cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MapReduce System over Heterogeneous Mobile Devices

MapReduce is a distributed processing algorithm which breaks up large problem sets into small pieces, such that a large cluster of computers can work on those small pieces in an efficient, timely manner. MapReduce was created and popularized by Google, and is widely used as a means of processing large amounts of textual data for the purpose of indexing it for search later on. This paper examines the feasibility of using smart mobile devices in a MapReduce system by exploring several areas, including quantifying the contribution they make to computation throughput, end-user participation, power consumption, and security. The proposed MapReduce System over Heterogeneous Mobile Devices consists of three key components: a server component that coordinates and aggregates results, a mobile device client for iPhone, and a traditional client for reference and to obtain baseline data. A prototypical research implementation demonstrates that it is indeed feasible to leverage smart mobile devices in heterogeneous MapReduce systems, provided certain conditions are understood and accepted. MapReduce systems could see sizable gains of processing throughput by incorporating as many mobile devices as possible in such a heterogeneous environment. Considering the massive number of such devices available and in active use today, this is a reasonably attainable goal and represents an exciting area of study. This paper introduces relevant background material, discusses related work, describes the proposed system, explains obtained results, and finally, discusses topics for further research in this area.
Investigation on the compositionally graded Hf/sub x/Al/sub y/O/sub z/ films for TiN based DRAM capacitor

New concept of capacitor dielectric thin film was successfully demonstrated through graded Hf/sub x/Al/sub y/O/sub z/ dielectric thin film accompanied by post ozone annealing for the application to DRAM capacitor. MIM capacitor with graded Hf/sub x/Al/sub y/O/sub z/ dielectric films showed drastically reduced leakage current and highly improved breakdown voltage by 0.45-0.75V maintaining the same EOT value. In the case of graded film with Hf/Al=1.5/1, EOT showed very small value of 12.3/spl Aring/ and leakage current could be maintained as low as 1E/sup -16/A/cell at +1.0V.
Postcorrelation radio frequency interference excision at low frequencies

[1] We present examples of radio frequency interference from our experience with editing data from the Very Large Array and Very Long Baseline Array at frequencies of 74 and 330 MHz and discuss postcorrelation excision schemes commonly used at low radio frequencies (<1 GHz), including those employed for targeted observations, as well as broader brush automated schemes appropriate for surveys and other large data sets. We elaborate on the strengths and weaknesses of currently employed procedures, with an eye to providing a summary of existing methods for those developing future, more sophisticated postdetection data editing algorithms as well as new low-frequency instruments such as the Long Wavelength Array and Low Frequency Array.
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy during deep inspiratory breath hold for left-sided whole-breast irradiation: a comparative analysis

AimDeep inspiratory breath hold (DIBH) during left-breast irradiation helps to minimise cardiac irradiation by physically separating the heart from the left breast. The dose to organs-at-risk in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and opposed tangent three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) during DIBH in patients with left-sided breast cancer was compared.Materials and methodsA total of 20 consecutive patients with left-sided breast cancer had a computed tomography scan utilising DIBH. Mean volumes of the heart, left anterior descending coronary artery, total lung and right breast receiving 5–95% of the prescription dose were calculated.ResultsTarget volume homogeneity was improved with IMRT and average mean dose to target was higher for 3DCRT (51·03 Gy) compared with IMRT (50·47 Gy, p<0·01). The average mean dose to the heart was lower with 3DCRT (87 versus 77 cGy, p<0·01). The average mean dose to the contralateral breast was also lower with 3DCRT (19 versus 17 cGy, p<0·01). Less monitor units (MUs) were required with 3DCRT with an average difference of 225 MU/fraction (p<0·01).FindingsUnder DIBH, absolute differences between 3DCRT and IMRT were minimal. 3DCRT under DIBH provided excellent dosimetric results in most patients with left-sided breast cancer without the need for IMRT.
The Arabidopsis compact inflorescence genes: phase-specific growth regulation and the determination of inflorescence architecture.

Summary During their life cycle, higher plants pass through a series of growth phases that are characterized by the production of morphologically distinct vegetative and reproductive organs and by different growth patterns. Three major phases have been described in Arabidopsis: juvenile vegetative, adult vegetative, and reproductive. In this report we describe a novel, phase-specific mutant in Arabidopsis, compact inflorescence (cif). The most apparent aspect of the cif phenotype is a strong reduction in the elongation of internodes in the inflorescence, resulting in the formation of a floral cluster at the apical end of all reproductive shoots. Elongation and expansion of adult vegetative rosette leaves are also compromised in mutant plants. The onset of the cif trait correlates closely with morphological changes marking the phase transition from juvenile to adult, and mutant plants produce normal flowers and are fully fertile. Hence the cif phenotype appears to be adult vegetative phase-specific. Histological sections of mutant inflorescence internodes indicate normal tissue specification, but reduced cell elongation compared to wild-type. compact inflorescence is inherited as a two-gene trait involving the action of a recessive and a dominant locus. These two cif genes appear to be key components of a growth regulatory pathway that is closely linked to phase change, and specifies critical aspects of plant growth and architecture including inflorescence internode length.
Doing a Little More for the Poor? Social Assistance in Shanghai

