cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclic strain activates the pro-survival Akt protein kinase in bovine aortic smooth muscle cells.

Abstract Background. Pulsatile pressure induced by the beating heart causes cyclic strain on arterial endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). This study examined whether Akt, a serine/threonine protein kinase known to promote cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis, is activated by cyclic strain in bovine aortic SMCs. Methods. Bovine aortic SMCs were cultured on flexible-bottomed membranes and then serum-starved for 24 to 36 hours. The cells were then exposed to 150-mm Hg repetitive deformations, which created an average of 10% strain on the monolayer SMCs at a frequency of 60 cycles/minute for 0 (negative control) and 30 minutes. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)–stimulated SMCs were used as positive controls. Phosphorylation of Akt was determined by means of Western blot analysis. An apoptosis assay (TUNEL) was also performed on SMCs exposed to cyclic strain. Results. Akt phosphorylation was significantly increased over that of the negative control after 30 minutes of cyclic strain and in the PDGF group. Cyclic strain did not increase the prevalence of apoptosis in SMCs over the control. Conclusions. Cyclic strain activated the pro-survival Akt kinase. The pro-survival function was supported by the fact that cyclic strain did not increase apoptosis in bovine aortic SMCs. This experiment suggests that cyclic strain may induce arterial wall thickening by tipping the balance toward arterial SMC proliferation through the inhibition of apoptosis. (Surgery 2001;130:378-81.)
Long-term variation study of blood plasma levels of chloroform and related purgeable compounds.

Abstract Values for circulating plasma chloroform of 25 white adult females were monitored for 6 months during the first phase of a four-phase long-term variation study. The data suggested four major exposure categories. Category I (20%) had average chloroform levels > 10 ppb* and variation ranges ≤ 10 ppb. Category II (24%) had average levels of 10–25 ppb and ranges of ≤ 10 ppb. Category III (20%) had average levels of 10–25 ppb and ranges > 20 ppb. Category IV (28%) had average chloroform levels of > 25 ppb and variation ranges > 20 ppb. Although the participants had been carefully screened to exclude incidents of occupational and recreational exposure, three subjects in category IV experienced obvious incidences of acute exposure to either chloroform or a chloroform precursor. In these situations circulating plasma chloroform levels were between 1655 ppb and 4000 ppb.
Inappropriate home albuterol use during an acute asthma exacerbation.

Abstract Background Increased asthma morbidity and mortality is associated with inappropriate home self-management skills. Objectives To examine the proportion of children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an acute asthma exacerbation with incorrect home use of their albuterol inhaler and to identify factors associated with improper treatment. Methods Caregivers of children with asthma aged 4 to 14 years, presenting to the ED with an asthma exacerbation, participated in the study. Interviewers collected caregiver's perceived severity of the asthma exacerbation and home albuterol use before the ED visit. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines were used to classify home albuterol use as appropriate or inappropriate. Results Home albuterol use for the current asthma exacerbation was categorized as inappropriate (56 [68%]) and appropriate (26 [32%]) for 84 participants. Thirty-nine of the inappropriate group undertreated, with 24 not giving albuterol frequently enough and 15 without albuterol at home. Other reasons for incorrect home albuterol use included: no spacer, overtreating, overreacting, and using a controller medicine for quick relief. Those with appropriate albuterol use were more likely to have their child hospitalized for asthma in the past 48 months ( P =.004). Caregivers with inappropriate use perceived their child's asthma exacerbation as more severe ( P P Conclusion A significant proportion of caregivers incorrectly treat children's asthma exacerbation with albuterol. Despite perceiving their children's asthma exacerbations as more severe, most undertreat with albuterol. Correctly assessing asthma symptom severity and appropriate home albuterol use may be linked to disease experience.
The child sexual abuse prevention movement: A critical analysis of primary and secondary approaches

Abstract In response to the alarmingly high incidence and negative consequences of child sexual abuse, an increasing number of prevention efforts have appeared. In this paper, primary and secondary prevention efforts aimed at low- and high-risk children via both direct and indirect approaches have been reviewed. While many creative and entertaining prevention programs are available for children, empirical validation of these programs has lagged behind their actual development and implementation. Our review also indicated that additional development and evaluation of adult-oriented programs are needed to aid in the indirect prevention of child sexual abuse. Several research questions need to be addressed before we can confidently say that such programs are effective in preventing the sexual exploitation of children.
Smoking-related videos for use in cue-induced craving paradigms.

