cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prediction of the coefficient of permeability of asphalt mixtures using the lattice Boltzmann method

Abstract The Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is widely accepted to simulate fluid flow in porous materials. The objective of this study is to predict the coefficient of permeability of asphalt mixtures using the LBM. The numerical method was verified by simulating fluid flow in Poiseuille flow, parallel tubes, and sandstone samples. The three-dimensional microstructures of asphalt mixtures were reconstructed with X-ray computed tomography techniques and used as inputs for LBM simulations. The factors that affect the stability and accuracy of the simulations were also discussed. These factors include time steps, applied pressure gradient, and image resolution. The results of LBM simulations were compared with the experimental results. It was revealed that the LBM simulations successfully predicted the coefficient of permeability of asphalt mixtures.
Falling Short: The State's Role in Workplace Safety and Health.

The state plays a major role in occupational safety and health in the United States, impacting all aspects including resources, training, research, standard setting, and enforcement. Howard Waitzki...
What if the Soviets won the space race

When people in the US see the Soviet Union land on the moon first they are shocked and disheartened. But For All Mankind provides an even bigger surprise when one cosmonaut's identity is revealed, says Emily Wilson
Where Has All the Complexity Gone? An Analysis of the Modern Surgical Resident Operative Experience

Objectives The operative experience of today's general surgery (GS) residents are changing. The Surgical Council on Resident Education (SCORE) was founded to provide a standardized, competency-based curriculum. We set out to evaluate resident operative experience in core and advanced operations. Design Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) national operative log reports from 2010 to 2018 were reviewed. Operative volume data for 344 operations were extracted and analyzed. Operations were designated as core, advanced, or undefined as listed by SCORE, and stratified as GS or subspecialty. Setting National analysis utilizing ACGME operative log reports. Participants All graduating general surgery residents between 2010 and 2018. Results A total of 10,118 residents completed GS training with an average of 1121.5 ± 29.3 total cases. Core operations comprised 80.5% of total volume while advanced comprised only 8.0%. The total core experience increased (+7.0 cases/year), while total advanced experience decreased (−1.4 cases/year) (p Conclusions There has been an increase in core operative experience with a concurrent decrease in advanced operative experience of graduating GS residents. These findings highlight the continued narrowing of the operative experience for trainees, with increasing focus on GS and less on subspecialty domains. Ongoing efforts to look beyond operative volume to ensure competency of graduates will prove beneficial.
Prospects for a Highly Electric Road Transportation Sector in the USA

This review explores the transportation implications of key scenarios for deep decarbonization. While electrification of transportation is not the only action that will be needed to reach climate-change goals, it is one necessary step. This review provides an overview of technologies available for electrification of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, the infrastructure required to support electrification, and policy options to accelerate the transition to a cleaner transportation future. Climate studies have shown that as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue rising, aggressive action is needed to achieve deep decarbonization in the USA and worldwide. Transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions in the USA, and one of the largest worldwide. Experts agree that electrifying road transportation is essential to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. Recent advances in electric vehicle (EV) technology are making electrification viable. Automakers are quickly increasing the number and diversity of commercially available EV models, and consumer awareness of EV technology is slowly growing. Studies show that policymakers can effectively accelerate transportation electrification through tax incentives, regulations, and other policy tools. All credible pathways for achieving deep decarbonization rely on complete or near-complete electrification of passenger vehicles. Advances in EV technology have made this goal feasible from a technical standpoint, though much more needs to be done to achieve rapid electrification in practice. Prospects for electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are improving, but the high mileage and heavy load requirements of these vehicles present technical challenges. Moreover, achieving widespread electrification of road transportation will require considerable expansion of EV infrastructure (e.g., charging networks), as well as upgrades to existing electric grids. Policymakers can support rapid electrification through actions including tax rebates and other incentives that encourage consumers to purchase EVs, regulations that prioritize electrification of vehicles serving transportation network companies (TNCs), and increased public investment in EV infrastructure and research.
Development and validation of a quantitative PCR assay for detection of Terrapene herpesvirus 2 in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina).

