cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlates of HIV Testing History among Urban Youth Recruited through Venue-Based Testing in 15 US Cities

BACKGROUND Adolescents and young adults comprise disproportionately high percentages of individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and those with undiagnosed HIV. Our objective was to determine factors associated with history of HIV testing and receipt of results among a sample of urban, high-risk, sexually active adolescents in 15 US cities. METHODS A total of 20 to 30 sexually active youths, aged 12 to 24 years, were recruited to participate in an anonymous survey and HIV antibody testing at 2 to 3 venues per city identified by young men who have sex with men, young women of color, or intravenous drug users. RESULTS Of the 1457 participants, 72% reported having been previously tested for HIV (89% of whom were aware of their test results). Our sample was diverse in terms of gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Factors found to be predictive of testing typically reflect high risk for HIV, except for some high-risk partner characteristics, including having had a partner that made the youth have sex without a condom or had a partner with unknown HIV status. Factors associated with knowledge of serostatus are reported. HIV testing seems to be more associated with sexually transmitted infection testing services than with primary care. CONCLUSIONS More strategies are needed that increase testing, including targeting partners of high-risk individuals, insuring receipt of test results, and increasing testing in primary care settings.
The Precataclysmic Binary HS 1136+6646 May Have a Companion

Because of the similarity of the primary star of HS 1136+6646 to the planetary nebula central star BE Ursae Majoris, we performed wide‐field imaging of the former with an Hα filter. No nebulosity was detected. On the other hand, the point‐spread function of the star appears extended. A partially resolved red component is detected in an image from the five‐band Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Most importantly, a companion is easily resolved in a Hubble Space Telescope acquisition image from the published Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph observations. A companion to the precataclysmic binary is present at a separation of 1349 at a position angle of 544. Evidence indicates that it is likely of spectral type K. We cannot demonstrate conclusively that this component has common proper motion with the close binary. However, the similar apparent z magnitudes and spectral types of HS 1136+6646B and the resolved component make it likely that we have, in reality, a hierarchical triple system. In any case, the presence of this component needs to be taken into account in future ground‐based studies.
Experimental Forest Releases of Calosoma sycophanta (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Against the Gypsy Moth

Releases of limited numbers of Ca/osoma sycophanta L. adults into high populations of gypsy moths, Lymantria dispar L., were made in 1988 and 1989. In 1988, 0-40 wing-clipped beetle adults were released into four plots. Larval survival of gypsy moths was least in plots receiving the most beetles, but based on gypsy moth pupal mortality and numbers of immature beetles seen, adults did not reproduce. In 1989, a release with four replicates was conducted in which 0 beetles, 20 intact beetles, or 20 beetles with clipped wings were released into separate plots. Larval survival rates for gypsy moths could not be adequately assessed, because of overwhelming mortality due to an Entomophaga fungus, but there were significantly more beetle larvae in plots receiving intact beetles than in the other treatments, and pupal mortality occurred earlier and was greater in release plots than in check plots. The releases show that a small number of adult beetles, through progeny production, can have an effect on gypsy moth populations.
Regulation of Neurogenesis by Interkinetic Nuclear Migration through an Apical-Basal Notch Gradient

The different cell types in the central nervous system develop from a common pool of progenitor cells. The nuclei of progenitors move between the apical and basal surfaces of the neuroepithelium in phase with their cell cycle, a process termed interkinetic nuclear migration (INM). In the retina of zebrafish mikre oko (mok) mutants, in which the motor protein Dynactin-1 is disrupted, interkinetic nuclei migrate more rapidly and deeply to the basal side and more slowly to the apical side. We found that Notch signaling is predominantly activated on the apical side in both mutants and wild-type. Mutant progenitors are, thus, less exposed to Notch and exit the cell cycle prematurely. This leads to an overproduction of early-born retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) at the expense of later-born interneurons and glia. Our data indicate that the function of INM is to balance the exposure of progenitor nuclei to neurogenic versus proliferative signals.
Hypothesis ranking and two-pass approaches for machine translation system combination

Given a number of machine translations of a source segment, the goal of system combination is to produce a new translation that has better quality than all of them. This paper describes a number of improvements that were recently added to the JHU system combination scheme: (i) A hypothesis ranking technique which orders the system outputs, on a per-segment basis, according to predicted translation quality, thus improving a subsequent incremental combination step. (ii) A two-pass combination procedure, which first produces several combination outputs with the given translations, and then performs one more combination step with these new outputs. Results from the NIST MT09 informal system combination evaluation on Arabic-to-English and Urdu-to-English1 show that both approaches offer significant BLEU and TER gains over a baseline JHU combination scheme.
Effect of lithium cation on the relaxation mechanisms of acids and alcohols