Abstract Environmental cues (e.g., the sight of a cigarette) have long been recognized as important triggers for craving in smokers. Available imaging technologies (e.g., fMRI) allow investigation of the neural mechanisms for cue-induced craving, but there stands a need for a cue-delivery system compatible with an MRI environment. We developed a standardized set of 24 high-resolution videos, 12 containing cigarette smoking scenes (e.g., lighting up), and 12 containing neutral scenes (e.g., reading a book), each 30 s long, with comparable lighting, visual complexity, and background filmed by a professional cinematographer. Study participants were 20 smokers (mean age = 37.7 years, 50% female). Each was exposed to the 24 videos in a random order under laboratory conditions. Dependent measures included heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance, skin temperature, and self-reported craving (0–100) following each video. Overall findings indicated that smokers had greater reactivity to the smoking videos than to neutral videos ( p
Mouthbreeding in fishes.

Abstract Mouthbreeding occurs in at least fifty-three genera of fishes (four orders, eight families) that inhabit marine, brackish and fresh water. It possibly developed in some Betta species from the habit of orally placing eggs in a bubble nest, whereas in cichlids it possibly evolved from mouthing and transferring behaviour. Invasion of new habitats, high competition for or lack of nest sites, new courtship patterns, and predation may be some of the factors involved in the selection for this advanced type of parental care. Morphological adaptations for either herbivorous or carnivorous feeding can be advantageous for mouthbreeding, and apparently no special adaptations have evolved in the mouth for this behaviour. Increased efficiency in fertilization and/or pick up of the eggs has been brought about in some species by the possession of colourful genital tassels, false eggs on the anal fin, and by enlarged pelvic fins. Mouthbreeders tend to have a small number of large eggs without adhesive areas that are released in batches during spawning. The greater the amount of yolk in the eggs, the less likely it is that parental care will be continued after the fry are released. The incubating parent usually goes without food, although some fry may feed while in the parent's mouth. Coughing, yawning and swallowing appear to be carefully controlled during the parental period. Churning movements of the mouth are functionally analogous to fanning movements of the pectoral fins in substrate-breeders. Some of the changes in the amounts and rates of churning and respiration are associated with the metabolic development of the young, whereas others appear to be involved with bouyancy adjustments by the parent.
Quantifying access to surgical care.

JAMA Access to Kidney Transplantation Among Remote- and Rural-Dwelling Patients With Kidney Failure in the United States Marcello Tonelli, MD, SM; Scott Klarenbach, MD, MS; Caren Rose, MSc; Natasha Wiebe, MMath; John Gill, MD, MS Context: US residents with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may live far away from the closest transplant center, which could compromise their access to kidney transplantation. Objective: To assess access to kidney transplantation as a function of distance from the closest transplant center or as a function of rural rather than urban residence. Design, Setting, and Participants: Observational study of 699 751 adult patients with kidney failure who had initiated renal replacement in the United States between 1995 and 2007 and were thus placed on a prospective mandatory registry list. Main Outcome Measures: Time to placement on the kidney transplant waiting list and time to kidney transplantation, both measured at the start of renal replacement. Results: During a median follow-up of 2.0 years (range, 0.0-12.5 years), 122 785 (17.5%) patients received a kidney transplant. Median distance to the closest transplant center was 15 miles. Participants were classified into distance categories by miles from a transplant center with 0 to 15 miles serving as the referent category. Compared with the referent category, the adjusted hazard ratios of deceased or living donor transplantation within each category follows: 16 to 50 miles, 1.03 (95% CI, 1.02-1.05); 51 to 100 miles, 1.11 (95% CI, 1.09-1.12); 101 to 136 miles, 1.14 (95% CI, 1.11-1.17); 137 to 231 miles, 1.16 (95% CI, 1.13-1.20); 232 to 310 miles, 1.20 (95% CI, 1.12-1.28); and more than 310 miles, 1.16 (95% CI, 1.09-1.23). When residence location was classified using rural-urban commuter areas, 79.6% of patients lived in urban; 10.3%, micropolitan; and 10.0%, rural areas. Compared with those living in metropolitan areas, the adjusted hazard ratios of deceased or living donor transplantation among patients residing in micropolitan communities was 1.13 (95% CI, 1.11-1.15) and 1.15 (95% CI, 1.13-1.18) for rural areas. Results were similar for both deceased donor and living donor transplantation and were consistent in multiple sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: Remote or rural residence was not associated with increased time to kidney transplantation among people treated for ESRD in the United States. JAMA. 2009;301(16):1681-1690.
Contractile, metabolic and arrhythmogenic effects of ionic and nonionic contrast agents in the isolated rat heart.

