cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An efficient STT-RAM-based register file in GPU architectures

Modern GPGPUs employ a large register file (RF) to efficiently process heavily parallel threads in single instruction multiple thread (SIMT) fashion. The up-scaling of RF capacity, however, is greatly constrained by large cell area and high leakage power consumption of SRAM implementation. In this work, we propose a novel GPU RF design based on the emerging multi-level cell (MLC) spin-transfer torque RAM (STT-RAM) technology. Compared to SRAM, MLC STT-RAM (or MLC-STT) has much smaller cell area and almost zero standby power due to its non-volatility. Moreover, by leveraging the asymmetric performance of the soft and the hard bits of a MLC-STT cell, we propose a remapping strategy to perform a flexible tradeoff between the access time and the capacity of the RF based on run-time access patterns. A novel rescheduling scheme is also developed to minimize the waiting time of the issued warps to access register banks. Experimental results over ISPASS2009 and CUDA benchmarks show that on average, our proposed MLC-STT RF can achieve 3.28% performance improvement, 9.48% energy reduction, and 38.9% energy efficiency enhancement compared to conventional SRAM-based design.
Specifying communications DACs

The explosion in the market for digital communications equipment has fostered unprecedented interest in high performance DACs and highlighted the shortcomings in the way in which these devices are described. The authors discuss the architectures and features of DACs together with specifications (dynamic and static) and signal distortion. Comparisons of DACs are also mentioned.
Examining the Impact of Environmental Factors on Quality of Life Across Massachusetts

Several studies indicate that there are significant relationships among quality of life, green vegetation, and socioeconomic conditions, particularly in urban environments. The purpose of this research is twofold: (1) to compare two weighting and aggregation techniques, data envelopment analysis (DEA) and principal components analysis (PCA), in the development of a socioeconomic index; and (2) to test for and explore spatial variation in the relationship between socioeconomic index and environmental variables using geographically weighted regression (GWR). The analysis was conducted at the census block group level in Massachusetts. First, DEA and PCA were used to generate two separate socioeconomic indexes. Second, the relationship between these indexes and environmental variables including percentage impervious surface, percentage industrial land use, percentage land used for waste, and traffic density was modeled using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and GWR. The GWR models explained more varian...
Bistable-Body Tunnel SRAM

A one-transistor tunnel static random access memory (SRAM) cell is proposed and analyzed. The new cell uses the bistability of a tunnel diode pair to latch the body voltage of a MOSFET that then shifts the threshold voltage and enables sensing of the state by the measurement of the MOSFET transistor current. Band-to-band tunneling is used to write the cell. This cell offers more than 10 000× reduction in static power compared to the 6-transistor (T) SRAM at the 32-nm technology node. A cell size of 48F2 is shown, which is comparable to a 6-T SRAM. Access times should be similar to high performance a 6-T SRAM given the same transistor technology.
Auditory presentation of experimental data

Our research group has been working for several years on the development of auditory alternatives to visual graphs, primarily in order to give blind science students and scientists access to instrumental measurements. In the course of this work we have tried several modes for auditory presentation of data: synthetic speech, tones of varying pitch, complex waveforms, electronic music, and various non-musical sounds. Our most successful translation of data into sound has been presentation of infrared spectra as musical patterns. We have found that if the stick spectra of two compounds are visibly different, their musical patterns will be audibly different. Other possibilities for auditory presentation of data are also described, among them listening to Fourier transforms of spectra, and encoding data in complex waveforms (including synthetic speech).
Techniques for the analysis of Cl - ion in TMAH

Fabricating integrated circuits with increasingly smaller elements mandates that the chlorine ion contents in 2.38% TMAH to be under the 50 ppb level. Previously, the interference from TMAH inhibited the analysis of chlorine ion in TMAH by ion chromatography. In this study, we present a novel technique to eliminate the annoying interference from TMAH. By using of acid type cation exchange resin Amberite IR-120, the interference from TMA + and OH - is successfully eliminated. The TMA + cation is retained in the exchange resin and the OH - from TMAH neutralized with the H + released from the resin. This relatively simple scheme of cation exchange preprocessing not only eliminates the influence of TMAH, but also possesses the additional merit that the Cl - anion has remained intact through the cation exchange resin. To further increase the detection limit, on-line preconcentration by ion chromatography has been coupled with the above scheme by cation exchange resin preprocessing, via this technique, the detection limit of sub 1 ppb level is achieved with no need of adding a standard.
Results of repeat renal transplantation after graft loss from BK virus nephropathy.