Abstract Herpesviruses are associated with disease in many chelonian species, resulting in pathology such as respiratory tract infection, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, hepatitis, and papillomatosis. Herpesvirus-associated fibropapillomas cause significant morbidity and mortality in marine turtles, and have been identified in an eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) infected with Terrapene herpesvirus 2 (TerHV2). Further investigation is necessary to understand the impact of carcinogenic herpesviruses on chelonian health; however, reliable and specific methods for detection and quantitation of herpesviral load are lacking. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a quantitative PCR assay for detection of TerHV2 in box turtles. TaqMan primer-probes were developed targeting the DNA polymerase gene. Inter- and intra-assay variability, linear range of detection, limit of detection, and specificity were assessed. The assay was highly specific for TerHV2, failing to amplify seven closely-related chelonian herpesviruses. It performed with high efficiency (slope = -3.52, R2 = 1, efficiency = 92.29 %), low intra-assay variability and low inter-assay variability (coefficient of variation ≤ 1.25 % at all standard dilutions). Reaction efficiency was not impacted in the presence of box turtle DNA from combined oral/cloacal swabs or whole blood. This qPCR assay has a linear range of detection from 107 to 101 viral copies per reaction and provides a valuable tool in the surveillance and characterization of TerHV2 in box turtles.
Development of iron deficiency anemia in patients undergoing extracorporeal photopheresis: Comparison of the UVAR and CELLEX instruments.

Introduction Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a procedure used to influence T-cell activity in patients suffering from immune-mediated cellular damage secondary to activated lymphocytes. Although well-tolerated, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has been described. The goal herein is to describe IDA in patients who received extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) treatment using UVAR (Therakos Inc) and CELLEX (Therakos Inc) instruments. Design and methods Patients treated with ECP from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. IDA was defined by a decrease in hemoglobin following treatment with concomitant decrease in mean cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, increased RBC distribution width, and/or iron studies compatible with IDA. Results During the four-year study period, thirty-four patients received ECP. Thirteen (38%) underwent treatment with the previous UVAR device while 21 (62%) received treatment on the newer CELLEX instrument. Nineteen (56%) of the cohort developed clinical and laboratory evidence of IDA with an average of 3.2 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin. Patients who developed IDA treated on the CELLEX instrument experienced a significantly greater drop in hemoglobin (P = .04) than those treated on the UVAR. Examining the CELLEX-treated patients, those who received the procedure at greater frequency experienced significantly greater drops in hemoglobin (P = .03). Conclusions IDA is a risk of chronic ECP therapy and is likely secondary to retained blood components in the instrument. The temporal relationship between anemia and ECP treatment has a direct correlation with the treatment schedule. Patients undergoing ECP treatment should be closely monitored for the development of IDA.
The kinetics of pre-mRNA splicing in the Drosophila genome: influence of gene architecture

Production of most eukaryotic mRNAs requires splicing of introns from pre-mRNA. The splicing reaction requires definition of splice sites, which are initially recognized in either intron-spanning ("intron definition") or exon-spanning ("exon definition") pairs. To understand how exon and intron length and splice site recognition mode impact splicing, we measured splicing rates genome-wide in Drosophila, using metabolic labeling/RNA sequencing and new mathematical models to estimate rates. We found that the modal intron length range of 60-70 nt represents a local maximum of splicing rates, but that much longer exon-defined introns are spliced even faster and more accurately. Surprisingly, we observed low variation in splicing rates across introns in the same gene, suggesting the presence of gene-level influences, and we identified multiple gene level variables associated with splicing rate. Together our data suggest that developmental and stress response genes may have preferentially evolved exon definition in order to enhance rates of splicing.
TH-AB-210-01: Basics of Gamma Camera Operations and Quality Assurance