The effect of lithium chloride on the relaxation mechanisms of simple acid and alcohols has been examined. Dipolar relaxation is predominant for acetic acid and ethanol. Lithium chloride (approximately 10%) significantly increases the rate of dipolar relaxation for all carbons and protons of acetic acid, probably through an increase in aggregate size or viscosity. Lithium chloride (approximately 1.5%) has a similar but smaller effect on the protons of ethanol. The methyl carbons and fluorines of trifluoroacetic acid and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol relax primarily by spin-rotation. With about 10% lithium chloride, dipolar relaxation becomes more important for trifluoroacetic acid. With about 1.5% lithium chloride, trifluoroethanol possibly shows an enhancement of spin-rotation relaxation for the CF3 nuclei.
Toward an Understanding of Software Piracy in Developed and Emerging Economies

The software industry loses billions of dollars annually to software piracy and has raised awareness of the high software piracy rates worldwide, particularly in emerging economies. In this paper, the authors build a general model of software piracy that includes three economic and social factors suggested by the literature, including per capita GNI, the relative size of a countryâ€™s IT market, and government corruption. The paper demonstrates that the relationship between national software piracy and per capita GNI is nonlinear, with additional gains in per capita GNI, producing marginally smaller reductions in software piracy. No structural variation is found in the model with respect to whether an economy is developed or emerging, using the OECD membership as a proxy. However, a structural break did exist with respect to the relative size of a countryâ€™s IT market. The analysis suggests that the classification of an economy as developed or emerging does not necessarily advance the understanding of the causal mechanisms that give rise to software piracy. Findings suggest that more insight can be gained by focusing on strategies that take into account the relative size of a countryâ€™s IT market.
Transient laminar free convection between heated vertical plates including entrance effects

Abstract A numerical study is described of the transient laminar two dimentional motion of a fluid between two heated vertical plates, the motion being generated by a temperature gradient perpendicular to the direction of the body force. Of particular interest is the development of the flow at the entrance region. The results show that, starting from initially still conditions, the velocity builds up at each plate forming two boundary layers which coalesce into one as the fluid moves up between the plates. For small time the inlet velocity profile at the entrance to the channel has a local minimum on the channel axis and a pair of symmetrically placed maxima on either side of it. However, for small Grashof numbers this entrance profile changes to one with a maximum on the center line for more advanced times. For larger Grashof numbers the entrance profile always has a pair of maxima which develops into a “normal type distribution” as the fluid proceeds up the channel. In all cases both vertical boundaries are at the same constant temperature. Heat transfer characteristics are calculated in terms of the Nusselt number. Typical temperature and velocity distributions are given for Grashof numbers of 100 and 10 000; in both cases the Prandtl number is 0.73. Various numerical techniques are discussed for solving the energy and vorticity equations.
Updip sequence development on a wave- and current-dominated, mixed carbonate-siliciclastic continental shelf: Paleogene, North Carolina, eastern U.S.A.

Abstract Cores, quarry exposures, and exploratory wells in the Paleogene sediments of the Albemarle Basin, North Carolina, span the transition between the southern carbonate and northern siliciclastic provinces of the eastern U.S. continental shelf succession. This swell-wave- and current-dominated shelf succession differs from the standard carbonate sequence-stratigraphic model because available accommodation is limited by the depth of wave abrasion and scour. The study area is on the thin updip part of the shelf, which includes the relatively positive Cape Fear Arch (Onslow Block) and the slowly subsiding (1.5 cm/ky) Albemarle Block to the north. The Paleogene supersequence set has a basal boundary that is a hardground on Cretaceous shoreface/shallow-shelf mollusc facies. It is overlain by a thin Paleocene sequence of transgressive, deeper offshore, glauconitic fine sands to deep marine silt–shale. Five regionally mappable, vertically stacked Eocene sequences (0–30 m thick), contain coastal sands, shoreface sandy-mollusc rudstone, offshore bryozoan grainstone–packstone and subwave base fine wackestone–packstone and marl. Eocene sequences commonly are bounded by hardgrounds overlain by thin local lowstand shallow-marine sands; they consist of a thin transgressive, shallow-marine unit (commonly absent), overlain by an upward-shallowing highstand marine succession. On the arch, lowstand and transgressive units may be condensed into lags. The lower Oligocene succession on the arch has a single marl to fine foram sand-dominated sequence whereas downdip, two to three siliciclastic-rich sequences are developed, capped by nearshore sandy molluscan facies. The upper Oligocene section is dominated by possibly three sequences composed of basal, thin sands grading up into variably sandy mollusc rudstone. Sequence development was influenced by differential movement of basement blocks (which influenced localization of fines in lows), coupled with increasing third-order eustatic sea-level changes during later Paleogene global cooling. This was coupled with swell-wave and current sweeping of the shelf that effectively decreased available accommodation by 20–30 m and generated the distinctive hardgrounds at sequence boundaries, and variable development of lowstand and transgressive system tracts. The well-developed highstand deposits reflect maximum accommodation allowing deposition of an upward-shallowing succession that terminated at the depth of wave abrasion and current scour on the open shelf. The sequence-stratigraphic development contrasts markedly with that from tropical shelves, which tend to be aggraded to sea level.
Development of a standard method — Analysis of compounds causing tastes and odors in drinking water

