cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Copper Electropolishing in Concentrated Phosphoric Acid: II . Theoretical Interpretation

A theory for copper electropolishing in concentrated phosphoric acid is compared to ac‐impedance and electrohydrodynamic (EHD)‐impedance spectra. A water‐acceptor mechanism is hypothesized. Agreement between experiment and theory is good. Curve fits of the EHD‐impedance data estimate that the Schmidt number of the system is at room temperature. At temperatures near 90°C, . The plausibility of these high values of is discussed. These estimates of the Schmidt number are obtained without any assumptions about the bulk concentration of the acceptor. With a known viscosity and diffusion coefficient, the Levich analysis of the variation of the limiting current with rotation speed is subsequently used to estimate the bulk concentration of acceptor. The value obtained is in agreement with the known water content in phosphoric acid which indicates that water is the acceptor species.
Numerical simulation of water flow in three dimensional heterogeneous porous media observed in a magnetic resonance imaging experiment

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to obtain sequential images of water (i.e., 1 H) doped with a paramagnetic tracer as it flowed through a three-dimensional (3D) flowcell packed with a spatially correlated heterogeneous distribution of 1 cm 3 blocks, each containing one of five different sand fractions. Tracer concentration breakthrough curves (BTCs) were obtained from MRI signal intensity profiles at each voxel (0.1875 x 0.1875 x 0.225 cm 3 ). Voxel scale BTCs were averaged over 0.25 x 0.25 cm 2 , 1 x 1 cm 2 , and entire flowcell cross-sections, all at 0.25 cm increments along the main flow direction, and compared with numerical simulations. Hydraulic conductivity (K) and dispersivity values for each of the five sand types were varied, and root-mean squared error (RMSE) values for mean arrival times and second central moments, and RMSE values between simulated and measured BTCs, at each of the three averaging scales were calculated. Measured values of K with a porosity 5% higher than measured values, and longitudinal dispersivity values on the order of the grain size, yielded simulated BTCs that adequately captured experimental BTCs averaged over the entire flowcell cross-section, and BTCs at smaller scales (i.e., 1 x 1 cm 2 and 0.25 x 0.25 cm 2 ) in regions of the flow cell characterized by more uniform K fields. However, model simulations deviated more from BTCs at smaller scales in regions of the flowcell characterized by greater K contrast, where flow-bypassing occurred. This may be due to small discrepancies between the experimental and numerical conductivity fields. Comparison of mechanical dispersion and diffusion in low K zones indicates that molecular diffusion is equally important to mechanical dispersion in these zones and transverse dispersion did not have much effect on improving prediction. These results illustrate that predicting water flow at fine scales (relative to permeability variations) is very challenging, even under the most controlled conditions. This may have large implications for modeling reactive transport, where reactant residence time and mixing can be greatly impacted by water flowpaths.
An Ordered Lasso and Sparse Time-Lagged Regression

We consider regression scenarios where it is natural to impose an order constraint on the coefficients. We propose an order-constrained version of l1-regularized regression (Lasso) for this problem, and show how to solve it efficiently using the well-known pool adjacent violators algorithm as its proximal operator. The main application of this idea is to time-lagged regression, where we predict an outcome at time t from features at the previous K time points. In this setting, it is natural to assume that the coefficients decay as we move farther away from t, and hence the order constraint is reasonable. Potential application areas include financial time series and prediction of dynamic patient outcomes based on clinical measurements. We illustrate this idea on real and simulated data.
School Librarianship and Evidence Based Practice: Progress, Perspectives, and Challenges

Objective – This paper provides an overview of progress and developments surrounding evidence based practice in school librarianship, and seeks to provide a picture of current thinking about evidence based practice as it relates to the field. It addresses current issues and challenges facing the adoption of evidence based practice in school librarianship. Methods – The paper is based on a narrative review of a small but growing body of literature on evidence based practice in school librarianship, set within a broader perspective of evidence based education. In addition, it presents the outcomes of a collaborative process of input from 200 school libraries leaders collected at a School Library summit in 2007 specifically to address the emerging arena of evidence based practice in this field. Results – A holistic model of evidence based practice for school libraries is presented, centering on three integrated dimensions of evidence: evidence for practice, evidence in practice, and evidence of practice. Conclusion – The paper identifies key challenges ahead if evidence based school librarianship is to develop further. These include: building research credibility within the broader educational environment; the need for ongoing review and evaluation of the diverse body of research in education, librarianship and allied fields to make quality evidence available in ways that can enable practicing school librarians to build a culture of evidence based practice; development of tools, strategies, and exemplars to use to facilitate evidence based decision-making; and, ensuring that the many and diverse advances in education and librarianship become part of the practice of school librarianship.
The labour market under central planning: The case of Hungary

