cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electroweak symmetry-breaking Higgs boson in models with top-quark condensation

The top quark may get its large mass not from a fundamental scalar but a Nambu{endash}Jona-Lasinio mechanism involving a strongly coupled gauge sector that triggers top-quark condensation. Forbidding a large hierarchy in the gap equation implies that top-quark condensation is a spectator to electroweak symmetry breaking, which must be accomplished mainly by another sector. The properties of the electroweak symmetry-breaking scalars are identified. Production mechanisms and decay modes are studied. Unlike the standard model, the scalar degree of freedom most relevant to electroweak symmetry breaking can only be produced by its gauge interactions. An e{sup {plus_minus}}e{sup {plus_minus}}{mu}{sup {minus_plus}}+{mu}{sup {plus_minus}}{mu}{sup {plus_minus}}e{sup {minus_plus}} signal is proposed to help unambiguously detect the presence of such a gauge-coupled Higgs boson if it is light. Other useful modes of detection are also presented, and a summary is made of the search capabilities at CERN LEP II, Fermilab Tevatron, and CERN LHC. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Long-term Follow-up of Ocular Findings in Children With Stickler's Syndrome

Purpose To document the longitudinal changes in eye status of children diagnosed with Stickler's syndrome in the first decade of life. Method All patients with cleft palate were referred for eye examination. Of these, patients with systemic findings of Stickler's syndrome were included in this report. Results Thirty-four eyes in 17 patients met inclusion criteria, with median best-corrected recognition acuity of 20/30. The mean cycloplegic refraction at presentation was –5.00 diopters, and the mean refraction at last visit was –5.50 diopters. Conclusions Refractive errors, cataracts, and vitreoretinal abnormalities can be detected early in life in patients with Stickler's syndrome, and refractive error changed little during the follow-up period.
The Prospect of STT-RAM Scaling From Readability Perspective

Due to its fast access time, high integration density, nonvolatility and good CMOS compatibility, Spin-transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM) becomes one promising technology for the memory hierarchy of the next-generation computing systems. In recent years, tremendous efforts have been made to reduce the switching current of magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) for write performance and energy improvement. However, the success of write current reduction makes the STT-RAM read stability issue more prominent during the scaling of STT-RAM: following the decrease in MTJ switching current, the read current must scale accordingly to keep the disturbance on the MTJ resistance state at a minimum level. If the MTJ resistance and/or TMR values do not increase proportionally, the effective sense margin of STT-RAM will degrade, leading to a higher sensing error rate. In this work, we quantitatively analyzed the impacts of existing MTJ scaling rule on the readability STT-RAM, including both read disturbance and sensing errors. We also presented the importance of selecting an optimal read current for maintaining the readability of STT-RAM under the current scaling trend.
Acceptor reactions of alternansucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1355

Extracellular glucansucrases from various bacterial sources, including Leuconostoc mesenteroides, have been shown to catalyze the transfer of glucosyl groups from sucrose to low-molecular-weight acceptor sugars, forming a series of oligosaccharides. An extracellular glucansucrase recently isolated from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1355 synthesizes a polysaccharide consisting of alternating α-(1→6)- and α-(1→3)-linked d-glucose residues. We have found that this enzyme preparation is capable of forming both α-(1→6)- and α-(1→3)-linked acceptor-products in the presence of a number of low-molecular-weight acceptor sugars. d-Glucose gave isomaltose only, no nigerose being formed. Similarly, methyl α-d-glucoside, methyl β-d-glucoside, maltose, and nigerose gave methyl α-isomaltoside, methyl β-isomaltoside, panose, and 62-O-α-d-glucosylnigerose, respectively. However, isomaltose gave both isomaltotriose and 32-O-α-d-glucosylisomaltose. These initial acceptor-products may also act as acceptors, and the structures of the products of higher d.p. show that a (1→3)-α-d-glucosidic bond is formed only when the nonreducing glucose acceptor group is linked through an α-(1→6) bond to another glucose residue. Experiments using [14C]sucrose and unlabeled acceptors showed that acceptor reactions occur by transfer of a glucosyl group from sucrose to O-3 or O-6 of the glucosyl group at the nonreducing end of the acceptor saccharide. If a “good” acceptor is defined as one that gives rise to a greater amount of oligosaccharide and less polysaccharide, then the acceptors tested may be listed as follows: maltose ≥ nigerose > methyl α-d-glucoside > isomaltose >d-glucose > methyl β-d-glucoside.
Signal quality in digitally modulated scaled laser diodes

Abstract The calculated behavior of Gb/s on–off modulated scaled microlasers exhibit a non-monotonic dependence of timing jitter on spontaneous emission factor, β . Microlasers with 10 −2 β −1 give optimal performance for Gb/s on–off modulated applications requiring less than 20 ps jitter and greater than 20 dB optical power contrast ratio.
Phase transformation effects during hip of TiAl

Abstract The densification of titanium aluminide powders during hot isostatic pressing has been measured in situ by an eddy-current sensor. The samples were found to experience enhanced densification as they transformed from an initial metastable α 2 structure to an equilibrium structure consisting mostly of the γ phase. The temperature at which the enhanced densification occurred corresponded closely to the temperature at which an exotherm is observed by differential thermal analysis. Evaluation of several possible explanations for this enhanced densification indicates that it is most probably the result of transformation plasticity.
Photodegradation of RDX in aqueous solution: a mechanistic probe for biodegradation with Rhodococcus sp.

