cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calibrating Sensing Drift in Tomographic Inversion

Scanning-probe x-ray tomography is useful for imaging nanoscale structures of a sample. The image resolution, which can reach down to 10 nm by the increased brightness and coherence of the x-ray optics, however, is highly susceptible to experimental error. Failure to address these errors can lead to a smeared image and, in the worst case, to misinterpretation of the imaged object’s structure. In this work, we present a novel optimization-based approach to calibrate a common yet challenging source of experimental error, the drifts of the scanning positions, while simultaneously reconstructing the object. This approach utilizes the coupled and complementary information from different measurements to inform a coherent system between the measurements and the reconstruction. We illustrate the proposed approach on both synthetic and real tomography images and show its superior performance compared without explicit error calibration.
Conjugal multiple system atrophy: Chance, shared risk factors, or evidence of transmissibility?

Abstract Objective To describe conjugal multiple system atrophy (MSA) in a couple married for 44 years, and to report environmental risk factors possibly contributing to the occurrence. Methods Case description of conjugal MSA with report of shared environmental risk factors and retrospective review of consecutively diagnosed MSA patients between 1998 and 2012 with autonomic reflex screen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester (clinical series). Probability calculation was based on the age-specific point prevalence of MSA. Results A husband and wife both developed MSA symptoms at age 63. The husband's onset was of imbalance, followed by falls and genitourinary failure; parkinsonism and antecollis was evident on examination. Autonomic testing showed widespread autonomic failure. The patient died 2.25 years after onset. The wife initially developed urinary symptoms progressing to incontinence. Parkinsonism, dysphonia, and falls began within 1 year. Autonomic testing revealed severe autonomic failure. Interview with the surviving wife and son revealed substantial chemical exposure, in particular pesticides. In our clinical series, there were no other cases of conjugal MSA. Assuming an age-specific point prevalence of MSA based on population studies and independence of the two events, the probability of both individuals developing MSA by chance is 6.08 e−9. Conclusion Based on the population point prevalence of MSA, conjugal MSA is rare but possible. We conclude that this case of conjugal MSA likely occurred by chance; however, exposure to shared risk factors (pesticides) may be contributory. Because this is the first reported case of conjugal MSA, to our best knowledge, evidence for transmissibility between spouses is lacking.
Challenges in obesity and primary aldosteronism: Diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract Background Obese patients may have unrecognized primary aldosteronism due to high rates of concomitant hypertension. We hypothesized that obesity impacts the diagnosis and management of patients with primary aldosteronism. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all primary aldosteronism patients (n = 418) who underwent adrenal vein sampling (1997–2017). Patients were classified by body mass index as obese (body mass index ≥35) or nonobese (body mass index Results Thirty-five percent of patients were obese. Obese patients were more likely to be male (67.8% vs 56.1%, P = .025), somewhat younger (51.5 vs 54.4 years old, P Conclusion Obese primary aldosteronism patients have lesser rates of localization by imaging, likely due to smaller tumor size, however, experience similar benefit from adrenalectomy.
Influence of childhood experiences and present life circumstances on elderly wellbeing: A hybrid multiple ordered probit model with analytical estimation approach

Abstract In the recent years, the integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) modeling framework, a statistically rigorous framework that allows the appropriate treatment of the latent explanatory variables into choice models is increasingly being employed in the transportation planning arena. However, the ICLV implementations in the literature has suffered from important limitations such as simplification of the choice kernel, not allowing structural relationships between latent variables, treating indicator variables as continuous even though they are collected on a Likert scale of limited range. The identified limitations are in part related to the computational tractability issue of maximum simulated likelihood approach that serves as the workhorse for the estimation of ICLV models. In order to tap into the full potential of ICLV models it is necessary to develop alternative analytical estimation routines that do not rely on numerical simulations. The primary objective of the proposed research is to present a simulation free analytical estimation technique that allows study of multivariate choice kernels, allows hierarchical structural relationships between latent variables, and accommodates appropriate treatment of the indicator variables. The proposed estimation technique will combine composite marginal likelihood (CML) method with analytical approximation of normal cumulative density function. The ICLV model formulations and associated estimation routines will be applied on data drawn from the 2013 Disabilities and Use of Time and 2014 Childhood Retrospective Circumstances Study. The empirical study will seek to understand the influence of past experiences and present life circumstances on the elderly couples' satisfaction with life and different domains of it.
Venous thrombotic events in ANCA-associated vasculitis: Incidence and risk factors

Background: The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increased in ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV). We assessed the frequency of VTE observed among patients with AAV evaluated at our center and identified risk factors. Methods: Patients from the Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center cohort who were evaluated between 1998 and 2018 and had a diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) were eligible for analysis. Baseline demographics, clinical and serologic data were extracted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with VTE in AAV. Results: One hundred and sixty two patients with AAV were identified, 105 (65%) with GPA; 22 (14%) of these patients had a recorded VTE with a median time to VTE of 1 month. The mean (SD) age in the VTE versus non-VTE groups was 54 ± 20 versus 55 ± 17 years (p=0.99), 64% versus 60% female (p=0.93), 82% versus 49% PR3-ANCA positive (p=0.01), with a total mean BMI of 33.3 ± 5.7 versus 28.3 ± 6.1 kg/m2, (p
Inpatient vs Outpatient Evaluation of Suspected Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration.

