cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Archaeology of the Early Tibetan Plateau: New Research on the Initial Peopling through the Early Bronze Age

Since the last systematic review of Tibetan archaeology in 2004 published in Journal of World Prehistory (Aldenderfer and Zhang 2004), a revival of archaeological research on the plateau has begun to reshape our understanding of key issues such as when the plateau was first permanently occupied by humans, and when and how Tibetans first adopted the farming and pastoral systems that characterize the plateau today. Understanding who the first Tibetans were, and how they adapted to this high-altitude environment, both genetically and culturally, have been central themes of recent research on the plateau. We review these developments and place them into a wider regional framework with a focus on the better-known eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Mexican Niches in the US Construction Industry: 2009–2015

Mexican immigrants are the largest immigrant group in the USA and are highly concentrated in the US construction industry. As a result, they are particularly affected by fluctuations in the economy and were disproportionately affected by the Great Recession. As this population continues to grow, a growing body of empirical studies are quantifying the impacts of ethnic niches in relation to earnings. However, there is still an ongoing debate regarding the economic benefits of ethnic niches and whether self-employment helps or hurts earnings. This study contributes to the discussion on these issues by using micro-data from the 2009 and 2015 Five-Year American Community Surveys to examine changes in the earnings of Mexican immigrants in the US construction industry in twenty US metropolitan regions. The study examines how earnings changed during and shortly after the Great Recession to gain a better understanding of how ethnic niches differed from non-ethnic niches. The findings provide evidence that ethnic niches and being self-employed had detrimental effects on earnings. Working in post-recession years were associated with increases in earnings, regardless of niche status.
Using Machine Learning to Estimate Utilization and Throughput for OpenCL-Based SpMV Implementation on an FPGA

Hardware designers use High-Level Synthesis (HLS) tools in order to reduce the design time and design complexity. OpenCL is a framework that uses HLS tools and permits the programmer to write standardized C-like code for the host as well as for the hardware accelerators. Using OpenCL, a program can be written using different memory access and data partitioning strategies. The programmer needs to try various designs in order to optimize the design. However, each design takes multiple hours to compile. Characteristics of a hardware architecture can be estimated using a machine learning technique without doing actual synthesis. Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiplication (SpMV) is widely used in linear algebra and for many applications. The SpMV kernel can be designed in numerous ways using OpenCL. For SpMV implementation, the storage format is a vital factor. Different memory access patterns, storage requirements, and load balancing impact the hardware architecture. Here, this research is proposing two things. First, it utilizes a hybrid approach to store the sparse matrix to implement the SpMV kernel. Second, it estimates the hardware architecture for any set of design settings using a machine learning technique in OpenCL without doing actual synthesis. From our implementation, compared to ELL storage format, the proposed storage format (a combination of ELL and CSR) takes a less amount of resources for LUTs, DSPs, and RAM blocks while providing higher throughput. The Random forest machine learning algorithm estimates the logic utilization and performance for ELL and the proposed storage format within a very reasonable accuracy range. Using hybrid format (ELL+CSR) for 65 designs, the average error is 11.43%, 19.03%, 9.09%, 5.3% and 9.73% for LUTs, DSPs, memory bits, RAM blocks and throughput (GFLOPs) respectively.
Inhibiting Sialidase-Induced TGF-β1 Activation Attenuates Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice

The active form of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a key role in potentiating fibrosis. TGF-β1 is sequestered in an inactive state by a latency-associated glycopeptide (LAP). Sialidases (also called neuraminidases (NEU)) cleave terminal sialic acids from glycoconjugates. The sialidase NEU3 is upregulated in fibrosis, and mice lacking Neu3 show attenuated bleomycin-induced increases in active TGF-β1 in the lungs and attenuated pulmonary fibrosis. Here we observe that recombinant human NEU3 upregulates active human TGF-β1 by releasing active TGF-β1 from its latent inactive form by desialylating LAP. Based on the proposed mechanism of action of NEU3, we hypothesized that compounds with a ring structure resembling picolinic acid might be transition state analogs and thus possible NEU3 inhibitors. Some compounds in this class showed nanomolar IC50 for recombinant human NEU3 releasing active human TGF-β1 from the latent inactive form. The compounds given as daily 0.1-1-mg/kg injections starting at day 10 strongly attenuated lung inflammation, lung TGF-β1 upregulation, and pulmonary fibrosis at day 21 in a mouse bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis. These results suggest that NEU3 participates in fibrosis by desialylating LAP and releasing TGF-β1 and that the new class of NEU3 inhibitors are potential therapeutics for fibrosis. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The extracellular sialidase NEU3 appears to be a key driver of pulmonary fibrosis. The significance of this report is that 1) we show the mechanism (NEU3 desialylates the latency-associated glycopeptide protein that keeps the profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in an inactive state, causing active TGF-β1 release), 2) we then use the predicted NEU3 mechanism to identify nM IC50 NEU3 inhibitors, and 3) these new NEU3 inhibitors are potent therapeutics in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis.
A qualitative investigation of addiction counselors' perceptions and experiences implementing an open-access model for treating opioid use disorder.

