cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silicon millimeter-wave radios for 60 GHz and beyond

This paper provides an overview of a 60 GHz transceiver chipset implemented in 0.12 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology, prototype 60 GHz antennas and packages developed for that chipset, and a 60 GHz phased-array receiver front-end. The transceiver chipset achieves 6 dB noise figure in the receiver and 10 dBm output compression point in the transmitter. Folded-dipole and patch antenna arrays developed for the 60 GHz chipset show >90% efficiencies and broad bandwidths. These antennas were attached to the SiGe RF chips, and the packaged chipset has been used to transmit an uncompressed high-definition video stream at 2 Gb/s, with even higher data rates possible. Finally, a 60 GHz RF-combined phased-array receiver front-end is discussed which uses a hybrid parallel/series phase-shifting architecture and which achieves full spatial coverage with reduced phase-shifter requirements.
Influence of Extracellular Matrix Macromolecules on Normal Human Keratinocyte Phenotype and Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein Secretion and Expressionin Vitro

Abstract Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is produced by a wide range of neoplastic and normal cells, including keratinocytes where it may be involved in the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation. There is evidence that the nature of the extracellular matrix (ECM) influences gene expression and cell phenotype. The objective of this study was to investigate the phenotype of normal human keratinocytes grown on different types of ECM (basement membrane components or collagen type I), as well as the expression and secretion of PTHrP. Normal keratinocytes grown on basement membrane extract (Matrigel) actively reorganized the matrix and formed networks of cells with traction of the matrix. This was associated with linear arrays of intracellular microtubules and formation of prominent actin stress fibers and was suppressed by treatment with colchicine or cytochalasin B, confirming the role of the cytoskeleton in this process. In addition, growth on Matrigel was associated with increased PTHrP nuclear translocation, secretion, and mRNA expression compared to growth on collagen where keratinocytes exhibited decreased proliferation and increased differentiation. PTHrP, as a paracrine keratinocyte factor, did not appear to mediate the morphologic changes, since they were not altered by treatment with neutralizing anti-PTHrP antibodies. It was concluded that different types of ECM influenced the morphologic, functional, and proliferative characteristics of keratinocytes, as well as the level of PTHrP expression and secretionin vitro.
Homologous transformation of the lignin-degrading basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium

A clone containing the Phanerochaete chrysosporium ade1 gene was isolated from a λEMBL3 genomic library using the ade5 gene encoding aminoimidazole ribonucleotide synthetase, from Schizophyllum commune, as a probe. A 6.0 kb fragment incorporating the ade1 gene was subcloned into pUC18 (pADE1) and used to transform the P. chrysosporium ade1 auxotrophic strain. Transformation frequencies were similar to those obtained previously with the S. commune ade5 gene; however, homologous transformants arose earlier than heterologous transformants. The transformants were mitotically and meiotically stable and Southern blot analysis indicated that the plasmid, pADE1, integrated ectopically in single or multiple copies. The pADE1 insert was mapped for restriction sites and the approximate location of the ade1 gene within the insert was determined.
Operator spectral states

Abstract In chemical physics, especially quantum mechanics, one encounters a myriad of phenomenological models based upon formal operator manipulations and calculations leading to spectral conclusions. Yet often the exact nature of such spectral results is unclear mathematically. On the other side, mathematical clarification can lead to greater physical insight. Two important illustrations of this symbiotic relationship are von Neumann's placing of the quantum mechanics of Schrodinger, Heisenberg, and others, into a Hilbert space framework, and Schwartz's rendering of the Dirac ket and delta notation into the theory of distributions, some thirty years later. With chemical physics now actively treating time-symmetry breakings into nonunitary evolutions, complex resonances, computations concerning the spectrum as caused by underlying chaotic dynamical systems, it seems useful to gather together here elements of operator spectral theory to provide a mathematical framework into which such spectral results can be placed or from which they may be viewed. A particularly useful, clarifying, but little-known device, is that of operator state diagram, which I will develop rather fully in this paper. All operator dualities and hence much of operator theory may be systematically portrayed by these diagrams. From these diagrams, I then discuss operator spectral states, scattering states available from the essential spectrum of an operator, spectral states of shift operators, and rigged Hilbert space spectral states. Only a few examples can be given here, for the rigorous working out of the state diagrams of a given new class of operators requires some care. Nonetheless, I hope that I will have provided some helpful clarifications of the instances given. Once the approach is seen, it is clear what needs to be done for other applications. Finally, I turn to what I shall call regular spectral states and probabilistic spectral states. These are new notions. Briefly, my view is that nature prefers regular spectral states, whereas we (humankind) prefer more specific spectral states. To reinforce this ansatz, I connect it to all other sections of this paper. A rule of probabilistically preferred spectral states is seen as an instance of the more general regularization principle which is an extensive irreversibility law. I include in each section a principle. This is meant to help the beginner come away with useful general notions, and it also permits one to express personal viewpoints.
On the size of binary decision diagrams representing Boolean functions

