cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Dual Fixed-Point CORDIC Implementation

We introduce Dynamic Dual Fixed Point (DDFX) CORDIC, that relies on run-time alteration of the numerical format of the Dual Fixed Point (DFX) CORDIC hardware. This allows for enhanced dynamic range and accuracy. Fixed Point, Dual Fixed Point, Floating Point, and Dynamic Dual Fixed Point CORDIC units are compared in terms of resources and accuracy. Results show that the hardware/software approach achieves higher dynamic ranges than DFX arithmetic at the expense of a slight increase in resources, while exhibiting comparable or even higher accuracy than Floating Point Arithmetic realizations.
Returning research results: caregivers' reactions following computerized cognitive training among childhood cancer survivors

Background Few researchers routinely disseminate results to participants; however, there is increasing acknowledgment that benefits of returning results outweigh potential risks. Our objective was to determine whether use of specific guidelines developed by the Children's Oncology Group (COG) when preparing a lay summary would aid in understanding results. Specifically, to determine if caregivers of childhood cancer survivors found a lay summary comprehensive, easy to understand, and helpful following participation in a computerized cognitive training program. Methods In a previous study, 68 childhood survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or brain tumor with identified cognitive deficits were randomly assigned to participate in a computerized cognitive intervention or assigned to a wait list. Following conclusion of this study, participants' caregivers were contacted and provided with a summary of results based on COG guidelines and survey. Forty-three participants returned the surveys, examining caregivers' interpretation of the summary, reaction to the results, and information regarding preference for receiving results. Results Caregivers reported results as important (93%), helpful (93%), easy to understand (98%), and relevant to their child (91%). They interpreted the results as generally positive, with many caregivers endorsing satisfaction (84%); however, concern of long-term implications was expressed (25%). Most preferred receiving results through postal letter (88%) or email (47%). Conclusions Benefits of returning research results to families appear to outweigh potential negative consequences. Returning results may help inform families when making future health care-related decisions. There is a great need to develop and assess the utility of guidelines for returning research results.
The Challenge of Multispectral Remote Sensing for Mapping Kentucky Wetlands

Accurate and up-to-date data on the location and characterization of Kentucky's wetlands are lacking. The goal of this research was to assess the potential of low-cost, multispectral imagery for the delineation and classification of wetlands in three focal river basins: the Kentucky River Basin, Licking River Basin, and the Salt River Basin. Methods included the classification of mid-resolution multispectral Landsat 8 and ASTER remotely sensed imagery. These data were evaluated in conjunction with ancillary watershed, soil, and hydrologic data layers in a GIS. The field-verified results demonstrate the challenges of classifying Kentucky's wetlands using mid-resolution multispectral imagery due to the spectral similarity of wetlands and other land cover classes. The majority of commission errors occurred in inundated or partially inundated areas with abundant vegetation, notably agricultural fields and forests. Future research may improve classification by incorporating LiDAR slope and elevation data.
Curtailing Perovskite Processing Limitations via Lamination at the Perovskite/Perovskite Interface

Standard layer-by-layer solution processing methods constrain lead–halide perovskite device architectures. The layer below the perovskite must be robust to the strong organic solvents used to form the perovskite while the layer above has a limited thermal budget and must be processed in nonpolar solvents to prevent perovskite degradation. To circumvent these limitations, we developed a procedure where two transparent conductive oxide/transport material/perovskite half stacks are independently fabricated and then laminated together at the perovskite/perovskite interface. Using ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, external quantum efficiency, X-ray diffraction, and time-resolved photoluminesence spectroscopy, we show that this procedure improves photovoltaic properties of the perovskite layer. Applying this procedure, semitransparent devices employing two high-temperature oxide transport layers were fabricated, which realized an average efficiency of 9.6% (maximum: 10.6%) despite series resistance l...
Cosmological implications of ultralight axionlike fields

Cosmological observations are used to test for imprints of an ultralight axionlike field (ULA), with a range of potentials $V(\ensuremath{\phi})\ensuremath{\propto}[1\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{cos}(\ensuremath{\phi}/f){]}^{n}$ set by the axion-field value $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and decay constant $f$. Scalar field dynamics dictate that the field is initially frozen and then begins to oscillate around its minimum when the Hubble parameter drops below some critical value. For $n=1$, once dynamical, the axion energy density dilutes as matter; for $n=2$ it dilutes as radiation and for $n=3$ it dilutes faster than radiation. Both the homogeneous evolution of the ULA and the dynamics of its linear perturbations are included, using an effective fluid approximation generalized from the usual $n=1$ case. ULA models are parametrized by the redshift ${z}_{c}$ when the field becomes dynamical, the fractional energy density ${f}_{{z}_{c}}\ensuremath{\equiv}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{a}({z}_{c})/{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{\mathrm{tot}}({z}_{c})$ in the axion field at ${z}_{c}$, and the effective sound speed ${c}_{s}^{2}$. Using Planck, BAO and JLA data, constraints on ${f}_{{z}_{c}}$ are obtained. ULAs are degenerate with dark energy for all three potentials if $1+{z}_{c}\ensuremath{\lesssim}10$. When $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1+{z}_{c}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}10$, ${f}_{{z}_{c}}$ is constrained to be $\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.004$ for $n=1$ and ${f}_{{z}_{c}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.02$ for the other two potentials. The constraints then relax with increasing ${z}_{c}$. These results have implications for ULAs as a resolution to cosmological tensions, such as discrepant measurements of the Hubble constant, or the EDGES measurement of the global 21 cm signal.
Test-driven design in Java for novice programmers