A standard method for analyzing 22 off-flavors in drinking water was developed. It includes chemical analysis - CLSA and SDE coupled with GC-MS, and sensory techniques - FPA and sensory GC analysis. Trans, trans -2,4-Heptadienal, a newly found fishy causing compound, was studied for its detection limit and OTC. Two grassy causing compounds, cis -3-hexen-1-ol and cis -3-hexenyl acetate, were also evaluated.
Tunable mid-IR laser absorption sensor for time-resolved hydrocarbon fuel measurements

Abstract A wavelength-tunable mid-infrared (mid-IR) laser is used to make time-resolved absorption measurements of methyl-cyclohexane (MCH) and n -dodecane vapor concentration, demonstrating the use of this novel laser source for sensing hydrocarbon fuels. Two sensitive and species-specific diagnostic strategies are investigated: (1) direct absorption at a fixed wavelength, and (2) dual-wavelength differential absorption with two rapidly-alternating wavelengths. The tunable laser light is produced using difference frequency generation by combining two near-infrared diode lasers in a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal, providing a continuous-wave (cw), room temperature mid-IR source with the low intensity noise, and rapid wavelength tunability typical of telecommunications diode lasers. Direct absorption measurements of MCH with a wavelength of 3413.7 nm demonstrate fast time response (1 μs) and low noise in cell (300–675 K) and shock tube (650–1450 K) experiments. The detection limits of MCH range from 0.5 ppm-m at 300 K to 11 ppm-m at 1440 K (pressure = 101 kPa). Next, time-division multiplexing is used to alternately generate two mid-IR wavelengths at 20 kHz, enabling the use of dual-wavelength differential absorption to eliminate interference absorption. Measurements of MCH concentration are first made in a cell, with varying amounts of n -heptane interference absorption. Accurate values of MCH concentration are obtained for n -heptane/MCH ratios as high as 15, demonstrating the utility of this sensor for species-specific hydrocarbon detection in systems with interfering absorption. Finally, time-resolved n -dodecane vapor concentration measurements are made in a shock-heated evaporating aerosol. The dual-wavelength differential absorption diagnostic is sensitive only to the vapor concentration, rejecting droplet extinction. These measurements illustrate the power of the differential absorption strategy for sensitive vapor-phase detection in the presence of particle scattering. The tunability of this new source will allow these concepts to be extended to other hydrocarbon fuels.
From Baalbek to Baghdad and beyond Marcel Proust's Foreign Memories of France

A work of memory, Marcel Proust’s novel is also a lieu de memoire, a monument of French culture. Yet, we must remember how strange it is. Indeed, we recall here some of the oriental aspects of the book, like the ‘semitic’ traits friends and foes found in its author, or like its hero, in perpetual exile, whose recollections make Normandy or Paris into fabulous Mediterranean and Persian cities. However, the Orient of La Recherche owes little to Orientalism: rather, it shows a desire to disorient Frenchness, to take its origins elsewhere. Proust, whose style critics often qualified as ‘Arabiscoid’ or ‘Talmudic’, and who himself found the idea of a ‘pure’ French language ludicrous, deserves his place in the paradigms of ‘non-metropolitan’ Francophone literature. If La Recherche is a ‘realm of memory’, it is also the space and the work of a stranger.
Pontormo's Capponi Chapel

Pontormo's work in the Capponi Chapel in Santa Felicita, Florence, began in 1525 with the decoration of its hemispherical dome, a fresco of God the Father surrounded by four patriarchs. The fresco was followed by four circular panels for the pendentives with bust portraits of the evangelists, partly Bronzino's work,1 and by the great altarpiece, variously called Descent from the Cross (or Deposition), Pieta, or Entombment (Fig. 1).2 The final work, datable in 1528, was the fresco of the Annunciation on the window wall. This last, the four tondi, and the altarpiece in its rich period frame are intact. The cupola decoration was lost when the original dome was destroyed to make way for the present shallower vault; nor do we know whether this occurred in the sixteenth or the eighteenth century.3 In fact, no clue to the dome decoration emerged until 1914 when F. M. Clapp cited a drawing at the Uffizi (Fig. 12) as “probably a study for one of the Patriarchs.”4
Etching processes for optoelectronic devices employing periodic multilayers of InGaAs/InAlAs

Nonselective reactive ion beam etching (RIBE) using Cl/sub 2//Ar mixtures at elevated temperatures and two isotropic wet chemistries (HCl/HNO/sub 3//H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ and HCl/H/sub 2/O/sub 2//H/sub 2/O) have been developed for fabricating 1.3 m/spl mu/ optical transmission modulators employing periodic multilayers of InGaAs/InAlAs.
Growth and Identification of Bacteria in N-Halamine Dental Unit Waterline Tubing Using an Ultrapure Water Source

