cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prostate Cancer Incidence and Aggressiveness in Appalachia versus Non-Appalachia Populations in Pennsylvania by Urban-Rural Regions, 2004-2014.

Background: Few studies have examined prostate cancer incidence and aggressiveness in urban-rural Appalachian populations. We examined these rates in urban-rural Appalachia and non-Appalachia Pennsylvania (PA), and the association between these areas and more aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis. Methods: Men, ages ≥ 40 years with a primary prostate cancer diagnosis, were identified from the 2004–2014 Pennsylvania Cancer Registry. Age-adjusted incidence rates for prostate cancer and more aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis were calculated by urban-rural Appalachia status. Multivariable Poisson regressions were conducted. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the association between the geographic areas and more aggressive prostate cancer, after adjusting for confounders. Results: There were 94,274 cases, ages 40–105 years, included. Urban non-Appalachia had the highest 2004–2014 age-adjusted incidence rates of prostate cancer and more aggressive prostate cancer (293.56 and 96.39 per 100,000 men, respectively) and rural Appalachia had the lowest rates (256.48 and 80.18 per 100,000 men, respectively). Among the cases, urban Appalachia were more likely [OR = 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.17] and rural Appalachia were less likely (OR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.87–0.97) to have more aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis compared with urban non-Appalachia. Conclusions: Lower incidence rates and the proportion of aggressive disease in rural Appalachia may be due to lower prostate cancer screening rates. More aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis among the cases in urban Appalachia may be due to exposures that are prevalent in the region. Impact: Identifying geographic prostate cancer disparities will provide information to design programs aimed at reducing risk and closing the disparity gap.
Unusual Malignant Thoracic Cystic Lesion

Malignant cystic lesions in the spine are rare. In this report, we present a 65-year-old man who presented with imbalance on walking of 1-week duration with intact motor examination. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine showed large expansile, T2-hyperintense mass involving T8 vertebral body, replacing the posterior elements causing cord compression with associated edema. He underwent uneventful T8 corpectomy, placement of expandable interbody cage, and T5-T11 posterolateral fusion using bilateral transpedicular approach. However, he died 5 months later due to progression of moderately differentiated metastatic lung cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the near-complete replacement of vertebral body and posterior elements with a malignant cystic lesion.
Comprehensive validation of halcyon 2.0 plans and the implementation of patient specific QA with multiple detector platforms

Purpose To perform a comprehensive validation of plans generated on a preconfigured Halcyon 2.0 with preloaded beam model, including evaluations of new features and implementing the patient specific quality assurance (PSQA) process with multiple detectors. Methods A total of 56 plans were generated in Eclipse V15.6 (Varian Medical System) with a preconfigured Halcyon treatment machine. Ten plans were developed via the AAPM TG-119 test suite with both IMRT and VMAT techniques. 34 clinically treated plans using C-arm LINAC from 24 patients were replanned on Halcyon using IMRT or VMAT techniques for a variety of sites including: brain, head and neck, lung, breast, abdomen, and pelvis. Six of those plans were breast VMAT plans utilizing the extended treatment field technique available with Halcyon 2.0. The dynamically flattened beam (DFB), another new feature on Halcyon 2.0, was also used for an AP/PA spine and four field box pelvis, as well as ten 3D breast plans. All 56 plans were measured with an ion chamber (IC), film, portal dosimetry (PD), ArcCHECK, and Delta4. Tolerance and action limits were calculated and compared to the recommendations of TG-218. Results TG-119 IC and film confidence limits met those set by the task group, except for IMRT target point dose. Forty-four of 46 clinical plans were within 3% for IC measurements. Average gamma passing rates with 3% dose difference and 2mm distance-to-agreement for IMRT/VMAT plans were: Film - 96.8%, PD - 99.9%, ArcCHECK - 99.1%, and Delta4 - 99.2%. Calculated action limits were: Film - 86.3%, PD - 98.4%, ArcCHECK - 96.1%, and Delta4 - 95.7%. Extended treatment field technique was fully validated and 3D plans with DFB had similar results to IMRT/VMAT plans. Conclusion Halcyon plan deliveries were verified with multiple measurement devices. New features of Halcyon 2.0 were also validated. Traditional PSQA techniques and process specific tolerance and action limits were successfully implemented.
Memory of Play essay

As I was shivering profusely, my mother pulled my weak body out of the bathtub. She wrapped me up tight in a terrycloth towel and had her one arm wrapped around me and the other shaking as she bega...
Photonic microresonator based sensor for selective nitrate ion detection

