cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ripple tank studies of wave refraction

When the shore line and offshore contours are straight and parallel, wave refraction is governed by Snell's law, which states that the sine of the angle between the wave crest and the bottom contour is proportional to the velocity of wave propagation. Shell's law was verified in this study by analyzing the photographic records of wave refraction at a model beach with 1/40 slope and a straight shore line in a ripple tank. This study covers uniform waves with three different periods, non-uniform waves, and three initial angles of wave approach. For the longest period waves, the experimental results seemed to give a refraction angle smaller than that indicated by Snell's law.
Neuro-ophthalmic Manifestations of Meningocerebral Inflammation From the Limited Form of Wegener's Granulomatosis

Purpose Wegener's granulomatosis is classically a systemic necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis that involves the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys. Ophthalmologic and neurologic manifestations are common. The limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis may have pathologic characteristics consistent with the disease but lacks the complete clinical triad. We studied the clinical, pathologic, laboratory, and radiologic findings of four patients with Wegener's granulomatosis so that others will recognize the disease, even when it occurs in its limited form. Methods From three clinical centers, a chart review disclosed four patients with neuro-ophthalmic findings and the limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis. Results Three men and one woman, ranging in age from 40 to 73 years, were studied. All four patients had ocular motor abnormalities (one with oculomotor and trochlear nerve palsies, one with oculomotor nerve palsy, one with trochlear and abducens nerve palsies, and one with horizontal gaze deviation) in addition to other cranial nerve and cerebral abnormalities. Neuroimaging showed prominent meningeal, as well as intraparenchymal, abnormalities. In all patients, results of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody tests were initially negative but in one patient were positive at a late stage of the disease. In all patients, results of a biopsy demonstrated necrotizing granulomatous inflammation consistent with Wegener's granulomatosis. Conclusions Neuro-ophthalmic findings may be the earliest manifestations of the limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis. Extensive meningocerebral inflammation can occur before systemic involvement or laboratory confirmation. Early diagnosis by biopsy of affected tissues may facilitate appropriate treatment and prevent progression of the disease.
A METHOD OF ASSAY FOR THE FAT METABOLISM HORMONE OF THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY1

FOR THE FURTHER chemical purification of the fat metabolism hormone of the anterior pituitary and study of its physiology, quantitative assay methods become important. In the early studies of this factor, its influence on fat catabolism as measured by ketonemia and ketonuria was described. Later the fatty infiltration of the liver was observed to follow the injection of AP extracts. On the basis of this observation, Campbell (i) has recently suggested an assay technique using the mouse. Recently, Houchin and Turner (2) reported that single injections of an AP extract depressed the blood fat of rabbits about 36% in from 6 to 8 hours. As our interest in this hormone centers about its relation to fat secretion by the mammary gland (that is milk fat precursors in blood) it seemed desirable to develop an assay method dependent upon blood lipid changes. The rabbit would serve very well as an assay animal except for the rather large amount of hormone required to induce a response.
Effect of Galvanic Corrosion-Induced Roughness on Sidewall Adhesion in Polycrystalline Silicon Microelectromechanical Systems

A custom microdevice was used to study the effect of hydrofluoric acid processing on the force of adhesion at a silicon sidewall contact interface. Devices exposed to acidic etchant solution for a longer period of time were found to have a significantly higher surface roughness and a lower adhesion force. These results are attributed to an accelerated formation of porous silicon caused by a release etch-induced galvanic couple between the structural silicon and the gold electrical contact pads. Experiments are interpreted in light of galvanic corrosion mechanisms and the effect on the principal components in nanoscale adhesion.
Embedded Gold Clusters: Growth in Glass and Optical Absorption Spectra

Optical absorption of nanosized particles in glass was measured. The plasma absorption band was completely spread out for particles below about 1.5 ran in diameter, as also has been found by gold particles in water and a polymer. The growth kinetics suggested growth of spherical particles controlled by diffusion of gold from the matrix to the particles, and a constant number of growing particles, giving a narrow size distribution of particles. For particles below about one ran in diameter (31 gold atoms), the optical absorption was proportional to 7n-4, as expected if the absorption results from free electrons in the particles.
Cuticle deposition in imaginal disks of three species of Lepidoptera: Effects of ecdysones in vitro☆

Abstract We report the effects of three ecdysone analogues in the presence and absence of fat body on the wing imaginal disks of Cadra cautella, Paramyelois transitella, and Plodia interpunctella cultured in vitro in a modified Grace's medium. Alpha-ecdysone, unlike beta-ecdysone, did not stimulate cuticle deposition in Plodia disks at low doses and was only slightly effective at high doses. Also, the response of wing disks of Cadra and Paramyelois to beta-ecdysone and alpha ecdysone with and without fat body was similar to that of Plodia. Combinations of alpha-ecdysone and beta-ecdysone were more effective than beta-ecdysone alone in Plodia disks, but a synthetic analogue, 22-iso-ecdysone, had no effect on cuticle deposition when it was used alone or with beta-ecdysone in the presence or absence of fat body. Thus, the results with alpha-ecdysone and beta-ecdysone were not non-specific steroidal effects.
Nature of unresolved complex mixture in size-distributed emissions from residential wood combustion as measured by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