We consider the size of the representation of Boolean functions by several classes of binary decision diagrams (BDDs) (also called branching programs), namely the classes of arbitrary BDDs of real time BDD (RBDD) (i.e. BDDs where each computation path is limited to the number of variables), of free BDDs (FBDDs) (also called read-once-only branching programs), of ordered BDDs (OBDDS) i.e. FBDDs where variables are tested in the same order along all paths), and binary decision trees (BDTs). Using well-known techniques, we first establish asymptotically sharp bounds as a function of n on the minimum size of arbitrary BDDs representing almost all Boolean functions of n variables and provide asymptotic lower and upper bounds, differing only by a factor of two, on the minimum size OBDDs representing almost all Boolean functions of n variables. We then, using a method to obtain exponential lower bounds on complexity of computation of Boolean functions by RBDD, FBDD and OBDD that originated in (Breitbart, 1968), present the highest such bounds to date and also present improved bounds on the relative economy of description of particular Boolean functions by the above classes of BDDs. For each nontrivial pair of BDD classes considered, we exhibit infinite families of Boolean functions representable much more concisely by BDDs in one class than by BDDs in the other.
Prenatal Factors Influencing Survival of Infants Born at 24-26 weeks Gestation † 1105

In the past decade there have been more infants of extremely low gestational age (ELGA) treated in NICUs and a significant increase in their survival. In general, neonatal survival reports are analyzed and compared based on neonatal factors, like birth weight, and scores of disease severity. The impact of prenatal risk factors in mortality for infants born at this ELGA has not been reported. To identify prenatal factors that could affect their survival, we reviewed the data of all inborn infants delivered in the last five years (1992-96) whose G.A. was 24-26 weeks defined by best obstetrical estimate. Prenatal factors analyzed included, among others, maternal age, race, parity, prenatal care, antenatal steroids, fetal sex and drug abuse. The main outcome variable was infant mortality before discharge. The data was analyzed by multiple regression analysis and odds-risk ratios were calculated. There were a total of 130 live born infants from 129 mothers; survival rate to discharge was 73%. Among the mothers, 6% were ≤19 and 71% were 20-35 years of age, 51% were Black (B), 30% Caucasian (C), 16% Hispanic (H), 21% were nulliparous (P-O), 97% received prenatal care, and 65% received antenatal steroids. Gestational age was 24 wks in 31%, 25 wks in 25% and 26 wks in 44%; 62% were males and 5% were exposed to street drugs. The mortality rates for some of the individual prenatal factors is shown in the table below. In this population of mothers with adequate prenatal care delivering ELGA infants, maternal race, hypertension, duration of ROM, and fetal sex did not independently increase risk of mortality. Nulliparity and lack of antenatal steroids showed an independent tendency to decreased survival, but without statistical significance. Maternal age ≤19 and 24 wks GA were the best independent prenatal predictors of mortality. When both occur together, the risk for mortality increases between 2.5 and >10 fold when compared to other GA and maternal ages. We conclude that at this lowest extreme of viability, infant survival is markedly different according to prenatal risk factors. This needs to be incorporated in any clinical trial or outcomes research comparison.
Alkene Dissociation from a d0 Yttrocene−Alkyl−Alkene Complex Generates a Pyramidal Alkyl Yttrium Complex That Inverts Slowly

The d0 yttrium(III)−alkyl−alkene chelate Cp*2Y[η1:η2-CH2CH2CH(CH3)CHCH2] (5) was prepared by reaction of 3-methyl-1,4-pentadiene with (Cp*2YH)2. Variable-temperature 13C NMR spectroscopy of 5 showe...
Bismuth-induced deep levels and carrier compensation in CdTe

First-principles calculations show that Bi on Cd site in CdTe can be either a donor ${\text{Bi}}_{\text{Cd}}^{+}$ or an acceptor ${\text{Bi}}_{\text{Cd}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, depending on the Fermi level. The ${\text{Bi}}_{\text{Cd}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ can bind a substitutional O $({\text{O}}_{\text{Te}})$ with large binding energy of 1.40 eV. The calculated $(0/\ensuremath{-})$ transition level for ${\text{Bi}}_{\text{Cd}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\text{-O}}_{\text{Te}}$ complex is in good agreement with experimentally observed deep hole trapping level. Bi can also substitute Te to form an acceptor. The amphoteric nature of Bi in CdTe results in the pinning of the Fermi level and the high resistivity. The transition of the CdTe samples from semi-insulating to $p$ type at high Bi doping levels is explained by the formation of secondary phase that contains Bi and Te.
Some Relationships between Selected Creativity and Critical Thinking Measures

Scores from selected creative thinking tests (Object Synthesis Test. Alternate Uses Test, Apparatus Test: Drastic and Minor, and Symbol Production Test) and the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (W-G) (subtests: Inference, Recognition of Assumptions, Deduction, Interpretation, Evaluation of Arguments; and total test score) were obtained from each of 100 college undergraduate Ss enrolled in a public speaking course at Butler University. The scores for the 11 subtests and total tests were intercorrelated Low, but significant, correlations were observed between scores on the Alternate Uses Test and (a) W-G total test, (b) W-G Recognition of Assumptions, and (c) W-G Interpretation. These and other significant correlations obtained indicate a relationship between critical thicking measures and creativity measures identified with adaptive flexibility.
Functional Difficulties and Health Conditions Among Children With Special Health Needs