Abstract Objective To examine addiction counselors' perceptions and experiences of implementing an open-access model for methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), in which the program rapidly enrolled prospective patients, irrespective of ability to pay, and provided real-time access to multiple voluntary treatment options. Between 2006, when the treatment program initially implemented this model, and 2020, the census of clients receiving methadone maintenance at the study site grew from 1431 to 4500. Methods Participants were 31 addiction counselors employed at a treatment organization that implemented an open-access model to scale up MMT. We examined counselors' perceptions and experiences of working in programs that employed this model, using individual semi-structured interviews, which an interdisciplinary team audiotaped, transcribed, and systematically coded using grounded theory. The team reviewed themes and reconciled disagreements (rater agreement was 98%). We describe themes that more than 10% of participants reported. Results Counselors described perceived advantages of the open-access model for clients (e.g., “individualized to client needs”), clinicians (e.g., “fewer demands”), and the community (e.g., “crime reduced”). Counselors also described perceived disadvantages of the open-access model for clinicians (e.g., “uneven workload”) and clients (e.g., “need for more intensive services for some clients”), as well as program-level concerns (e.g., “perceived lack of structure”). Conclusions Counselors who work in opioid treatment programs that use an open-access framework described multiple benefits to themselves, their clients, and the public; they also outlined disadvantages for themselves and clients, which research should further explore and address to facilitate MMT scale up.
Decreasing Trends in Opioid Prescribing on Discharge to Hospice Care

Abstract Context There are concerns that policies aimed to prevent opioid misuse may unintentionally reduce access to opioids for patients at end-of-life. Objective We assessed trends in opioid prescribing among patients on discharge from the hospital to hospice care. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study among adult (age ≥18 years) patients discharged from a 544-576 bed, academic medical center to hospice care between January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2018. Study data were collected from a repository of patients’ electronic health record data. Our primary outcome was the frequency of opioid prescribing on discharge to hospice care. Our primary exposure was the calendar year of discharge. We also investigated non-opioid analgesic prescribing and stratified opioid prescribing trends by patient characteristics (e.g., demographics, cancer diagnosis, and location of hospice care). Results Among 2,648 discharges to hospice care, mean (standard deviation) age was 65.8 (16.0) years, 46.3% were female, and 58.7% had a cancer diagnosis. Opioid prescribing on discharge to hospice care decreased significantly from 91.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 87.1%–94.1%) in 2010 to 79.3% (95% CI = 74.3%–83.5%) in 2018 adjusting for age, sex, cancer diagnosis, and location of hospice care. Prescribing of non-opioid analgesic medications increased over the same time period. Conclusions We observed a statistically significant decreasing trend in opioid prescribing on discharge to hospice care. Further research should aim to confirm these findings and to identify opportunities to ensure optimal pain management among patients transitioning to hospice care.
On the horizon for nectar-related research.

The relationship between flowering plant nectars and interacting animals is fundamental to plant fitness, shaping macroevolutionary and macroecological patterns of trait and community diversity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Association between insurance-mandated precertification criteria and inpatient healthcare utilization during 1 year after bariatric surgery.

Background Insurance-mandated precertification requirements are barriers to bariatric surgery. The value of their prescription, based on insurance type rather that the clinical necessity, is unclear. Objectives To determine whether there is an association between insurance-mandated precertification criteria for bariatric surgery and short-term inpatient healthcare utilization. Setting Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council's inpatient care databases for the years 2016-2017. Methods The study included 2717 adults who underwent bariatric surgery in Southeastern Pennsylvania in 2016. Postoperative length of stay and rehospitalizations for these individuals were followed using clinical and claims data during the first year after bariatric surgery. Results The requirements for 3- to 6-month preoperative medical weight management, as well as pulmonology and cardiology examinations, were not associated with the patient length of stay, number of all-cause rehospitalizations, or number of all-cause rehospitalization days after adjusting for patient age, sex, race, ethnicity, the Elixhauser comorbidity score, type of the surgery, facility where the surgery was performed, primary payer type, and the estimated median household income. Among commercially insured individuals (n = 1499), the mean number of all-cause rehospitalizations during the study period was lower in patients with no medical weight management requirement by a factor of .57 (lower by 43.1%; 95% confidence interval, .35-.94, P = .03) and higher in patients with no requirement for preoperative cardiology and pulmonology evaluations by a factor of 2.09 (95% confidence interval 1.09-4.02, P = .03). Conclusion The findings suggest that the precertification requirement for preoperative medical weight management is not associated with a reduction in inpatient healthcare utilization in the first postoperative year.
Chronic multiple peripheral neuropathy in childhood.