This education session will cover the basic physics and operation principles of gamma cameras and PET scanners. In addition, quality control tests to assure good image quality are described. The first talk will discuss the components of gamma cameras, image formation principles, and performance characteristics, such as spatial resolution, sensitivity, and energy resolution. Features that affect these performance characteristics will be discussed. Physicists are increasingly expected to perform annual performance tests on gamma cameras, not only as good practice, but to satisfy requirements of accrediting bodies or for insurance reimbursement. The Joint Commission has recently introduced changes in standards for accredited entities providing diagnostic imaging services, including nuclear medicine. Basic performance tests suitable for annual physics testing will be discussed. Learning Objectives: 1. Be able to describe basic principles of gamma camera operation. 2. Learn about performance characteristics and features affecting image quality. 3. Be able to list some basic performance tests for gamma cameras, how to perform the tests and evaluate acceptable performance. The second talk will focus on PET imaging. An overview of the principles of PET imaging will be provided, including positron decay physics, and the transition from 2D to 3D imaging. More recent advances in hardware and software will be discussed, such as time-of-flight imaging, and improvements in reconstruction algorithms that provide for options such as depth-of-interaction corrections. Quantitative applications of PET will be discussed, as well as the requirements for doing accurate quantitation. Relevant performance tests will also be described. Learning Objectives: 1. Be able to describe basic physics principles of PET and operation of PET scanners. 2. Learn about recent advances in PET scanner hardware technology. 3. Be able to describe advances in reconstruction techniques and improvements 4. Be able to list relevant performance tests. Turkington: Research support from GE for PET work, and has served as a consultant for Data Spectrum Corp.
Aggregate Mutual Fund Flows and Cross-Sectional Anomalies

I examine the explanatory power of aggregate mutual fund flows for the profitability of price-based (i.e., momentum and 52-week high) and non-price-based (i.e., earnings surprises, profitability, share issuance, accrual and asset growth) anomalies in the cross-section of returns. I find that the flow-based trading of mutual funds contributes to mispricing as measured by the profits to price-based anomalies, especially at times when market-wide funding costs are high. The effect also exists for non-price-based anomalies, but only through the dependence of their profits on momentum. My findings support the view of Lou (2012) and Vayanos and Woolley (2013) that mutual funds’ trading on flows creates feedback that strengthens price-based anomalies, as high-performing funds buy additional shares of high-performing stocks and poorly performing funds sell shares of poorly performing stocks. However, the explanatory power of aggregate mutual fund flows for price-based anomaly returns is only partly attenuated by fund-level variables designed to capture the feedback effect. The flow-induced trading by mutual funds appears to contribute to mispricing for reasons beyond the feedback effect.
Some Comments on QCD String

We try to draw lessons for higher dimensions from the string representations recently derived for large N Yang-Mills theory by Gross and Taylor, Kostov, and others, and call attention to three characteristics that should be expected of a string theory precisely equivalent to a higher dimensional gauge theory: continuous world-sheets; strong coupling at short distances; and negative weights. To appear in the proceedings of the Strings ’93 Berkeley conference.
Gravitational Lenses, the Distance Ladder and the Hubble Constant: A New Dark Matter Problem

In cold dark matter models, a galaxy's dark matter halo is more spatially extended than its stars. However, even though the five well-constrained gravitational lenses with time delay measurements must have similar dark matter distributions, reconciling the Hubble constant estimated from their time delays with local estimates is possible only if that dark matter distribution is as compact as the luminous galaxy. The Hubble constant is H0=48-4+7 km/s Mpc (95% confidence) if the lenses have flat rotation curves and H0=71+/-6 km/s Mpc (95% confidence) if they have constant mass-to-light ratios, as compared to H0=72+/-8 km/s Mpc (68% confidence) for local estimates by the HST Key Project. Either all five H0 estimates based on the lenses are wrong, local estimates of H0 are too high, or dark matter distributions are more concentrated than expected. The average value for H0 including the uncertainties in the mass distribution, H0=62+/-7 km/s Mpc, has uncertainties that are competitive with local estimates. However, by selecting a value for H0 you also determine the dark matter distribution of galaxies.
Image Analysis Using Modified Self-Organizing Maps: Automated Delineation of the Left Ventricular Cavity Boundary in Serial Echocardiograms

An algorithm is described for delineation and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the left ventricular (LV) cavity boundary from echocardiographic images. The algorithm combines advanced image analysis and neural network techniques with a priori knowledge about LV shapes. Minimal user interaction is required to initiate the process which results in computer-generated outlines of the LV. Laboratory tests with dog hearts compare the algorithm to a conventional method based on endocardial outlines by an expert. LV volume and shape comparisons are assessed.
Evaluation of Literature-Based Discovery Systems