Recently we demonstrated that Rhodococcus sp. strain DN22 degraded hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) (I) aerobically via initial denitration followed by ring cleavage. Using UL 14C-[RDX] and ring labeled 15N-[RDX] approximately 30% of the energetic chemical mineralized (one C atom) and 64% converted to a dead end product that was tentatively identified as 4-nitro-2,4-diaza-butanal (OHCHNCH2NHNO2). To have further insight into the role of initial denitration on RDX decomposition, we photolyzed the energetic chemical at 350 nm and pH 5.5 and monitored the reaction using a combination of analytical techniques. GC/MS-PCI showed a product with a [M + H] at 176 Da matching a molecular formula of C3H5N5O4 that was tentatively identified as the initially denitrated RDX product pentahydro-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohex-1-ene (II). LC/MS (ES-) showed that the removal of RDX was accompanied by the formation of two other key products, each showing the same [M − H] at 192 Da matching a molecular formula ...
Hydrodynamically coupled oscillators

A submerged spring–mass ring is analysed as a simple model for the way in which an underwater swimmer couples its body deformations to the surrounding fluid in order to accomplish locomotion. We adopt an inviscid, incompressible, irrotational assumption for the surrounding fluid and analyse the coupling response to various modes of excitation of the ring configuration. Due to the added mass effect, the surrounding fluid provides an environment which effectively couples the ‘normal modes’ of oscillation of the ring, leading to nonlinear trajectories if the ring is free to accelerate based on the effective forces the oscillations induce. Through a series of examples, we demonstrate various features that the model supports, including the locomotion on curved paths as a result of energy and angular momentum exchange with the surrounding fluid.
Relationships between antiviral treatment effects and biphasic viral decay rates in modeling HIV dynamics

Recently, potent combination antiviral therapies consisting of reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTI) drugs and protease inhibitor (PI) drugs, have been developed which can rapidly suppress HIV below the limit of detection. Two phases of plasma viral decay after initiation of treatment have been observed in clinical studies. Some researchers have suggested that the viral decay rates may reflect the potency (efficacy) of antiviral therapies. In this paper we model the effect of RTI drugs and PI drugs as inhibition rates of cell infection and infectious virus production, respectively, based on the biological mechanisms of these two different types of drugs. Through rigorous mathematical derivation, we show that the two viral decay rates are monotone functions of the treatment effects of these antiviral therapies. We derive approximation formulas for the relationships between viral decay rates and treatment effects. Computer simulations show that the approximation formulas approximate the true values very well. These formulas may be used to study what factors really affect the viral decay rates. The results in this paper provide a theoretical justification for using both viral decay rates for evaluation of the treatment efficacy of antiviral therapies.
Parental Involvement and Adolescent Development

A series of structural equation models was specified to examine whether parental involvement predicts adolescents' development, controlling on family socioeconomic statuses, family composition, mothers 'work status, race, and gender Three measures of adolescent development and two dimensions of parental involvement were entered in the equations. The measures of development were grade point average, a standardized achievement test score, and an indicator of misbehavior The dimensions of parental involvement were connection (three measures) and regulation (fourmeasures). The study was based on data from high school juniors (N = 362) in two county school systems in North Carolina. Analyses consist of descriptive statistics, Cronbach s alpha, and ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression. The findings provided equivocal support for the hypotheses, which was consistent with reports from earlier research, in which results differed depending on the operational definitions of both parental involvement and outcome m...
Reliability of psychiatric diagnosis in postmortem research.

Background Postmortem human brain research is an important approach for identifying the cellular, molecular, and genetic pathways involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. One critical component in postmortem research is the reliability of psychiatric diagnoses used to define study cohorts. Finding reliable methods for assessing lifetime psychiatric diagnoses in subjects after death is extremely challenging. Methods Two commonly used approaches were compared: psychiatric record reviews and postmortem family interviews. We hypothesized that these two methods would lead to more diagnostic agreement for subjects with schizophrenia than those with mood disorders. For 37 cases, psychiatric records were reviewed retrospectively using the Diagnostic Evaluation After Death, and family members were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Results Comparison of diagnoses derived from these two approaches generated an overall kappa coefficient of .67. Kappa coefficients for the schizophrenia cohort were .94, .68 for the major depressive disorder cohort, and .58 for the bipolar disorder cohort. Conclusions Thus, although it may be sufficient to establish the postmortem diagnosis of schizophrenia using one of the two methods, the best method for reaching an accurate postmortem diagnosis for mood disorders is more difficult to determine and requires further study.
Progress in evolution : snakes as an example

