cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward a table-top quantum computer

To investigate the scaling issues for quantum computation using thermalized ensembles of spins, we are building a rudimentary quantum computer using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We discuss the experimental issues facing the scalability of this technique including the number of qubits, issues of classical versus quantum behavior, and polarization. Due to the weak signals measured in NMR, the most significant challenge to practical devices is polarization enhancement. We present the architecture for a simple NMR spectrometer that is table-top, low-cost, and software-radio driven using commodity electronics and unconventional permanent magnet designs. Optimizations specific to using this machine as a computational device, such as probe design, compilation, and on-line control, are discussed.
Sensitivity of Raman spectra to chemical functional groups

Spectral features in Raman spectra of organic molecules can be attributed to certain functional groups. A library of 1222 Raman spectra was used to train an artificial neural network (ANN) for predicting the presence of 13 functional groups. Sensitivity analysis was applied to the ANN models to determine a sensitivity factor or feature spectrum for each functional group. The feature spectra could then be used to predict the presence of specific groups based on Bayes' theorem. Once a model is constructed for each functional group, it can be applied directly to measured spectra of structurally unknown molecules and provide real-time predictions. Prediction accuracies of greater than 90% were obtained for aromatic, alkene, aldehyde, ketone, ester, nitro, and nitrile linkages. Accuracies for alcohols and amines were in the 80% range.
Shear band formation and ductility in nanotwinned Cu

The ductility and plastic flow behavior of highly aligned nanotwinned copper produced by interrupted magnetron sputtering is investigated. Tensile tests were performed at various strain rates at both room and liquid nitrogen (77 K) temperatures. Higher ductility and strength are reported for all samples tested at 77 K. The observed inhomogeneous deformation and shear band propagation are discussed as functions of the testing temperature, decreasing heat capacity at 77 K and low initial dislocation density, which leads to a yield peak.
Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma Presenting as a Massive Chest Wall Tumor

The initial presentation of follicular thyroid carcinoma is rarely related to metastatic lesions. Presented here is the case of a 70-year-old woman with the initial presentation of a 13-cm chest wall mass identified as a metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma. The chest wall lesion had features of a poorly differentiated carcinoma with areas of necrosis, an insular growth pattern focally and increased mitotic activity. A small follicular carcinoma was subsequently identified. The primary tumor was a 1-cm well-differentiated follicular carcinoma with capsular and vascular invasion. This represents a rare presentation of a follicular thyroid carcinoma with initial recognition of a large, dedifferentiated metastatic lesion from a small primary carcinoma. Dedifferentiation and metastasis in the context of microcarcinoma is an exceptionally rare event and suggests other mechanisms may be involved in disease spread other than simply increased cell proliferation.
Awareness and management of chronic disease, insurance status, and health professional shortage areas in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS): a cross-sectional study

Limited financial and geographic access to primary care can adversely influence chronic disease outcomes. We examined variation in awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia according to both geographic and financial access to care. We analyzed data on 17,458 participants in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study with either hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes and living in either complete Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) counties or non-HPSA counties in the U.S. All analyses were stratified by insurance status and adjusted for sociodemographics and health behaviors. 2,261 residents lived in HPSA counties and 15,197 in non-HPSA counties. Among the uninsured, HPSA residents had higher awareness of both hypertension (adjusted OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.08, 4.89) and hyperlipidemia (adjusted OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.01, 2.22) compared to non-HPSA residents. Also among the uninsured, HPSA residents with hypertension had lower blood pressure control (adjusted OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29, 0.71) compared with non-HPSA residents. Similar differences in awareness and control according to HPSA residence were absent among the insured. Despite similar or higher awareness of some chronic diseases, uninsured HPSA residents may achieve control of hypertension at lower rates compared to uninsured non-HPSA residents. Federal allocations in HPSAs should target improved quality of care as well as increasing the number of available physicians.
Extension of anisotropic effective medium theory to account for an arbitrary number of inclusion types

The purpose of this work is to extend, to multi-components, a previously reported theory for calculating the effective conductivity of a two component mixture. The previously reported theory involved preferentially oriented spheroidal inclusions contained in a continuous matrix, with inclusions oriented relative to a principle axis. This approach was based on Bruggeman's unsymmetrical theory, and is extended to account for an arbitrary number of different inclusion types. The development begins from two well-known starting points; the Maxwell approach and the Maxwell-Garnett approach for dilute mixtures. It is shown that despite these two different starting points, the final Bruggeman type equation is the same. As a means of validating the developed expression, comparisons are made to several existing effective medium theories. It is shown that these existing theories coincide with the developed equations for the appropriate parameter set. Finally, a few example mixtures are considered to demonstrate the effect of multiple inclusions on the calculated effective property. Inclusion types of different conductivities, shapes, and orientations are considered and each of the aforementioned properties is shown to have a potentially significant impact on the calculated mixture property.
ANALYSIS OF CLIENT CAREERS FOR PROGRAM EVALUATION