Abstract Sensing nitrate concentrations in soil with high sensitivity and selectivity using field-deployable compact sensor platforms is a sought-after goal for environment and agriculture applications. This study demonstrates a new optically based nitrate sensing platform based on ion-selective membrane (ISM) functionalized chip-scale photonic micro-ring resonators. Our approach relies upon measurements of resonance shifts in the micro-resonators and leverages the excellent, though little studied, optical properties of ISMs. Using a high-quality micro-ring resonator, a nitrate ion-selective photonic sensor exhibits a detection limit down to 0.1 parts per million (ppm) and enables nitrate concentration measurements in the 1−100 ppm level, appropriate for soil science and agriculture. Importantly, the sensor also shows high selectivity over other competing anions in soil, such as Cl− and NO2−. We argue that this chip-scale approach can be incorporated into compact sensor platforms.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Carbon Fiber Oxidation

The oxidation at high Knudsen number of FiberForm R ©, the matrix material of NASA’s Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator, is investigated both experimentally and numerically. The experimental setup consists of a quartz tube through a clamshell heater. Mass loss and recession of carbon preform samples are measured at temperatures between 700 and 1300 K and pressures around 2000 Pa. A volume average fiber-scale oxidation model is used to model the setup and extract the effective reactivity of the material. New values for carbon fiber reactivity are suggested and discussed.
Emerging Blood Gas Monitors: How They Can Help With COVID-19

The world has been in combat with COVID-19 since December 2019. The United States has been paralyzed, with the highest number of cases and more deaths than any other country. However, the disease has devastated almost every nation across the globe, from the Far East to Europe, Latin America, Russia, and India.
Perceived Exertion Scale Validation

Both concurrent and construct validity are important psychometric properties for perceived exertion scales applied in the clinical and performance settings. A graded exercise test that employs a perceptual estimation protocol is the standard for determination of perceived exertion scale validity for both aerobic and resistance exercise. Both undifferentiated and differentiated RPE can be measured using a scale validity experiment, but special attention should be paid to determination of the dominant RPE signal during exercise. Concurrent and construct validity evidence has been shown for both undifferentiated and differentiated RPE in various sample populations performing aerobic and resistance exercise. A perceived exertion scale that demonstrates concurrent and construct validity can be applied to both exercise testing and prescription in hospital and field settings. Such applications can include the prediction of impending exercise test termination and exercise intensity self-regulation. The primary purpose of this laboratory experiment is to establish concurrent and construct validity for an OMNI RPE Scale. Secondary purposes include the comparison of concurrent validity evidence between the OMNI RPE Scale and the Borg Scale and to determine differentiated RPE signal dominance.
The Reapportionment Revolution and Bias in U.S. Congressional Elections

We develop a formal model of the redistricting process that highlights the importance of two factors: first, partisan or bipartisan control of the redistricting process; second, the nature of the reversionary outcome, should the state legislature and governor fail to agree on a new districting plan. Using this model, we predict the levels of partisan bias and responsiveness that should be observed under districting plans adopted under various constellations of partisan control of state government and reversionary outcomes, testing our predictions on postwar (1946-70) U.S. House electoral data. We find strong evidence that both partisan control and reversionary outcomes systematically affect the nature of a re- districting plan and the subsequent elections held under it. Further, we show that the well-known disappearance circa 1966 of what had been a long-time pro-Republican bias of about 6 percent in nonsouthern congressional elections can be explained largely by the changing composition of northern districting plans.
Investigations of the chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of specific substrates. V. Determination of pre-steady state kinetic parameters for specific substrate esters by stopped flow techniques.

Abstract It has been suggested that the chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of specific substrates is described by a three-step mechanism: [see PDF for equation] and that for esters k23 is much greater than k34, and K's is greater than the steady state kinetic parameter Km(app). Steady state kinetic investigations do not allow one to determine the individual parameters for the mechanism shown above. This information can be obtained from pre-steady state kinetic investigations. In this paper we are reporting pre-steady state kinetic parameters, determined by stopped flow techniques, for the chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolyses of the ethyl esters of N-acetyl-l-tyrosine, together with previously published data for the ethyl esters of N-acetyl-l-tryptophan and N-acetyl-l-phenylalanine. This allows a comparison of K's, k23, and k34 for the catalyzed hydrolyses of the esters of all three aromatic amino acids which are considered to be specific for chymotrypsin. Also included is an investigation of the presteady state kinetic parameters pertaining to the hydrolyses of N-acetyl-l-leucine methyl ester and of the methyl ester and amide of tosyl-l-arginine. N-Acetyl-l-leucine methyl ester was chosen because it allows an investigation of the pH dependence of k23, a study that is not possible with esters of aromatic acids, since in these reactions k23 becomes too large above pH 6 to be adequately measured by the stopped flow technique. The pH dependence of k23 was found to be similar to the pH dependence of k34. This information has not been available previously. p-Tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester and N-α-p-tosyl-l-argininamide were included because, as typical trypsin substrates that are hydrolyzed by chymotrypsin also, they are expected to offer some insight into the specificity of the reaction. Unlike in the chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of specific substrate esters, the accumulation of an intermediate, such as EP2 in the above equation, could not be detected. One obvious explanation for this observation is that k23 rather than k34 is rate-limiting. It is shown that unproductive binding of the unspecific substrate can also account for the data.
Efficient profiling and distributed synchronization of statistical user models for content-targeting and real-time applications