Abstract Intracoronary administration of contrast agents may be associated with contractile dysfunction and arrhythmias. To further establish the mechanisms of these alterations, we studied high-energy phosphate metabolism, developed pressure, the occurrence of arrhythmias, and the effects of verapamil during infusion of ionic and nonionic agents in isovolumic, retrogradely perfused rat hearts using 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR). Diatrizoate meglumine (Renografin) infusion reduced developed pressure (DP) to 17.1 ± 3.4% ( p n = 6) and alone ( n = 6) resulted in a decrease in DP to 87% of control value, and no arrhythmias, significant change in high-energy phosphate levels, or changes in pH were observed. These results suggest that contrast-induced contractile depression is not mediated by changes in high-energy phosphate metabolism or pH. Arrhythmias associated with meglumine administration alone and suppressed by verapamil are probably related to calcium loading.
Gene expression by constitutive mutants of coliphage lambda

Mutations c17 and ri c, which permit constitutive expression of genes O and P and transcriptional activation of λ DNA replication, act as new promoters since they map outside the immunity region and direct rightward transcription in the presence of repressor. In the λc17 P -or λri cP- lysogens, this constitutive transcription is restricted to the O-P region, and is at least one order of magnitude lower than that for an induced λP -lysogen. The operator-constitutive mutants v2 and v1v3 give very low levels of constitutive transcription from the l and r strands, respectively.
Self-focusing and optical damage in Cr:LiSAF and Cr:LiCAF

The Cr-doped Colquiriites, Cr:LiSAF, and Cr:LiCAF, are new solid-state laser materials with high gain cross-sections, very large gain bandwidths, and relatively long fluorescence lifetimes (approximately 100 microsecond(s) ) making them amenable to flashlamp pumping. These laser materials are capable of providing tunable high power laser radiation in the near IR and are very suitable for ultrashort pulse generation and amplification. For these high power laser applications, however, a knowledge of the optical damage thresholds and mechanisms in these materials is essential. We present results of measurements of bulk damage thresholds, of basic material properties, and of the nonlinear refractive indices of these materials. We have also observed optical damage due to self-focusing in a femtosecond chirped pulse Cr:LiSAF regenerative amplifier. We discuss these observations and give an estimate of the critical power of self-focusing for these materials.
Localization of Tritiated Digoxin in Dog Myocardium by Electron Microscopic Autoradiography

Five mongrel dogs were given 0.08 mg/kg of tritiated digoxin over a 24-hour period. Left ventricular myocardium was excised and subsequently fixed, dehydrated, and embedded in Epon 812 epoxy resin. Tissue was sectioned and coated with a monolayer of photographic nuclear emulsion and exposed for varying time intervals up to three months. After development these autoradiographs were viewed with the electron microscope. It was found that of the total number of nuclear tracks counted, 75% were found to overlie the sarcomere of the myofibril, 27% to overlie the mitochondria, and 8% to overlie other structures. Of those tracks associated with the sarcomere, 72% were found to overlie the A band. Evaluation of the data obtained and the techniques used are presented.
Analysis of Implied Risk-Taking Behavior Under a Goal-Based Incentive Scheme

The purpose of this paper is an analysis of how an incentive scheme and the subordinate's risk preference criterion to determine the implied risk preference criterion which is essentially used in arriving at a decision under uncertainty in a decentralized decision making situation. After emphasizing the importance of risk-congruence in management control under uncertainty, a topic rarely mentioned in the past, some analytical result which would be of help to management in designing a goal-based incentive scheme are obtained. Results are related to earlier empirical observations.
Stabilization of system in Lure form over uncertain channels

In this paper, we study the problem of stabilization of nonlinear system in Lure form with uncertainty at the input and output channels. The channel uncertainty is modeled using Bernoulli random variable. Generalization of Positive Real Lemma for stochastic systems are derived to prove the main result of this paper providing sufficient condition for the mean square exponential stability of the closed loop system with erasure channels at the input and output. We generalize this result to provide sufficient condition for stabilization over general uncertain channel at the input and perfect measurement channel at the output. The results in this paper provide synthesis method for the design of controller and observer that are robust to channel uncertainty. Due to nonlinear plant dynamics, the controller and observer design problem are coupled, however we provide explicit relation between the erasure probability of the input and output channels to maintain stability of the feedback control system.
Commentary on Subgroup Analysis in Intervention Research: Opportunities for the Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention

The public health approach to prevention places a unique emphasis on understanding which populations are at greatest risk for poor health; the factors that place different populations at risk for experiencing injury, death, disability, and related health outcomes; the preventive interventions that are most effective for universal, selected, and indicated populations; and the best methods for encouraging the translation, dissemination, and adoption of preventive interventions for various populations. This information can be valuable in maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of public health prevention approaches. The present article provides a commentary on the contributions of rigorous subgroup analysis to intervention research and, in particular, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) public health approach to violence prevention.
Hydrogen-induced dislocation arrays and plastic instability in iron single crystals

Presentation d'un modele specifique de dislocations conduisant aux rangees observees. On montre que les rangees sont potentiellement instables relativement a une deformation localisee et on suggere que les rangees pourraient etre le precurseur de l'instabilite macroscopique de cisaillement
The mammalian target of rapamycin regulates cholesterol biosynthetic gene expression and exhibits a rapamycin-resistant transcriptional profile

