cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards the development of an error checker for radiotherapy treatment plans: a preliminary study

Major accidents can happen during radiotherapy, with an extremely severe consequence to both patients and clinical professionals. We propose to use machine learning and data mining techniques to help detect large human errors in a radiotherapy treatment plan, as a complement to human inspection. One such technique is computer clustering. The basic idea of using clustering algorithms for outlier detection is to first cluster (based on the treatment parameters) a large number of patient treatment plans. Then, when checking a new treatment plan, the parameters of the plan will be tested to see whether or not they belong to the established clusters. If not, they will be considered as 'outliers' and therefore highlighted to catch the attention of the human chart checkers. As a preliminary study, we applied the K-means clustering algorithm to a simple patient model, i.e., 'four-field' box prostate treatment. One thousand plans were used to build the clusters while another 650 plans were used to test the proposed method. It was found that there are eight distinct clusters. At the error levels of +/-100% of the original values of the monitor unit, the detection rate is about 100%. At +/-50% error level, the detection rate is about 80%. The false positive rate is about 10%. When purposely changing the beam energy to a value different from that in the treatment plan, the detection rate is 100% for posterior, right-lateral and left-lateral fields, and about 77% for the anterior field. This preliminary work has shown promise for developing the proposed automatic outlier detection software, although more efforts will still be required.
Image processing on the image with pixel noise bits removed

ABSTRACT Our previous studies used statistical methods to assess the noise level in digital images of various radiological modalities. We separated the pixel data into signal bits and noise bits and demonstrated visually that the removal of the noise bits will not affect the image quality. In this paper we apply imageenhancement techniques on noise-bits-removed images and demonstrate that the removal of noise bitshas no effect on the image property. The image processing techniques used are gray-level look up tabletransformation, Sobel edge detector, and 3-D surface display. Preliminary results show no noticeable . difference between original image and noise bits removed image using look up table operation and Sobeledge enhancement. There is slightly enhancement of slicing artifact in the 3-D surface display of thenoise bits removed image. 1. INTRODUCTION All images are subject to many different types of noise. The noise carries no useful information and deteriorates the image quality. Some of the components of noise are independent of the image
Health-Related Quality of Life Measures for Women With Urinary Incontinence: The Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and the Urogenital Distress Inventory

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a relatively common condition in middle-aged and older women. Traditional measures of symptoms do not adequately capture the impact that UI has on individuals' lives. Further, severe morbidity and mortality are not associated with this condition. Rather, Ul's impact is primarily on the health status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of women. Generic measures of HRQOL inadequately address the impact of the condition on the day-to-day lives of women with UI. The current paper presents data on two new condition-specific instruments designed to assess the HRQOL of UI in women: the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI) and the Incontinence Impact Questionaire (IIQ). Used in conjunction with one another, these two measures provide detailed information on how UI affects the lives of women. The measures provide data on the more traditional view of HRQOL by assessing the impact of UI on various activities, roles and emotional states (IIQ), as well as data on the less traditional but critical issue of the degree to which symptoms associated with UI are troubling to women (UDI). Data on the reliability, validity and sensitivity to change of these measures demonstrate that they are psychometrically strong. Further, they have been developed for simple, self-administration.
Effects of mutating putative two-component systems on biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans UA159

Streptococcus mutans has at least six pairs of open reading frames that are homologous to bacterial two-component regulatory systems. Putative response regulators from five out of six of these pairs were successfully mutated by insertion of a kanamycin resistance marker and the effects of inactivation of the genes on the ability of the cells to form biofilms in an in vitro model were assessed. Disruption of the response regulators of four systems had no effect on biofilm formation, whereas disruption of one response regulator caused a substantial decrease in biofilm formation as compared to the wild-type S. mutans.
Large-scale dynamic simulation for security assessment of an ethylene oxide manufacturing process

Abstract Safety is the second nature of chemical processes. Process security is the extended concept and practice of process safety. In large-scale chemical manufacturing, unit operations interact closely through various mass, energy, and momentum transfers. This may cause many possible occurrences of “chain-reaction” type disasters, which should be rooted out completely. To ensure process security and safety, the first step is the accurate assessment of security status of the processes. In this paper, a security-bearing, large-scale process dynamic modeling and simulation method is utilized to perform security assessment of an ethylene oxide production process involving various units, including a multi-tubular plug flow reactor operated under high pressure and temperature, adsorption and separation units, heat exchangers, recycle stream, and purge stream. The chemicals involved in this process possess serious environmental and health hazards. By simulating process behavior under various scenarios, this method can be used to classify the operational space, assess process security status quantitatively, foresee possible security failures, and give a critical review of design and operation policy to secure operation.
Econometrics and decision theory