Objective: To determine the differences in outcomes of adult ataxic patients initially evaluated for paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) as inpatients or outpatients. Methods: In this retrospective cohort analysis, diagnosis, workup, and functional outcomes based on change in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were compared between patients with ataxia who underwent workup for PCD initially as inpatients versus outpatients between March 2011 and June 2018 at Rush University Medical Center. Results: There were 78 patients included in the analysis; 59% were women, and the average age at symptom onset was 57 ± 19.5 years. Nineteen patients (24.3%) underwent evaluation as inpatients and 59 (75.6%) as outpatients. Admitted patients were more likely to receive immunotherapy (73.7% vs. 20.3%, p Conclusions: More patients improved from baseline in the inpatient cohort. Classification of Evidence: This study provides Class III evidence that for patients undergoing initial evaluation for paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration, patients undergoing inpatient evaluation have better outcomes compared to those undergoing outpatient evaluation.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Among Patients Admitted for Childbirth in Southern Connecticut.

This study describes the prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 test results among asymptomatic pregnant women presenting for labor and delivery at Yale New Haven health system hospitals.
NOx Speciation from Copper Dissolution in Nitric Acid/Water Solutions Using FTIR Spectroscopy

Abstract The speciation of NO2, NO, and N2O gases formed from the dissolution of copper in nitric acid is measured and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This study describes analysis of the gas phase species formed and ingrowths of their concentrations as a function of time. Acid concentrations range from 14 to 4 M and the NO2, NO, and N2O are analyzed using FTIR between 1585 and 2209 wavenumbers. The concentrations of the gases range from 0 to 230 ppm and change over time and as a function of acid concentration.
Ethnicity as a Hindrance for Understanding Ethiopian History: An Argument Against an Ethnic Late 19th Century

Despite its present ethnic federalism, Ethiopian history has been marked by provincial or cultural identities, which 20th century notions of identity have obscured. The latter half of the 19th century is the formative period in the construction of modern Ethiopia. This essay gives three major reasons why ethnicity is not an effective lens to understand Ethiopia's complex history. One, there is no agreement among secular or the masses on what an Amhara, Oromo or Tigrinyan ethnic identity represents, either currently or historically. Two, a focus on ethnicity obscures the rationale behind the actions of the state and key actors during the 19th century. Three, an ethnic lens brings much needed scholarly attention away from key moments in the 19th century, such as the battle of Embabo in 1882, the internal dynamics of the battle of Adwa in 1896 and the promotion of provincial elites such as Gobana and Mohammed Ali as Rases (a title just below Negus (King) in Ethiopia’s political structure) in Menilek II's and Yohannes IV's multi-ethnic 19th century states.
North American survey on impact of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown on DBS care.

Abstract Background The initial COVID-19 pandemic shutdown led to the canceling of elective surgeries throughout most of the USA and Canada. Objective This survey was carried out on behalf of the Parkinson Study Group (PSG) to understand the impact of the shutdown on deep brain stimulation (DBS) practices in North America. Methods A survey was distributed through RedCap® to the members of the PSG Functional Neurosurgical Working Group. Only one member from each site was asked to respond to the survey. Responses were collected from May 15 to June 6, 2020. Results Twenty-three sites participated; 19 (83%) sites were from the USA and 4 (17%) from Canada. Twenty-one sites were academic medical centers. COVID-19 associated DBS restrictions were in place from 4 to 16 weeks. One-third of sites halted preoperative evaluations, while two-thirds of the sites offered limited preoperative evaluations. Institutional policy was the main contributor for the reported practice changes, with 87% of the sites additionally reporting patient-driven surgical delays secondary to pandemic concerns. Pre-post DBS associated management changes affected preoperative assessments 96%; electrode placement 87%; new implantable pulse generator (IPG) placement 83%; IPG replacement 65%; immediate postoperative DBS programming 74%; and routine DBS programming 91%. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic related shutdown resulted in DBS practice changes in almost all North American sites who responded to this large survey. Information learned could inform development of future contingency plans to reduce patient delays in care under similar circumstances.
Solution-processed vanadium oxides as a hole-transport layer for Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells

Abstract Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) is a promising light absorber material for solar cells because of its superior photovoltaic properties. However, the current performance of the Sb2Se3 solar cell is much lower than its theoretical value (∼32%) due to its low open-circuit voltage (VOC). In this paper, we have demonstrated inorganic vanadium oxides (VOx) as a hole transport layer (HTL) for Sb2Se3 solar cells to enhance efficiency through the VOC improvement. Here, a solution-processed VOx through the decomposition of the triisopropoxyvanadium (V) oxide is deposited on the Sb2Se3 absorber layer prepared by close-spaced sublimation (CSS). With VOx HTL, the built-in voltage (Vbi) is significantly increased, leading to improved VOC for the Sb2Se3 solar cell devices. As a result, the efficiency of the device increases from an average efficiency of 5.5% to 6.3% with the VOx.
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Criminal Law

PREFACE 1. The Limits of the Criminal Law 2. Criminalizing Expression: Hate Speech and Obscenity 3. Blackmail 4. An Alleged Act Requirement in the Criminal Law 5. Attempts 6. The Philosophical Foundations of Complicity Law 7. Causation in the Criminal Law 8. Responsibility 9. Culpability 10. Justification and Excuse 11. Duress 12. Insanity Defense 13. Gender Issues in the Criminal Law 14. Punishment 15. The Death Penalty and Deontology 16. Mercy 17. Alternatives to Punishment INDEX
Emotion Dysregulation and Anxiety in Adults with ASD: Does Social Motivation Play a Role?.

Young adults with ASD and no intellectual impairment are more likely to exhibit clinical levels of anxiety than typically developing peers (DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This study tests a mechanistic model in which anxiety culminates via emotion dysregulation and social motivation. Adults with ASD (49 males, 20 females) completed self-report measures on emotion regulation, caregivers completed measures on ASD severity and both on social anxiety. Results indicated that emotion dysregulation (p < .001; p < .05) and social motivation (p < .05, p < .001) significantly predicted social anxiety as reported by caregivers and young adults respectively. However, social motivation did not appear to play a moderating role in the relationship between emotion regulation and anxiety, even when controlling for social awareness. Significant predictor variables of social anxiety varied based on reporter (i.e. caregiver versus young adult), with difficulty engaging in goal-directed behaviors during negative emotions serving as the only shared predictor.
Roles of Double-Strand Breaks in Generalized Genetic Recombination

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of double-strand breaks in generalized genetic recombination. Meselson and Weigle demonstrated the excellence of phage λ for studies on genetic recombination. Recent, studies show that double-chain breaks figure prominently in the processes of generalized recombination in λ and that they do so differently for different pathways. It has been concluded that a RecBC recombination enzyme travels leftward in λ, derived from in vivo genetic analysis, is supported by in vitro studies on interactions between purified recBC gene product and DNA that contains Chi. recBC protein, which will invade DNA at a double-chain cut, will not invade a duplex end with a long overhang. This feature of the enzyme made it possible to control the in vitro direction in which recBC protein travels through a linearized plasmid. As the enzyme travels, it occasionally introduces nicks. When Chi is present in the DNA, there is a high probability that a nick will be introduced near Chi, but only when the enzyme is traveling in one of the two possible directions. The direction relative to Chi corresponds to the entry of the protein at λ's right end. The location of the Chi-induced cut in vitro is a few bases to the right of Chi on the chain that reads (5´)-GCTGGTGG. The demonstration of Chi-induced cutting by purified recBC protein proves that recBC protein recognizes Chi.
Physical Education in Higher Education: Chaos Out of Order

The last 25 years have witnessed significant changes in the field of physical education in higher education that include the “disciplinarization” of the field of study and the generation of a broader front of professional options for physical activity than the single focus of teacher training. The field of physical education in higher education has not displayed uniformity in reacting to these profession–discipline opportunities and problems, to the extent that chaos reigns throughout. Illustrations of this chaos are provided with respect to defining (a) the field of study, (b) the establishment of a balanced focus of professional and disciplinary training, (c) the activity focus, and (d) the issue of societal representation. It is argued that the field has emphasized the differences rather than the similarities of the potential knowledge subdomains that emerge from the central phenomenon for study: namely, that of physical activity.
Patients with single ventricle anatomy may respond better to octreotide therapy for chylothorax after congenital heart surgery.

Background and Aims Chylothorax (CTX) occurs in 3% to 6% of children after surgery for congenital heart disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Octreotide has been proposed as therapy, but there are no predictors of response. The objective of this study was to identify possible predictors of response to octreotide. Methods Single-center retrospective review of patients who developed CTX after cardiac surgery. Data collected included demographics, cardiac lesion, surgical data, hospital course, CTX volume and duration, and interventions for CTX. Patients who received octreotide as part of their therapy were compared to those who did not. Results A total of 1150 patients underwent 1455 cardiac surgeries with 67 (4.6%) episodes of CTX. Patients with CTX were younger, lower weight, more likely to undergo cardiopulmonary bypass, and had higher RACHS-1 scores and mortality. Nineteen patients with CTX received octreotide as part of their treatment and six (32%) had at least 50% reduction in CTX volume. Patients who responded to octreotide had lower CTX volume (18 mL/kg/day vs. 55 mL/kg/day, p = 0.023) and a higher proportion of patients with single ventricle anatomy (67% vs. 18%, p = 0.046). Conclusions There is a subset of patients who seem to respond to octreotide, but they have lower CTX volume and may have already been improving before octreotide therapy. Patients with single ventricle anatomy seemed to respond to octreotide and may benefit from its use. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12263 (J Card Surg 2014;29:259–264)
Precision orbit analyses in support of the Seasat altimeter experiment