This study examined bacterial growth and type on biofilm-controlling dental unit waterline (DUWL) tubing (T) and control manufacturer's tubing (C) in a laboratory DUWL model using ultrapure source water that was cycled through the lines. Sections of tubing lines were detached and examined for biofilm growth using SEM imaging at six sampling periods. Bacteria from inside surfaces of T and C, source unit, and reservoir were cultured and enumerated. At six months, organisms were molecularly identified from the alignment matches obtained from the top three BLAST searches for the 16S region. There was a 1–3 log increase in organism growth in a clean, nonsterile reservoir within an hour. Biofilm was established on the inside surfaces of C within three weeks, but not on T. Proteobacteria, and Sphingomonas spp. were identified in the source reservoir and C line, and a variation of the genera was found in T line.
The role of dissolved gas in longevity of Cassie states for immersed superhydrophobic surfaces

We report on the longevity of dewetted (Cassie) states on submerged superhydrophobic (SHPo) surfaces in relation to dissolved ambient gases in the water. The report uniquely verifies that trapped gas on a submerged SHPo surface is lost faster, i.e., the surface becomes wetted faster, if the surrounding water contains less dissolved gas. This study improves on previous SHPo characterization methods by processing time-lapse images to calculate wetted surface fractions. Teflon®-coated SHPo grating samples with parallel ridges 10 μm in width, 50 μm in pitch (i.e., 80% gas fraction), and 50 μm in depth are submersed vertically 10 cm deep in gas-concentration-controlled DI water. SHPo surfaces immersed in degassed water wetted more rapidly than in equilibrated or supersaturated water, and all surfaces failed within a finite time period indicating the challenges of underwater SHPo applications.
Segmental variations of bone mineral density in the cervical spine.

Study Design. This study assessed the variability of segmental bone mineral density in the lower cervical spine (C4 through C7). A mean segmental bone mineral density value at each level was determined for all specimens, and a mean coefficient of variation among the 17 specimens was calculated. Objectives. To quantify the degree of intersegmental bone mineral density variations within cadaveric lower cervical spine segments. Summary of Background Data. Bone mineral density studies in the thoracic and lumbar spine have shown a high degree of variability between spinal segments ; however, the extent of segmental bone mineral density variability in the cervical spine is unknown. Methods. Seventeen human cadaveric cervical spine specimens (C4 through C7) were scanned in a water bath using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in a lateral direction. Segmental bone mineral density of the vertebral bodies of all specimens were analyzed with respect to differences between segments within each specimen. Results. The mean coefficient of segmental bone mineral density variations within each specimen for all spines was 14.8% (range, 5.8%-22.9%). Bone mineral density mean values and ranges at each level were as follows : C4, 0.720 g/cm 2 (range, 0.367-1.161 g/cm 2 ) ; C5, 0.784 g/cm 2 (range, 0.348-1.268 g/cm 2 ) ; C6, 0.735 g/cm 2 (range 0.367-1.450 g/cm 2 ) ; C7, 0.590 g/cm 2 (range, 0.340-1.040 g/cm 2 ). Paired analysis of difference between all levels for 16 specimens demonstrated the bone mineral density at the C7 level to be significantly lower than at all other levels (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Our data show that significant interlevel bone mineral density variability exists in the lower cervical spine, and suggests that random single segment bone mineral density sampling or mean specimen bone mineral density values may not be relevant.
Turning points and traveling waves in FitzHugh–Nagumo type equations

Abstract Consider the following FitzHugh–Nagumo type equation u t = u x x + f ( u , w ) , w t = ϵ g ( u , w ) , where f ( u , w ) = u ( u − a ( w ) ) ( 1 − u ) for some smooth function a ( w ) and g ( u , w ) = u − w . By allowing a ( w ) to cross zero and one, the corresponding traveling wave equation possesses special turning points which result in very rich dynamics. In this work, we examine the existence of fronts, backs and pulses solutions; in particular, the co-existence of different fronts will be discussed.
Effect of vegetation on the longevity, mobility and activity of fipronil applied at the termiticidal rate in laboratory soil columns

BACKGROUND: Termiticides are applied at concentrations much higher than those used in agricultural settings. The longevity of fipronil has not yet been examined at the rates used for termite control, nor has the compound's movement in the soil been addressed. RESULTS: Fipronil was detected in the eluates of treated soil cones, increasing initially and then decreasing to a steady concentration of about 1 µg mL−1. In larger PVC pipe plots, fipronil in the top treated soil depth (0–7.5 cm) dissipated more rapidly (half-life of 11–13 months) than in treated soil at the next treated depth (7.5–15 cm; half-life of 20–29 months). The presence of vegetation had no significant effect on the mobility, longevity or movement into untreated depths. Treated soil remained toxic to termites throughout the duration of the study. Fipronil moved into the 15–22.5 cm soil depth in sufficient concentration to cause 100% mortality to eastern subterranean termites in 3 day bioassays. CONCLUSION: Fipronil remains in treated soil at levels toxic to termites for at least 30 months. Movement of the active ingredient was observed in sufficient amounts to kill termites in non-treated soil directly below the treated soil. Published 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A human genome map of comparative anchor tagged sequences