OBJECTIVES: To describe the functional difficulties of children with special health needs and to demonstrate the shared and unique contributions in predicting health outcomes and informing therapeutic interventions, policies, and research by using data from the 2005–2006 National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs. RESULTS: Children with special health care needs experience an array of health conditions and functional difficulties that are interrelated. Although health conditions tend not to change, the characteristics of functional difficulties are subject to changes over time with age or as a result of interventions. Descriptive data highlight common functional difficulties across health conditions. Multiple regression analyses support both health conditions and functional difficulties predicting (1) health services, such as emergency department visits, (2) personal limitations such as impairment of daily activities and school absences, and (3) family impact, stopping or reducing work. Functional difficulties were, however, the stronger predictor for all outcomes except school absences. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the utility of expanding measures of children with special health care needs to include functional difficulties in survey research, as well as clinical and public health practice. Systematic inclusion of functional difficulties will inform policy development, program planning, outcome assessment, and resource allocation for this vulnerable population. A focus on functional difficulties facilitates stronger coordination of services across sectors including physical health, mental health, education, and other social services to improve the health and well-being for these children and youth. * Abbreviations: ADHD — : attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder CSHCN — : children with special health care needs NS-CSHCN — : National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs WHO — : World Health Organization
A dual‐band branch line coupler based on Pi‐shaped coupled lines

This article presents a coupler using Pi-shaped coupled lines for dual-band operations. In this design, two open circuited stubs are tapped at both ends of a coupled line structure to realize the 90° phase changes at two frequencies. The designed structure is used in place of a conventional quarter wavelength transmission line for dual-band application. For verification, a 3-dB branch line coupler with operating frequencies of 0.95 and 1.52 GHz is designed. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement with each other. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:501–504, 2015
Distribution of Phoma sclerotioides on alfalfa and winter wheat crops in the north central United States

Brown root rot of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), caused by Phoma sclerotioides, has been reported in several states in the northern United States and in western Canada. A survey was conducted to determine the distribution of the fungus in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Isolates of the pathogen were recovered from roots of alfalfa, winter wheat, and perennial ryegrass plants. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1, 5.8S, and ITS2 of the rDNA of the isolates from alfalfa and wheat were identical and matched the sequences of a P. sclerotioides isolate from Wyoming. The fungus was found to be widespread in both states and was detected in roots of alfalfa plants from 17 counties in Minnesota and 14 counties in Wisconsin using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays. A real-time PCR assay was developed that increased sensitivity of detecting the pathogen from plant tissues and soil. The isolates from alfalfa caused disease on inoculated winter wheat plants. Although the fungus was previously found associated with roots of diseased cereal and turfgrass plants, this is the first demonstration of pathogenicity of P. sclerotioides on wheat.
Bit-Depth Scalable Video Coding Based on H.264/AVC

A bit-depth scalability is proposed in an adaptive way based on modified inter-layer predictions of the spatial scalability. A simple prediction for high dynamic range (HDR) sequences is implemented to reduce the redundancy of the residual signals between the base layer which contains low dynamic range (LDR) sequences and the enhancement layer which contains HDR sequences by using scaling and offset values.
A Definition of Existence in Terms of Abstraction and Disjunction

Greater economy can be effected in the primitive rules for the system K of basic logic by defining the existence operator ‘ E ’ in terms of two-place abstraction and the disjunction operator ‘ V ’. This amounts to defining ‘ E ’ in terms of ‘e’, ‘έ’, ‘ o , ‘ό’, ‘ W ’ and ‘ V ’, since the first five of these six operators are used for defining two-place abstraction. We assume that the class Y of atomic U -expressions has only a single member ‘σ’. Similar methods can be used if Y had some other finite number of members, or even an infinite number of members provided that they are ordered into a sequence by a recursive relation represented in K . In order to define ‘ E ’ we begin by defining an operator ‘ D ’ such that Here ‘ a ’ may be thought of as an existence operator that provides existence quantification over some finite class of entities denoted by a class A of U-expressions. In other words, suppose that ‘ a ’ is such that ‘ ab ’ is in K if and only if, for some ‘ e ’ in A , ‘ be ’ is in K . Then ‘ Dab ’ is in K if and only if, for some ‘ e and ‘ f ’ in A , ‘ be ’ or ‘ b(ef) ’ is in K ; and ‘ a ’, ‘ Da ’, ‘ D(Da) ’, and so on, can be regarded as existence operators that provide for existence quantification over successively wider and wider finite classes. In particular, if ‘ a ’ is ‘eσ’, then A would be the class Y having ‘σ’ as its only member, and we can define the unrestricted existence operator ‘ E ’ in such a way that ‘ Eb ’ is in K if and only if some one of ‘eσ b ’, ‘ D (eσ) b ’, ‘ D(D(eσ)) b ’, and so on, is in K .
Development of a Universal Probe for Electronic Microarray and Its Application in Characterization of the Staphylococcus aureus polC Gene