Economic theory discusses how wages and employment in a given labor market are determined by exogenous variables and the behavior of the participants, enterprises and workers. For a variety of reasons, econometric tests for Western countries of the resulting theoretical propositions have often been inconclusive. In centrally planned economies, the structure of labor markets may differ from those in predominantly market economies, and a third class of participants, the planners, will enter into the deter- mination of wages and employment. In this paper, we suggest a simple structural model of the labor market in Hungary during the postwar period and fit time series data for individual industries to this model.(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Pre-Wisconsinan glacial database and ice limits in the central United States

Abstract A geographical information systems (GIS) database has been compiled for pre-Wisconsinan ice margins and related glacial geomorphology in the central United States. The GIS database was assembled from various published and unpublished sources; it includes glacial margins of different ages, meltwater channels, pre-glacial (buried) valleys, preglacial drainage divides and related features. The original database was created in Tosca/Idrisi format and subsequently reformatted into Arc/Info export format for wide application. The glacial margins have been incorporated into the global database on extent and chronology of glaciation. For this database, many more ice-margin positions have been mapped than ever described before, especially in eastern Nebraska and southern Iowa. Many of these ice margins are recognised on the basis of preserved meltwater drainage routes, which are situated in two positions-parallel and normal to ice margins.
Mammalian seryl-tRNA synthetase associates with mRNA in vivo and has homology to elongation factor 1 alpha.

Previous work in our laboratories (Slobin, L. I., and Greenberg, J.R. (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 173, 305-310) showed that messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particles possess a polypeptide component of approximately 62 kDa that appears to share a common epitope with eucaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha). We report here that the previously unidentified mRNP constituent corresponds to seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS). Furthermore, we show that SerRS contains a sequence motif that is shared by both EF-1 alpha and glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase. We also find that the association of SerRS with mRNA depends on the functional state of the latter. Our data suggest that SerRS may participate directly in the initiation phase of protein synthesis.
In vitro splicing pathways of pre-mRNAs containing multiple intervening sequences?

Abstract We analyzed the in vitro splicing pathways of three multi-intervening-sequence (IVS) pre-mRNAs: human beta-globin, which contains two IVSs (K. M. Lang, V. L. van Santen, and R. A. Spritz, EMBO J. 4:1991-1996, 1985); rat alpha-lactalbumin, which contains three IVSs; and murine interleukin-3, which contains four IVSs. We found that there are highly preferred pathways of IVS removal from these multi-IVS pre-mRNAs in vitro. The three IVSs of rat alpha-lactalbumin pre-mRNA were excised sequentially from 5' to 3'; in most molecules, IVS1 was removed first, followed by IVS2 and finally by IVS3. The splicing pathway of interleukin-3 pre-mRNA in vitro was more complex. The four IVSs were excised in a highly preferred temporal order, but the order was not strictly sequential or directional. In most molecules, IVS1 and IVS4 were removed first, either simultaneously or in rapid succession. Subsequently, IVS2 was excised, followed by IVS3. The observed splicing pathways apparently resulted from differences in lag times and maximum excision rates of the different IVSs. We detected no exon skipping during splicing of these transcripts in vitro. These observations have implication for proposed models of splice site selection.
The Bent-Core Biaxial Nematic Phase

A biaxial nematic phase with D2h symmetry has the mesogen's long and short transverse axes simultaneously aligned along the two orthogonal directors, n and m, respectively. Low-angle x-ray diffraction measurements in the nematic phase exhibited by three rigid bent-core mesogens clearly reveal its biaxiality. The diffraction results can be readily reproduced by ab initio calculations of molecular form factor assuming short-range positional correlations in the nematic phase with the apex of the core aligned along m.
Show me the substrates: modulation of host cell function by type IV secretion systems

Summary Evidence for the involvement of type IV protein secretion systems in bacterial virulence is accumulating. Many of the substrate proteins secreted by type IV systems either hijack or interfere with specific host cell pathways. These substrates can be injected directly into host cells via the type IV apparatus or are secreted by the type IV machinery in a state that allows them to gain access to cellular targets without the further assistance of the type IV system. Arguably, the protein substrates of most type IV secretion systems remain undiscovered. Here, we review the activities of known type IV substrates and discuss the putative roles of unidentified substrates.
A study of the corrosion behavior of TiN films

Abstract General corrosion characteristics of TiN films produced by three different techniques were compared. One technique was the sputter deposition of a titanium film followed by implantation with N+ ions to a fluence of 4×1017 ions cm−2 at an acceleration voltage of 50 keV. A post-implantation vacuum anneal was performed to yield stable TiN. Sputter deposition and ion plating were the alternative techniques used to produce TiN films. The substrates were flat discs of M50 steel. The chemical and structural composition of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Corrosion testing was carried out potentiodynamically in deaerated 1 N H2SO4 aqueous solution at 25°C. Test results indicate that dense ion-plated TiN films have a passive corrosion current density as much as five orders of magnitude less than other coatings.
Effect of Temperature on Daily Modal Variability of a Steel-Concrete Composite Bridge