The concept of progressive evolution is dicussed. The notion of progress in evolution, conceptualized as taxic diversity correlated with structural complexity, is related to the concept of the palingenetic axis of the cladogram. A summary of the classification of higher snake taxa is used as empirical basis supporting these theoretical considerations. The key to evolutionary success of (higher) metazoans appears to lie in increased differentiation, coupled with a developmental and structural/functional dissociability of traits. Zusammenfassung Das Konzept fortschrittlicher Evolution wird diskutiert und als Zunahme taxonomischer Diversitat in Abhangigkeit von zunehmender struktureller Komplexitat verstanden. In diesem Sinne last sich die Idee vom Fortschritt mit dem in fruheren Arbeiten eingefuhrten Konzept der palingenetischen Achse des Kladogramms vereinen. Die Klassifikation hoherer Kategorien der Schlangen wird als empirisches Beispiel zur Untermauerung vorausgehender theoretischer Erorterungen herbeigezogen. Der Schlussel zu evolutivem Erfolg scheint fur (hohere) Metazoen in der Moglichkeit zunehmender Differenzierung, gekoppelt mit der Moglichkeit ontogenetischer und strukturell-funktioneller Dissoziation der konstituierenden Elemente einer komplexen Struktur, zu liegen.
AN ANALYSIS OF TRUCK-INVOLVED FREEWAY ACCIDENTS USING LOG-LINEAR MODELING

Log-linear modeling is advanced as a procedure to identify factors that underlie the relative frequency of occurrence of various accident characteristics, such as accident type, location, and severity. The method is centered on the estimation of saturated log-linear models for pairs of accident variables and determination of indices of association between categories of the variables. Using data drawn from more than 9,000 truck-involved accidents that occurred over a 2-year period on freeways in three metropolitan counties in Southern California, the method is demonstrated by analyzing accident characteristics both by type and by freeway route segment. Accidents by collision type are analyzed relative to characteristics such as the primary collision factor, the location of the accident, the time period, road conditions, and weather conditions. Differences among 38 specific freeway segments in terms of accident characteristics are also analyzed. The results of the analyses indicate that the method is a useful tool in uncovering underlying patterns in accident characteristics.
A content analysis of personal strivings : Associations with substance use

This study examined relations between personal strivings and frequency of alcohol, marijuana, and any drug use among college students. Personal strivings are ongoing goals that an individual is characteristically trying to achieve through their behavior. Participants generated lists of personal strivings following standard instructions and then completed an assessment of alcohol and marijuana use and days used any drug (aside from tobacco or medication as prescribed). Personal strivings were coded into content categories by trained raters using a coding manual. Four content categories were examined for this study: achievement, affect regulation, self-presentation, and interpersonal. A series of t-tests revealed that participants' achievement strivings were unrelated to substance use. In contrast, participants endorsing more affect regulation goals used all drugs more frequently. Self-presentation goals were positively associated with alcohol use but unrelated to marijuana or other drug use. Finally, interpersonal goals were associated with higher rates of alcohol use, lower rates of marijuana use, and not related to total use days.
Profiles of Adolescent Identity Development: Response to an Intervention for Alcohol/Other Drug Problems

The purpose of this study was to examine identity development among adolescents participating in an after-school alcohol/other drug (AOD) abuse intervention program (8 females and 12 males, ages 14–17) to identify how identity development was associated with intervention success. To achieve this goal we (a) garnered information from two identity interviews conducted during the first week of the intervention and 6 to 8 weeks later; (b) adopted a qualitative, person-centered analytical strategy to identify identity profiles; and (c) examined the intervention response of the adolescents, as recorded in intervention documents, in the different identity profile groups. Analyses revealed five identity profiles wherein adolescents differed in their responses to the “identity challenges” encountered in the intervention. Implications for AOD interventions are discussed.
Thermally-Induced Dispersion of Coolant Mixtures Through Heated Layered Materials

Although the experimental capability to design and fabricate specific microstructures in materials has advanced significantly in the past few decades, a description of their effective thermal behavior on the macroscale has not kept pace. The length scales of the fundamental processes (approximately 100 nm–10 micron, or microscale) are typically several orders of magnitude smaller than the scales dictated by a given application (1 mm–1 cm, or macroscale). We are interested in extending classical asymptotic approaches to allow for the spatial pattern wavenumber to vary on the macroscale variables and to find how changes in microstructure geometry affect macroscopic properties and transport. To this end, we consider here the thermal transport of a binary fluid (coolant) through nonuniformly spaced laminates, as a simple model for heat sinks in electronics. Power is continuously being generated by the laminates, and the local rates of heat transport depend on the composition of the binary mixture. However, segregation of the mixture can occur under favorable temperature gradients, which could potentially affect the local heat transfer from the laminate to the coolant. We derive sets of effective equations that describe the evolution of the temperature field, the local coolant composition, the fluid velocity and the pressure over the macroscale that are driven by the net effects of the microscale processes. The evolution of these quantities is driven by the local heat generation within the laminates, lamellar geometry gradients, the prescribed flow rate of coolant entering the system, along with the fundamental material properties of the laminates and the coolants. Microscale values of all of these quantities are known in terms of the solutions to these effective eqautions. We are especially interested in geometries in the laminate spacing which allow for better thermal transport by the coolant for a prescribed power distribution.© 2013 ASME
Forecasting in a Polarized Era: The Time for Change Model and the 2012 Presidential Election