Electronic microarray technology is an exceptionally accurate and effective technique for detecting and defining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA sequences. Target oligonucleotides are electronically addressed to a gel matrix containing streptavidin to which biotinylated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons are bound. Typically, a fluorescent-labeled reporter oligonucleotide specific for each locus of interest is hybridized and reported. We detail the development of a universal reporter system to replace the standard method that is used to detect many different sequences accurately. The universal reporter eliminates the need to synthesize specific labeled reporters for each SNP sequence thereby dramatically reducing the cost and time required for assay development. The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated by successfully analyzing eight SNPs distributed within a highly variable 1-kb region of the polC gene from six isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.
Gender-specific differences in a patient population with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Abstract Background: Sleep-related breathing disorders are increasingly recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Women with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSA) are less likely to be assessed or to receive a diagnosis, and they may have poorer survival rates. Objective: This study assessed gender-specific differences in patients with OSA. Methods: Data were collected with a prospective, point-of-care, anonymous 25-question survey about basic medical information and therapies for patients undergoing polysomnography at the sleep center of a US tertiary care center from January 1 through March 31, 2005. Results: Of the 646 consecutive patients who received the survey, 522 (80.8%) patients completed it, and 406 subsequently received a diagnosis of OSA. Of those 406 patients, 267 (65.8%) were men. Overall mean age was 57 years (56.4 years for men; 56.7 years for women). Alcohol use was more common in men (132 [49.4%]) than in women (43 [30.90,6]) ( P P = 0.047), fibromyalgia ( P P P = 0.01), and irritable bowel syndrome ( P = 0.01). The 4 most frequently reported sleep-related symptoms in both sexes were snoring (279 [68.7%]), lack of energy (235 [57.9%]), difficulty staying asleep (206 [50.7%]), and daytime sleepiness (204 [50.2%]). Lack of energy ( P = 0.01), difficulty falling asleep ( P = 0.02), and night sweats ( P = 0.01) were observed more frequently in women than in men. There was no significant gender difference in the recalled duration of sleep-related symptoms. The mean (SD) apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 26.6 (26.6) for men and 22.1 (26.5) for women ( P = 0.02). Conventional medications (including prescription and over-the-counter medications) for sleep-related problems were used more by women (35 [25.2%]) than by men (29 [10.9%]) ( P Conclusions: The majority of patients who received a diagnosis of OSA were men (male-female ratio, 2:1), and the mean AHI was higher in men than in women. However, women presented with more nonspecific symptoms than did men, although there was no significant gender-specific difference in the recalled duration of symptoms. In addition, women reported more comorbidities and used significantly more conventional medications for sleep-related problems.
Internationalizing the Curriculum: Improving Learning Through International Education: Preparing Students for Success in a Global Society

In the expanded and updated version of The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century (Friedman, 2006), Thomas Friedman cogently describes the promise and peril of an economic and g...
Mixed-valence MnIIIMnIV clusters [Mn7O8(O2SePh)8(O2CMe)(H2O)] and [Mn7O8(O2SePh)9(H2O)]: single-chain magnets exhibiting quantum tunneling of magnetization.

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of two new Mn 7 complexes containing phenylseleninate ligands are reported. [Mn 7 O 8 (O 2 SePh) 8 (O 2 CMe)(H 2 O)] (1) and [Mn 7 O 8 (O 2 SePh) 9 (H 2 O)] (2) were both prepared by the reaction of 18 equiv of benzeneseleninic acid (PhSeO 2 H) with [Mn 1 2 O 1 2 (02CMe) 1 6 (H 2 O) 4 ] in MeCN. Complex 1-6MeCN crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, and complex 2.2CH 2 Cl 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2 1 /m. Both compounds possess an unprecedented [Mn 7 O 8 ] 9 + core comprising a central [Mn I I I 3 (μ 3 -O) 4 ]+ unit attached to [Mn I V 2 (μ-O) 2 ] 4 + and [Mn I V 2 (μ-O)(μ 3 -O)] 4 + units on either side. In each cluster, the PhSeO 2 - groups function as bridging ligands between adjacent Mn centers. The structure reveals strong Se...O intermolecular contacts between Mn 7 units to give a one-dimensional chain structure, with weak interchain interactions. Solid-state DC magnetic susceptibility measurements of complexes 1 and 2 reveal that they have very similar properties, and detailed studies on 1 by AC susceptibility measurements confirm an S = 2 ground-state spin value. In addition, out-of-phase AC signals are observed, suggesting slow magnetization relaxation. Magnetization versus DC field sweeps down to 0.04 K reveals hysteresis loops, but the temperature dependence of the coercivity is not what is expected of a single-molecule magnet. Instead, the behavior is due to single-chain magnetism, albeit with weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the chains, with the barrier to relaxation arising from a combination of molecular anisotropy and ferromagnetic intermolecular exchange interactions mediated by the Se...O contacts. An Arrhenius plot was constructed from the magnetization versus time decay data. The thermally activated region at >0.5 K gave an effective relaxation barrier (U e f f ) of 14.2 K. Below ∼0.1 K, the relaxation is independent of temperature, which is characteristic of magnetization quantum tunneling through the anisotropy barrier. These Mn 7 compounds are thus the first single-chain magnets to comprise polynuclear metal clusters and also the first for which the temperature-independent relaxation characteristic of tunneling has been identified. The work also emphasizes that out-of-phase AC signals for ostensibly molecular compounds are not sufficient proof by themselves of a single-molecule magnet.
Rayleigh-Bénard convection in binary viscoelastic fluid