Effective comparative mapping inference utilizing developing gene maps of animal species requires the inclusion of anchored reference loci that are homologous to genes mapped in the more "gene-dense" mouse and human maps. Nominated anchor loci, termed comparative anchor tagged sequences (CATS), have been ordered in the mouse linkage map, but due to the dearth of common polymorphisms among human coding genes have not been well represented in human linkage maps. We present here an ordered framework map of 314 comparative anchor markers in humans based on mapping analysis in the Genebridge 4 panel of radiation hybrid cell lines, plus empirically optimized CATS PCR primers which detect these markers. The ordering of these homologous gene markers in human and mouse maps provides a framework for comparative gene mapping of representative mammalian species.
Noise immunity of threshold decomposition optoelectronic order-statistic filtering.

High-speed analog optoelectronic image processing systems are generally characterized by low accuracy and are not well suited to applications requiring large dynamic range. We show that the low accuracy of a typical analog optoelectronic convolver can be tolerated in a high-accuracy application when threshold decomposition is used to perform order-statistic processing on digitized gray-scale imagery. The robustness of the method in the presence of system noise, combined with the parallelism of the optical convolver, suggests that hybrid analog optical/digital electronic processors for order-statistic image processing may be attractive alternatives to all-electronic processors. We analyze the immunity of such a hybrid processor to noise generated by spatial variations of emitter and photodetector arrays for the order-statistic operations of median filtering, dilation, and erosion.
Prior exercise alters responses to hemorrhage.

Abstract : Traumatic injuries often occur to individuals while exercising. The author sought to determine whether exercise before injury resulting in hemorrhage would alter cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine responses. Fifteen chronically instrumented splenectomized immature female swine were trained to run on a treadmill at 70% of maximum heart rate for 60 min. In six swine, responses to exercise were evaluated and found to return to baseline after 60 min of recovery. Swine were then randomly assigned to exercise (n = 7) or rest (n = 8) followed by hemorrhage of 25 mL/kg for 60 min then observed for an additional 60 min. The decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was less after exercise, 26 + or - 9 mmHg compared with 49 + or - 2 mmHg with rest, with the difference sustained during the post hemorrhage period. Cardiac output decreased similarly in both groups. Post hemorrhage lactate and glucose concentrations were lower in exercise. The increase in plasma epinephrine was reduced in exercise, with significantly lower levels in epinephrine and norepinephrine noted posthemorrhage. Vasopressin levels and plasma renin activity were not different. In response to hemorrhage after exercise, blood pressure is better maintained although catecholamine levels were reduced, suggesting increased adrenoreceptor sensitivity. In addition, indices of increased glucose utilization and correction of lactate acidosis support a metabolic shift after exercise. Prior exercise alters responses to hemorrhage that mask the extent of hypovolemia and should be considered in the initial evaluation of a patient with hemorrhage caused by traumatic injuries.
Postoperative Cardiac Support with a Pulsatile Assist Pump: Techniques and Results

: Since 1980 this group has employed a pulsatile assist pump(s) in 23 patients. Postoperative survival was 39% (9/23). In this group, 16 patients have required left ventricular support; 9 have been weaned from the pump, and 7 have survived (44%). Three patients required right ventricular support, and two have survived (66%). Four patients required biventricular assistance, but none survived. There have been four late deaths in this group. Of the five patients alive and well, all are New York Heart Association Class I or II. Important conclusions include the following: (a) The pulsatile pump can adequately support the pulmonary or systemic circulation for a period of days; (b) dramatic improvement in ventricular function is frequently observed in patients with univentricular failure; (c) adequate right ventricular function is a major determinant of survival in a patient with pulsatile left ventricular support; (d) preoperative cardiogenic shock and/or a prolonged time on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) predispose the patient to diffuse intravascular coagulation and a poor result; (e) considerable information remains to be learned regarding the selection of assist pump candidates, optimal CPB techniques, and intraop-erative identification of biventricular failure, which will further improve these results.
A prolidase deficiency in man with iminopeptiduria.

Abstract A deficiency in the enzyme, prolidase (EC 3.4.3.7), is described in a patient with iminopeptiduria and clinical findings that suggest a defect in collagen metabolism. The massive iminopeptiduria is unique to this disorder, with daily proline excretion rates of 1.76 g. Fifteen peptides were characterized and quantitated from a deproteinized, amino-acid-free, 24-hr urine collection using column chromatographic procedures. Amino acid analysis revealed the peptides to be di- and tri-peptides containing proline plus another amino acid, “X.” Dansylation revealed “X” to be amino-terminal in each case. Prolidase, an enzyme known to cleave X-proline bonds, was measured by two separate methods. Enzyme activity in the patient's red and white cells was absent to markedly decreased as compared to age-matched controls. Furthermore, the activity of the enzyme in the mother's and maternal grandfather's white cells was less than that found in adult controls, suggesting a heterozygous condition. The maternal grandmother's enzyme activity was normal. The enzyme data is suggestive of an autosomal recessive disorder. This patient represents the first direct demonstration of a prolidase deficiency in man.
Desorption kinetics of neutral hydrophobic organic compounds from field-contaminated sediment