Background. BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) is an important cause of renal graft loss in recent years. The aims of this study are to (1) describe the management of patients undergoing retransplantation after allograft loss in the setting of BKVN and (2) to identify risk factors for BK virus replication in the retransplant. Methods. This retrospective study compiled data on adult patients undergoing repeat transplantation after previous loss of allograft to BKVN from six US centers. Clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic data for both the transplant that failed because of BKVN and the retransplant were abstracted and reviewed. Results. A total of 31 patients underwent retransplantation after a median of 6 months after failure of the first allograft, with 10 of 31 undergoing preemptive retransplantation. Twenty-six patients had documented clearance of viremia and 13 underwent transplant nephrectomy before the retransplant. Two of six centers had changed immunosuppression protocols for the retransplants. After repeat transplant, 11 (35%) had BKV replication in urine and plasma with two patients experiencing BKVN. Seven had acute rejection. In univariate analysis, documented viremia clearance after BKVN in the initial transplant was significantly associated with the absence of BKV replication after repeat transplantation. Serum creatinine was significantly higher at 1 year in patients with BKV replication. One graft loss occurred due to rejection. Conclusions. Retransplantation is safe and effective for patients with previous graft loss due to BKVN preferably post-BK viral clearance.
Effects of Aggregation on Trimeric Light-Harvesting Complex II of Green Plants: A Hole-Burning Study

Low-temperature absorption, fluorescence, and persistent hole-burned spectra are reported for aggregates of the trimeric light-harvesting antenna complex of photosystem II (LHC II) . The lowest energy Qy-state was found to lie at 681.5 nm on the basis of hole spectra, which corresponds to a 2 nm red shift relative to the isolated LHC II trimer (Pieper et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 1999, 2412, accompanying paper). The electron−phonon coupling of the 681.5 nm state is characterized by S ∼ 0.8 and coupling to phonons with a mean frequency of ∼ 20 cm-1 which is very similar to that of the isolated trimer. This coupling is consistent with the 4.2 K Stokes shift of the fluorescence originating from the 681.5 nm state. An adjacent state at 680.0 nm is assigned. On the basis of the results of Pieper et al. for the isolated trimer, a state at ∼ 678.5 nm is inferred. These three lowest energy Qy-states are associated with the lowest energy chlorophyll a state of the subunit of the isolated LHC II trimer. Their degeneracy...
Mental health service use by elderly patients with bipolar disorder and unipolar major depression.

Symptoms, functioning, and mental health service use were compared in older outpatients with bipolar disorder and unipolar depression. Bipolar outpatients (n = 37, mean age = 69.7) had higher total symptom severity and positive symptom scores, more impaired community-living skills, and earlier age at onset of illness than patients with unipolar depression (n = 85, mean age = 70.9). Bipolar elderly patients used almost four times the total amount of mental health services and were four times more likely to have had a psychiatric hospitalization over the previous 6 months. These findings underscore the need for effective services for elderly patients with bipolar disorder, who account for a minority of patients with affective disorders, but use a disproportionate amount of costly services.
Globalization, religious fundamentalism and the need for meaning

Abstract Globalization may well be the meta-context of our time. This paper seeks to enhance a theoretical understanding of the relationship between globalization and religious fundamentalism. Previous papers [Salzman, M. (2001). Globalization, culture & anxiety. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 10(4): 337–352; Salzman, M. (2003). Existential anxiety, religious fundamentalism, the “clash of civilizations” and terror management theory. Cross Cultural Psychology Bulletin, 37(3): 10–16] utilized a Terror Management Theory perspective in the exploration of the interaction of globalization, culture, anxiety, fundamentalism and intercultural conflict. [Salzman, M. (2006). “Culture Wars” and intercultural conflict from three theoretical perspectives. Paper presented at the XVIIIth international congress international association for cross-cultural psychology] expanded this inquiry by looking at intercultural conflict through the theoretical perspectives of Social Identity Theory, Modernization Theory and Terror Management Theory. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize and extend this inquiry by specifically focusing on the phenomena of religious fundamentalism and its relationship to the processes and dynamics of globalization. This inquiry is anchored by the bedrock question of what human beings truly need and how they seek to address and satisfy real needs. This paper, then, examines the nature of religious fundamentalism, culture-threat, globalization and their interactions through multiple perspectives and considers their implications for conflict, terrorism, development and peace.
Evaluations of police performance in an African American sample

Research has indicated that minority group members generally hold less positive attitudes toward police than do Whites. This study examined evaluations of police performance among a sample of African Americans. Regression analysis indicated that age, education, victimization, respondents' evaluations of the safety of their neighborhoods, their evaluations of their neighborhoods, and their evaluations of police response time getting to their neighborhoods all had significant effects upon evaluations of local police performance. These results are consistent with studies that emphasized the neighborhood context of evaluations of local police performance. They also indicate that evaluations of police response time are a significant factor in evaluations of police performance among African Americans.
Bundle branch block without significant heart disease.

