cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural networks for sign language translation

A neural network is used to extract relevant features of sign language from video images of a person communicating in American Sign Language or Signed English. The key features are hand motion, hand location with respect to the body, and handshape. A modular hybrid design is under way to apply various techniques, including neural networks, in the development of a translation system that will facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people. One of the neural networks described here is used to classify video images of handshapes into their linguistic counterpart in American Sign Language. The video image is preprocessed to yield Fourier descriptors that encode the shape of the hand silhouette. These descriptors are then used as inputs to a neural network that classifies their shapes. The network is trained with various examples from different signers and is tested with new images from new signers. The results have shown that for coarse handshape classes, the network is invariant to the type of camera used to film the various signers and to the segmentation technique.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Gradient analysis of the vegetation of the Byron-Bergen swamp, a rich fen in western New York

Transects of contiguous one square meter quadrats were sampled across the marl and peat mosaic of the Byron-Bergen swamp, a rich fen in western New York. The data were analyzed by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA).
On- and offline Talairach registration for structural and functional MRI studies.

We present a method for registering a brain in the Talairach coordinate system that can be performed either "online," i.e., in real time while a subject is in a magnetic resonance scanner, or "offline" on a previously acquired three-dimensional (3D) data set. The method is applicable to functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies because slices can be specified in Talairach coordinates and acquired in Talairach planes. Once functional data are obtained, pixels in a functional map can then be converted into Talairach coordinates, thereby facilitating brain averaging and communication of results. The method can also be used to align 3D data sets and perform volumetric analyses of regions of interest after correcting for head tilt, or to compute averaged structural brain images. Online and offline registration can be combined such that a series of sections can be interactively selected and visualized ahead of time using offline analyses and then replicated online at a later time. Hum. Brain Mapping 5:58-73, 1997. (c) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Proximate composition of Antarctic mesopelagic fishes

Eleven mesopelagic fish species from the Weddell/Scotia Sea region of the Antarctic captured during the austral spring 1983, austral fall 1986, and austral winter 1988, were analyzed for proximate composition. Water, ash level, protein, lipid and carbohydrate were examined in relation to depth of occurrence and season. No depth-related trends were evident, primarily due to a low species diversity and minimal differences in those species' vertical distributions. The Antarctic speciesElectrona antarctica showed a significant increase in lipid level (% wet wt and % ash-free dry wt) between spring, fall and winter. The increase may signify an accumulation over the productive season, possibly as a reserve for the winter months. Lipid levels (% wet wt and % ash-free dry wt) were significantly lower in the Weddell Sea specimens examined in this study than in previously examined identical and congeneric species taken during the same season from a more productive near-shore Antarctic region. Comparisons with congeners and confamilials from tropical-subtropical and temperate systems revealed variable trends. The Antarctic speciesE. antarctica andCyclothone microdon had lower water and protein (% wet wt) levels than similar species from tropical-subtropical or temperate regions. Lipid levels of the two species are similar to temperate individuals, while energy levels are slightly higher. In contrast, species of the genusBathylagus show no trends in composition as a function of latitude. Differences in productivity, water-column temperature-structure, and seasonality are important considerations when examining trends among mesopelagic species.
Design of a shape-memory alloy actuated macro-scale morphing aircraft mechanism

As more alternative, lightweight actuators have become available, the conventional fixed-wing configuration seen on modern aircraft is under investigation for efficiency on a broad scale. If an aircraft could be designed with multiple functional equilibria of drastically varying aerodynamic parameters, one craft capable of 'morphing' its shape could be used to replace two or three designed with particular intentions. One proposed shape for large-scale (geometry change on the same order of magnitude as wingspan) morphing is the Hyper-Elliptical Cambered Span (HECS) wing, designed at NASA Langley to be implemented on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Proposed mechanisms to accomplish the spanwise curvature (in the y-z plane of the craft) that allow near-continuous bending of the wing are narrowed to a tendon-based DC motor actuated system, and a shape memory alloy-based (SMA) mechanism. At Cornell, simulations and wind tunnel experiments assess the validity of the HECS wing as a potential shape for a blended-wing body craft with the potential to effectively serve the needs of two conventional UAVs, and analyze the energetics of actuation associated with a morphing maneuver accomplished with both a DC motor and SMA wire.
Cholesterol in connective tissue of joints.