Vibration-based damage detection techniques typically use changes of modal characteristics of bridges as a possible indication of damage. However, structural damages are not the only cause of these changes. This study investigates the effect of temperature variations on modal characteristics of a two span steel-concrete composite bridge in North Carolina, and addresses the extent and reason of the daily changes observed in its dynamic properties. The field testing included measuring vibration responses, deflections, and temperatures of the bridge throughout a summer day. The dynamic characteristics of the bridge, derived from measurements at different times of the day, were compared with each other. Recorded temperatures and deflections of the bridge deck were used to address the observed changes in the natural frequencies of the bridge. Results of the field testing showed that temperature variations can induce modal variability on a daily cycle. A primary reason for this observation can be attributed to the temperature gradients measured on the bridge deck from night to noon.
Calmodulin binding is dispensable for Rem-mediated Ca2+ channel inhibition.

GTPases of the Ras-related RGK family are negative regulators of high voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channel activity. In this study, we examined the role of calmodulin (CaM) association in Rem-mediated Ca2+ channel inhibition. We found that the Rem/CaM interaction is Ca2+-dependent, and that truncation of the Rem C-terminus before position 277 prevents CaM binding. Serial mutagenesis of the Rem C-terminus between residues 265 and 276 to alanine generated two mutants (RemL271A and RemL274A) that displayed reduced CaM binding, and a subset of these mutants displayed significantly lower cell periphery localization than RemWT. However, reductions in CaM association or membrane trafficking did not affect function, as all Rem mutants could completely inhibit Ca2+ channels. The Rem1–275 truncation mutant partially inhibited Ca2+ channel activity despite its inability to bind CaM. Taken together, these studies indicate that CaM association is not essential for either Rem-mediated Ca2+ channel inhibition or plasma membrane localization.
Rate of resolution of exudative retinal detachment after plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma.

Objectives: To determine the clinical relevance of exudative retinal detachment (ERD) and the rate of ERD resolution after plaque radiotherapy of posterior uveal melanomas. Methods: Retrospective, nonrandomized study of 135 consecutive patients with posterior uveal melanoma treated by iodine 125 plaque radiotherapy. Extent of ERD and tumor thickness were assessed before radiotherapy and at postoperative follow-up visits. Local tumor control was assessed at each follow-up visit. Results: An ERD was present in 71 patients (53%) and was a risk factor for local treatment failure (P=.03). The ERD resolved after radiotherapy in 59 (83%) of the 71 patients. The ERD resolved within 1 year in 64 patients (90%) (mean time to resolution, 5.6 months). The rate of ERD resolution correlated with the rate of decrease in tumor thickness (P=.004). The ERD did not resolve and the tumor thickness continued to increase in 5 patients, who required further intervention. A recurrent retinal detachment developed in 5 patients, who were diagnosed as having rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (3 patients) and lipid exudation secondary to tumor vasculopathy (2 patients). Two patients with local tumor recurrence did not develop a recurrent ERD. Local tumor control was achieved in 130 patients (96%). Conclusions: An ERD may be a risk factor for local failure after plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma. If an ERD does not resolve within 9 to 12 months of radiotherapy and the tumor is not regressing, treatment failure should be suspected. A recurrent ERD does not necessarily represent local tumor recurrence. Arch Ophthalmol. 2002;120:1463-1469
Effect of fabric substrate and coating material on the quality of conductive printing

This paper reports an investigation into the effect of fabric substrates and coating materials on the electrical and mechanical performance of printed antennas. Inductively coupled antennas were printed on fabrics using silver ink. To assure printability and protection, a printing structure was configured, consisting of surface coating, conductive printing, and protective coating. In order to simulate a realistic situation, three fabric substrates (denim, broadcloth, and single jersey) were selected from woven and knit fabrics for everyday wear. Three coating materials (acrylic, polyurethane, and silicone) were chosen from conventional conformal coating materials for printed circuit boards. Experimental results verified that fabric substrates can be selected to fit specific end-use application since it is shown that antenna performance was not significantly affected. Silicone coating is suggested to support antenna performance since this gave the least impairment in the fabrics as mechanical performance.
EEG asymmetry during covert mental activity

Twenty subjects selected for (overt) task-induced EEG asymmetry performed 17 different covert mental tasks while EEG was recorded from right and left temporoparietal leads. After each task, subjects rated their experiences on four scales: (covert) verbalization, visual imagery, affect, and concentration. Zero-order and semipartial correlations between integrated EEG measures and subjective ratings showed that verbalization and concentration were systematically related to EEG asymmetry. The results suggest that verbal processes may be a more important influence on temporoparietal EEG asymmetry than are visual imagery processes, at least during purely covert tasks. The results also demonstrate that EEG asymmetry reflects lateralized cognitive processes occurring in the absence of external stimuli or overt responses.
Investigation of basic imaging properties in digital radiography. 12. Effect of matrix configuration on spatial resolution