The 2012 presidential campaign takes place at a time of deep political division in the United States. Democrats and Republicans differ sharply over Barack Obama's performance in office as well as a wide range of issues ranging from government spending and health care to immigration and gay marriage. These divisions are shaping the strategies of the candidates and the outlook for November. Overwhelming majorities of Democrats and Republicans, including overwhelming majorities of independents who lean toward a party, can be expected to support their own party's nominee. As a result, the outcome will depend on which party does a better job of mobilizing its supporters and appealing to a small group of swing voters in 10 or 12 battleground states.
Security in Public Space: An Empirical Assessment of Three US Cities

Critics often mourn a loss of publicness in cities due to the increased presence of antiterror security zones and related behavioral and access controls, although recent work suggests that security landscapes have shifted from the hard, intense, militarized architecture of the late 1990s–early 2000s to a softer, less obtrusive approach more commonly seen today. Nonetheless, these studies are mostly anecdotal in nature: few studies attempt to back these claims with empirical evidence and even fewer connect this physical security imposition with the policies and plans governing its implementation and operation. In this paper I describe results of site visits to Civic Centers and Financial Districts in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. In each neighborhood I catalog security landscapes using a simple tool to assess the intensity, duration, and location of individual security zones. I find that the security landscape covers between 3.4% and 35.7% of publicly accessible space in the districts stud...
Asynchronous and other alternative methods of ventilation during CPR.

Current standards for ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation are not supported by recent and ongoing investigations. This is particularly true in victims with an unprotected airway. Currently used flow rates and inspiratory times predispose to gastric insufflation and its complications. Potential changes and corrections that may benefit the victim of cardiac arrest are reviewed.
Automated scheme for measuring polyp volume in CT colonography using Hessian matrix-based shape extraction and 3D volume growing

Current measurement of the single longest dimension of a polyp is subjective and has variations among radiologists. Our purpose was to develop an automated measurement of polyp volume in CT colonography (CTC). We developed a computerized segmentation scheme for measuring polyp volume in CTC, which consisted of extraction of a highly polyp-like seed region based on the Hessian matrix, segmentation of polyps by use of a 3D volume-growing technique, and sub-voxel refinement to reduce a bias of segmentation. Our database consisted of 30 polyp views (15 polyps) in CTC scans from 13 patients. To obtain "gold standard," a radiologist outlined polyps in each slice and calculated volumes by summation of areas. The measurement study was repeated three times at least one week apart for minimizing a memory effect bias. We used the mean volume of the three studies as "gold standard." Our measurement scheme yielded a mean polyp volume of 0.38 cc (range: 0.15-1.24 cc), whereas a mean "gold standard" manual volume was 0.40 cc (range: 0.15-1.08 cc). The mean absolute difference between automated and manual volumes was 0.11 cc with standard deviation of 0.14 cc. The two volumetrics reached excellent agreement (intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.80) with no statistically significant difference (p(F≤f) = 0.42). Thus, our automated scheme efficiently provides accurate polyp volumes for radiologists.
Theoretical studies on the gas phase tautomerization of N,N-dimethylglycine

Abstract A theoretical analysis for the proton transfer equilibrium reaction involving the most stable unionized tautomeric conformer of N,N-dimethylglycine, IIu , and its most stable zwitterionic tautomeric conformer, Iz , has been accomplished. High-level ab initio calculations, which include geometry optimization at RHF and MP2 levels of theory, were utilized. Conformer Iz is a minimum at all levels of theory examined including geometry optimization at the MP2/6–311++G** level of theory, and is characterized as the `stretched out' form which is not stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds. To the best of our knowledge, this ground state zwitterionic α-amino acid is among the first to be detected in the gas phase at such high levels of theory. The formation of Iz first involves a proton transfer from IIu to form IIz , which is a relatively unstable zwitterion conformer. IIz is transformed into the more stable zwitterion, Iz , by a C–N bond rotation. The initial proton transfer reaction does not have an activation barrier at the MP2/6–311++G** level of theory, but rotation about the C–N bond of IIz to form Iz has an activation barrier of 32.7 kJ mol −1 .
Women's stress responses and coping patterns according to age groups: Part II

