cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In situ measurements of ultrathin silicon oxide dissolution rates

Abstract An in situ optical probe of ultrathin silicon oxide dissolution has been developed based on changes in the concentration of chelated Cu 2+ near the surface of a silicon wafer during diffusion-limited deposition of Cu. A laser is reflected from the surface of a silicon wafer at glancing incidence, which allows the diffusion layer to be sampled over about 7% of the laser path, while the laser intensity is monitored for changes in the optical absorption of chelated Cu 2+ . This method has been employed to measure the average dissolution rate of ultrathin silicon oxides into dilute HF solutions of various strengths. The silicon oxide layers were approximately 8.6 A thick, as measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry, and were formed by aqueous cleaning. The dissolution rates were on average 24% lower than those measured previously for thick thermally grown oxides into HF solutions. The reduction in the dissolution rate is consistent with the known densification of silicon oxide near the Si/SiO 2 interface.
Elevated expression of MCP-1, IL-2 and PTPR-N in basal ganglia of Tourette syndrome cases

Abstract Background Post-infectious autoimmunity has been implicated in pathogenesis of Tourette’s syndrome (TS) but no evidence of inflammation in central nervous system has been reported yet. We evaluated the expression of genes encoding selected inflammatory factors in post-mortem specimen of adult TS patients: interferon-γ (a cytokine released from CD8 and Thelper 1 CD4 subset of T lymphocytes), interleukin-2 (IL-2, a growth factor derived from T lymphocytes), interleukin-1 β (a cytokine involved in initiation of inflammation), monocyte chemotactic factor -1 (MCP-1, a marker of chronic inflammation) and CD45 (pan-leukocytic marker). For validation purposes, we determined expression of three genes that were previously reported to be elevated in post-mortem specimen of other TS cases: protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-N (PTPR-N), PTPR-U and recoverin. Methods Total RNA was isolated from formalin fixed brain tissue sections of basal ganglia area from four patients with TS and four control subjects, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was employed to quantitatively evaluate gene expression of the selected genes. Results Significantly increased expression of MCP-1, IL-2 and PTPR-N was observed in TS cases (6.5-fold, 2.3-fold and 16.1-fold increase, respectively, p Conclusions Elevated expression of MCP-1 and IL-2 supports the possibility of chronic inflammatory processes in the basal ganglia. Replication of elevated expression of PTPR-N in TS specimen suggests that pathway(s) involving this molecule may be important in TS pathogenesis.
Non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease is a hypokinetic movement disorder with cardinal motor features of bradykinesia, resting tremor and rigidity. However, non-motor symptoms, such as cognitive, neuropsychiatric, sleep, autonomic and sensory disturbances are gaining increasing attention. These non-motor symptoms may be intrinsic to the disease pathology or may be results of treatment with dopaminergic agents. Given that most, if not all, patients with Parkinson's disease will experience non-motor symptoms, it is important to be sensitive to these phenomena, especially since some non-motor signs may precede motor impairment. Treatment may include interventions independent of traditional, dopaminergic anti-Parkinson therapy or may be tailored to increase or reduce dopamine responsiveness of the symptom.
Too Smart for Primary Care

This commentary discusses the shortage of primary care physicians, framed by encounters where mentors have asserted that students are “too smart” for primary care. The authors discuss how this asse...
Strategic Steps to Successful Service-Learning in TESOL: From Critical to Practical

The purpose of this article is to share pedagogical materials and activities which can help TESOL practitioners prepare service-learning activities inside and outside the classroom. This study utilizes action research tools to improve academic service-learning in TESOL as a holistic approach to problem solving rather than a single method for collecting and analyzing data. The article describes the experiences of planning, implementing, participating in, and evaluating a successful university intensive English course at a midwestern U.S. university. Qualitative research methods used included document collection and analysis, authentic instructional artifacts, and a survey to exemplify the experiences of students and community partners. Students expressed their preferences for service-learning as both community building and personal growth opportunities with student reflection data. The results of this study suggest that the seven steps for service-learning in the TESOL model may be the starting point for developing additional context-specific service-learning courses in TESOL depending on the nature and location of an English language program. Based on the findings of the present research, the author also argues that this study shows that there are certain identifiable boundaries and combinations of useful steps for an acceptable TESOL service-learning project.
Variability in rates of arthrodesis procedures for patients with cervical spine injuries with and without associated spinal cord injury.