Evaluating discovery systems is a fundamentally challenging task because if they are successful, by definition they are capturing new knowledge that has yet to be proven useful. To overcome this difficulty, many researchers in literature-based discovery (LBD) replicated Swanson's discoveries to evaluate the performance of their systems. They reported overall success if one of the discoveries generated by their system was the same as Swanson's discovery. This type of evaluation is powerful yet incomplete because it does not inform us about the quality of the rest of the discoveries identified by the system nor does it test the generalizability of the results. Recently, alternative evaluation methods have been designed to provide more information on the overall performance of the systems. The purpose of this chapter is to review and analyze the current evaluation methods for LBD systems and to discuss potential ways to use these evaluation methods for comparing performance of different systems, rather than reporting the performance of only one system. We will also summarize the current approaches used to evaluate the graphical user interfaces of LBD systems.
Application of Pipeline Embolization Device for Iatrogenic Pseudoaneurysms of the Extracranial Vertebral Artery: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the vertebral artery (VA) are uncommon vascular lesions and definitive management is often challenging. Between 0% and 8% of craniocervical fusions are complicated by VA injury. In these cases, preserving the vertebral artery while treating the pseudoaneurysm is the goal of any treatment option. We describe the second known case of a patient with and iatrogenic extracranial vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm treated effectively using the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) (Ev3 Neurovascular, Irvine, CA). Although there have been only two cases reported, the use of flow-diverting stents appears to be efficacious for the treatment of non-actively bleeding traumatic pseudoaneurysms.
The Course and Outcome of Pregnancy in Women with Nondystrophic Myotonias (P7.009)

OBJECTIVE: To increase knowledge about the course and outcome of pregnancy in women with Nondystrophic Myotonias (NDM). BACKGROUND: NMD are rare muscle channellopathies characterized by clinical and electrical myotonia. Very little is known about the course and outcome of pregnancy in women with NDM. Our ability to counsel women with these disorders regarding pregnancy is very limited. DESIGN/METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of women with NDM correlating questionnaire data with medical record review. Enrollment was conducted through the University of Rochester Neurology Clinic, the Neuromuscular Disease Center Research Database, outside neuromuscular physicians, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Pregnancy outcomes were compared to published national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with χ 2 analysis. RESULTS: We have been contacted by 71 women and 11 subjects have been enrolled; 10 with sodium and 1 with chloride NDM. There were 33 pregnancies with 29 live births, 6 miscarriages/terminations, and 1 molar pregnancy. Pregnancy complications were noted in 61% of cases: first trimester miscarriages (21%), preterm labor (15%), premature rupture of membranes (12%), polyhydramnios (3%). 77% of deliveries were term and 58% were spontaneous vaginal deliveries with 17% assisted vaginal deliveries and 21% cesarean deliveries. Pregnancy outcomes did not differ from national data. NDM symptoms worsened during pregnancy in 70% of pregnancies including: weakness (83%), stiffness/spasms (61%), fatigue (57%), pain (48%), requiring more help (35%) and muscle hypertrophy (13%). Symptoms resolved completely after pregnancy in 82% and partially in 18% of cases. Time to resolution varied from 2 days to 6 months. 36% of newborns had complications: NDM (21%), difficulty feeding (4%), spasms of face/throat (7%), and club foot (4%). 11% of newborns needed brief NICU admission. CONCLUSIONS: While pregnancy outcomes were favorable, maternal symptoms of NDM worsened in the majority of pregnancies. Study Supported by: Mae Stone Goode Pilot Grant Disclosure: Dr. Snyder has nothing to disclose. Dr. Donlin-Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pressman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ciafaloni has nothing to disclose.
Influence of small amounts of niobium on mechanical and corrosion properties of Type 304 stainless steel

Creep and creep-rupture properties of several experimental heats of Type 304 stainless steel containing 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 700, and 1000 ppm (by weight) of niobium were investigated in the temperature range of 482 to 649°C. Resistance to intergranular corrosion of these heats was also studied. Results of tests on the experimental heats were compared with the creep properties of 20 commercial heats of Type 304 stainless steel and data from the literature on several heats of Type 347 (4000 to 3000 ppm niobium) stainless steel. Results on experimental heats were used to check that heat-to-heat variations in creep properties of 20 commercial heats of Type 304 stainless steel are caused by variations in carbon, nitrogen, grain size, and for the most part by residual niobium (10 to 200 ppm). The time to rupture increased and minimum creep rate decreased with increasing niobium content until a saturation level was attained at about 500 to 1000 ppm. Type 304 stainless steel containing 500-ppm niobium offers superior creep and creep-rupture properties with improved creep ductility and a factor of approximately 5 better intergranular corrosion resistance [in boiling copper sulfate (CuSO 4 ) solution] than Type 304 stainless steel (20-ppm niobium). In their welding work on the same heats, Moorhead et al have observed that Type 304 containing 500 to 1000 ppm niobium exhibits a weldability similar to that of Type 304 stainless steel.
A theoretical basis for divergence of conventional recursive least squares filters