This work presents an efficient approach for managing distributed user profiles in the use-case of the semi-autonomous or fully autonomous connected car. A user profile is a collection about user's personal preferences and statistical data on user's previous interactions with all compatible connected systems outside and inside the car. Managing the user profile practically means dynamically updating the profile based on the interaction with the vehicle's human-machine interfaces and using it to answer complex queries placed by the vehicle's applications. The queries can range between user interface personalization queries (what is the user's favorite radio station), over product-placement related queries (are we going to pass next to a restaurant the user might be interested in) to safety-relevant queries (is the senior driver paying adequate attention to the direction of a detected obstacle). The focus is placed on reducing the computational complexity of user profiling and synchronization of distributed user profiles.
Formation of large, sedimentable transcription complexes with VARNA genes and other related genes

Abstract We have used an Eppendorf centrifuge for isolation of transcription complexes assembled on VARNA genes and other related genes with NTP-depleted cell-free extracts. Similar to the 5 S rRNA gene, sedimentable, stable transcription preinitiation complexes could be assembled from two VARNA genes, two EB virus-specific EBER genes, four human tRNA genes, and one human Alu-family RNA gene, suggesting that the 5 S rRNA-specific transcription factor, TFIIIA, was not required for formation of these sedimentable, stable preinitiation complexes. Parameters affecting assembly of these complexes were sequences in circular DNA templates, sizes and sequences of linear DNA templates, temperature and incubation time. These complexes were stable at from 4 to 37 degrees C, and somewhat stable to salt wash. From results of effects of various mutations on assembly of these sedimentable complexes, we concluded that they were transcription machineries. Addition of the supernatant and partially purified factors to salt-washed complexes stimulated their transcription, we concluded that these sedimentable complexes were minimal transcription machineries containing suboptimal quantities of loosely bound transcription factors, TFIIIB, and RNA polymerase III. DNase 1 footprints of these sedimentable preinitiation complexes showed that two regions were protected, from +34 to +80 including the B block promoter element, and from +98 to +105. Similar DNase 1 footprints were also obtained from salt-washed complexes and stable preinitiation complexes isolated by molecular sieve column chromatography.
The Origin of Everyday Moods: Managing Energy, Tension, and Stress

Part 1: Introduction Ch. 1. Mood and Its Meanings Ch. 2. A Theory of Mood Ch. 3. Moods as Barometers of General Condition Ch. 4. The Relationship Between Mood and Thoughts Ch. 5. Energy and Tension Changes with PMS, Drugs, Social Interaction, Weather, and Life Events Ch. 6. How Energy and Tension Interact Ch. 7. The Evolutionary Biology of Moods Ch. 8. The Physiology and Anatomy of Mood Part 2: The Self-regulation of Mood Ch. 9. Self-regulation: Why, How, and How Effective? Ch. 10. Individual Differences in Mood-regulating Strategies Ch. 11. Mood Substitution: Different Ways of Getting the Same Mood Ch. 12. Rational Mood Substitution: Exercise More and Indulge Less Part 3: Optimal Mood Management Ch. 13. The Practical Psychology of Self-Regulation Ch. 14. Overcoming Tense-tiredness Through Energy Enhancement Ch. 15. Reducing Tension to Overcome Tense-Tiredness Ch. 16. Moods at Different Times of Day Ch. 17. Systematic Self-observation: The First Step in Mood Change Ch. 18. The Origin and Self-regulation of Everyday Moods: A Review Appendix. Beyond Stress Management to Calm-energy Notes Index
Formalization of information hiding design methods

The theory-model paradigm views the design verification problem as checking whether a database of design facts (the model) satisfies the type checking and other design rules of a design method (the theory). We present an abstract theory of modular information-hiding design methods, which captures aspects of many different languages (potentially including Modula, C, and Ada). We specialize the theory for the Turing Plus programming language, and validate it by extracting a design database from a pre-existing Turing Plus program, TXL, and verifying that it satisfies the design rules.This work is part of the Advanced Software Design Technology project, which aims to produce a prototype tool, 4Thought, to aid software designers. Design theories such as ours would become part of a 4Thought library.
Performance enhancement for a class saturating systems

This paper presents a systematic procedure for adapting a nominal controller, designed while ignoring control saturation, to higher-performance nonlinear controller that explicitly accounts for the saturating nonlinearities while guaranteeing stability. In particular, the error governor scheme proposed by Kapasouris, Athans, and Stein (1988) is extended for the class of controllers modeled with feedforward terms. The unity of this procedure is demonstrated on the vehicle platooning system introduces by Sheikholeslam and Desoer (1993), which uses a nonlinear vehicle model and allows for non-identical vehicles in the platoon. The nominal controller presented for this system is nonlinear and inherently decentralized, thus posing a significant test on the practicality of the proposed method. Performance of the nominal compensator without the saturations, nominal compensator with saturation, error governor, and extended error governor is compared for the platoon of 15 cars.
Interferometry program flight experiments: IPEX I and II