Shanghai was a leader in nation-wide social assistance reform. It has established an extensive and complex social assistance system. This paper offers a general overview of different major assistance programs in Shanghai and uses a recent survey of Minimum Living Standard Guarantee System (MLSGS) recipients in urban Shanghai to briefly examine the performance of social assistance. It finds that on the program construction and administration level, Shanghai’s social assistance is advanced. However, due to high living costs and relatively low values of social assistance, social assistance plays a limited role in relieving the distress of recipients. The paper analyzes the main reasons for this and argues that efforts should be made to give the poor more assistance and help them to get rid of poverty.
Conversion of a Paracrine Fibroblast Growth Factor into an Endocrine Fibroblast Growth Factor

FGFs 19, 21, and 23 are hormones that regulate in a Klotho co-receptor-dependent fashion major metabolic processes such as glucose and lipid metabolism (FGF21) and phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis (FGF23). The role of heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan in the formation of the cell surface signaling complex of endocrine FGFs has remained unclear. Here we show that heparan sulfate is not a component of the signal transduction unit of FGF19 and FGF23. In support of our model, we convert a paracrine FGF into an endocrine ligand by diminishing heparan sulfate-binding affinity of the paracrine FGF and substituting its C-terminal tail for that of an endocrine FGF containing the Klotho co-receptor-binding site to home the ligand into the target tissue. In addition to serving as a proof of concept, the ligand conversion provides a novel strategy for engineering endocrine FGF-like molecules for the treatment of metabolic disorders, including global epidemics such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
On the effect of enduring contact on the flow and thermal characteristics in powder lubrication

The effect of the enduring contact and the true temperature are investigated for a granular lubricant sheared between two parallel plates. The appropriate equations are derived including both the e...
Development of a standard reference material for diesel mutagenicity in the Salmonella plate incorporation assay.

Abstract The present study documents the mutagenicity of a new National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard reference material (SRM) in the Salmonella plate incorporation assay. This study is in response to a previous recommendation by the World Health Organization to develop large batches of new SRMs for biological and chemical research. SRM 1975 is a dichloromethane (DCM) extract of 5.6 kg of filter-collected combustion particulate matter (SRM 2975) from operating forklifts with diesel engines. The mutagenicity and a summary of the related chemical analysis of mutagens in SRM 1975 is presented in this paper, and are available from the NIST. Mutagenicity test conditions were: Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100 (standard strains); TA98NR, TA100NR (nitroreductase (NR) gene deficient); and YG1021 and YG1026 (NR gene addition); 10 dose levels in the linear portion of the dose–response curve; duplicate plates per dose; and S9 at 6.4% or 1.1 mg of protein/plate. Four rounds of testing were conducted. Rounds were conducted at least 1 week apart. Slopes (revertants/μg) were calculated by the linear regression rejection model of Bernstein and by the Stead and Krewski models which analyze non-linear data. The GeneTox Manager software package developed at the EPA was used to record the data and calculate the slopes. Results demonstrated: (1) the ranking of slopes without S9 was: YG1021 > TA98 > TA98NR > YG1026 > TA100 > TA100NR in all three statistical models; (2) the mutagenic activity of SRM 1975 was significantly increased by the presence of the NR gene; (3) the slope values for the TA100 series were significantly less than for the TA98 series; (4) in general, the addition of the S9 significantly reduced mutagenic activity; (5) the mutagenic activity of the SRM 1975 was stable over time and variability was low (generally less than 20% in slope values over the 4 rounds); and (6) agreement of the slope values among the three models was excellent due to the linear nature of the data. These data will be useful in ranking other diesel and air samples for mutagenic activity, for quality assurance of data generated in different laboratories, for quality control within a laboratory, and as positive control values for future air and automotive emission studies.
Tracking for fully actuated mechanical systems: a geometric framework

We present a general framework for the control of Lagrangian systems with as many inputs as degrees of freedom. Relying on the geometry of mechanical systems on manifolds, we propose a design algorithm for the tracking problem. The notions of error function and transport map lead to a proper definition of configuration and velocity error. These are the crucial ingredients in designing a proportional derivative feedback and feedforward controller. The proposed approach includes as special cases a variety of results on control of manipulators, pointing devices and autonomous vehicles. Our design provides particular insight into both aerospace and underwater applications where the configuration manifold is a Lie group.
Dimensions of the Creative Episode: Old Categories, New Perspectives