Abstract The paper considers the role of econometrics in decision making under uncertainty. This leads to a focus on predictive distributions. The decision maker's subjective distribution is only partly specified; it belongs to a set S of distributions. S can also be regarded as a set of plausible data-generating processes. Criteria are needed to evaluate procedures for constructing predictive distributions. We use risk robustness and minimax regret risk relative to S . To obtain procedures for constructing predictive distributions, we use Bayes procedures based on parametric models with approximate prior distributions. The priors are nested, with a first stage that incorporates qualitative information such as exchangeability, and a second stage that is quite diffuse. Special points in the parameter space, such as boundary points, can be accommodated with second-stage priors that have one or more mass points but are otherwise quite diffuse. An application of these ideas is presented, motivated by an individual's consumption decision. The problem is to construct a distribution for that individual's future earnings, based on his earnings history and on a longitudinal data set that provides earnings histories for a sample of individuals.
A Simple HPLC Method for the Determination of Trazodone Human Serum

Abstract A simple HPLC method with minimal sample preparation and good reproducibility for the determination of trazodone in serum is described. Basified serum samples were extracted using ethyl acetate containing diazepam as the internal standard (IS). Chromatography was performed on a cyanopropylsilane column with 15 μL sample injection. The mobile phase consisted of 0.02 M ammonium phosphate, pH 7.5 : acetonitrile (70:30 v/v). The eluent was monitored at 220 nm. The serum standard curve was linear from 10.0 to 8000.0 ng/mL serum. The overall within-run quality control CV was 6.3% for five concentrations (20.0, 40.0, 100.0, 250.0 and 1000.0 ng/mL) and the overall recovery from serum was 85.4%. This method has been applied to the analysis of human serum samples.
ATR Suppresses Endogenous DNA Damage and Allows Completion of Homologous Recombination Repair

DNA replication fork stalling or collapse that arises from endogenous damage poses a serious threat to genome stability, but cells invoke an intricate signaling cascade referred to as the DNA damage response (DDR) to prevent such damage. The gene product ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) responds primarily to replication stress by regulating cell cycle checkpoint control, yet it’s role in DNA repair, particularly homologous recombination (HR), remains unclear. This is of particular interest since HR is one way in which replication restart can occur in the presence of a stalled or collapsed fork. Hypomorphic mutations in human ATR cause the rare autosomal-recessive disease Seckel syndrome, and complete loss of Atr in mice leads to embryonic lethality. We recently adapted the in vivo murine pink-eyed unstable (pun) assay for measuring HR frequency to be able to investigate the role of essential genes on HR using a conditional Cre/loxP system. Our system allows for the unique opportunity to test the effect of ATR loss on HR in somatic cells under physiological conditions. Using this system, we provide evidence that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells lacking ATR have decreased density with abnormal morphology, a decreased frequency of HR and an increased level of chromosomal damage.
Amino Acid Incorporation into Rat Brain Proteins during Spreading Cortical Depression

Unilateral spreading cortical depression was elicited by applying potassium chloride solutions to the dura of conscious, freely moving rats. Incorporation of 3H-leucine into soluble cortical proteins was decreased in the depressed hemisphere relative to the control side, while soluble brainstem proteins from both sides had the same specific activity. Various subfractions of soluble cortical proteins were affected to equal degrees.
Detection of and Compensation for EMG Disturbances for Powered Lower Limb Prosthesis Control

Myoelectric pattern recognition algorithms have been proposed for the control of powered lower limb prostheses, but electromyography (EMG) signal disturbances remain an obstacle to clinical implementation. To address this problem, we used a log-likelihood metric to detect simulated EMG disturbances and real disturbances acquired from EMG containing electrode shift. We found that features extracted from disturbed EMG have much lower log likelihoods than those from undisturbed signals and can be detected using a single threshold acquired from the training data. We designed a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier that uses the log likelihood to decide between using a combination of EMG and mechanical sensors and using mechanical sensors only, to predict locomotion modes. When EMG contained disturbances, our classifier detected those disturbances and disregarded EMG data. Our classifier had significantly lower errors than a standard LDA classifier in the presence of EMG disturbances. The log-likelihood classifier had a low false positive threshold, and thus did not perform significantly differently from the standard LDA classifier when EMG did not contain disturbances. The log-likelihood threshold could also be applied to individual EMG channels, enabling specific channels containing EMG disturbances to be appropriately ignored when making locomotion mode predictions.
Orchestrating Horizontal Parallelism and Vertical Instruction Packing of Programs to Improve System Overall Efficiency