This descriptive study analyzed the relationships between women's age groups and their physical and emotional symptoms of stress and their usual coping patterns. Significant differences between age groups are shown for four physical symptoms and eight emotional symptoms. Younger women (25–34 years) were more likely to report these symptoms than women between 55 and 65 years of age. Seven coping patterns of women were significantly different by age groups. Younger women were more likely to use talking, rest/relaxation, and isolation, while women between 55 and 65 used working, religion, and ignoring the problem.
Numerical Study of Supercritical CO2 Convective Heat Transfer for Advanced Brayton Cycles for Concentrated Solar Power

Advancement of supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle technology in concentrated solar power plants requires an improved understanding of duct-flow convection in the supercritical region. Numerical simulation, based on a modified carbon dioxide hot gas bypass load stand with an external heat source, is conducted to determine carbon dioxide convective heat transfer coefficients at supercritical pressures and temperatures beyond the range for which results are available in the literature.The simulation geometry is derived from the heated test section included in the physical load stand. Inlet pressure, temperature, and mass flux are varied to assess the influence on Nusselt number. Cases that achieve fully developed flow and temperature conditions inside the tube geometry agree with predictions from a Nusselt number correlation in the literature with a mean absolute error of 6.4 percent, less than the 6.8% average error reported for the correlation. This agreement includes pressure and temperature conditions outside the defined range of the correlation. Future experiments will provide additional validation of the model and correlation, enabling analysis farther into the supercritical region necessary for Brayton cycle operation.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Detection of odorants through the main olfactory epithelium and vomeronasal organ of mice

Previous research has indicated that volatile odorants are detected through the main olfactory epithelium (MOE), whereas pheromones are detected via the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Gene disruption studies have established that olfactory signaling through the MOE is mediated through receptor stimulation of type 3 adenylyl cyclase (AC3). Mice lacking AC3 cannot detect odorants through the MOE. Recently, it was discovered using olfactory-based behavioral assays that AC3 mutant mice can detect some volatile odorants. An analysis of these mutant mice led to the surprising discovery that some odorants are detected through the VNO.
Acetylcholine stimulates hydrolysis of 32P-labeled phosphatidic acid in guinea pig synaptosomes

Abstract [3H]-inositol or [3H]-arachidonate was injected intracerebrally into guinea pigs. Labeled nerve endings were incubated with Ach ∗ or CCh, both of which stimulate labeling of PhA and PhI from 32Pi by > 100% and 70% respectively. Their addition did not affect the in vivo labeled phosphatidyl-[3H]-inositol or [3H]-arachidonyl-diglyceride and -PhI. Enhanced hydrolysis of [3H]-inositol-PhiP and -PhIP2 in the presence of ACh, CCh or choline was not reversed by atropine. In a two-step experiment, PhA was labeled with 32Pi, and DNP was added to block further γ-[ 32 P]-ATP formation. Addition of ACh stimulated an atropine-sensitive decrease in [32P]-PhA.
A serial filtration investigation of membrane fouling by natural organic matter

Abstract The dynamics of fouling of a microfilter by natural organic matter (NOM) were investigated in serial filtration experiments. Only a small fraction ( NOM molecules in the permeate from the first filtration step caused almost no fouling if they were immediately passed through a second, identical filter. However, the longer the permeate was stored before the second filtration step, the more severely it fouled the second membrane. SEM images of the downstream membrane showed that fouling occurred both by pore narrowing by NOM gel and by pore blockage by aggregates of distinct NOM globules. It is proposed that the NOM exists in the raw water in units with a pseudo-equilibrium size distribution. Some of these units collect on the membrane and serve as nuclei for accretion and coalescence with other units. Immediately after passage through the membrane, the permeate is depleted in larger NOM units, but if the permeate is stored, a size distribution more like that in the unfiltered water is eventually re-established. Nevertheless, at least for the samples studied here, fouling of the membrane in the second filtration step progressed much less rapidly than in the first step, indicating that the NOM units responsible for fouling were selectively removed.
FIELD AND LABORATORY EVALUATION OF SILICA FUME MODIFIED CONCRETE BRIDGE DECK OVERLAYS IN OHIO

The properties of silica fume modified concrete (SFMC) mixes that have been used by the Ohio Department of Transportation for bridge deck overlays since 1984 were evaluated under field and laboratory conditions. The research methods included construction monitoring of 9 overlay placement projects, visual inspections of 145 decks, in-depth condition surveys of 28 decks, and testing of laboratory SFMC mixes with materials obtained from the construction monitoring projects. Notable activities included field-testing to compare the effectiveness of ground-penetrating radar and manual sounding techniques for detecting the presence of debonded/delaminated deck areas and laboratory testing of overlay bond strength specimens under direct tensile loading. Based on the information collected, it was concluded that the overall performance of SFMC overlays in Ohio through 1995 was good, with none of the existing overlays showing spalling or patching; however, instances of drying shrinkage cracking were noted. Recommend...
Acromegalic gigantism in an adolescent girl.