In the domain of creativity, many different phenomena have been labeled creative. One strategy for bringing order to the variety has been to distinguish different categories of creativity. This article proposes that multiple dimensions, rather than categories, provide a more heuristic approach for capturing the variety. By dimensionalizing the criteria that define discrete categories (Big C vs. little c, for example), assembling various dimensions suggested by others scattered in the literature (degree of organization within a domain, for example), and identifying new dimensions (structure in initial project representation, for example), we achieve a more solid foundation for describing, analyzing, comparing, and theorizing about the varieties of the creative process. There is no claim that the dimensions are independent; rather, their relationships to one another pose interesting empirical and conceptual questions. The dimensional approach suggests new perspectives on laboratory measures of creativity, n...
Student perceptions of 'job politics' as practised by those climbing the corporate career ladder

This study assessed the extent to which college students, tomorrow's executives, agreed with various commonly heard assertions regarding the tactics of those climbing the corporate career ladder. The study used essentially the same data collection instrument as that used in a recent study of business executives. The results indicate a highly significant relationship of the opinions to church affiliation, citizenship, and race of the subjects. Moderate levels of significant opinion differences related to the subjects' school, age, social class, and gender. The subjects' opinions were not significantly related to their academic department, gradepoint average, or work experience.
Disruptive behavior in the very young child: Diagnostic Classification: 0–3 guides identification of risk factors and relational interventions

The high prevalence of disruptive behavior in children, ages 0–4 years old, who present to early childhood psychiatry clinics, and the urgency of intervening early are focusing our attention on how to identify specific risk factors and guide relational intervention. Diagnostic Classification: 0–3 (DC: 0–3) has been found to be helpful in this work. Preliminary data from the first 64 children, who presented to the Early Development Program with a primary concern of disruptive behavior, was collected using a standardized assessment protocol, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM IV) and the DC: 0–3. Descriptive, correlational, and group comparison data suggest that DC: 0–3's Axis I and II and the Parent–Infant Relationship Global Assessment Scale (PIR-GAS) help to identify specific biopsychosocial risk factors, especially regarding the quality and nature of the parent–child relationship. A brief case is presented to illustrate how the DC: 0–3, used in conjunction with standardized assessment tools, guides relational intervention strategies. The development of behavioral difficulties in young children has become an expanding focus of empirical investigation and theory formulation. The high prevalence of disruptive behavior (84% of children ages 0–4 years old who present to the Early Development Program), the associated intense frustration and concern families experience, and the urgency to intervene early are focusing our attention on the use of diagnostic and assessment tools that can guide case formulations and intervention approaches. © 1998 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health
Endogenous CNS Expression of Neurotensin and Neurotensin Receptors Is Altered during the Postpartum Period in Outbred Mice

Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide identical in mice and humans that is produced and released in many CNS regions associated with maternal behavior. NT has been linked to aspects of maternal care and previous studies have indirectly suggested that endogenous NT signaling is altered in the postpartum period. In the present study, we directly examine whether NT and its receptors exhibit altered gene expression in maternal relative to virgin outbred mice using real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) across multiple brain regions. We also examine NT protein levels using anti-NT antibodies and immunohistochemistry in specific brain regions. In the medial preoptic area (MPOA), which is critical for maternal behaviors, mRNA of NT and NT receptor 3 (Sort1) were significantly up-regulated in postpartum mice compared to virgins. NT mRNA was also elevated in postpartum females in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis dorsal. However, in the lateral septum, NT mRNA was down-regulated in postpartum females. In the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), Ntsr1 expression was down-regulated in postpartum females. Neurotensin receptor 2 (Ntsr2) expression was not altered in any brain region tested. In terms of protein expression, NT immunohistochemistry results indicated that NT labeling was elevated in the postpartum brain in the MPOA, lateral hypothalamus, and two subregions of PVN. Together, these findings indicate that endogenous changes occur in NT and its receptors across multiple brain regions, and these likely support the emergence of some maternal behaviors.
Susceptibility of convalescent ferrets to reinfection with influenza virus in absence of specific antibodies.