Background: Cervical spine injury, with or without spinal cord injury, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. While substantial regional variation has been shown in per capita rates of elective cervical spine surgery, similar data regarding arthrodesis rates for traumatic cervical injury have not been reported, to our knowledge. We assessed the rates of cervical spinal arthrodesis for patients who had a cervical spine injury with or without an associated spinal cord injury. Methods: The data for the present study came from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2002. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were used to identify patients with a cervical vertebral fracture or dislocation with or without an associated spinal cord injury. Hospitals were grouped according to their teaching status, location (urban or rural), and volume of cervical spine injury patients. The rates of spinal arthrodesis and halo/tong placement were compared for patients within each diagnostic category. Results: Twenty-eight thousand, five hundred and eighteen patients with a cervical spine injury were analyzed. Spinal arthrodesis was performed for 16.5% of patients who had a cervical fracture without an associated spinal cord injury, for 50.4% of patients who had a cervical spine fracture with an associated spinal cord injury, and for 44.1% of patients who had a cervical dislocation. With the numbers available, the rates of arthrodesis for patients who had a fracture without a spinal cord injury and for patients who had a cervical dislocation were not significantly different between high and low-volume centers, although the rate for patients who had a cervical fracture with a spinal cord injury was significantly higher at high-volume hospitals. The rates of arthrodesis did not vary significantly between urban teaching and nonteaching hospitals, with the numbers available, for patients in any of the three diagnostic categories. Individual hospitals had a threefold to fivefold variation in the arthrodesis rate for patients with a cervical spine injury, depending on the diagnostic category. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated substantial differences in the rate of arthrodesis for patients with cervical spine trauma, depending on the diagnostic category. The variations in the rates of arthrodesis within diagnostic categories appear to be lower than the previously reported variation in the rates of elective cervical spine procedures.
An analytical model for multilevel performance prediction of Multi-FPGA systems

Power limitations in semiconductors have made explicitly parallel device architectures such as Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) increasingly attractive for use in scalable systems. However, mitigating the significant cost of FPGA development requires efficient design-space exploration to plan and evaluate a range of potential algorithm and platform choices prior to implementation. The authors propose the RC Amenability Test for Scalable Systems (RATSS), an analytical model which enables straightforward, fast, and reasonably accurate performance prediction prior to implementation by extending current modeling concepts to multi-FPGA designs. RATSS provides a comprehensive strategic model to evaluate applications based on the computation and communication requirements of the algorithm and capabilities of the FPGA platform. The RATSS model targets data-parallel applications on current scalable FPGA systems. Three case studies with RATSS demonstrate nearly 90p prediction accuracy as compared to corresponding implementations.
An Extension Matrix Approach To The General Covering Problem

A new approach, called the extension matrix (EM) approach, for describing and solving the general covering problem (GCP) is proposed. The paper emphasizes that the GCP is NP-hard and describes an approximately optimal covering algorithm, AE1. AE1 incorporates the EM approach with a variety of heuristic search strategies. Results show the new algorithm to be efficient and useful for large scale problems.
Cleaning of Flue Gases from Waste Combustors

Abstract The combustion of hazardous and municipal wastes can effectively destroy targeted substances and reduce waste volume, thus extending the useful life of existing landfills. In addition, combustion may serve the beneficial conversion of waste to energy, such as for heating, cooling, or electrical energy applications. These benefits, however, are accompanied by the emission of air pollutants which require post-combustion controls in order lo meel regulatory requirements. Air pollutants resulting from the combustion of hazardous and municipal wastes which may require control include: acid gases, organic compounds, heavy metals, and particulate matter. Dry, semi-dry, and wet processes are available to control these classes of pollutants. The process which represents the optimum solution depends on numerous factors, including type of waste/fuel, targeted pollutants and the desired level of control for each, location of combustion unit, and residue disposal restrictions. Flue gas cleaning processes curr...
Walt Whitman: A Current Bibliography, Winter 2002

This Bibliography is brought to you for free and open access by Iowa Research Online. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walt Whitman Quarterly Review by an authorized administrator of Iowa Research Online. For more information, please contact lib-ir@uiowa.edu. Recommended Citation Folsom, Ed. "Walt Whitman: A Current Bibliography, Winter 2002." Walt Whitman Quarterly Review 19 (Winter 2002), 193-198.
Hyperinsulinemia in fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia in the rat

Rats were fed diets containing (as percent of calories) 66% glucose or fructose, 22% casein, and 12% lard, for 1 wk. The effects of these diets on plasma triglyceride, glucose, and insulin concentrations were compared to those of control rats eating regular rat chow. Plasma triglyceride levels increased from a mean (+/- SE) control level of 85 +/- 7 to 142 +/- 9 (p less than 0.001) and 380 +/- 38 (p less than 0.001) mg/dl in dextrose- and fructose-fed rats, respectively. Plasma insulin concentrations demonstrated a similar increase, rising from a mean (+/- SE) control value of 29 +/- 4 microunits/ml to 55 +/- 10 microunits/ml in dextrose-fed rats and 85 +/- 12 microunits/ml in rats eating the fructose diet. Plasma glucose concentrations of the three groups were comparable. These results indicate that fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia is associated with significant hyperinsulinemia.
Treatment choice for PTSD.

