cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recurrence dynamics reveals differential control strategies to maintain balance on sloped surfaces

Abstract Background Studies on postural control have primarily focused on the maintenance of balance in quiet upright standing on flat horizontal support surfaces that can reveal only a subset of the potential postural stability/instability configurations in everyday contexts. Objectives Here we investigated the nature of dynamical properties of postural coordination in an upright standing task as a function of the systematic scaling of seven support surface angles, +20°, +10° dorsiflexion (+), 0 °Flat, −10°, −20°, −30°, −35° plantarflexion (−), mounted on a force plate. Methods The center of pressure (CoP) and virtual time-to-contact (VTC) were analyzed to examine the spatial and spatio-temporal aspects of postural coordination dynamics, respectively. Recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) was used to characterize the dynamic postural control strategies as a function of slope surface angle. Results The recurrence findings showed that on a flat surface the postural CoP dynamic are recurrent with a largely deterministic process and higher Shannon entropy compared to elevated slope angles in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. There were asymmetrical patterns between similar slope angles for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion postures. The recurrence measures revealed that VTC operates on a higher embedding dimension than that of CoP. Significance VTC showed an enhanced sensitivity to detection of postural instability in relation to the stability boundary that was magnified on the flat surface but progressively reduced over larger surface angles for both the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion postures.
Physician Judgment and Circulating Biomarkers Predict 28-Day Mortality in Emergency Department Patients

Objectives:To determine whether biomarkers of endothelial activation and inflammation provide added value for prediction of in-hospital mortality within 28 days when combined with physician judgment in critically ill emergency department patients.Design:Prospective, observational study.Setting:Two u
A spatial optimization model for resource allocation for wildfire suppression and resident evacuation

Abstract Wildland-urban interface wildfires have been a significant threat in many countries. This paper presents an integer two-stage stochastic goal programming model for comprehensive, efficient response to a wildfire including firefighting resource allocation and resident evacuation. In contrast to other natural disasters, the progression of wildfires depends on not only the probabilistic fire-spread scenarios but also decisions made during firefighting. The proposed model optimizes the resource preparations before the fire starts and resource allocation decisions during the fire event. The model takes into account different wildfire-spread scenarios and their impact on high-risk areas. The two objectives considered are minimizing the total cost of operations and property loss and minimizing the number of people at risk to be evacuated. A case study based on Santa Clara County in California, United States of America, is presented to demonstrate the model performance. Numerical experiments show that this model works well to find solutions by considering a trade-off between two objectives; and varying cell size based on scenarios, reduces problem dimension and improves solution time.
A Study of the Effects of Legalization of Recreational Marijuana on Sales of Cigarettes

Colorado was the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use in 2012 and the product was available for sale in January 2014. Many states have since passed recreational marijuana legalization laws. The impact of legalization of marijuana for recreational use has been studied to assess its effect on crime rates, hospitalizations, traffic accidents, incarceration rates and other related aspects. However, the effect of legalization on cigarette sales has not been empirically examined even though medical journals have shown a positive relationship between marijuana and tobacco consumption. In all the arguments for and against legalization, there is no mention of the effect on cigarette smoking and its associated healthcare costs. We use retail scanner data from A.C. Nielsen from 2012-2017 to quantify the change in cigarette sales attributable to legalization. We two different methods - difference-in-difference (DID) and synthetic control methods - to show that legalizing recreational use of marijuana is associated with an increase in cigarette consumption by about 7%. We conduct several robustness checks and find similar results. These results have tremendous implications both for public policy and for the tobacco industry. The reversal of the declining trend in smoking patterns and associated healthcare costs of smoking give cause for concern. We conclude that states should exercise caution while attempting to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Key Words: Recreational Marijuana Legalization (RML), Policy Change, Synthetic Control, Difference in Difference, Cigarettes
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE BEMPEDOIC ACID-MEDIATED REDUCTIONS IN HIGH-SENSITIVITY C-REACTIVE PROTEIN: ANALYSIS OF POOLED PATIENT-LEVEL DATA FROM PHASE 3 CLINICAL TRIALS

Reduced high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels are associated with lower atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Bempedoic acid (BA) is an investigational, ATP-citrate lyase inhibitor in development for treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Prior clinical trial data support BA
Unrecognized ROPER in a Child With a Novel Pathogenic Variant in ZNF408 Gene

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by abnormal or incomplete retinal angiogenesis commonly inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Up to 50%...
Scalable Combinatorial Bayesian Optimization with Tractable Statistical models

We study the problem of optimizing expensive blackbox functions over combinatorial spaces (e.g., sets, sequences, trees, and graphs). BOCS (Baptista and Poloczek, 2018) is a state-of-the-art Bayesian optimization method for tractable statistical models, which performs semi-definite programming based acquisition function optimization (AFO) to select the next structure for evaluation. Unfortunately, BOCS scales poorly for large number of binary and/or categorical variables. Based on recent advances in submodular relaxation (Ito and Fujimaki, 2016) for solving Binary Quadratic Programs, we study an approach referred as Parametrized Submodular Relaxation (PSR) towards the goal of improving the scalability and accuracy of solving AFO problems for BOCS model. PSR approach relies on two key ideas. First, reformulation of AFO problem as submodular relaxation with some unknown parameters, which can be solved efficiently using minimum graph cut algorithms. Second, construction of an optimization problem to estimate the unknown parameters with close approximation to the true objective. Experiments on diverse benchmark problems show significant improvements with PSR for BOCS model. The source code is available at this https URL .
Quality of life after response to acute-phase cognitive therapy for recurrent depression.