Abstract The onset of convection in a binary-viscoelastic Oldroyd-B fluid is investigated. The threshold for oscillatory convection is calculated. It is shown that the critical oscillation frequency may differ by several orders of magnitude on varying separation ratio and Deborah number. The results suggest that binary fluid aspects may not be discarded when studying thermal convection in polymeric solutions.
The VHL/HIF Axis in Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma

Inactivation of the VHL tumor suppressor protein (pVHL) is a common event in clear cell renal carcinoma, which is the most common form of kidney cancer. pVHL performs many functions, including serving as the substrate recognition module of an ubiquitin ligase complex that targets the alpha subunits of the heterodimeric HIF transcription factor for proteasomal degradation. Deregulation of HIF2α appears to be a driving force in pVHL-defective clear cell renal carcinomas. In contrast, genetic and functional studies suggest that HIF1α serves as a tumor suppressor and is a likely target of the 14q deletions that are characteristic of this tumor type. Drugs that inhibit HIF2α, or its downstream targets such as VEGF, are in various stages of clinical testing. Indeed, clear cell renal carcinomas are exquisitely sensitive to VEGF deprivation and four VEGF inhibitors have now been approved for the treatment of this disease.
On XFEM applications to dislocations and interfaces

Abstract A method for modelling dislocations in systems with arbitrary materials interfaces is described. The method is based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) where dislocations are modelled in the manner of the Volterra dislocation model. A method for calculating the Peach–Koehler force by J -integrals in this framework is studied. The method is compared to closed form solutions for interface problems and excellent accuracy is obtained. The convergence and accuracy of the method is studied in two problems where analytical solutions are available: an edge dislocation interacting with a free-surface and an edge dislocation interacting with a bimaterial interface. The applicability of the method to more complicated problems is illustrated by the modelling of slip misorientation of an edge dislocation with a glide plane intersecting a material interface and dislocations in a multi-material domain with non-parallel interfaces.
On the Dimension of Kakeya Sets and Related Maximal Inequalities

A Kakeya set in Rd is a compact set E ⊂ Rd containing a line segment in every direction, thus for all ξ ∈ Sd−1, there is a ∈ Rd so that a+ tξ ∈ E for t ∈ [0, 1] . (1.1) Such sets may be of zero measure. It seems reasonable to conjecture however that they are necessarily of full Hausdorff dimension, i.e. dimE = d . (1.2) This problem plays a major role in the theory of oscillatory integrals in harmonic analysis. It is also of relevance to questions related to the distribution of Dirichlet series (see [W2] for a survey). For d = 2, the conjecture is affirmative as shown by Davies in 1971 ([D]). Research for d ≥ 3 is more recent. For d = 3, the best result to date is dimE ≥ 2 (1.3) ([W1]). In the same paper [W1], it is shown that in dimension d, one always has dimE ≥ d2 + 1 . (1.4) (1.4) is a small improvement on the “trivial” bound dimE ≥ d+1 2 and the gap between (1.2) and (1.4) for large d is obviously substantial. Particularly in this setting, it is tempting to try to improve further on (1.4). We will prove here the following fact on the Hausdorff dimensionH-dim.
Euler solutions using flux-based wave decomposition

The Euler equations are solved for non-hydrostatic atmospheric flow problems in two dimensions using a high-resolution Godunov-type scheme. The Riemann problem is solved using a flux-based wave decomposition suggested by LeVeque. This paper describes in detail, the design and implementation of the Riemann solver used for computing the Godunov fluxes. The methodology is then validated against benchmark cases for non-hydrostatic atmospheric flows. Comparisons are made with solutions obtained from the National Center for Atmospheric Research's state-of-the-art numerical model. The method shows promise in simulating non-hydrostatic flows, which are characterized by steep gradients on the meso-, micro- and urban-scales. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating landscape imperviousness index from satellite imagery

This letter presents a practical method for landscape imperviousness estimation through the synergistic use of Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and high-resolution imagery. A 1-m resolution color-infrared digital orthophoto was used to calibrate a stepwise multivariate statistical model for continuous landscape imperviousness estimation from medium-resolution ETM+ data. A variety of predictive variables were initially considered, but only brightness and greenness images were retained because they were account for most of the imperviousness variation measured from the calibration data. The performance of this method was assessed, both visually and statistically. Operationally, this method is promising because it does not involve any more sophisticated algorithms, such as classification tree or neural networks, but offers comparable mapping accuracy. Further improvements are also discussed.
The Progesterone-Like Activity of Desoxycorticosterone.∗