Attention is directed to the occurrence of chronic polyneuropathy in childhood. The difficulty of adequate sensory examination in children and the slow evolution of the disease tend to obscure the diagnosis and cause confusion with dystrophy or other diseases. A review of the literature indicates that among chronic polyneuropathies of unknown etiology a number of different causes may lead to a common pathology, based on an increase in fibrous tissue and eventuating in hypertrophy. Histologic examination of nerves proves that the pathology of chronic interstitial polyneuritis may occur without palpable hypertrophy. Reference to the literature also suggests that the life span of affected individuals may be reasonably normal. Early signs in childhood include disability in locomotion out of proportion to measurable weakness, later with frank sensory ataxia, deformities of the spine and feet and increase in the total protein in cerebrospinal fluid. The course is either progressive, or less frequently, remittent. Muscle and, less frequently, nerve biopsies are helpful diagnostically; the latter sometimes suggest the type of disease present. In this series of patients no clear evidence of thiamine deficiency was detected by measurements of pyruvate in whole blood after administering a glucose load. No achlorhydria was found. The possibility that continuing allergic factors are of importance was explored by treatment with cortisone. One child exhibited encouraging evidence of improvement on this regimen.
Statistical Modeling for Low Cycle Fatigue

Low cycle fatigue (LCF) is a common loading condition experienced by structural components. LCF is usually defined as the fatigue cycles to failure are less than 105. In order to certify and qualify a material for an application that requires high reliability for operation and safety, fundamental material properties must be experimentally investigated and validated. The well documented strain-life approach serves as the underlying experimental method for the investigation herein. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the statistical variability and appropriately model that variability for life in LCF. Specifically, the variability associated with the median behavior in a strain-life graph for data is examined. The ensuing analyses are based on data for a cold-rolled, low carbon, extra deep drawing steel; ASTM A969. ASTM A969 is intended for applications where extremely severe drawing or forming is envisioned. The probability distribution functions considered for characterizing the LCF life are taken from a generalized Weibull distribution function that empirically incorporates load history and damage accumulation. The strain-life computation employs the standard Coffin-Manson relationship.
MDVA: a distance-vector multipath routing protocol

Routing protocols using the distributed Bellman-Ford (DBF) algorithm converge very slowly to the correct routes when link costs increase, and in the case when a set of link failures results in a network partition, DBF simply fails to converge, a problem which is commonly referred to as the count-to-infinity problem. We present the first distance-vector routing algorithm, MDVA, that uses a set of loop-free invariants to prevent the count-to-infinity problem. MDVA, in addition, computes multipaths that are loop-free at every instant. In our earlier work we shows how such loop-free multipaths can be used in traffic load-balancing and minimizing delays, which otherwise are impossible to perform in current single-path routing algorithms.
Ultrafast, laser-generated, X-ray radiography

Summary form only given. In 1992, it was demonstrated that hard X-rays can be produced in the high-intensity, >10/sup 18/ W/cm/sup 2/, focus of a relatively low energy, /spl sim/40 mJ, ultrashort pulse laser system. Measurements of X-ray yield through various filter materials provided a crude spectrum of the X-rays and indicated that the majority of the X-ray flux was at energies suitable for diagnostic radiography. Time-gated detection can be employed to reduce the effects of scattered radiation during radiography and to produce equivalent signal-to-noise images with less dose to the patient. The application of laser-generated X-rays and time-gated imaging is best suited to problems that require both high resolution, large scatter reduction, and relatively long wavelength radiation (<40 keV), which can be easily detected by MCP devices. Two applications are currently under investigation: coronary angiography and high-resolution mammography.
Freezing of octahedral tilts below the Curie temperature in Sr Ru 1 − v O 3 perovskites

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of $\mathrm{Sr}{\mathrm{Ru}}_{1\ensuremath{-}v}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ samples annealed in air $(v=0)$ and high oxygen pressure ($v=0.02$ and 0.09) were studied as a function of temperature between $10\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ and room temperature. Neutron powder diffraction analysis revealed that below ${T}_{C}=163\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ the $b$ and $c$ lattice parameters and the unit cell volume are virtually temperature independent for the stoichiometric material whereas this behavior is less pronounced in the Ru-deficient samples with decreased ${T}_{C}=135\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ and $82\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. We show that this previously reported Invar effect below the ferromagnetic ordering temperature originates from freezing of the octahedral tilting about the [001] axis that can be observed for both stoichiometric and Ru-deficient samples. Spontaneous magnetostriction has the largest effect on the $b$ axis of the orthorhombic $Pbnm$ crystal structure.
Contrasting phenotypes in reproductive tissues of female estrogen receptor null mice