[1] Unresolved complex mixture (UCM) is an analytical artifact of gas chromatographs of combustion source-related fine aerosol extracts. In this study the UCM is examined in size-resolved fine aerosol emissions from residential wood combustion. The aerosols are sorted by size in an electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI) and subsequently analyzed by thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS). A semiquantitative system for predicting the branched alkane, cycloalkane, alkylbenzene, C3-, C4-, C5-alkylbenzene, methylnaphthalene, C3-, C4-, C5-alkylnaphthalene, methylphenanthrene C2-, C3-alkylphenanthrene, and dibenzothiophene concentrations in the UCM is introduced. Analysis by TD/GS/MS detects UCM on each ELPI stage for all six combustion tests. The UCM baseline among the different fuel types is variable. In particular, the UCM of Pseudotsuga sp. is enriched in later-eluting compounds of lower volatility. A high level of reproducibility is achieved in determining UCM areas. UCM fractions (UCM ion area/total extracted ion chromatograph area) by individual ELPI stage return a mean relative standard deviation of 19.1% over the entire combustion test set, indicating a highly consistent UCM fraction across the ELPI size boundaries. Among the molecular ions investigated, branched alkane (m/z 57) and dibenzothiophene (m/z 212 and 226) constituents are most abundant in UCM emissions from RWC, collectively accounting for 64−95% of the targeted chemical species. The total UCM emissions span 446−756 mg/kg of dry biomass burned and correspond to an upper limit of 7.1% of the PM2.5 mass. The UCM emissions are primarily accumulation mode (0.1 μm ≤ aerodynamic diameter (da) ≤ 1 μm), with a geometric mean diameter (dg) range of 120.3−518.4 nm. UCM in PM2.5 is chemically asymmetric (shifted to finer da), typically clustering at da ≤ 1 μm. Measurable shifts in dg and changes in distribution widths (σg) on an intratest basis suggest that the particle density may be a function of size within PM1. The potential effects these results have on regulatory affairs, human health studies, and the state of the analytical science covering organics in PM2.5 are discussed.
Quasi‐Born Fourier migration

Summary The Born approximation of the Lippman–Schwinger equation has recently been used to implement a recursive method for seismic migration of pressure wavefields. This Born-based method is stable only when the scattering from heterogeneities within an extrapolation depth interval is weak. To handle strong scattering accurately and efficiently, we propose a quasi-Born approximation of the Lippman–Schwinger equation to extrapolate pressure wavefields downwards recursively. We assume that the scattered wavefield is linearly related to the incident wavefield by a scalar function that varies slowly with lateral position within an extrapolation depth interval. The extrapolation is implemented as a dual-doma in procedure in the frequency–space and frequency–wavenumber domains. Fast Fourier transforms are used to transform data between these two domains. The quasi-Born-based depth-migration algorithm is termed the quasi-Born Fourier method. It can efficiently produce good-quality images of complex structures with strong lateral perturbations of slowness. It is stable for strong scattering and can accurately handle scattering and wave propagation along directions at large angles from the main propagation direction. Image quality obtained using the new method is similar to that of a dual-domain migration method that uses the Rytov approximation within each extrapolation depth interval, but the computational speed of the new method is approximately 27 per cent faster than the latter method for pre-stack migration of an industry standard data set—the Marmousi data set. Compared to the Born-based migration method, the quasi-Born Fourier method is slightly less efficient because it requires an additional multiplication and an additional division for each lateral gridpoint in each step of wavefield extrapolation. For weak scattering, the quasi-Born Fourier method converges to the Born-based method. To improve the efficiency of the quasi-Born Fourier method further without losing its accuracy, we propose a hybrid Born/quasi-Born Fourier method in which the Born-based method is used when the scattering within an extrapolation depth interval is weak, and the quasi-Born Fourier method is used for other cases. This hybrid method is approximately 32 per cent faster than the Rytov-based method for the pre-stack depth migration of the Marmousi data set, while the images obtained using both methods have almost the same quality.
Preliminary delineation of contaminated water-bearing fractures intersected by open-hole bedrock wells