Abstract The occurrence of bundle branch block in the absence of definite organic heart disease has been regarded as a rarity. On the other hand, it has been well recognized that some cases of bundle branch block, especially if the right branch is involved, carry an excellent prognosis. The present study includes several patients known to have had a bundle branch disturbance for a number of years without suffering any cardiac disability. They have developed no other objective signs of cardiac disease, and they should not be considered to have clinically significant cardiac disease. Only continued observation will determine whether or not the remaining individuals who now have bundle branch block without any other subjective or objective evidence of cardiac disease may be placed permanently in the same category.
New Developments In Digital X-Ray Detection

Experiments and calculations are used to list the properties of integrating X-ray detectors important in digital applications. This list includes costs, detective quantum efficiency, non-linear effects, signal to noise ratio, and noise equivalent number of photons. Indicated are the critical areas, where improvements are still possible. Naturally all future improvements on the detector side will relieve constraints for the X-ray source and will improve scanner versatility and image quality.
Contribution of proton precipitation to space‐based auroral FUV observations

[1] Imaging from space offers a unique way to access the global picture, and its temporal variability, of the particle energy input over the auroral ovals. Electron characteristics are inferred from the analysis of auroral images taken from space in two different spectral bands in UV or visible. Usually, only the electron component of the precipitation is considered, as most of the particle energy is carried by electrons. However, at some locations and certain times protons are a major energy source, that is, a major ionization and excitation source of the atmosphere. The response of POLAR/UVI, IMAGE/WIC and SI13, and TIMED/GUVI (used for retrieving the electron components) to proton precipitation is estimated. Secondary electrons produced within the proton beam also contribute to auroral emissions. Since they are less energetic than the secondary electrons produced in electron aurora, they have a different spectral signature. In addition, for a given energy flux, protons are usually more efficient at ionizing than electrons and yield larger values of the Pedersen ionospheric conductance. Therefore the difference between proton and electron aurora can lead to misinterpretation when brightness ratios are used to derive ionospheric conductances with parameterizations that are based on electron aurora. The validation and limitations of auroral analysis are discussed, especially at the equatorward edge of the afternoon oval, where protons are a significant energy source. In regions of >4 keV electron precipitation, the presence of proton precipitation, even modest (10%), yields a large underestimation of both the electron mean energy and the energy flux. Overall, the presence of proton precipitation yields a poor estimation of the electron mean energy. In proton-dominated aurora, the Pedersen and Hall conductances are always underestimated with a large discrepancy for POLAR/UVI. However, in location where the protons are not dominant and the electron precipitation is not too hard, it is legitimate to estimate the particle characteristics and ionospheric conductances from the FUV brightnesses assuming pure electron precipitation. This is true in particular for the period around midnight (1900–0400 MLT), at a magnetic latitude of 65– 67� . INDEX TERMS: 2455 Ionosphere: Particle precipitation; 2407 Ionosphere: Auroral ionosphere (2704); 2423 Ionosphere: Ionization mechanisms; 2447 Ionosphere: Modeling and forecasting; KEYWORDS: auroral protons, FUV
Lymphocyte function of Michigan dairy farmers exposed to polybrominated biphenyls

Michigan dairy farm residents ate farm products containing polybrominated biphenyls (PBB's) after the accidential contamination of animal feed with the chemical in that state in 1973. The circulating blood lymphocytes of these residents show significant changes. Abnormalities include decreases in the numbers and percentages of peripheral blood lymphocytes that form rosettes with either sheep erythrocytes alone or with sheep erythrocytes sensitized with antibody and complement, increases in lymphocytes with no detectable surface markers ("null" cells), and altered responses to tests designed to evaluate functional integrity of the cells. There appears to be no consistent correlation between the concentration of PBB's in the plasma and the altered lymphocytes. Studies showed that in Wisconsin dairy farm residents and healthy individuals in the New York area who were not exposed to PBB's there were no such abnormalities.
Predicting what will happen when we act. What counts for warrant

To what extent do the results of randomized controlled trials inform our predictions about the effectiveness of potential policy interventions? This crucial question is often overlooked in discussions about evidence-based policy. The view I defend is that the arguments that lead from the claim that a program works somewhere to a prediction about the effectiveness of this program as it will be implemented here rests on many premises, most of which cannot be justified by the results of randomized controlled trials. Randomized controlled trials only provide indirect evidence for effectiveness, and we need much more than just randomized- controlled-trial results to make reliable predictions.
Patterns of Care in Testicular Torsion: Influence of Hospital Transfer on Testicular Outcomes

Objective To investigate patterns of care for testicular torsion and influence of hospital transfers on testicular outcomes. Hospital transfer may be a source of treatment delay in a condition where delays increase likelihood of orchiectomy.
Production of H2O2 in hydrocarbon-O2CF3Br systems

Abstract Hydrogen peroxide is produced when CF 3 Br is added to flowing hydrocarbon-oxygen mixtures at approximately 350 °C. The H 2 O 2 concentration is dependent on the amount of CF 3 Br added to the hydrocarbon-oxygen mixture and maximizes at approximately 40 mole% CF 3 Br.
The myoglobin gene of the Antarctic icefish, Chaenocephalus aceratus, contains a duplicated TATAAAA sequence that interferes with transcription