It is noted that major improvements have been made in the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) geodynamic models for Seasat. It is pointed out that the dominant error source in Seasat ephemeris computation is currently the uncertainty in modeling the earth's gravity field. Attention is also given to significant errors arising from atmospheric drag and solar radiation pressure modeling. It is noted that a comparison of GSFC and Naval Surface Weapons Center (NSWC) Seasat ephemerides indicate the presence of an unexplained difference of about 4 m in the location of the center of mass along the Z axis. This difference is consistent with that obtained with earlier geoid and station coordinated comparisons performed by other investigators. It is expected that future combinations of Seasat and GEOS-3 altimeter data, together with laser and Unified S-Band tracking data, will ultimately produce a gravity field which allows computations of a global Seasat ephemeris with an rms radial accuracy of about 50 cm.
Deconstructing the Law: The Politics of Law

In recent years progressive critique of the legal enterprise has derived from two principle sources: the legal realist and Marxian traditions.1 Succinctly expressed, these traditions have rejected the law's claim to objectivity. The legal realists have argued that legal decision-making involves not formal, deductive logic but subjective choice; any legal choice made is never logically compelled.2 In the Marxian tradition the objection has been not so much that the law is imbued with values, but that the distribution of legal outcomes is skewed to particular values, particular interests; the law reflects dominant economic interests.3 Stated this simply, the views of the two critical legal traditions may be subject to as much rhetorical denunciation as affirmation. In contrast, one of the key merits of the articles collected in The Politics of Law* is that discussion is moved to a fundamentally different plane. In consonance with a growing movement in the social sciences, these essays mark a greater refinement of critical reflection. Arguments are becoming increasingly concrete and analytically precise. Most significantly, this development indicates not merely that critical legal positions have attained greater clarity but that their nature has changed. While still
The copper transporter 1 (CTR1) is required to maintain the stability of copper transporter 2 (CTR2)

Mammalian cells have two influx Cu transporters that form trimers in membranes. CTR1 is the high affinity transporter that resides largely in the plasma membrane, and CTR2 is the low affinity transporter that is primarily associated with vesicular structures inside the cell. The major differences between CTR1 and CTR2 are that CTR1 contains a HIS/MET-rich domain N-terminal of the METS that participate in the first two stacked rings that form the pore, and a longer C-terminal tail that includes a Cu binding HIS–CYS–HIS (HCH) motif right at the end. It has been reported that CTR1 and CTR2 are physically associated with each other in the cell. We used the CRISPR-Cas9 technology to knock out either CTR1 or CTR2 in fully malignant HEK293T and OVCAR8 human ovarian cancer cells to investigate the interaction of CTR1 and CTR2. We report here that the level of CTR2 protein is markedly decreased in CTR1 knockout clones while the CTR2 transcript level remains unchanged. CTR2 was found to be highly ubiquitinated in the CTR1 knock out cells, and inhibition of the proteasome prevented the degradation of CTR2 when CTR1 was not present while inhibition of autophagy had no effect. Re-expression of CTR1 rescued CTR2 from degradation in the CTR1 knockout cells. We conclude that CTR1 is essential to maintain the stability of CTR2 and that in the absence of CTR1 CTR2 is degraded by the proteasome. This reinforces the concept that the functions of CTR1 and CTR2 are inter-dependent within the Cu homeostasis system.
Generation of Random Numbers

Monte Carlo simulation is a core technology in computational statistics. Monte Carlo methods require numbers that appear to be realizations of random variables. Obtaining these numbers is the process called “generation of random numbers”. Our objective is usually not to generate a truly random sample. Deep understanding of the generation process and strict reproducibility of any application involving the “random” numbers is more important. We often emphasize this perspective by the word “pseudorandom”, although almost anytime we use a phrase similar to “generation of random numbers”, we refer to “pseudorandom” numbers. The quality of a process for random number generation is measured by the extent to which the sample generated appears, from every imaginable perspective, to be a random sample (that is, i.i.d.) from a given probability distribution. Some methods of random number generation are better than others.
Determination of offset across the northern margin of the Wichita uplift, southwest Oklahoma