SummaryFerrets which had been infected with either influenza A or influenza B virus were tested for immunity to those 2 viruses on the eighth day of convalescence. They were susceptible to infection when reinocu-lated with the heterologous virus against which they possessed no antibodies, but were immune to infection when reinoculated with the homologous virus against which they possessed antibodies. If the mechanisms of infection with the A and B viruses are the same the results indicate that non-specific cellular refractoriness plays little part in the resistance of ferrets to reinfection with influenza virus.
Spectrophotometric determination of manganese in human plasma and red cells with benzohydroxamic acid

Abstract A spectrophotometric method for the determination of manganese in human plasma and red cells with benzohydroxamic acid is presented, Interfering ions are removed by an anion exchange method, using Dowex-1, 8X resin. The manganese concentration found for plasma and red cells was about 0.1 and 0.2 p.p.m , respectively.
Lipschitz Functions and Ekeland’s Theorem

As shown by F. Sullivan (Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 83:345–346, 1981), validity of the weak Ekeland variational principle implies completeness of the underlying metric space. In this note, we show that what really forces completeness in Sullivan’s argument is an even simpler geometric property of lower bounded Lipschitz functions. We derive the weak Ekeland principle from this new property, and use the new property to directly obtain an omnibus non-empty intersection result for decreasing sequences of closed sets that yields as special cases the theorems of Cantor and Kuratowski valid in complete metric spaces
Failure prediction of graphite/epoxy laminates with induced intermittent load surge during fatigue

Abstract An analytical model, supported by numerical simulations, which describes the behavior of the energy release rate of composite laminates subjected to fatigue overloads is presented. The model establishes that accumulation of damage due to intermittent surge in applied load reduces the energy release rate, G , of the material. The effect of constant amplitude, regularly applied overloads on the energy release rate of [0/90] n graphite/epoxy composites appears to diminish as the structural integrity reduces over time, suggesting the effects of overloads is more severe during the initiation of delamination growth. The results obtained in this study have no restrictive assumptions regarding the specimen or the delamination thickness, T and h, respectively, and are presented over varying mode-mixity and h/T ratios. Simulations are correlated and compared with data from performed experiments confirming the model’s functionality and predictive capability. Results of this investigation shed light on the nature and extent of damage accumulation during spectral fatigue.
Convective-radiative heat transfer in a square duct with a centered circular core

Abstract Combined laminar forced convection and radiation heat transfer have been numerically investigated for a gray, absorbing, emitting, nonscattering gas in the entrance region of a square duct with a centered, circular core. The thermal boundary condition imposed on the square duct and the core is a uniform temperature, both axially and peripherally. The method of moments is applied to considered the radiation contribution. The momentum equation, the three-dimensional energy equation, and the two-dimensional irradiaton equation are discretized and numerically solved by the control-volume-based finete-difference method in the boundary-fitted coordinate system. This numerical scheme is found to be simple, accurate, and efficient. The effects of four major parameters influencing combined convective and radiative heat transfer, namely, the geometry parameter, α ∗ , as well as radiation-conduction, N, optical thickness, τb, and wall emissivity, ϵw, are discussed in detail. The results for the total Nusselt number variations indicate that heat transfer is enhanced by thermal radiation. The predicted results for pure convective heat transfer are in good agreement with the available data published in the open literature.
Speculative Prices and Popular Models

T he rational expectations revolution in economics was born of the recognition that the expectations people hold for future economic variables are fundamental to their behavior. Thus, our (economists') economic models require their (those who make up the economy) economic models, models which they use to generate their expectations. The key idea of rational expectations models is to collapse the two models into one: to assume that people know (or behave as if they know) the true model that describes the economy. This idea allows economists to construct simple and elegant models of the economy, models that are appealing theoretically and that can be studied without collecting any data about the models in the minds of economic actors. The problem with the rational expectations models is that collapsing the two kinds of models into one is a gross oversimplification. Obviously, the popular models (the models that are used by the broad masses of economic actors to form their expectations) are not the same as those held by economists. Once one accepts the difference, economic modelling cannot proceed without collecting data on the popular models themselves. This paper reports on such a data collection effort on popular models, using questionnaire survey methods, with the purpose of understanding speculative markets. I will report here on my research to understand the U.S. stock market crash of October 1987; research Fumiko Konya, Yoshiro Tsutsui and I undertook to understand the Japanese stock market crash of October 1987; research Karl Case and I undertook to understand recent real estate booms; and research John Pound and I undertook to understand the periodic "hot" markets for initial public offerings (IPO's) of common stock.
Identification of a pharmaceutical packaging off-odor using solid phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The use of a solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling technique, in conjunction with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, to identify an off-odor in a heat-stressed pharmaceutical packaging material is described. The ability of the commercially available polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated microfiber to concentrate a trace volatile compound of interest enabled identification of the odor compound of interest. Despite being present at levels that defied detection using conventional headspace sampling techniques, ethyl-2-mercaptoacetate was determined to be the compound responsible for the offending odor. Formation of the thioester resulted from an unanticipated reaction (either esterification or transesterification) between a common residual solvent (ethanol), present in a commonly used pharmaceutical tablet dispersant, and low-level amounts of reactants or synthetic intermediates of an FDA-approved polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-resin thermal stabilizing agent.
PAINTING AS TRANSLATION IN BAUDELAIRE'S ART CRITICISM