Abstract Background Adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) often experience reduced quality of life (QOL). Efficacious acute-phase treatments, including cognitive therapy (CT) or medication, decrease depressive symptoms and, to a lesser degree, increase QOL. We tested longer-term changes in QOL after response to acute-phase CT, including the potential effects of continuation treatment for depression and time-lagged relations between QOL and depressive symptoms. Methods Responders to acute-phase CT (N = 290) completed QOL and depressive symptom assessments repeatedly for 32 post-acute months. Higher-risk responders were randomized to 8 months of continuation treatment (CT, fluoxetine, or pill placebo) and then entered a 24-month follow-up. Lower-risk responders were only assessed for 32 months. Results On average, large gains in QOL made during acute-phase CT response were maintained for 32 months. Continuation CT or fluoxetine did not improve QOL relative to pill placebo. Controlling for residual depressive symptoms, higher QOL after acute-phase CT response was a protective factor against MDD relapse and recurrence. Higher QOL predicted subsequent reductions in depressive symptom severity, but depressive symptom severity did not predict subsequent changes in QOL. Limitations Generalization of results to other patient populations, treatments, and measures is uncertain. The clinical trial was not designed to test relations between QOL and depression. Replication is needed before clinical application of these results. Conclusions Gains in QOL made during response to acute-phase CT are relatively stable and may help protect against relapse/recurrence. Continuation CT or fluoxetine may not further improve QOL among acute-phase CT responders.
Hepatic Steatosis: An Incidental Finding That Deserves Attention.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a public health crisis and the most common chronic liver disease in the US with a current prevalence of 25% in US adults and rising.1-3 NAFLD results from the accumulation of fat within hepatocytes in patients without a history of heavy alcohol use or other causes (e.g., medication, hepatitis C). NAFLD is a spectrum of disease ranging from simple steatosis (NAFL) to steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and cirrhosis. NAFLD is associated with risk for hepatocellular carcinoma, need for liver transplantation, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease.1,4 Risk for these complications increases with the degree of fibrosis.2,5 Identifying advanced fibrosis previously required expensive and invasive liver biopsy, but recently several biomarkers and scoring systems can reliably establish risk for advanced fibrosis. The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is a well-validated tool that uses common clinical information (patient age, ALT, AST, and platelet count) to estimate risk of advanced fibrosis (low, indeterminate, and high) in patients with hepatic steatosis.5-7.
Brands: An Integrated Marketing, Finance, and Societal Perspective

The traditional tension between marketing and finance reflects the fact that marketing is more consumer facing and finance is more management and capital markets facing. The difference in perspective between the two is further widened by differences in the marketing and finance disciplines as well as among accountants, psychologists, and economists in the understanding of brands. An attempt is made to integrate and reconcile these perspectives into an account of how brands can play a vital role in the firm as a whole. With this goal in sight, evidence is reviewed on (1) the power of brands to create real added value for consumers (rather than conceal a lack of product information), (2) the complexities of accounting for the financial value of brands, (3) the relation of brand value to stock returns, (4) the need for methods of evaluating brands (beyond traditional marketing brand equity metrics and financial accounting valuations), (5) how brand value can be reported (since it cannot be included in financial statements), and (6) the expansion of brands to address societal problems through brand purpose coupled with brand engagement as a solution to the problem of firms devoting resources to stakeholders other than consumers without decreasing shareholder value.
A comparison of the Rh=ct and Λ CDM cosmologies based on the observed halo mass function

The growth of structure may be traced via the redshift-dependent halo mass function. This quantity probes the re-ionization history and quasar abundance in the Universe, constituting an important probe of the cosmological predictions. Halos are not directly observable, however, so their mass and evolution must be inferred indirectly. The most common approach is to presume a relationship with galaxies and halos. Studies based on the assumption of a constant halo to stellar mass ratio $$M_h/M_*$$ (extrapolated from $$z \lesssim 4$$ ) reveal significant tension with $$\varLambda $$ CDM – a failure known as “The Impossibly Early Galaxy Problem”. But whether this ratio evolves or remains constant through redshift $$4 \lesssim z \lesssim 10$$ is still being debated. To eliminate the tension with $$\varLambda $$ CDM, it would have to change by about 0.8 dex over this range, an issue that may be settled by upcoming observations with the James Webb Space Telescope. In this paper, we explore the possibility that this major inconsistency may instead be an indication that the cosmological model is not completely correct. We study this problem in the context of another Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) model known as the $$R_{\mathrm{h}}=ct$$ universe, and use our previous measurement of $$\sigma _8$$ from the cosmological growth rate, together with new solutions to the Einstein–Boltzmann equations, to interpret these recent halo measurements. We demonstrate that the predicted mass and redshift dependence of the halo distribution in $$R_{\mathrm{h}}=ct$$ is consistent with the data, even assuming a constant $$M_h/M_*$$ throughout the observed redshift range ( $$4\lesssim z\lesssim 10$$ ), contrasting sharply with the tension in $$\varLambda $$ CDM. We conclude that – if $$M_h/M_*$$ turns out to be constant – the massive galaxies and their halos must have formed earlier than is possible in $$\varLambda $$ CDM.
Addressing Anxiety and Fear during the Female Pelvic Examination.