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of cell growth and proliferation in response to growth factor and nutrient signaling. Consequently, this kinase is implicated in metabolic diseases including cancer and diabetes, so there is great interest in understanding the complete spectrum of mTOR-regulated networks. mTOR exists in two functionally distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, and whereas the natural product rapamycin inhibits only a subset of mTORC1 functions, recently developed ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitors have revealed new roles for both complexes. A number of studies have highlighted mTORC1 as a regulator of lipid homeostasis. We show that the ATP-competitive inhibitor PP242, but not rapamycin, significantly down-regulates cholesterol biosynthesis genes in a 4E-BP1–dependent manner in NIH 3T3 cells, whereas S6 kinase 1 is the dominant regulator in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. To identify other rapamycin-resistant transcriptional outputs of mTOR, we compared the expression profiles of NIH 3T3 cells treated with rapamycin versus PP242. PP242 caused 1,666 genes to be differentially expressed whereas rapamycin affected only 88 genes. Our analysis provides a genomewide view of the transcriptional outputs of mTOR signaling that are insensitive to rapamycin.
Assessing Stress-Buffering Effects: A Cautionary Note

Research on the stress-buffering functions of social support is equivocal. The purpose of this study was to suggest that part of the reason for these contradictory findings may be due to the fact that researchers have misspecified the relationship between stress and support. Instead of always being an effective coping resource, this study tested the view that there are limits to the beneficial effects of assistance provided by others and that beyond a certain level support may actually exacerbate the noxious impact of stress. Data from a recent nationwide survey of older adults support this more complex perspective. More specifically, the data suggest that although emotional support initially reduces the effects of chronic financial strain on depressive symptoms, further increments in emotional assistance are associated with increased psychological distress.
Relating Ground Water and Sediment Chemistry to Microbial Characterization at a BTEX-Contaminated Site

The National Center for Manufacturing Science is investigating bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon at a site near Belleville, MI. As part of this study, we examined the microbial communities to help elucidate biodegradative processes currently active at the site. We observed high densities of aerobic hydrocarbon degraders and denitrifiers in the less-contaminated sediments. Low densities of iron and sulfate reducers were measured in the same sediments. In contrast, the highly contaminated sediments showed low densities of aerobic hydrocarbon degraders and denitrifiers, and high densities of iron and sulfate reducers. Methanogens were also found in these highly contaminated sediments. These contaminated sediments also showed a higher biomass, by the phospholipid fatty acids, and greater ratios of phospholipid fatty acids, which indicate stress within the microbial community. Aquifer chemistry analyses indicated that the highly contaminated area was more reduced and had lower sulfate than the less-contaminated area. These conditions suggest that the subsurface environment at the highly contaminated area had progressed into sulfate reduction and methanogenesis. The less-contaminated area, although less reduced, also appeared to be progressing into primarily iron- and sulfate-reducing microbial communities. The proposed treatment to stimulate bioremediation includes addition of oxygen and nitrate to the subsurface. Ground water chemistry and microbial analyses revealed significant differences that resulted from the injection of dissolved oxygen and nitrate. These differences included an increase in Eh, small decrease in pH, and large decreases in BTEX, dissolved iron, and sulfate concentrations at the injection well. Injected nitrate was rapidly utilized by the subsurface microbial communities, and significant nitrite amounts were observed in the injection well and in nearby down-gradient observation wells. Microbial and molecular analyses indicated an increase in denitrifying bacteria after nitrate injection. The activity and population of denitrifying bacteria were significantly increased at the injection well relative to a down-gradient well for as long as 2 mo after the nitrate injection ended.
On sequential versus random sampling in statistical process control

In statistical process control, a number of items are selected from all items produced every h time units (which we will refer to as an inspection period); these items are used to make inferences about the state of an unreliable machine or process. This paper considers an unreliable process which can shift from an acceptable in‐control state to an unacceptable out‐of‐control state. Based on a Shewhart‐type c‐chart, this paper extends the framework developed in Klastorin et al. to define the expected number of samples needed to confirm that the process shift has occurred when we use a sequential sample of the last n items produced in an inspection period. Comparing this result to the case where a random sample is used, we show that the probability of detecting the shift using a sequential sample is greater than or equal to the probability of detecting the shift using a random sample. Thus, sequential samples will result in a control chart that requires fewer expected samples to detect a shift and has lower expected total costs.
Functional role of the sensory cortex in learning motor skills in cats.