The interferometry program experiment (IPEX) I and II are a series of flight experiments designed to characterize microdynamics of structures in space. These technology demonstration flight experiments are precursors to the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) and Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF), and will address the missions' nanometer-level structural stability requirements. Of particular interest is potential thermal snapping when space structures undergo rapid thermal variations, such as a sun-to-shade transition. This information is needed to characterize uncontrollable high frequency disturbances, and to validate structural designs and modeling approaches for joint-dominated extruding structures. Another objective of the experiments is to characterize typical mechanical disturbances of spacecraft while on-orbit for the purpose of modeling and disturbance response prediction for future optical space missions. Both experiments are performed on the German DARA/DASA free- flying platform Astro-Spas, which is sorted out of the shuttle and retrieved after an independent 10-day mission. IPEX-I, performed during the STS-80 mission in December 1996, characterized the on-board dynamics of the spacecraft during normal operations and quiescent periods. IPEX-II, performed during the STS-85 mission in August 1997, monitored the microdynamic behavior of a representative 9- bay AEC-ABLE mast. The flight data demonstrates the existence of transient microdynamic events that are correlated with temperature transitions. However, the overall spacecraft flight disturbances and broadband boom stability meet the requirements of precision space optical systems.
Dual-wavelength photothermal optical coherence tomography for imaging microvasculature blood oxygen saturation

A swept-source dual-wavelength photothermal (DWP) optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is demonstrated for quantitative imaging of microvasculature oxygen saturation. DWP-OCT is capable of recording three-dimensional images of tissue and depth-resolved phase variation in response to photothermal excitation. A 1,064-nm OCT probe and 770-nm and 800-nm photothermal excitation beams are combined in a single-mode optical fiber to measure microvasculature hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SO2) levels in phantom blood vessels with a range of blood flow speeds (0 to 17 mm∕s). A 50-μm-diameter blood vessel phantom is imaged, and SO2 levels are measured using DWP-OCT and compared with values provided by a commercial oximeter at various blood oxygen concentrations. The influences of blood flow speed and mechanisms of SNR phase degradation on the accuracy of SO2 measurement are identified and investigated. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons
Hexagonal pixel detector with time encoded binary readout

Abstract The University of Hawaii is developing continuous acquisition pixel (CAP) detectors for vertexing applications in lepton colliding experiments such as SuperBelle or ILC. In parallel to the investigation of different technology options such as MAPS or SOI, both analog and binary readout concepts have been tested. First results with a binary readout scheme in which the hit information is time encoded by means of a signal shifting mechanism have recently been published. This paper explains the hit reconstruction for such a binary detector with an emphasis on fake hit reconstruction probabilities in order to evaluate the rate capability in a high background environment such as the planned SuperB factory at KEK. The results show that the binary concept is at least comparable to any analog readout strategy if not better in terms of occupancy. Furthermore, we present a completely new binary readout strategy in which the pixel cells are arranged in a hexagonal grid allowing the use of three independent output directions to reduce reconstruction ambiguities. The new concept uses the same signal shifting mechanism for time encoding, however, in dedicated transfer lines on the periphery of the detector, which enables higher shifting frequencies. Detailed Monte Carlo simulations of full size pixel matrices including hit and BG generation, signal generation, and data reconstruction show that by means of multiple signal transfer lines on the periphery the pixel can be made smaller (higher resolution), the number of output channels and the data volume per triggered event can be reduced dramatically, fake hit reconstruction is lowered to a minimum and the resulting effective occupancies are less than 10 - 4 . A prototype detector has been designed in the AMS 0.35 μ m Opto process and is currently under fabrication.
Structure-dependent induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in C57BL 6 mice by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and related congeners: Mechanistic studies

The time- and dose-dependent induction of murine hepatic microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities by five polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran congeners showed that the order of induction potency was 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) greater than 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) greater than 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) greater than 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PCDF) greater than 2,3,7-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TrCDD). These structure-induction relationships were comparable to the structure-toxicity and competitive structure-receptor binding relationships previously reported for these compounds. However, using the corresponding radiolabeled congeners, the direct binding Kd values for dissociation of the cytosolic receptor-ligand complexes were 9.52, 7.96, 1.27, 3.10, and 8.31 nM for the 2,3,7,8-TCDD, 2,3,7,8-TCDF, 2,3,7-TrCDD, 1,2,3,7,8-PCDD, and 1,2,3,7,8-PCDF congeners and these data were clearly not structure dependent (i.e., similar to the structure-activity relationships). Some of the molecular properties for several radioligand-receptor complexes were similar; for example, the sedimentation coefficients for the cytosolic and nuclear receptor complexes varied from 8.8-10.4 S and 5.98-7.0 S, respectively, and the nuclear receptor complexes for all the radioligands eluted from a DNA-Sepharose column at salt concentrations of 0.27-0.29 M. Treatment of the mice with a maximum inducing dose of 2,3,7,8-[3H]TCDD resulted in a time-dependent formation of the nuclear receptor complex which was maximized between 16-24 hr and subsequently decreased up to 72 hr after initial exposure. In parallel studies, the nuclear receptor complex levels were determined 16 hr after treatment of the mice with different doses (2.25, 4.5, and 45 micrograms/kg) of all five radioligands. The results showed that at submaximal induction of the monooxygenase enzyme activities there was a linear correlation between the induced AHH or EROD activities (after 32 hr) and the corresponding nuclear receptor complex levels. It was also apparent from the data that the relative levels of nuclear receptor complex were structure dependent and this suggests that the transformation or activation of cytosolic receptor complexes may be a ligand structure-dependent process which correlates with the observed structure-activity relationships for 2,3,7,8-TCDD and related compounds.
Free Enterprise: Virtual Capital and Counterfeit Music at the End of the Century