Both performance and energy efficiency are critical concerns for embedded systems and portable devices. Multi-issue processors can exploit the instruction-level parallelism (ILP) of programs to improve the performance greatly, however, most of the time at a cost of energy and power consumption. How to reduce the energy consumption while maintaining the high performance of programs running on multi-issue processors remains a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to apply the instruction register file(IRF) technique from single-issue processor to VLIW architecture. Frequently executed instructions are selected to be placed in the on-chip IRF for fast and energy-efficient access in program execution. Violation of synchronization among VLIW instruction slots is avoided by introducing new instruction formats and microarchitectural support. The enhanced VLIW architecture is, thus, able to orchestrate the horizontal instruction parallelism and vertical instruction packing for programs to improve system overall efficiency. Our experimental results show that the proposed processor architecture achieves both the performance advantage provided by the VLIW architecture and high energy efficiency provided by the IRF-based instruction packing technique, e.g., the fetch energy consumption is reduced by 33.4 percent for a 4-way VLIW architecture with 16-entry IRFs for SPEC2000 testbenches.
A CMOS-compatible, surface-micromachined pressure sensor for aqueous ultrasonic application

A surface micromachined pressure sensor array is under development at the Integrated Micromechanics, Microsensors, and CMOS Technologies organization at Sandia National Laboratories. This array is designed to sense absolute pressures from ambient pressure to 650 psia with frequency responses from DC to 2 MHz. The sensor is based upon a sealed, deformable, circular LPCVD silicon nitride diaphragm. Absolute pressure is determined from diaphragm deflection, which is sensed with low-stress, micromechanical, LPCVD polysilicon piezoresistors. All materials and processes used for sensor fabrication are CMOS compatible, and are part of Sandia`s ongoing effort of CMOS integration with Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS). Test results of individual sensors are presented along with process issues involving the release etch and metal step coverage.
Posterior-Only Circumferential Decompression and Reconstruction in the Surgical Management of Lumbar Vertebral Osteomyelitis

Study Design Case report. Objective The purpose of this report is to discuss the surgical management of lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis with a spinal epidural abscess (SEA) and present a single-stage, posterior-only circumferential decompression and reconstruction with instrumentation using an expandable titanium cage and without segmental nerve root sacrifice as an option in the treatment of this disease process. Methods We report a 42-year-old man who presented with 3 days of low back pain and chills who rapidly decompensated with severe sepsis following admission. Magnetic resonance imaging of his lumbosacral spine revealed intramuscular abscesses of the left paraspinal musculature and iliopsoas with SEA and L4 vertebral body involvement. The patient failed maximal medical treatment, which necessitated surgical treatment as a last resort for infectious source control. He underwent a previously undescribed procedure in the setting of SEA: a single-stage, posterior-only approach for circumferential decompression and reconstruction of the L4 vertebral body with posterior segmental instrumented fixation. Results After the surgery, the patient's condition gradually improved; however, he suffered a wound dehiscence necessitating a surgical exploration and deep wound debridement. Six months after the surgery, the patient underwent a revision surgery for adjacent-level pseudarthrosis. At 1-year follow-up, the patient was pain-free and off narcotic pain medication and had returned to full activity. Conclusion This patient is the first reported case of lumbar osteomyelitis with SEA treated surgically with a single-stage, posterior-only circumferential decompression and reconstruction with posterior instrumentation. Although this approach is more technically challenging, it presents another viable option for the treatment of lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis that may reduce the morbidity associated with an anterior approach.
Determining the relationship between the amplitude parameter and the modal power in dual mode fibers

The theoretical description of linearly polarized (LP) modes in weakly guiding fibers includes an amplitude parameter which relates to source intensity and input conditions. As such, this parameter has direct bearing on the amount of power carried by individual modes. This paper derives the mathematical relationship between the power in the first two LP modes and their respective amplitude parameters. In subsequent experiments, this parameter is employed in conjunction with a measurement of the amplitude parameter to yield the modal power distribution in a dual mode fiber. Alternatively, if the power distribution is known by empirical means, the amplitude parameters can be determined to allow for accurate visualization of the propagating modes. This work allows for a better understanding of the operation of dual mode fibers in preparation for structural sensing.
Parallel white noise generation on a GPU via cryptographic hash

A good random number generator is essential for many graphics applications. As more such applications move onto parallel processing, it is vital that a good parallel random number generator be used. Unfortunately, most random number generators today are still sequential, exposing performance bottlenecks and denying random accessibility for parallel computations. Furthermore, popular parallel random number generators are still based off sequential methods and can exhibit statistical bias.In this paper, we propose a random number generator that maps well onto a parallel processor while possessing white noise distribution. Our generator is based on cryptographic hash functions whose statistical robustness has been examined under heavy scrutiny by cryptologists. We implement our generator as a GPU pixel program, allowing us to compute random numbers in parallel just like ordinary texture fetches: given a texture coordinate per pixel, instead of returning a texel as in ordinary texture fetches, our pixel program computes a random noise value based on this given texture coordinate. We demonstrate that our approach features the best quality, speed, and random accessibility for graphics applications.
An exact method for the calculation of certain Titchmarsh-Weyl m-functions

We consider the second order, linear, differential equation where q is real-valued. In the case we calculate the Titchmarsh-Weyl m -function associated with (*).
Dimension of a Family of Singular Bernoulli Convolutions