Contaminated water-bearing fractures intersected by open-hole bedrock wells were preliminarily delineated through a combination of geophysical logging, vertical-flow measurements, and downhole water sampling as part of remedial site investigations in southeastern New York. The wells investigated range from 100 to 450 feet in depth, have only shallow surface casing, and intersect multiple water-bearing zones. The distribution of water-bearing zones that intersect the wells was determined from single-point resistance, caliper, fluid-resistivity, temperature, and acoustic-televiewer logs. Measurable flow in the wells was downward from upper producing zones to lower receiving zones that are poorly connected in the aquifer and that differ in hydraulic head as a result of nearby pumping. A down hole sampler was used to collect discrete and composite water samples for analysis of volatile organic compounds from producing zones that are self-purging as a result of flow in the wells. The results obtained at two of the study sites are presented—the Spring Valley wellfield and the Mahopac business district. At the Spring Valley wellfield, a supply well completed in Mesozoic sandstone and conglomerate intersects water-bearing zones at depths of 204 to 245 feet that produced contaminated water that was received by a zone at 278 feet. In the same well, a deeper zone at 345 feet produced uncontaminated water that was received by a zone at 403 feet. Correlation of information from the well, geophysical logs and drill cores from nearby monitoring wells, and bedrock outcrops indicates that most of the water-bearing zones are bedding-plane separations that probably provide pathways for contaminant transport in the bedrock aquifer for significant distances. In the Mahopac business district, a deep test well completed in Precambrian gneiss intersected shallow waterbearing zones at 50 to 79 feet that produced contaminated water that was received by deep zones at 260 and 328 feet. The water-bearing zones consist of single or closely spaced multiple fractures with dips of 5 to 50 degrees. By analogy with the results from this test well, deep open-hole wells in the area may serve as “short circuits” in the ground water flow system and allow direct transport of contaminants to deeper zones in the fractured-bedrock aquifer. The methods presented can be used to investigate ground water flow and contamination in fractured-bedrock aquifers in advance of more focused monitoring programs. The methods can be applied in existing open-hole wells before test drilling and monitoring well installation to provide for efficient program design. The methods also can be used during the installation of monitoring wells to help determine completion depths and open intervals and to ensure that the wells are not serving as conduits for the flow of contaminated water.
Dissociations of Gas-Phase CHClF and CHCl2 Radicals and Cations following Collisional Electron Transfer. A Variable-Time Neutralization−Reionization and ab Initio Study

Variable-time neutralization−reionization mass spectrometry is used to generate CHClF• and CHCl2• radicals and to study their unimolecular dissociations within 0.4−4.1 μs. Loss of Cl• is a major dissociation of CHClF• following collisional neutralizations with di-n-butyl ether, chlorobenzene, di-n-butylamine, aniline, and N,N-dimethylaniline, which range from 0.28 eV endoergic to 1.7 eV exoergic in the same series. Loss of H• also occurs, whereas loss of F• and eliminations of HF and HCl are unimportant. Dissociations of CHClF+ cations following collisional reionization of CHClF• show eliminations of HF and HCl and losses of F• and Cl• whose rate parameters depend on the nature of the neutralization target. Both CHCl2 radicals and ions undergo elimination of HCl and loss of Cl• whose rate parameters are distinguished by the variable-time measurements. Ab initio calculations at the G2(MP2) level of theory give the bond dissociation energies for C−H, C−Cl, and C−F in CHClF• as 307, 333, and 465 kJ mol-1, re...
X-ray and VUV observations of brightness profiles from Alcator C-Mod plasmas

Brightness profiles of x-ray and VUV lines from eight molybdenum charge states between and have been measured in Alcator C-Mod plasmas. These spatial profiles agree very well with those predicted by a model which includes ionization, recombination, excitation and transport. Comparison with the profiles of many different charge states provides severe constraints upon the rates used in the model. The charge state density profiles are calculated using measured impurity transport coefficients, measured electron density and temperature profiles and newly calculated ionization and recombination rate coefficients. These new rate coefficients include direct collisional ionization, excitation - autoionization, dielectronic and radiative recombination. Excitation - autoionization is shown to be an important process, since the excellent agreement between the measurements and predictions is obtained only with its inclusion. Fits to newly calculated excitation rate coefficients for the transitions are also presented.
Recycling of laboratory-prepared long-term aged binders containing crumb rubber modifier

Abstract The use of conventional reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has become routine in a number of states throughout the United States, and the satisfactory mix design procedures have been developed. The recycling of crumb rubber-modified materials has been an area of interest since crumb rubber modifier (CRM) was first used in asphalt paving materials over 40 years ago. Some state departments of transportation (DOTs) have used rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) materials in limited recycling experiments or demonstration projects. The respective studies include different types of wet process binders and/or various gradations of CRM as an aggregate substitute (dry process). The results show that a wide range of CRM-modified paving materials can be successfully reclaimed and recycled. Previous research on the recycling of RAC focused only on the mixture properties at the location of in-field paving. In the long-term performance characterizations, it is important to identify the aging properties of rubberized binders and the subsequent recycling properties of these aged rubberized binders. Without understanding these binder properties, it is difficult to predict the mixture performance and suggest guidelines for the recycling of RAC. To address this issue, this research was conducted to identify the performance properties of recycled aged CRM binders. Evaluation of the recycled aged CRM binders included the following testing procedures: viscosity at high temperature, rheological properties at high and intermediate temperatures, and cracking properties at low temperature. The results from this study indicated that the recycled aged CRM binders can result in satisfactory binder performance which meets current Superpave binder requirements.
Voltage-gated sodium channel expression and action potential generation in differentiated NG108-15 cells.