Both acromegaly and gigantism were observed together in an adolescent girl withan expanding lesion of the pituitary. On the basis of these features as well as secondary amenorrhea, coarsening of skin and hair, hyperhidrosis and muscle weakness, the tumor was presumed to be an eosinophilic adenoma. Rapid statural growth and other evidences of secretory activity promptly subsided with stilbesterol treatment. Subsequently, the pituitary area was irradiated in an effort to insure long-term remission. Because of the rarity of acromegaly in childhood, recognition of the condition, the vagaries of its long-term course, and modern approaches to treatment are discussed in some detail.
Data Collticn from FASTBUS to a PDP-11 Throgh the UNIBUS-Ppocessor Inerface

This paper describes the use of the UNIBUS Processor Interface, an interface between FASTBUS and the PDP-ll UNIBUS developed by Fermilab and the University of Illinois. Details of how this interface was used in a high energy physics experiment at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory are given.
Selective responsiveness of polymodal nociceptors of the rabbit ear to capsaicin, bradykinin and ultra-violet irradiation

1. The activity of single C- and A-fibre cutaneous sensory units was recorded from the great auricular nerve of anaesthetized rabbits to compare the effects of chemical with other forms of stimulation under several experimental conditions. Chemical agents were delivered by close arterial injection. 2. Small intra-arterial injections of bradykinin (0.2 microgram) and a substantial range of capsaicin doses (2-200 micrograms) consistently activated C polymodal nociceptors without exciting other types of C- or A-fibre cutaneous sense organs. 3. Topical application of xylene to the receptive field of polymodal nociceptors evoked a strong excitation which lasted several minutes. 4. The responses of polymodal nociceptors to mechanical, chemical (bradykinin, xylene) and noxious thermal stimuli were suppressed or abolished after large intra-arterial doses of capsaicin. Capsaicin desensitization of polymodal nociceptors to one kind of stimulation often was not paralleled by similar changes in responsiveness to other stimuli. However, on the average, capsaicin desensitization altered responses to thermal, chemical and mechanical stimuli without afferent selectivity. 5. Background discharge developed in C polymodal nociceptors of the rabbit ear following ultra-violet irradiation sufficient to produce evidence of delayed inflammation. Noxious heat and bradykinin injection (0.2 micrograms) evoked more activity from C polymodal nociceptors in the irradiated ears than from control units.
Short-term chlordecone toxicity in rats including effects on reproduction, pathological organ changes, and their reversibility.

Abstract Chlordecone was fed to male and female adult Sherman strain rats at concentrations of 0 and 25 ppm for 3 months. Following this, all rats were fed control diet for 4.5 months. During this recovery period they were bred twice. Immediately after exposure was discontinued, reproduction in the females was completely inhibited; this was coupled with hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex. Two months after exposure was discontinued, reproductive ability was partially restored. Reproduction in males was not affected at any time at this dose. Following the 4.5-month recovery period, the adrenals in the previously exposed females had returned to normal size; however, their livers were still enlarged and continued to show some morphologic changes. Although the experimental rats gained less weight during exposure than the controls, the body weights of control and experimental rats following the 4.5 month recovery period were the same.
Alternative Gramineous Hosts of Leptosphaeria nodorum Including Two New Records for the U. S. A.

Leptosphaeria nodorum was isolated from various wheat sources (seeds, seedling, straw, and volunteers) and from triticale, little wild barley, ryegrass, smooth bromegrass, aegilops, quackgrass, Bermuda grass, and air. The level of seed contamination in wheat cultivars varied from 3–63%. Initial detection of the pathogen from field samples of plant material varied from 5–58%. Four out of the 12 plates exposed to the air showed growth of the pathogen. The presence of spores from aerial sporetrapping decreases to zero by 30 December. The pathogen was undetected from the leaf samples of wheat and triticale from 15 January to 15 February. Spore size and cultural growth differed among the various isolates. Isolates from wheat straw, Bermuda grass, little wild barley, and triticale were fluorescent variable while the other isolates fluoresced under NUV light. Symptoms were induced when wheat cv.‘Callahan 513’ and four other grasses were inoculated with isolates of L. nodorum from various gramineous sources. The infection by the pathogen on ‘Callahan 513’ was greater than the infection of the same isolates in their gramineous weed hosts. Ryegrass and Bermuda grass were demonstrated as additional alternative gramineous hosts of L.nodorum in the United States. Zusammenfassung Alternative Gramineen-Wirtspflanzen fur Leptosphaeria nodorum einschlieslich zwei neuer Registrierungen aus den USA Leptosphaeria nodorum wurde von verschiedenen Weizenteilen (Samen, Samlingen, Stroh und Ausfallpflanzen) und auserdem von Triticale, Grannenloser Trespe, Weidelgras, „little wild barley”, Aegilops, Quecke, Bermudagras und aus der Luft isoliert. Die Hohe der Samenkontamination in Weizensorten war unterschiedlich und lag zwischen 3—63 %. Primare Isolierung des Pathogens aus Feldproben pflanzlichen Materials variierte zwischen 5—58%. Vier von 12 Agarplatten, die an der Luft geoffnet worden waren, zeigten Wachstum des Pathogens. Das Vorhandensein von Sporen in Sporenfangem vermindert sich auf Null bis zum 30. Dezember. Das Pathogen konnte in der Zeit vom 15. Januar bis 15. Febniar in Blattproben von Weizen und Triticale nicht isoliert werden. Konidiengrose und die Morphologie der Isolate waren in Kultur unterschiedlich. Isolate von Weizenstroh, Bermudagras, „little wild barley” und Triticale zeigten eine schwankende, die von anderen WirtspHanzen dagegen eine konstante Fluoreszenz unter NUV-Licht. Symptome wurden an Weizenpflanzen der Sorte ‘Callahan 513’ und an vier anderen Grasspezies hervorgerufen, wenn diese mit Leptosphaeria nodornm-lsolzten von unterschiedlichen Wirtspflanzen inokuliert worden waren. Die Infektion von ‘Callahan 513’ mit dem Pathogen war starker ausgepragt als die Infektion ihrer Graswirtspflanzen mit den gleichen Isolaten. Weidelgras und Bermudagras wurden als zusatzliche Graswirtspflanzen fur L. nodorum in den USA registriert.
Gender differences in performance on mathematics items: Evidence from the United States and Thailand