Lipids are present in most connective tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have high synovial and low serum cholesterol concentrations and occasional cholesterol crystal deposition. To ascertain whether tritium-labeled cholesterol is transported into connective tissues, H3-cholesterol was injected into rabbit knees. It was found to enter cartilage and synovium, counts remaining above background for 40 days. Cholesterol crystals injected similarly, produced acute synovitis, lasting at least 20 days. H3-cholesterol was injected into a cholesterol-crystal-forming RA patient's knee; H3-cholesterol remained in synovial fluid above background level counts for 10 days.
Schottky-clamped NMOS transistors implemented in a conventional 0.8-μm CMOS process

An 0.8-/spl mu/m n-channel MOSFET with a TiSi/sub 2/-Si Schottky clamped drain-to-body junction (SCDR) and an n/sup +/ implanted standard source structure have been fabricated in a conventional 0.8-/spl mu/m salicide CMOS process without any process modifications. The SCDR should be useful for reducing susceptibility for latch-up in integrated CMOS RF power amplifiers and switches where drain to p-substrate junctions can be forward biased during normal operations. Output I-V characteristics of the devices are the same as those of conventional MOSFETs, while parasitic lateral n/sup +/-drain/p-substrate/n/sup +/-source bipolar transistor measurements showed significantly reduced current gains because the Schottky barrier diode which does not inject minority carriers (electrons) to the p-substrate base clamps the n/sup +/ drain-to-p-substrate guard-ring diode connected in parallel.
SU-E-J-81: Interplay Effect in Non-Gated Dynamic Treatment Delivery of a Lung Phantom with Simulated Respiratory Motion

Purpose: To quantify the interplay effect in non-gated VMAT external beam delivery using realistic, clinically relevant 3D motion in an anthropomorphic lung phantom, and to determine if adding margins is sufficient to account for motion or if gating is required in all cases. Methods: A 4D motion stage was used to move a Virtual Water (VW) lung target containing a piece of radiochromic EBT3 film in an anthropomorphic chest phantom. A five-arc stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatment was planned using a CT scan of the phantom in its stationary position, using planning parameters chosen to push the optimizer to achieve a highly-modulated plan. Two scenarios were delivered using a Varian TrueBeam: the first was delivered with the phantom and target both stationary and the second was delivered with the phantom stationary but the target moving in a realistic, irregular 3D elliptical pattern. A single piece of 4×4 cm{sup 2} film was used per fraction, located in the central coronal plane of the target. Film was calibrated on a 6 MV beam with dose values from 0.20 to 20 Gy. Results: Preliminary test films were analyzed in ImageJ and MatLab software. Dose maps were calculated on a central region ofmore » interest (ROI) delineated on both the motion-induced and stationary films. Both static and dynamic film dose maps agreed with planning values within acceptable uncertainty. Conclusion: Including a large number of arcs in a clinically realistic SBRT treatment could reduce the effect of motion interplay due to averaging. Because all clinics do not employ multiple arcs for SBRT lung treatments, it is still important to consider the effects of motion on treatment delivery. Further analysis on the treatment films, as well as a broader investigation other planning parameters, will be conducted.« less
A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE CREATIVE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS IN CHILD SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION1

A new perspective is outlined on the creative construction process in second language acquisition. First, an attempt is made to use Brown's notions of semantic and linguistic complexity to account for differences between first and second language acquisition orders. Second, the notions “learning complexity” and “learning strategy” are clarified. Third, an alternative to rank order analyses of acquisition sequence is presented, along with some findings on L2 acquisition. Finally, the outline of a framework for research in second language acquisition is presented.
Cortical localization of temporal lobe language sites in patients with gliomas.

ABSTRACTIN A SERIES of 40 patients undergoing an awake craniotomy for the removal of a glioma of the dominant hemisphere temporal lobe, cortical stimulation mapping was used to localize essential language sites. These sites were localized to distinct temporal lobe sectors and compared with 83 patien
Reanalysis of historical observations and its role in the development of the goddard EOS climate Data Assimilation System

Abstract The Data Assimilation Office at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is currently producing a global multi-year reanalysis of historical observations for the period 1980–1994. The assimilation employs a fixed analysis system (version 1 of the Goddard Earth Observing System or GEOS-1). This eliminates artificial climate signals resulting from system modifications typically found in operational analyses. The GEOS-1 reanalysis has proven to be an important research tool for studying a number of Earth Science problems on time scales ranging from diurnal to interannual. The long record of the reanalysis also allows a more direct study of the role of the observations in the assimilation process. In particular, we examine here the degree to which the observed boundary conditions force the climate variations of the assimilation. We also discuss the near term development of the GEOS system and how the process of data assimilation naturally lends itself to assessing model deficiencies.
New allergies after cord blood transplantation.