We investigated the effects of three matrix configurations (a conventional 512 X 512 matrix, a double-sampling matrix, and a high-resolution 1024 X 1024 matrix) on the resolution properties of an image intensifier (II)-TV digital radiographic imaging system. Expressions for the optical transfer function were derived theoretically for each of the three matrix configurations, and the corresponding digital modulation transfer functions (MTF's) were calculated using the measured MTF's of the presampling analog components and the parameters of the digital system. In addition, digital images of a star pattern phantom and a hand phantom were obtained with the II-TV system for each matrix type. From our results, we conclude that, in order to increase the resolution of an II-TV digital imaging system, it is necessary not only to increase the matrix size, but also to improve the resolution capabilities of analog components such as the II and/or TV camera. In addition, if the system cannot be upgraded to a 1024 X 1024 matrix configuration, a double-sampling technique with an 512 X 512 matrix may be employed.
Computational verb systems: Verb numbers

In this paper the concepts of (computational) verb number and arithmetical operations of verb numbers are presented. A verb number is a kind of special computational verb, which is derived from structures of (host) verb+(real, interval, fuzzy) number. From the linguistic point of view, a verb number is a computational verb with contexts defined by (real, interval, fuzzy) numbers. Verb numbers can be classified into three basic types based on the outer systems of host verbs. The arithmetic for verb numbers and its rules are presented and proved. If host computational verbs degrade to BE, then verb numbers collapse to real numbers, interval numbers, fuzzy numbers (sets), or other numbers. The set of all verb numbers can be a metric space. The distance between verb numbers can be defined based on the collapses of verb numbers. The cases when verb numbers collapse to triangular fuzzy numbers, trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, and interval numbers are presented and proved. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Academic procrastination in college students: the role of self-reported executive function.

Procrastination, or the intentional delay of due tasks, is a widespread phenomenon in college settings. Because procrastination can negatively impact learning, achievement, academic self-efficacy, and quality of life, research has sought to understand the factors that produce and maintain this troublesome behavior. Procrastination is increasingly viewed as involving failures in self-regulation and volition, processes commonly regarded as executive functions. The present study was the first to investigate subcomponents of self-reported executive functioning associated with academic procrastination in a demographically diverse sample of college students aged 30 years and below (n = 212). We included each of nine aspects of executive functioning in multiple regression models that also included various demographic and medical/psychiatric characteristics, estimated IQ, depression, anxiety, neuroticism, and conscientiousness. The executive function domains of initiation, plan/organize, inhibit, self-monitor, wo...
3-D turbulence structure and phase distribution measurements in bubbly two-phase flows

Turbulent bubbly air/water two-phase up and down flows in a circular test section were investigated. Important flow quantities such as local void fraction, liquid velocity and the Reynolds stresses were measured using both single-sensor and three-sensor hot-film anemometer probes. For up flows, it was found that the bubbles tended to migrate toward the wall and thus the void fraction profile showed a distinct peak near the wall. In contrast, for down flows, it was found that the bubbles tended to migrate toward the center of the pipe causing void “coring”. It was also found that the observed wall peaking and coring phenomena, and thus the radial void distribution in up and down flows, could be predicted by considering the turbulence structure of the continuous phase and lateral lift force acting on the dispersed phase (i.e. the bubbles). All Reynolds stress components were measured using a special 3-D conical probe. In two-phase flows, the normal Reynolds stress components (i.e. u2, v2and w2) showed nearly flat profiles in the core region (r/R < 0.8) and, except near the wall, the turbulence structure was more anisotropic compared to single-phase flows. Normally, the presence of the bubbles increased the level of turbulence in the flow. However, because the bubbles in turbulent two-phase flow enhance dissipation as well as promoting the production of turbulence kinetic energy, it was found that for higher flow rates the presence of bubbles suppressed the level of turbulence.
Banking on Gambling: Banks Lottery-Linked Deposit Accounts

Lottery-linked deposit accounts have proved to be popular around the world. From the point of view of a bank, these products are especially successful among relatively low-income customers, or in markets in which many people are outside the banking system. Below, we describe numerous examples of such accounts, and analyze their economics.
Synthesis of an unusual alpha-zein protein is correlated with the phenotypic effects of the floury2 mutation in maize