The generation of action potential is required for stimulus-evoked neurotransmitter release in most neurons. Although various voltage-gated ion channels are involved in action potential production, the initiation of the action potential is mainly mediated by voltage-gated Na+ channels. In the present study, differentiation-induced changes of mRNA and protein expression of Na+ channels, Na+ currents, and cell membrane excitability were investigated in NG108-15 cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp results showed that differentiation (9 days) didn’t change cell membrane excitability, compared to undifferentiated state. But differentiation (21 days) induced the action potential generation in 45.5% of NG108-15 cells (25/55 cells). In 9-day-differentiated cells, Na+ currents were mildly increased, which was also found in 21-day differentiated cells without action potential. In 21-day differentiated cells with action potential, Na+ currents were significantly enhanced. Western blot data showed that the expression of Na+ channels was increased with differentiated-time dependent manner. Single-cell real-time PCR data demonstrated that the expression of Na+ channel mRNA was increased by 21 days of differentiation in NG108-15 cells. More importantly, the mRNA level of Na+ channels in cells with action potential was higher than that in cells without action potential. Differentiation induces expression of voltage-gated Na+ channels and action potential generation in NG108-15 cells. A high level of the Na+ channel density is required for differentiation-triggered action potential generation.
Human language technologies for knowledge management: challenges and opportunities

This paper outlines the central role a range of human language technologies play in the emerging discipline of knowledge management. We articulate several grand challenges, illustrate some early successes, and recommend areas of continued research.
Age, sex, and antemortem loss of teeth in prehistoric Eskimo samples from point hope and Kodiak Island, Alaska

The incidence of teeth lost antemortem was investigated in 244 archeologically derived dried skeletal specimens from the Ipiutak and Tigara burials at Point Hope, Alaska, and 83 Koniag Eskimo specimens excavated at Jones Point, Uyak Bay, Kodiak Island, Alaska. Ipiutak skeletal remains date from approximately 1500 years B.P. and the Tigara remains from 300–400 years B.P. The Kodiak Island sample is undated. Specimens were sexed and aged in five-year groupings using standard techniques. Teeth lost antermortem were identified as having occupied tooth sockets which showed healing of alveolar bone following exfoliation. Numbers of lost teeth were calculated as percentages of total number of tooth sites of each tooth classification for each age, sex, and site subgrouping. Tooth loss was very low in the Kodiak Island sample, with little difference between sexes and no identifiable age trends. The Tigara ramains displayed moderate tooth loss, with strong correlations to increasing age and little differentiation between the sexes. The Ipiutak specimens lost the most teeth antemortem, with notable between-sex differences and strong correlations with increasing age. In all groups loss of anterior teeth was probably due to accident or heavy wear, while loss of posterior teeth was due to heavy wear, periodontal disease, or agenesis.
ON CONTACT-INDUCED STANDING WAVES IN ROTATING TIRES: EXPERIMENT AND THEORY

An experimental and theoretical study of standing waves in a rotating tire is presented. A test set-up for studying small balloon tires is described. Experimental observations of standing waves arising after a critical speed transition are presented, including measurements of the spatial structure of the standing waves. A simple model for the tire is developed, which has a single degree of freedom at each radial location. Steady state solutions at any rotation speed are governed by a non-linear boundary value problem, which is studied in detail. Appropriate boundary conditions are obtained using asymptotic arguments, and then used in numerical solutions. The analysis is shown to agree well with the experimental observations. Based on the analysis, a method for suppressing the standing waves is proposed and confirmed experimentally.
Comparison of soil sampling devices used for sampling submerged soils

Abstract Environmental sampling designed for soil chemical analyses requires precise procedural collection methods. Furthermore, soils which are submerged, represent an enigmatic sampling situation as the sample is withdrawn through the overlaying liquid layer. Contamination may arise from the liquid as well as solid material above the collected sample. A procedural problem is that close‐faced, lined samplers do not provide enough axial friction to maintain the sample within the sampler. Since the choice of proper sampling equipment is critical in site assessments, we compared two types of soil probes in this study. Both samples were nickel (Ni)‐chromium (Cr) plated having 2‐cm diameter bores. One was an open‐faced slotted sampler while the other was a closed‐faced sampler with a PETG copolyester liner. The open‐faced slotted sampler had no significantly different Ni or Cr content than did the PETG‐lined probe and maintained the soil within the sampling tube.
Library Portal Technologies