The tutorial will show how testing and test-first design can be incorporated into every introductory course on object-oriented programming using Java. We will show the syntax for the tests that use our novice-friendly tester library, and describe the pedagogy we use to enforce test-first design from the very first program students write. The tester library is freely available on our web site with extensive documentation that shows how to use it with Eclipse, NetBeans, BlueJ, or just command-line Java compilation.
Optimal needle entry angle for cervical transforaminal epidural injections.

Background: Cervical epidural steroid injections can be performed through either interlaminar or transforaminal approaches, although the interlaminar approach is more frequently used, for cervical radicular pain as a result of cervical disc herniation or spinal stenosis. Cervical selective nerve root block (CSNRB) is an injection that uses a similar approach to that of cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection (CTFESI) but CSNRB is mainly used for diagnostic injection, often with local anesthetic only. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate an optimal needle entry angle for cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection (CTFESI) or cervical selective nerve root block (CSNRB) using the fluoroscopically guided anterior oblique approach. The angle for optimal entry into the neuroforamen was measured at various vertebral levels using cross-sectional cervical spine computed tomography (CT) scans. Study Design: Retrospective case series analysis. Methods: From March 2009 to July 2012, consecutive patients with presumed discogenic neck pain underwent cervical post discography CT scans. The axial images of these CT scans were used to measure the optimal angle for needle entry into the neuroforamen. The angles were taken bilaterally at levels of C3-4, C4-5, C5-6, C6-7, and C7-T1. The average angle between the patient’s left and right side was calculated. A total of 190 patients were analyzed, including 73 men and 117 women, with ages ranging from 21 to 78 years old. Results: In both men and women, the mean optimal angle (in degrees) with standard deviation measured in the 190 patients at C3-4, C4-5, C5-6, C6-7, and C7-T1 were 48 ± 4, 49 ± 4, 49 ± 4, 49 ± 5, 48 ± 6, respectively. The 95% confidence interval for the true value of the parameter is within 39.84 to 57.56 degrees. Limitations: The data for the optimal needle entry angle for CTFESI has yet to be tested or confirmed in clinical studies. Conclusion: This is the first study investigating the optimal needle entry angle for performing CTFESIs or CSNRB. Based on a patient population of 190, the optimal entry angle using the anterior oblique approach appears to be between the range of 33 to 68 degrees with an average of slightly less than 50 degrees. Further research with angle of needle entry and/or initial fluoroscopic alignment of approximately 50 degrees in CTFESI or CSNRB is warranted to confirm the usefulness of these findings.
Acclimation of C2C12 myoblasts to physiological glucose concentrations for in vitro diabetes research.

Abstract Aims The interplay between hyper-glycemia and -lipidemia in diabetes mellitus (DM) is important in simulating diabetic conditions. However, cell culture media typically contain supraphysiological levels of glucose to stimulate cellular growth, which also desensitizes cells to elevated glucose levels. Moreover, creating hyperlipidemic conditions in vitro requires specialized carriers because unbound lipids form micelles when introduced to liquid media. This study sought to develop a novel method for simulating DM conditions in vitro. Materials and methods We acclimated the C2C12 mouse myoblasts to culture medium with 5.6 mM glucose, which mimics physiological levels, and created a bovine serum albumin-palmitic acid conjugate for lipid transport to explore the effects of hyperlipidemia. We simulated diabetic conditions in vitro by using both hyper–glycemic and –lipidemic conditions and compared the results to that of only hyperglycemic or hyperlipidemic conditions. Key findings Acclimated cells exposed to these hyper-glycemic (15 mM glucose) and/or -lipidemic (0.25 mM palmitate) conditions for 2 h showed increased mitochondrial fragmentation and membrane potential as well as elevated reactive oxygen species production compared to control cells. These findings suggest altered mitochondrial morphology and function, which have been confirmed using isolated rat flexor digitorum brevis myofibers. Hyper-glycemic and/or -lipidemic stimulations for 24 h significantly increased mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase MEK 1/2 protein expression, upregulated the early pro-apoptotic transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and induced apoptosis. Significance Our results further support and confirm the utility of this method which will allow for subsequent investigations studying the effects of hyper-glycemia and/or -lipidemia in vitro.
An Inclusion-Exclusion Proof of Wilson's Theorem