The Wichita uplift represents a tectonic element within the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, a series of basement-involved uplifts and associated basins within the foreland of the Ouachita orogen. Contrasting tectonic models for the evolution of the Wichita uplift are evaluated by (i) analyzing the suite of structures within the Frontal fault zone, which separates the uplift from the adjoining Anadarko basin, and (ii) undertaking a palinspastic restoration of Houton Group (Late Ordovician-Devonian) thickness trends between the basin and the Frontal fault zone to estimate the magnitude and sense of offset across the principal uplift-bounding faults. Cross sections from uplift to basin show basement-involved thrusts and folds similar to those recognized within the Laramide (Late Cretaceous-Tertiary) foreland of the Rocky Mountains. Structural patterns in map view possess elements that have been previously interpreted as resulting from reverse slip and/or left slip on the uplift-bounding faults. Palinspastic restoration of isopach patterns between the Frontal fault zone and Anadarko basin indicates that offset across the frontal faults may be explained by oblique slip (left reverse slip) on the uplift bounding faults. The component of left slip is nearly an order off magnitude less than proposed in some previous models of Carboniferous tectonism within the foreland of the Ouachita orogen.
Global technology trends: perspectives from IBM Research Australia on resilient systems

In an ever more interconnected world, system failures tend to not stay localised but spread through the interconnects. Making systems and processes more resilient becomes an increasingly important problem. During emergencies, this is even more critical as additional failures of information systems further hamper an already stressed situation. Information is crucial for the management of emergencies and the development of resilient next generation decision support platform becomes paramount. We approach the problem from a systems and a development perspective, the exploration of how such a concept translates into socio-technical decision support systems that are more resilient constitutes an important theoretical aspect that needs to be addressed. The research has the following goals: 1 to identify principles for resilient information systems; 2 to define a methodology that provides guidance for architectural work and assessment of architectural design from a resilience standpoint; 3 to evaluate the application of these principles in the case of emergency management.
Overexpression of caveolin-1 inhibits endothelial cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase.

Angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels from pre-existing capillary, is required for tumor growth and metastasis. The process is not fully understood yet, but involves endothelial cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Recently, we have shown that over-expression of caveolin-1, a putative transformation suppressor gene, inhibits VEGFR-2 and MEK-1-mediated mitogenic signal to the nucleus. Conversely, angiogenic activators suppress caveolin-1 expression in endothelial cells. However, whether caveolin-1 expression affects endothelial cell proliferation is not clear. In the present study, we infect human endothelial cells with adenovirus expressing caveolin-1 and show that transient over-expression of caveolin-1 dramatically inhibits the proliferation of human endothelial cells. Consistent with caveolin-1 functioning as an inhibitor for protein kinases, over-expression of caveolin-1 inhibits the activity of VEGFR-2 (KDR) and down-stream p42/44 MAP kinase. Furthermore, over-expression of...
Quantitative Dynamic Interdependency Measure and Significance Analysis for Cross-Layer Design under Uncertainty

Interdependency among system parameters may significantly affect the performance metric of interest for cross-layer design and optimization. However, it is very difficult to derive the interdependency among system parameters in a dynamic complex networking system due to uncertainty of data observation and system modeling. Furthermore, current cross-layer design normally includes many system parameters, making the multidimensional cross-layer optimization problem very difficult to solve. In this research, we proposed a new approach for dynamic interdependency measure and significance analysis in cross-layer design and optimization. The major contributions made in this paper are: (1) interdependency among system parameters under uncertainties is measured by using non-additive measure theory; (2) quantitative significance analysis is proposed for dynamically identifying what system parameters have the most significant effect on the performance metrics of interest for system objective function; and (3) we develop a new fast multidimensional optimization method for cross-layer design based on dynamic interdependency measure and significance analysis. We show the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed approach for cross-layer design and optimization in IEEE 802.11 WLANs.
Heat capacity by multi-frequencies sawtooth modulation ☆

Abstract In this paper a simple method is proposed to carry out temperature-modulated calorimetry with multiple frequencies. The method is based on modulation with a complex sawtooth. The harmonics of the Fourier series of the measured heat-flow rate and temperature are used to extract data pertaining to the frequencies of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th harmonic. The complex sawtooth produces similar modulation amplitudes of the temperature of the first four harmonics. In temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry with a period of less than about 150 s, corrections by extrapolation to zero frequency are commonly needed. With the proposed method, these extrapolations can be done in a single experiment. Difficulties of baseline subtraction and other possible instrumentation and software problems are discussed.
Electronic conduction in low oxygen partial pressure measurements using an amperometric zirconia oxygen sensor

Abstract An yttria-stabilized zirconia (10-mol% YSZ) amperometric oxygen sensor has been fabricated for the purpose of detecting small oxygen partial pressures. The oxygen sensor has been characterized for response in the 0–3 μbar range. The sensor exhibits a linear response in the 0.3–3 μbar range. The onset of electronic conduction below 0.3 μbar introduces ambiguities in oxygen partial pressure determination. The onset of electronic conduction, its effects on sensor response, and its reversibility are examined in this paper.
Evolution of intra-oceanic arc-trench systems