The present study analyzes the careers of clients, both within and between agencies. Several phases of the careers of 316 adolescent clients are examined as part of a process evaluation of Professional Youth Services (PYS). Clients' movement within PYS is described to provide on understanding of when and why clients leave a helping agency and to describe some of the characteristics of clients who are most likely to have their treatment interrupted. In addition, clients' "between agency" movement is analyzed by exploring the other human service agency involvements) of clients; in this way the role of PYS in the larger service delivery network is clarified.
Sediment mixing and accumulation rates in the Sulu and South China Seas: Implications for organic carbon preservation in deep-sea environments

Abstract Recent rates of carbon burial in two deep-sea basins, the Sulu and South China Seas, are contrasted to determine factors influencing organic carbon preservation in deep-sea sediments. The Sulu Sea is an oxygen-deficient, warm-water basin, whereas the adjacent South China Sea is more typical of open ocean conditions. High-resolution sea-bed profiles of 14C reveal that accumulation rates for the Sulu Sea are 2–3 times higher than the South China Sea at any given water depth (e.g., 1.3 g cm−2 kyr−1 versus 4.3 g cm−1 kyr−1, respectively, at 3000 m). Higher accumulation rates for the Sulu Sea are attributed to higher terrigenous input and better carbonate preservation in the warmer bottom waters. Benthic mixing rates determined using 210Pb geochronology generally are lower in the Sulu Sea (0.004–0.254 cm2 yr−1) as compared with the South China Sea (0.17–1.57 cm2 yr−1), especially at the 3000 m and 4000 m sites in the Sulu Sea where benthic mixing is negligible. Despite the higher bottom-water oxygen levels in the South China Sea, organic carbon concentration profiles are strikingly similar for the two basins at any given water depth. With similar concentration profiles, higher accumulation rates in the Sulu Sea result in equivalently higher carbon preservation rates. As primary production is thought to be similar for both basins (if anything slightly higher for the South China Sea), the production rate can not explain the observed differences in carbon preservation. In addition, benthic mixing rates apparently do not play a major role in carbon preservation as extremely low rates at the deeper Sulu Sea would predict relatively low carbon preservation, contrary to our observations. We conclude that sediment accumulation rate is the dominant control on carbon preservation in this area of the western equatorial Pacific.
Methanol tolerance of a mediated, biocatalytic oxygen cathode

Abstract The methanol tolerance of a mediated enzymatic oxygen-reducing cathode employing the enzyme laccase from Coriolus hirsutus and two types of electron-mediating redox polymer hydrogels is evaluated and shown to be greater than that of a platinum electrode. In the 0–1 M methanol concentration range, the loss of current density at constant potential demonstrated by such electrodes is shown to depend on the ionic charge of the redox polymer backbone, which controls deswelling of the mediator hydrogel due to the inclusion of methanol as a solvent. This interpretation is confirmed by comparison of apparent diffusion coefficient and water uptake (via electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance) of a cationic and neutral redox hydrogel in the presence and absence of 1 M methanol. The reduced electron transport properties and increased deswelling observed in the cationic polymer due to the presence of methanol is related to counterion condensation with the polymer in the presence of solvent with reduced dielectric constant.
Folliculostellate cells determine the susceptibility of lactotropes to estradiol's mitogenic action.

Estradiol is known to increase lactotropic cell proliferation, but estradiol susceptibility varies among human populations and among various strains of rats. We had reported that folliculostellate (FS) cells regulate estradiol’s mitogenic action on lactotropes; therefore, we studied their role in determining the susceptibility to estradiol in a high estradiol-responsive rat strain, Fischer 344 (F344), and in a low-responsive strain, Sprague Dawley (SD). Determination of total S-100-positive FS cells in the pituitary revealed that F344 rats have significantly more FS cells than do SD rats. Estradiol treatment did not change the number of FS cells in both F344 and SD rats. When cotransplanted with F344 pituitaries under the kidney capsule or cocultured with F344-derived lactotropes in vitro, FS cells derived from F344 rats increased estradiol’s mitogenic action. They also increased estradiol’s mitogenic action on SD-derived lactotropes in primary cultures. However, SD-derived FS cells failed to increase est...
Generalized architecture for DOA estimation for wideband/narrowband sources

The high-resolution direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation algorithms are studied to develop architecture for real time applications. Methods for DOA estimation for wideband sources proposed by Buckley and Griffiths and MUSIC algorithm for narrowband sources proposed by Schmidt have been selected for hardware implementation. These algorithms have been simplified and generalized into one common programmable algorithm. It is then parallelized and is executed in a pipelined fashion. A parallel architecture has been designed for this generalized algorithm.
Spaceborne Microwave Remote Sensing of Arctic Sea Ice During Spring