To review the anxiety and fear risk factors, pathophysiology, symptoms, screening and diagnosis while highlighting treatment considerations for women undergoing a pelvic examination.Methods:We revi...
Processing of Heterogeneous Ceramics for Dielectric Applications

The properties of polycrystal1ine ceramics are greatly influenced by the boundary conditions that exist within ceramic microstructures. This is especially so for dielectric materials, which by definition are insulators; across which the lines of electric flux must pass, and be distributed, without the transport of charge. Consequently, dielectric ceramics must be processed to high quality, with a minimum of physical defects, and be of sufficiently high density that no connected porosity channels exist for parallel leakage.
The effect of prolonged “bleaching” on skeletal banding and stable isotopic composition in Montastrea annularis

X-radiography and carbon and oxygen stable isotope analysis have been used to examine the effects of prolonged “bleaching” on the growth rate and chemical composition of the skeleton of the massive reef coral, Montastrea annularis. The post-bleaching linear growth of one colony that remained bleached for 10 to 12 months following the 1987 Caribbean-wide bleaching event was only 37% of mean annual growth from pre-bleaching years, and was manifest as a loss of the following year's low density band. Two colonies that did not bleach (normal) and two that bleached and regained their coloration (recovered) had linear growth rates over the same period that were 81 to 98% of mean pre-bleaching annual growth. Linear growth by a third recovered coral was 66% of pre-bleaching growth. No sub-annual stress bands were associated with the bleaching. The skeleton of the bleached colony had carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions that were reduced in range and enriched (increased) in both 13C and 18O in the post-bleaching year. The skeletons of two of the nine colonies, one bleached and one recovered, had depleted (reduced) δ18O values (-5.3 and -4.8%., respectively) during the bleaching episode that agree with the suggestion that positive temperature anomalies occurred during, and may have caused, the bleaching event. The range and values for all other normal and recovered corals, however, were not different between the post-bleaching year and previous years. Our data suggest that stress bands and isotopic analysis of coral skeletons may not always be reliable tools for examining the occurrence, cause or effects of certain discrete stress events that may interrupt skeletal growth.
Water management of PEM fuel cells using fuzzy logic controller system

In this paper, several control strategies for water management of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are presented. The controllers were designed, developed and implemented in Fuel Cell Laboratory at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in order to increase the efficiency and performance of PEM fuel cells. Two different pulsing approaches were implemented. The amplitude variations of the pulses were controlled through a regulator on the air source pump. Other parameters were tuned using computer software in conjunction with A/D, D/A, and electronic circuits. In addition, a fuzzy controller is proposed for water management of PEM based on Mamadani inference systems. The preliminary experimental results demonstrate the effective of the method.
Advanced management of safety

It is in the corporate best interest for safety management to be pro-active and provide input from analyses to the impacted public concerning residual risk associated with projects, in addition to the normally expected support to design engineering and project management from conceptual design through final disposal of project waste. Though not for the faint hearted, it is also in the best interest of safety management to have highly interactive reviews by both design engineers and project end users of the various system safety analyses during the analytical process, not for postmortems afterward. Three positive outcomes realized by this method include: 1) a safer design; 2) design engineers experienced in system safety techniques, who can use the techniques on future projects; and 3) hazard controls accepted by system end users, who have bought-in to the controls and are more likely to continue to use them after the completion of the project. >
Fandom, public, commons

Fans, by creating for a public, also create a public: in producing for a community, they create one. Kindle Worlds and other attempts to monetize fan labor are problematic because the producer is attempting to invent a new mode at the expense of such fannish traditions.
A submersible imaging-in-flow instrument to analyze nano-and microplankton: Imaging FlowCytobot