Abstract Let { X n } ∞ n = 0 be a sequence of i.i.d. Bernoulli random variables (i.e., X n takes values {0, 1} with probability 1 2 each), let X = ∑ ∞ n = 0 ρ n X n and let μ be the corresponding probability measure. Erdos-Salem proved that if 1 2 −1 is a P.V. number, then μ is singular. In this paper, we study the algebraic structure of ρ and the singularity of the correspondent μ in more detail. We introduce a new class of algebraic numbers containing the P.V. numbers, and make use of the self-similar property determined by such numbers to calculate the exact mean-quadratictariation dimension of μ. This dimension is most relevant to Strichartz′s recent work on Fourier asymptotics of fractal measures.
A Comparative Study of the Poison Apparatus of Certain Lepidopterous Larvæ

That certain Lepidopterous larvae possess poisonous hairs or spines is a fact well known to all entomologists. A real knowledge of such species, however, in general relates to such well known forms as Automeris io Fab., Hemileuca maia Drury, or certain of the EucleidA¦ such as the saddle-back, Sibine stimulea Clem. To those within the belt infested by the brown-tail, Euproctis chrysorrhea Linn., the severe urticating properties of the larval spicules of this form are only too familiar. Yet, outside of these few forms, most entomologists consider the Lepidoptera as being harmless so far as any direct effect upon man is concerned.
Hepatic Encephalopathy: Pathophysiology and Emerging Therapies

Hepatic encephalopathy is characterized by neuropsychiatric abnormalities in patients with liver failure. Severe hepatic encephalopathy is an indication for liver transplantation as it portends poor outcome. Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy involves correction of precipitating factors such as sepsis, gastrointestinal bleeding, medications, and electrolyte imbalance. Effective therapies include lactulose and antibiotics such as neomycin, metronidazole, and rifaximin.
The Influence of Roles, Advocacy, and Adaptation to the Accounting Decision Environment

ABSTRACT: Decision makers often adapt strategies to specific task and context variables by balancing the need to make good decisions with the need to minimize cognitive effort. However, decision makers must have the requisite knowledge, based on training, to choose the most appropriate strategy. We extend the judgment and decision making literature by experimentally examining how training in specific professional roles (tax and audit) influences advocacy attitudes, and how the elements of the decision environment interact with these attitudes to influence accountants’ judgments. Results indicate that attitudes are moderated by the requirements of the specific decision environment. Specifically, judgments of accounting professionals in a tax decision environment closely mirror their attitudes, whereas in an audit decision environment, this relationship is significantly weaker, indicative of a moderating effect of the decision environment. Supplemental analysis indicates that tax professionals are more like...
Pheochromocytoma and the Ectopic Corticotropin Syndrome in Association With Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and the Nephrotic Syndrome

N EPHROTIC RANGE proteinuria in association with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is not uncommon. We describe a patient with worsening proteinuria, FSGS unresponsive to steroid therapy, atypical hypertension, and hypokalemia, who was found to have a corticotropin-secreting pheochromocytoma. This case report outlines the unusual interrelationships of the resultant clinical syndrome. The pathophysiological concepts involved are then discussed.
The influence of high-temperature annealing on SiC Schottky diode characteristics

The influence of high temperature (up to 800C) annealing on the current-voltage characteristics of n-type 6H-SiC Schottky diodes is presented. Our experimental results indicate that high-temperature annealing can result in the improvement of the forw ard and reverse electrical characteristics of SiC Schottky diodes by repairing any leaky low barrier secondary diode parallel to the primary diode that may be present due to the barrier inhomogeneities at the Schottky contact interface.
Mars network for enabling low-cost missions

Abstract Mars is the first planet where significant steps are being taken to establish a “virtual presence throughout the solar system”—one of NASA's strategic goals. Preparations are under way to begin implementation of an evolving Mars Network of satellites to meet the future communications and navigation challenges of the ongoing international Mars exploration campaign. The Mars Network concept is to deploy two classes of satellites. The first class is very low-cost MicroSats, launched piggyback on Ariane 5, for deployment in 800-km circular orbits in a variety of planes for frequent global contacts. From their low orbits, the MicroSats provide highly efficient relay communication links for small, energy constrained landers, and their orbital motion provides strong navigation signatures. The second, larger class of Mars areostationary satellites (MARSats) are deployed in 17,000-km orbits with 1-sol periods, as required, to support very high bandwidth users.
Miniature fiber-optic force sensor for vitreoretinal microsurgery based on low-coherence Fabry-Pérot interferometry.