Abstract The purpose of the library portal is to enable users to discover relevant information from multiple distributed information resources; to seamlessly, and directly as possible, access related content; and to effectively use the information. The library portal is not a single technology. Rather it is a combination of several systems, standards, and protocols that interoperate to create a unified experience for the user. This chapter describes the various technologies and the relationship among the technologies that combine to enable the user to move seamlessly through the processes related to discovery, access, and use of information. A framework that incorporates many aspects of the JISC Information Environment Architecture (Joint Information Systems 2002) and the IMS Digital Repositories Framework (McLean and Lynch 2003) provides a structure to facilitate the discussion of issues related to each of the many individual components while it depicts the interrelationship among the components.
An apparent 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-independent stimulation of intestinal calcium absorption in patients with paget disease of bone during a short-term diphosphonate therapy

Abstract Six patients with Paget disease of bone were treated with a 6-mo course of disodium-ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphate (EHDP) at a dosage of 5 mg/kg/day (one patient) or 20 mg/kg/day (five patients). In addition to symptomatic and biochemical improvement which persisted 3 mo after discontinuance of therapy, EHDP resulted in a significant increase in intestinal calcium absorption that was not correlated with a change in serum 1α,25-(OH) 2 -vitamin D concentration. EHDP appears to stimulate intestinal calcium transport by either a vitamin D independent process or by an increased intestinal mucosal cell sensitivity to vitamin D.
A FETAL ISOZYME OF PHOSPHOFRUCTOKINASE IN NEWBORN ERYTHROCYTES

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) exists in isozyme forms in various human tissues. Erythrocytes of newborns have a relative PFK deficiency and an altered rate of glycolysis. PFK in the newborn also shows increased in-vivo lability. Experiments were designed to elucidate the differences between adult and newborn erythrocyte PFK. The purified enzymes from human muscle and liver were separated by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 columns equilibrated with 0.1M Tris-PO4 pH 8.0, and elution with a salt gradient. Human muscle and liver PFK eluted as widely separated sharp peaks. Adult erythrocyte PFK (from either crude herolysates or from purified preparations) eluted as 8 single broad peak in a position intermediate between those of the liver and muscle isozymes. Hemolysates from cord blood, examined by this technique, were found to consist of two clearly separated PFK peaks: one chromatographically indistinguishable from adult erythrocyte PFK, and a second peak chromatographically indistinguishable from liver PFK. These data demonstrate that in fetal erythrocytes there is an isozyme presumably identical with liver PFK isozyme, which is probably responsible for the relative deficiency of PFK in newborn erythrocytes.
The P* model and Austrian prices

In theP* model the price level is determined by the money stock per unit of potential out-put and the long-run equilibrium level of the velocity of money. This article applies this model to Austria. Problems in identifying permanent shocks to potential output and/or velocity lead to the rejection of such models of the price level, but their first-difference version is not so suspect. While evidence is found of a long-run relationship between Austria inflation and money growth, even the first-difference version of theP* model is rejected for Austria. Since Austria is a small economy, closely tied to Germany, the article also investigates whether Austrian prices are tied to a GermanP* measure. This hypothesis is also rejected, but there is a statistically-significant long-run relationship between Austrian and German inflation. Moreover, Austrian money growth remains significant even in this relationship.
Partial Klu¨ver-Bucy syndrome produced by destroying temporal neocortex or amygdala

Abstract The temporal neocortex was removed in 4 monkeys, and 5 received amygdala destruction. Four control animals received skin and muscle incisions. The monkeys were compared on a visual pattern discrimination task, a food-non-food discrimination, and a rating scale that measured agonistic and approach behavior. Only the cortical lesion disrupted retention of the visual pattern task and neither lesion disrupted performance of the food-non-food task. Both lesions produced oral behavior, increase reaction to stimuli and decreased emotionality. Thus, the major symptoms of the Klu¨ver-Bucy syndrome are produced by destroying either the temporal neocortex or the amygdala.
Measured energy expenditure in critically III infants and young children

Technological limitations have impeded accurate energy expenditure assessment in critically ill infants and young children. Instead, a predicted energy expenditure (PEE) is derived based on weight, heat loss, activity, growth requirements, and degree of stress. This study compared actual measured energy expenditure (MEE) with conventional predicted values in 20 critically ill infants and children using a validated metabolic cart designed for use in this age group. All patients were studied either within 4 days of major surgery or during an acute disease process necessitating intensive care. All were severely stressed clinically and were studied while mechanically ventilated in a temperature-controlled environment. The study interval ranged from 1 to 12 hr and averaged 4 hr after a stabilization period of 30 min. The mean MEE was significantly lower than the mean PEE (52.2 +/- 16 kcal/kg/day vs 101.8 +/- 17 kcal/kg/day, P less than 0.001) with a mean MEE/PEE of 52.6 +/- 17% (range 26 to 92%). In a subgroup of 7 paralyzed patients, the mean MEE was significantly lower than in the 13 nonparalyzed patients when compared with PEE and predicted basal metabolic rate (PBMR). The coefficient of variance, conventionally recognized to be approximately 15% for PEE, averaged 6.35% for MEE in this study. These data indicate that if PEE is used as the sole guide for caloric repletion in the stressed infant or child, these patients will be substantially overfed.
Multi-level logic minimization using implicit don't cares