Classroom Capsules are short (1–3 pages) notes that contain new mathematical insights on a topic from undergraduate mathematics, preferably something that can be directly introduced into a college ...
Methodological improvements for fluorescence recordings in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Xenopus laevis oocytes are a widely used model system because of their capacity to translate exogenous mRNA, but their high intrinsic background fluorescence is a disadvantage for fluorescence recordings. Here, we developed two distinct methods for improving fluorescence recordings from oocytes. One was a pharmacological method in which a small-molecule salt-inducible kinase inhibitor was co-injected with the mRNA of interest to stimulate melanin production. We interrogated the oocytes using cut-open voltage clamp with simultaneous fluorescence recording and found that by increasing the amount of light-absorbing melanin in these oocytes, we decreased their intrinsic background fluorescence. The treated oocytes produced fluorescence signals that were approximately four times larger. The second method consisted of direct injection of synthetic melanin. This method also significantly improved (doubled) fluorescence signals and allowed any oocyte to be used for fluorescence recording. These two methods provide significant improvements of the signal quality for fluorescent oocyte recordings and allow all healthy oocytes to be used for high-sensitivity recordings.
Effect of indium accumulation on the growth and properties of ultrathin In(Ga)N/GaN quantum wells

Abstract In this work, we present the investigation of InN/GaN multiple-quantum-well (MQW) growth by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy using in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) to monitor the growth process. The analysis of the RHEED intensity and pattern transitions identified an indium surface accumulation even with a nominal thickness of InN as small as 0.5 monolayer (ML). This result explicitly shows that, even at low growth temperatures of ~550 °C, not all of the supplied indium is incorporated into the quantum well (QW). Moreover, the residual indium can become incorporated into the GaN matrix on either side of the QW. Both QW thickness and the photoluminescence (PL) emission energy showed a self-regulating behavior. The apparent thickness did not exceed 2 MLs even when the deposited InN thickness is as large as 5 MLs. The PL emission shows a continuous redshift with the deposited InN from ~370 nm for 0.5 ML until it saturates at ~423 nm for >2 ML. Based on the observed growth phenomena, a qualitative growth model was developed to explain the self-limited epitaxial growth of ultrathin In(Ga)N/GaN QWs.
5 – Recycling and life cycle assessment of fuel cell materials

: Whereas much attention has been paid to the environmental aspects of the life cycle of fuel cell fuel production, emphasis is placed on fuel cell hardware and materials recovery, including component reuse, remanufacturing, materials recycling and energy recovery for fuel cell maintenance and retirement processes. Fuel cell hardware recycling is described and issues related to the recycling infrastructure and the compatibility of fuel cell hardware and materials are discussed. The role of materials selection and recovery in the fuel cell life cycle is described. Future trends for fuel cells centered on voluntary and mandatory recovery and the movement of life cycle considerations from computational research laboratories to design complete the discussion.
Mol-ecular and crystal structure, optical properties and DFT studies of 1,4-dimeth-oxy-2,5-bis-[2-(4-nitro-phen-yl)ethen-yl]benzene.

The title compound DBNB, C24H20N2O6, has been crystallized and studied by X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and computational methods. In the title mol­ecule, which is based on a 1,4-distyryl-2,5-di­meth­oxy­benzene core with p-nitro-substituted terminal benzene rings, the dihedral angle between mean planes of the central fragment and the terminal phenyl ring is 16.46 (6)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by π–π inter­actions. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6–311 G(d,p) level of theory were used to compare the optimized structures with the experimental data. Energy parameters, including HOMO and LUMO energies, their difference, and vertical excitation and emission energies were obtained.
Trolleys, Transplants and Inequality: An Egalitarian Proposal

This paper deals with the core version of the Trolley Problem. In one case (Trolley) many people favor an act (throwing a switch) which will bring about the death of one person but save five other persons (rather than letting five die and one go on living). In another case (Transplant) most people would refuse to “sacrifice” one person in order to save five other lives (rather than letting five die and one go on living). Since the two cases seem similar in all relevant respects, we have to explain and justify the diverging verdicts. Since I don’t find current proposals of a solution convincing, I propose an alternative one according to which (Transplant)—but not (Trolley)—violates two forms of equality. I also test the underlying egalitarian principle against other cases. I argue that it offers a good explanation and also a normative justification of our intuitive verdicts about the cases.
Factors contributing to veterans' satisfaction with PTSD treatment delivered in person compared to telehealth.