Abstract Background aims Umbilical cord blood transplantation (CBT) is an effective treatment for benign and malignant diseases. Late effects of CBT are not well described in the literature. In the present study, we present our experience of new-onset allergies in long-term survivors after CBT. Methods After an initial patient had a severe peanut allergic reaction after CBT, all CBT patients were prospectively followed for new allergy development. Fifty patients received CBT between March 2006 and June 2011. Results The median follow-up after CBT was 447 days (range, 12–2022). At the time of analysis, 30 patients were alive, with 3-year survival of 55.5%; median follow-up of surviving patients was 910 days (range, 68–2022). The allergic syndrome developed in five patients, with the cumulative incidence of new allergies at 2 years of 18.4% (95% confidence interval, 10.8–26). The median time to onset of new allergy after transplantation was 298 days (range, 250–809). Conclusions Allergy development has been linked to a delayed maturation of the immune system in several studies. We present the first case series of patients who had new allergies after CBT. Further study of this novel complication as well as counseling of patients after CBT would be important.
Replacement with GABAergic steroid precursors restores the acute ethanol withdrawal profile in adrenalectomy/gonadectomy mice.

Abstract The neurosteroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) is a progesterone metabolite that is one of a family of neuroactive steroids (NAS) that are potent positive allosteric modulators of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABA A ) receptors. These GABAergic NAS are produced peripherally (in the adrenals and gonads) and centrally in the brain. Peripherally produced NAS modulate some effects of ethanol intoxication (e.g., anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant effects) in rodents. We have found that NAS also may be involved in the rebound neural hyperexcitability following a high ethanol dose. Removal of the adrenals and gonads (ADX/GDX) increased withdrawal severity following 4 g/kg ethanol, as measured by handling-induced convulsions (HICs) in male and female DBA/2J mice. NAS are produced through the metabolism of progesterone (PROG), deoxycorticosterone (DOC), or testosterone, which can be blocked with the administration of finasteride (FIN), a 5α-reductase enzyme inhibitor. The current investigation was undertaken to clarify the step(s) in the biosynthetic NAS pathway that were sufficient to restore the acute ethanol withdrawal profile in ADX/GDX mice to that seen in intact animals. Male and female DBA/2J mice underwent ADX/GDX or SHAM surgery. After recovery, separate groups of animals were administered PROG, DOC, PROG+FIN, DOC+FIN, FIN, ALLO, ganaxalone (a synthetic ALLO derivative), corticosterone, or vehicle. Animals were then administered a 4 g/kg ethanol dose and allowed to undergo withdrawal. HICs were measured for 12 h and again at 24 h. The results indicate that replacement with PROG and DOC restored the withdrawal profile in ADX/GDX animals to SHAM levels, and that this effect was blocked with co-administration of FIN. Administration of FIN alone increased the withdrawal profile in both SHAM and ADX/GDX males. These findings indicate that the increase in acute withdrawal severity after ADX/GDX may be due to the loss of GABAergic NAS, providing insight into the contribution of endogenous GABAergic NAS to ethanol withdrawal severity.
High-spin and low-spin states in Invar and related alloys.

Total-energy band calculations that show the coexistence of a high-spin and low-spin state in fcc transition metals and alloys are presented. The energy difference between the two states is shown to be a function of the electron concentration and to vanish at 8.6. At larger electron concentrations the low-temperature state is the high-spin state, and the thermal expansion is shown to pause at a system-dependent characteristic temperature. At lower electron concentrations the low-temperature state is the low-spin state, and enhanced thermal expansion is expected. An analysis that leads to a qualitative understanding of the thermal properties of Invar and that implies a connection with martensitic transformations and spin glasses in related alloys is presented. For Invar a magnetic collapse from the high-spin to the low-spin state at a pressure of 55 kbar is predicted.
Noninvasive redox and back-scattered light imaging of keratocyte cells in the cornea: two-photon excitation and scanning slit confocal microscopy

The ability to image and monitor the metabolic activity of keratocytes is important for the investigation of wound healing and repair mechanisms in the cornea. After laser refractive surgery there is activation of the stromal keratocytes in the human cornea. Two-photon excitation laser scanning microscopy was used to monitor the NAD(P)H levels in keratocytes in the cornea. The autofluorescence was confirmed to be mostly of NAD(P)H origin by treatment with cyanide which caused an increase in the fluorescence by a factor of two. We used a real-time scanning slit confocal microscope to image the distribution of keratocytes in the full thickness of the cornea. This microscope has the ability to image the cellular processes as well as the nuclei of the stromal keratocytes. Noninvasive optical imaging may provide a useful tool to investigate keratocyte activation after laser surgery or wound healing.
Heat Flow and Geothermal Potential in the South-Central United States