How does a piece of computer network music reflect the virtual economy of the late twentieth century? Was the “open-form” music of the 1960s a bedfellow of organizational science? The author conjectures about the nature of distributed composition and the socioeconomic implications of its application in a composition for networked credit card readers.
The effects of lesions in the dorsolateral pons on the coordination of swallowing and breathing in awake goats.

Abstract The purpose of this retrospective study was to gain insight into the contribution of the dorsolateral pons to the coordination of swallowing and breathing in awake goats. In 4 goats, cannulas were chronically implanted bilaterally through the lateral (LPBN) and medial (MPBN) parabrachial nuclei just dorsal to the Kolliker–Fuse nucleus (KFN). After >2 weeks recovery from this surgery, the goats were studied for 5½ h on a control day, and on separate days after receiving 1 and 10 μl injections of ibotenic acid (IA) separated by 1 week. The frequency of swallows did not change during the control and 1 μl IA studies, but after injection of 10 μl IA, there was a transient 65% increase in frequency of swallows (P
Distortion Correction in Anomalous Absorption Coefficients

Based on a recent theory of X-ray diffraction by a distorted crystal completed by the present author, the temperature and distortion corrections in anomalous absorption coefficients have been studied in the case of a single symmetric Bragg reflection in transmission (symmetrical Laue case). If the distribution of atomic displacements is given, then the anomalous absorption coefficient has a distortion correction of the same form as the Debye-Waller factor in terms of the second moment of the distribution. If the displacement of atoms in a distorted crystal is replaced by a proper time-average value of the thermal motion of atoms, then the temperature correction in the absorption coefficient is given by the Debye-Waller factor multiplied by the structure factor. Auf der Grundlage einer vor kurzem veroffentlichten, vom Autor vervollstandigten Theorie der Rontgenstrahlbeugung durch einen verzerrten Kristall wurden die Temperatur-und Verzerrungskorrekturen des anomalen Absorptionskoeffizienten fur den Fall einer einzelnen symmetrischen Braggreflexion in Durchstrahlung (symmetrischer Lauefall) unter-sucht. Wenn die Verteilung der Atomverlagerungen gegeben ist, besitzt der anomale Absorptionskoeffizient eine Verzerrungskorrektur von der gleichen Form wie der Debye-Waller-Faktor, ausgedruckt im zweiten Moment der Verteilung. Wird die Atomverlagerung in einem verzerrten Kristall durch einen richtigen zeitlichen Mittelwert der thermischen Bewegung der Atome ersetzt, so ist die Temperaturkorrektur des Absorptionskoeffizienten durch den mit dem Strukturfaktor multiplizierten Debye-Waller-Faktor gegeben.
Creativity and conducting: handle in the CAIRA project

After providing some context via (i) earlier work on literary creativity carried out by Bringsjord et al., and (ii) an account of creativity espoused by Cope, which stands in rather direct opposition to Bringsjord's account, we summarize our nascent attempt to engineer an artificial conductor: Handle. Handle is a microcosmic version of part of a larger, much more ambitious system: CAIRA. Both are under development courtesy of a three-year CreativeIT grant from the National Science Foundation (PI Braasch, Co-PIs Oliveros & Bringsjord).
Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic the New York Hospital 525 East 68th Street New York City 21

(1952). Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic the New York Hospital 525 East 68th Street New York City 21. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 153-157.
An algorithmic and novel design of a leading zero detector circuit: comparison with logic synthesis

A novel way of implementing the leading zero detector (LZD) circuit is presented. The implementation is based on an algorithmic approach resulting in a modular and scalable circuit for any number of bits. We designed a 32 and 64 bit leading zero detector circuit in CMOS and ECL technology. The CMOS version was designed using both: logic synthesis and an algorithmic approach. The algorithmic implementation is compared with the results obtained using modern logic synthesis tools in the same 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. The implementation based on an algorithmic approach showed an advantage compared to the results produced by the logic synthesis. ECL implementation of the 64 bit LZD circuit was simulated to perform in under 200 ps for nominal speed. >
Modeling of facesheet crack growth in titanium–graphite hybrid laminates. Part II: Experimental results