SUMMARY Six of the 16 known species of Antarctic icefish (family Channichthyidae) have lost the ability to express cardiac myoglobin (Mb) via at least four independent events during radiation of these species. We report here that the lesion in Chaenocephalus aceratus Mb is a duplicated TATAAAA element that blocks transcription. This lesion is distinct from those of other icefish species that do not express cardiac Mb. The C. aceratus Mb gene is nearly identical to that of Chionodraco rastrospinosus , a closely related Mb-expressing icefish species, with one exception. A 15-bp segment is present in C. aceratus but absent from C. rastrospinosus ; this insertion is located 648 bp upstream from the reference transcription start site of C. rastrospinosus and includes the sequence TATAAAA, which bound HeLa cell transcription factor IID (TFIID) and icefish nuclear proteins in gel-retardation assays. Reporter constructs containing the `full-length9 C. aceratus Mb promoter were not expressed in transient expression assays in oxidative skeletal muscle of live icefish. By contrast, constructs employing the nearly identical `full-length9 C. rastrospinosus Mb promoter were efficiently expressed in parallel assays in the same tissue. Truncated constructs of C. aceratus Mb that did not contain the 15-bp duplication were expressed at very low levels. These data confirm a third independent mechanism of Mb loss among channichthyid species, indicate that C. aceratus aerobic muscle is capable of expressing functional Mb genes and demonstrate that duplication of the muscle-specific TATAAAA sequence in an inappropriate context can result in loss of a gene9s expression, resulting in significant physiological consequences.
Linked-learning for knowledge acquisition: a pilot's associate case study

Abstract We developed a knowledge acquisition system that uses an Explanation-Based Learning domain theory as a knowledge repository from which general knowledge structures can be compiled and then translated by smart translators into the various specialized representations required for the separate expert system modules of a distributed pilot aiding system. We call this two-stage learning-plus-translation process linked learning . This architecture addresses learning for multiple modules with different knowledge representations and performance goals, but which must all perform together in an integrated fashion. It also addresses learning for an intelligent agent which must perform in a real-world, dynamically-changing environment with multiple sources of uncertainty. Finally, it serves as a case study offering insights into the integration of machine learning into the system engineering process for a large knowledge-based system development effort.
Detangling Individual-, Partner-, and Community-level Correlates of Partner Violence

This article attempted to identify neighborhood- partner- and individual-level factors that may lead to male-to-female partner violence. The relevant dimensions of community context were derived from social disorganization theory that indicates that disorganized areas lack formal and informal controls that inhibit street violence. Social disorganization theory predicts that there is a higher rate of violence and social isolation in disorganized areas. At the individual level, women who experience less social support will more likely be victimized by partner violence. This article investigates the direct and interactive effects of social disorganization measures and variables from social support theories on male-to-female partner violence. The data come from Wave 2 of the National Survey of Families and Households completed in 1994 and from the 1990 census. Logistic regression was used to assess variation in the independent and dependent variables between and within neighborhood types. Results indicate tha...
Correlation between serum lactate dehydrogenase and stem cell mobilization

After observing a correlation between elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and good stem cell collections, retrospective data from 540 donors undergoing 650 stem cell apheresis procedures (87% autologous, 13% allogeneic) were studied to determine the correlation between preapheresis LDH levels and the absolute peripheral blood CD34+ cell count (PBCD34). PBCD34 (1-1611/mul; median 40) correlated modestly with leukocytes (0.5-118.2 x 10(9)/l; median 30.2) (r=0.16; P=0.00005) and poorly with platelets (16-660 x 10(9)/l; median 131) (r=0.02; P=0.69). The correlation between LDH (64-1664 IU/l; median 310) and PBCD34 was very strong (r=0.54; P<10(-48)). In multivariate regression analysis, serum LDH was the only factor correlating significantly with PBCD34. The correlation between serum LDH and PBCD34 was strong on the first day of collection (n=517; r=0.53; P<10(-37)), weakened on the second day (n=74; r=0.37; P=0.0009) and disappeared beyond day 2 (n=59; r=0.09; P=0.49). PBCD34 was significantly higher (median 53 versus median 11; P<0.00001) when LDH was elevated (n=511) compared to when LDH was normal (n=139). The relationship between serum LDH and PBCD34 was strong for autologous (r=0.54) as well as for allogeneic (r=0.41) collections. Our data suggest that it is reasonable to assume good stem cell mobilization and start apheresis if the LDH is elevated.
Effects of competing orders and quantum phase fluctuations on the low-energy excitations and pseudogap phenomena of cuprate superconductors