Geothermal exploration is typically limited to high-grade hydrothermal reservoirs that are usually found in the western United States, yet large areas with subsurface temperatures above 150°C at economic drilling depths can be found east of the Rocky Mountains. The object of this paper is to present new heat flow data and to evaluate the geothermal potential of Texas and adjacent areas. The new data show that, west of the Ouachita Thrust Belt, the heat flow values are lower than east of the fault zone. Basement heat flow values for the Palo Duro and Fort Worth Basins are below 50 mW/m2 while, in the frontal zone of the belt, they can exceed 60 mW/m2. Further east, along the Balcones fault system the heat flow is in general higher than 55 mW/m2. The eastern most heat flow sites are in Louisiana and they show very high heat flow (over 80 mW/m2), which is associated with the apparently highly radioactive basement of the Sabine uplift. The geothermal resource in this area is large and diverse, and can be divided in high grade (temperature above 150°C) convective systems, conductive based enhanced geothermal systems and geothermal/geopressured systems. One of the most attractive areas east of the cordillera extends from eastern Texas across Louisiana and Arkansas to western Mississippi. Here temperatures reach exploitation range at depths below 4 km, and tapping such a resource from shut in hydrocarbon fields is relatively easy. The initial costs of the development can be greatly reduced if existing hydrocarbon infrastructure is used, and therefore using shut-in hydrocarbon fields for geothermal purposes should not be neglected.
Eye-Related Medicare Costs for Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration from 1995 to 1999

Objective Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness and severe visual impairment among the elderly in the United States. This study aims to assess eye-related Medicare costs from 1995 to 1999 in patients with both nonneovascular and neovascular AMD as compared with controls, and to delineate whether variations exist across demographic and clinical subgroups in eye-related Medicare costs over 5 years. Design Retrospective, observational, population-based analysis. Participants Five percent random sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Methods Data were obtained from the 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries with diagnoses of nonneovascular and neovascular AMD. A control group was selected based on diagnoses of blepharitis, chronic conjunctivitis, or blepharoconjuctivitis and no diagnosis of AMD. Eye-related claims were totaled and compared for each group over the 5-year study period. Demographic and clinical factors potentially influencing eye-related costs were also examined. Main Outcome Measures Eye-related Medicare costs during the 5-year study period. Results Median eye-related Medicare costs were estimated at $1607 for neovascular AMD patients, $832 for nonneovascular AMD patients, and $658 for controls. Cost differences across groups were significant based on univariate and multivariate analyses ( P P Conclusions Age-related macular degeneration represented a significant economic burden to the U.S. health care system for a single ophthalmic disease entity based on Medicare reimbursed eye-related costs before the availability of photodynamic therapy and anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Given that direct eye-related costs associated with the treatment of neovascular AMD are estimated at $569 million annually before the availability of therapy for subfoveal lesions, effective therapeutic measures may be associated with substantial cost offsets.
Review of Schottky-barrier imager technology

Advances in the development of infrared image sensors with Schottky-barrier detectors (SBDs) are reviewed. SBD operation and design structure are described, including the responsivity and dark-current characteristics and SBD fabrication. The reported results for a variety of focal plane arrays (FPAs) are compared in terms of parameters such as pixel size, fill factor, and SBD type. The development of scanning PtSi FPAs with 4096 by 4 elements and 2048 by 16 TDI elements is reported for spaceborne remote sensing applications. Up to 512 by 512 elements and 640 by 486 elements have reportedly been developed for high-resolution staring PtSi FPAs. Useful thermal imaging is shown for some staring FPAs, and IrSi SBDs with cut-off wavelengths up to 10 microns is shown for some FPAs in the LWIR band. Because the silicon VLSI process is exclusively employed to produce Schottky-barrier FPAs, these FPAs are found to be useful for uniform, low-cost SWIR and MWIR applications.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Discontinuous precipitation and coarsening in Al-Zn alloys

Abstract The morphology and kinetics of discontinuous precipitation (DP) and discontinuous coarsening (DC) in solution treated and isothermally aged Al-Zn alloys containing 39.3 and 59.3 at.% Zn have been investigated at temperatures ranging from 323 to 523 K by light microscopy, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. At all aging temperatures the supersaturated α solid solution was observed to decompose rapidly by DP into a lamellar mixture of solute depleted α phase and β phase precipitate. DP occurred so rapidly in the 59.5 at.% Zn alloy that the heat of transformation raised the temperature of the alloy significantly. With further aging a slower DC reaction transformed the lamellar DP into a coarser lamellar structure of the same two phases; however, the composition of the α phase of the DC was closer to the equilibrium solvus composition than that of the DP. With still further aging a second, much slower DC reaction was observed to decompose the lamellar product of the first DC reaction in the 59.5 at.% Zn alloy into a still coarser lamellar structure. Analysis of the kinetics of both the DP and DC reactions showed them to be controlled by boundary diffusion in the advancing reaction interface. Reaction front migration rates for both DP and DC increased markedly with increasing Zn content. This increase seems to be associated partially with an increase in boundary diffusivity with increasing Zn content.
Returning from the Total Institution to a Home Environment: A Journey for Birthing and Dying