This paper outlines the fundamental roles sea ice plays during the spring Arctic climate, and it demonstrates the use of passive microwave remote sensing in measuring climatically important sea ice variables during the spring transitional period. It discusses the theoretical concepts underlying passive microwave remote sensing of sea ice, and it summarizes the historical use of satellite microwave radiometry in the Arctic region. In addition, this paper discusses the derivation of climatically important sea ice variables, including sea ice extent, concentration, multiyear ice fraction, and snow melt onset, with additional comments on the precision and accuracy of the remote sensing estimates. It also discusses interannual trends in sea ice extent and presents interannual trends in snow melt onset dates. Finally, this paper provides a brief discussion on the future directions in passive microwave remote sensing of climatically important sea ice variables during the spring transitional period.
Implementation of an on-line adaptive fuzzy controller in low-end hardware

Abstract The implementation of an on-line adaptive fuzzy control algorithm in low-end hardware is described. The adaptive controller starts with a vacuous control policy, i.e. its initial control surface is derived from a vacuous rule base. The control surface is adapted autonomously in real time using control meta-knowledge and basic learning constructs. Limited system-dependent information is incorporated to tailor the Intel-8031-based hardware to specific applications. This information includes input and output signal magnitudes and time-scale information. Simulations and actual experiments indicate that the on-line adaptive controller is very robust and fault-tolerant. A relatively high learning rate enables the controller to learn to control plants in real time even while it is controlling them.
Motivational Orientation and the Nature of Consensual Decision Processes: A Triangulated Approach

Area specialists have observed that one way elite decision processes can vary is in the proportion of the decision-making group seen as necessary to support group action: decision-makers can aim fo...
A Catalog of Spectroscopically Identified White Dwarfs

A catalog of 2249 white dwarfs which have been identified spectroscopically is presented complete through 1996 April. This compilation is the fourth edition of the Villanova Catalog of Spectroscopically Identified White Dwarfs. For each degenerate star, the following data entries with references are provided: (1) a catalog coordinate designation or WD number, in order of right ascension; (2) the right ascension and declination for epoch 1950.0; (3) the spectral type based upon the new system; (4) a catalog symbol denoting binary membership; (5) a list of most names known to exist for a given star; (6) proper motion and position angle; (7) broadband UBV photometry, V, B-V, U-B; (8) multichannel spectrophotometry, v(MC), g-r; (9) Stromgren narrowband photometry, y, b-y, u-b; (10) an absolute visual magnitude based upon the best available color-magnitude calibration or trigonometric parallax; (11) the observed radial velocity uncorrected for gravitational redshift or solar motion; and (12) the trigonometric parallax with mean error when available. Notes for unusual or peculiar stars and a coded Reference Key alphabetized by the first author's last name are presented, as well as an expanded table cross-referencing all names to the catalog WD number. An introduction and full descriptions of the entries are provided in the text.
Adrenal function during the use of dexamethasone aerosols in the treatment of ragweed hay fever

Abstract The use of Freon propelled dexamethasone nasal spray (Turbinaire) in nasal allergy successfully alleviates symptoms but may cause partial suppression of adrenal function. To evaluate the significance of adrenal suppression in hay fever, the 17-hydroxy-steroid excretion of seven patients was followed through a ragweed hay fever season. Partial adrenal suppression was observed in four of the patients and temporary complete suppression was observed in one. After discontinuance of the drug a prompt return of normal adrenal secretion was observed. The risk of long-term adrenal suppression from the seasonal use of Turbinaire seems small.
The Generation and Evolution of Mushroom-like Vortices

Abstract Numerical simulations have been performed to understand the generation and evolution of mushroom-like patterns observed in remote sensing images of the ocean surface. A two-layer, shallow-water model is employed using a periodic channel on an f-plane. The model is initialized with a unidirectional upper-Ocean momentum patch; the lower layer is at rest, and there is no initial interface displacement. A tracer is used to simulate the presence of passive ocean surface fields advected by the flow. The model thus simulates a nonlinear geostrophic adjustment process at finite Rossby number with a strong radiated wave field and rapid tracer advection. Several types of tracer configuration result, depending upon the size of the Rossby number and the ratio of the patch size to the internal deformation radius. The values of these parameters determine the degree of symmetry of the mushroom pattern, or whether a mushroom tracer distribution even results from the initial flow field. The numerical model is alw...
Wage Labor and Social Citizenship in the Making of Post-Apartheid South Africa:

The scholarly literature on the South African democratic transition generally recognizes the decisive role of organized labor and black trade union organizations in the collapse of the apartheid re...
Sunlight and skin cancer: Another link revealed

Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say, “It’s alright.” —George Harrison Skin cancer is the most common neoplasm in Caucasians in the United States with a lifetime risk nearly equal to that of all other cancers combined (1). More than 800,000 people are expected to develop nonmelanoma skin cancer [basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)] this year in the United States (2). Sun exposure is the major environmental agent implicated in induction of nonmelanoma skin cancer (3). While sun exposure begins early in life, the average patient with nonmelanoma skin cancer is about 60 years old (1) (Fig. 1). The article by Jonason et al. (4) in a previous issue of the Proceedings provides a new insight into the link between sun exposure and nonmelanoma skin cancer and furnishes information about events occurring between the time of initial sun exposure and subsequent skin cancer years later. Age of onset of skin cancers in normal and xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) skin cancer patients. The cumulative percentage of patients with BCCs or SCCs of the skin is plotted versus the age at diagnosis. The curve for the normal population is based on 29,757 skin cancers surveyed by the National Cancer Institute (1). The curve for the xeroderma pigmentosum patients is based on 63 skin cancers reported to the Xeroderma Pigmentosum Registry (unpublished data). The multistage theory of carcinogenesis is based on experimental studies in rodents and has been proposed as a general model for environmental carcinogenesis (5) (Fig. 2). In the first stage—initiation—a carcinogen mutates a target gene. Initiation is followed by promotion, a process in visibly normal skin in which the single damaged cell expands to form a clone of damaged cells. These changes progress, leading to precancerous clinically abnormal skin and then to cancer. …
Expectations of pain and accompanying symptoms during cancer treatment.

Patients’ experience of cancer pain varies throughout the course of the disease. It is important to recognize that patients may experience more than one type of pain, and pain often occurs in the presence of other symptoms. Controlling pain requires a multi-faceted approach to assessing and treating the underlying mechanisms. This article reviews the pain mechanisms responsible for pain during cancer treatment and how expectations of pain and associated symptoms contribute to the pain experience.
News and Concluding Remarks [President's Column]

One of last duties of the outgoing IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTTS) president is to represent the Society in the fall meeting of the IEEE Technical Activities Board (TAB). Usually, the fall meeting is a busy one, with IEEE Societies initiating projects with the start of the new calendar year, which also coincides with the beginning of the IEEE's fiscal year. Some initiatives take several months to materialize and often receive their final approval in the TAB fall meeting, or harvest season if one can use this metaphor. In this column, I will share with you one news item as well as thoughts from the 2010 harvest season.
Interobserver variability in ventilator-associated pneumonia surveillance.

Three infection control personnel and 1 physician independently evaluated 50 ventilated patients for ventilator-associated pneumonia through retrospective chart reviews. The infection control reviewers used Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria; the physician used clinical judgment. Infection control personnel labelled between 11 and 20 patients with VAP (κ = 0.40). The physician diagnosed 7 cases. Interobserver variability in the assessment of ventilator-associated pneumonia is high.
Increased efficiency of translation of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA in mitogen‐activated lymphocytes

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA was elevated ninefold by 6 h following concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation of bovine lymphocytes. Comparison of the increases in ODC mRNA and ODC activity revealed a fivefold discrepancy, which is consistent with a change in efficiency of translation of ODC mRNA. In resting cells, 45% of the total ODC mRNA was associated with particles sedimenting at about 40 S, and therefore was not translated. The untranslated ODC mRNA in resting cells could be completely shifted into polysomes by a 15-min treatment of the cells with appropriate concentrations of cycloheximide. In activated cells, the proportion of ODC mRNA in untranslated material was reduced to 18%. This shift in distribution of ODC mRNA occurred between 6 h and 12 h following mitogen stimulation with no increase in the cellular level of this message. The rate of synthesis of ODC protein was found in increase twofold between 6 h and 12 h, paralleling the increase in the amount of ODC mRNA associated with polysomes. Thus, in this time frame, a decrease in the amount of untranslated ODC mRNA with a corresponding increase in the amount associated with polysomes leads to an increase in the biosynthesis of ODC with no change in the cellular level of the message. These changes in translational efficiency were not observed with actin mRNA.
MIDU: enabling MIMO full duplex

Given that full duplex (FD) and MIMO both employ multiple antenna resources, an important question that arises is how to make the choice between MIMO and FD? We show that optimal performance requires a combination of both to be used. Hence, we present the design and implementation of MIDU, the first MIMO full duplex system for wireless networks. MIDU employs antenna cancellation with symmetric placement of transmit and receive antennas as its primary RF cancellation technique. We show that MIDU's design provides large amounts of self-interference cancellation with several key advantages: (i) It allows for two stages of additive antenna cancellation in tandem, to yield as high as 45 dB self-interference suppression; (ii) It can potentially eliminate the need for other forms of analog cancellation, thereby avoiding the need for variable attenuator and delays; (iii) It easily scales to MIMO systems, therefore enabling the coexistence of MIMO and full duplex. We implemented MIDU on the WARP FPGA platform, and evaluated its performance against half duplex (HD)-MIMO. Our results reveal that, with the same number of RF chains, MIDU can potentially double the throughput achieved by half duplex MIMO in a single link; and provide median gains of at least 20% even in single cell scenarios, where full duplex encounters inter-client interference. Based on key insights from our results, we also highlight how to efficiently enable scheduling for a MIDU node.
Cholinergic response in the heart of the clamMercenaria mercenaria: Activation byConus californicus venom component