Abstract We investigate the low-energy quasiparticle excitation spectra of cuprate superconductors by incorporating both superconductivity (SC) and competing orders (CO) in the bare Green’s function and quantum phase fluctuations in the proper self-energy. Our approach provides consistent explanations for various empirical observations, including the excess subgap quasiparticle density of states, “dichotomy” in the momentum-dependent quasiparticle coherence and the temperature-dependent gap evolution, and the presence (absence) of the low-energy pseudogap in hole- (electron-) type cuprates depending on the relative scale of the CO and SC energy gaps.
High-temperature plasmonic thermal emitter for thermo-photovotaics

We use titanium nitride (TiN) to demonstrate an ultra-thin plasmonic thermal emitter operating at high temperatures (830 K). The spectrally selective emitter exhibits a large emittance at around 2.5 μm and below, and suppresses emission at longer wavelengths.
Packet-level diversity - from theory to practice: an 802.11-based experimental investigation

Packet-level diversity, or distributing packet transmissions over multiple, diverse channels, offers benefits in improving communication performance and robustness to channel variations. Previous works have analyzed and quantified those benefits, and developed transmission policies to realize them. However, translating those benefits into practice still faces numerous challenges from uncertainty in the adequacy of the channel models used to develop policies, to implementation dificulties in realizing the precise transmission schedules they mandate. This work is a first step in assessing what remains of those benefits once confronted with such practical challenges. Our investigation is carried out over an 802.11 testbed, where diversity is realized through the different frequency bands available for transmissions between hosts and access points. We use the testbed to evaluate the impact of transmission policies, channel characteristics, channel correlation, and various end-system constraints that affect our ability to precisely control transmissions timing. Our investigation reveals that in spite of the many gaps that exist between theory and practice, packet-level diversity still provides a simple solution to improve transmission performance and robustness across a broad range of configurations.
TH‐B‐L100E‐01: Ultrasound Stimulated Vibrometry for Measuring Tissue Properties

Background:Ultrasound stimulated Vibro‐acoustography has been used to image tissues using the acoustic response of tissues to localized harmonic radiation pressure. The method provides high resolution and high dynamic range images of tissues. The parameter being imaged is a complex combination of scattering, attenuation, and nonlinearity. However specific use of harmonic or pulsed radiation pressure and subsequent measurement of the tissue response can be used to measure fundamental material properties of tissue. The measurement of shear wave dispersion can be used to estimate elastic shear moduli of tissue. Fundamental model free properties such as elastic storage and loss constants can also be measured.Methods:Ultrasound radiation pressure is used to induce free propagating shear waves. The measurableproperties of the shear waves are sensitive to only the material properties of the tissue under certain circumstances. A model relating the shear wave speed as a function of frequency is related to the elastic and viscous moduli within small regions of tissue. Results: Shear and elastic moduli in tissue are measured with high accuracy and precision given appropriate models of wave propagation within the geometry of the tissue. Conclusion: Careful use of shear wave propagation and subsequent measurements can provide fundamental measurements of tissue mechanical properties if models are accurate. An application of this method is the noninvasive measurement of liver stiffness as a surrogate for fibrosis. Educational Objectives 1. Understand Shear Wavemoduli. 2. Understand Vibrometry. 3. Understand measurement of elasticity and viscosity with ultrasound.
Off-exchange derivatives markets and financial fragility

Huge losses suffered by users of off-exchange (or OTC) derivatives have created widespread concern that derivatives may be undermining the stability of financial markets. During the last 12 months alone companies have reported losing more than $10 billion on derivatives investments. A prime example is Metallgesellschaft A.G. (MG), Germany’s 14th largest industrial firm corporation, which reported losses of almost $1.5 billion as a result of a hedging strategy gone sour.1 Only a massive $1.9 billion rescue operation by 150 German and international banks kept MG from going into bankruptcy. While MG did not default on its futures or swap obligations, had it done so the ramifications for some major international banks and for OTC derivatives markets in general may have been far-reaching. Substantial losses also have been reported by other large firms and investment funds: Orange County California ($1.5 billion), Showa Shell Sekiyu ($1.5 billion), Kash-ima Oil ($1.4 billion), Pacific Horizon Funds of Bank of America ($167.9 million), Procter & Gamble ($157 million), Air Products and Chemicals ($113 million), and Gibson Greetings ($19.7 million), to name just a few.2 These incidents have left the clear impression that even sophisticated firms may not appreciate the potential risks associated with using derivatives, and that derivatives-related losses can be large enough to impair the solvency of even sizeable firms.
Looking but not seeing: Attention, perception, and eye movements in simultanagnosia