Abstract The impetus for seeking help for assault-related difficulties often rests upon the victims themselves. Yet, we know very little about what factors influence a woman’s decision to seek a particular kind of help after an assault. To learn more about these factors, data from 273 women with varying degrees of trauma history and subsequent PTSD symptoms were collected. All participants read a standard, “if this happened to you, what would you do” scenario describing a traumatic event and subsequent trauma-related psychiatric symptoms. Participants were given the same trauma scenario (i.e., sexual assault) and three treatment options to choose from: sertraline (SER), prolonged exposure (PE), or no treatment. Ratings of treatment credibility, personal reactions to treatment options, and treatment choice were examined. Women were more likely to choose PE than SER for the treatment of chronic PTSD. Perceived credibility of the treatment and personal reactions coincided with women’s choices. By better understanding who would choose which treatments for PTSD and why, we will improve our ability to tailor how we approach discussing treatment options with these women.
Une généralisation du théorème de Lagrange sur le développement en fraction continue

Resume On donne une generalisation d'un theoreme de Lagrange sur le developpement en fraction continue qui affirme qu'un irrationnel α e ℝ est quadratique si et seulement si la suite ( n k ) des quotients partiels est ultimement periodique.
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies to native and denatured DNA

A modification of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is described, that permits determination of antibodies to native DNA (nDNA). The same approach can be used to measure antibodies to denatured DNA (dDNA). Poor binding of nDNA to the polystyrene solid phase has presented difficulties in using the ELISA method for assaying anti-nDNA activity (Engvall, 1976), but we find that precoating of the solid phase with protamine sulfate circumvents this problem. Assays for anti-dDNA are also enhanced by the use of protamine sulfate coated tubes. We have used the ELISA method to assay 15 SLE and 27 non-SLE sera for anti-nDNA and anti-dDNA activity. The results are compared with those obtained using the GF/A glass fiber filter assay, previously described by Lewis et al. (1973).
Effects of dietary exposure to forest pesticides on the brown garden snail Helix aspersa Müller

Brown garden snails, Helix aspersa, were fed prepared diets with 12 pesticides used in forest spraying practices where endangered arboreal and terrestrial snails may be at risk. Acephate, atrazine, glyphosate, hexazinone, and picloram were not lethal at concentrations of 5,000 mg/kg in 14-day screening tests. The remaining seven pesticides, lethal to 13–100% of the tested snails at 5,000 mg/kg, were evaluated in 10-day definitive feeding tests. Azinphosmethyl (Guthion®) and aminocarb were the most toxic, with 10-day LC50s of 188 and 313 mg/kg, respectively. Paraquat, trichlorfon and fenitrothion had 10-day LC50s of 659, 664, and 7,058 mg/kg, respectively. Avoidance of pesticide-containing foods occurred, e.g., 10-day LC50s of >10,000 mg/kg for carbaryl and methyl parathion. Significant decreases (p<0.05) in snail weight (total, shell-only, body-only) or shell diameter were accompanied by a significant decrease in the amount of food consumed/snail/day. Concentrations of pesticide in tissues were measured in snails exposed to atrazine and azinphosmethyl; there was no bioaccumulation.
iDiary: From GPS Signals to a Text- Searchable Diary

This article describes iDiary, a system that takes as input GPS data streams generated by users’ phones and turns them into textual descriptions of the trajectories. The system features a user interface similar to Google Search that allows users to type text queries on their activities (e.g., “Where did I buy books?”) and receive textual answers based on their GPS signals. iDiary uses novel algorithms for semantic compression and trajectory clustering of massive GPS signals in parallel to compute the critical locations of a user. We encode these problems as follows. The k-segment mean is a k-piecewise linear function that minimizes the regression distance to the signal. The (k,m)-segment mean has an additional constraint that the projection of the k segments on Rd consists of only m ≤ k segments. A coreset for this problem is a smart compression of the input signal that allows computation of a (1+v)-approximation to its k-segment or (k,m)-segment mean in O(nlogn) time for arbitrary constants v, k, and m. We use coresets to obtain a parallel algorithm that scans the signal in one pass, using space and update time per point that is polynomial in log n. Using an external database, we then map these locations to textual descriptions and activities so that we can apply text mining techniques on the resulting data (e.g., LSA or transportation mode recognition). We provide experimental results for both the system and algorithms and compare them to existing commercial and academic state of the art. This is the first GPS system that enables text-searchable activities from GPS data.
Experimental acute alcoholic myopathy—a histochemical study

The histochemical features of muscle injury and repair were examined in an experimental form of acute alcoholic myopathy in the rat. Typical features of rhabclomyolysis were found, which were indicated by scattered muscle fiber necrosis followed by sequential phases of fiber degeneration, phagocytosis, and regeneration. Nests of small, regenerated, or split fibers remained 2 months after the episode of acute myopathy. Vulnerability of type 1 fibers to alcohol-induced muscle injury was evident by selective involvement of muscles with type 1 fiber predominance and by the fact that regenerating fibers were virtually exclusively type 1. The histologic features of myopathy in this model closely parallel those in human acute alcoholic myopathy.
Parallel and Complementary Detection of Proteins by p-type and n-type Silicon Nanowire Transistor Arrays