Abstract The purpose of this cross-cultural study was to examine the relationship between gender and performance on a set of mathematics items which vary in both level of cognitive complexity and content. Nationally representative samples of 13-year-old children in the United States (2040 girls and 1884 boys) and Thailand (1789 girls and 1951 boys) who participated in the Second International Mathematics Study were analyzed in this study. The Mantel-Haenszel Procedure was used to quantify gender differences on 130 multiple-choice mathematics items. The results for the 130 items were then used in a repeated-measures ANOVA designed to examine the extent to which the observed gender differences on these items were related to cognitive level (computation, comprehension, and analysis) and content category (algebra, arithmetic, and geometry) of the items for American and Thai adolescents. The data suggest that both level of cognitive complexity and content category are related to gender differences. Gender differences tend to become more favorable toward boys as the level of cognitive complexity increases and also as the content changes from arithmetic through algebra to geometry. Further, these relationships appear to replicate over the cultures examined here. The implications of these results for future research on gender and mathematics performance are discussed.
Daytime visibility and nephelometer measurements related to its determination

Abstract The ability of a human observer to perform tasks involving visual search and the determination of visual ranges (i.e., visibilities), is a commonly recognized skill that is presently under increasing competition from a variety of sophisticated electro-optical systems. The paper reviews a few of the pertinent psychophysical characteristics related to the human observer's performance, how they are related to some instrumentally measured quantities, and two of the more commonly encountered sources of error in visual determinations of visibility. Comparisons between several observer and instrumental determinations illustrate the link between the two experimental regimes and introduce some appropriate specialized data obtained with an airborne nephelometer. Since the determination of visibility is the simpler special case of determining horizontal path contrast transmittance, several characteristics of the nephelometer data which influence its use in the more general determination of slant path contrast transmittance are illustrated. In this context, the implication of these data in ones ability to accurately model atmospheric influences upon contrast transmittance is introduced. The basic conclusions to be drawn from this paper are twofold. First, that although human visual performance is a complex psychophysical task, there is little doubt that for visibility determinations it can be adequately related to instrumental measurements of atmospheric volume scattering coefficient and second, that a reliable specification of the directional scattering properties of the atmospheric aerosol can be reasonably deduced from this measurement of total volume scattering coefficient alone.
Statistical considerations in learning from data

In this paper, we focus on statistics. Classical statistics and Bayesian statistics are both employed in data mining. Both have advantages but both also have severe limitations in this context. We point out some of these limitations as well as some of the advantages. The fact that we may need to take account of evidence both internal and external to the data set presents a difficulty for classical statistics. The need to incorporate an objective measure of reliability creates a difficulty for Bayesian statistics. We outline an approach to uncertainty that promises to capture the best of both worlds by incorporating both background knowledge and objectivity.
Work in progress - an education module on engineering ethics concentrating on environment-friendly engineering for computer engineers

The importance of computer engineers' ethical responsibility towards the environment has become essential due to the growing concern of environmental hazards due to electronic devices. In this work, we present an education module on engineering ethics concentrating on environment-friendly engineering for design courses in computer engineering. Apart from creating awareness in the mind of future computer engineers about the necessity of environment-friendly engineering, this module will also provide them with information about some popular design techniques employed to achieve environment-friendly devices. This will help the students to understand and also to enact their ethical responsibilities towards the environment as professionals. The evaluation results indicated that the students clearly understood the issues and concepts provided by the education module and around 83.33% of them felt the module to be informative and helpful.
FEATURE-RECOGNITION FOR MEMS EXTRACTION