We studied three subjects who reported the apparent "disappearance" of stationary objects from direct view. They had simultanagnosia caused by CT-verified bilateral superior occipital lobe lesions. They had no abnormalities of visual acuity or fields to explain their defect. EOG with computer analysis showed intact motility and scanning. Most important, the subjects reported intermittent disappearance of a light target during EOG-verified fixation--ie, they were looking but not seeing. Results indicate that attention mechanisms that permit sustained awareness of visual targets depend on the superior visual association cortices and are relatively separate from mechanisms that shift gaze and drive visual search.
Inhibition of ERK1/2 Worsens Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background The role of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury has not been well investigated. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of inhibition of the ERK pathway in an in vitro and in vivo model of intestinal I/R injury. Methods ERK1/2 activity was inhibited using the specific inhibitor, U0126, in intestinal epithelial cells under hypoxia/reoxygenation conditions and in mice subjected to 1 hour of intestinal ischemia followed by 6 hours reperfusion. In vitro, cell proliferation was assessed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, apoptosis by DNA fragmentation, and migration using an in vitro model of intestinal wound healing. Cells were also transfected with a p70S6K plasmid and the effects of overexpression similarly analyzed. In vivo, the effects of U0126 on intestinal cell proliferation and apoptosis, intestinal permeability, lung and intestinal neutrophil infiltration and injury, and plasma cytokine levels were measured. Survival was also assessed after U0126. Activity of p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) was measured by Western blot. Results In vitro, inhibition of ERK1/2 by U0126 significantly decreased cell proliferation and migration but enhanced cell apoptosis. Overexpression of p70S6K promoted cell proliferation and decreased cell apoptosis. In vivo, U0126 significantly increased cell apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation in the intestine, increased intestinal permeability, intestinal and lung neutrophil infiltration, and injury, as well as systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Mortality was also significantly increased by U0126. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by U0126 also abolished activity of p70S6K both in vitro and in vivo models. Conclusion Pharmacologic inhibition of ERK1/2 by U0126 worsens intestinal IR injury. The detrimental effects are mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of p70S6K, the major effector of mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.
Symmetry, Unitarity, and Geometry in Electromagnetic Scattering

Upon defining vector spherical partial waves {${\mathbf{\ensuremath{\Psi}}}_{n}$} as a basis, a matrix equation is derived describing scattering for general incidence on objects of arbitrary shape. With no losses present, the scattering matrix is then obtained in the symmetric, unitary form $S=\ensuremath{-}{\stackrel{^}{Q}}^{\ensuremath{'}*}{\stackrel{^}{Q}}^{*}$, where (perfect conductor) $\stackrel{^}{Q}$ is the Schmidt orthogonalization of ${Q}_{n{n}^{\ensuremath{'}}}=(\frac{k}{\ensuremath{\pi}})\ensuremath{\int}d\mathbf{\ensuremath{\sigma}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}[(\ensuremath{\nabla}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{Re}{\mathbf{\ensuremath{\Psi}}}_{n})\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathbf{\ensuremath{\Psi}}}_{{n}^{\ensuremath{'}}}]$, integration extending over the object surface. For quadric (separable) surfaces, $Q$ itself becomes symmetric, effecting considerable simplification. A secular equation is given for constructing eigenfunctions of general objects. Finally, numerical results are presented and compared with experimental measurements.
The lateral buttress: an anatomic feature of the lumbar pars interarticularis.

Study Design. A morphometric study of the lateral buttress region of the lumbar pars interarticularis from L1–L5 on 10 dried lumbar spines was performed. Objective. To qualitatively describe and quantitatively evaluate this portion of the pars and to discuss its clinical and surgical relevance. Background. The “lateral buttress” is a bony bridge connecting the superolateral edge of the inferior facet to the pedicle/transverse process junction, offering structural support to the pars interarticularis at upper lumbar levels. To date, no anatomic study has evaluated this structure. Methods. Direct measurements using vernier calipers were taken at each level, L1–L5, from 10 dried lumbar spines. Surface area of the buttress was calculated and compared statistically for differences between each level, as well as normalized relative to L3. Results. The surface areas of the buttresses at L1–L3 were similar, measuring near 80 ± 10 mm2. At L4, it measured 50 ± 10 mm2. And at L5, it measured 15 ± 5 mm2. These differences were statistically significant. Normalized data showed the buttress at L4 to be 40% smaller and at L5 to be 80% smaller than at upper levels. Conclusions. This study provides descriptive and anatomic data regarding the lateral buttress portion of lumbar pars interarticularis. The broad buttress of the upper lumbar levels offers support to the pars but can confuse anatomic guidelines for pedicle screw placement and paraspinal approaches. The narrow buttress of lower lumbar levels makes pedicle screw placement and the paraspinal approach easier, but it lessens support to the pars, making spondylolysis and iatrogenic instability more likely. Spine 2002;27:E385–E387
Endosulfan residues on alfalfa hay exposed to drying by sunlight, ultraviolet light and air