The soft, starchy endosperm of the maize (Zea mays L.) floury 2 mutant is associated with a reduction in zein mRNA and protein synthesis, unique protein body morphology, and enhanced levels of a 70 kDa protein, that has been shown to be the maize homolog of a chaperonin found in the endoplasmic reticulum. We found an unusual alpha-zein protein of 24 kDa to be consistently associated with the zein fraction from floury 2 mutants. Three additional alpha-zein proteins with molecular weights ranging from ca. 25 to 27 kDa are detected in the storage protein fraction of a high percentage of floury 2 kernels and a low percentage of normal kernels in a genetically segregating population. The four proteins in a genetically segregating population. The four proteins can be distinguished from one another by immunostaining on Western blots. Synthesis of the 24 kDa protein is regulated by Opaque2, since the 24 kDa protein is lacking in the storage protein fraction of opaque2/floury2 double mutants. The synthesis of an abnormal alpha-zein protein in floury2 could explain many features of the mutant, such as the abnormal protein body morphology, induction of the 70 kDa chaperonin, and hypostasis to opaque2 (o2). Although we cannot prove that the accumulation of this protein is responsible for the floury2 phenotype, we were able to detect a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) linked to the floury2 locus with a 22 kDa alpha-zein probe. We hypothesize that the unique characteristics of the floury2 mutant could be a response to the accumulation of a defective alpha-zein protein which impairs secretory protein synthesis.
Observations and modeling of the small fatigue crack behavior of an extruded AZ61 magnesium alloy

Abstract The objective of this paper is to quantify the microstructurally small fatigue crack growth of an extruded AZ61 magnesium alloy. Fully reversed and interrupted load-controlled tests were conducted on notched specimens that were taken from the material in the longitudinal and transverse orientations with respect to the extrusion direction. In order to measure crack growth, replicas of the notch surface were made using a dual-step silicon-rubber compound at periodic cyclic intervals. By using microscopic analysis of the replica surfaces, crack initiation sites from numerous locations and crack growth rates were determined. A marked acceleration/deceleration was observed to occur in cracks of smaller length scales due to local microheterogeneities consistent with prior observations of small fatigue crack interaction with the native microstructure and texture. Finally, a microstructure-sensitive multistage fatigue model was employed to estimate the observed crack growth behavior and fatigue life with respect to the microstructure with the most notable item being the grain orientation. The crack growth rate and fatigue life estimates are shown to compare well to published findings for pure magnesium single crystal atomistic simulations.
TH‐A‐141‐07: Characterization of X‐Ray Source and Detector Geometry for the Compton Backscatter Imaging System for Medical Applications

Purpose: Clinical applicability of Compton backscatter imaging (CBI) systems for medical purposes was previously demonstrated using a CBI system optimized for industrial purposes. In order to optimize CBI for medical imaging, two key CBI system parameters were characterized: 1) x‐ray source and 2) detector geometry. This data can be used to help design systems with optimal spatial resolution, subject contrast, and SNR across clinical imaging applications. Methods: Phantoms of different dimensions and compositions, as well as segmented detectors, were simulated using MCNP‐X, a Monte Carlo transport code. With each set of simulations, a different energy between 20 keV and 1.5 MeV was evaluated. To maximize the potential of MCNP‐X, multiple in‐house C++ and MATLAB algorithms were created to extract and evaluate relevant data from the plethora of MCNP‐X generated information. An analytical model of the system was created to verify the Monte Carlo results. Results: The best subject contrast was observed at lower incident energies, between 30 and 40 keV, and also for smaller detectors. The SNR peaked at higher energies, between 65 and 75 keV, and at detector pixels adjacent to the source. As expected, the penetration power of the beam increased with energy. The spatial resolution of the system became worse (larger PSF) as the size of the detector increased. The absorbed doses to the phantom, per starting particle, increased with the energy, but were either equivalent to or lower than doses observed in transmission imaging at energies of interest. Conclusion: As part of the optimization of a medical CBI system, potential for better images was shown. The ability to design optimal medical CBI systems with x‐ray tubes within diagnostic energy ranges and detectors compatible with diagnostic spatial constraints was demonstrated. CBI can provide single‐sided imaging capability with equivalent or lower absorbed dose.
Film growth of BaZrO3-doped YBa2Cu3O7−δ by using fluorine-free metal–organic deposition

In this study, BaZrO3 (BZO)-doped YBCO films were fabricated on SrTiO3(100) single-crystal substrates by a fluorine-free metal?organic deposition (MOD) process. We added extra Ba and Zr organic salts, which formed well-dispersed ?10?25?nm sized BaZrO3 nanoparticles in the YBCO films. The in-field critical current density (Jc) and the peak pinning force (Fp) were greatly enhanced in the BZO-doped sample at 77?K relative to pure YBCO films. The optimal BZO content that gave the highest peak pinning force of ?10?GN?m?3 in a ?180?nm thick film was found to be x?=?0.10 for YBCO?+?xBZO films, where x is moles of BZO per 1?mol of YBCO. The angular dependence of in-field Jc measurements shows the BZO nanoparticles increased Jc over the entire angular range and also reduced the angular anisotropy measured at 4?T at 77?K.
A 4.5Tb/s 3.4Tb/s/W 64×64 switch fabric with self-updating least-recently-granted priority and quality-of-service arbitration in 45nm CMOS