The chemical release rates from a field-contaminated sediment (Lake Charles, LA) using Tenax desorption were studied. Two dichlorobenzenes (m-, p-), hexachlorobutadiene, and hexachlorobenzene were investigated. Contrary to reports that sorption rates are inversely related to K(OW), the slow desorption rates were found to be similar for the four compounds. The data were modeled by a two-compartment irreversible adsorption and radial diffusion model. Desorption kinetics from the first irreversible compartment can be modeled by radial diffusion and assume an irreversible adsorption constant and soil tortuosity of 4.3. The desorption half-life is approximately 2-7 days. Desorption from the second irreversible compartment is very slow (half-life of approximately 0.32-8.62 years) presumably caused by entrapment in soil organic matter that increases the constrictivity of the solid phase to chemical diffusion. From the kinetic data, it is deduced that the diffusion pore diameter of the second irreversible compartment is approximately equal to the critical molecular diameter. The mass of chemicals in this highly constrictive irreversible compartment is approximately one-fourth of the maximum irreversible, or resistant, compartment. The slow kinetics observed in this study add additional support to the notion that the irreversibly sorbed chemicals are 'benign' to the environment.
On Design of Low Cost Power Supply Noise Detection Sensor for Microprocessors

Recent trends in CMOS technology scaling have resulted in increased transistor density, higher clock speed and reduced cost per transistor. However technology scaling has also resulted in increased Power Supply Noise (PSN). Power supply noise can result in erroneous computation, reduced performance and lower reliability. Current PSN detectors require either golden supply voltage as reference or bulky analog to digital conversion circuits. This paper introduces a novel PSN detector for active power management in Microprocessors. The proposed detector makes use of the dynamic shift in Voltage Transfer Characteristics(VTC) of an inverter due to supply noise. Simulation results of the proposed PSN detector in 45-nm CMOS technology shows that the detector can detect overshoots or undershoots as small as 10 mV and 100 ps wide. Moreover, the detector works with 10 mV accuracy for a wide temperature range.
Atomistic mechanisms governing elastic limit and incipient plasticity in crystals

Nanometre-scale contact experiments1,2,3,4,5,6 and simulations7,8,9,10 demonstrate the potential to probe incipient plasticity—the onset of permanent deformation—in crystals. Such studies also point to the need for an understanding of the mechanisms governing defect nucleation in a broad range of fields and applications. Here we present a fundamental framework for describing incipient plasticity that combines results of atomistic and finite-element modelling, theoretical concepts of structural stability at finite strain, and experimental analysis. We quantify two key features of the nucleation and subsequent evolution of defects. A position-sensitive criterion based on elastic stability determines the location and character of homogeneously nucleated defects. We validate this stability criterion at both the atomistic and the continuum levels. We then propose a detailed interpretation of the experimentally observed sequence of displacement bursts to elucidate the role of secondary defect sources operating locally at stress levels considerably smaller than the ideal strength required for homogeneous nucleation. These findings provide a self-consistent explanation of the discontinuous elastic–plastic response in nanoindentation measurements, and a guide to fundamental studies across many disciplines that seek to quantify and predict the initiation and early stages of plasticity.
Dense breast tissue notification: impact on women's perceived risk, anxiety, and intentions for future breast cancer screening.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to explore how women respond to the wording of dense breast tissue notifications, which are increasingly required by state law after mammography. The specific aims were to (1) determine whether perceived lifetime risk for breast cancer and intentions to undergo mammography increase after reviewing a sample notification, (2) explore individual difference variables (eg, minority status, insurance coverage) that may influence intentions for additional ultrasound screening, and (3) assess whether anxiety mediates the relationship between perceived risk and screening intentions. Methods A total of 184 women aged >40 years in the United States were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk to respond to a dense breast tissue notification as if they had personally received it. Results After reviewing a notification, women reported greater perceived risk ( d = 0.67) and intentions to undergo mammography ( d = 0.25) than before. Most women intended to undergo additional ultrasound screening, although to a lesser extent when ultrasound was covered by insurance than when it was not ( d = 1.03). All screening intentions were lower in women with ambiguity aversion, a tendency to avoid tests without medical consensus, and those who preferred an active decision-making role. Anxiety mediated the relationship between perceived breast cancer risk and all screening intentions. Conclusions Women who receive dense breast tissue notifications may generally increase their breast cancer screening intentions; however, intention strength varies depending on internal (eg, ambiguity aversion) and external (eg, insurance for ultrasound) factors. Although perceived risk increases after notification, it is anxiety that drives women's intentions for future screening.
Doppler Radar Fall Activity Detection Using the Wavelet Transform