A fundamental understanding of the interaction between physical and biological factors that regulate plankton species composition requires, first of all, detailed and sustained observations. Only now is it becoming possible to acquire these types of observations, as we develop and deploy instruments that can continuously monitor individual organisms in the ocean. Our research group can measure and count the smallest phytoplankton cells using a submersible flow cytometer (FlowCytobot), in which optical properties of individual suspended cells are recorded as they pass through a focused laser beam. However, FlowCytobot cannot efficiently sample or identify the much larger cells (10 to >100 µm) that often dominate the plankton in coastal waters. Because these larger cells often have recognizable morphologies, we have developed a second submersible flow cytometer, with imaging capability and increased water sampling rate (typically, 5 mL seawater analyzed every 20 min), to characterize these nano- and microplankton. Like the original, Imaging FlowCytobot can operate unattended for months at a time; it obtains power from and communicates with a shore laboratory, so we can monitor results and modify sampling procedures when needed. Imaging FlowCytobot was successfully tested for 2 months in Woods Hole Harbor and is presently deployed alongside FlowCytobot at the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory. These combined approaches will allow continuous long-term observations of plankton community structure over a wide range of cell sizes and types, and help to elucidate the processes and interactions that control the life cycles of individual species.
Trends in Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Response to Injurious Assault in Psychiatric Units in U.S. Hospitals, 2007–2013

Objective:This study assessed trends in use of seclusion and restraint in response to injurious assault, including trends in percentage of assaults involving seclusion or restraint; average duration of seclusion; average duration of restraint using devices and holds (physical restraint); and percentages of restraint episodes involving devices, medication, and holds.Methods:Monthly administrative data from 2007 to 2013 for 438 adult psychiatric units in 317 U.S. hospitals were aggregated to compute annual measures. Time trends were assessed with nonparametric tests.Results:There was little evidence suggesting a decline in the frequency with which seclusion and restraint are used, but there were decreasing trends in average duration of physical restraint and percentage of restraint episodes involving devices.Conclusions:Efforts to curb seclusion and restraint have apparently been successful in reducing use of devices in restraint and shortening restraint duration. There may be room for improvement in reduci...
A compact multi-resonance antenna for wideband/ultra wideband applications

A simple multi-resonance antenna is introduced as an antenna element for designing wideband and ultra wideband (UWB) radiators. It consists of a quarter-wavelength monopole above a ground plane surrounded by a short cylinder. It is seen that in addition to the resonances of the monopole, there exist some resonances originating from the coaxial transmission line composed of the monopole and the cylinder around it. It is shown that by properly choosing of the structural parameters, the antenna can be used as a wideband or UWB radiator. In wide band application, the proposed antenna has a fractional bandwidth (S 11 <−10 dB) of 55% compared to the monopole antenna, 7.7%. For UWB application, the proposed antenna can cover the frequency band of 3.1–10.6 GHz.
The Hyperobject's Atomization of "Self" in Gravity's Rainbow

This article further inspects the Rocket and Schwarzgerat at the center of Thomas Pynchon’s Gravity’s Rainbow (1974). Though scholars commonly employ the Rocket as a metaphor and symbol by which they analyze plot and characters, I inverse this approach to see what the plot and characters can reveal about the Rocket qua Rocket. Drawing from Object-Oriented Ontology—specifically Timothy Morton’s concept of the “hyperobject,” or an entity that is dispersed through time and space—I claim that the Rocket functions as a hyperobject. The tendency of scholars to avoid a claim of reality towards the Rocket, I argue, is an echo of Western philosophy’s long valorization of the epistemological over the ontological that parallels unavailability with unreality. A reading the Rocket as hyperobject reveals a plot of ontological uncertainty unfolding in the characters’ search for inherently recessive entities.
Learning from social and nonsocial cues in schizophrenia.

(1963). Learning from Social and Nonsocial Cues in Schizophrenia. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 68, No. 2, pp. 307-315.
Does the Polyphagous Egg Parasitoid Trichogramma platneri Nagarkatti (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Display Behavioral Plasticity When Parasitizing Different Hosts?

Trichogramma platneri oviposition behavior on Amorbia cuneana egg masses was investigated under laboratory conditions. No relationship was detected between host surface area, number of edge turning on host eggs, and parasitoid clutch size. It was also observed that females parasitized the egg mass randomly by drilling into the egg mass and parasitizing individual eggs without using stereotypical behaviors to assess individual hosts (i.e. drumming and turning). However, clutch size did change due to ovipositional experience as naive wasps with little or no ovipositional experience (<6 eggs parasitized), allocated significantly more progeny per host than wasps with longer ovipositional experience (24-h oviposition experience on a single egg mass). Moreover, naive wasps parasitized significantly more eggs on the outer edge of the egg mass than experienced wasps. We contend that the physical characteristics of A. cuneana eggs and egg masses preclude T. platneri from completely discriminating between individual eggs. However, because T. platneri may be using kairomones from the egg mass, this described oviposition strategy remains effective.
Variability in the bottom water of the Weddell Sea

Abstract The variability of bottom water outflow is examined by reference to hydrographic sections repeated on successive years in the northern Weddell Sea and also by examination of a 349-day record obtained from a current meter mounted 50 m off the bottom near the southern end of the sections. The repeated sections indicate that bottom water, outflowing in the region of the base of the Scotia Ridge in 1976, was colder, more saline, higher in oxygen, and lower in silicate than that in 1975. The time series of current velocity and temperature are characterized by a greater variability of velocity and temperature in summer than in winter. During summer the bottom water is also characterized by lower temperatures, possibly related to the intermittent nature of the formation and flow of bottom water. For both summer and winter seasons kinetic energy exists at periods consistent with planetary wave modes of the Weddell basin, however, the summer fluctuations suggest cyclonic cold-core mesoscale eddies having radii approximately equal to the Rossby radius of deformation.
Identification of the initial stage sintering mechanism using aligned wires