High-speed and low-power routers form the basic building blocks of on-die interconnect fabrics that are critical to overall throughput and energy efficiency of high performance systems [1,2]. Conventional routers use distinct logic blocks for routing data and handling arbitration [3,4]. At higher radices, connections between these blocks become a bottleneck, limiting router scalability and degrading performance. Recently, two switch topologies [5,6] merged the data-routing fabric with arbitration control, avoiding this bottleneck. However, [6] relies on centralized control for channel allocation, limiting performance, while [5] is restricted to a small set of fixed priorities, rendering input ports prone to starvation. In addition, ever larger CMPs will require continued increases in bandwidth over previous designs. To address these issues, we present a 64×64 single-stage swizzle-switch network (SSN) with 128b data buses (8192 total input/output wires). The SSN can connect any input to any output, including multicast. It has a peak measured throughput of 4.5Tb/s at 1.1V in 45nm SOI CMOS at 25°C. The SSN's key features are: 1) a single-cycle least-recently-granted (LRG) priority arbitration technique that reuses the already present input and output data buses and their drivers and sense amps; 2) an additional 4-level message-based priority arbitration for quality of service (QoS) with 2% logic and 3% wiring overhead; 3) a bidirectional bitline repeater that allows the router to scale to >8000 wires. These features result in a compact fabric (4.06mm2) with throughput gain of 2.1× over [5] at 3.4Tb/s/W efficiency, which improves to 7.4Tb/s/W at 600mV.
When does cheating on mail-in bids pay? A guide for the dishonest auctioneer

Abstract In English auctions an auctioneer sometimes receives (second-price) bids from bidders who cannot attend the auction. These bids are referred to as mail-in bids, left bids, or bookbids, and are commonly handled by an auctioneer’s assistant. In this paper I consider auctions where there is one bid left with the auctioneer in an English auction with no reserve. The auctioneer can increase his revenue by cheating, at least partially (through phantom bids or large bidding increments), on the bookbid when the bookbidder’s valuation is more likely to be the highest than the second highest among all valuations. This is true even if, in equilibrium, this cheating is perfectly anticipated. This implies that the acquisition of a good reputation is not a sufficient incentive for honest auctioneer behavior.
The role of two conserved amino acids, glutamine 90 and asparagine 137, in O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase stability, activity and substrate specificity

To assess the possibility that two conserved amino acids (glutamine 90 and asparagine 137) in O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) are involved in protein-substrate contact and/or discrimination between favored and non-favored substrates, families of proteins mutant at these two sites were expressed in alkyltransferase-deficient bacteria and analyzed for stability, ability to repair O6-methylguanine (MG)-containing DNA, and ability to differentially repair a preferred (MG-containing DNA) versus a non-preferred (free base MG) substrate. All seven proteins mutant at glutamine 90 (except a proline mutant) were stable in bacteria and repaired MG-containing DNA (> 50% of wild-type levels). A representative glutamine 90 mutant protein was not, however, significantly different from the wild-type protein in the preferential repair of MG-containing DNA versus MG free base. Of eight proteins mutant at asparagine 137, only glutamine and serine mutants repaired MG-containing DNA to any degree (8.5% and 0.8% of wild-type respectively) and only the glutamine mutant protein was detectable in bacterial sonicates by Western blot analysis. Alanine and leucine mutant alkyltransferases, inactive and unstable as non-fusion proteins, could, however, be stably expressed in bacteria as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins, although the proteins were still inactive in repair. These results suggest that while glutamine 90 has no direct role in MG-DNA methyltransferase-mediated repair or free base/lesioned DNA substrate specificity, asparagine 137 is important in both the stability and activity of the protein and may contribute to the formation or function of the active site of the protein.
Do self-reported decision styles relate with others’ impressions of decision quality?

Abstract Research has demonstrated the usefulness of decision styles for predicting various performance-related criteria. It is still unclear, however, which particular styles are associated with a general tendency to make high-quality decisions. Participants (n = 168) completed a common measure of five decision styles, along with a measure of the traits in the five-factor model of personality. Self and peer evaluations of general decision quality were obtained as performance criteria. Results showed that specific decision styles predicted variance in both measures of decision quality. And, there was clear evidence for incremental validity for specific decision styles when self-ratings were predicted. In the context of past research, this study supports a primary focus on rational or analytical styles for understanding and predicting decision success.
GEOPHYSICAL VARIABLES AND BEHAVIOR: LVI. THE SPATIAL AUTOCORRELATION OF STATES' SUICIDE AND HOMICIDE RATES

Lester (1980) showed that suicide rates increased from the east to the west while homicide rates increased from the north to the south in the USA. The geographical/spatial pattern of variables over a set of regions is better tested by means of spatial autocorrelation statistics (Odland, 1988). Spatial autocorrelation analyses examine the assumption that the set of data points are independent; if they are not, then statistical analyses such as multiple regression are not valid.
Cisplatin plus gemcitabine in previously treated squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix: a phase II study of the Gynecologic Oncology Group.