The authors identify several specific sources of instability in the conventional recursive least squares (CRLS) algorithm. They explore why the algorithm is numerically unstable under fixed-point precision and examine how it can be stabilized. A form of the CRLS algorithm that maintains symmetry in the inverse autocorrelation matrix estimate is first presented, and divergence phenomena are discussed. Several sources of instability are identified as well as practical techniques for combating each instability source. Experimental results that demonstrate the usefulness of these techniques are presented. Initial simulation results indicate that by compensating for the source of numerical instability, it is possible to obtain numerical stability with negligible loss in performance. >
The role of voltage dependence of the NMDA receptor in cellular and network oscillation

Unraveling the mechanisms underlying oscillatory behavior is critical for understanding normal and pathological brain processes. Here we used electrophysiology in mouse neocortical slices and principles of nonlinear dynamics to demonstrate how an increase in the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) conductance can create a nonlinear whole-cell current-voltage (I-V) relationship which leads to changes in cellular stability. We discovered two behaviorally and morphologically distinct pyramidal cell populations. Under control conditions, both cell types responded to depolarizing current injection with regular spiking patterns. However, upon NMDAR activation, an intrinsic oscillatory (IO) cell type (n = 44) showed a nonlinear whole-cell I-V relationship, intrinsic voltage-dependent oscillations plus amplification of alternating input current, and these properties persisted after disabling action potential generation with tetrodotoxin (TTX). The other non-oscillatory (NO) neuronal population (n = 24) demonstrated none of these behaviors. Simultaneous intra- and extracellular recordings demonstrated the NMDAR's capacity to promote low-frequency seizure-like network oscillations via its effects on intrinsic neuronal properties. The two pyramidal cell types demonstrated different relationships with network oscillation--the IO cells were leaders that were activated early in the population activity cycle while the activation of the NO cell type was distributed across network bursts. The properties of IO neurons disappeared in a low-magnesium environment where the voltage dependence of the receptor is abolished; concurrently, the cellular contribution to network oscillation switched to synchronous firing. Thus, depending upon the efficacy of NMDAR in altering the linearity of the whole-cell I-V relationship, the two cell populations played different roles in sustaining network oscillation.
Efficacy and hematologic toxicity of salvage chemotherapy following stem cell-supported high-dose chemotherapy in women with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and hematologic toxicity of salvage chemotherapy in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer following high-dose chemotherapy and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Methods. A retrospective analysis of 19 Massachusetts General Hospital case records of women with relapsed ovarian cancer following PBSCT was conducted. Results. Between February 1996 and September 1998, 24 women with ovarian cancer were treated with PBSCT. Nine patients were treated with an upfront PBSCT regimen to consolidate first-line chemotherapy and 15 patients were treated with PBSCT after a median of two lines (range: 1–3) of prior chemotherapy. Sixteen patients presented with relapsed disease at a median of 230 days post-PBSCT and 3 patients had persistent disease through high-dose chemotherapy. Each of these 19 patients has been treated with salvage chemotherapy following PBSCT. Patients received one of six different first-line salvage chemotherapy regimens. Sixteen of nineteen patients are alive a median of 383 days (range: 156–868) after relapse following PBSCT. Three patients died of progressive disease at a median of 284 days (range: 224–648) after post-PBSCT relapse. Six patients achieved a complete response, four patients had a partial response, three patients had stable disease, and six patients had progressive disease in response to first-line salvage chemotherapy. Seven patients experienced grade III/IV neutropenia, and three patients experienced grade III/IV thrombocytopenia. Conclusions. We conclude that in a patient population selected for chemotherapy sensitive and low-volume disease prior to PBSCT, patients with recurrent tumor appear to respond to salvage chemotherapy, and associated hematologic toxicity is acceptable and manageable.
The Preparation and Experience of Advanced Placement in Economics Instructors