The spontaneously beating heart of the clamMercenaria mercenaria is inhibited by an extract from the venom of the marine snailConus californicus (Fig. 1). This inhibition is antagonized by benzoquinonium, tetraethylammonium, phenyltrimethylammonium and methylxylocholine (Fig. 2), all of which antagonize cholinergic inhibition ofMercenaria heart, and is not blocked by d-tubocurarine, hexamethonium, atropine, orα-Bungarotoxin (Fig. 3). In addition, cholinergic inhibition ofMercenaria heart is mimicked by arecoline, blocked by methylxylocholine (Fig. 2) and phenyltrimethylammonium, and not significantly affected by hexamethonium orα-Bungarotoxin. It is proposed that theConus venom agent inhibitsMercenaria heart by activation of the cholinergic response of the heart. It is also concluded that the cholinergic response inMercenaria heart is pharmacologically identical to the slow, potassium-mediated hyperpolarizing cholinergic response found onAplysia neurons (Table 1).
Multiple surface discrimination in three-dimensional FLASH laser radar while minimizing the effects of diffraction

The goal of this work is to develop an algorithm to enhance the utility of three-dimensional (3-D) FLASH laser radar sensors through accurate ranging to multiple surfaces per image pixel while minimizing the effects of diffraction. With this algorithm it will be possible to realize numerous enhancements over both traditional Gaussian mixture modeling and single-surface range estimation. While traditional Gaussian mixture modeling can effectively model the received pulse, we know that its shape is likely altered by optical aberrations from the imaging system and the medium through which it is imaging. Additionally, only identifying a single surface per pulse may result in the loss of valuable information about partially obscured surfaces. This algorithm enables multisurface ranging of an entire image with a single laser pulse. Ultimately, improvements realized through this new ranging algorithm when coupled with various other techniques may make 3-D FLASH LADAR more suitable for remote sensing applications. Simulation examples show that the multisurface ranging algorithm derived in this work improves range estimation over standard Gaussian mixture modeling and frame-by-frame deconvolution using the Richardson-Lucy algorithm by up to 91% and 70% respectively.
The relation between group path and polarization rotation

Abstract It is shown that for one-hop oblique path propagation through a slowly varying ionosphere with no collisions, the rate of variation of incoming polarization with radio frequency is equal to one-half the group propagation time difference between the two magnetoionic components. This relation suggests that simple experimental techniques to measure the incoming wave polarization may provide the more difficult-to-measure differential group time information necessary for obtaining very accurate electron density profiles from oblique ionograms.
A blocking-free microfluidic fluorescence heterogeneous immunoassay for point-of-care diagnostics

In this article, a rapid, sensitive, and disposable microfluidic immunosensor is presented for point-of-care (POC) testing and clinical diagnosis. For the first time, the blocking process is eliminated from a microfluidic heterogeneous immunoassay by using protein A functionalized polydimethylsiloxane microchannels. The nonspecific binding of the assay is maintained around the chip background level by using a pair of antibodies with different affinity to protein A under optimized experimental conditions. C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker for inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk assessment, is selected as a model analyte to demonstrate the sensitivity of this blocking-free microfluidic heterogeneous immunoassay. A four parameter logistic function is used to model and assess the data. The limit of detection obtained is 0.54 μg/mL, which is lower than the cut-off value for clinical diagnosis. The overall assay is completed in 5 min. The protein A modified PDMS chips wet-stored at 4°C can maintain biofunctionality up to 14 months. The developed blocking-free microfluidic heterogeneous immunoassay will immediately provide benefits to most immunosensing microdevices targeted for POC diagnostics by shortening analysis time, simplifying fluid transportation, reducing sample consumption, and lowering waste generation.
Couma-Gen: implications for future randomized trials of pharmacogenetic-based warfarin therapy

Evaluation of: Anderson JL, Horne BD, Stevens SM et al.: Randomized trial of genotype-guided versus standard warfarin dosing in patients initiating oral anticoagulation. Circulation 116, 2563–2570 (2007). Warfarin is an effective oral anticoagulant used to treat or prevent thromboembolic disorders in millions of patients worldwide. Even with conscientious International Normalized Ratio (INR) monitoring, warfarin initiation carries a high risk of hemorrhage. Pharmacogenetic studies have determined that variants in the CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes help to predict the therapeutic warfarin dose. Whether using this information prospectively will prevent under- and over-dosing of warfarin is unknown. To answer this question, the Couma-Gen investigators randomized half of a 200-patient cohort beginning warfarin therapy to clinical dosing and half to pharmacogenetic dosing. Overall, pharmacogenetic dosing slightly increased time in the therapeutic INR range (p = not significant) and decreased the number of INR tests r...
The Aerolitic Fall of Rancho de la Presa, Zenapecuaro, Michoacan, Mexico