Abstract Objectives. This trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cisplatin plus gemcitabine in previously treated squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Subjects and methods. All women had measurable histologically confirmed squamous cell cervical cancer and a GOG performance status less than or equal to 2. The women were to receive cisplatin at 30 mg/m 2 plus gemcitabine at 800 mg/m 2 day 1 and day 8 every 28 days. Results. Between February 2001 and May 2002, 32 eligible patients were entered. All women had received prior chemotherapy and 29 had received radiation. Twenty patients received platinum previously twice. The median time from primary treatment to recurrence was 21 months, but the median time from last prior chemotherapy was less than 2 months. A second phase of accrual was not indicated per the established stopping rules. There were 7 (21.9%) partial responses and median response duration was 2.1 months. Twelve additional women (37.5%) had stable disease. Nine women (28.1%) had increasing disease. Median time to progression was 3.5 months. There were no treatment-related deaths. Six women had grade 4 neutropenia, three had grade 4 anemia, and two had grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Grade 4 gastrointestinal toxicity occurred in two women and grade 4 anorexia occurred in one. Conclusions. This study suggests modest activity for the gemcitabine plus cisplatin doublet in previously treated squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. The objective response rate of 22% is comparable to that of other active agents and combinations tested in this setting. Toxicities were primarily hematologic and generally manageable with dose reductions.
Potential Application of the FDTD technique to Study Mitochondrial Apoptosis

In apoptotic cells, mitochondria have been shown to undergo morphological and structural changes caused by intra-membrane biochemical events. These subcellular changes are dynamic and progress over time via distinct morphological stages observable using electron microscopy (EM). To investigate whether changes in the morphology of the mitochondrial matrix could be detected and monitored by non-invasive light scattering methods, we performed simulations of light scattering by synthetic three-dimensional mitochondrial matrix models using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique. Our models consisted of spherical or ellipsoidal particles (matrix region) contained within a spherical or ellipsoidal mitochondrion. Within the mitochondrion model, the small particles' refractive index was taken to be 1.4, while the refractive index of the surrounding volume was taken to be 1.35, and equal to that of the cytoplasm surrounding the mitochondrion. Depending on the matrix volume ratio, particles within the mitochondrion can be either overlapping or non-overlapping. Our results suggest that measurable changes in light scattering by mitochondria can be detected in central dark-field microscopy. By analyzing the angular dependence of light scattered within the numerical aperture of a standard 63X objective (~67° solid angle), the simulations suggest that matrix regions on the order of 100nm can be detected. Light scattering by mitochondria could be altered both by the shape of these features, and by the matrix volume fraction within the mitochondrion. Our data suggest that optical scatter microscopy could be used to guide EM studies by rapidly assessing relative changes in mitochondrial morphology in living cells, and defining important time points to be further analyzed by EM.
Nonlinear light concentrators

We propose a reconfigurable cylindrical concentrator designed using a transformation-optics approach when the core of the device contains a material with Kerr nonlinearity. We demonstrate that in the case of focusing Kerr nonlinearity of the material in the device, it functions as an axicon-like lens with a variable focus line that can be tuned by changing the incident electromagnetic field. We also numerically study the cases where the core of the device is made of a material with defocusing Kerr nonlinearity or consists of a negative index material and predict beam splitting or localized field enhancement at the boundary of the core, respectively.
"The Paradoxical Principle and Salutary Practice": Hume on Toleration

David Hume is an ardent supporter of the practice of religions toleration. For Hume, toleration forms part of the background that makes progress in philosophy possible, and it accounts for the superiority of philosophical thought in England in the eighteenth century. As he puts it in the introduction to the Treatise: "the improvements in reason and philosophy can only be owing to a land of toleration and of liberty" (T Intro. 7; SBN xvii)} Similarly, the narrator of part 11 of the First Enquiry comments:
Dynamics of lunar origin and orbital evolution

The considerable differences in bulk composition of the moon and the earth have led most investigators to favor the capture hypothesis of lunar origin. However, upon closer examination all forms of the hypothesis still seem much less plausible dynamically than formation by accretion, i.e., acquisition of the moon in many small pieces rather than as predominantly one body. Models of accretion do suggest that the proto-lunar matter had a significantly different history from the proto-earth matter. A better understanding of collisions is needed to infer the compositional consequences of this history. Recent work on the acceleration of the moon's orbit exacerbates the time scale problem of orbital evolution. However, it now is much clearer that the locus of tidal dissipation is in the oceans and hence that the solution to the time scale problem lies in differing oceanic configurations in the past.
Quantitative neurofibrillary tangle density and brain volumetric MRI analyses in Alzheimer's disease presenting as logopenic progressive aphasia.

