz sinusoidal magnetic field in the range 0.07 to 1.1 mT (rms) for periods of 5 min to 1 h, expression was enhanced. Weaker fields must be applied longer to produce an effect. For 10 min of field exposure, the threshold for an effect is 0.1 mT. These experiments demonstrate that an intact membrane is not an absolute requirement for transducing magnetic bio-effects.
Effects of interface degradation on fiber bridging of composite fatigue cracks

Abstract This paper presents a theoretical analysis that examines the effects of cyclic degradation of interface on fiber bridging of fatigue cracks in metal-matrix or intermetallic-matrix composites. Using fiber bridging models and crack-tip micromechanics results available in the literature, the frictional stresses on individual fiber/matrix interfaces located within the bridging zone in the wake of a fatigue crack in a SCS-6/Ti-6Al-4V composite are calculated. The results are used to demonstrate that a reduction of the interface friction stress by fatigue can lead to a decrease of the fiber bridging stress, and an increase in the near-tip stress intensity range. The consequence is that the near-tip stress intensity range and, thus, the crack growth of a bridged fatigue crack are sensitive to cyclic interface degradation and the distribution of the frictional stress within the bridged zone.
THE PARTIAL EQUIVALENT VOLUMES OF SALTS IN SEAWATER1

Partial equivalent volumes (Vs of the major salts in seawater have been measured over the salinity range from 30 to 40‰ and a temperature range from 0 to 25C.
The expression of novel membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase isoforms is required for normal development of zebrafish embryos

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in the turnover of components of extracellular matrix (ECM) and in the processing of active and latent-signaling molecules bound to the ECM or associated with the cell surface. Through such actions, MMPs regulate a variety of cellular and developmental processes. Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) are of particular importance because they function in the immediate pericellular environment that modulates both cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. In this study, we utilized zebrafish as a developmental model to study the role of MT-MMPs during early embryogenesis. We successfully isolated two isoforms of a MT-MMP homologue that are structurally similar to MT1-MMP. They have been named zebrafish MT-MMPalpha and beta. Zebrafish MT-MMPbeta is unique among vertebrate MT-MMPs in that it contains an Arg-Glu-Asp (RED) multiple-repeat motif in its linker region. Whole mount in situ analysis, RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, reporter analysis, Western blot analysis, and zymography indicated that MT-MMPalpha and beta were expressed through at least the first 72 h of development and that this expression was targeted to the cell surface. Functional studies using injection of either mRNA or morpholino antisense oligonucleotides resulted in a truncation of the cranial to caudal axis as monitored through 72 h post fertilization, indicating that zebrafish MT-MMPalpha and beta had an important role in embryonic development. Axis markers indicated that these effects likely involved processes occurring later than 10 h of embryogenesis.
SPECTRA OF COMPOSITION OPERATORS ON THE BLOCH AND BERGMAN SPACES

Whenϕ is an analytic map of the unit diskU into itself, andX is a Banach space of analytic functions onU, define the composition operatorC ϕ byC ϕ (f)=f o ϕ, forf∈X. In this paper we show how to use the Calderon theory of complex interpolation to obtain information on the spectrum ofC ϕ (under suitable hypotheses onϕ) acting on the Bloch spaceB and BMOA, the space of analytic functions in BMO. To do this we first obtain some results on the essential spectral radius and spectrum ofC ϕ on the Bergman spacesA pand Hardy spacesH p,spaces which are connected toB and BMOA by the interpolation relationships [A 1,B] t =A pand [H 1,BMOA] t =H pfor 1=p(1−t).
Error estimation in molecular vibrational eigenenergies calculated by the Hartree and Numerov methods

Abstract Errors in the eigenenergies of some molecular vibrations are estimated for the Hartree and Numerov integration schemes and it is shown how the estimates can be used to determine suitable step sizes. The global truncation errors of the eigenenergies are demonstrated to be of orders two and four, respectively, in the step size. Some numerical comparisons are made.
Regulation of Murine Lactate Dehydrogenase C (Ldhc) Gene Expression

Expression of Ldhc begins with the onset of meiosis in male germ cells and continues throughout spermatogenesis. Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, especially in primary spermatocytes, are poorly described because of the lack of a reliable cell culture system. We constructed mouse transgenics and transfected germ cells in situ to study expression of the testis-specific isozyme of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). From previous work, we determined that a 100-bp Ldhc core promoter contained potential cis regulatory elements, including a palindrome (−21 to +10), GC box (−70 to −65), and cAMP-responsive element (CRE) sites (−53 to −49, −39 to −35). We provide here the demonstration of a functional role for these sequences by expression of mutated transgenes in vivo. Our results reveal for the first time that mutation of the GC box does not abolish promoter activity, which remains testis-specific. Mutation of GC box or CRE sites resulted in a 73% and 74% reduction in promoter activity, respectively, in a transient transfection of germ cells in vivo by electroporation; the combination of GC box and CRE site mutations eliminates promoter activity. Therefore, we conclude that simultaneous occupancy of the GC box and CRE sites in the core promoter is necessary for full expression of Ldhc in the testis.
Colpocleisis and urinary incontinence.