Abstract Intra-oceanic island arc-trench systems represent a locus of crustal thickening through the addition of mantle-derived magmas which form the volcanoes and subjacent stratiform plutons. The crust of immature island arcs and adjacent back-arc basins is oceanic in chemistry in that it is dominated by mafic (e.g., tholeiitic) magmas. A magma sequence is recognized in many arc systems which progress from boninite to arc-tholeiite to calc-alkaline and, in some arcs, to shoshonites. The adjacent back-arc basins are formed of MORB-like tholeiite. Arc systems may be dominated by extension rather than compression if the subducted and overriding plates are decoupled. Extension of the arc system may be associated with seaward retreat or “ roll back” of the trench axis. Alternate cycles of extension and compression of the arc system can lead to both tectonic erosion of the fore-arc and accretion of fragments from the incoming sea floor. The Izu-Bonin, Mariana, Tonga, Yap and Palau trench-arc systems are examples of different stages in a dynamic process which starts when subduction begins along old fracture zone traces. Crustal extension causes both fore-arc subsidence and opening of back-arc basins. Island arc volcanic chains and back-arc basins are new crust formed largely of fractional melts of the mantle. The evolution of an arc system may stop when blocking of the subduction zone, or changes in relative plate motion, causes overthrusting of back-arc lithosphere on to former volcanic arcs. Many ophiolites preserve remnants of arc system crust and upper mantle.
Large-NF expansion for the Yukawa coupling.

By enlarging the number of fermion species and sclar fields, we generalize the Yukawa-Higgs sector of the standard model. We solve this model to leading order in a 1/{ital N}{sub {ital F}} expansion. We study the behavior of the fermion mass and the width when they are below the cutoff scale of the theory. Other Yukawa-Higgs models with different chiral structures are also studied. We find that the mass of the fermion is finite and is below the cutoff scale for any finite on-shell Yukawa coupling in the chiral models.
Optimum tuning parameters of tuned mass dampers for vibration control of irregular highrise building structures

Tall buildings have become increasingly one-of-a-kind signature structures that are often irregular in plan and elevation with complicated dynamic behavior. Vibration control of irregular highrise building structures using a recently developed tuned mass dampers (TMD), the bidirectional TMD (BTMD), is investigated. A key issue for effective implementation of a TMD is the determination of their tuning parameters. Eight different sets of equations for tuning the parameters of TMDs are investigated using a 5-story building with plan and elevation irregularity, and a 15-story and a 20-story building with plan irregularity subjected to seismic loading. Appropriate equations are recommended for building structures with a fundamental period of vibrations of greater than one second.
A general mathematical description of hydrogen diffusion in steels—I. Derivation of diffusion equations from boltzmann-type transport equations

Abstract We first obtain general equations for hydrogen diffusion in steels including effects of trapping phenomena, diffusion obstacles, stresses, temperature and non-uniform solubilities, by using Boltzmanntype statistical transport equations which describe the random jumps of hydrogen atoms from site to site. We next specialize to the case of “physical” traps in Pressouyre's classification and show how the “non-uniform solubility model”, the well known McNabb and Foster model and the “void model” can be recovered by suitable approximations. We also study the cases of diffusion obstacles and of attractive traps, where the “physical” traps hypothesis is not valid.
Characterization of plasma polymerized hydrocarbons using CP–MAS 13C-NMR

Plasma polymerized hydrocarbons made from ethane and methane were produced under different reactor conditions and probed by solid-state carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) with cross-polarization and magic-angle sample spinning. NMR experiments provided structural information about the plasma polymers. The conditions of low power, high hydrocarbon gas flow rate, and no added hydrogen gas appeared to give the highest amount of nonprotonated sp3 hybridized carbons in the films for the reactor design used. The use of methane or ethane as reactor gas did not affect plasma polymer structure significantly.
A new Kapteyn series

We study the Kapteyn series . We find a series representation in powers of z and analyze its radius of convergence.
Whole lung irradiation in the pediatric age group: low-dose vs conventional fractionation with multi-drug chemotherapy

Abstract Low-dose, whole-lung irradiation has been documented in the literature as an effective control of pulmonary metastases in the pediatric age group. Prior to January 1975, conventional dose fractions were used at Memorial Hospital for this patient group. However, combined with the multi-drug chemotherapy protocols so often used in this group, such treatments resulted in a high percentage of complications. Since January 1975, a radiation regimen of 100 rad per day, to a total dose of 1400 rad, has been used in these patients, encompassing one or both lung fields, as the clinical situation dictated. Ten patients have been treated and followed for a minimum of 10 months. Tumor response rate has been as good as that obtained with more conventional fractionations. However, complication rate was markedly lower in the group treated with daily fractions of 100 rad per day. A close correlation with time-dose factor (TDF) value of 16 appeared to represent a "safe" treatment course in this setting.
Clinical experience with steroid-eluting unipolar electrodes.