We propose in this paper the use of Wavelet transform (WT) to detect human falls using a ceiling mounted Doppler range control radar. The radar senses any motions from falls as well as nonfalls due to the Doppler effect. The WT is very effective in distinguishing the falls from other activities, making it a promising technique for radar fall detection in nonobtrusive inhome elder care applications. The proposed radar fall detector consists of two stages. The prescreen stage uses the coefficients of wavelet decomposition at a given scale to identify the time locations in which fall activities may have occurred. The classification stage extracts the time-frequency content from the wavelet coefficients at many scales to form a feature vector for fall versus nonfall classification. The selection of different wavelet functions is examined to achieve better performance. Experimental results using the data from the laboratory and real inhome environments validate the promising and robust performance of the proposed detector.
Penta­erythritol trinitrate succinate: a hapten for pentaerythritol tetranitrate

The title compound, C10H15N3O13, is a derivative of the energetic compound penta­erythritol tetra­nitrate (PETN). It is a hapten (a small mol­ecule which can elicit an immune response only when coupled to a large carrier such as a protein) for PETN and was designed to be more stable and useful in immunochemistry.
Mechanical hysteresis of a polyether polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer

The mechanical hysteresis of a polyether polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer was studied as a function of temperature, percent strain, and deformation energy. Hysteresis values remained small at low temperatures when the extent of the sample deformation did not disrupt the glassy matrix. This was readily evident at temperatures below the glass transition temperature, Tg of the polymer where the material did not formally yield. At temperatures above the Tg of the polymer, hysteresis remained small even at substantial strains levels and demonstrated the capabilities of the hard segment domains to act as physical crosslinks. At elevated temperatures, percent hysteresis increased as the hydrogen-bonded hard segment domains weakened. When mechanical hysteresis was considered on the basis of constant deformation energies, hysteresis values reached a maximum in the vicinity of the Tg of the polymer. These maxima existed as a consequence of two opposing trends: the decreasing resiliency of the polymer as it becomes a glass and the increase in the resistance of that glass to undergo deformations sufficient to cause plastic flow. Finally, a hysteresis response surface constructed as a function of deformation energy and temperature was found to be sensitive to both the strain-induced crystallization of the rubbery soft segment matrix and to the strain-induced yielding of the glassy soft segment matrix.
Design of CPW-Fed Circularly Polarized Slot Antenna With a Miniature Configuration

This letter proposes the design of a new miniaturized circularly polarized (CP) printed square slot antenna (PSSA) fed by a coplanar waveguide (CPW). The characteristics of the design are that the CP operation and impedance matching can be independently achieved. The 3-dB axial-ratio band can be excited by protruding into the slot a halberd-shaped metal strip from the signal line of the CPW, whereas the VSWR ≤ 2 impedance band can be produced by implanting in the slot a grounded asymmetric inverted-T strip. Design rules established for the proposed antenna can effectively reduce the sizes of the ground plane and the slot.
The PduX enzyme of Salmonella enterica is an L-threonine kinase used for coenzyme B12 synthesis.

Abstract Here, the PduX enzyme of Salmonella enterica is shown to be an l-threonine kinase used for the de novo synthesis of coenzyme B12 and the assimilation of cobyric acid (Cby). PduX with a C-terminal His tag (PduX-His6) was produced at high levels in Escherichia coli, purified by nickel affinity chromatography, and partially characterized. 31P NMR spectroscopy established that purified PduX-His6 catalyzed the conversion of l-threonine and ATP to l-threonine-O-3-phosphate and ADP. Enzyme assays showed that ATP was the preferred substrate compared with GTP, CTP, or UTP. PduX displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to both ATP and l-threonine and nonlinear regression was used to determine the following kinetic constants: Vmax = 62.1 ± 3.6 nmol min–1 mg of protein–1; Km, ATP = 54.7 ± 5.7 μm and Km,Thr = 146.1 ± 8.4 μm. Growth studies showed that pduX mutants were impaired for the synthesis of coenzyme B12 de novo and from Cby, but not from cobinamide, which was the expected phenotype for an l-threonine kinase mutant. The defect in Cby assimilation was corrected by ectopic expression of pduX or by supplementation of growth medium with l-threonine-O-3-phosphate, providing further support that PduX is an l-threonine kinase. In addition, a bioassay showed that a pduX mutant was impaired for the de novo synthesis of coenzyme B12 as expected. Collectively, the genetic and biochemical studies presented here show that PduX is an l-threonine kinase used for AdoCbl synthesis. To our knowledge, PduX is the first enzyme shown to phosphorylate free l-threonine and the first l-threonine kinase shown to function in coenzyme B12 synthesis.
TRAFFIC ROUTE GENERATION AND ADAPTATION USING CASE-BASED REASONING

Traffic congestion is becoming a severe problem in many large cities, and several Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) initiatives have been proposed to address this problem. Providing automated route guidance is an important feature of many of these programs; however, the aspect of providing route guidance based on past experience has received little attention. We propose a system based on case-based reasoning to provide such guidance with minimal recomputation. Case-based reasoning stores instances of previous problem solving and then adapts them to new situations. We describe the architecture and implementation of the system and evaluate the performance of the system on a series of tests. We find that when the system can adapt previously computed routes to solve new problems, solution time is greatly reduced.
Tardigrades of North America: Records for Five Marine Species from the Pacific Coast