An approach is described for the minimization of multilevel logic circuits. A multilevel representation of a block of combinational logic is defined, called a Boolean network. A procedure is then proposed, called ESPRESSOMLD, to transform a given Boolean network into a prime, irredundant, and R-minimal form. This procedure rests on the extension of the notions of primality and irredundancy, previously used only for two-level logic minimization, to combinational multilevel logic circuits. The authors introduce the concept of R-minimality, which implies minimality with respect to cube reshaping, and demonstrate the crucial role played by this concept in multilevel minimization. Theorems are given that prove the correctness of the proposed procedure. Finally, it is shown that prime and irredundant multilevel logic circuits are 100% testable for input and output single-stuck faults, and that these tests are provided as a byproduct of the minimization. >
Preferential Activation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Human Colon Carcinoma Liver Metastases in Nude Mice

Increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) gene expression and functional protein levels correlate with the metastatic potential of human colon carcinoma (HCC) cells in nude mice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the production of liver metastases by HCC cells depends on the EGF-R activation status and whether different organ microenvironments influence this activation. Using two independent monoclonal antibodies specific for the activated (i.e., tyrosine-phosphorylated) EGF-R, increased immunoreactivity was observed in HCC cells growing as metastatic lesions in the livers of athymic nude mice. Staining was observed throughout these lesions, both peripherally and centrally. In contrast, little or no immunoreactivity for activated EGF-R was observed in primary tumors growing orthotopically in the cecum or ectopically in the subcutis of nude mice. Immunohistochemistry for total EGF-R levels (irrelevant of activation status) demonstrated similar levels of immunoreactivity in HCC tum...
Examining the Relationship between Head Trauma and Neurodegenerative Disease: A Review of Epidemiology, Pathology and Neuroimaging Techniques

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are induced by sudden acceleration-deceleration and/or rotational forces acting on the brain. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) has been identified as one of the chief underlying causes of morbidity and mortality in head trauma incidents. DAIs refers to microscopic white matter (WM) injuries as a result of shearing forces that induce pathological and anatomical changes within the brain, which potentially contribute to significant impairments later in life. These microscopic injuries are often unidentifiable by the conventional computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) scans employed by emergency departments to initially assess head trauma patients and, as a result, TBIs are incredibly difficult to diagnose. The impairments associated with TBI may be caused by secondary mechanisms that are initiated at the moment of injury, but often have delayed clinical presentations that are difficult to assess due to the initial misdiagnosis. As a result, the true consequences of these head injuries may go unnoticed at the time of injury and for many years thereafter. The purpose of this review is to investigate these consequences of TBI and their potential link to neurodegenerative disease (ND). This review will summarize the current epidemiological findings, the pathological similarities, and new neuroimaging techniques that may help delineate the relationship between TBI and ND. Lastly, this review will discuss future directions and propose new methods to overcome the limitations that are currently impeding research progress. It is imperative that improved techniques are developed to adequately and retrospectively assess TBI history in patients that may have been previously undiagnosed in order to increase the validity and reliability across future epidemiological studies. The authors introduce a new surveillance tool ((Retrospective Screening of Traumatic Brain Injury Questionnaire, RESTBI) to address this concern.
Preface to the special issue on seismic array analysis and CEArray

A seismic array is a set of seismographs being arranged in a regular geometric pattern to improve signalto-noise ratio (SNR). Seismic arrays at various length scales have been introduced since early 1960s and have been proved to be superior to single three-component stations for detecting and characterizing signals from earthquakes and explosions. The better detection capability of arrays is achieved with a so-called “beamforming” technique, which suppress noises while preserving signals, thus enhancing SNR. The “beamforming” technique also estimates the wave vector, i.e., backazimuth and apparent velocity of an incoming signal, which is crucial in identifying the signal, e.g., whether it is a P, S, local, regional or teleseismic wave. The Norwegian Seismic Array (NORSAR) was built in 1968, and was one of the earliest short-period seismograph arrays in the world. Doornbos and Husebye (1972) used it to measure apparent velocities of PKP precursors and found that scattering in the lowermost mantle is likely the cause of the enigmatic precursors. A key requirement for array data processing is the high signal coherency across the array. Based on this, a local or regional seismic network can be considered as a seismic array, as long as the recorded signals are highly coherent across the network, which is usually true in most cases. Benz and Vidale (1993) used approximately 700 short-period vertical-component seismic stations operated in California by the US Geological Survey and the California Institute of Technology as a largeaperture array and studied the underside reflections from the 410-km and 660-km seismic discontinuities of high frequency P waves. They found a very sharp 410-km which puts very strong constraints on the composition of the upper mantle and on the details of the
The fourth workshop on nonlinear processes in space plasmas: epilogue and telesis