The medicalization of both birth and death transformed the settings of care for these two important transitions in life. As the events moved from the home into a hospital, they became part of what Erving Goffman referred to as the “Total Institution.” Recently, attempts have been made to overcome the problems of these total institutions with specialized rooms. Using a medical sociological perspective, this article addresses the similarities in the establishment of birthing rooms and dying rooms. This demedicalization of the birth and death experience is a result of the gradual rejection of the total institution and presents an opportunity to seek characteristics of home in these environments.
Stress‐rupture lifetime of a poly(ethylene terephthalate)/glass composite under an alkaline solution environment

Stress corrosion testing of injection molded, short-fiber (E-glass) reinforced poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), in a 10 weight percent NaOH solution, indicated that a PET-matrix degradation mechanism was operating. This is in direct contrast to the fiber degradation observed in acidic (10 weight percent HCl solution) stress corrosion tests on this material. Stress-rupture lifetime in the alkaline solution was shorter than that in the acidic solution, suggesting that the alkaline attack on the PET matrix is more aggressive than the acidic attack on the E-glass fibers. In both environments, fiber/matrix interface deterioration was also observed. Alkaline lifetime versus toughness behavior has been analyzed by established statistical methodology, using the empirical lifetime expression and the Weibull distribution function.
From a few to many electrons in quantum dots under strong magnetic fields : Properties of rotating electron molecules with multiple rings

Using the method of breaking circular symmetry and the subsequent symmetry restoration via projection techniques, we present calculations for the ground-state energies and excitation spectra of $N$-electron parabolic quantum dots in strong magnetic fields in the medium-size range $10\ensuremath{\leqslant}N\ensuremath{\leqslant}30$. The physical picture suggested by our calculations is that of finite rotating electron molecules (REMs) comprising multiple rings, with the rings rotating independently of each other. An analytic expression for the energetics of such nonrigid multiring REMs is derived; it is applicable to arbitrary sizes given the corresponding ring configuration of classical point charges. We show that the rotating electron molecules have a nonrigid (nonclassical) rotational inertia exhibiting simultaneous crystalline correlations and liquidlike (nonrigidity) characteristics. This mixed phase appears in high magnetic fields and contrasts with the picture of a classical rigid Wigner crystal in the lowest Landau level.
Combination cytotoxicity of backbone degradable HPMA copolymer gemcitabine and platinum conjugates toward human ovarian carcinoma cells

Multiblock, backbone degradable HPMA copolymer-drug conjugates containing gemcitabine and DACH platinum (mP-GEM and mP-DACH Pt), respectively were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and subsequent chain extension by click chemistry. Using combination index analysis, the cytotoxicities of the two multiblock conjugates, as single agent and in combination, were evaluated in vitro in A2780 human ovarian cancer cells, with free drugs as controls. The greatest synergistic cytotoxic effect was observed when A2780 cells were sequentially exposed to mP-GEM for 24h and mP-DACH Pt for 48h. In addition, mechanistic studies support the rationale of the synergy between mP-GEM and mP-DACH Pt: mP-GEM pretreatment was able to enhance the platinum-DNA adduct accumulation and inhibit cell proliferation to a higher extent than single mP-DACH Pt treatment. These observations are useful for the development of combination macromolecular therapeutics for ovarian cancer based on the second-generation backbone degradable HPMA copolymers.
Riding the new integrated media systems wave

Integrated media systems will only achieve their potential they are truly integrated in three key ways: integration of content, integration with human users, and integration with other media systems. First, such systems must successfully combine digital video and audio, text, animation, graphics and knowledge about such information units and their interrelationships in real time. Second, they must integrate with the individual user via cooperatively interactive multidimensional dynamic interfaces. Third, integrated media systems must connect with other such systems and content-addressable multimedia databases, both logically and physically.
Modeling the Effects of Abrasive Size Distribution, Adhesion, and Surface Plastic Deformation on Chemical-Mechanical Polishing

A mechanical wear model for interactions between pad, wafer, and abrasives for surface removal during chemical mechanical polishing was developed. Effects of abrasive size distribution, surface softening, particle adhesion, and surface plastic deformation were included in the model. Interactions of particles that were trapped on the pad asperities with wafer surface were analyzed. Variations of surface hardness with the polishing time, down pressure, and relative velocity were also evaluated. Pads with wavy and random surface roughness were considered and model prediction results for dilute slurry concentrations were evaluated. Variations of the removal rate with down pressure, relative velocity, and surface hardness were analyzed. The results show that the surface removal rate decreases as abrasive size increases. Also for a constant relative velocity, the removal rate and the wafer surface hardness increase with increasing the slurry concentration and pressure. The results of the numerical simulations were compared with the available experimental data and good agreement was found.
The priority effect: Test effects on negative transfer and control lists