Abstract The functional role of corticocortical input projecting to the motor cortex in learning motor skills was investigated by training 3 cats with and without the projection area. After unilateral removal of areas 1,2,2 praeinsularis and a part of 5, the cat wasplaced in a box and trained to pick up a small piece of food from a beaker in front of the box. Since the beaker and the edge of the box had a space in between, the cat had to develop a new motor skill to bring the food back to the box across the space. This skill consisted of combined supination and flexion of the paw to hold the food over the gap. In all 3 cats, the training period necessary for acquisition of the motor skill for the forelimb contralateral to the lesioned brain was significantly longer than the period necessary for the forelimb ipsilateral to the lesioned cortex. Ablation of the remaining projection area after completion of the training did not impair the learned motor skill. the result suggest that the input from the lesioned area to the motor cortex participates in learning motor skills.
The integrin α-subunit leg extends at a Ca2+-dependent epitope in the thigh/genu interface upon activation

Two activation-dependent Abs to the integrin αL-subunit were used to study conformational rearrangement of αLβ2 on the cell surface. Activation lowered the concentration of Ca2+ required for maximal expression of each epitope. Each Ab requires the Ca2+-binding loop in the integrin genu and nearby species-specific residues in the thigh domain. Key thigh residues are shielded from Ab in the bent integrin conformation by the α-subunit calf-1 domain and the nearby bent β leg, suggesting that extension at the genu is required for epitope exposure. Activating stimuli and α/β I-like small molecule antagonists demonstrate that exposure of epitopes in the integrin α- and β-subunit legs is coordinate during integrin activation. A coordinating residue donated by the calf-1 domain is as important as Ca2+ for mAb binding. Together with inspection of the αV structure, this result suggests that the genu/calf-1 interface is maintained in integrin activation, and that extension occurs by a rearrangement at the thigh/genu interface.
First report of Rhizoctonia foliar blight of soybean in South Carolina.

Rhizoctonia foliar blight of soybean is found in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. In the US, it is found mainly in the states of the Gulf Coast region. On 13 September, 2005, the Clemson University Plant Problem Clinic received a soybean sample from Florence County, SC showing severe foliar blight. The cultivars Northrup King 7325 and 76-L9 were affected. Hyphae typical of Rhizoctonia species were observed on the foliar lesions, and the genus was confirmed by microscopic examination.
Vitamin A antagonizes decreased cell growth and elevated collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinases and stimulates collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

Damage to human skin due to ultraviolet light from the sun (photoaging) and damage occurring as a consequence of the passage of time (chronologic or natural aging) are considered to be distinct entities. Photoaging is caused in part by damage to skin connective tissue by increased elaboration of collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinases, and by reduced collagen synthesis. As matrix metalloproteinase levels are known to rise in fibroblasts as a function of age, and as oxidant stress is believed to underlie changes associated with both photoaging and natural aging, we determined whether natural skin aging, like photoaging, gives rise to increased matrix metalloproteinases and reduced collagen synthesis. In addition, we determined whether topical vitamin A (retinol) could stimulate new collagen deposition in sun-protected aged skin, as it does in photoaged skin. Sun-protected skin samples were obtained from 72 individuals in four age groups: 18–29 y, 30–59 y, 60–79 y, and 80+ y. Histologic and cellular markers of connective tissue abnormalities were significantly elevated in the 60–79 y and 80+ y groups, compared with the two younger age groups. Increased matrix metalloproteinase levels and decreased collagen synthesis/expression were associated with this connective tissue damage. In a separate group of 53 individuals (80+ y of age), topical application of 1% vitamin A for 7 d increased fibroblast growth and collagen synthesis, and concomitantly reduced the levels of matrix-degrading matrix metalloproteinases. Our findings indicate that naturally aged, sun-protected skin and photoaged skin share important molecular features including connective tissue damage, elevated matrix metalloproteinase levels, and reduced collagen production. In addition, vitamin A treatment reduces matrix metalloproteinase expression and stimulates collagen synthesis in naturally aged, sun-protected skin, as it does in photoaged skin.
A functional hybrid ribosome binding site in tryptophan operon messenger RNA of Escherichia coli

Abstract The internal deletion trpΔLD102 creates a functional hybrid ribosome binding site in the tryptophan (trp) operon of Escherichia coli. Sequence analysis of DNA and RNA fragments demonstrates that this deletion fuses the 5′ region of the ribosome binding site in the trp leader region to the 3′ portion of the normal trpC initiator site one nucleotide before the initiating AUG codon. Messenger RNA containing the hybrid site is bound efficiently by ribosomes in vitro, while mRNA fragments from either the trpL half or the trpC half of the hybrid site are not bound. Thus, neither region alone carries sufficient information for ribosome recognition and binding. Comparison of the trpC initiator with the five other ribosome binding sites in the operon reveals homologies that may reflect requirements for initiation of translation in a polycistronic operon.
Transition modes and post-transition inter-party politics: Evidence from Spain (1977–82) and Argentina (1983–89)