Tardigrade diversity is measured by the richness of species in a given area. Little is known about the diversity of marine tardigrades and only nine of 38 North American marine species have been documented along the Pacific coast. Recently, six species or subspecies were collected and identified from Santa Cruz Island. Only one, Echiniscoides sigismundi sigismundi, was previously known from the area. Echiniscoides sigismndi groenlandicus, Echiiscoides hoepneri, Antechiniscus marci, Batillipes dicrocercus, and Wingstrandarctus intermedius are new records for the Pacific coast of North America. This increases the known marine tardigrade diversity from 9 to 14 species. With these new finds, the statistical estimate of species richness along the California coast has grown to about 24, leading to the conclusion that many additional species will be found.
Analysis and computation of a mean-field model for superconductivity

A mean-field model for superconductivity is studied from both the analytical and computational points of view. In this model, the individual vortex-like structures occuring in practical superconductors are not resolved. Rather, these structures are homogenized and a vortex density is solved for. The particular model studied includes effects due to the pinning of vortices. The existence and uniqueness of solutions of a regularized version of the model are demonstrated and the behavior of these solutions as the regularization parameter tends to zero is examined. Then, semi-discrete and fully discrete finite element based discretizations are formulated and analyzed and the results of some computational experiments are presented.
Approach, Avoidance, and the Self-Regulation of Affect and Action

Several literatures converge on the idea that approach and avoidance/withdrawal behaviors are managed by two partially distinct self-regulatory system. The functions of these systems also appear to be embodied in discrepancy-reducing and -enlarging feedback loops, respectively. This article describes how the feedback construct has been used to address these two classes of action and the affective experiences that relate to them. Further discussion centers on the development of measures of individual differences in approach and avoidance tendencies, and how these measures can be (and have been) used as research tools, to investigate whether other phenomena have their roots in approach or avoidance.
Robotically assisted prostate brachytherapy with transrectal ultrasound guidance--Phantom experiments.

PURPOSE: To report the preliminary experimental results obtained with a robot-assisted trans- rectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate brachytherapy system. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The system consists of a TRUS unit, a spatially coregistered needle insertion robot, and an FDA-approved treatment planning and image-registered implant sys- tem. The robot receives each entry/target coordinate pair of the implant plan, inserts a preloaded needle, and then the seeds are deposited. The needles/sources are tracked in TRUS, thus allowing the plan to be updated as the procedure progresses. RESULTS: The first insertion attempt was recorded for each needle, without adjustment. All clin- ically relevant locations were reached in a prostate phantom. Nonparallel and parallel needle trajec- tories were demonstrated. Based on TRUS, the average transverse placement error was 2 mm (worst case 2.5 mm, 80% less than 2 mm), and the average sagittal error was 2.5 mm (worst case 5.0 mm, 70% less than 2.5 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The concept and technical viability of robot-assisted brachytherapy were dem- onstrated in phantoms. The kinematically decoupled robotic assistant device is inherently safe. Overall performance was promising, but further optimization is necessary to prove the possibility of improved dosimetry. 2006 American Brachytherapy Society. All rights reserved.
Clinical patterns of hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their pathogenesis

Abstract Clinical observations coupled with challenge tests using 16 different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were carried out in 123 patients with a history of allergy to analgesics. Several different patterns of hypersensitivity could be distinguished. Our clinical and experimental data suggest that in the largest group of patients studied the idiosyncrasy to aspirin-like drugs was not of immunologic type but was due to the suppression of prostaglandin generation in tissues of the patients. The adverse reactions to aspirin-like drugs were manifested as asthmatic attacks or urticaria/angioedema. In another group, the hypersensitivity was limited to pyrazoline drugs and was not related to inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis. This type of hypersensitivity, resulting in anaphylactic shock and urticaria, seems to have an immunologic background. In a patient with lupus erythematosus the hypersensitive reactions to analgesics were related neither to their chemical structure nor to their known biochemical activities. In a small group of patients the hypersensitivity to aspirin could possibly be attributed to the minute amounts of impurities present in some commercial products.
Using Structured Illumination to Enhance Video-Based Eye Tracking

Video-based eye tracking commonly relies on the positional difference between the pupil center and the first-surface corneal reflection of a light source (CR) to map the line of sight. In this paper, a new structured illumination configuration, utilizing an array of IREDs to illuminate the eye, is proposed to address two common problems in current systems: 1) loss of CR during extreme eye movements, and 2) specular reflection artifacts being mistaken for the desired CR. The design provides reliable difference vectors even during extreme eye movements. The challenge of spurious specular reflections is solved by a two-stage processing approach. First, potential CRs and the pupil are isolated based on statistical information in an eye image. Second, genuine CRs are distinguished by a novel CR location prediction technique. A prototype implementation in the RIT lightweight eye tracker [Babcock, J., et al., 2004] is described.