The authors summarize the results of a survey of 1,365 instructors of advanced placement (AP) economics courses; responses were received from 296 instructors (21.7 percent). The authors discuss the respondents' textbook preferences, graduate and undergraduate backgrounds, teaching experiences, and evaluations of nontextbook teaching materials.
Polyol Synthesis of Uniform Silver Nanowires: A Plausible Growth Mechanism and the Supporting Evidence

We have recently demonstrated an approach based on the polyol process for the large-scale synthesis of silver nanowires with uniform diameters (see Sun, Y.; Gates, B.; Mayers, B.; Xia, Y. Nano Lett. 2002, 2, 165. Sun, Y.; Xia, Y. Adv. Mater. 2002, 14, 833. Sun, Y.; Yin, Y.; Mayers, B. T.; Herricks, T.; Xia, Y. Chem. Mater. 2002, 14, 4736). Although the capability and feasibility of this method have been successfully illustrated with the production of silver nanowires 30−60 nm in diameter and 1−50 μm in length, the growth mechanism of this process is yet to be elucidated. Here we report some progress on this matter: First, electron microscopy studies on microtomed samples indicated that the cross sections of such silver nanowires had a pentagonal shape, together with a 5-fold twinned crystal structure. Second, the side surfaces (bounded by {100} facets) and the ends (bounded by {111} facets) of each nanowire were shown to have significant difference in reactivity toward dithoil molecules, with the side su...
A revisionist perspective on political ad hominem argument: A case study

These authors argue that a political ad hominem should not be regarded as a fallacy but as a legitimate argument that directly deals with a candidate's fitness for office. They illustrate their ideas in an analysis of the 1982 Illinois gubernatorial campaign.
Laser Transient Absorption Spectroscopy of Bromomethylene

We report the observation and assignment of new high-resolution spectra of theA1A″ ←X1A′ transition of bromomethylene, HCBr, obtained by transient laser absorption spectroscopy at near-infrared wavelengths. The 210band of HCBr (ν0= 11 957 cm−1) and the 220band of DCBr (ν0= 12 349 cm−1) have been observed for both naturally occurring isotopes of bromine. Thec-type rotational branches of theKa= 0 ← 1 subbands have been assigned in detail. Other subbands have been partially assigned, but their detailed rotational quantum number analysis has not yet proved possible. Their presence does, however, indicate that the molecule exhibits nonlinear rotational structure in these vibrational levels, in contrast to what was found for theA1A″ (0, 2, 0) level of HCBr (ν0= 12 786 cm−1) [B. C. Chang and T. J. Sears, J. Chem. Phys. 105, 2135–2140 (1996)]. Analysis of the rotational structure in the spectra reported here has required a reassessment of certain rotational assignments of that previous work. We now find that the lower singlet state is isolated; there is no evidence of triplet state perturbations. Rotational constants derived for the ground state of all the naturally occurring isotopomers were used to estimate structural parameters. A barrier to linearity for theA1A″ state, 13 590 cm−1above the zero point level of the groundX1A′ state, is estimated.
SAR imaging of minelike targets over ultrawide bandwidths

The Lincoln Laboratory ground-based UWB Rail SAR was used to collect UHF and L-band data on a variety of mine-like targets. The target set consisted of metal pipes, bomb fragments, and M-20 metallic anti-tank mines, above and below ground. Mostly co-polarized data was collected for depression angles between 10 and 30 degrees. Imagery of the targets in different frequency sub-bands are shown and RCS characteristics are quantified.
Refractoriness of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release determines Ca2+ alternans in atrial myocytes

Cardiac alternans is a recognized risk factor for cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. At the cellular level, Ca2+ alternans appears as cytosolic Ca2+ transients of alternating amplitude at...
Crosslinking in type III collagen of fetal tissue.

Abstract Native bovine amnion tissue was reduced with NaB 3 H 4 and type III collagen was isolated by pepsin digestion. Examination of the crosslink content of type III collagen following acid hydrolysis revealed the presence of dihydroxy- and hydroxylysinonorleucine in a ratio of 9 to 1. Approximately 80% of the dihydroxylysinonorleucine exists as the glucosyl-galactosyl derivative following alkaline hydrolysis. Less than 2% of the incorporated tritium of amnion tissue is released by pepsin digestion and over 70% of this is accounted for by the crosslink precursors hydroxy- and dihydroxynorleucine.
Teaching social work students to use the news media for public education purposes