Titanium–graphite hybrid composite laminates exhibit a coupled damage growth mode of facesheet cracking and delamination. Part I of this work modeled the growth of the coupled damage mode. Fatigue experiments were conducted on single edge notch tension specimens to measure the crack growth rate. This paper compares the model predictions with experimental data. The three-dimensional finite element model successfully captured the damage growth behavior for two of the lay-ups ([Ti/0/90/02]s and [Ti/90/0/902]s) in the experimental program. However, in a third lay-up, [Ti/0/90/±30]s, the underlying damage modes were found to be sufficiently different than the other two lay-ups and the model did not capture the steady-state growth behavior. The effects of temperature and specimen size were also investigated for TiGr laminates. Except for the effects of the load ratio, elevated temperatures did not affect the crack growth rate significantly. For wider specimens, the steady-state fatigue crack growth behavior was similar to the narrow specimens, indicating that the steady-state facesheet crack growth behavior is independent of specimen size.
Minocycline worsens hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in a neonatal mouse model

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity during the perinatal period, and currently no therapeutic drug is available. Minocycline, an antibiotic, has recently been shown to have neuroprotective effects distinct from its antimicrobial effect in several neurological disorders including ischemic brain injury. We examined the effect of minocycline on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury by using histologic scoring in both mouse and rat models. Mouse (C57Bl/6) and rat (SD) pups were exposed to a unilateral hypoxic-ischemic insult at 8 and 7 days of age, respectively. Minocycline hydrochloride was administered according to protocols that were reported to provide neuroprotection in adult or neonatal rats. Seven days after the insult, we examined brain injury in Nissl stained sections. Although minocycline ameliorated brain injury in the developing rat, it increased injury in the developing mouse. This detrimental effect in the mouse was consistent across different regions (cortex, striatum, and thalamus), with both single and multiple injection protocols and with both moderate and high-dose treatment (P < 0.05). The mechanism of the contrasting effects in mouse and rat is not clear and remains to be elucidated. Minocycline has been used as an antibiotic in the clinical setting for decades; therefore, it may be considered for use in infants with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, based on prior reports of neuroprotection in the rat. However, it is important to examine this drug carefully before clinical use in human infants, taking our data in the mouse model into consideration.
Viewing student behavior through the lenses of culture and globalization: two narratives from a US college writing class

Globalization is bringing about profound changes in the university writing class in Western English-speaking universities, notably due to the influx of international students. This article narrates the experiences of a US writing teacher working with Chinese international students. It presents two incidents in which misunderstandings occurred, one involving textual re-use and the other, writing tests. The narratives demonstrate that, in order to understand student behavior, it is important for teachers to understand both the global context within which international students operate and their cultures of learning. The argument rests on the premise that, through personal engagement with students, teachers can engage in transformative internationalization, a type of internationalization that involves synergistic changes in both teachers and students.
Clinical Implications of the Neck in Salivary Gland Disease

Neck manifestations from salivary gland tissue are most commonly related to inflammation and obstruction of the glands. However, various benign and malignant processes are also seen along a continuum of clinical presentation and behavior. Preoperative diagnostics, including imaging and fine needle aspiration, are key elements in treatment planning, even in the absence of absolute histologic confirmation of tumors. Benign tumor implants in the neck can be managed with conservative surgery, whereas aggressive surgical management, including neck dissection and adjuvant therapy, is generally advocated for malignancy.
Changes in colorectal function in patients with chronic colonic pseudoobstruction.

Motility studies of the lower bowel, radiology to exclude other gastrointestinal involvement, and rectal biopsies were carried out in 11 patients, age 21–60 years, with isolated chronic colonic pseudoobstruction. Repeated plain abdominal x-rays during symptomatic periods revealed massive gaseous colonic distension in all. Seven patients had the primary form while four patients had an underlying disease which could have been responsible for the chronic colonic pseudoobstruction. Lower bowel motility was decreased in patients with the primary form. Rectal wall elasticity was increased in both the primary and secondary form. Some of the abnormalities measured may suggest myogenic abnormalities of the sigmoid or rectal wall. No specific neural or muscular morphologic defect was identified in colonic transmural sections in eight patients except in the patient with Hirschsprung's disease. Five of seven patients with primary colonic pseudoobstruction achieved symptomatic relief only after subtotal colectomy and ileoproctostomy.
Multi-material optical fiber fabrication and applications

I review our progress in the emerging area of multi-material fibers. Applications range from mid-infrared linear and nonlinear chalcogenide glass fibers and fiber tapers, to the scalable and scale-invariant fabrication of micro- and nano-scale structures.
Selective induction of murine oncornavirus gene expression in somatic cell hybrids between mouse peritoneal macrophages and SV-40-transformed human cells.