On the last day of the workshop, a panel discussion was held to assess the work of the meeting, and consider the present status of this field. The panel consisted of C. Cattell, V. Hansteen, G. Morales, F. Skiff, H. Pecseli, P.-L. Sulem, and the author. This was a chance for the panel and the entire group of participants to look beyond the important details of various mathematical approximations, frequency responses of spacecraft wave instruments, etc. This session was also a chance to make a list of those results in which we have the most confidence, and to “apply our intellectual perception to such objects as are apt to call it forth, and attract it to its own proper good and advantage” (Plutarch, 110). Two questions were put to the panel and the audience. In the first, participants were asked to identify those presentations which they had found most interesting. The second question was more provocative1, and asked in what direction the field of space plasma physics should move in the next five to ten years.
Once Daily, Extended Release Ciprofloxacin for Complicated Urinary Tract Infections and Acute Uncomplicated Pyelonephritis

ABSTRACTPurpose: We assessed the efficacy and safety of 1,000 mg extended release ciprofloxacin orally once daily vs conventional 500 mg ciprofloxacin orally twice daily, each for 7 to 14 days, in patients with a complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) or acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis (AUP).Materials and Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, North American multicenter clinical trial adults were stratified based on clinical presentation of cUTI or AUP and randomized to extended release ciprofloxacin or ciprofloxacin twice daily. Efficacy valid patients had positive pretherapy urine cultures (105 or greater cFU/ml) and pyuria within 48 hours of study entry. Bacteriological and clinical outcomes were assessed at the test of cure visit (5 to 11 days after therapy) and the late followup visit (28 to 42 days after therapy).Results: The intent to treat population comprised 1,035 patients (extended release ciprofloxacin in 517 and twice daily in 518), of whom 435 were efficacy valid (cUT...
Polarization-maintaining fiber based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography in spectral domain

We demonstrate a polarization-sensitive spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system based on polarization-maintaining fiber technology. Using a single-line-scan camera, the system produces reflectivity and retardance information along a depth profile with a single measurement. The relative axis orientation is available as well. System design and characterization and images of a biological tissue are presented.
CP as a general-purpose constraint-language

In this paper we present the notion of concurrent, controllable constraint systems. We argue that purely declarative search formalisms, whether they are based on dependency-directed backtracking (as in Steele [Steele, 1980] or Bruynooghe [Bruynooghe and Pereira, 1985]) or bottom-up breadth-first (albeit incremental) definite clause theorem provers (as in deK1eer's ATMS approach [deKleer, 1986]) or built-in general purpose heuristics (as in Laurier's work [Lauriere, 1978] ) are unlikely to be efficient enough to serve as the basis of a general purpose programming formalism which supports the notion of constraint-based computation. To that end we propose the programming language CP[↓, |, &], based on the concurrent interpretation of definite clauses, which allows the user to express domain-specific heuristics and control the forward search process based on eager propogation of constraints and early detection of determinacy and contradiction. This control follows naturally from the alternate metaphor of viewing constraints as processes that communicate by exchanging messages. The language, in addition, allows for the dynamic generation and hierarchical specification of constraints, for concurrent exploration of alternate solutions, for pruning and merging sub-spaces and for expressing preferences over which portions of the search space to explore next.
The Efficient Use of an Imperfect Forecast

This paper illustrates how individual forecasts and forecasting techniques may be evaluated by the use of established decision theory. Given the probability distribution of the forecast error, we first find the optimal strategy for a decision process, i.e., how to make the most efficient use of a forecast. After expressing the expected profit of the optimal strategies in terms of the probability of a correct forecast, we illustrate how to find 1 the value of an imperfect forecast, and 2 the value of a forecasting technique. With this information, we can then determine when to use a forecast, the maximum amount to pay for both a forecast and a forecasting method, and the conditions under which it is worthwhile to attempt to improve the accuracy of a forecasting method.
Student, teacher, ghost

A conversation in which student, teacher, and alter ego debate the issue of teacher as performer.
Autotuning a Random Walk Boolean Satisfiability Solver

Abstract In this paper we present a performance optimization case study for a kernel with dynamic data structures, few instructions on boolean variables per node, and data-dependent control flow. This kernel serves as model for wide class of important algorithms operating on dynamic data structures. Our example is a simple random walk search algorithm to solve boolean satisfiability (SAT) and our goal is to gain better understanding on how such a kernel must be optimized, not to build a better SAT solver. We start from a very compact, reasonable C++ implementation using the STL vector class, and arrive at a fully optimized, parallelized, vectorized C implementation in which we use algorithm-level optimization, data structure and layout optimization, and program generation and autotuning. We evaluate our example on a 2.66 GHz quad-core Core2 Extreme in 32-bit mode and a 3 GHz dual-core Xeon 5160 in 64-bit mode. On the Core2 Extreme quad-core processor for L1 resident synthetic benchmarks, the final version achieves up to 47% of machine peak (240 useful logical operations per cycle) and the realistic benchmarks 60–230 operations/cycle. The baseline C++ STL implementation requires between 7 and 50 cycles per useful logical operation for the synthetic benchmark; this translates into about 1,700–12,000x performance gain.
Multiclass Detector of Current Steganographic Methods for JPEG Format