SummaryDesoxycorticosterone resembles progesterone in that it produces progestational proliferation in the endometrium of immature rabbits and induction of the oestrous receptivity response in spayed guinea pigs. The above experiments indicate that desoxycorticosterone is from 1/6 to 1/10 as potent as progesterone.
A confocal microwave imaging algorithm for breast cancer detection

We present a computationally efficient and robust image reconstruction algorithm for breast cancer detection using an ultrawideband confocal microwave imaging system. To test the efficacy of this approach, we have developed a two-dimensional (2-D) anatomically realistic MRI-derived FDTD model of the cancerous breast. The image reconstruction algorithm is applied to FDTD-computed backscatter signals, resulting in a microwave image that clearly identifies the presence and location of the malignant lesion. These simulations demonstrate the feasibility of detecting and imaging small breast tumors using this novel approach.
Quantitative characterization and analysis of the dynamic NF-κB response in microglia.

Background: Activation of the NF-B transcription factor and its associated gene expression in microglia is a key component in the response to brain injury. Its activation is dynamic and is part of a network of biochemical species with multiple feedback regulatory mechanisms. Mathematical modeling, which has been instrumental for understanding the NF-B response in other cell types, offers a valuable tool to investigate the regulation of NF-B activation in microglia at a systems level. Results: We quantify the dynamic response of NF-B activation and activation of the upstream kinase IKK using ELISA measurements of a microglial cell line following treatment with the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFa. A new mathematical model is developed based on these data sets using a modular procedure that exploits the feedback structure of the network. We show that the new model requires previously unmodeled dynamics involved in the stimulus-induced degradation of the inhibitor IBa in order to properly describe microglial NF-B activation in a statistically consistent manner. This suggests a more prominent role for the ubiquitin-proteasome system in regulating the activation of NF-B to inflammatory stimuli. We also find that the introduction of nonlinearities in the kinetics of IKK activation and inactivation is essential for proper characterization of transient IKK activity and corresponds to known biological mechanisms. Numerical analyses of the model highlight key regulators of the microglial NF-B response, as well as those governing IKK activation. Results illustrate the dynamic regulatory mechanisms and the robust yet fragile nature of the negative feedback regulated network. Conclusions: We have developed a new mathematical model that incorporates previously unmodeled dynamics to characterize the dynamic response of the NF-B signaling network in microglia. This model is the first of its kind for microglia and provides a tool for the quantitative, systems level study the dynamic cellular response to inflammatory stimuli.
Clustering Web content for efficient replication

Recently, there has been an increasing deployment of content distribution networks (CDNs) that offer hosting services to Web content providers. We first compare uncooperative pulling of Web contents, used by commercial CDNs, with cooperative pushing. The latter can achieve user perceived performance comparable to the former scheme with only 4-5% of replication and update traffic. Therefore, we explore how to push content to CDN nodes efficiently. Using trace-driven simulation, we show that replicating content in units of URLs can yield 60-70% reduction in clients' latency, compared to replicating in units of Web sites. However, such a fine-grained replication is very expensive. We propose to replicate content in units of clusters, each containing objects which are likely to be requested by clients that are topologically close. We describe three clustering techniques, and use various topologies and several large Web server traces to evaluate their performance. Cluster-based replication achieves 40-60% improvement over per Web site based replication. By adjusting the number of clusters, we can smoothly trade off the management and computation cost for better client performance. We also explore incremental clusterings that adaptively add new documents to the existing content clusters. We examine both offline and online incremental clusterings. The offline clusterings yield close to the performance of the complete re-clustering at much lower overhead. The online incremental clustering and replication cut down the retrieval cost by 4.6-8 times compared to no replication and random replication, so it is especially useful for improving document availability during flash crowds.
Generating test cases for EFSM with given fault models

A test case generation method is proposed for the conformance testing of communication protocols. Given a protocol specification and a fault model, both specified by extended finite state machines (EFSMs), the proposed method generates test cases that detect the given faults. A theoretical model is proposed to describe the dynamic properties of EFSMs. Test cases can be generated by analyzing the differences in the dynamic properties between the specification and the fault models. >
Purification of a Cortical Complex Containing Two Unconventional Actins from Acanthamoeba by Affinity Chromatography on Profilin-Agarose

We identified four polypeptides of 47, 44, 40, and 35 kD that bind to profilin-Sepharose and elute with high salt. When purified by conventional chromatography using an antibody to the 47-kD polypeptide, these four polypeptides copurified as a stoichiometric complex together with three additional polypeptides of 19, 18, and 13 kD that varied in their proportions to the other polypeptides. Partial protein sequences showed that the 47-kD polypeptide is a homologue of S. pombe act2 and the 44-kD polypeptide is a homologue of S. cerevisiae ACT2, both unconventional actins. The 40-kD polypeptide contains a sequence similar to the WD40 motif of the G beta subunit of a trimeric G-protein from Dictyostelium discoideum. From partial sequences, the 35-, 19-, and 18-kD polypeptides appear to be novel proteins. On gel filtration the complex of purified polypeptides cochromatograph with a Stokes' radius of 4.8 nm, a value consistent with a globular particle of 220 kD containing one copy of each polypeptide. Cell extracts also contain components of the complex that do not bind the profilin column. Affinity purified antibodies localize 47- and 18/19-kD polypeptides in the cortex and filopodia of Acanthamoeba. Antibodies to the 47-kD unconventional actin cross-react on immunoblots with polypeptides of similar size in Dictyostelium, rabbit muscle, and conventional preparations of rabbit muscle actin but do not react with actin.
Nickel Vibrating Micromechanical Disk Resonator with Solid Dielectric Capacitive-Transducer Gap