The estrogen receptor (ER) exists in two known forms, ERalpha and ERbeta, and acts as a ligand-inducible transcription factor to fulfill critical roles in reproductive physiology. Although in vitro studies suggest the ERs may play redundant roles, a dissimilar tissue distribution indicates otherwise. Therefore, to gain insight into the role of each ER form, individual lines of mice lacking each respective receptor, as well as mice lacking both ER forms, were generated. alphaERKO and betaERKO female mice possess a normally developed reproductive tract and maintain expression of the opposite ER. The alphaERKO female is infertile and exhibits a hypoplastic uterus that is refractory to estrogens. The ovaries of the alphaERKO female are consistently polycystic and lack indications of spontaneous ovulation. In contrast, the betaERKO female exhibits a hormonally responsive uterus and grossly normal ovaries, but is subfertile in terms of the frequency and size of litters. Immature females of both ERKO lines successfully ovulate viable ova when superovulated with exogenous gonadotropins, yet the average yield of ooctyes is reduced. Mice lacking both known ER forms (alphabetaERKO) are infertile, possess the expected reproductive tract structures, but exhibit a remarkably distinct ovarian phenotype characterized by postnatal loss of oocytes and redifferentiation of the remaining somatic cells to Sertoli-like cells. This "sex-reversal" in the alphabetaERKO ovary is accompanied by the ectopic expression of testis-specific genes, for example, Sox9 and sulfatedglycoprotein-2.
Design and optimization of a retinal exposure detector

The design and optimization of a retinal exposure detector for measuring the total amount of light entering the human eye and falling on the retina is presented. The retinal exposure device was designed by first determining the spatial efficiency function of the human eye system. This is accomplished by combining the spatial response function of the average human eye with a standard facial cutoff function. The eye's spatial efficiency function is ascertained through ray trace analysis with optical modeling software of published theoretical and biometric wide-angle eye models. All major factors affecting light propagation, such as volume attenuation, the gradient index of the lens, aspheric surface curvatures, partial reflection, and vignetting are included in the simulation. A practical metering device that mimics the calculated total eye system spatial response function was designed and optimized by again employing optical simulation software. The final design consisted of baffles, a lens system, a decentered aperture, an optical diffuser, optical filters, and a silicon photodiode. The response of the prototype retinal exposure detector device design was shown to match that of the theoretical eye response to within three percent.
Chromosome movement: Kinetochores motor along

The equal division of chromosomes among daughter cells at mitosis involves a complex series of kinetochore-dependent chromosome movements. The kinetochore-associated CENP-E motor protein is critical for the sustained movement of chromosomes towards the metaphase plate during chromosome congression.
Surface reactions of chromium in soils and waters

Abstract Chromium is a redox active metal that persists as either Cr(III) or Cr(VI) in the environment. These two oxidation states have opposing toxicities and mobilities: Cr(III) is rather benign and immobile in soils while Cr(VI) is toxic and readily transported. Reactions influencing Cr chemistry in soils and waters must be known in order to predict and understand the fate of this potentially hazardous element. Reactions at the solid-water interface have important consequences on the bioavailability (sorption reactions) and hazard (redox reactions) of Cr. Accordingly, this paper describes surface reactions that influence Cr chemistry in soils. Specifically, retention reactions of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) are described, e.g., adsorption of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on goethite, along with interfacial redox reactions, e.g., Cr(III) oxidation by manganese oxides and Cr(VI) reduction by Fe(ll). The influences of organic chelates on these reactions are also detailed. Direct evidence on the specific reactions of Cr at the solid-water interface are provided; techniques used in this paper to detail the reactions of Cr include X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, scanning probing microscopies, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.
O mundo muçulmano em uma era global: a proteção dos direitos das mulheres