The introduction of a new kinetic parameter for monitoring morphology changes during wire-wire sintering is proposed. It is shown that the specific pore-solid perimeter of a cross-sectioned wire bundle has a characteristic dependence on neck size. Thus, the perimeter, which is suitable for quantitative metallographic analysis, becomes a means of determining the sintering rate and mechanism. Analyses of Cu and Au data using this technique illustrate its advantages and accuracy. The kinetics of gold wire sintering are analysed with the aid of available diffusion data. It is concluded that the sintering of gold is a multiple diffusion process involving volume, surface and possibly grain-boundary paths. The importance of each mechanism is discussed with respect to particle size, neck size, and temperature.
The conundrum between chemoautotrophic production and reductant and oxidant supply: A case study from the Cariaco Basin

Abstract Since 1996, two or three profiles per year of chemoautotrophic production, oxygen, nitrate, ammonium, sulfide and methane have been obtained at the CARIACO Time-Series station and less frequently, at three other stations in the Cariaco Basin. Rates of 14 C-bicarbonate assimilation (chemoautotrophy) are consistently elevated in the suboxic and upper anoxic zones. In this paper, we present estimates of vertical fluxes of biologically-important reductants and oxidants over a ten year period (1998–2008) using a simple one dimensional (1-D) model, and compare them to chemoautotrophic production rates. In general, downward oxidant fluxes from major species (in electron-equivalents) balanced well with upward electron fluxes from inorganic reductants. However, vertical fluxes of electron donors/acceptors calculated using typical mixing constants only explained a small fraction (less than 10%) of the measured chemoautotrophic production, if we assume a simplified stoichiometry of 1H 2 S:1CO 2 :1O 2 . Laboratory cultures of sulfide oxidizers typically require 2.4–7.2 mol H 2 S to fix one mole of C, which would make the mismatch between fluxes and chemoautotrophy measurements even more extreme. Inclusion of other reductants (methane, ammonium, etc.) does not resolve this problem. In addition, we found no relationship between diffusive flux of reductants/oxidants and integrated chemoautotrophic production with data from 19 cruises, suggesting that the diffusive flux of reactants is not the direct source to fuel the chemoautotrophic production. In exploring this imbalance, we considered other sulfide sources: sulfide from vertical or horizontal advective transport, and in situ sulfide production within the upper part of the anoxic water column. Based on the spatial sampling we have done, we do not believe that horizontal transport is supplying enough sulfide to the Cariaco time series station. Sulfide budget in the anoxic water column suggests that sulfide supply from the vertical advective processes can be up to 15 times that of sulfide diffusive flux, but may still not be the single source of providing enough reductant to support observed chemoautotrophy rates. In situ sulfate reduction near the redoxcline might be another important sulfide source within the upper part of the anoxic water column. We also present estimates of the energy yield of different redox reactions under Cariaco in situ conditions. Our results suggest that aerobic oxidation of methane, sulfide and hydrogen are most energy efficient near the Cariaco oxic–anoxic interface. Higher energy capture efficiencies of chemoautotrophic bacteria than normally thought may be another factor explaining the calculated imbalance between biological demand and vertical chemical supply.
Photocrosslinkable polysaccharides for in situ hydrogel formation

In situ photopolymerization is an exciting new technique for tissue engineering. Two photocrosslinkable polysaccharides composed of alginate and hyaluronan are described that upon photolysis form soft, flexible, and viscoelastic hydrogels. The degree of methacrylate modification and thus covalent affects mechanical properties such as swelling, compression, and creep compliance. Significant swelling is observed in aqueous solution; these hydrogels can swell up to 14 times their dry weight. Both hydrogels exhibit low phase angles and (G*) values indicative of viscoelastic materials. The hyaluronan based hydrogel is stronger and more resilient than the corresponding alginate gel. SEM and AFM studies on both hydrogels show smooth and uniform surfaces at the macroscopic level with salient features observed only on the nanometer scale. Rapid polymerization by an optical trigger allows for controlled in situ photopolymerization in a minimally invasive manner, indicating that these hydrogels are relevant for biomedical applications such as sealing wounds and reconstructing soft tissues.
Capacitance voltage measurements on n-type InAs MOS diodes

Capacitance voltage measurements on interface of pyrolytically deposited n-type silicon dioxide- InAs MOS diodes as function of admittance at room and 77 K temperatures
Characterization of the Deoxynucleotide Triphosphate Triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase) Activity of the EF1143 Protein from Enterococcus faecalis and Crystal Structure of the Activator-Substrate Complex