A MEMS-based vibrating disk resonator fabricated in a low temperature nickel metal material and using a 30-nm nitride dielectric capacitive transducer has been demonstrated at frequencies approaching 60 MHz with Q's as high as 54,507, which is the highest to date for any micro-scale metal resonator in the VHF range. The frequency-Q product of 3.3times1012 achieved by this device is three orders of magnitude higher than the 1.1times109 of previous nickel micromechanical resonators. The degree of isolation afforded by its supports strongly governs the achievable Q's of this device, which vary from 490 when a 2 mum-radius supporting stem is used, to 54,507 when no stem is used, clearly indicating an anchor dominated loss mechanism, but more importantly indicating that nickel's intrinsic material Q is quite high at VHF. Furthermore, because its highest process temperature is 380degC, and there are paths to an even lower temperature ceiling (e.g., 100degC), the fabrication process for nickel disks is amenable to post-processing over finished foundry CMOS wafers, even those using advanced low-k dielectrics around copper metallization. Nickel material thus presents an intriguing path towards a complete communication transceiver (including all high Q passives) on a chip
Generalization of an operant response to photographs and drawings/silhouettes of a three-dimensional object at various orientations

Generalization gradients were obtained to the S+ object at 0-, 45-, 90-, 135-, and 180-deg orientations and to mounted photographs and drawings/silhouettes of the S+ object at these orientations following discrimination training between this object at 45 deg (S+) and other three-dimensional objects at various orientations. Although the “photo”; gradient was virtually identical to the “object” gradient, the pigeon did subsequently learn to discriminate between the real S+ object and a mounted photo of the object at 45 deg; this discrimination generalized to photos of other orientations as well. Although the shape of the “drawings/silhouettes” gradient was similar to the “object”gradient, the overall level of responding was considerably less. The basis for these differen ces in response level is discussed in terms of the cues to spatiality that are preserved in the mounted photos and drawings/silhouettes of the object at the various orientations.
Both Process and Outcome Are Essential to Planning

The research addresses practitioners’ perspective on the theoretical debate over process versus outcome. Analysis of 119 structured interviews of exemplary planners on their roles, goals, constraints, and strategies finds support for both sides. Planners are process-oriented facilitators who use communication and networking strategies. Ninety-five percent are outcome oriented, either toward their own goals, such as equity, or their agencies’, such as affordable housing. They plan in institutionally constrained practice settings of unequal power. They tailor strategies to constraints of politics, bureaucracy, or limited resources. Thus, planners reconcile the debate, using processes to achieve valued outcomes.
Spontaneous and precipitated withdrawal with a synthetic cannabinoid, WIN 55212-2

Physical dependence on the synthetic cannabinoid-receptor agonist R(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(morpholinyl)methyl]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazinyl]-(1-naphthalenyl) methanone mesylate (WIN 55212-2) was demonstrated in rats by the use of a chronic continuous infusion. Spontaneous withdrawal, of moderate intensity, was shown for the first time with this class of drugs of abuse. Behavioral withdrawal signs were also elicited after challenge with (N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide.HCl (SR141716A), a specific CB(1) cannabinoid-receptor antagonist. In both instances, the high-dose regimen (4, 8, 16 and 16 mg/kg/day, i.p. on days 1-4, respectively) was sufficient to evoke a typical withdrawal syndrome quantified by the signs wet-dog shakes and facial rubs. These results are discussed relative to those obtained with Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and anandamide. With Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, precipitated but not spontaneous or abrupt withdrawal was observed, and this was ascribed to pharmacokinetic properties. Anandamide, which showed little, if any, physical dependence potential, behaved atypically. Possible implications regarding pharmacotherapeutic and human abuse issues are discussed.
Optical waveguides with low pulse dispersion over an extended spectral range

A class of index profiles is described which can be used to minimise pulse dispersion over an extended range of wavelengths or at several different wavelengths. These profiles are compatible with standard waveguide compositions.
The control system for the multiple-pellet injector on the Joint European Torus

A stand-alone control and data-acquisition system has been designed and installed along with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) multiple-pellet injector operating as part of the Joint European Torus (JET). This system, which is based on a MicroVAX II computer and a programmable logic controller (PLC), is an upgrade of previous systems designed for ORNL pellet injectors installed on other fusion experiments. The primary control-system upgrades are in the user interface, in the automation of sequential injector operation, and in the analysis of the transient data acquired for each pellet fired. The system is integrated into the JET CODAS environment through CAMAC communication modules with customized communications software. Routine operation of the injector is automated and requires no operator intervention. Details of the hardware and software design and of the operation of the system are presented. >
A Lookup-Table Driven Approach to Partitioned Scheduling