In continuing search of low chronic threshold leads, a new concept of electrode design which is capable of delivering corticosteroids at the myocardial tissue interface has been made available by Medtronic. Twenty-three patients, 17 females and 6 males, were either implanted with 4003 (n = 21) or 5023 (n - 2) steroid-eluting electrodes in the ventricular chamber. Pacing modes utilized were WIM (n = 13) or DDD (n = 10). Pulse generators used were Medtronic (7005. 8317, 8329) Pacesetter (285) and Intermedics (283). Thresholds at the time of implantation at 0.50 msec pulse width were 0.40 ± 0.02 volts at 0.66 ± 0.05 milliamps. Resistance and R wave measured were 565.43 ± 22.07 ohms and 9.24 ± 1.06 mv, respectively. Chronic thresholds were checked on routine follow-up visits by either decreasing pulse width and for pulse amplitude. Data is being reported between 1 and 88 (23.22 ± 4.35) weeks. Pulse width threshold at 2.5 volts were 0.10 msec (n = n) and 0.05 msec or lower (n = 12). At 5.0 volts no loss of capture was seen at 0.05 msec (n = 22) except in one patient at 0.10 msec. Pulse width thresholds in the first 24 weeks were lower than 0.20 msec at 2.5 volts (n = 15) and less than 0.70 msec, at 0.8 volts (n = 6). No loss of sensing was seen by electrocardiographic analysis at the time of threshold checks with the pulse generator at standard setting of the R wave. Thus, in this initial report, the steroid-eluting electrodes have demonstrated very low thresholds both in the early and chronic follow-up phase. Demonstration of consistently low thresholds, avoiding initial peaking, will permit routine low output setting without compromising safety and thus prolong the life of the pulse generators.
Neutral impurity scattering in mercury-doped germanium

A hole mobility analysis is described for weakly compensated mercury-doped germanium over a temperature range ($10lTl100$ K) for which neutral Hg acceptors were predominant and made a detectable contribution to hole scattering. It was deduced that ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}{N}_{N}=4.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$${\mathrm{V}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ from 10 to \ensuremath{\sim} 35 K; a scattering efficiency 40% of that to be expected for a shallow monovalent acceptor. The scattering efficiency appeared to halve between 35 and 50 K, and to continue at a rate consistent with ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}{N}_{N}=8.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$${\mathrm{V}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ from 50 K upwards. Thus even in the upper part of the temperature range, ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{0}$ acceptors were twice as efficient in scattering as might have been supposed from the mercury center's first ionization energy. It is noted that the ratio of hole wavelength to interacceptor spacing was propitious for a contribution to scattering by acceptor pairs. That complication would not be easy to avoid experimentally.
Studies on permeability in relation to nerve function. III. Permittivity of brain cortex slices to glycin and aspartic acid.

Cortical tissue slices of rabbit were exposed to 15N labeled glycine, aspartic acid, and urea. The rates of penetration of these substances into the interstitial compartment and the neuronal cells were determined. Factors, such as temperature, respiratory inhibition, and acetylcholinesterase inactivation were studied with regard to their effect on the permeability of the tissue cells to the amino acids. The following results were obtined: 1. 1. The capacity of the interstitial space as determined by the inulin method was found to vary between 19 and 34% and to average 30% of the total volume. 2. 2. The Q10 of the passage of glycine into the cells was close to 1.o; in contrast 4, that of asparatic acid about 2.4. 3. 3. Respiratory inhibition by cyanide diminished the rate of entry of aspartic acid into the cells; in contrast to, that of glycine was unaffected. 4. 4. Inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase did not exert a significant effect on the cellular permeability to amino acids.
Making tacit knowledge explicit: the Ready Reference Database as codified knowledge

This article describes the process of knowledge transformation (from tacit to explicit to codified knowledge) in organizations. The article proposes that much of the knowledge held by reference librarians is tacit knowledge that needs to be made explicit and formalized. The Web‐based Ready Reference Database at San Diego State University is analyzed as an example of the process of knowledge conversion in library reference services.
Luteinizing hormone and follicle‐stimulating hormone production in the pars tuberalis of hypophysectomized rats

Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were identified by immunocytochemistry in the same cells of the pituitary pars tuberalis, following hypophysectomy in the rat. A marked hyperplasia and hypertrophy of these cells occurred in response to hypophysectomy. These findings are discussed in light of the potential for hormone production by pars tuberalis gonadotropes following hypophysectomy performed as part of an experimental protocol, as well as that performed for palliation of human metastatic breast cancer.
Analysis of a partially-observed queuing system