The aim of this paper is to construct a practical forensic steganalysis tool for JPEG images that can properly analyze single- and double-compressed stego images and classify them to selected current steganographic methods. Although some of the individual modules of the steganalyzer were previously published by the authors, they were never tested as a complete system. The fusion of the modules brings its own challenges and problems whose analysis and solution is one of the goals of this paper. By determining the stego-algorithm, this tool provides the first step needed for extracting the secret message. Given a JPEG image, the detector assigns it to six popular steganographic algorithms. The detection is based on feature extraction and supervised training of two banks of multiclassifiers realized using support vector machines. For accurate classification of single-compressed images, a separate multiclassifier is trained for each JPEG quality factor from a certain range. Another bank of multiclassifiers is trained for double-compressed images for the same range of primary quality factors. The image under investigation is first analyzed using a preclassifier that detects selected cases of double compression and estimates the primary quantization table. It then sends the image to the appropriate single- or double-compression multiclassifier. The error is estimated from more than 2.6 million images. The steganalyzer is also tested on two previously unseen methods to examine its ability to generalize.
Increased Preoperative White Blood Cell Count Predicts Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Objective To better understand the relationship between humoral and cellular markers of inflammation and postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). Design A prospective and descriptive study. Setting Academic institution. Participants Sixty adult patients ≥60 years of age presenting for elective coronary artery bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results With institutional review board approval, serial measurements for high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) were performed before the induction of anesthesia, on arrival in the intensive care unit, and on the mornings of postoperative days 1 and 2. Continuous telemetry and daily 12-lead electrocardiographs were used to confirm new-onset AF. AF occurred in 17 of 60 (28%; 95% confidence interval, 17%-41%) patients. A history of preoperative myocardial infarction was more frequent among patients who developed AF (p = 0.049). Patients with or without AF did not differ in CRP values at any of the 4 study time points (p = 0.61 to p = 0.81). Preoperative WBC values were higher for patients who developed AF, and, according to stepwise logistic regression, it was the sole independent predictor of postoperative AF (odds ratio = 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-29.0; p = 0.01). A 2-fold higher preoperative WBC was associated with a nearly 7-fold higher risk of developing AF, and WBC >7 × 109/L was associated with a nearly 4-fold higher risk of AF (odds ratio = 3.8, p = 0.03). Conclusion In this cohort of patients undergoing CABG surgery, preoperative leukocytosis was a significant predictor of AF independent of CRP.
Mechanisms of attenuation of acoustic waves in antarctic ice

To guide in the design of an array of acoustic detectors of ultrahigh-energy neutrino interactions leading to electromagnetic cascades in the antarctic ice, estimates of acoustic wave attenuation in the frequency regime 1 to 100 kHz are made. The mechanisms are scattering and reflection at grain boundaries and energy loss due to internal friction. For South Pole ice at −55°C, internal friction is mainly due to proton reorientation and is small enough to permit acoustic waves at all frequencies of interest to propagate through more than 102 m. At frequencies above ∼ 20 kHz the attenuation is mainly due to Rayleigh scattering at grain boundaries. For a mean crystal radius of 0.1 cm at 1 km depth, estimated from available data, it is concluded that, even for a random distribution of c-axes, acoustic waves throughout the frequency regime of interest will lose less than ∼ 1 dB per 100 m at −55°C. Dispersion of arrival time and energy of the acoustic wavefront due to attenuation will not degrade the ability to measure the direction and energy of the cascade.
Difference approximations to partial derivatives for uneven spacings in the network

Difference expressions are developed which do not require even spacings in the network. These difference expressions are obtained by three different methods. The methods are Taylor's series expansion, operator calculus, and stencil mathematics. These difference expressions can then be applied in either the relaxation or iteration process. The errors involved in replacing the derivatives with these difference expressions are investigated. Most of these difference expressions are developed for use with the Laplace equation or the related equation, hxx + jhyy = 0.
Frequency-Dependent Characteristics of Microstrip Discontinuities in Millimeter-Wave Integrated Circuits

A theoretical approach for the representation of microstrip discontinuities by equivalent circuits with frequency-dependent parameters is presented. The model accounts accurately for the substrate presence and associated surface-wave effects, strip finite thickness, and radiation losses. The method can also be applied for the solution of microstrip components in the millimeter frequency range.