Vitreoretinal surgery requires delicate manipulation of retinal tissue. However, tool-to-tissue interaction forces in the order of sub-millinewton are usually below the human sensory threshold. A surgical force sensor (FS) compatible with conventional surgical tools may significantly improve the surgery outcome by preventing tissue damage. We have designed and built a miniature FS for vitreoretinal surgery using a fiber-optic common-path phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system where the distal end of the fiber probe forms a low-finesse Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity between the cleaved tip of the lead-in single mode fiber and the polished back surface of a stainless steel surgical tool tip. To accurately measure the change of the FP cavity length, the cavity is interrogated by the fiber-optic common-path phase-sensitive OCT. The FP cavity was illuminated with a broadband light source, and the interferometric signal was detected using a broadband spectrometer. The phase of the interferometric signal, which is proportional to the cavity length change as well as the exerted force, was extracted. We have conducted calibration experiments to characterize our one dimensional FS. Our result shows that the FS responses linearly to force in axial direction with force sensitivity better than 0.25 millinewton.
Use of Chou-Fasman amino acid conformational parameters to analyze the organization of the genetic code and to construct protein genealogies

Chou-Fasman parameters, measuring preferences of each amino acid for different conformational regions in proteins, were used to obtain an amino acid difference index of conformational parameter distance (CPD) values. CPD values were found to be significantly lower for amino acid exchanges representing in the genetic code transitions of purines, G⇆A than for exchanges representing either transitions of pyrimidines, C⇆U, or transversions of purines and pyrimidines. Inasmuch as the distribution of CPD values in these non G⇆A exchanges resembles that obtained for amino acid pairs with double or triple base differences in their underlying codons, we conclude that the genetic code was not particularly designed to minimize effects of mutation on protein conformation. That natural selection minimizes these changes, however, was shown by tabulating results obtained by the maximum parsimony method for eight protein genealogies with a total occurrence of 4574 base substitutions. At the beginning position of the codons G⇆A transitions were in very great excess over other base substitutions, and, conversely, C⇆U transitions were deficient. At the middle position of the codons only fast evolving proteins showed an excess of G⇆A transitions, as though selection mainly preserved conformation in these proteins while weeding out mutations affecting chemical properties of functional sites in slow evolving proteins. In both fast and slow evolving proteins the net direction of transitions and transversions was found to be from G beginning codons to non-G beginning codons resulting in more commonly occurring amino acids, especially alanine with its generalized conformational properties, being replaced at suitable sites by amino acids with more specialized conformational and chemical properties. Historical circumstances pertaining to the origin of the genetic code and the nature of primordial proteins could account for such directional changes leading to increases in the functional density of proteins.
The imbalances of telephone traffic for the United States

Abstract The US posts a large and growing deficit in international telephone services, a phenomenon often blamed on the accounting rate system. Using data for international calls between the US and 148 foreign destinations between 1991 and 1997, this paper finds that the increasing payment deficit for the US is associated with decreasing accounting rates. In other words, the international revenue settlement is related more to imbalances in telephone traffic than to accounting rates. The econometric model shows that growing asymmetries in teledensity, market concentration, and income levels between the US and the rest of the world explain the imbalances. Therefore, the appropriate solution to the payment deficit in telephone services is to focus on long-term economic factors that determine the flow of traffic.
Punished for their Good Deeds Stigmatization of AIDS Volunteers

This research investigated the impact of AIDS-related stigma on the antecedents, experiences, and consequences stages of AIDS volunteerism. Coordinated cross-sectional and longitudinal field studies and laboratory analogs are reviewed and reveal that volunteers and nonvolunteers consider AIDS volunteerism more stigmatizing than other forms of volunteerism. Potential stigmatization also prevented nonvolunteers from helping an AIDS organization, whereas reports of actual stigmatization predicted AIDS volunteers' burnout from their work and hastened their decisions to quit. In addition, volunteers who experienced stigmatization relatively unexpectedly were less satisfied and more burned out than volunteers who expected to be stigmatized. Thus, beyond the usual costs of doing volunteer work (e.g., time, energy), stigmatization may be a social cost that is especially pronounced among AIDS volunteers and has the effect of punishing them for their good deeds.
Optimizing the Set of Highlighted Options on Video Display Terminal Menus

Highlighting is typically used to draw individuals' attention to a particular area or word on a video display terminal menu. In many cases it serves a useful function. For example, highlighting can...
Combining PubMed knowledge and EHR data to develop a weighted bayesian network for pancreatic cancer prediction

In this paper, we propose a novel method that combines PubMed knowledge and Electronic Health Records to develop a weighted Bayesian Network Inference (BNI) model for pancreatic cancer prediction. We selected 20 common risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer and used PubMed knowledge to weigh the risk factors. A keyword-based algorithm was developed to extract and classify PubMed abstracts into three categories that represented positive, negative, or neutral associations between each risk factor and pancreatic cancer. Then we designed a weighted BNI model by adding the normalized weights into a conventional BNI model. We used this model to extract the EHR values for patients with or without pancreatic cancer, which then enabled us to calculate the prior probabilities for the 20 risk factors in the BNI. The software iDiagnosis was designed to use this weighted BNI model for predicting pancreatic cancer. In an evaluation using a case-control dataset, the weighted BNI model significantly outperformed the conventional BNI and two other classifiers (k-Nearest Neighbor and Support Vector Machine). We conclude that the weighted BNI using PubMed knowledge and EHR data shows remarkable accuracy improvement over existing representative methods for pancreatic cancer prediction.
Polarization correlations in pulsed, vertical-cavity, surface-emitting lasers