As mulheres muculmanas enfrentam, simultaneamente, tres desafios. Em primeiro lugar, elas representam uma identidade islâmica que, com frequencia, esta em conflito com regimes politicos modernos e com as elites dos Estados. Em segundo lugar, elas devem lutar contra os fundamentalistas islâmicos, cujas ideias, instituicoes e objetivos sao por elas rejeitados com veemencia. Por fim, e tao importante quanto os outros desafios, elas enfrentam no dia-a-dia a cultura patriarcal dominante nos lugares onde vivem. As questoes relacionadas aos direitos das mulheres sao agravadas pelas dificuldades que as mulheres muculmanas encontram em uma cultura patriarcal na qual a mulher e geralmente caracterizada por estereotipos. Se, por um lado, a "solidariedade sem fronteiras" possibilitou a promocao de direitos das mulheres dentro e atraves das culturas, por outro, ela tambem se depara com questoes sociais mais amplas e mais complexas. Embora essa solidariedade global sofra resistencia em muitas partes do mundo muculmano, o empowerment das mulheres e visto como o antidoto mais eficaz contra o extremismo no mundo muculmano. Este trabalho pretende contextualizar a analise de genero nos âmbitos cultural, economico e politico, de modo a lidar com tres questoes: (1) por que as mulheres muculmanas se tornaram agentes de mudanca, reforma e democratizacao no mundo globalizado? (2) qual o impacto da globalizacao sobre as mulheres muculmanas e sobre a ascensao do feminismo islâmico? (3) de que maneira as mulheres muculmanas podem respeitar a integridade de sua cultura, ao mesmo tempo que se mantem receptivas a valores, ideias e instituicoes universais?
Test specimens for a dark field stem imaging: Measuring lattice spacing and electron probe size of a STEM and testing visibility of atoms of various atomic numbers

Abstract We describe some simple test specimens for measuring the lattice resolution and/or the probe size of a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and for testing the visibility of atoms of various atomic numbers. Using the dark field imaging method which represents the mass density of the specimen, we have found that single atoms, atom clusters, crystal and/or arrays from (1) uranyl acetate and uranyl formate (2) borotungstic acid and (3) bovine catalase were suitable for the former test specimens and single atoms and/or clusters from (1) ferritin from horse spleen, (2) zinc oxide, (3) borotungstic acid and (4) uranyl acetate and uranyl formate were good for the latter test specimens. These specimens can easily be made without any trace of hydrocarbon contamination. The combination of these specimens covers a wide range of resolution and visibility of various atoms.
Foaming strategies for bioabsorbable polymers in supercritical fluid mixtures. Part II. Foaming of poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-lactide) in carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide + acetone fluid mixtures and formation of tubular foams via solution extrusion

Abstract This paper reports on the foaming of poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-lactide) in carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide + acetone mixtures. Experiments were carried out in specially designed molds with porous metal surfaces and fluid circulation features to generate foams with uniform dimensions at 60, 70 and 80 °C at pressures in the range 7–28 MPa. Depending upon the conditions, foams with pores in the range from 5 to 200 μm were generated. Adding acetone to carbon dioxide improved the uniformity of the pores compared to foams formed by carbon dioxide alone. In addition, a unique high-pressure solution extrusion system was designed and used to form porous tubular constructs by piston-extrusion of a solution from a high-pressure dissolution chamber through an annular die into a second chamber maintained at controlled pressure/temperature and fluid conditions. Long uniform porous tubular constructs with 6 mm ID and 1 mm wall thickness were generated with glassy polymers like poly(methyl methacrylate) by extruding solutions composed of 50 wt% polymer + 50 wt% acetone, or 25 wt% polymer + 10% acetone + 65% carbon dioxide at 70 °C and 28 MPa. Pores were in the 50 μm range. The feasibility of forming similar tubular constructs were demonstrated with poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-lactide) as well. Tubular foams of the copolymer with interconnected pores with pore sizes in the 50 μm range were generated by extrusion of the copolymer solution composed of 25 wt% polymer + 10 wt% acetone + 65 wt% carbon dioxide at 70 °C and 28 MPa. Reducing the acetone content in the solution led to a reduction of pore sizes. Comparisons with the foaming behavior of the homopolymer poly(ɛ-caprolactone) that were carried out in the molds with porous metal plates show that the foaming behavior of the copolymer is more akin to the foaming behavior of the caprolactone homopolymer component.
The Paris Covenant for a League of Nations

We are here to-night in sight of a league of peace, of what I have ever regarded as the “Promised Land.” Such a war as the last is a hideous blot on our Christian civilization. The inconsistency is as foul as was slavery under the Declaration of Independence. If Christian nations cannot now be brought into a united effort to suppress a recurrence of such a contest it will be a shame to modern society. During my administration I attempted to secure treaties of universal arbitration between this country and France and England, by which all issues depending for their settlement upon legal principles were to be submitted to an international court for final decision. These treaties were emasculated by the senate, yielding to the spirit which proceeds, unconsciously doubtless, but truly, from the conviction that the only thing that will secure to a nation the justice it wishes to secure is force; that agreements between nations to settle controversies justly and peaceably should never be given any weight in national policy; that in dealing between civilized nations we must assume that each nation is conspiring to deprive us of our independence and our prosperity; that there is no impartial tribunal to which we can entrust the decision of any question vitally affecting our interests or our honor, and that we can afford to make no agreement from which we may not immediately withdraw, and whose temporary operation to our detriment may not be expressly a ground for ending it.
Regulation of acid signaling in rat pulmonary sensory neurons by protease-activated receptor-2.