Label-free, real-time, parallel and complementary electrical detection of proteins is demonstrated by p-type and n-type silicon nanowire field-effect transistors in the same arrays. Composed of hundreds of individually electrically addressable nanowire devices with highly sensitive and reproducible performances, these nanowire arrays can be controllably modified by monoclonal antibodies, and show discrete conductance changes characteristic of highly selective binding and unbinding of target proteins, such as prostate specific antigens (PSA), thus providing a general and powerful platform for high-throughput real-time parallel detection and rapid screening of libraries of biomolecules. Studies show that the PSA proteins can be routinely detected at femtomolar concentrations with high selectivity, and simultaneously incorporation of both p-type and n-type silicon nanowire devices enable discrimination against false positive/negative signals. The integrated complementary nanowire sensor arrays open up substantial opportunities for diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases such as cancer, detection of biological threats, and fundamental proteomic and biophysical studies.
Special states in the spin-boson model

For the spin-boson model we numerically exhibit special microscopic initial states that evolve, under pure quantum dynamics, from one macroscopically well-defined state to another. This is unusual in that typical states of the model evolve to superpositions of macroscopically different states. Although the mathematical rationale for the existence of the special states is not clear, that existence reflects favorably on a proposed theory of quantum measurement.
Development of a polarized electron source for the MIT-Bates Linear Accelerator Center

The polarized electron source at MIT-Bates has been developed to provide beams for nuclear physics experiments with a very diverse set of requirements. The source has combined operation at high peak and average current with high polarization. Developments have included the pioneering of several techniques used in parity violating experiments to remove helicity correlations from beam properties. This paper describes the design of the source and its performance during beam operations.
Women's knowledge of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects one in four women over the age of 65 and is a major cause of hip fractures that place women in nursing homes. In this study of 247 women, their knowledge of osteoporosis was assessed with the Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz. The instrument measured their responses to questions about self-care practices related to risk factors and preventive behavior associated with osteoporosis. Respondents came from occupational and primary health care settings and a health fair. The women ranged in age from 22 to 84 years. Findings indicated that the majority of women had inadequate knowledge of osteoporosis risk factors and preventive behavior.
Evaluating energy efficiency investments: accounting for risk in the discounting process

A prominent feature of the literature regarding the economics of energy conservation is the debate over the existence and nature of the so-called efficiency gap. A frequent subject of debate is whether consumers apply a reasonable discount rate when evaluating the future benefits of energy efficiency measures. A key aspect of the discounting debate is the manner in which consumer attitudes toward risk are accounted for when discounting. This paper suggests that an appropriate approach to incorporating risk into the evaluation of energy efficiency projects would yield higher net benefits to such projects than standard evaluation techniques. We argue that analysing the purchase of fuel-saving capital as though it were a standard investment in a physical asset obscures an important feature of the decision. Rather than deciding whether or not to invest in an asset with an uncertain future benefit stream, the consumer is actually choosing between two future cost streams, each of which is uncertain. This seemingly minor change in perspective has important implications for how the risk associated with fuel-saving capital should be brought into the discounting process. An example based on lighting technologies is used to illustrate the principles discussed.
UNIVERSITIES AND R&D FUNDING PROGRAMS: IS GOOD SCIENCE ENOUGH?

How should universities respond to the increasing competition for federal research dollars? From the current literature and the varied professional perspectives of the respondents to a recent survey evaluation of a research and development program, this paper identifies a range of possible university responses. The responses include: argue with logic, demand with political clout, strategically develop niche expertise, provide training for faculty to develop the perspective and skills necessary for collaborative research, and maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the utilization of available funds.
Simple acoustical technique for automated measurement of drift tube anode wire tension

We describe a simple and inexpensive acoustical technique that permits rapid, accurate and in situ measurement of drift tube anode wire tensions even if the anode wire is electrically discontinuous.
In Pursuit of the Newt

It looks like a frog-but with a tail. Its legs are as long as its arms. Some live in water, and some are semiaquatic, returning to water to breed. But perhaps what's most noteworthy about the newt is its remarkable ability to bounce back from what would be catastrophic injuries to other creatures. Front leg munched off by a predator? Another leg will grow in its place. Eye poked out by a fast-moving branch? The newt can fix that too. Even more complicated organs are not beyond the regenerative capacities of the little newt: intestines, spinal cord, and even heart can be recovered. It's superhero material and, more close to home, it's a model that researchers in regenerative medicine are not beyond aspiring to. Dr. Cato Laurencin was heard earlier this year encouraging his col leagues at the Annual Society for Biomaterials Conference to bring out the inner newt in all of us. Newts may be phylogenetically much lower than humans, but in the areas of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, advances in research have propelled us to the point that we might, in fact, aspire to newtness-before us lies the possibility and project of figuring out how we too might grow an entire limb or repair whole organs at the site of injury.
A total synthesis of actinomycin D (C1) via peptide cyclization between proline and sarcosine.