An investigation made in 1929 brought to light the following facts concerning the aerolite of Rancho de la Presa, Zenapecuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. This stone was seen to fall in 1899—the exact date of the fall is unknown—by two Mexican women. The original weight of the meteorite was above 300 g. The main mass is preserved in the State Museum at Morelia, the capital of Michoacan, while 63 g. are in the Institute of Geology at Mexico City and 3 g. are in the Field Museum of Natural History at Chicago, Illinois. The aerolite should be classified probably as a brecciated, veined, gray chondrite.
The transition to IVUS-guided IVC filter deployment in the nontrauma patient

While prior reports have demonstrated intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) deployment to be feasible, larger reviews using the latest generation of filters in the nontrauma setting are absent. We review our experience with the deployment of 104 IVCFs using IVUS, whereby we transition from a combined use of IVUS with traditional road mapping techniques (venography and/or renal vein cannulation) to the sole use of the IVUS as the road mapping tool for IVCF insertion. The use of IVUS for IVCF deployment minimizes radiation exposure to patients and staff, minimizes patient contrast exposure, and minimizes dependency on auxiliary staff for fluoroscopy. Intravascular ultrasound IVCF deployments can be performed without increasing morbidity and mortality, case duration, or overall costs when compared to standard deployments. The learning curve for transitioning into the use of the IVUS as the primary road mapping tool for IVCF deployments is approximately 20 cases.
A branch and cut algorithm for finding the minimum distance of a linear block code

We give a branch-and-cut algorithm for finding the minimum distance of a binary linear error correcting code. We give two integer programming (IP) models and study the convex hull of the single constraint relaxation of these IP models. We use the new inequalities as cuts in a branch-and-cut scheme. Finally, we report computational results based on low density parity check (LDPC) codes that demonstrate the effectiveness of our cuts.
An analysis of Zinc sorption to amorphous versus crystalline iron oxides using XAS

Abstract This research probes the mechanisms of Zn adsorption on hydrated oxides of iron (HFO and goethite) using XAS. A systematic investigation reveals that Zn 2+ upon sorption to HFO retains its hydration shell ( N ∼6 oxygens, R ∼2.18 A), irrespective of pH and adsorbate loading. Furthermore, the absence of second-shell contributions in combination with the temperature dependence of the structural parameters confirms outer-sphere adsorption complexes with HFO. In a coprecipitation study, the local coordination environment was consistent with Zn adsorption to HFO. On the other hand, Zn 2+ strongly adsorbs to goethite forming a tetragonal structure ( N ∼4 oxygens and R ∼1.97 A). Evidence of two Fe 3+ ions in the second shell at approximately 3.51 A suggests an inner-sphere adsorption complex with goethite. Results demonstrate that even though the local structures of HFO and goethite are similar, the surface sites available to transition metals like zinc are vastly different. Overall, these spectroscopic analyses are consistent with macroscopic observations.
Planarization Efficiency of Electrochemical Mechanical Deposition and Its Dependence on Process Parameters

Electrochemical mechanical deposition (ECMD) is a technique that has the ability to deposit planar metal films on nonplanar substrate surfaces with cavities. The method involves electrochemical deposition and simultaneous sweeping of the substrate surface with a planarization pad. Mechanical action of the pad increases suppression at the swept surface and therefore, mechanically induced superfilling of the cavities takes place. In this study we show that the planarization efficiency of the ECMD process for copper deposition is a strong function of the plating chemistry. Electrolytes containing no organic additives or only accelerators do not yield any planarization. Plating baths with only suppressors show low planarization capability, whereas those containing both suppressors and accelerators yield the highest planarization efficiency. Soaking the wafer surface in an accelerator-containing solution before the ECMD process step increases the planarization efficiency significantly. The presence of levelers in the plating electrolyte is detrimental to planarization efficiency of ECMD. High-acid copper plating solutions display higher planarization capability than low-acid electrolytes.
Inhaled corticosteroids for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are associated with an increased risk of fracture

Commentary on: YK Loke, R Cavallazzi, S Singh. Risk of fractures with inhaled corticosteroids in COPD: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies.Thorax2011;66:699–708.
Trafficking of plasmepsin II to the food vacuole of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

fA amily of aspartic proteases, the plasmepsins (PMs), plays a key role in the degradation of hemoglobin in the Plasmodium falciparum food vacuole. To study the trafficking of proPM II, we have modified the chromosomal PM II gene in P. falciparum to encode a proPM II–GFP chimera. By taking advantage of green fluorescent protein fluorescence in live parasites, the ultrastructural resolution of immunoelectron microscopy, and inhibitors of trafficking and PM maturation, we have investigated the biosynthetic path leading to mature PM II in the food vacuole. Our data support a model whereby proPM II is transported through the secretory system to cytostomal vacuoles and then is carried along with its substrate hemoglobin to the food vacuole where it is proteolytically processed to mature PM II.
The Methods of Windows Rootkits