Endosulfan residues on alfalfa hay exposed to drying by sunlight, ultraviolet light and air under controlled conditions were investigated using g.l.c. and t.l.c. Maximum loss of total endosulfan and related residues calculated as endosulfan occurred approximately 7 days after application and exposure on Lot 1 (dark) and 5 days on Lot II (ultraviolet light) and 6 days on Lot III (sunlight). Maximum losses of residues on Lot I, Lot II and Lot HI were 48.3, 66.7 and 81.9%, respectively. No endosulfan lactone was detected in any of the samples exposed to the different light treatments. In all Lots the endosulfan sulphate percentage of the total residue increased but most dramatically in the dark drying experiment. The endosulfan a-hydroxy ether residues increased in Lot III (sunlight) up to day 7.
Synthesis of syntactic steel foam using mechanical pressure infiltration

Abstract Steel foam offers potential advantages over aluminum foams and other metallic foams. The inherent strength of steel combined with the reduced density of foam presents an attractive material with greater strength and modulus than light alloy foams, greatly reduced density relative to solid steel, and efficient energy absorption. However, thus far there have been few reports describing efforts to produce steel foam, and these have relied on powder metallurgical approaches as opposed to molten state processing. This study demonstrates a feasible synthesis method to consistently produce lab-scale foam samples with uniform distributions of microspheres and negligible unintended porosity using a simple liquid state method of infiltration. To accomplish this, the effects of process parameters were investigated. The preheatment temperature of the microspheres must be close to the melting temperature of steel and a minimum pressure must be exerted to produce the steel infiltration into the microspheres. Syntactic foams with relative density of 0.54 were achieved. The resultant syntactic foams were characterized by chemical analysis, microstructural analysis and hardness measurement. The basic mechanical properties of two different steel compositions were studied under compression loading, one with a ferrite microstructure and the other with a pearlite microstructure. The pearlite foam has greater compression strength and energy absorption capacity than the ferrite foam. The properties of the steel syntactic foams were compared to those of steel foams reported elsewhere. Prospects and challenges for achieving higher energy absorption capacity are discussed.
Should shortline railroads upgrade their systems to handle heavy axle load cars

Motivated by lower costs per ton-mile, US Class I railroads have been replacing 263,000-pound gross vehicle weight (GVW) covered hopper cars with 286,000-pound GVW cars. In many cases, shortline railroads would have to upgrade their tracks and bridges to handle the heavier cars. This paper used rate of return on investment analysis for a sample of US shortlines to determine if shortline owners will likely upgrade their infrastructure or abandon the railroad. Analysis revealed that the total cost to upgrade 1583 miles of mainline track and 1352 bridges of five shortline railroads in one US Midwest state was estimated to be $308.7 million. None of the shortlines in the analysis can earn an adequate rate of return on upgrading track and bridge investment. If the shortline railroads in the study are abandoned, the annual road damage costs will increase by over $58 million.
Retrieval and evaluation techniques for personal information

Providing an effective mechanism for personal information retrieval is important for many applications, and requires different techniques than have been developed for general web search. This thesis focuses on developing retrieval models and representations for personal search, and on designing evaluation frameworks that can be used to demonstrate retrieval effectiveness in a personal environment. From the retrieval model perspective, personal information can be viewed as a collection of multiple document types each of which has unique metadata. Based on this perspective, we propose a retrieval model that exploits document metadata and multi-type structure. Proposed retrieval models were found to be effective in other structured document collections, such as movies and job descriptions. Associative browsing is another search method that can complement keyword search. To support this type of search, we propose a method for building an association graph representation by combining multiple similarity measures based on a user's click patterns. We also present a learning techniques for refining the graph structure based on user's clicks. Evaluating these methods is particularly challenging for personal information due to privacy issues. This thesis introduces a set of techniques that enables realistic and repeatable evaluation of techniques for personal information retrieval. In particular, we describe techniques for simulating test collections and show that game-based user studies can collect more realistic usage data with relatively small cost.
The Fourier approximation of smooth but non-periodic functions from unevenly spaced data

We develop an algorithm to extend, to the nonequispaced case, a recently-introduced fast algorithm for constructing spectrally-accurate Fourier approximations of smooth, but nonperiodic, data. Fast Fourier continuation algorithms, which allow for the Fourier approximation to be periodic in an extended domain, are combined with the underlying ideas behind nonequispaced fast Fourier transform (NFFT) algorithms. The result is a method which allows for the fast and accurate approximation of unevenly sampled nonperiodic multivariate data by Fourier series. A particular contribution of the proposed method is that its formulation avoids the difficulties related to the conditioning of the linear systems that must be solved in order to construct a Fourier continuation. The efficiency, essentially equivalent to that of an NFFT, and accuracy of the algorithm is shown through a number of numerical examples. Numerical results demonstrate the spectral rate of convergence of this method for sufficiently smooth functions. The accuracy, for sufficiently large data sets, is shown to be improved by several orders of magnitudes over previously published techniques for scattered data interpolation.
Evaluation of sodium silicate/urea gels used for water shut-off treatments