Abstract Objective The study was undertaken to review results of colpocleisis performed for advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in elderly women, with attention to perioperative stress incontinence. Study design We performed a retrospective chart review of all colpocleisis procedures performed July 2000 through March 2002. Results Sixty-four women with median age 78 years (68-90 years) with symptoms and signs of advanced POP underwent partial vaginectomy and colpocleisis. Concomitantly, 21 (33%) women underwent suburethral sling and 12 (19%) underwent suburethral plication procedures for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Three patients with dementia were unable to offer subjective symptoms. One patient died in hospital from multisystem organ failure unrelated to colpocleisis. When last seen, 2 (3%) of the remaining 60 patients had some persistence of symptoms of POP. Of 30 women without preoperative symptoms of SUI, 8 had new-onset SUI symptoms after surgery. Conclusion Colpocleisis is an effective method for treatment of advanced POP. Lower urinary tract evaluation and treatment remain challenging in this setting.
Microcrystals of the annexin, p68: paracrystal to crystal transition and molecular packing as determined by electron microscopy and image reconstruction.

Abstract The calcium-sensitive, membrane-binding annexin, p68, has been crystallized from solutions of polyethylene glycol and ammonium sulfate. Our electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction data indicate that p68 crystals are tetragonal, in space group P41, and have unit cell dimensions of a = b = 68.4 A and c = 209.6 A . The mechanism of cystallization from polyethylene glycol involves a transition from a paracrystalline form to ordered crystals by lateral reordering of chains of molecules extended along the c axis. These chains are directional and might reflect a mechanism whereby the two different ends of (chains of) the p68 molecules interact with different membranes.
Chaotic properties in quantum scattering

Abstract We study the scattering problem for a Kronig-Penney model in a constant electric field. We determine the dependence of the transmission coefficient on the number of barriers and on the initial energy. We observe a strong random behavior that is related to the sensitive phase dependence for Zener tunneling. The power spectrum shows a 1/⨍ component and a slowly decaying tail.
Abelian group matrices over the p-adic and rational integers

Abstract Let G be a finite abelian group of order n. Let Z and Q denote the rational integers and rationals, respectively. A group matrix for G over Z (or Q) is an n-square matrix of the form Σg ∈ GagP(g), where ag ∈ Z (or Q) and P is the regular representation of G so that P(g) is an n-square permutation matrix and P(gh) = P(g)P(h) for all g, h ∈ G. It is known that if M is an arbitrary positive definite unimodular matrix over Z then there exists a matrix A over Q such that M = AτA, where τ denotes transposition. This paper proves that the exact analogue of this theorem holds if one demands that M and A be group matrices for G over Z and Q, respectively. Furthermore, if M is a group matrix for G over the p-adic integers then necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the existence of a group matrix A for G over the p-adic numbers such that M = AτA.
A socio-technical approach of risk management applied to collisions involving fishing vessels

Abstract To make a study of accident and risk management, it is necessary to analyze the socio-technical system in which these accidents occur. The strategies by which the actors involved respond to critical situations can only be understood within their own context, by recognizing the exigencies and constraints of the system in which they operate. According to the chart of migrations and transgressions of professional practices [Amalberti, R., 2001. The paradoxes of almost totally safe transportation systems. Safety Science 37, 109–126], a system, any system, is conceived as responding to the triple pressure of social regulations, available technology and the financial returns of performance. Without curbs or checks, the system would evolve toward an increase in performance and individual profit. Barriers define the boundaries within which operations are considered to be safe. A case-by-case analysis of collisions at sea enabled us to identify two basic causes: undetected signals, and wrong diagnoses. It has also allowed us to define the real operating space of the functional units (fishing vessels) most often involved in collisions, as well as the permeable areas of the safety barriers, through which operations are allowed to migrate toward unsafe zones. As far as the collision risk is concerned, functional units work in a borderline area, close to the limits of safe behavior. To prevent accidents, it will be necessary to reinforce these too-permeable safety barriers, thus limiting the migration factor and bringing the functional units back into an area in which the factors of safety, performance and individual profits are all acceptable.
Automatically combining ranking heuristics for HTML documents

Current search engines use several criteria or heuristics to rank HTML documents. HTML ranking heuristics need to be combined into a ranking function that given a text query returns a ranked list of HTML documents. The standard approach is to build a weighted average by manually estimating the importance of every heuristic and assigning a weight proportional to the estimated importance. In the current paper we apply an automatic method for combining HTML ranking heuristics. Using recall/precision evaluations we study the performance of the automatic method and using collections of HTML documents with different characteristics we show that the automatic method finds weights tailored to specific characteristics of each document collection