Rootkits are quickly emerging as the largest threat towards computer security. A rootkit is malicious software that alters the underlying operating system to remain hidden indefinitely. While remaining hidden, a rootkit can carry out any number of tasks under the complete control of a hacker or malicious user. Although rootkits do present a huge threat towards computer security, there are several ways to prevent and detect rootkit installation. This article discusses the many ways in which rootkits attempt to alter the operating system, remain hidden, and carry out malicious tasks. In addition, this study shows what system administrators and everyday users can do to increase their security toward malicious software, as well as detect the presence of an installed rootkit.
Measuring mitochondrial protein synthesis to assess biogenesis

in their perspectives article, Miller and Hamilton ([6][1]) propose that the term “mitochondrial biogenesis” be limited to the measurement of the synthesis rate of mitochondrial proteins. For support, they cite evidence that changes in the abundance of transcription factors for mitochondrial
The relationship between sucking and grasping in the human newborn: A precursor of hand‐mouth coordination?

The relationship between grasping and sucking, a possible precursor of hand-mouth coordination, was examined in human newborns of varying gestational ages. Grasping was elicited by rapidly tilting the infant backwards while he rested on a padded board and held a grasp bar. Infants were tilted 4 times under each of 3 conditions: grasping, sucking, and grasping-while-sucking. The dependent variables were strength and duration of grasp and frequency and amplitude of sucks during the 15 sec following the tilt. The results indicated that grasping did not affect sucking but that sucking increased the strength and the duration of the grasp. Furthermore, either response system was more highly correlated with indices of maturity of the central nervous system when elicited in the presence rather than the absence of the other. We conclude that in human newborns sucking may be dominant over grasping but that both are part of an integrated system which may form the basis for the development of hand-mouth coordination.
Examining Biopsychosocial Factors in Relation to Multiple Pain Features in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

Objective To examine biopsychosocial variables in relation to multiple pain features in pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods 76 children with SCD (M = 14.05, SD = 3.26), ages 8-19 years, and 70 caregivers completed measures of coping, mood, and family functioning and reported on multiple pain features via retrospective interviews during routine hematological visits. Sickle cell genotype and health care utilization were collected via medical record review. Using hierarchical regression, biological (genotype), child psychological (coping and mood), and social factors (caregiver coping and family functioning) were evaluated in relation to multiple pain features. Results Genotype was associated with pain intensity, and child psychological factors were associated with pain frequency. Multiple biopsychosocial factors were related to health care utilization. Conclusions Biopsychosocial factors may have distinct relationships with pain features in pediatric SCD. Understanding these relationships may refine the biopsychosocial model and inform integrated medical and psychosocial approaches in SCD.
Dynamics of Laser Ablation and Vaporization of Lead Zirconate Titanate: Target Effects

Using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique to prepare PbZr x Ti (1−x) 03 (PZT) films from stoichiometric targets, it has been found that the Pb content of the films is very sensitive to, among other parameters, the phase of the ablation target. In an effort to better understand PZT film growth, a time-of-flight quadrupole mass spectrometer (TOF/QMS) was used to obtain the temporal and mass profiles of material ejected from two different solid targets with a nominal composition of PbZr 0.54 Ti 0 .46O 3 over a laser fluence range of 0.2 to 2.0 J/cm 2 . The ablation targets were made from either a compressed mixture of oxides or a fully reacted PZT solid. The composition of the plume varied significantly depending upon the phase of the target and the laser fluence. In general, two distinct ejection processes were identified and the TOF profiles observed could be characterized as either thermal vaporization (fluence ≤ 0.3 J/cm 2 ), ablation, with a highly forward directed ejection pattern normal to the target surface, or a combination of the two processes (fluences ≥ 0.3 J/cm 2 ). The thermal vaporization (or low energy) component of the ejected species were modeled using a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. The fully reacted target yielded atomic species which had higher translational temperatures (about 100–700K) than the corresponding components of the pressed oxide target. The translational temperatures ranged from about 1000–6500K, depending upon the species and the laser fluence. Both targets showed distinctly different behavior as a function of laser fluence with regard to the production of PbO: the PbO/Pb ratio from the pressed oxide target was roughly constant while the PbO/Pb ratio from the fully reacted target decreased significantly with increased laser fluence. It is postulated that PbO plays an important role in the incorporation of Pb into the film during film growth.
The effect of language proficiency on executive functions in balanced and unbalanced Spanish–English bilinguals*

This study analyzed the association between levels of language proficiency and levels of bilingualism and performance on verbal and nonverbal executive functions (working memory, updating, shifting, and inhibition tasks) in young bilinguals. Forty balanced (high and low proficiency), 34 unbalanced bilinguals, and 40 English monolinguals, were selected. The Bilingual Verbal Ability Test was used as a measure of language proficiency; WAIS Block design test was used as a measure of non-verbal intelligence. High proficiency balanced bilinguals performed better than low proficiency balanced bilinguals; unbalanced bilinguals scored in between both balanced groups. High proficiency monolinguals scored higher than low proficiency monolinguals and similar to high proficiency bilinguals. Regression analyses demonstrated that nonverbal intelligence significantly predicted performances on verbal working memory and verbal and nonverbal inhibition tasks. It was concluded that nonverbal intelligence scores are better predictors of executive function performance than bilingualism or language proficiency.
Intraplant Distribution of Immature Lifestages of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on Tomato