Es wird eine Totalsynthese von Actinomycin D (C1) beschrieben, in der die Schlusselreaktion, namlich die Zyklisierung der Pentapeptidlaktonringe, durch eine Nitrophenylester-Synthese zwischen Prolin und Sarkosin ausgefuhrt wurde. Die Estergruppe zwischen der Carboxylgruppe desN-Methylvalins und derβ-Hydroxylgruppe des Threonins wurde durch Reaktion von Boc-Thr-OH mit dem gemischten Anhydrid aus Z-MeVal-OH und Chlorameisensaure-isobutylester hergestellt.
Damage clusters after gamma irradiation of a nanoparticulate plasmid DNA peptide condensate

We have gamma-irradiated plasmid DNA in aqueous solution in the presence of submillimolar concentrations of the ligand tetra-arginine. Depending upon the ionic strength, under these conditions, the plasmid can adopt a highly compacted and aggregated form which attenuates by some two orders of magnitude the yield of damage produced by the indirect effect. The yields of DNA single- and double-strand breaks (SSB and DSB) which result are closely comparable with those produced in living cells. The radical lifetimes, diffusion distances, and track structure are expected to be similarly well reproduced. After irradiation, the aggregation was reversed by adjusting the ionic conditions. The approximate spatial distribution of the resulting DNA damage was then assayed by comparing the increases in the SSB and DSB yields produced by a subsequent incubation with limiting concentrations of the eukaryotic base excision repair enzymes formamidopyrimidine-DNA N-glycosylase (the FPG protein) and endonuclease III. Smaller increases in DSB yields were observed in the plasmid target that was irradiated in the condensed form. By modeling the spatial distribution of DNA damage, this result can be interpreted in terms of a greater extent of damage clustering.
Predicting and preventing root resorption: Part II. Treatment factors

The main objective of this study was to determine which treatment factors are most clearly identified with external apical root resorption that is detectable on periapical radiographs at the end of orthodontic treatment. The records of 868 patients who completed fixed, edgewise treatment from experienced clinicians in private practice were examined. The horizontal and vertical displacement of the root apex of the maxillary central incisor was measured on cephalometric radiographs. Patients who underwent first premolar extraction therapy had more resorption than those patients who had no extractions or had only maxillary first premolars removed. Duration of treatment and the horizontal (but not vertical) displacement of the incisor apices were significantly associated with root resorption. No differences were found for slot size, archwire type, use of elastics, and types of expansion. However, there was considerable variation among the 6 offices that were surveyed; 1 office averaged nearly a full millimeter more of resorption per anterior tooth than the office with the least amount of root resorption. We conclude that the clinician should exercise caution with those patients in whom extraction therapy is planned for overjet correction that requires above average treatment time. Finally, each clinician should be aware that the root resorption seen in one practice may be different from the root resorption found in another practice.
Novel zinc phosphate phases formed with chiral d-glucosamine molecules

Chiral syntheses and separations of both intermediate and final compounds are currently extremely important areas of research, especially for the chemical, pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and biomedical industries. We are investigating the synthesis of new inorganic porous materials for enantiomeric selectivity. We present a study of inorganic zinc phosphate crystalline phases templated with the chiral molecule d-glucosamine hydrochloride. The crystallization of these phases is highly dependent on reaction time, temperature, and stoichiometry. Resultant new phases include a mesoporous phase and a layered phase. Data indicates that the walls of the new 32 A sized mesoporous phase are crystalline and ordered. Characterization techniques applied include powder X-ray diffraction, TEM, and 31P MAS NMR.
Purification of cell subpopulations via immiscible filtration assisted by surface tension (IFAST)

The selective isolation of a sub-population of cells from a larger, mixed population is a critical preparatory process to many biomedical assays. Here, we present a new cell isolation platform with a unique set of advantages over existing devices. Our technology, termed Immiscible Filtration Assisted by Surface Tension, exploits physical phenomena associated with the microscale to establish fluidic barriers composed of immiscible liquids. By attaching magnetically-responsive particles to a target cell population via immunocapture, we can selectively transport this population across the immiscible barrier and into a separate aqueous solution. The high interfacial energy associated with the immiscible phase / aqueous phase boundaries prevents unwanted cells or other contaminants from inadvertently crossing the immiscible phase. We have demonstrated, using fluorescent particles, stromal cells, and whole blood as “background”, that we can successfully isolate ~70% of a target breast cancer cell population with an average purity of >80%. Increased purity was obtained by coupling two immiscible barriers in series, a modification that only slightly increases operational complexity. Furthermore, several samples can be processed in parallel batches in a near-instantaneous manner without the requirement of any washing, which can cause dilution (negative selection) or significant uncontrolled loss (positive selection) of target cells. Finally, cells were observed to remain viable and proliferative following traverse through the immiscible phase, indicating that this process is suitable for a variety of downstream assays, including those requiring intact living cells.
Application of Time Projection Chambers with GEMs and Pixels to WIMP Searches and Fast Neutron Detection