We have examined noise behavior and polarization correlations in the output of a pulsed, multitransverse-mode, vertical-cavity, surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). We have measured the output of the laser simultaneously in two orthogonal, linear polarizations as a function of drive current for pulse widths of 3 ns, 10 ns, and 30 ns. We present joint probability distributions for the number of detected photoelectrons in each of the two polarization-resolved outputs. The joint distributions indicate that the correlations can be quite complicated, and are not completely described by a single number (i.e., the correlation coefficient). Furthermore, we find that the number of lasing modes appears to be the most important parameter in determining the degree of polarization correlation.
Molecular dynamics simulation of uranyl(VI) adsorption equilibria onto an external montmorillonite surface.

We used molecular dynamics simulations to study the adsorption of aqueous uranyl species (UO22+) onto clay mineral surfaces in the presence of sodium counterions and carbonato ligands. The large system size (10 000 atoms) and long simulation times (10 ns) allowed us to investigate the thermodynamics of ion adsorption, and the atomistic detail provided clues for the observed adsorption behavior. The model system consisted of the basal surface of a low-charge Na-montmorillonite clay in contact with aqueous uranyl carbonate solutions with concentrations of 0.027 M, 0.081 M, and 0.162 M. Periodic boundary conditions were used in the simulations to better represent an aqueous solution interacting with an external clay surface. Uranyl adsorption tendency was found to decrease as the aqueous uranyl carbonate concentration was increased, while sodium adsorption remained constant. The observed behavior is explained by physical and chemical effects. As the ionic strength of the aqueous solution was increased, electrostatic factors prevented further uranyl adsorption once the surface charge had been neutralized. Additionally, the formation of aqueous uranyl carbonate complexes, including uranyl carbonato oligomers, contributed to the decreased uranyl adsorption tendency.
The Economics of a Blend Mandate for Biofuels

A biofuel blend mandate may increase or decrease consumer fuel prices with endogenous oil prices, depending on relative supply elasticities. Biofuel tax credits always reduce fuel prices. Tax credits result in lower fuel prices than under a mandate for the same level of biofuel production. If tax credits are implemented alongside mandates, then tax credits subsidize fuel consumption instead of biofuels. This contradicts energy policy goals by increasing oil dependency, CO 2 emissions, and traffic congestion, while providing little benefit to either corn or ethanol producers. These social costs will be substantial with tax credits costing taxpayers $28.7 billion annually by 2022. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Rotating a qubit

Abstract Current quantum computing models implicitly assume that there is no unknown relative phase between the components of the quantum state. Arguing that this is unrealistic because of time-evolution and decoherence, we ask the question if useful computations can be performed in the presence of unknown relative phase. Specifically, we examine the problem of rotation of a qubit and examine its broader implications for quantum computing. We show that unknown phase can make it impossible to perform useful computations.
Lifelong Brain Health is a Lifelong Challenge: From Evolutionary Principles to Empirical Evidence

Although the human brain is exceptional in size and information processing capabilities, it is similar to other mammals with regard to the factors that promote its optimal performance. Three such factors are the challenges of physical exercise, food deprivation/fasting, and social/intellectual engagement. Because it evolved, in part, for success in seeking and acquiring food, the brain functions best when the individual is hungry and physically active, as typified by the hungry lion stalking and chasing its prey. Indeed, studies of animal models and human subjects demonstrate robust beneficial effects of regular exercise and intermittent energy restriction/fasting on cognitive function and mood, particularly in the contexts of aging and associated neurodegenerative disorders. Unfortunately, the agricultural revolution and the invention of effort-sparing technologies have resulted in a dramatic reduction or elimination of vigorous exercise and fasting, leaving only intellectual challenges to bolster brain function. In addition to disengaging beneficial adaptive responses in the brain, sedentary overindulgent lifestyles promote obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, all of which may increase the risk of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. It is therefore important to embrace the reality of the requirements for exercise, intermittent fasting and critical thinking for optimal brain health throughout life, and to recognize the dire consequences for our aging population of failing to implement such brain-healthy lifestyles.
Adsorption of n-butane and 1,3-butadiene on cross-linked polystyrene

Abstract Adsorption isotherms of n -butane and 1,3-butadiene and their mixtures on cross-linked polystyrene at 25°C were measured by the frontal analysis method. Single-component isotherms appear to be of the Freundlich type. A binary Freundlich isotherm is adopted for discussing binary data and a method for calculating binary parameters is presented. Another binary Freundlich isotherm, which fails to agree with our data, was examined also.
Abnormal ipsilateral visual field representation in areas 17 and 18 of hypopigmented cats.