This article tests whether the mode of transition from authoritarian rule affects the competitiveness of inter-party politics in the post-transition democratic regime. It draws on a six-year study of the degree of cross-party collaboration in the legislative arena immediately following the Spanish (1976/77) transition by pact and the Argentine (1982/83) transition by collapse. The study finds that the nascent democracy in Spain experienced more collaborative inter-party politics than the new Argentine democracy, which is consistent with the democratization literature. After discussing the constitutional structure and gravity of economic crisis as alternative explanations of the degree of inter-party competitiveness, the study concludes that the mode of transition is an essential explanatory variable. It also identifies the causal mechanisms that may explain the link between the mode of transition and post-transition inter-party competitiveness, namely the opportunities for political learning, the patterns...
Rethinking ASIC design with next generation lithography and process integration

Given the deployment delays for EUV, several next generation lithography (NGL) options are being actively researched. Several cost-effective NGL solutions, such as self-aligned double patterning through sidewall image transfer (SIT) and directed self-assembly (DSA), in conjunction with process integration challenges, mandate grating-like pattern design. As part of the GRATEdd project, we have evaluated the design cost of grating-based design for ASICs (application specific ICs). Based on our observations we have engineered fundamental changes to the primary ASIC design components to make scaling affordable and useful in deeply scaled sub-20 nm technologies: unidirectional-M1 based standard cells, application-specific smart SRAM synthesis, and statistical and self-healing analog design.
An estimation method for evaluating energy release rates of circumferential through-wall cracked pipe welds

Abstract A new methodology is proposed to estimate energy release rates of through-wall cracked (TWC) ductile pipe weldments subjected to pure bending loads. It is based on the deformation theory of plasticity, the constitutive law characterized by the Ramberg-Osgood model, and an equivalence criterion incorporating the reduced thickness analogy for simulating system compliance due to the presence of a crack in weld metal. A closed form solution is obtained in terms of elementary functions for approximate evaluation of the J- integral . The method utilizes the material properties of both base and weld metals, which are not considered in the current estimation methods. It is very general and can be applied in the complete range between elastic and fully plastic conditions. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the proposed technique. Comparisons of results with reference solutions from the finite element method indicate satisfactory prediction of energy release rates.
Examination of the hymen in prepubertal children with suspected sexual abuse: Interobserver agreement

Abstract Interobserver agreement between pediatricians was assessed for morphology of the hymen in prepubertal children who were suspected of having been sexually abused. To standardize training of three observers, procedures, definitions, photographs, and forms were reviewed. Interobserver agreement was tested between two pairs of pediatricians. Of 67 subjects 1.4–9.7 years, (mean 5.7 years. SD 2.2 years), 25 were seen by one pair and 42 by a second pair. There was a wide range in agreement noted for all observations, with the majority being less than 90%. The majority of interobserver agreement rates for observations on the stretched hymen were >60%. and on the unstretched hymen
Orthogonalization of Gaussian signals for Volterra system identification

This paper presents a very simple method for orthogonalizing Gaussian input signals for identification of truncated Volterra systems. The orthogonalization requires a linear lattice predictor and some nonlinear processing of the backward prediction error signals of the various orders. However, the nonlinear processors do not depend on the statistics of the input signals, and consequently, are easy to design and implement. >
Franklin Delano Roosevelt: A Famous Patient

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is arguably one of the greatest of American Presidents. His encounter with the polio that crippled him at an early age and its transformative impact upon him are here discussed with particular reference to his relationship with his physician, Dr. George Draper. This transformation liberated energy in Roosevelt to lead and to show empathy for others in ways that both challenged the political and social status quo in the U.S.A. as well as helped save the world from the threat of Fascism in World War II. This essay seeks to demonstrate how an investigation of the life and struggles of this famous patient is one avenue for relating the study of the humanities to medical education. An earlier version of this paper was presented as the Heberden Lecture in the History of Medicine at the New York Academy of Medicine in 2012.
Investment policy for multiple product setup reduction under budgetary and capacity constraints

Abstract This paper investigates the impact of setup cost and time reduction on production batch sizes and the schedule in a batch manufacturing system, producing multiple products. It is assumed that the system's operating environment is deterministic and there are budgetary and capacity constraints. The schedule feasibility of the embedded economic lot scheduling problem is attained by using the common cycle approach. The extent of setup reduction attained is treated as a function of capital investment in technology. The problem of simultaneously determining the lot sizes, as well as the investments made in setup reduction for the different products, with the objective of minimizing the total relevant cost, is formulated as a non-linear, constrained optimization model. A solution algorithm using the generalized Lagrangian approach is developed to solve this problem. A heuristic approach is also suggested for cases where the optimization procedure becomes computationally cumbersome. The concepts developed are illustrated through a numerical example.
Breakdown of nonet symmetry in Cabibbo-allowed decays of charmed mesons into two pseudoscalars.