IntroductionTelehealth is an increasingly popular treatment delivery modality for mental healthcare, including evidence-based treatment for complex and intense psychopathologies such as post-trauma...
KEA3: improved kinase enrichment analysis via data integration.

Phosphoproteomics and proteomics experiments capture a global snapshot of the cellular signaling network, but these methods do not directly measure kinase state. Kinase Enrichment Analysis 3 (KEA3) is a webserver application that infers overrepresentation of upstream kinases whose putative substrates are in a user-inputted list of proteins. KEA3 can be applied to analyze data from phosphoproteomics and proteomics studies to predict the upstream kinases responsible for observed differential phosphorylations. The KEA3 background database contains measured and predicted kinase-substrate interactions (KSI), kinase-protein interactions (KPI), and interactions supported by co-expression and co-occurrence data. To benchmark the performance of KEA3, we examined whether KEA3 can predict the perturbed kinase from single-kinase perturbation followed by gene expression experiments, and phosphoproteomics data collected from kinase-targeting small molecules. We show that integrating KSIs and KPIs across data sources to produce a composite ranking improves the recovery of the expected kinase. The KEA3 webserver is available at https://maayanlab.cloud/kea3.
How not to research public spheres: A new “dream of a physics of librarianship”

Research attention has been focused on the public sphere and librarianship recently, generating disagreement, even controversy. This reflects long-running debates in LIS and related fields. This is not a stale rehash: how we think about the public sphere and libraries is an indicator of libraries in democratic societies and how we position them. A compact account of affinity groupings around this research in LIS will precede an account of the controversy suggesting the question, are there still actually existing public spheres as Habermas deployed the term? The answer clarifies the controversy, and the paper will explore and draw conclusions from it.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL DEFICITS AND THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC

Abstract In publications spanning the last 20 years, the present author has discussed the ranking of entire nations by their social and economic performance. Here the sustainable development goals (SDGs) achievements of all OECD member nations for 2020 are investigated, using a set of nine indicators of “Human Well-being” published by the OECD office in Paris, and also using Covid-19 data published by the World Health Organization (WHO). We show that the pandemic struck more severely those nations that already before Jan.1, 2020 harbored unrecognized and unattended well-being deficits in terms of indicators such as care fo the elderly, personal safety, and hygiene. The calculations support views argued forcefully by J.E. Stiglitz, J.- P. Fitoussi and M. Durand (2019) : markets are not in equilibrium all the time, and economics needs a new paradigm recognizing the possibility of Pareto inefficiency.
A Review ofForensic Sciences

This three volume set was written for attorneys so they could obtain a basic understanding of legal medicine and the forensic sciences for use in criminal and civil cases. The topics are relevant and the information is current and the major divisions of forensic science are included.
Steady-state and dynamic study of one-cycle controlled three-phase active power filter

One-cycle control active power filter (OCC-APF) with vector operation is a promising method to cancel harmonics and correct power factor. It features simple circuit, high performance, and excellent stability. This paper studies the performances of both the steady-state and dynamics. The stability condition for three-phase OCC-APF is first derived. Some typical large signal perturbations and the tracking ability for the fast transient are investigated, which provides guidelines for the design of the control circuit and the main circuit. All analysis and results were verified by simulation and experiments based on a three-phase 5 kW pre-industrial OCC-APF prototype.
Dealing with uncertainty

Juan G. Roederer raises some difficult questions in his Forum article “The Challenge of Global Change” (Eos, Sept. 18, 1990): “How can we sustain a public sense of the common danger of global change while remaining honest in view of the realities of scientific uncertainties? How can we nurture this sense of common danger without making statements based on half-baked ideas, statistically unreliable results, or oversimplified models? How can we strike a balance between the need to overstate a case to attract the attention of the media and the obligation to adhere strictly to the ethos of science?” There are no easy answers to these questions since debate and uncertainty characterize most scientific advancements. Also, it is often very difficult in the early stages of those advancements to determine which ideas are “half-baked,” which results are “statistically unreliable,” or which models are “oversimplified.”
Pharyngoceles: A photo-anatomic study and novel management

Objectives/Hypothesis Pharyngoceles are outpouchings of the lateral pharyngeal wall through the thyrohyoid membrane. These entities are inconsistently documented in the literature given the varying terminology and poor anatomic description. Open surgical repair has been the mainstay of treatment for symptomatic pharyngoceles. Study Design A systematic literature review was conducted to identify articles presenting cases of pharyngoceles. Two case reports supplement the data found. Methods Through a PubMed search, articles were examined specifically for anatomical discussions, presenting symptoms, and management strategies. To this data, we add two cases of bilateral symptomatic pharyngoceles with full multimedia documentation, including one patient treated successfully with novel endoscopic suture pharyngoplasties. Results Twenty-five articles were identified that described 59 cases of pharyngoceles, for a total of 61 patients reviewed. Few articles include descriptive anatomy and correlate in vivo examples, and none describe intraluminal pharyngocele structure in detail. Both patients at our institution had complete resolution of their symptoms, as determined by interviews and oropharyngeal motility studies. Conclusions Relatively few true pharyngoceles have been reported in the surgical literature. We offer the first detailed endoscopic anatomic description and formal evaluation of swallowing outcomes, as well as an anatomically-based endoscopic approach. These lesions may be amenable to endoscopic repair with minimal long-term morbidity. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2013
The Marketing Concept in an Academic Setting