La metaphore de la traduction dans la theorie et la terminologie critiques de B. La peinture consideree comme un processus par lequel l'expression personnelle de la vision qu'a l'artiste de son sujet est rendue dans un langage intelligible a tous : le langage conventionnel de la technique
Nonlinear dynamics of a harmonically-excited inelastic inverted pendulum

Issues of dynamic stability for a single-degree-of-freedom system subjected to a time-varying axial load are presented. The linearized differential equation of motion for the model structure is given by the well-known Mathieu equation. Parametric resonance leading to dynamic instability is known to occur for such a system. This paper examines the response of the geometrically exact model for two inelastic constitutive models—an elastic-perfectly plastic model and a cyclic Ramberg-Osgood model. Damage evolution, represented by degradation of the elastic stiffness, is also considered. Analysis results demonstrate behavior that is counterintuitive to what would be expected under static or monotonic loading conditions. Though simple, this structural model helps illustrate the complex features in the response of an inelastic dynamical system.
Moving into Parenthood: a program for new adolescent mothers combining parent education with creative physical activity.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE. To describe a school-based program combining traditional parent education with creative physical activity classes to assist newly delivered adolescent mothers to develop positive parenting behaviors while remaining in school. CONCLUSIONS. The program contains sessions on parenting information, creative coping strategies, fitness, and role modeling of positive parenting behaviors to help young mothers learn healthy parenting skills as they continue in their own adolescent development. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. The content and teaching strategies can be adapted for individual or group clinical work with teen mothers and their infants in a variety of community settings as well as in school-based healthcare programs.
Gender Conceptualizations in Female High School Seniors: Relationships with Global Self-Worth and Multiple Measures of Body Image

This study was conducted to determine if gender-role conceptualizations in adolescent girls were related to their global self-worth and several dimensions of their body image. Self-report surveys were administered to 335 predominantly Caucasian Grade 12 girls from religiously-based high schools in the midwestern part of the United States. It was hypothesized that adolescent females’ gender-typing of themselves as well as their gender-related attitudes towards others would be significantly, and possibly divergently, related to their perceptions of themselves and their physical bodies. Obtained data were analyzed using multivariate canonical correlation procedures. The results of these analyses revealed support for the predicted overall relationship between gender conceptualizations and self-perceptions, but also indicated some differences in the way in which the two dimensions of gender-role conceptualizations (personal and attitudes towards others) were associated with adolescents’ perceptions of themselves. Specifically, girls exhibiting more egalitarian gender-related attitudes towards others scored higher on global self-worth and lower in body appearance orientation. In addition, higher self-endorsement on the masculine subscales was linked with higher global self-worth, lower social physique anxiety, and higher use of competence to evaluate the physical body. In contrast, high self-endorsement on the feminine subscales exhibited mixed links to the set of self-perceptual variables.
Pregnancy disorders appear to modify the risk for retinopathy of prematurity associated with neonatal hyperoxemia and bacteremia.

AbstractObjective: To explore (1) whether extremely low gestational age newborns exposed to inflammation-associated pregnancy disorders differ in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) risk from infants exposed to placenta dysfunction-associated disorders, and (2) whether ROP risk associated with postnatal hyperoxemia and bacteremia differs among infants exposed to these disorders.Methods: Pregnancy disorders resulting in preterm birth include inflammation-associated: preterm labor, prelabor premature rupture of membranes (pPROM), cervical insufficiency, and abruption and placenta dysfunction-associated: preeclampsia and fetal indication. The risk of severe ROP associated with pregnancy disorders was evaluated by multivariable analyses in strata defined by potential effect modifiers, postnatal hyperoxemia and bacteremia.Results: Compared to preterm labor, infants delivered after pPROM were at reduced risk of plus disease (Odds ratio = 0.4, 95% confidence interval: 0.2–0.8) and prethreshold/threshold ROP (0.5, 0...
Optimum Bifurcating-Tube Tree for Gas Transport

We describe optimality principles for the design of an engineering bifurcating-tube tree consisting of the convection and diffusion zones to attain the most effective gas transport. An optimality principle is formulated for the diffusion zone to maximize the total diffusion mass-transfer rate of gas across tube walls under a constant total-volume constraint. This optimality principle produces a new diameter distribution for the diffusion zone in contrast to the classical distribution for the convection zone. In addition. this paper gives a length distribution for an engineering tree based on an optimality principle for minimizing the total weight of the tree under constraints of a finite surface and elastic criteria for structural stability. Furthermore, the optimum branching angles are evaluated based on local optimality principles for a single bifurcating-tube branch.
Orleansville Turbidite: ABSTRACT