Airway acidification has been consistently observed in airway inflammatory conditions and is known to cause cardiorespiratory symptoms that are, at least in part, mediated through the activation of...
New nuclear partners for nucleosome assembly protein 1: unexpected associations.

Histone chaperones are important players in chromatin dynamics. They are instrumental in nucleosome assembly and disassembly and in histone variant exchange reactions that occur during DNA transact...
Changes in the margin of Ice Stream C, Antarctica

We present results from satellite imagery, ice-motion surveys and ice-penetrating radar studies of part of the north margin of Ice Stream C, one of the ice streams draining the West Antarctic ice sheet to the “Ross Embayment”. Our studies suggest that the shutdown of Ice Stream C about 150 years ago was not a single event, but a sequence involving stagnation of ice and migration of the ice-stream boundary. Ground-based studies confirm the inference from imagery that a series of former shear zones exist, decreasing in age towards the ice-stream center. A region of ice-stream trunk, including a former margin, lies sheared and folded between the (recent) inner and (older) outer margins of the area. ice-motion and topographic surveys give some constraint on the time of shutdown of the outer margin. The results provide a forum for discussing shutdown mechanisms. Possible causes for the stepwise migration of the north margin of Ice Stream C include a gradual decrease in ice flux, a reduction in the available water or hydrostatic pressure in the basal till, or a freezing of the till layers on the northern side.
Effects of direct-to-consumer advertising of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors on attainment of LDL-C goals

Abstract Background: Although highly controversial, directto-consumer (DTC) television advertising for prescription drugs is an established practice in the US health care industry. While the US Food and Drug Administration is currently reexamining its regulatory stance, little evidence exists regarding the impact of DTC advertising on patient health outcomes. Objective: The objective of this research was to study the relationship between heavy television promotion of 3 major hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (“statins”) and the frequency with which patients are able to attain low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) blood-level goals after treatment with any statin. Methods: We used logistic regression to determine achievement of LDL-C goals at 6 months after statin treatment, using electronic medical record extract data from patients from geographically dispersed primary care practices in the United States. We identified LDL-C blood levels as being at or less than goal, as defined by risk-adjusted guidelines published by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute from the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) data. A total of 50,741 patients, identified from 88 practices, were diagnosed with hyperlipidemia and had begun therapy with any statin medication during the 1998–2004 time period. In addition, total dollars spent each month on television advertising at the national and local levels for atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin were obtained. DTC advertising data were merged by local media market where the physician practice was located and by the month in which the patient was first prescribed a statin. The models were run for all patients who initiated therapy, and also on a subsample of patients who continued to receive prescriptions for the drugs for at least 6 months. Logistic regressions were used to predict the likelihood that each patient attained the ATP III LDL-C blood-level goals as a function of DTC advertising and other factors. Results: High levels of national DTC advertising when therapy was initiated were found to increase the likelihood that patients attained LDL-C goals at 6 months by 6% (P Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that higher levels of DTC television advertising of statin treatment were significantly associated with improvements in the likelihood of attaining cholesterol-management goals for at least some patients. While this paper does not address the impact of DTC advertising on the costs of care or on unnecessary switching between statin treatments, the results do suggest that DTC advertising can have beneficial effects, which should be a factor when additional restrictions on DTC advertising are considered. This result—that DTC ad vertising might have beneficial effects-should be weighed against existing studies that have found that patients' suggestions (conceptually which could be induced by DTC advertising) may be associated with overprescribing (eg, in the case of the use of antidepressants for adjustment disorder).
Properties of the liquid-vapor interface of fcc metals calculated using the embedded atom method

The Embedded Atom Method (EAM) is used to compute density, internal energy, and structure factor for bulk liquids of the fcc metals at several temperatures above and below the melting temperature. The calculated values are found to be in generally good agreement with experiment, although the volume expansion upon melting does differ by up to 50% from the expected result for some of the elements studied. The total energy of a liquid system with surfaces is calculated, and the results are compared with the bulk liquid results to determine the enthalpy and thickness of the liquid-vapor interface. Also, the surface tension is found for Cu near the melting temperature. The EAM values for surface enthalpy and surface tension are found to be smaller than experimental values, which is consistent with results for EAM calculations of the surface energy of crystalline solids.
Photometric Light Curves for Ten Rapidly Rotating Stars in Alpha Persei, the Pleiades, and the Field

We present the results from a photometric monitoring program of ten rapidly rotating stars observed during 1991 using the FLWO 48-in. telescope. Brightness variations for an additional six cluster stars observed with the Lick 40-in. telescope are also given. The periods and light curves for seven Alpha Persei members, two Pleiades members, and one naked T Tauri field star are reported.
An empirical model for independent dose verification of the Gamma Knife treatment planning.