ABSTRACT During the past twenty years, marketers of the educational product have seen significant growth in the percentage of minority students enrolled at colleges and universities across the United States. Those minority consumers of the educational product bring vastly different cultural values, norms, and experiences to the marketing exchange. Such cultural differences present compelling concerns for marketers of the educational product. This paper presents the application of the marketing concept and the marketing lens as a philosophical and empirical approach to more accurately determine and subsequently satisfy the needs of the culturally diverse consumers of the educational product. Results of the study indicated that Asian/Pacific Islander and Anglo students differed in the selection and weighting of evaluative criteria for the quality of the educational institution. Further, the two consumer groups possessed distinct antecedents of satisfaction with that product.
Characterization of a klystrode as a RF source for high-average-power accelerators

The klystrode is a relatively new type of RF source that has demonstrated DC-to-RF conversion efficiencies in excess of 70% and a control characteristic uniquely different from those for klystron amplifiers. The different control characteristic allows the klystrode to achieve this high conversion efficiency while still providing a control margin for regulation of the accelerator cavity fields. We present test data from a 267-MHz, 250-kW, continuous-wave (CW) klystrode amplifier and contrast this data with conventional klystron performance, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of the klystrode technology for accelerator applications. We present test results describing that limitation for the 250-kW, CW klystrode and extrapolate the data to other frequencies. A summary of the operating regime explains the clear advantages of the klystrode technology over the klystron technology.
Lessons Learned from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Digital System Risk Research

For the past several years, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its contractors have been actively engaged in research to determine the capabilities and limitations of the state of the art o...
Changes in resting energy expenditure after weight loss in obese African American and white women

Background: Previous studies showed that resting energy expenditure (REE) is lower in obese African American women than in obese white women. It is unknown, however, whether there are racial differences in how REE responds to weight loss and energy restriction. Objective: We assessed REE, body composition, and respiratory quotient before and after weight loss in obese black and white women. Design: We measured REE by indirect calorimetry and body composition by densitometry before and after 20-24 wk of treatment with a 3870-4289-kJ/d diet. Subjects were 109 obese females (24 black, 85 white) with a mean (±SD) body mass index (in kg/m 2 ) of 36.3 ± 5.0, weight of 95.7 ± 12.6 kg, and age of 42.3 ± 8.1 y. Results: Before treatment, REE, adjusted for body composition, was significantly lower in black than in white subjects (P = 0.001). Black subjects lost significantly less weight during treatment than did white subjects (13.4 ± 5.9 kg or 14.2 ± 5.7% compared with 16.4 ± 5.6 kg or 17.0 ± 5.7%, respectively: P = 0.04). Analyses that controlled for initial REE and changes in fat mass and fat-free mass showed that blacks had significantly greater decreases in REE after treatment than did whites (9.9 ± 7.3% compared with 6.3 ± 7.4%; P = 0.02). Conclusion: This study suggests that weight loss results in greater reductions in REE in obese black women than in obese white women. These data underscore the need to consider both biological and behavioral factors when setting expectations and assessing outcomes for obesity treatment in African American women.
Evidence for peptide aggregation

Evidence is presented that peptides may occur in aggregated form. Addition of 125I-Tyr-DSIP to serum resulted in four peaks after gel filtration chromatography on a column of Sephadex G-25. One of the peaks (C) eluted at the same position as the labeled peptide standard. Two Peaks (A and B) eluted before the standard and one (peak D) afterwards. The first peak (A) eluted at void volume, a position expected for labeled peptide bound to protein. The other two peaks (B and D), corresponding to smaller molecular size material, were greatly reduced by addition of glacial acetic acid or the chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline before or even after mixing of the peptide with serum. Iron was one of the ions found to interact with 125I-Tyr-DSIP, and chromatography of a mixture of ferric chloride and peptide without serum resulted in the additional formation of peak B. A substantial portion of peaks A, B, and C (but not D) reacted with a specific DSIP antibody, indicating the presence of intact peptide. The results are consistent with the concept that peptides may occur in multiple forms.
A novel approach to study variable heavy chain gene usage in response to the capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C.