We compared the central projections of retinal ganglion cells in temporal retina and the cortical representation of visual fields in areas 17 and 18 in cats with various hypopigmentation phenotypes (albino, heterozygous albino, Siamese, and heterozygous Siamese). In all cats studied, we found that the extent of abnormal ipsilateral visual field representation varied widely, and more of the ipsilateral visual field was represented in area 18 than in area 17. The greatest degree of ipsilateral visual field representation was found in albino cats, followed by Siamese, heterozygous albino and heterozygote Siamese cats, respectively. Additionally, in the different groups there was wide variation in the numbers of contralaterally projecting alpha and beta ganglion cells in temporal retina. In all cases, however, contralaterally projecting alpha cells were found to extend further into temporal retina than beta cells. We found that in each cat studied, the maximum extent of the abnormal ipsilateral visual field representation in areas 18 and 17 corresponded to the location of the 50% decussation line (i. e., the point where 50% of the ganglion cells in temporal retina project to the contralateral hemisphere) for alpha and beta cells, respectively, for that cat. Our results suggest that the extent of the abnormal visual field representations in visual cortex of hypopigmented cats reflects the extent of contralaterally projecting retinal ganglion cells in temporal retina. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interactions of 1,25(OH)2D3 and retinoic acid in the regulation of IEC-6 cell alkaline phosphatase activity

The goal of the present work was to use IEC-6 cells to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying the regulation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (ALPA) by 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) and retinoids. Here we demonstrate that the vitamin D analogs, 25(OH)2-16-ene-23-yne-D3 and 1α, 24S-(OH)2-22-en-26, 27-dehydro-vitamin D3, which have been shown by others to bind to the intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR), have similar effects to 1, 25(OH)2D3 in increasing ALPA of IEC-6 cells. A third vitamin D analog, 25-(OH)-16-ene-23-yne-D3 (AT), which activates membrane 1,25(OH)2D3 effects, but binds poorly to the intracellular VDR, did not stimulate ALPA of IEC-6 cells. These data suggest that the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 to increase ALPA are mediated by intracellular VDR rather than by membrane actions of the hormone. The all-trans and 9-cis retinoic acids alone each caused increased ALPA of IEC-6 cells without altering steady-state levels of ALP mRNA, suggesting that retinoic acids may regulate ALPA of IEC-6 cells at a posttranscriptional level. Vitamin D analogs which bind intracellular receptors showed synergistic effects with either retinoid to increase ALPA, but there was no interaction with AT. Although the retinoids alone did not alter ALP mRNA levels, addition of 1,25(OH)2D3 in combination with either retinoid increased ALP mRNA more than did 1,25(OH)2D3 alone. These data suggest that the synergistic effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 and retinoids on IEC-6 cell ALPA are mediated by intracellular VDR. The results of these experiments indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3 alters IEC-6 cell ALPA via increased mRNA levels, while retinoids appear to both have post-transcriptional effects and the capacity to interact with 1,25(OH)2D3 in altering ALP mRNA levels.
Impurity-band transport in organic spin valves

The device resistance of organic spin valves is closely related to their large magnetoresistance, but the origin of this phenomenon is still unclear. Here, Yu provides an explanation in terms of electrons tunneling into a broad impurity band located between occupied and unoccupied molecular orbitals.
Isolation and sequence analysis of a β-tubulin gene from arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

A full-length β-tubulin gene has been cloned and sequenced from Gigaspora gigantea and Glomus clarum, two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species in the phylum Glomeromyota. The gene in both species is organized into five exons and four introns. Both genes are 94.9% similar and encode a 447 amino acid protein. In comparison with other fungal groups, the amino acid sequence is most similar to that of fungi in the Chytridiomycota. The codon usage of the gene in both AMF species is broad and biased in favor of an A or a T in the third position. The four introns varied in length from 87 to 168 bp for G. gigantea and from 90 to 136 bp for G. clarum. Of all fungi in which full-length sequences have been published, only AMF do not have an intron before codon 174. The introns positioned at codons 174 and 257 in AMF match the position of different introns in β-tubulin genes of some Zygomycete, Basidiomycete, and Ascomycete fungi. The 5′ and 3′ splice site consensus sequences are similar to those found in introns of most fungi. Sequence analysis from single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis confirmed the presence of two β-tubulin gene copies in G. clarum, but only one copy was evident in G. gigantea based on Southern hybridization analysis.
Hazards for nearby residents and cleanup workers of waste sites