A formalism for an independent dose verification of the Gamma Knife treatment planning is developed. It is based on the approximation that isodose distribution for a single shot is in the shape of an ellipsoid in three-dimensional space. The dose profiles for a phantom along each of the three major axes are fitted to a function which contains the terms that represent the contributions from a point source, an extrafocal scattering, and a flat background. The fitting parameters are extracted for all four helmet collimators, at various shot locations, and with different skull shapes. The 33 parameters of a patient’s skull shape obtained from the Skull Scaling Instrument measurements are modeled for individual patients. The relative doses for a treatment volume in the form of 31×31×31 matrix of points are extracted from the treatment planning system, the Leksell GammaPlan (LGP). Our model evaluates the relative doses using the same input parameters as in the LGP, which are skull measurement data, shot location, weight, γ-angle of the head frame, and helmet collimator size. For 29 single-shot cases, the discrepancy of dose at the focus point between the calculation and the LGP is found to be within −1% to 2%. For multi-shot cases, the value and the coordinate of the maximum dose point from the calculation agree within ±7% and ±3 mm with the LGP results. In general, the calculated doses agree with the LGP calculations within ±10% for the off-center locations. Results of calculation with this method for the dimension and location of the 50% isodose line are in good agreement with results from Leksell GammaPlan. Therefore, this method can be served as a useful tool for secondary quality assurance of Gamma Knife treatment plans.
Configurable hardware for image segmentation

Deconstructing an image based upon it parts poses a challenge to image analysis that may be solved using adaptive algorithms. The presence of occlusion or image rotation makes template matching difficult. Image segmentation techniques can be used to discriminate between objects via feature synthesis using deformable templates. This paper describes modifications to existing techniques commonly used to do real-time image segmentation for efficient hardware implementation. Edge detection and edge direction finding techniques may be used within the context of deformable templates for real-time automatic target recognition and tracking.
STOCK RETURNS, INFLATION, AND REAL OUTPUT

This paper provides empirical evidence on the extent to which the inverse relationship between real stock returns and inflation in recent years is causal or spurious. The results indicate that this relationship is spurious and can be explained by the inverse correlation between unexpected inflation and unexpected real output. The expected and unexpected real output and inflation variables are generated from the ASA/NBER Business Outlook Surveys.
Database abstractions: aggregation

Aggregation is introduced as an abstraction which is important in conceptualizing the real world. Aggregation transforms a relationship between objects into a higher-level object. A new data type, called aggregate, is developed which, under certain criteria of “well-definedness,” specifies aggregation abstractions. Relational databases defined as collections of aggregates are structured as a hierarchy of n-ary relations. To maintain well-definedness, update operations on such databases must preserve two invariants. Well-defined relations are distinct from relations in third normal form. It is shown that these notions are complementary and both are important in database design. A top-down methodology for database design is described which separates decisions concerning aggregate structure from decisions concerning key identification. It is suggested that aggregate types, and other types which support real-world abstractions without introducing implementation detail, should be incorporated into programming languages.
Application of a total-angular-momentum basis to quantum-dot band structure.

Multiband envelope theory is reformulated in terms of a basis of total envelope and zone-center Bloch angular momentum. The k⋅p operator is scalar with respect to the total-angular-momentum operator and hence is block diagonal in its eigenbasis. The projections of the Hamiltonian into the F=1/2 and the F=3/2 subspaces of total angular momentum are derived and quantum-dot band structure is calculated in GaAs(AlGaAs) and InAs(GaSb) systems as an example application of the formalism.
Nuclear resonance in crystals

Abstract In crystals, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation time, t 1 , is generally very long while the spin-spin relaxation time, t 2 , is very short. In very few instances, however, is t 1 as long as it ought to be in a perfect crystal. Usually the dominant relaxation process involves not the lattice vibrations but internal molecular or ionic rotations, or possibly paramagnetic impurities. The temperature dependence of t 1 gives considerable information about internal rotation. Experiments on a number of crystals, including the ammonium halides, are described, and the relation of these studies to line-shape investigations is discussed. The coupling of a nuclear electric quadrupole to a vibrating lattice can be much stronger than the dipole effect. Pound has found examples in which this effect is dominant at room temperature, and has identified the mechanism as quadrupole coupling by selectively saturating one line of a quadrupole multiplet while observing the intensity of another. The relaxation time is not far from that predicted by Waller's theory, adapted to this case. The availability of crystals with a long relaxation time at room temperature has led to studies of the persistence of nuclear polarization when the crystal is removed from the magnet — in effect, “adiabatic demagnetization” from room temperature. It is possible to reserve the field in the crystal quickly, without reversing the polarization; the spin temperature is then negative, and the crystal emits, rather than absorbing, at resonance. These experiments raise a number of interesting questions about the state of the system when H 0 is comparable to, or less than, the internal fields, and make possible resonance studies in this new region.
Further aspects of enhanced ion scattering near 180