The molecular mechanisms involved in the relatively poor immune response in the elderly are not clearly understood. Qualitative aspects of the immune response could be a possible explanation for the differential response to T-independent antigens in young adults and elderly. This study is directed towards elucidating the differential usage of variable heavy chain by young adult and elderly derived sequences in response to the capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C. We currently report findings of a preliminary study designed to test the feasibility of a novel approach to isolate antigen-specific B cells. Paramagnetic beads coated with an anti-idiotypic antibody, which mimics the capsular polysaccharide of N. meningitidis serogroup C, were used to select B cells. Analysis of the gene usage data indicates some unexpected differences in the use of variable chain heavy chain in the case of young adult versus elderly sequences. The elderly derived sequences use a more diverse array of VH gene families in contrast to the young adult sequences, where the VH gene family usage is restricted. Nearly half the young adult sequences utilize VH3-15 germline sequence while only 25% of the elderly sequences use this germline sequence. There were interesting differences in the types of JH chain and the composition and length of CDR3 utilized by the two groups. Together, these significant differences may contribute towards the poor immune response to T-independent antigens in the elderly. These data validate the techniques used for these studies and suggest that it is pertinent to use this approach towards future investigations to elucidate gene usage in response to an antigen.
Middle atmospheric electrodynamics during map

Abstract The recent revival and strong motivation for research in middle atmospheric electrodynamics can be attributed, in large part, to the discovery of large (V/m) electric fields within the lower mesosphere during the decade prior to MAP. The fields, if real, could significantly perturb atmospheric electrical structure on both a local and global basis. Subsequent rocket soundings appear to verify the preliminary findings. During the MAP era, more sophisticated techniques have been employed to obtain measurements which respond positively to criticisms of earlier results, and which provide more insight regarding the characteristics of the intermittently observed large electric fields. The occurrence of mesospheric V/m electric fields now seems to require the presence of aerosols, of local winds and related dynamics, and of an atmospheric electrical conductivity less than 10 −10 S/m. Furthermore, new theoretical ideas describing the origin of the V/m fields are consistent with the measurements. The current status of results regarding V/m fields in the middle atmosphere is reviewed in light of the more widely accepted electric field structure for this region from rocket, balloon, and modelling results.
Unimolecular decomposition of cyclo-C4F8 induced by a CO2 tea laser

Octafluorocyclobutane has been shown to decompose clearly to tetrafluoroethylene when irradiated at room temperature with 949 cm−1 radiation from a pulsed CO2 laser. A calculation of the energy absorbed from the laser beam, combined with known unimolecular rate constants for the corresponding thermal reaction, indicates that the thermal reaction cannot account for the observed product yields. It is proposed that reaction of vibrationally excited molecules is responsible for the observed reaction.
Burn wound assessment in porcine skin using indocyanine green fluorescence

Background An accurate assessment of deep dermal burns within the first week after burn is still an unresolved clinical problem. Infrared-excited fluorescence of indocyanine green was examined as a method of early determination of burn depth. Methods Burns of varying depths were placed on the paraspinal region, flank, and abdomen of swine using a heated brass block. Fluorescence images of the burns were recorded 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours later. Results The ratio of fluorescence in 64 burn wounds relative to adjacent normal tissue identified wounds that healed and did not heal within 21 days with an accuracy of 100%, after accounting for the age of the burn. Higher fluorescence ratios were observed in newly placed burns relative to older burns having comparable depths. Conclusion Deep partial-thickness burns were differentiated from deep dermal full-thickness burns in a porcine skin burn model independent of body location. Diagnosis was possible between 1 and 72 hours after injury.
Challenges in the Verification of Mobile Ad Hoc Networking Systems

Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) techniques are critical to the success of emerging modern warfare concepts and are required to support communications for mobile military platforms, including ships, aircrafts, and ground vehicles operating in a highly dynamic and mobile tactical communications network without fixed infrastructure. Research in Mobile Ad Hoc Networking has increased dramatically over the last few years with significant work in hardware architectures, media access and routing protocols. Until now, most of the work has been in simulation and small-scale laboratory demonstrations due to the significant resources required to implement an actual network with sufficient nodes to fully exercise the capabilities of both the hardware and software. There is significant need to develop testbeds to fully understand the behavior of ad hoc networks, performance under real-world application scenarios. This paper describes a testbed for a real system application exercised in an outdoor environment which approximates very closely the physical operational environment. The ad hoc network performance results include throughput and delay under conditions of mobility and foliage.
Ordered phases of fullerene molecules formed inside carbon nanotubes