This study weighs the risks to workers of cleaning up Superfund sites against the risks to residents if the sites were not cleaned up. Risks are measured by the number of deaths and disabilities due to injuries and diseases, as well as by the costs of these deaths and disabilities. We posit three methods to clean up the sites: one that is labor-intensive and two that are not. We posit 24 hypothetical sites, with varying numbers of residents and levels of cancer death and cancer disability rates. Depending on the cleanup method, the number of residents, and the rates, we find that the risks to workers frequently outweigh the risks to residents. We conclude that risks to workers should be accounted for in Environmental Protection Agency judgments regarding which and how Superfund sites should be cleaned up.
Upper atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere

Handbook of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics. Vol. 1: The Earth. 1. The Upper Atmosphere, Ionosphere and Magnetosphere. Edited by C. W. Gordon, V. Canuto and W. I. Axford. Pp. 412. (Gordon and Breach: London, 1978.) £35.
Changes in the Generativity and Use of Semantic Relationships Concurrent With Milieu Language Intervention

Changes associated with a milieu language intervention implemented to teach productive semantic relationships (e.g., action-object combinations) were investigated. Subjects were 11 young children with borderline to moderate levels of mental retardation, all in the early stages of language development. Following a baseline period, each subject received three to four training sessions per week in a small group interactive play situation. Measures of generativity were analyzed via pre/post group comparisons. Concurrent with the intervention subjects showed substantial gains in their ability to generatively produce semantic relationships in the intervention context and across settings, adults, and interaction styles. Subjects also correctly responded to an increasing proportion of target probe questions in both the intervention and generalization settings. The results suggest that, for most of the subjects, milieu teaching was associated with enhanced generativity and use of semantic relationships.
Unclassified Pleomorphic and Spindle Cell Pulmonary Neoplasm with Brain Metastases after Prasugrel

Background: There was an excess of new solid neoplasms (112 vs. 69), and cancer deaths (24 vs. 15) after prasugrel in the TRITON (Trial to Assess Improvement in T
Political Culture, Nonprofit Organizations, and the Financing of Human Services:

Students of fiscal policy have long noted the impact political culture has on spending levels. This relationship has not only been statistically dem onstrated but is incorporated in the stereotypical views held of certain areas. Some states are frequently identified as "low spenders," while others have a reputation for supporting services. When the federal government elected to reduce its support for many human services, an opportunity arose to understand whether political cultures had changed in some areas with regard to state and local support of human services. In states where the tradition was for low spendingfor services, did they respond by curtail ing programs, or did the public or private sectors increase their spending? In Texas, a state with a history of low spending levels for human services, neither the state legislature nor local governments increased their fiscal responsibilities for human services. However, there was a large increase in private sector contributions. The pattern of this resp...
A Video Display Generator Converts Microprocessor Information into A Color TV Display

The technology needed to convert the microprocessor's information into information that can be displayed on a commercial television set has been known for a long time. The need for the VDG has finally come. The past few years have demonstrated sharp relative declines in the cost of both microprocessors and 17" to 19" color televisions when compared to the general cost of electronic equipment. Color and black and white monitors have remained relatively high in price. Further many engineers (and other professionals) who would like to work on some software development or other computer based functions, find that they can't take their company's dedicated monitor home with them. The rest of the microcomputer system could easily fit in a briefcase. Television game manufacturers are also finding a need for a Video Display Generator as their games and displays beconie more and more complex.
Lower Cretaceous Deep-Sea Fan Complex Beneath the Lower Continental Rise Off North Carolina: ABSTRACT

Deep Sea Drilling Project Hole 603B, the first deep (1,585 m, 5,200 ft) penetration of the lower continental rise off the eastern United States, intersected an extensive (218 m, 715 ft) Lower Cretaceous deep-sea fan complex. Drilled 435 km (270 mi) east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about 320 km (200 mi) seaward of the Lower Cretaceous shelf break, the continuously cored Hauterivian to Barremian turbidite sequence consists of 47% terrigenous sand. The sand turbidites are generally poorly consolidated and porous except where locally cemented by calcite. The sands appear fresh and are dominated by subangular quartz with abundant feldspar, mica, heavy minerals, wood fragments (locally up to 20%), glauconite, and shallow-water bioclastics. The turbidites exhibit the entir range of Bouma textures and include plastically deformed blocks of sediments up to 25 cm (10 in.) across which indicate channelization and slumping within the fan. Interbedded with the sand turbidites are pelagic limestones and black claystone turbidites, the latter containing up to 13.6% organic carbon in overlying units. The relatively immature micaceous sands were apparently derived from deep erosion of the piedmont which fed large deltas that prograded across the continental shelf at several points along the central eastern seaboard. There they overwhelmed the fringing reef/carbonate bank and spilled their loads into the deep sea. Coeval deltaic or fan deposits within the circum-North Atlantic (for example, Wealden beds of England or DSDP Site 370/416 off Morocco) suggest either that eustatic sea levels were not rising appreciably (as is generally believed) or that there was synchronous or coincidental uplift and drainage diversion in these various areas. End_of_Article - Last_Page 540------------