We assume the flavor-symmetry properties predicted by the standard model for the decays of charmed mesons into two pseudoscalar mesons and test the additional hypothesis of nonet symmetry. From the measured branching ratios for {ital D}{sup +} and {ital D}{sup 0}, we show that nonet symmetry must be badly broken for the pseudoscalar nonet. Because the branching ratios for the {ital D}{sub {ital s}} meson are not well known at present, we cannot determine whether one of the SU(3) representations {bold 6}{sup *} and 1{bold 5} dominates the effective interaction. There are some indications that both are equally important.
Liquid detergent in aqueous fixing fluids, to promote rapid wetting and sinking of plant specimens.

Plant tissue immersion for fixation is facilitated by the addition of a drop or two of liquid detergent to each 10 ml of fixing solution. Six fixatives: FAA, chrome-acetic, Craf I, III, V and Farmer's were tested with 1–7% additives of a liquid detergent (Joy was used). All were found to facilitate wetting and sinking of the specimens in the aqueous fixatives. Farmer's fixative (alcohol-acetic 3:1), however, did not require detergent. The detergent did not harm the tissue nor affect staining.
Health Insurance Status and Control of Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors on Enrollment Into the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) Trial

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine measures of chronic disease severity and treatment according to insurance status in a clinical trial setting.MethodsBaseline insurance status of 776 patients with type 2 diabetes and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) enrolled in the United States in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial was analyzed with regard to measures of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factor control.ResultsCompared with patients with private or public insurance, the uninsured were younger, more often female, and less often white non-Hispanic. Uninsured patients had the greatest burden of CAD. Patients with public insurance were treated with the greatest number of medications, had the greatest self-reported functional status, and the lowest mean glycosylated hemoglobin and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol values. Overall, for 5 measured risk factor targets, the mean number above goal was 2.49 ± 1.18. After adjustment for demograp...
Numerical investigation of the annulus fibrosus

A coarse-grained bead-spring model of the annulus fibrosus is presented, and shown to be capable of qualitatively replicating experimental behavior. Stochastic elements built into this model enable the simulation of fatigue loading. Quantitative comparison with experiments is possible, after proper calibration has been accomplished.
Model Employers and Good Government in the Late 19th and Late 20th Centuries

This study compares models of the good employer in the late 19th and late 20th centuries, using a content analysis of leading business periodicals. We find striking differences between the two eras, both in their recipes for more efficient employment practices and in their understanding of the benefits of those practices. We consider possible explanations for these divergent conceptions of “rational” labor relations and argue that each period’s image of the exemplary employer corresponds to prevailing ideals of political reform.
Exploiting spatio-temporal information for view recognition in cardiac echo videos

2D Echocardiography is an important diagnostic aid for morphological and functional assessment of the heart. The transducer position is varied during an echo exam to elicit important information about the heart function and its anatomy. The knowledge of the transducer viewpoint is important in automatic cardiac echo interpretation to understand the regions being depicted as well as in the quantification of their attributes. In this paper, we address the problem of inferring the transducer viewpoint from the spatio-temporal information in cardiac echo videos. Unlike previous approaches, we exploit motion of the heart within a cardiac cycle in addition to spatial information to discriminate between viewpoints. Specifically, we use an active shape model (ASM) to model shape and texture information in an echo frame. The motion information derived by tracking ASMs through a heart cycle is then projected into the eigen-motion feature space of the viewpoint class for matching. We report comparison with a re-implementation of state-of-the-art view recognition methods in echos on a large database of patients with various cardiac diseases.
Divide-and-conquer in wafer scale array testing

Testing of wafer scale arrays is very time consuming if classical loopback testing is used. In this paper, a divide-and-conquer technique for testing wafer scale arrays is presented. The technique is general in the sense that it can be applied to any regular topologies. Although the proposed scheme also suffers from long testing time in the worst case, it is shown to be very efficient for most of the possible fault patterns. Insertion of test points is also considered to physically partition the arrays so that the desired performance can be achieved regardless of the array size. >
Low-frequency noise and Hall effect measurements on YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// thin films

We report 1/f noise and Hall effect measurements performed on c-axis oriented YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// thin films at superconducting transition and in normal state. Magnetic fields up to 6 kG were applied parallel to c-axis. The voltage noise spectral density was normalized using Hall carrier density as well as atomic concentration. Close to the superconductive state, normalized voltage noise spectral density had a sharp rise. The noise did not seem to originate from local thermal fluctuations. We interpreted the data in terms of the classic percolation model near superconductive transition, according to which normalized noise is proportional to R/sup -k'/s/, where R is the macroscopic sample resistance and k' and s are critical exponents. The ratio k'/s, which can be regarded as an index of the rise of normalized noise, steadily increased with higher magnetic field. The zero-Gauss value of k'/s was calculated as 1.06; a result that agrees with the prediction of the classical percolation theory for a 2-D network. >
Population Growth, Structure, and Seed Dispersal in the Understory herb Cynoglossum virginianum: a Population and Patch Dynamics Model