Abstract Somatic cell hybrids of BALB c and C57BL 6 mouse peritoneal macrophages and human Lesch-Nyhan fibroblasts transformed by infection with simian virus 40 have been examined by radioimmunoassay for synthesis of the viral envelope and major core proteins of the murine endogenous type-C oncornavirus. Little or no detectable viral proteins (approximately 1 ng/mg of protein) were present in extracts of the parental cells. In contrast, hybrid clones of BALB c cells containing human chromosome 7 with the simian virus 40 genome synthesized extremely high concentrations of the murine type-C virus core protein (210 to 6000 ng/mg) and also the envelope glycoprotein (83 to 250 ng/mg). The highest concentrations were in cells containing human chromosomes 5 and 11 in addition to 7. There was little or no change in the concentration of viral proteins in the C57BL 6 - human cell hybrids. These results suggest that human-cell gene products can be active in the induction of the murine oncornavirus genome.
Investigation into liquid crystalline smectic-C* subphase stability using chiral and achiral dopants.

In this paper we investigate the influence of chiral and achiral dopants on a chiral smectic liquid crystal material, which exhibits a rich phase sequence, including the antiferroelectric phase and the three-layer intermediate smectic (SmC*{sub FI1}) phase. Using polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and x-ray diffraction we find that small amounts of achiral dopant have the ability to significantly broaden the SmC*{sub FI1} phase, whereas an oppositely-handed dopant (otherwise identical to the host material) destabilizes the phase. This work clearly indicates that bulk chirality strongly influences SmC*{sub FI1} phase formation and that steric effects also play an important role. Interestingly, addition of the shorter achiral molecule (8CB) was observed to increase the smectic layer spacing, most likely by suppressing interdigitation of alkyl chains between adjacent smectic layers. Control of the SmC*{sub FI1} phase width using mixtures in this way is clearly important for effective phase characterization, and could potentially lead to commercially viable materials with a stable SmC*{sub FI1} phase over a large temperature range.
Convergence of the point vortex method for the 2-D euler equations

We prove consistency, stability and convergence of the point vortex approximation to the 2-D incompressible Euler equations with smooth solutions. We first show that the discretization error is second-order accurate. Then we show that the method is stable in l p norm. Consequently the method converge in l p norm for all time. The convergence is also illustrated by a numerical experiment
Nonlocal potentials in Penning and associative ionization

Bound-continuum processes of the type A(+B..-->..A+B/sup +/+e or (AB)/sup +/+e, known as Penning and associative ionization, respectively, are considered. The derivation of the partial-wave Schroedinger equation through the Feshbach projection-operator formalism is reviewed. The potential-energy operator for the general case is then examined carefully and found to be not only collision-energy dependent but also nonlocal. Strict locality is obtained only in the limit of infinite collision energy. Nonlocality due to bound-continuum interaction increases in importance as the collision energy is reduced, and in certain dynamical situations for associative ionization it is found to be predominant. Thus, the common procedure of reducing the bound-continuum interaction to an imaginary local potential becomes suspect and the general validity of the attendant Franck-Condon approximation of vertical electronic transitions is also called into question. Two limiting situations: the high-energy (E..-->..infinity) and the low-energy (E..-->..0) limits: are examined. In the former case, the local potential is isolated and the nonlocal part given explicitly to lowest order; in the latter, the predominant nonlocal part is given explicitly for the case of associative ionization.
Effects of individual trees on the solar radiation climate of small buildings

Abstract Under clear skies, a mid-sized sugar maple tree ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) reduced irradiance in its shade on a south-facing wall by about 80% when in leaf, and by nearly 40% when leafless. Reductions by a similar-sized London plane ( Platanus acerifolia W.) were generally slightly smaller. The percentage reductions varied with the fraction (DR) of diffuse radiation, and could be approximated by regressions with DR 2 as the independent variable. The significance of the irradiance reductions for building radiation climate was tested by using physical models of representative tree crowns (similar to sugar maple) and a representative house to evaluate shadow patterns, along with a mathematical model of average hourly solar radiation for an average day of each month. For a mid-sized tree with a 2-m clear bole located south of the house in a cloudy climate, the ratio of desirable insolation reductions during the cooling season to undesirable insolation reductions during the heating season was a low 0.74; whereas, with the same tree on the west, the ratio was a much more beneficial 4.6. In a sunny climate, the ratios were 0.55 and 3.3 for the tree on the south and west, respectively. A taller tree with a longer clear bole on the south produced more favorable ratios of cooling season to heating season insolation reductions than the tree with the short clear bole on the south.
Astrocyte and Glutamate Markers in the Superficial, Deep, and White Matter Layers of the Anterior Cingulate Gyrus in Schizophrenia