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) integrating multidomain sensors and actuators with conventional microelectronic batch fabrication processes are becoming increasingly complex. In order to design systems with large numbers of multi-domain components, we need to use a hierarchical structured design approach, with design at the schematic level instead of the traditional layout representation used in MEMS design. However, since fabrication can only be done from a layout representation, an automatic or manual layout generation from schematic is necessary. It is essential to be able to translate from the layout representation back to the schematic to reason about layout correctness in meeting the schematic’s function as well as to extract geometric parameters for functional simulation. An extraction module is developed which reads in the geometric description of the layout structure and reconstructs the corresponding schematic. This schematic can then be fed to an ordinary differential equation solver or can be compared with the design schematic to validate the correctness of the designed layout. The extraction module also minimizes the number of nodes required to represent the schematic as a netlist. The results presented show the success of the module for some example MEMS designs.
MMP inhibition modulates TNF-α transgenic mouse phenotype early in the development of heart failure

Myocardial extracellular matrix remodeling regulated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is implicated in the progression of heart failure. We hypothesized that MMP inhibition may modulate extracel...
Automatie and Effortful Eneoding in Amnesia

Anyone who has shared an afternoon with a patient who has anterograde amnesia comes away with two contrasting impressions: that the patient remembers little, and also that he remembers a lot more than one might expect. One patient whom we recently examined had a dense anterograde amnesia. He would tell the same story over and over again, could not remember his doctors from visit to visit, and failed to remember three unrelated words after 30 seconds of distraction. Nevertheless, he recounted in great detail arecent visit with his son, who told hirn at the time that he was thinking of dropping out of medical schoo!. His wife confirmed the story. His detailed and accurate remembrance was preserved even though a host of other memories was lost.
A review of adhesion science.

Abstract Objective Adhesion or cohesion includes an adherend, adhesive, and intervening interface. Adhesive joints may include one or more interfaces. Adhesion science focuses on understanding the materials properties associated with formation of the interfaces, changes in the interfaces with time, and events associated with failure of the interfaces. Methods The key principles for good interface formation are creation of a clean surface, generation of a rough surface for interfacial interlocking, good wetting of the substratum by the adhesive/cohesive materials, adequate flow and adaptation for intimate interaction, and acceptable curing when phase changes are required for final joint formation. Results Much more effort is needed in the future to carefully assess each of these using available testing methods that attempt to characterize the energetics of the interfaces. Bonding involves potential contributions from physical, chemical, and mechanical sources but primarily relies on micro-mechanical interaction for success. Characterization of the interface before adhesion, during service, and after failure would be much more useful for future investigations and remains as a great challenge. Significance Scientists should more rigorously apply techniques such as comprehensive contact angle analysis (rather than simple water wettability) for surface energy determination, and AFM in addition to SEM for surface texture analysis.
Validation of an adjustment equation for the burst superimposition technique in subjects post-stroke

Introduction: Deficits in voluntary force genera- tion may be due to incomplete activation or decreased maxi- mum force-generating ability (MFGA) of the targeted muscle. The validity of techniques used to measure MFGA in individuals post-stroke has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to determine the reliability of the MFGA predicted using an adjusted burst superimposition method within a post-stroke pop- ulation. Methods: Differences in paretic-side plantar flexor mus- cle MFGA between 2 trials was calculated using the standard and adjusted burst superimposition technique for 17 individuals post-stroke (15 men, 58.7 6 10 years of age, � 6 months post- stroke) to assess reliability of the techniques. Results: The adjusted measurement was shown to be more reliable (P ¼ 0.03), especially when volitional effort differed by >40 N. Conclusions: Reliable measurement of the MFGA in individuals who have sustained a stroke is of clinical importance. These results suggest that the adjusted burst superimposition method may be useful when performing multiple measurements of muscle performance. Muscle Nerve 46: 267-269, 2012 Deficits in the voluntary force-generating ability of an individual may be due to incomplete voluntary activation, a decrease in the maximum force-gener- ating ability (MFGA) of the muscle, or both. Quan- tifying the source of muscle weakness in individu- als with upper motor neuron pathologies is important for both clinical rehabilitation and mus- culoskeletal modeling. 1-3 Various techniques exist to obtain estimates of the MFGA of a muscle or muscle group in individuals with no neurological impairment. 4-7 However, in individuals post-stroke, neurological impairment may limit the volitional force that can be produced, and the validity of techniques to estimate MFGA in this setting has not been assessed. Recently, a study by Flynn and colleagues eval- uated the accuracy and reliability of several meth- ods in determining the MFGA of the ankle plantar flexor muscles of able-bodied subjects performing submaximal volitional contractions. 8 They found that an adjusted burst superimposition method was the most accurate and reliable method. The adjusted burst superimposition test, however, has not been assessed in a neurologically impaired population. The objective of this study was to determine within a post-stroke population the reli- ability of the MFGA predicted using the adjusted burst superimposition method. Unfortunately, because many individuals post-stroke cannot fully activate their muscles volitionally and the intensity needed to activate a large muscle group like the plantar flexors fully for the duration needed to produce a plateau in force is not easily tolerated, we could not assess the accuracy of this method. Thus, only reliability, defined as the ability of repeated measurements to yield the same results, can be assessed.