The Orleansville earthquake in 1954 produced a turbidity current on the Algerian Mediterranean margin and adjacent South Balearic basin sea floor which broke five telephone cables. The report of this event represented a cornerstone in the evolution of turbidity current theory. The resulting turbidite has been mapped on the Balearic abyssal plain for the purpose of relating flow paths and turbidite size, and areal extent to cable break locations. This study is based on 50 gravity cores. Figure The Orleansville turbidity current actually consisted of two currents which arrived simultaneously on the basin plain via two canyon mouths separated by 30 km. The merged turbidity currents flowed 170 km out on the basin-plain floor and covered an area of 8,000 km2. The turbidite is a tongue-shaped sediment body, 50 km wide, oriented northeast-southwest. It consists of a central band of 5-cm thick sand with a fringing 2 to 3-cm thick band of coarse to fine silt. Two of the cable breaks occurred on the abyssal plain at the extreme edge of the turbidite where the sediment is only 2 cm thick. An underlying turbidite of very similar dimensions to the Orleansville turbidite is separated from it by a 10 to 15-cm pelagic sequence. The consistent spacing between these two events in icates that although the Orleansville turbidity current broke telephone cables at its extreme margins, it caused no detectable erosion on the basin-plain floor. End_of_Article - Last_Page 641------------
Alzheimer's disease and post-operative cognitive dysfunction.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), an insidious and progressive neurodegenerative disorder accounting for the vast majority of dementia, is characterized by global cognitive decline and the robust accumulation of amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. This review article is based on the currently published literature regarding molecular studies of AD and the potential involvement of AD neuropathogenesis in post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Genetic evidence, confirmed by neuropathological and biochemical studies, indicates that excessive β-amyloid protein (Aβ) generated from amyloidogenic processing of the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays a fundamental role in the AD neuropathogenesis. Aβ is produced from APP by β-secretase, and then γ-secretase complex, consisting of presenilins, nicastrin (NCSTN), APH-1 and PEN-2. Additionally, Aβ clearance and APP adaptor proteins can contribute to AD neuropathogenesis via affecting Aβ levels. Finally, cellular apoptosis may also be involved in AD neuropathogenesis. Surgery and anesthesia can cause cognitive disorders, especially in elderly patients. Even the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders are largely unknown; several perioperative factors such as hypoxia, hypocapnia and anesthetics may be associated with AD and render POCD via trigging AD neuropathogenesis. More studies to assess the potential relationship between anesthesia/surgery and AD dementia are, therefore, urgently needed.
A Simple Interfacial Design of Biomolecules to Nano/Micro-Devices for Highly Sensitive and Selective Protein Detection

We present a novel immobilization technique via physical adsorption of biomolecules onto a sensing surface. The immobilization technique utilizes the competitive nature of protein adsorption onto the surface, offering the selectivity and sensitivity in detecting a target molecule. The SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) sensorgrams show that three human serum proteins, albumin, Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and fibrinogen, have different adsorption strengths to the surface and the competitive adsorption of individuals controls the exchange sequence. Using the competitive adsorption and exchange, we demonstrate that IgG is selectively and sensitively detected.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Lock and key to transcription: σ-DNA interaction

How does RNA polymerase recognize a promoter in duplex DNA? How are the DNA strands pried apart to enable RNA synthesis? A crystal structure by Feklistov and Darst unexpectedly reveals that these two processes are interconnected.
Sparsifying transform learning for Compressed Sensing MRI

Compressed Sensing (CS) enables magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at high undersampling by exploiting the sparsity of MR images in a certain transform domain or dictionary. Recent approaches adapt such dictionaries to data. While adaptive synthesis dictionaries have shown promise in CS based MRI, the idea of learning sparsifying transforms has not received much attention. In this paper, we propose a novel framework for MR image reconstruction that simultaneously adapts the transform and reconstructs the image from highly undersampled k-space measurements. The proposed approach is significantly faster (>10x) than previous approaches involving synthesis dictionaries, while also providing comparable or better reconstruction quality. This makes it more amenable for adoption for clinical use.
Landscape indicators and land cover change in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, 1973-2001.