A study is reported investigating the “priority effect.” This effect refers to the finding of superior List 1 recall over List 2 on a MMFR test when the two lists conform to an A-B, A-D procedure. The result that the priority effect occurs only when no immediate test is given is confirmed. In addition, when AB-CD lists are used, no such effect is found. It is suggested that the assumption that the priority effect results from a process operating at the list level needs to be augmented based on these findings.
Holographic algorithms for on-chip, non-boolean computing

It is widely believed that the established route of microelectronic scaling is approaching its end: further downscaling of semiconductor devices carries disproportionate penalties in power consumption and poses fundamental fabrication challenges. Instead of scaling of devices, Moore's law is now increasingly about scaling computing systems: single-core devices toward larger, multi-core systems. While there are known programming methodologies for parallelizing program codes to a few threads, only very few, special-purpose applications lend themselves to parallelization on very large numbers of cores. This motivates our quest for studying computing paradigms and algorithms that are inherently parallel [1]. Holographic / optical computing is a perfect example of such algorithms: the results of a computation are given by an interference pattern formation of many light rays (see Fig. 1 for an illustration [1]). Optical systems are impractical to realize on-chip. For this reason, we explore routes to design holographic algorithms that can be naturally integrated with microelectronic technologies and require no optical hardware. Two approaches will be discussed in this paper.
Retention and fate of experimentally added mercury in a Massachusetts salt marsh treated with sewage sludge

Abstract A simple, rapid, precise and reproducible procedure is described for sample preparation, extraction and measurement of total mercury in peaty sediments, plants and animal tissues. Various amounts of a heavy metal containing dried sewage sludge were applied to experimental plots in a New England salt marsh. This treatment resulted in elevation of mercury levels in the surface 5 cm of the soil. Discrepancies in the bulk density of marsh sediments corresponded with interparticle spaces and detritus/mineral ratios in the peat matrix. Mass balance calculations showed that wetlands covered with tall Spartina alterniflora lost mercury considerable faster than higher marsh locations which retained virtually all mercury added. The shortest halflife of mercury calculated was four years. Grain size analyses of peat and sewage sludge suggested that mercury in the higher intertidal range remained associated with sludge components. Biochemical and physical processes affecting the dissipation of mercury from creek side sediments are discussed.
A Study of Rock-Bit Interaction and Wellbore Deviation

An overall analysis of wellbore deviation is presented. A theoretical study in side-cutting mechanism and side-cutting ability of roller cone bits is described. A full-scale drilling rig and a specifically designed cradle system for measuring rock bit interaction forces are used to perform the experimental portion of this paper.
Recovery trends of functional skills in the head-injured adult.

This study describes the course of the recovery of functional skills in adults with severe head injuries during a 2-year period. Eighty head-injured patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit were included in this study. Length of coma could be ascertained for 78 of the patients. These subjects were then divided into two groups by coma length (i.e., less than or equal to 14 days coma and greater than or equal to 15 days coma) as defined by the Glasgow Coma Scale. All 80 patients were rated at 2-, 4-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month intervals after reported date of injury in the following areas: Basic ADLs (feeding, grooming, bed mobility), Wheelchair Mobility, Dressing, Functional Transfers, Basic Hand Skills, Community Skills, Kitchen Skills, and Jebsen Hand Function. Results illustrated improvement over time in mean scores for all areas evaluated up to 2 years post-injury for both coma groups. The shorter coma group appeared initially less disabled, improved more rapidly, and exhibited significantly less disability on these measures at 1-year post-injury than the longer coma group. Frequency distributions of all patients at the 2-month and 1-year time frame supported the recovery trends and also indicated that the majority of clients improved in functional areas over time despite extensive coma lengths. Chi-square analysis of all patients indicated that the amount of change in mean scores between 2 months and 12 months post-injury was statistically significant for all variables and that the amount of change in mean scores between 6 months and 12 months post-injury was also significant for seven variables.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Response to short-term inundation with isoosmotic solutions of seawater and sorbitol in a C4 nonhalophyte: evidence for a salt tolerance mechanism

To examine the importance of Na+ and Cl- to osmotic adjustment in a salt-tolerant ecotype of the C4 nonhalophyte Andropogon glomeratus, plants were watered with sorbitol, a neutral osmoticum, and synthetic seawater, for five days. Gas exchange measurements were made during the course of the watering treatment and during a recovery period following treatment. Leaf osmotic adjustment occurred only in plants watered with seawater, and was associated with an increase in Na+ and Cl- concentrations. Estimates of the molar concentrations indicated these ions could account for 95% of the leaf osmotic adjustment. Net photosynthetic CO2 uptake was less effected during the watering treatment, and photosynthetic recovery was greater following the treatment in plants watered with seawater. Photosynthetic inhibition was related primarily to metabolic factors, including a decrease in carboxylation efficiency. A model is presented for a mechanism promoting tolerance to transient seawater inundation in A. glomeratus.
Breastfeeding status on US birth certificates: where do we go from here?