Abstract We present work on the detection of neutral particles via nuclear recoils in gas-ﬁlled Time Projection Chambers (TPCs). We employ Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) to amplify the signal and silicon pixel electronics to detect the avalanche charge. These technologies allow ionization in the target gas to be detected with low noise, improved position and time resolution, and high efficiency. We review experimental results obtained in previous years, and report on ongoing simulation studies and construction of the ﬁrst prototype at the University of Hawaii. We also present prospects of using such detectors to perform direction-sensitive searches for WIMP dark matter and fast neutron from ﬁssionable material.
Synthesis and structure of the two-dimensional bimetallic oxide [H4tphz]3[{Zn2(tphz)(H2O)4}{Mo5O15(O3PCH2CH2PO3)}4] · 14H2O: the hydrothermal conversion of tetra-2-pyridylpyrazine to tetrapyrido [2,3-a:3′,2′-c:2″,3″-h:3‴,2‴-j]phenazine (tphz)

Abstract The hydrothermal reaction of (NH4)6Mo7O24 · 4H2O, ZnSO4 · 7H2O, tetra-2-pyridylpyrazine, ethylenediphosphonic acid, H2O and HF at 170 °C for 96 h yields yellow crystals of [H4tphz]3[{Zn2(tphz)(H2O)4}{Mo5O15(O3PCH2CH2PO3)}4] · 14H2O (1 · 14H2O) (tphz=tetrapyrido[2,3-a:3′,2′-c:2″,13″-h:3‴,2‴-j]phenazine (tphz)). The structure of 1 consists of two-dimensional networks constructed from chains of {Mo5O15(O3PR)2}4− clusters tethered through the ethylene bridges of the diphosphonate ligands, which are in turn crosslinked through the {Zn2(tphz)(H2O)4}4+ subunits. This connectivity generates intralamellar cavities which are occupied by the tetraprotonated H4tphz4+ cations. A curious feature of the chemistry is the hydrothermal conversion of the tetra-2-pyridylpyrazine starting material to tphz.
A comparison of developmental versus functional assessment in the rehabilitation of young children.

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in and potential uses of information derived from developmental vs. functional assessment during the acute rehabilitation of ver...
Actinomycin D in the treatment of advanced breast cancer

Actinomycin D is generally administered by serial low-dose injection over 5-10 days. Recent recognition of prolonged serum and tissue half-lives suggests that high-dose intermittent injecton should be equally effective and less toxic. An intermitten single dose schedule was selected for this phase II trial of actinomycin D in 23 patients with advanced breast cancer refractory to standard combination chemotherapy. The drug was given in doses of 0.75-1.5 mg/m2 at 2-week intervals or on days 1 and 8 of 28-day treatment cycles. One patient obtained a partial response with a duration of 5.7 months. Four patients experienced stabilization of advanced disease, with a mean duration of response of 6.4 months. Gastrointestinal toxicity occurred in 47% of patients and mild to moderate myelosuppression in 39%. We conclude that actinomycin D in this dosage and schedule has limited activity in advanced breast cancer. Higher doses might result in increased response rates but would be associated with greater toxicity.
Qualitative functional decomposition analysis of evolved neuromorphic flight controllers

In the previous work, it was demonstrated that one can effectively employ CTRNN-EH (a neuromorphic variant of EH method) methodology to evolve neuromorphic flight controllers for a flapping wing robot. This paper describes a novel frequency grouping-based analysis technique, developed to qualitatively decompose the evolved controllers into explainable functional control blocks. A summary of the previous work related to evolving flight controllers for two categories of the controller types, called autonomous and nonautonomous controllers, is provided, and the applicability of the newly developed decomposition analysis for both controller categories is demonstrated. Further, the paper concludes with appropriate discussion of ongoing work and implications for possible future work related to employing the CTRNN-EH methodology and the decomposition analysis techniques presented in this paper.
Preliminary study of electromagnetic emissions from cracks in ice

Abstract In a first attempt to understand the nature of observed electromagnetic emissions from large ice sheets and glaciers during fracture, it was hypothesized that internal microcracking played a role in causing this phenomenon. Laboratory-based experiments were conducted in search of evidence to support this view. It was determined that signals could be correlated with individual cracks within the bulk of a test sample. Three types of signal were observed: exponentially decaying signals with amplitudes under 10 m V and durations between 0.15 and 1.0 ms were produced by grain-boundary type cracks (i.e. small stable through-thickness or partial-through-thickness cracks of the order of grain diameter in length); axial splits (i.e. larger planar cracks usually running the length of the sample) caused similarly shaped signals with larger amplitudes (tens to hundreds of millivolts) and longer durations (1–10 ms); the third signal type exhibited a sinusoidally decaying form and is attributed to the complex ...
Charge-dependent two-body interactions deduced from displacement energies in the shell