A simulated annealing method was used to study the minimum energy configurations of ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecules inside carbon nanotubes. Simulations for over 50 nanotubes with radii from 6.27 \AA{} to 13.57 \AA{} showed that ten different phases exist in this size range. Both chiral and achiral phases were found. The achiral phases consist of layers of stacked polygons rotated by an angle of $360/(2k)$ relative to each other, where k is an integer. The chiral phases consist of multistranded helices. Tubes of larger radii, each of the $(n,n)$ type, were also studied; these also exhibited helical and polygonal-layered phases. For tubes larger than (24,24), ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecules can be at the tube center as well as at the wall. The effects of multiwalled versus single-walled tubes were shown to be small. The phase structure is very sensitive to the tube radius and is different from that for the packing of hard spheres.
Remarks about the interpretation of impulse experiments in shear flows of viscoelastic liquids

The effect of inertia in three popular impulse experiments in shear flows of viscoelastic liquids is considered. Dynamics of the flow is used to evaluate the stress observables such as the shear stress and the first normal stress difference at the walls. In particular we find that for many linear viscoelastic models with slowly fading memory, the difference between experimental observables and a theory based on the assumption of ignorable inertia could be quite substantial.
Efficient production of I(52P12) in the photodissociation of ICN

Abstract Photolysis of ICN in the A ← X continuum near 260 nm is shown to produce electronically excited iodine atoms with a quantum yield of 0.5 ± 0.1. In conjunction with previous photofragment spectroscopy and laser induced fluorescence studies, this result suggests that at least two excited states of ICN play a role in the photodissociation of this molecule.
Equal-Status Contact and Modification of Racial Prejudice: A Reexamination of the Contact Hypothesis

Recent research on equal-status interracial contact suggests that such contact lessens prejudice. The present study extends research on equal-status contact into a situation designed to elicit favorable contact, namely faculty desegregation in public schools. Black and white teachers were interviewed with regard to their levels of prejudice both before and after participating in an in-service training institute on problems of school desegregation in Houston, Texas. In addition, a follow-up survey was administered sixteen months after the conclusion of institute training. The conclusions were: (1) after completion of institute training white respondents scored significantly lower on all measures of prejudice while black scores remained relatively stable; (2) teachers who participated in institute training were significantly less prejudiced than were a random sample of non-institute participants selected from the same schools; and (3) institute training was more effective in lessening white prejudice toward blacks than in reducing black prejudice toward whites. In relating these findings to recent research by Cohen and Roper and W. Scott Ford, we conclude that many interracial contact situations that are perceived as being of equal status by whites are not perceived in the same manner by blacks, a conclusion which suggests a modification of the traditional equal-status contact hypothesis as well as having direct implications for policymaking in the area of school desegregation. Studies of the effects of equal-status interracial contact on attitudes and behavior of majority and minority group members have generally yielded consistent results. Most such research has concluded that social contact between participants of equal status reduces prejudice (Amir; Brophy; Gundlach; Mann; Meer and Friedman; Yarrow et al.). Research has also found reduction of prejudice in situations where contact is between majority group members and high-status representatives of the minority group (Amir; Irish; Mannheimer and Williams; Watson). The concept "contact" has been applied to a wide spectrum of situations with a variety of subjects. Contact situations studied include the armed services, residential areas, recreational activities, occupational endeavors, and various types of classroom situations. Subjects include children and various categories of adults, frequently segregated by sex. Activities studied as examples of contact can be viewed as existing on a continuum ranging from extreme forms of cooperation (e.g., white and black groups in combat together) to competitive and conflict situations (e.g., invasion of a white residential area by blacks). The most appropriate generali*This research was conducted under grant no. MH14622 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The authors are indebted to Lynn Weber Cannon for her helpful critique and suggestions for revision.
miRNAs give worms the time of their lives: Small RNAs and temporal control in Caenorhabditis elegans

Alteration in the timing of particular developmental events can lead to major morphological changes that have profound effects on the life history of an organism. Insights into developmental timing mechanisms have been revealed in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, in which a regulatory network of heterochronic genes times events during larval development, ensuring that stage-specific programs occur in the appropriate sequence and on schedule. Developmental timing studies in C. elegans led to the landmark discovery of miRNAs and continue to enhance our understanding of the regulation and activity of these small regulatory molecules. Current views of the heterochronic gene pathway are summarized here, with a focus on the ways in which miRNAs contribute to temporal control and how miRNAs themselves are regulated. Finally, the conservation of heterochronic genes and their functions in timing, as well as their related roles in stem cells and cancer, are highlighted. Developmental Dynamics 239:1477–1489, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The fixation of radioactive digitoxin by isolated hearts.