Abstract This paper describes the behavior of communication on a land mobile radio channel and suggests a mathematical model to be used in analyzing such communication. Mobile radio is gaining wide recognition as an important business tool, but its growing use brings the problem of congestion. Although the communication on one radio channel by twelve different companies has the structure of a complex queuing system not all of which can be observed, the paper shows that such communication has some of the behavior of a simple queue. This facilitates the analysis of the radio channel and provides an illustration that models of simple queues may offer a helpful means of analyzing those which are more complicated. Once the situation can be analyzed it becomes possible to try to manage it as effectively as possible. In the case of mobile radio the analysis provides a means of measuring the cost of congestion under alternate circumstances.
Circulating human plasmacytoid dendritic cells are highly sensitive to corticosteroid administration.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), the major interferon-producingcell type found in human blood, have been implicated in the pathogenesisof systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Previous studies in ...
Therapy of hepatitis C: Meta-analysis of interferon alfa-2b trials

We performed an independent meta-analysis of all available randomized clinical trials of interferon alfa-2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Articles published between 1986 and 1996 had to include previously untreated patients who were randomly allocated to therapy with at least 2 million units (MU) of interferon alfa-2b three times weekly for 24 weeks. A total of 32 trials met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 20 compared interferon-treated patients to placebo recipients or untreated patients and were used in the primary meta-analysis that compared rates of end-of-treatment and 6-month post-treatment sustained biochemical (normal alanine aminotransferase [ALT] levels) responses, end-of-treatment and 6-month sustained virological responses (absence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] RNA), and end-of-treatment histological responses in patients with paired biopsies. An additional 12 trials compared different doses, duration, or strategies of treatment. In comparison with no treatment, interferon alfa-2b therapy was associated with significant improvement in all end points measured. End-of- treatment biochemical responses were seen in 47% of treated patients compared with 4% of controls (odds ratio, 25.1; P < .0001). The biochemical responses were sustained for at least 6 months in 23% of treated patients compared with 2% of controls (odds ratio, 17.8; P < .0001). End-of-treatment virologic responses were observed in 29% of treated patients compared with 5% of controls (odds ratio, 9.4; P < .001) and 6-month sustained virologic responses were documented in 8% of treated patients compared with 1% of controls (odds ratio, 8.6; P < .001). Histological responses were recorded in 73% of treated patients compared with 38% of controls (odds ratio, 4.8; P < .0001). Extended therapy for 12 to 24 months resulted in significant improvement in 6- month sustained responses: 27% versus 14% (odds ratio, 2.9; P < .001). Higher dose therapy also resulted in modest increases in end-of- treatment (61% vs. 52%; odds ratio, 1.8; P < .02) and 6-month sustained responses (28% vs. 19%; odds ratio, 2.2; P < .01).
Correlation between plasma neurohormone levels and left ventricular functional and morphological improvement in LVAD patients

Abstract Objective: Certain neurohormones (e.g., brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), endothelin-1 (ET-1)) have demonstrated reliability as clinical markers of left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma levels of these neurohormones, LV function and histological evidence of morphological improvement in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients to determine whether serial hormonal expression may be used to assess cardiac status in the LVAD setting. Methods: Plasma levels of BNP and ET-1 were measured in 19 end-stage congestive heart failure patients directly before and up to 18 weeks after implantation with various devices (DeBakeyVAD, Novacor, TCI HeartMate). Echocardiographic indices corresponding to the time-points of serial hormonal measurement were evaluated. Immunohistochemical collagen staining of LV tissue samples derived from LVAD patients at the time of device insertion and removal were then contrasted. Patients were grouped according to device employed and etiology (ischemic/dilated cardiomyopathy, ICMP/DCMP). Results: LVAD therapy significantly enhanced LV ejection fraction (EF%: 21% ± 3.8% to 37% ± 11.39%) and cardiac output (CO: 3.49 ± 1.3 to 7.3 ± 0.2 l/m) in all patients; other parameters were not appreciably altered. Absolute BNP and ET-1 plasma levels remained significantly lower in all patients after LVAD implantation (both: p
Chemical stability of peptides in polymers. 1. Effect of water on peptide deamidation in poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) matrixes

This paper examines the effect of water content, water activity, and glass transition temperature (T(g)) on the deamidation of an asparagine-containing hexapeptide (VYPNGA; Asn-hexapeptide) in lyophilized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) at 50 degrees C. The rate of Asn-hexapeptide deamidation increases with increasing water content or water activity and, hence, decreasing T(g). The rate of deamidation is more sensitive to changes in these parameters in PVA than in PVP. Deamidation is clearly evident in the glassy state in both formulations. In the glassy state, the peptide is more stable in PVA than in PVP formulations but is less stable in the rubbery state. No single variable (water content, water activity, or T(g)) could account for the variation in deamidation rates in PVA and PVP formulations. Deamidation rates were correlated with the degree of plasticization by water (distance of T(g) from the dry intrinsic glass transition temperature); coincident curves for the two polymers were obtained with this correlation. Deamidation in PVA and PVP was closely correlated with the extent of water-induced plasticization experienced by the formulation relative to its glass transition at 50 degrees C, suggesting that the physical state of formulations could be used to predict chemical stability.