The partitioned preemptive EDF scheduling of implicit-deadline sporadic task systems on an identical multiprocessor platform is considered. Lookup tables, at any selected degree of accuracy, are pre-computed for the multiprocessor platform. By using these lookup tables, task partitioning can be performed in time polynomial in the representation of the task system being partitioned. Although the partitioning will not in general be optimal, the degree of deviation from optimality is bounded according to the degree of accuracy selected during the pre-computation of the lookup tables.
Modeling facet roughening errors in self-assembly by snake tile sets

Self-assembly by DNA tiles has been advocated as a possible technique for bottom-up manufacturing of scaffolds in the nanoscale region. However, self-assembly is severely affected by facet roughening errors. A particularly effective error tolerant method utilizes snake tile sets with a square block of even dimension (i.e. 2 k times 2 k) of tiles. Snake tile sets of odd dimension (i.e. (2 k - 1) x (2k - 1)) have also been proposed. To analyze error tolerant mechanism of snake tile sets, this paper presents an analytical Markov model for facet roughening errors. A generalized model is proposed and used to analyze snake tile sets for the realistic cases of k = 2 and 3. Closed form solutions are attained in the analysis. Simulation results are presented to confirm that snake tile sets of odd dimension are more tolerant to facet errors than other tile sets for self-assembly.
Steroid hydroxylations: A paradigm for cytochrome P450 catalyzed mammalian monooxygenation reactions ☆

Abstract The present article reviews the history of research on the hydroxylation of steroid hormones as catalyzed by enzymes present in mammalian tissues. The report describes how studies of steroid hormone synthesis have played a central role in the discovery of the monooxygenase functions of the cytochrome P450s. Studies of steroid hydroxylation reactions can be credited with showing that: (a) the adrenal mitochondrial enzyme catalyzing the 11β-hydroxylation of deoxycorticosterone was the first mammalian enzyme shown by O18 studies to be an oxygenase; (b) the adrenal microsomal enzyme catalyzing the 21-hydroxylation of steroids was the first mammalian enzyme to show experimentally the proposed 1:1:1 stoichiometry (substrate:oxygen:reduced pyridine nucleotide) of a monooxygenase reaction; (c) application of the photochemical action spectrum technique for reversal of carbon monoxide inhibition of the 21-hydroxylation of 17α-OH progesterone was the first demonstration that cytochrome P450 was an oxygenase; (d) spectrophotometric studies of the binding of 17α-OH progesterone to bovine adrenal microsomal P450 revealed the first step in the cyclic reaction scheme of P450, as it catalyzes the “activation” of oxygen in a monooxygenase reaction; (e) purified adrenodoxin was shown to function as an electron transport component of the adrenal mitochondrial monooxygenase system required for the activity of the 11β-hydroxylase reaction. Adrenodoxin was the first iron–sulfur protein isolated and purified from mammalian tissues and the first soluble protein identified as a reductase of a P450; (f) fractionation of adrenal mitochondrial P450 and incubation with adrenodoxin and a cytosolic (flavoprotein) fraction were the first demonstration of the reconstitution of a mammalian P450 monooxygenase reaction.
Reducing radiation exposure to patients from kV-CBCT imaging.

Abstract Background and purpose This study explores methods to reduce dose due to kV-CBCT imaging for patients undergoing radiation therapy. Material and methods Doses resulting from kV-CBCT scans were calculated using Monte Carlo techniques and were analyzed using dose–volume histograms. Patients were modeled as were CBCT acquisitions using both 360° and 200° gantry rotations. The effects of using the half fan bow-tie and the full fan bow-tie filters were examined. Results Doses for OBI 1.3 are 15 times (head), 5 times (thorax) and 2 times (Pelvis) larger than the current OBI 1.4. When using 200° scans, the doses to eyes and cord are 0.2 (or 0.65) cGy and 0.35 (or 0.2) cGy when rotating the X-ray source underneath (or above) the patient, respectively. The 360° Pelvis scan dose is 1–2 cGy. The rectum dose is 1.1 (or 2.8) cGy when rotating the source above (or below) the patient with the 200° Pelvis scan. The dose increases up to two times as the patient size decreases. Conclusions The dose can be minimized by reducing the scan length, the exposure settings, by selecting the gantry rotation angles, and by using the full fan bow-tie whenever possible.
Flash Boiling and Desorption From a Macroporous Carbon-Boron-Nitrogen Foam

This paper presents a tunable cooling technology befitting fast transient thermal events. In this approach, the rapid depressurization of the working fluid triggers coincident flash-boiling and desorption events, thereby achieving very high cooling rates for short periods of time. Carbon-boron-nitrogen foam, derived through the chemical modification of a highly graphitized carbon precursor, is utilized because of its excellent thermal conductivity, adsorptive properties and open macroporous structure. Preliminary results indicate a bulk fluid temperature change of 45 °C in less than one second, with a corresponding 26 °C temperature drop of the baseplate during a controlled ten-second flash boiling process with no external heating.Copyright © 2013 by ASME