The nature of digitoxin fixation in isolated hearts was studied with C14 labelled digitoxin. Fixation was greatest in the early stages of perfusion. The amount of drug fixed was measured directly. A considerable percentage of the digitoxin in cardiac muscle was changed to other substances. These substances are more firmly bound to the heart than digitoxin.
Fast leader-election protocols with bounded cheaters' edge

We study the leader election problem on n players in the asynchronous full-information model. Our main contention is that the most commonly used performance measure for leader-election protocols, called resilience, is unable to discern whether a small number of players can exercise disproportionate influence on the outcome of a protocol, or not. As a remedy we propose a new quantity, named cheaters' edge, which roughly describes by what multiplicative factor malicious players may increase, through cheating, their probability of getting elected. Arguably, a good protocol must have bounded cheaters' edge.We present polynomial-time constructions of new leader-election protocols that are fast, in terms of the rounds required (5, 5 log n, and log n rounds, respectively), but moreover exhibit bounded cheaters' edge under progressively looser restrictions on the number t of malicious players: t
Determining the optimum operating parameters of a unipolar PWM inverter using experimental approach

This paper presents a study of determining the optimum operating parameters of a unipolar PWM inverter. Variations on the input voltage level and switching frequency will be investigated to see their impacts on the operation of the inverter and harmonics produced. Results through experimental approach show that careful selections of inverter parameters yield inverter's operation with highest efficiency and lowest distortion.
International expected real interest rates: New tests of the parity hypothesis and U.S. fiscal policy effects

Abstract This paper investigates the links among expected real interest rates across countries and also those between international expected real interest rates and U.S. fiscal policy. We analyze the cross-sectional mean of international ex-post real interest rates as an estimator for the mean international expected real interest rate. Our results strongly reject the international expected real interest rate parity hypothesis; reveal that U.S. budget deficits have no independent effects on international real rates given the impact of U.S. government defense spending; and suggest that forces other than U.S. fiscal policy account for the post-1980 rise in international real rates.
Roll Call Votes on Cabinet Confirmations

Studies of cabinet nominations by the Senate have focused on the process and the outcomes of cabinet confirmation votes in the Senate, while the individual votes of senators have received little attention. This study examines roll call votes on all cabinet nominations since 1969 in an effort to explore the effects political and personal factors have on senators' votes on cabinet confirmations. Three basic conclusions emerge: the most significant influences on senators' confirmation votes are personal factors, especially perceptions of the nominee being a policy extremist; negatives matter more than positives; and there are partisan differences, as presidential party senators have a higher probability of voting to confirm when allegations of wrongdoing are made.
Don't Use Rank Sum Tests to Analyze Factorial Designs

Previous work has suggested a rank sum test for 8-run, fractional-factorial designs. This article points out two flaws with this recommendation. First, it relies on a backward elimination procedure that is almost guaranteed to include inactive terms whe..
Association between tobacco use in pregnancy and placenta-associated syndromes: a population-based study

Cigarette smoking is an established risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between maternal smoking in pregnancy and the occurrence of placental-associated syndromes (PAS). We analyzed data from a population-based retrospective cohort of singleton deliveries that occurred in the state of Missouri from 1989 through 2005 (N = 1,224,133). The main outcome was PAS, a composite outcome defined as the occurrence of placental abruption, placenta previa, preeclampsia, small for gestational age, preterm or stillbirth. We used logistic regression models to generate adjusted odd ratios and their 95 percent confidence intervals. Non-smoking gravidas served as the referent category. The overall prevalence of prenatal smoking was 19.6%. Cigarette smoking in pregnancy was associated with the composite outcome of placental syndromes (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval = 1.59, 1.57–1.60). This association showed a dose–response relationship, with the risk of PAS increasing with increased quantity of cigarettes smoked. Similar results were observed between smoking in pregnancy and independent risks for abruption, previa, SGA, stillbirth, and preterm delivery. Maternal smoking in pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of placenta-associated syndrome. Smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy should continue to be encouraged in all maternity care settings.
An apparent increase in symplastic water contributes to greater turgor in mycorrhizal roots of droughted Rosa plants.

summary Using psychrometric pressure-volume analysis, root water relations following drought were characterized in Rosa hybrida L. plants colonized by the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith. Measurements were also made on uncolonized plants of similar size and adequate phosphorus nutrition. Under well-watered conditions mycorrhizal colonization resulted in lower solute concentrations in root symplasm, and hence lower root turgors. Following drought, however, mycorrhizal roots maintained greater turgor across a range of tissue hydration. This effect was apparently not due to increased osmotic adjustment (osmotic potentials at full turgor were similar in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal roots after drought) or to altered elasticity but to an increased partitioning of water into the symplast. Symplast osmolality at full turgor was similar in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal roots but, because of their higher symplastic water percentages, mycorrhizal roots contained a greater amount of osmotic (symplastic) solutes. Drought-induced changes in osmotic potential were observed only in mycorrhizal roots, where a 0.4 MPa decrease (relative to well-watered controls) brought the full turgor osmotic potential of mycorrhizal roots to the same level as that of non-mycorrhizal roots under either watering treatment.