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are one of the key histological lesions of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and are associated with brain atrophy. We assessed regional NFT density in 30 patients with AD, 10 of which presented as the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA) and 20 that presented as dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT). Regional grey matter volumes were measured using antemortem MRI. NFT density was significantly higher in left temporoparietal cortices in lvPPA compared to DAT, with no differences observed in hippocampus. There was a trend for the ratio of temporoparietal-to-hippocampal NFT density to be higher in lvPPA. The imaging findings mirrored the pathological findings, with smaller left temporoparietal volumes observed in lvPPA compared to DAT, and no differences observed in hippocampal volume. This study demonstrates that lvPPA is associated with a phenomenon of enhanced temporoparietal neurodegeneration, a finding that improves our understanding of the biological basis of lvPPA.
Investigation of spectral interferences on the accuracy of broadband CW-NIRS tissue SO 2 determination

An accurate SO2 prediction method for using broadband continuous-wave diffuse reflectance near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is proposed. The method fitted the NIR spectra to a Taylor expansion attenuation model, and used the simulated annealing method to initialize the nonlinear least squares fit. This paper investigated the effect of potential spectral interferences that are likely to be encountered in clinical use, on SO2 prediction accuracy. The factors include the concentration of hemoglobin in blood, the volume of blood and volume of water in the tissue under the sensor, reduced scattering coefficient, µs', of the muscle, fat thickness and the source-detector spacing. The SO2 prediction method was evaluated on simulated muscle spectra as well as on dual-dye phantoms which simulate the absorbance of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin.
On inner functions with Hp and Bp derivatives in the unit ball of Cn

Abstract Let B n be the unit ball in C n . If f is a bounded holomorphic function, we say that f is inner provided that lim r → 1 − | f ( r ζ ) | = 1 σ -a.e. , ζ ∈ S n where S n is the unit sphere and σ is normalized surface measure on S n . If β > − 1 and p > 0 then A β p denotes the weighted Bergman space of all holomorphic functions weighted by ( 1 − | z | 2 ) β . For 0 q 1 , set B q : = A n q − n − 1 1 and if p > 0 let H p denote the usual Hardy space of holomorphic functions on the ball. In this paper, we consider derivatives of inner functions in several spaces of holomorphic functions. If f is an inner function, membership of the radial derivative, R f = ∑ j = 1 n z j ∂ f ∂ z j , will be considered in the B p spaces for p > n n + 1 and will be related to membership in weighted Dirichlet spaces, weighted Bergman spaces A α 2 for 0 α 1 , and to the A p spaces for 1 p 2 . Moreover, it will be shown that if f is an inner function, n > 1 , and either R f ∈ B 2 n 2 n + 1 , R f ∈ A 3 / 2 , or R f ∈ H 1 / 2 then f must be constant.
Simulated acid rain (H2SO4) and microbial activity in soil

Abstract Soil mixtures containing 9% kaolinite, 9% montmorillonite, or no clay supplements were amended with 1% glucose and treated with H2SO4 to lower their bulk pH to levels ranging from 5.4 to 0.8. Acidification had little effect on soil respiration (CO2 evolution) until the pH was lowered below 3. Glucose was not degraded at approximately pH 2 but was degraded once the soil pH was raised to non-inhibitory levels, i.e. pH 4.1–4.3. When the soil pH was reduced to 1.4 or below, it was necessary to reinoculate the soil and raise the pH to a non-inhibitory level to obtain CO2 evolution. The addition of clay minerals, particularly montmorillonite, mitigated the toxic effect of H2SO4, especially at pH values below 3. The growth of Aspergillus niger, A. flavipes, Trichoderma viride and Penicillium brefeldianum was reduced or completely inhibited in soils acidified below pH 3.5. The addition of montmorillonite enhanced fungal growth under these acidic conditions, but kaolinite had no effect.
Experimental investigation of STEP form-feature information model

Abstract Exchanging product data between feature-based geometric modelers presents some challenges. This is partly because features technology is still evolving, and also because there are major philosophical differences between the feature concepts on which different systems are based. The Form Feature Information Model (FFIM) that was developed by the pdes committee in the USA and accepted into the International Standards Organisation step standard was tested by means of experiments described in the paper. The modeler used in the experiments was the ASU Features Testbed, which was developed at the Arizona State University, USA, independently of the FFIM. The purpose of the experiments was to identify problems in the FFIM, and to suggest solutions where possible. In addition to the traditional problems of data transfer, such as numerical inaccuracies, a number of other factors that increase the complexity of the feature data-exchange process were identified. Some of these were the lack of relational positioning/locating information, multiple representations of a single feature, representation of certain popular profiles in rather tedious data structures, and the nonunique mapping of features between the two systems. The loss of semantic information, ecapsulated in rules, methods and constraints, seems to place some serious limits on information that can be exchanged with the current version of the FFIM. The pdes/step models are essentially static snapshots that are adequate for exchanging geometric and topological data, but are insufficient for dynamic exchange of feature models that encode engineering semantics in addition to geometric shapes.