Abstract The f 7 2 shell model is used to relate displacement energies in the region A = 41–55 to a single-particle displacement energy and the differences between the proton-proton, proton-neutron, and neutron-neutron two-body matrix elements for J = 0, 2, 4 and 6. We find that the displacement energies for essentially all measured states (about 60) can be calculated to within an rms deviation of 12 keV by using a fixed set of these parameters. A few discrepancies such as for the 0+ and 2+ states in A = 42 can be due to large admixtures outside f 7 2 configurations. The deduced two-body matrix elements are compared with previous results for the d 5 2 s 1 2 and d 3 2 shells. The empirical results are compared with calculations of the Coulomb two-body matrix elements assuming j2 configurations. The empirical pp-nn matrix elements are anomalous relative to these simple calculations. The size of the anomaly for the 2J + 1 weighted average of the pp-nn interactions in the 1 f 7 2 shell is about the same as that deduced from the single-particle nuclei by Nolen and Schiffer; the J-dependence of the anomaly is very irregular. The empirical pn-nn matrix elements are consistent with zero except in the case of J = 0. The anomalies in both the pp-nn and pn-nn interactions may be due to configuration mixing and/or a charge dependence in the nucleon-nucleon interaction. The importance of the mass dependence in ħω for rms radii and Coulomb shifts is discussed. The displacement energies for proton rich f 7 2 nuclei are predicted and isospin-mixing matrix elements are calculated. Relations between the exact calculation and the generalized-seniority approximation are discussed.
The Effect of Intraseasonal Circulation Variability on Winter Temperature Forecast Skill

Abstract The prediction of winter in the United States from Pacific sea surface temperatures was examined using a jackknifed regression scheme and a measure of intraseasonal atmospheric circulation variability. Employing a jackknifed regression methodology when deriving objective prediction equations allowed forecast to be better quantified than in past studies by greatly increasing the effective independent sample size. The procedures were repeated on three datasets: 1) all winters in the period 1950–79 (30 winters), 2) the 15 winters having the highest Variability Index (VI), and 3) the 15 winters having the lowest VI. The Variability Index was constructed to measure the intraseasonal variability of five-day period mean 700 mb heights for a portion of the Northern Hemisphere. Verification results showed that statistically significant skill was achieved in the complete sample (overall mean percent correct of 39 and 59 for three- and two-category forecasts respectively), but improved somewhat for the low ...
Sociodemographic correlates of Alexithymia

The association between alexithymia and sociodemographic variables is not well understood. Previous studies using the current 20-item and previous 26-item versions of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) have shown inconsistent associations with age, sex, socioeconomic status, and years of education. We tested 380 subjects from the community stratified equally across sex, five age groups, and three socioeconomic classes. In addition to the TAS-20, we also administered the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS), a behavioral measure of the ability to be aware of and represent emotions in words, a core component of alexithymia. The TAS-20 and LEAS were each correlated with age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and years of education (P < .01) in the same direction and to approximately the same degree. Alexithymia (or low emotional awareness) is associated with older age, male sex, lower SES, and fewer years of education. The TAS-20 and LEAS are only slightly correlated (r = −.19, n = 380, P < .001), but their correlation is largely accounted for by their shared variance with these demographic variables. The convergence of findings with these two quite different measures and the nature of their overlap support the validity of these associations between alexithymia and sociodemographic variables.
The effects of metal-oxygen bond strength on properties of oxides: II. Water-gas shift over bulk oxides

The water-gas shift reaction was studied at temperatures near 650 K over a series of bulk oxide samples (Fe3O4, ZnFe2O4, MgFe2O4, ZnO, MgO, SnO2, Al2O3, TiO2, Na-mordenite, SiO2). Magnetite (Fe3O4) catalyzed the reaction via an oxidation/reduction, regenerative mechanism; and, the remaining oxides catalyzed the reaction through an associative mechanism involving an adsorbed intermediate believed to be a formate species. The catalytic activities of the oxides for which the associative mechanism was dominant increased as the metal-oxygen bond strength of the oxide decreased. Accordingly, basic oxides were more reactive than acidic oxides. This change in activity is interpreted in terms of the reactivity of oxygen or hydroxyl groups on the oxide surfaces.
DOES NONCALCIFIED PLAQUE IMPROVE THE DIAGNOSTIC AND PROGNOSTIC UTILITY OF CORONARY CT ANGIOGRAPHY? A STUDY OF PROPENSITY-MATCHED INDIVIDUALS WITH SIMILAR CORONARY CALCIUM SCORES FROM THE PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTER INTERNATIONAL CONFIRM REGISTRY

Calcified plaque (CP) on non-contrast coronary calcium scoring (CCS) robustly predicts future major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Noncalcified plaques (NCP) are detectable by contrast-enhanced coronary CT angiography (CCTA), but whether NCP improves diagnostic and prognostic utility beyond CCS
Acute and Subchronic Inhalation Studies on Trifluoroiodomethane Vapor in Fischer 344 Rats

Trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) is being considered as a replacement compound for halon fire suppressants. Its structure is similar to that of Halon 1301 (CF3Br), but it has very low ozone depletion potential compared to CF3Br. As part of the process of developing environmental and health effects criteria, acute, 2-week, and 13-week nose-only inhalation toxicity studies were conducted in Fischer 344 rats. In the acute study, three groups of 30 male rats each were exposed to 0 (control), 0.5, or 1.0% (v/v) CF3I for 4 hr and euthanized immediately following exposure, 3 days postexposure, or 14 days postexposure. There were no deaths and no clinical signs of toxicity throughout the study. Histopathologic examination of select tissues showed no lesions of pathologic significance. In the 2-week study, four groups of 5 male rats each were exposed for 2 hr/day, 5 days/week to 0, 3, 6, or 12% CF3I. No deaths were observed, though lethargy and slight incoordination were noted in rats of the 6 and 12% groups at the conclusion of each daily exposure. Mean body weight gains were depressed in rats of the 6 and 12% groups. Serum thyroglobulin and reverse T3 (rT3) values were increased at all exposure levels. At necropsy, no gross lesions or differences in absolute or relative organ weights were noted. Histopathologic examination of the thyroid and parathyroid glands indicated no morphological abnormalities in the CF3I-exposed rats. In the 13-week study, four groups of 15 male and 15 female rats were exposed to 0, 2, 4, or 8% CF3I 2 hr/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks. Rats exposed to 4 or 8% CF3I had lower mean body weights than the controls. Deaths observed in the 2 and 8% groups were attributed to accidents resulting from the restraint system employed. Hematologic alterations were minimal and considered insignificant. Increases in the frequency of micronucleated bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes were observed in rats of all three CF3I groups. Serum chemistry alterations observed in rats of all CF3I exposure groups included decreases in T3 and increases in thyroglobulin, rT3, T4, and TSH. Relative organ weight increases (8% CF3I group) occurred in the brain, liver, and thyroid glands; decreases were observed in the thymus and testes. A decrease in relative thymus weights and an increase in relative thyroid weights were observed also in rats of the 2 and 4% groups. Histopathological findings included a mild inflammation in the nasal turbinates of rats exposed to 4 or 8% CF3I, mild atrophy and degeneration of the testes (4 and 8% CF3I groups), and a mild increase in thyroid follicular colloid content in rats of all CF3I exposure groups. Though NOAELs were observed for select target organs (e.g., nasal turbinates, testes), NOAELs were not apparent in all target organs examined (e.g., thyroid glands, bone marrow).
Acoustic intensity in the ear canal. Incident, reflected and emitted waves

The present report describes a new method to directly measure the acoustic intensity of incident and outgoing sound waves in the ear canal in response to continuous broadband stimuli. The method was applied in normal hearing adults to determine the frequency-dependent input impedance and power reflection coefficient of the ear. The reflection coefficient exhibited a minimum value of /spl sim/0.3 near the primary resonant frequency of /spl sim/2.5 kHz. Preliminary data further indicate that the reflection coefficient may change with stimulus wavefrom amplitude, temporal structure, and ear canal exit impedance - observations indicating nonlinearity of the acoustic input-output behavior of the ear. Results have implications regarding assessment of middle ear and cochlear physiology using noninvasive ear canal pressure measurements.
Examining validity in a performance test: the listening summary translation exam (LSTE) - Spanish version

This article reports on a project undertaken by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) to develop and validate a criterion-referenced perform ance test of listening summary translation ability for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).1 The listening summary translation exam (LSTE- Spanish version) is designed to assess ability to comprehend and summarize in written English recorded conversations spoken in Spanish. The language and topics of these conversations are intended to be representative of the conversations which the FBI routinely monitors.Bachman (1991) mentions two fundamental requirements for ensuring the validity of effective language testing procedures. First, the language abilities measured by the test must correspond to those abilities needed to carry out tasks in the target-language use situation. Secondly, features of the test tasks, or test method characteristics, must correspond to critical features of target- language use tasks. Bachman (1990; 1991) has suggested that the degree ...
Preferred Dimensions in Discrimination Learning by Monkeys

Abstract : Twelve naive rhesus monkeys were trained on three new color discriminations and three new form discriminations each day for 100 days, each type of problem being presented on a distinctively colored background. They were also given four ambiguous problems in which the stimuli differed in both color and form, two on the color background and two on the form background. The monkeys developed a systematic preference for solution according to color. (Author)
Least squares model fitting to fuzzy vector data

Abstract We consider model fitting problems in which the mathematical model of an observed event is a system of equations involving model parameters and observables, and in which the data are fuzzy vectors. Such problems naturally arise in applications when data are scarce and information is vague about distributions of variances that are contained in the observations. Then it may only be possible to obtain estimates of membership functions of the data. A model can be fitted to such data by maximizing the membership values of the adjusted observations. We achieve this by minimizing the sum of squares of the deviations of the membership values from one. The optimization problem simplifies significantly if the membership functions of the fuzzy vectors belong to a class of conical functions, which are defined in terms of an elliptic norm. Properties of these functions are discussed and a membership propagation formula derived which component-wise obeys the extension principle. The least squares model fitting to the described fuzzy vector data deviates in important aspects from ordinary least squares. One obtains as a solution a fuzzy model parameter vector and a number of indicators which describe the quality of the fit, viz., the grade of compatibility between data and model, their discord and dilators of model and data membership functions. These new concepts are illustrated and discussed in the context of an example from a terminal ballistics problem.