The EF1143 protein from Enterococcus faecalis is a distant homolog of deoxynucleotide triphosphate triphosphohydrolases (dNTPases) from Escherichia coli and Thermus thermophilus. These dNTPases are important components in the regulation of the dNTP pool in bacteria. Biochemical assays of the EF1143 dNTPase activity demonstrated nonspecific hydrolysis of all canonical dNTPs in the presence of Mn2+. In contrast, with Mg2+ hydrolysis required the presence of dGTP as an effector, activating the degradation of dATP and dCTP with dGTP also being consumed in the reaction with dATP. The crystal structure of EF1143 and dynamic light scattering measurements in solution revealed a tetrameric oligomer as the most probable biologically active unit. The tetramer contains four dGTP specific allosteric regulatory sites and four active sites. Examination of the active site with the dATP substrate suggests an in-line nucleophilic attack on the α-phosphate center as a possible mechanism of the hydrolysis and two highly conserved residues, His-129 and Glu-122, as an acid-base catalytic dyad. Structural differences between EF1143 apo and holo forms revealed mobility of the α3 helix that can regulate the size of the active site binding pocket and could be stabilized in the open conformation upon formation of the tetramer and dGTP effector binding.
Petrology and Age of Plutonic Rocks, Extreme Southeastern Maine

A detailed field and petrographic investigation was made of part of the plutonic belt in extreme southeastern Maine to determine the age and origin of the plutonic rocks. Work was concentrated in the Calais area, Maine, because of the diversity of plutonic rock types and the presence of sediments which could be dated by contained fossils. The area is underlain by metasedimentary, volcanic, and sedimentary rocks, and several plutonic rock types which range in age from Cambro-Ordovician to Late Devonian. The oldest rocks, the Cambro-Ordovician Charlotte Group, consist largely of isoclinally folded quartzites, phyllites, slates, and schists. The Silurian succession consists of two major groups: (1) a thick sequence of inter-layered shale and rhyolite extrusives of Middle Silurian age and (2) rhyolite and basalt extrusives of Late Silurian age. The youngest stratified unit, the Late Devonian Perry Formation, consists of a thick sequence of coarse clastic sediments and interbedded basalt flows. The plutonic rocks of the area are chiefly norites, gabbros, diorites, and granites. Structural and petrographic relationships suggest that the bodies of mafic rocks are remnants of a large stratiform body emplaced in sediments of the Charlotte Group prior to or during regional deformation of this group and that the present isolation of the masses is a result of transverse faulting and partial assimilation and replacement by younger plutonic bodies. All the diorites and granites were emplaced in the post-Silurian-pre-Upper Devonian interval, as they exhibit intrusive contacts toward rock of Late Silurian age but have contributed detritus to the Perry Formation. Petrographic characteristics indicate that all the granites and diorites are related and are probably of about the same age, although granites invariably show intrusive relationships toward diorites. Contact features establish that the Red Beach Granite is slightly younger than the other granites and diorites; mineralogical and textural features indicate that it formed under near-surface conditions. The presence of plutonic rocks in a region characterized by low-grade metamorphism suggests a magmatic derivation. Contact and petrographic characteristics confirm a magmatic origin, although, locally, granitization operated as a subordinate process. Distribution of the plutonic rocks in a linear belt suggests that emplacement occurred along a zone of thrust faulting traversed by numerous cross faults.
Gender specificity in value structures

Separate factor analyses of the value rankings of 53 male and 77 female college students yielded three factors for each gender. Interpretation suggested “Creative Self-Determination versus Submissive Dependency,” “Personal Gratification versus Sociopolitical Consciousness,” and “Existential Responsibility versus Traditionalism” as core concepts for the female respondents; while males' axiological dimensions were labeled “Communal Idealism versus Entrepreneural Pragmatism,” “Hedonism versus Egalitarianism,” and “Sybaritic Bohemianism versus Traditional Sobriety.” Each pole of the female factors was interpreted as reflecting a major ideological referent component of the Women's Liberation Movement, while male factors were construed as constituting perspectives for interpreting varieties of response to feminist ideology. Techniques for increasing individuals' levels of self-actualization by direct intervention in axiological organization were discussed.
Emerging Technologies for Molecular Therapy for Intervertebral Disk Degeneration

Intervertebral disks are biologically regulated by the maintenance of a balance between the anabolic and catabolic activities of disk cells. Therapeutic agents, initially evaluated using in vitro studies on disk cells and explants, have been used as intradiscal injections in preclinical settings to test in vivo efficacy. These include anabolic growth factors, other biostimulatory agents, and antagonistic agents against matrix-degrading enzymes and cytokines. Additional work is needed to identify patient populations, using methods such as MRI, and to better understand the mechanism of healing. Clinical trials are underway for a few of these agents and other promising candidates are on the horizon.
Breast-feeding: Time to Teach What We Preach-Reply