OBJECTIVES. The objectives of this study were to assess the extent to which states collected breastfeeding data on the birth certificate, to verify the wording of the breastfeeding questions used, and to develop recommendations for future revisions of the breastfeeding question asked on the US Standard Certificate of Live Birth. METHODS. Registrars of vital statistics in US states and territories were contacted via telephone with e-mail follow-up between April 2006 and May 2008 to determine whether their state/territory collected breastfeeding data on its birth certificate. Responses were categorized as follows: (1) breastfeeding data currently collected; (2) breastfeeding data not currently collected but implementation date set; or (3) breastfeeding data not currently collected and no implementation plans. RESULTS. In May 2008, 56.6% (30 of 53) of US states and territories were collecting data on breastfeeding status at hospital discharge on their birth certificate. The questions used to collect breastfeeding data, however, had not been standardized. Approximately one quarter (12 of 53) reported that they were not yet collecting breastfeeding data on their birth certificate but that an implementation date had been set. Approximately one fifth (11 of 53) indicated that their state birth certificate did not plan to collect breastfeeding data by January 2010. CONCLUSIONS. A total of 79% of the registrars reported that breastfeeding data were collected on the birth certificate or that the process would begin within the next 2 years. Future revisions to the Standard Certificate of Live Birth breastfeeding question should assess breastfeeding exclusivity. The revision process should include feedback from health professionals who collect these data, pretesting of the revised question for feasibility, and extensive training before data collection.
Taxes, economic conditions and recent trends in male self-employment: a Canada–US comparison

Abstract North American workers have increasingly turned to self-employment since the 1970s. Using microdata for the period 1983–1994 from Canada and the United States, I assess the importance of macroeconomic conditions and the tax environment in explaining the trends in male self-employment in these two countries. My findings suggest that higher income tax and unemployment rates are associated with an increase in the rates of self-employment among North American men. Changes in the tax environment account for a considerable amount of the secular trends in male self-employment over this period, while changing economic conditions played a smaller role in determining these trends.
Solid-State Shear Pulverization of Plastics: A Green Recycling Process

Abstract A novel process called solid-state shear pulverization (S3P) has been developed at Northwestern University to recycle single or commingled postconsumer or preconsumer polymeric waste without sorting by type or color. This continuous, one-step process converts shredded plastic or rubber waste into controlled-particle-size powder ranging from coarse (10 and 20 mesh) to fine (80 mesh) or ultrafine (200 mesh). As a result, the pulverization product is usable in applications ranging from direct injection molding without prior pelletization, to rotational molding, to use in protective and decorative powder coatings, as well as to blending with virgin resins and compounding with additives. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the fine particles have a unique elongated shape that is attributed to the high shear conditions occurring during the pulverization process. Injection-molded parts made from the powder product of the S3P process have mechanical and physical properties comparable to or better t...
Quantitative Analysis of Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uptake and Release Pathways in Sympathetic Neurons: Reconstruction of the Recovery after Depolarization-Evoked [Ca2+]i Elevations

Rate equations for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and release and plasma membrane Ca2+ transport were determined from the measured fluxes in the preceding study and incorporated into a model of Ca2+ dynamics. It was asked if the measured fluxes are sufficient to account for the [Ca2+]i recovery kinetics after depolarization-evoked [Ca2+]i elevations. Ca2+ transport across the plasma membrane was described by a parallel extrusion/leak system, while the rates of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and release were represented using equations like those describing Ca2+ transport by isolated mitochondria. Taken together, these rate descriptions account very well for the time course of recovery after [Ca2+]i elevations evoked by weak and strong depolarization and their differential sensitivity to FCCP, CGP 37157, and [Na+]i. The model also leads to three general conclusions about mitochondrial Ca2+ transport in intact cells: (1) mitochondria are expected to accumulate Ca2+ even in response to stimuli that raise [Ca2+]i only slightly above resting levels; (2) there are two qualitatively different stimulus regimes that parallel the buffering and non-buffering modes of Ca2+ transport by isolated mitochondria that have been described previously; (3) the impact of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport on intracellular calcium dynamics is strongly influenced by nonmitochondrial Ca2+ transport; in particular, the magnitude of the prolonged [Ca2+]i elevation that occurs during the plateau phase of recovery is related to the Ca2+ set-point described in studies of isolated mitochondria, but is a property of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport in a cellular context. Finally, the model resolves the paradoxical finding that stimulus-induced [Ca2+]i elevations as small as ∼300 nM increase intramitochondrial total Ca2+ concentration, but the steady [Ca2+]i elevations evoked by such stimuli are not influenced by FCCP.
Emerging Issues in the Allocation of Public Agricultural Research Funds

At the same time, the traditional emphasis of the public research system on farm-level, production-oriented research has been increasingly challenged on different fronts. The increase in commodity program costs resulting from technical change is receiving greater attention (Alston, Edwards, and Freebairn; Oehmke) as the proportion of net farm income coming from government payments has risen from less than 10% in the 1950s to over 30% in the late 1980s.
Enhanced spectral shaping in steady-state free precession imaging.

Balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) is hindered by the inherent off-resonance sensitivity and unwanted bright fat signal. Multiple-acquisition SSFP combination methods, where multiple datasets with different fixed RF phase increments are acquired, have been used for shaping the SSFP spectrum to solve both problems. We present a new combination method (weighted-combination SSFP or WC-SSFP) that preserves SSFP contrast and enables banding-reduction and fat-water separation. Methods addressing the banding artifact have focused on either getting robust banding-reduction (complex-sum SSFP) or improved SNR efficiency (sum-of-squares SSFP). The proposed method achieves both robust banding-reduction and an SNR efficiency close to that of the sum-of-squares method. A drawback of fat suppression methods that create a broad stop-band around the fat resonance is the wedge shape of the stop-band leading to imperfect suppression. WC-SSFP improves the suppression of the stop-band without affecting the pass-band performance, and prevents fat signal from obscuring the tissues of interest in the presence of considerable resonant frequency variations. The method further facilitates the use of SSFP imaging by providing a control parameter to adjust the level of banding-reduction or fat suppression to application-specific needs. Magn Reson Med, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cardiovascular risk factors in young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Purpose To assess cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients and methods Twenty-six subjects (median age, 20.9 years; median interval since completion of therapy, 13.3 years) were evaluated. Ten participants had received cranial irradiation (CRT), whereas 16 had received only chemotherapy. Primary outcome measures included body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting lipoprotein, glucose, and insulin levels. Secondary measures included insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 levels, physical activity index, a 7-day dietary recall, tobacco product use, and measurement of the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery. Results Sixty-two percent (16/26) of participants had at least one CVRF potentially related to their cancer treatment (obesity, dyslipidemia, increased blood pressure, or insulin resistance), with 30% (7/26) having more than two CVRF. Thirty-one percent (8/26) of subjects were obese (BMI > or = 30). Subjects who were treated with CRT (BMI, 30.4 +/- 6.7) had an increased BMI (P = 0.039) in comparison with those who received only chemotherapy (BMI, 25.4 +/- 5.1). Triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein C levels were significantly higher in those treated with CRT (P = 0.027 and 0.022, respectively). The IGF-1 was inversely correlated with IMT (total group, -0.514, P = 0.009; females only, -0.729, P = 0.003). Conclusions Young adult survivors of childhood ALL, especially those treated with CRT, are at risk for obesity and dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Further investigation of these risks is warranted.
USE OF COMPONENT ANALYSES TO IDENTIFY ACTIVE VARIABLES IN TREATMENT PACKAGES FOR CHILDREN WITH FEEDING DISORDERS

We evaluated the separate components in treatment packages for food refusal of 4 young children. First, treatment packages were implemented until food acceptance improved. Next, a component analysis was conducted within a multielement or reversal design to identify the active components that facilitated food acceptance. The results indicated that escape extinction was always identified as an active variable when assessed; however, other variables, including positive reinforcement and noncontingent play, were also identified as active variables for 2 of the children. The results suggest that the component analysis was useful for identifying variables that affected food acceptance.
The 36-hour day: a wary commentary on the new accreditation council for graduate medical education guidelines on resident duty hours.

Working 36 hours straight is, by any definition, crazy. All of us, doctors and patients, should be questioning the safety of working young physicians around the clock. No wonder then that the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education recently established guidelines that limit on-call nights to 24 hours and the work week to 80 hours. But I worry that these new guidelines might limit a young physician’s ability to learn how to practice medicine. It is only 14 years since I was a resident on-call every third to fourth night in a busy children’s hospital. Hopefully, I have yet to be overwhelmed by a wave of nostalgia … Address correspondence to Howard Markel, MD, PhD, Center for the History of Medicine, 100 Simpson Memorial Institute, 102 Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0725
Presidential Power in War

This review critically evaluates the largely consensual view that wars naturally and reflexively augment presidential power. After summarizing the key arguments advanced by presidency scholars in the aftermath of World War II, this article canvasses the existing empirical basis for their claims and the theoretical microfoundations upon which they are offered. Both appear wanting. Few systematic studies yield unambiguous evidence that the adjoining branches of government reliably support elements of the president's domestic or foreign policy agendas during war that they otherwise would oppose. And no one, to date, has offered a clear theory explaining why either Congress or the courts would behave in this way. The article therefore calls for continued empirical research on the causal effects of war on presidential power, and for renewed investments in theories that might account for the ways in which war figures into congressional and judicial voting.