Abstract A sodium silicate gelling system with an internal activator, urea, was extensively evaluated in the lab with bulk gelation experiments, compatibility tests, and coreflood testing using reservoir core plugs (calcite). The gelation mechanism and kinetics of this silicate/urea system were investigated in detail. Urea solutions hydrolyze at high temperatures, and the products initiate gelation. The rate of gelation depends on temperature, sodium silicate concentration, urea concentration, and salt concentration. Bulk gelation experiments indicated that the gelation time decreased with increasing urea concentration. However, the relationship between the gelation time and sodium silicate concentration exhibited a minimum at approximately 7 wt.% sodium silicate when the urea concentration was 3.6 wt.%. Gel compatibility with formation brine was examined. The results showed that sodium silicate/urea solutions tolerated sodium chloride up to 3 wt.%, while calcium chloride was tolerated at concentrations up to nearly 0.08 wt.%. These two salts reduced the gelation time of silicate/urea solutions. Arrhenius-type plots showed that the activation energy of the gelation of silicate/urea was 120.5 kJ/mol at 9 wt.% sodium silicate, with no significant effect of urea concentration. As sodium silicate concentration was increased at urea concentration of 3.6 wt.%, the activation energy increased slightly. These results were compared with literature results for colloidal silica and polyacrylamide/Cr(III) gelling systems. The sodium silicate/urea system has the highest activation energy, meaning that at a given temperature it will have the longest gelation time. Coreflood results showed that the gel reduced core permeability by at least three orders of magnitude, and that the gel was stable in the core at pressure gradients up to 56.6 MPa/m.
Family-based services for juvenile offenders

Focusing on the family rather than the individual offender is important in juvenile justice cases. This analysis of family characteristics, service characteristics, and case outcomes of 159 families referred for status offenses or juvenile delinquency in eight family-based placement prevention programs found a high incidence of parent-child, marital, and family relationship problems. Family-based services were more successful in preventing placement if the highest-risk child attended most or all of the treatment sessions (p < .001) and was enrolled in a regular class in school (p < .05). Substance abuse was the most important predictor of placement in delinquency cases (p < .01) and prior placement was the most important predictor in status offense cases (p < .05). Three-quarters of the families were intact at the time their case was closed, with office-based programs in public agencies having the lowest placement rates. These findings support the use of familybased services with juvenile justice problems.
Meeting Essence II: Capturing the important moments of a meeting

Meetings, and the information exchange during, are gaining ever-greater importance in a world where the more and more emphasis is put on teamwork. Yet the current solution: note taking with pen/paper, is found to be unsatisfactory due to its effort intensiveness yet being error prone and incomplete [1]. Many other solutions have also been proposed, but all suffer from drawbacks that inhibit the widespread adoption of those technologies. We present Meeting EssenceII, a mobile phone based meeting information capture system that utilizes the built in touch screen and recording ability of today's smart phones. In addition, with the one screen, one click system, we introduce a new social interaction centric recording paradigm where only moments deemed important by meeting participants are recorded, and users get to choose when and who to record by clicking on the name of the person that they want to record on a mobile phone screen. The mobile phone front end is implemented with Objective C on Apple iPod Touch 2nd Generation. The server back end consists of 2 servers, a Ruby on Rails server, which is the focal point of the system responsible for both displaying meeting related contextual information and receiving and acting on the user's requests to record, and an Apache/PHP server, which is responsible for handling the upload and download of audio files. A pilot experiment was conducted on the Silicon Valley student body, where a group of experiment subjects were asked to conduct a meeting, and asked to reconstruct what happened during the meeting one week later. The reconstruction results showed that on average, every 4 audio snippets would increase the team's reconstruction score by 1%.
If a stem cell dies in the crypt, and no one is around to see it….

Two recent studies continue the debate regarding lineage and hierarchy in the intestinal epithelium. One reports that quiescent crypt cells are Paneth cell precursors (Buczacki et al., 2013). The second shows that tamoxifen induces apoptosis in crypt cells and that suppressing apoptosis alters lineage tracing patterns (Zhu et al., 2013).
Literacy in the Language of Mathematics

(1994). Literacy in the Language of Mathematics. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 101, No. 8, pp. 735-743.
Brief repot: Interactions with infants by full siblings, paternal half-siblings, and nonrelatives in a captive group of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Six mother-infant pairs in a group of captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were observed for six months. "Infant grabs" by others and mothers' resistance to grabs were scored. More full siblings grabbed infants than either paternal half-siblings or nonrelatives. Mothers resisted grabbing by more nonrelatives than by paternal half-siblings. Although the maternal effect suggested by full sib-infant interactions is expected, the paternal effect revealed by mothers' tolerance of paternal half-sibs, but not full siblings, over nonrelatives is unexpected.