The role of rainbow scattering in enhanced ion scattering near 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} was explored by comparing calculated enhancements for protons and antiprotons. Since the rainbow effect does not occur for negative particles and since the enhancement was much smaller for them than for positive particles, this comparison demonstrated in a more direct way than previously done the importance of rainbow scattering in producing the enhancement. A procedure for calculating a similarity factor between the ingoing and outgoing portions of a trajectory was developed, and its use showed that trajectories returning near 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} differ in nature from random-return trajectories. A discussion is given of the possible relationship of the enhancement to phenomena such as the correlation effect in self-diffusion by the vacancy mechanism in solids and surface-structure studies by impact-collision ion-scattering spectrometry.
A generic model for open signaling cascades with forward activation.

In this work, cellular signal transduction in an open cascade with forward activation was studied. By proposing a generic model which captures the common features of major existing models in the literature, it is showed how signaling profile changes during the propagation along the cascade. In particular, a typical OFF–ON–OFF switch-like transient behavior with prolonged temporary ON state is revealed, where OFF and ON represent the states of low level and high level concentrations, respectively. Analytically this phenomenon is closely related to uniform convergence of the active protein concentration of downstream cycles in the finite time range and its failure in the entire time domain. Consequently a classification of open signaling cascade which can sustain OFF–ON–OFF behavior in the far downstream cycles is accessible. Relevant biological issues, such as delayed activation of downstream reaction cycles, signal amplification and prolonged signal duration, to the generic model is discussed.
Transformation characteristics of shape memory alloy composites

Shape memory alloy (SMA) composites are being used in an ever-expanding set of applications. For new applications, SMA composites are being developed incorporating a wide variety of matrices. The effect of these new compositions on the transformation behavior of the SMA inhomogeneities and on the effective composite behavior is explored here. An analytic methodology combining micromechanical methods with an SMA constitutive model is developed to determine the overall transformation properties of the composite. Specifically, the effective phase diagram, the effective transformation strains and the composite stress state before and after transformation are determined. The results obtained from the analyses of an SMA–ceramic composite show that after transformation the stress distribution between the two phases is modified such that the stress in the direction of applied loading in the SMA phase is reduced while the stress in the same direction in the ceramic phase increases. This stress redistribution decreases the local transformation strain in the direction of loading and results in an increase of the applied stress necessary to initiate and complete the forward and reverse transformation at a specific temperature. The effects of the elastic modulus of the matrix and volume fraction of the SMA inhomogeneities on the transformation behavior are explored through a parametric study to understand their influence on SMA composite design.
Effect of habitat on growth indices in the ribbed mussel,Modiolus (Arcuatula) demissus

The growth indices of the ribbed musselModiolus demissus from bridge pilings and marsh mud at Lewes, Delaware, are investigated. The ratio of shell height to shell length of marsh mussels is different from that of bridge mussels, but the same as that of Georgia marsh mussels. Excellent allometric relationships exist between the shell height of the mussel and all of its weights (total live, total dry, dry shell, live meat, and dry meat). The allometric relationships are the same for marsh and bridge mussels and have value as prediction equations. There is no relationship between the intertidal height and the shell-weight/meat-weight ratio.
Characterization of ambient volatile organic compounds at the western boundary of the SCOS97-NARSTO modeling domain

Abstract Speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measurements were made at remote upwind locations in order to establish the boundary conditions for input into air quality simulation modeling for the 1997 Southern California Ozone Study (SCOS97-NARSTO). These measurements were made on two islands off the coast of Southern California and two coastal sites on the northern and southern end of the modeling domain. Results show that the mixing ratios and composition of VOC are impacted at these sites by local emissions as well as transported aged emissions. Of the four sites, San Nicolas Island is most representative of the boundary conditions at the western edge of the modeling domain with total identified non-methane hydrocarbons, identified oxygenated compounds (excluding formaldehyde), and unidentified hydrocarbons at about 12, 10, and 6 ppbC, respectively. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are on the order of 0.5 ppbv each, and C6–C9 aldehydes account for a majority of the oxygenated compounds. Comparable measurements at remote downwind locations also show that oxygenated compounds, especially C6–C9 aldehydes account for a significant fraction of total oxygenated VOC in downwind locations.