Landscape indicators, derived from land use and land cover data as well as other data, were used to calculate the ecological consequences of land cover change in terms of nitrate loading and physical bird habitat. Both were modeled from 1973, 1992, and 2001 land cover data in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Land cover statistics and trends are calculated for three time periods. In general, forest gain and agricultural loss was found in areas of improving landscape indicators and forest loss and agricultural gain was found to occur in areas of declining indicators, which was confirmed by high-resolution aerial photographic analysis.
Effect of United States Residence on Birth Outcomes among Mexican Immigrants: An Exploratory Study

Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight are increased among US-born mothers of Mexican descent compared with immigrant mothers born in Mexico. It is unknown whether adverse reproductive outcomes change among Mexican immigrants after only 5 years of US residence. The authors conducted a study of 1,114 Mexican immigrant mothers and their infants in two California counties. The relation between US residence status and birth outcomes was examined, controlling for sociodemographic factors and maternal behaviors. Long-term immigrants who have lived in the United States for more than 5 years were more likely to deliver preterm infants (odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-3.3) and low birth weight infants (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 0.8-2.7) than newcomers who have lived in the United States for 5 years or less. Long-term immigrants had higher parity, more pregnancy complications, and fewer planned pregnancies, and were more likely to smoke than newcomers. After controlling for confounders, the effect of residence status on preterm delivery was of borderline significance (adjusted OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2). Pregnancy complications was an intervening variable between residence status and preterm delivery. Length of US residence is associated with an increase in low birth weight via a decrease in gestational age rather than intrauterine growth retardation.
SU‐FF‐T‐391: A New Look at Helmet Output Factor Utility in Gamma Knife Treatments

Purpose: To characterize the volume dose distribution of Gamma Knife (GK) stereotactic radiosurgery units to compare point‐measurement based helmet factors and volume‐based measurements of dose.Method and Materials: Helmet factors were determined using radiochromic film and ionization chamber measurements as well as TLD arrays. Novel methods have been used to determine and characterize the volume of dose delivered by the GK unit. These methods include using large volume ionization chambers and deconvolving the measurement to remove volume averaging effects and creating a film phantom that allows us to map the entire dose volume in 3 dimensions by using cubes of radiochromic film. Results: The preliminary work done using traditional methods to determine helmet factors has shown that a single point measurement may be insufficient when delivering doses of the magnitude seen in GK treatments. Analysis using TLDs and radiochromic film indicate that non‐uniform dose distributions exist. It has also been shown that the isocenter of the GK does not always correspond with the point of maximum dose. Additionally, helmet factor determination is dependent on the size of the dosimeter being used, thus larger dosimeters demonstrate volume averaging effects preventing the proper determination of helmet factors. Conclusion: GK treatment is the preferred modality for a number of cranial treatments, and physicians are continually prescribing smaller margins. For this reason, it is vital that the dosimetry of the GK be representative of what the patient receives. While point and plane dosimetry techniques may be adequate when delivering radiation from one direction, 3‐D techniques must be developed for modalities like the GK, in which dose is delivered with multiple sources simultaneously and almost isotropically.
Thermal effects in n-channel enhancement MOSFET's operated at cryogenic temperatures

Thermal effects in n-channel enhancement-mode MOSFET's operated at cryogenic temperatures are discussed. Device heating is identified as the cause of drain current transients and the origin of this phenomenon is considered. Experimental results are presented in which thermal effects are studied as functions of temperature for various gate and drain biases. Drain current is found to be a monitor of device temperature, From an understanding of the thermal behavior of devices, the channel electron mobility can be examined as a function of temperature and gate bias. The observed thermal effects are explained in terms of material and device properties. The implications for future low-temperature CMOS VLSI development are discussed.
Response of biofilm extracellular enzymes along a stream nutrient enrichment gradient in an agricultural region of north central Pennsylvania, USA

Anthropogenic nitrogen and phosphorus loading to streams has the potential to shift ecosystems from inorganic nutrient limitation toward increased carbon flux. We tested the hypothesis that relative patterns in the activities of carbon-, phosphorus- and nitrogen-acquiring extracellular enzymes associated with stream microbial communities could potentially indicate a transition from nutrient limitation to increased carbon flux. Biofilm extracellular enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, phosphatase, and leucine-aminopeptidase) were measured in 23 streams along an agricultural nutrient gradient in north central Pennsylvania. We also measured water column total nitrogen and total phosphorus along with biofilm chlorophyll a, ash free dry mass, and phosphorus concentrations. Although most absolute enzyme activities tended to be positively correlated with phosphorus concentrations, relative activities between carbon- and phosphorus-acquiring enzymes indicated a shift away from phosphorus limitation within a relatively narrow and low range of phosphorus concentrations. These results have potential implications for establishing nutrient guidelines for streams because they indicate that nutrients such as phosphorus might elicit a significant ecosystem-level response at relatively low concentrations of phosphorus before more apparent changes in community structure or biomass are observed.
Post-endoscopy pancreatitis and hyperamylasuria

Hyperamylasuria followed routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination in 6.6%of cases. No pancreatitis was observed even when hyperamylasuria or pancreatitis preceded the examination. Following cannulation of the ampulla of Vater, hyperamylasuria was observed in 42.9% and pancreatitis in 3.6%. In neither case do asymptomatic amylase rises appear to be important. Pancreatitis may be related to ampullary manipulation as well as overfilling of the duct.
Correction of Ghosts in FTIR spectra

A method is presented to identify and correct spectral ghosts caused by periodic mis-sampling of the interferogram. For applications in which high measurement accuracy is needed, even small systematic sampling errors (<0.1%) can cause problematic ghosts.
A behavioral comparison of Nexus, cathinone, BDB, and MDA.