We use a combined model of forest canopy dynamics and patch-specific demography to examine the response of a forest understory herb, Cynoglossum virginianum, to changes in rates of forest disturbance, rates of long distance seed dispersal, and patterns of seed dormancy. The matrix modelling approach followed that of Horvitz and Schemske (1986), in which empirically-determined demographic parameters of a population experiencing open canopy conditions are modified depending upon demographic decay functions describing plant demography in a series of patch-types undergoing succession toward fully closed canopy. In our analysis, demographic transition elements were estimated from 14 years of long-term census data on three subpopulations at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. One of the three subpopulations was subjected to full canopy exposure in the second year of data collection, while the other two subpopulations remained in full understory conditions for the entire census period. Our results suggest small negative effects of a doubling of the rate of canopy disturbance (defined as the rate at which new treefall gaps appear in closed canopy) and only small positive effects of long distance dispersal on population growth rate, which predicts tittle selection for long distance dispersal. However, our analyses predict positive benefits of enhanced seed dormancy in this species, particularly if dormancy is higher in new gaps relative to understory conditions. These results are primarily a product of enhanced reproductive output in the years immediately following gap opening which is counterbalanced by increased seedling mortality in those years and a near complete suppression of reproductive output in later years (closing gaps). The suppression of reproduction in closing gaps may be a manifestation of a delayed effect of high costs of reproduction imposed in prior years. We discuss our results in terms of observed patterns of seed dispersal and in terms of the overall potential influence of forest gap dynamics on the demography of understory herbs similar to C. virginianum, in which demographic responses to changes in canopy conditions differ in strength and direction among life history stages.
Modification of plasma-etched profiles by sputtering

Two-dimensional etch profiles are modeled for plasma etching. The etch rate dependence on the angle of incidence of the bombarding ions on the etched surface has a sputtering-type yield. The etch profile is advanced in time by an evolution equation for an etch rate proportional to the modified ion energy flux. Approximate analytical expressions for the etch rates are derived as a product of the etch rates in the absence of the sputtering-type yield and a weighting factor that depends on the angle the ion drift velocity makes with the normal to the wafer surface. The weighting factor is determined from experimental measurements of the angular dependence of ion beam etching by sputtering. These etch rates are valid when the ratio of the ion drift speed to the ion thermal speed is large compared to one. The etching is modeled in the ion flux-limited regime for simplicity. The modifications of the shape of etch profiles of a long rectangular trench and a waveguide structure or strip are treated.
LocusRoute: a parallel global router for standard cells

A fast and easily parallelizable global routing algorithm for standard cells and its parallel implementation is presented. LocusRoute is meant to be used as the cost function for a placement algorithm and so this context constrains the structure of the global routing algorithm and its parallel implementation. The router is based on enumerating a subset of all two-bend routes between two points, and results in 16% to 37% fewer total number of tracks than the TimberWolf global router for standard cells [Sech85]. It is comparable in quality to a maze router and an industrial router, but is factor of 10 times or more faster. Three approaches to parallelizing the router are implemented: wire-by-wire parallelism, segment-by-segment and route-by-route. Two of these approaches achieve significant speedup - route-by-route achieves up to 4.6 using eight processors, and wire-by-wire achieves from 5.8 to 7.6 on eight processors.
Stereophysicochemical variability plots highlight conserved antigenic areas in Flaviviruses.

Flaviviruses, which include Dengue (DV) and West Nile (WN), mutate in response to immune system pressure. Identifying escape mutants, variant progeny that replicate in the presence of neutralizing antibodies, is a common way to identify functionally important residues of viral proteins. However, the mutations typically occur at variable positions on the viral surface that are not essential for viral replication. Methods are needed to determine the true targets of the neutralizing antibodies. Stereophysicochemical variability plots (SVPs), 3-D images of protein structures colored according to variability, as determined by our PCPMer program, were used to visualize residues conserved in their p hysical c hemical p roperties (PCPs) near escape mutant positions. The analysis showed 1) that escape mutations in the flavivirus envelope protein are variable residues by our criteria and 2) two escape mutants found at the same position in many flaviviruses sit above clusters of conserved residues from different regions of the linear sequence. Conservation patterns in T-cell epitopes in the NS3- protease suggest a similar mechanism of immune system evasion. The SVPs add another dimension to structurally defining the binding sites of neutralizing antibodies. They provide a useful aid for determining antigenically important regions and designing vaccines.