The intraplant distributions of eggs, sessile nymphs, and pupae (red-eye nymphs) of the whitefly Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring [formerly referred to as strain B of the sweetpotato whitefly, B. tabaci (Gennadius)] were studied on the terminal 3 leaflets of leaves on main and lateral stems of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Miller, in field plots. The distributions of specific lifestages depended on the age of leaves. Eggs were most abundant and variation generally low or lowest on leaflets at nodes 4-6 (counting from the terminal), nymphs at nodes 6- 8, and pupae at nodes 8-10. The nodal position of the most infested leaf tended to increase within the above ranges as the season progressed. The distribution of immature lifestages on leaflets at different nodes was independent of stem origination as long as the number of nodes present were similar on main and lateral stems. The b dispersion index from the Taylor power law for each lifestage did not vary significantly over nodes and over main and lateral stems within the above ranges of nodes for each lifestage. Single lna and b values were calculated for each lifestage and were used to estimate minimum sample sizes (a sample unit consisted of the terminal 3 leaflets from the above respective nodes for each lifestage on either a main or lateral stem of 1 plant). Estimated minimum sample sizes at a precision of 0.25 (SEM/mean) increased with increasing density of eggs but decreased with increasing density of nymphs and pupae. The minimum sample size did not exceed 13, 23, and 28 for eggs, nymphs, and pupae, respectively. at a density as low as 1 immature per sample.
Chromophore-Controlled Self-Assembly of Highly Ordered Polymer Nanostructures

Single-molecule excitation polarization anisotropy and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the folding of polymers composed of conjugated phenylene vinylene (PPV) oligomers joined by flexible linkers can be influenced by the length of the conjugated segments. By varying the number of PPV repeat units from three to five to seven, both the structure and the spectral properties of the polymer can be controlled at the synthetic level. The stronger interactions between longer conjugated units of the polymers lead to more ordered conformations. The mean modulation depth of a septamer containing PPV (M = 0.75) was found to be even higher than that of the traditional homopolymer MEH-PPV (M = 0.66), which suggests that these new polymers provide access to highly aligned nanostructures not typically found in homopolymer systems.
Surgical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm in 46 cases

Objective To study how to improve the safety of the operation for abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA).Methods Forty-six cases of AAA received resection of AAA plus artificial blood vessel transplantation in recent three and a half years in our 2 hospitals.The lesions involved only the abdominal aorta in 20 cases,and extended to unilateral common iliac and internal and external iliac arteries in 8 cases,to bilateral common iliac and external and internal iliac arteries in 16 cases,and involved the renal artery in 2 cases.Emergency operation was done in 3 cases.Results In these 46 cases,45 were cured and 1 died,and no operative complications occurred.Conclusions Surgical operation is the best way to treatment AAA.
Novel sites for expression of an Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin receptor in the developing rat

Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) mediates diarrheal disease by binding to and activating an intestinal transmembrane receptor, guanylate cyclase C (GC-C). To test the hypotheses that there was 1) increased perinatal expression of GC-C in rat intestine and 2) GC-C expression and STa binding in extraintestinal tissues of immature rat, we prepared whole cell membranes and total RNA from jejunum, ileum, colon, liver, kidney, heart, lung, brain, testis, and placenta of rats ranging in age from 12 days gestation to adult. Northern analysis demonstrated the presence of a unique 3.8-kb mRNA transcript at all ages in the jejunum, ileum, colon, and, to a lesser degree, in the testis. GC-C was also detected by Northern analysis in liver (from gestational age 18 days through 14 days postnatal) and in placenta. Steady-state mRNA encoding GC-C was not detected by Northern analysis in the other organs examined. GC-C-specific mRNA expression was greatest in the perinatal period in the jejunum, ileum, and liver. Specific binding of 125I-labeled STa was found in each of the tissue membranes in which GC-C mRNA was present; binding was not present in those tissues that had no detectable GC-C mRNA. The existence of GC-C in extraintestinal organs in the rat, and the development changes in GC-C expression support our hypothesis that GC-C, apart from its role as an STa receptor in mediating diarrheal disease, also serves as a receptor for an endogenous ligand.
Privacy-preserving Logarithmic-time Search on Encrypted Data in Cloud.

Ideally, a privacy-preserving database-in-the-cloud environment would allow a database owner to outsource its encrypted database to a cloud server. The owner would retain control over what records can be queried and by whom, by granting each authorized user a search token and a decryption key. A user would then present this token to cloud server who would use it to find encrypted matching records, while learning nothing else. A user could then use its owner-issued decryption key to learn the actual matching