Most studies of the neurobiology of schizophrenia have focused on neurotransmitter systems, their receptors, and downstream effectors. Recent evidence suggests that it is no longer tenable to consider neurons and their functions independently of the glia that interact with them. Although astrocytes have been viewed as harbingers of neuronal injury and CNS stress, their principal functions include maintenance of glutamate homeostasis and recycling, mediation of saltatory conduction, and even direct neurotransmission. Results of studies of astrocytes in schizophrenia have been variable, in part because of the assessment of single and not necessarily universal markers and/or assessment of non-discrete brain regions. We used laser capture microdissection to study three distinct partitions of the anterior cingulate gyrus (layers I–III, IV–VI, and the underlying white matter) in the brains of 18 well-characterized persons with schizophrenia and 21 unaffected comparison controls. We studied the mRNA expression of nine specific markers known to be localized to astrocytes. The expression of astrocyte markers was not altered in the superficial layers or the underlying white matter of the cingulate cortex of persons with schizophrenia. However, the expression of some astrocyte markers (diodinase type II, aquaporin-4, S100β, glutaminase, excitatory amino-acid transporter 2, and thrombospondin), but not of others (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member L1, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and vimentin) was significantly reduced in the deep layers of the anterior cingulate gyrus. These findings suggest that a subset of astrocytes localized to specific cortical layers is adversely affected in schizophrenia and raise the possibility of glutamatergic dyshomeostasis in selected neuronal populations.
Vocal intensity in speakers and singers

Vocal intensity is studied as a function of fundamental frequency and lung pressure. A combination of analytical and empirical models is used to predict sound pressure levels from glottal waveforms of five professional tenors and twenty five normal control subjects. The glottal waveforms were obtained by inverse filtering the mouth flow. Empirical models describe features of the glottal flow waveform (peak flow, peak flow derivative, open quotient, and speed quotient) in terms of lung pressure and phonation threshold pressure, a key variable that incorporates the Fo dependence of many of the features of the glottal flow. The analytical model describes the contributions to sound pressure levels SPL by the vocal tract. Results show that SPL increases with Fo at a rate of 8-9 dB/octave provided that lung pressure is raised proportional to phonation threshold pressure. The SPL also increases at a rate of 8-9 dB per doubling of excess pressure over threshold, a new quantity that assumes considerable importance in vocal intensity calculations. For the same excess pressure over threshold, the professional tenors produced 10-12 dB greater intensity than the male nonsingers, primarily because their peak airflow was much higher for the same pressure. A simple set of rules is devised for predicting SPL from source waveforms.
Accurate EMCCD Photoelectron Calibration for Single Molecule Imaging Techniques

EMCCDs are widely used in super-resolution and single molecule imaging methods. These techniques rely on photoelectron counts for particle detection and calculating localization precision of single molecules, making accurate calibration of EMCCD camera counts to photoelectrons unit necessary. Calibration methods used in literature include shot noise based calibration and manufacturer-provided formulas, but there is no general consensus and the accuracy of these methods has yet to be verified. First, we directly measure the light response of an EMCCD using a photon counting approach. We use a greatly attenuated laser to illuminate a few pixels on an EMCCD and compare the EMCCD counts to the readout of a photon counting photomultiplier tube placed in the same position. Second, we process uniformly illuminated EMCCD images to isolate shot noise as the dominant noise course to create an adjusted mean-variance method of calibrating EMCCDs. We verify this adjusted mean-variance method using our photon counting approach. Third, we compare these results to the theoretical values from the EMCCD calibration methods used in literature. To test our modified calibration method, we examine single molecule localization data and compared the data to existing models.
How the UW imaging pipeline prepares 350 hours of MWA observations for EoR power spectrum measurements

The Murchison Wide field Array began science observations in the summer of 2013, with the goal of measuring the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) power spectrum through redshifted 21 cm neutral hydrogen emission. With the first semester of observing completed, the EoR analysis team faces the challenge of reducing 350 hours of data to a manageable size for the power spectrum pipeline. Several obstacles exist when reducing such a large data set to the precision necessary for cosmological measurements. The EoR fields were deliberately chosen to be void of bright calibrator sources, and thus conventional calibration methods fall short. Even in the absence of such bright calibrators, the existing foregrounds are 4–5 orders of magnitude brighter than the EoR signal, and must be subtracted to great precision to unlock the EoR window. The sheer size of the data set also presents problems. Even with the Fast Holographic Deconvolution (FHD) algorithm running on a computing cluster, reducing this data would take several months without finding ways to take advantage of the symmetry in the observations.
An integrated population-averaged approach to the design, analysis and sample size determination of cluster-unit trials.

While the mixed model approach to cluster randomization trials is relatively well developed, there has been less attention given to the design and analysis of population-averaged models for randomized and non-randomized cluster trials. We provide novel implementations of familiar methods to meet these needs. A design strategy that selects matching control communities based upon propensity scores, a statistical analysis plan for dichotomous outcomes based upon generalized estimating equations (GEE) with a design-based working correlation matrix, and new sample size formulae are applied to a large non-randomized study to reduce underage drinking. The statistical power calculations, based upon Wald tests for summary statistics, are special cases of a general power method for GEE.