In Reply. —I regret the publication of inaccurate WIC costs for breast-fed and formula-fed infants and appreciate Ms Lenihan correcting the figures previously provided. The corrected figures still demonstrate the significant cost savings associated with breast-feeding. However, short-term cost savings should not be seen as the only rationale for the importance of breast-feeding. As such, the original article describes the many health benefits to infants and mothers derived from breast-feeding. I appreciate the comments of Dr Ball but firmly believe that it would be irresponsible of physicians to abdicate to other health care professionals all responsibility for breast-feeding counseling and support. Mothers, fathers, and infants deserve well-trained and experienced primary care physicians. Breast-feeding is an integral part of infant nutrition and should be recognized as such in medical curricula. Of course we should follow the proviso of "first do no harm" in any situation. However, I agree with Dixon et
Next generation guarded Hamon transfer standards for high resistance

Guarded Hamon transfer standards have been used at NIST for decades for scaling to high resistance levels. A recent project has been undertaken to apply improved designs in guarded Hamon transfer standards to the 1 MΩ to 100 MΩ ranges with the larger goal of applying these experimental guarding and construction techniques to guarded Hamon transfer standards in the 100 GΩ to 100 TΩ ranges in the future. A guarded backbone structure, elimination of charge-storing materials in the connections, and the hermetic sealing of all the elements in one canister are the key features of this new design of transfer standards.
α‐1‐antitrypsin phenotypes in hepatocellular carcinoma

α-1-Antitrypsin deficiency due to homozygous Pi ZZ state is reported to be associated with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the role of heterozygous Pi Z state is not definitively known. In order to investigate the possible association, we studied the phenotypic distribution of α-1-antitrypsin variants (Pi) in 124 cases of HCC. Two thousand ten normal American Red Cross blood donors were studied as controls. Twelve patients with HCC had aberrant pheno-types, an incidence of 9.67% as compared to 8.36% among normal controls. Nine of 12 patients with HCC with aberrant Pi type had cirrhosis; 5 of the 9 had cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus; 2 of the 9 had alcoholic liver disease with cirrhosis, and 2 had cryptogenic cirrhosis. The three patients with HCC arising in noncirrhotic livers who also had aberrant Pi phenotypes, had a relatively rare variety of HCC called fibrolamellar type. Z gene was found in five patients: all five were MZ. Incidence of MZ phenotype in HCC was similar to that of the normal control population (4.0% in HCC and 2.9% in the controls). However, 3 of 5 MZ were associated with fibrolamellar HCC. Another aberrant phenotype found among the patients with HCC was MF (fast moving) which occurred with an incidence of 2.41% as compared to none in the control group. In conclusion, we found no significant increase in the incidence of Z gene among 124 patients with HCC as compared to the normal population.
Approximation error for the estimation of a continuous unknown deterministic signal in noise from discrete time samples

The approximation of a continuous unknown deterministic function from samples of the function imbedded in noise is considered. Using the integral mean squared error criterion, the total approximation error composed of a deterministic and random part is found for the step function, straight line, and cubic spline approximations. It is shown for a gaussian function that if the noise variances are equal and larger than a specified threshold, then the straight line approximation is superior to the spline approximation while both spline and straight line approximations were always better than the step function approximation.
MO‐D‐I‐611‐05: Characterization of Motion Artifacts On CT‐Reconstructed Images Using ROI‐Based Features

Purpose: The purpose of this abstract is to demonstrate the potential of characterizing motion artifacts in CT-reconstructed images using ROI-based features. Method and Materials: Two model systems undergoing periodic motion were included in this study. The first consisted of elliptical objects undergoing periodic motion at frequencies similar to patient heart rates. The second consisted of 4D attenuation maps of a beating heart with coronary plaques in the LAD and LCX generated at pre-specified spatial resolutions with the NCAT 2.0 program developed by Segars et al. Sinograms were acquired and images were reconstructed at successive phase intervals using parameters similar to those used in clinical cardiac MDCT acquisitions. Images reconstructed at successive phases were compared using three similarity metrics: the mean absolute difference (MAD) and correlation metrics (CORR) described in Manzke et al and a root mean-square (RMS) metric. These metrics were applied over entire images and evenly-sized regions of interest (ROIs) within the images. These metrics were plotted over successive reconstruction intervals. Spatial maps of these metrics displayed over evenly-spaced ROIs at particular reconstruction intervals also were created. All simulations were performed using IDL 6.0 (Interactive Data Language, Research Systems Inc.). Results: Applying similarity metrics to evenly spaced ROIs within reconstructed images were effective in depicting regions around the moving ellipse that were more susceptible to motion artifacts. When applied to ROIs in an NCAT image reconstructed at a starting phase of 80% RR, the MAD and RMS values for the LCX ROI were 3.3 and 2.9 times greater than the corresponding values for the LAD ROI. The LAD plaque was much more visually apparent than the LCX plaque on the image. Conclusion: ROI-based features have the potential for characterizing the spatial-distribution of motion artifacts.
Magnetic sextuplet as a zoom lens for the nuclear nanoprobe at the Louisiana Accelerator Center