The effects of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (Nexus), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-butanamine (BDB), and cathinone were studied in the newly hatched chicken and compared to the effects of d-amphetamine and three hallucinogens in the same species. Cathinone, a psychomotor stimulant in man (6), produced effects that were qualitatively similar to effects seen after administration of d-amphetamine (i.e., distress vocalization, wing extension, inability to stand, and loss of righting reflex). BDB, a compound with unknown activity in man, and two known hallucinogens, Nexus (5) and MDA (1), produced effects in the chicken that are common to both stimulants and hallucinogens in this species. For example, both MDA and BDB produced abnormal body posture that was identical to that reported after administration of hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and harmine (11). Nexus, on the other hand, produced rigid penguin-like posture, an effect seen in the chicken after administration of another hallucinogen, mescaline (12). BDB also produced bursting forward movements, an effect commonly observed after LSD and harmine. Our findings suggest that the young chicken can be used as an alternative, nonmammalian, model for predicting classification of new compounds.
Surface damage of single-crystal silicon abraded in ethanol and deionized water

Semiconductor grade, single-crystal silicon wafers of (1 0 0) p-type were abraded by a single-point, slow speed (2.3 cm sec−1) 90° pyramid diamond in ethanol and deionized water. The scratching was carried out in each of the fluids with a load of 0.5 N on the sliding diamond. The scratching produces a groove, the depth of which depends on the number of traverses of the diamond. A measure of the cross-sectional area of the groove was used to determine the abrasion rate in ethanol, which was about 1.3 times that in deionized water. Some of the samples scratched in deionized water were annealed at 1000° C for 1 h and these samples, along with those unannealed and scratched in both fluids, were fractured perpendicular to the scratch in a three-point bend apparatus. The fracture strengths and the mirror distances obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation were used to deduce tensile residual stresses of 15.6 and 99.0 MN m−2 beneath the grooves formed in deionized water and ethanol, respectively. The SEM investigation also showed that (a) the groove surfaces contained microcracks wedged with wear debris, and (b) dislocations were generated and propagated away from the groove surfaces as a result of annealing. The relatively higher tensile residual stress produced in the presence of ethanol is consistent with the higher wear rate in this fluid.
Rebuttal to Ajioka and Kushner

Drs Richard S. Ajioka and James P. Kushner provide an able review of the studies that have led them to conclude that the penetrance of hereditary hemochromatosis is much higher than our study of Kaiser-Permanente patients has shown it to be. They suggest that the cause of the discrepancy is
A Recurrence Technique for Expanding a Function in Spherical Harmonics

A recurrence technique is described that enables the use of proven efficient Fourier transform techniques to be applied to the expansion of a given function in terms of spherical harmonics.
Sensibilité à la fissuration à chaud des alliages base nickel à haute teneur en chrome

Les alliages base nickel a haute teneur en chrome (FM52) utilises dans le milieu nucleaire se sont reveles plus sensible a la fissuration a chaud dite par manque de ductilite. Des nouveaux materiaux d’apport, plus riche en niobium et molybdene, sont developpes pour diminuer le risque d’apparition de fissure. Le comportement de ces materiaux d’apport est etudie en couplant des analyses microstructurales et un essai de fissuration a chaud, l’essai PVR. Les analyses metallurgiques illustrent un enrichissement des espaces interdendritiques en Nb et Mo des nouveaux materiaux. Une teneur elevee en niobium (FM52MSS) induit la formation de carbures primaires en fin de solidification. Les essais PVR revelent une sensibilite plus elevee des nouveaux materiaux a la fissure de solidification, et une sensibilite amoindrie a la fissuration par manque de ductilite pour le FM52MSS.
Semiquantitative assessment of subchondral bone marrow edema-like lesions and subchondral cysts of the knee at 3T MRI: a comparison between intermediate-weighted fat-suppressed spin echo and Dual Echo Steady State sequences.

Background Choice of appropriate MR pulse sequence is important for any research studies using imaging-derived data. The aim of this study was to compare semiquantitative assessment of subchondral bone marrow edema-like lesions and subchondral cysts using intermediate-weighted (IW) fat-suppressed (fs) spin echo and Dual Echo Steady State (DESS) sequences on 3 T MRI.