A new quadrupole focusing system-magnetic sextuplet (RMS), with the same symmetry as the Russian quadruplet (RQ), has been proposed and is presently under development. The RMS has the same demagnifications and the same focal lengths as the RQ system and it can have the same spherical aberration in both planes. Its main feature, however, is the capability to change the demagnification over a wide range from 1 to greater than 1000 by changing the excitation of the middle lenses. In the RMS it is possible to obtain a point crossover between the middle lenses with a corresponding minimum sensitivity to the relative rotation of both triplets around the longitudinal axis. By changing the excitation of the middle lenses, the optimal demagnification for every emittance can be found and for every beam emittance it is possible to achieve a minimum spot size by varying the sizes of collimator diaphragms and the distance between them. All capabilities of the RMS are numerically investigated and the smallest beam spot size and appropriate optimal parameters of the system have been found for different emittances.
Searching gene centers of the genus Cucumis through host-parasite relationship

In addition to phytogeographic evidence, there are numerous host-specific pathogens, insects, and nematodes which point to Northeast Africa, Arabia and the eastern Mediterranean area as the possible primary gene center for the genus Cucumis. From this area the genus has radiated southward, eastward, and westward, forming secondary gene centers as indicated in the enclosed map. Cultivated cucumbers (C. sativus) are from India, but the origin of muskmelons (C. melo) is still uncertain. The West Indian gherkin (C. anguria) is believed to have been introduced into America from Africa at some past time.
A Theory and Method for Correlation Analysis of Nonstationary Signals

In this paper, a method is developed for obtaining cross-correlation functions and autocorrelation functions of signals which are generated by nonstationary processes. The theory of the method is based upon optimal approximation of the ensemble correlation function, when only one pair of signals is available for the correlation analysis. The use of the ensemble approximation approach allows the demonstration of the two uncertainties that always accompany correlation analysis of nonstationary signals. Moreover, this ensemble approximation approach makes possible the development of a mathematical synthesis procedure which specifies the optimal form of a realizable correlation analyzer for nonstationary signals. The synthesis procedure is described in detail for a specific but representative case and then is summarized for other cases. An experimental study has been performed which verifies the theory and demonstrates its effectiveness. The method is particularly suitable for analog and hybrid simulation.
Synthesis and crystal structures of 3-alkyl-2,4-pentanedionates and 3-phenyl-2,4-pentanedionate of palladium

Abstract A series of 3-substituted pentane-2,4-dionate complexes of palladium have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes are stable at room temperature in air; however, they slowly decompose in solution. The crystal structures of these complexes show that the palladium is square planar with respect to the two pentane-2,4-dionate ligands.
Toward high-level synthesis for ASIC design

Abstract High-level synthesis is a design style that considerably increases design productivity, resulting in correct-by-construction optimized structures. Yet, to be efficient, the top-down design has to be complemented with knowledge about the ‘cost’ of its detailed implementation (timing, size, power dissipation etc.). The efficient use of the synthesis tools at their current stage requires careful (manual) modelling. Also, essential elements of the design are not covered by the high-level descriptions and tools but are taken into account at a late stage of the project, typically in post-processing.
797-6 Recombinant Lys-Plasminogen Given Prior to, but not After, Tissue-Plasminogen Activator Markedly Improves Coronary Thrombolysis in Dogs

Tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) activates plasminogen to plasmin which results in clot lysis. While t-PA administration rapidly restores blood flow in the thrombosed coronary artery, the coronary artery often reoccludes after initial thrombolysis. We hypothesized that administration of Iysplasminogen, which binds to fibrinogen with 10 times greater affinity and results in a loose fibrin structure (vs native glu-plasminogen) may enhance the thrombolytic efficacy of t-PA. To examine this hypothesis, dogs with electrically-induced stable thrombus in the LAD coronary artery were treated with saline (n = 10) or Iys-plasminogen (2 mg/kg, n = 5) followed 10 minutes later byt-PA(l mg/kg over20 min). Five other dogs with occlusive LAD thrombus were first given t-PA followed by Iys-plasminogen (2 mg/kg) 40 minutes later. Blood flow characteristics were observed for 2 hours. Lys-plasminogen given before t-PA restored flow in all dogs (vs 75% in saline + t-PA group) in 14 ± 4 minutes (vs 24 ± 3 minutes, P l 0.05) lasting l2 hours (vs 41 ± 5 minutes, P l 0.02) with coronary reocclusion rate of 0% (vs 71%, P l 0.02). In dogs given Iys-plasminogen after t-PA, the reperfusion rate was 75%, time to reflow 32 ± 6 min, duration of flow 25 ± 19 min and the reocclusion rate 75% (P l 0.05 vs dogs given Iys-plasminogen before t-PA; P-NS vs dogs given saline + t-PA). Thus recombinant Iys-plasminogen given before t-PA markedly decreases time to thrombolysis and results in sustained thrombolysis. In contrast, Iys-plasminogen given after t-PA has no effect on these parameters of thrombolysis. Enhanced binding of Iys-plasminogen to fibrinogen in the thrombus resulting in easily dissolvable clot structure may be the basis of these observations.