Social workers do not enjoy a positive public image. This makes it difficult for them to gain a sympathetic audience or necessary public support for essential programs and services. This paper describes an attempt to teach social work students to use the news media (radio, television, and local newspapers) to publicize social work activities and social service programs, and to educate the public about existing and needed services. The authors present information on the opportunities that exist in most localities for these public education activities and describe the results achieved in a two-year pilot effort.
Performance characterization of a data mining application via hardware-based monitoring

In many fields, such as data mining and e-commerce, performance issues are typically addressed by waiting for the next generation of processors and/or distributing the application in a parallel environment. An alternative has been to instrument the code so that observation can drive modifications to improve performance. Success is measured typically by the improvement in wall clock time of program execution. In the latest generation of commercial processors (IBM Power/PowerPC, Compaq Alpha, Intel Pentium III) programmable counters are included in the hardware to gather data that can be used for performance monitoring. These counters allow internal events in the processor to be observed without impacting the performance of the program that is being monitored. This paper explores the use of performance monitoring to characterize the machine learning based data mining program C4.5 running on an IBM Power II processor node in an IBM RS/6000 SP. Development and verification of the methodology to utilize the performance monitoring hardware is presented. The starting point of this work is an existing performance monitoring application that has been extended to allow monitoring of individual programs running on the single chip implementation of the Power II architecture. Examples of the data collected from the monitoring of C4.5 are presented and analyzed. With the experience gained from the work on a single node, the potential issues in extending this methodology into a parallel environment such as the IBM RS/6000 SP are explored.
Monthly Measurement of Daily Timers

This paper addresses the bias associated with parametric measurement of timing skill based on monthly timer returns when timers can make daily timing decisions. Simulations suggest that the classic Henriksson-Merton parametric measure of timing skill is weak and biased downward when applied to the monthly returns of a daily timer. The paper proposes an adjustment that mitigates this problem without the need to collect daily timer returns. Four tests of timing skill, carried out on a sample of 558 mutual funds, show that very few funds exhibit statistically significant timing skill. More encompassing, the adjusted-FF3 test (based on the specification that incorporates both the proposed adjustment and the Fama-French three-factor model) is the least biased measure of timing skill among the four--it provides for a sharper inference regarding timing skill and helps mitigate biases associated with the choice of investment style.
The Philosophy of Philosophy

Williamson, Timothy, The Philosophy of Philosophy, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2008, pp. xiv + 332, US$29.95 (paperback). This book concerns the practice of philosophy. In chapters 3–4, Williamson cri...
Effect of ATP, EDTA and EGTA on the simultaneous binding of Na, K, Mg and Ca by rat liver microsomes

In the presence of Na, K, Mg and Ca at physiological pH, complexing agents can affect cation binding by rat liver microsomes in a manner not always readily predictable simply from a knowledge of individual formation constants. Increasing concentrations (0 to 20 mM) of the strong nonbiological complexing agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), produced a sharp decrease almost to zero in bound Ca, an increase to a high plateau in bound Na and K and an initial increase followed by a sharp decrease in bound Mg. Increasing concentrations of the Ca-preferring analogue of EDTA, ethylene bisglycol (β-aminoethylether) tetraacetate (EGTA), produced similar changes except that bound Mg increased and remained elevated, indicating that this agent complexes Mg very weakly at physiological pH. The biological complexing agent, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), caused a gradual rectilinear and parallel decrease in bound Mg and Ca and a concomitant and parellel increase in bound Na and K at about 4°C and pH 6.4. Results with EDTA and EGTA suggest, however, that under different conditions, enhancement by ATP of divalent cation binding may be possible. Reactions of this nature may be of significance in ATP stimulated divalent cation uptake by subcellular particles.
Version 7/21/01 current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) magnetoresistance

Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in magnetic multilayers composed of alternating layers of ferromagnetic (F) and non-magnetic (N) metals is of both fundamental and technological interest. Technologically, GMR is already being used for sensors and read-heads. Scientifically, much has been learned about the physics underlying GMR, but new insights are still being generated. We describe some important information learned about GMR from measurements in the current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) geometry. This geometry has the attractive features that the CPP-MR is often larger than the more usual current-in-plane (CIP)-MR, and often allows more direct access to the physics underlying GMR. Topics covered include: anisotropic scattering in F-layers and at F/N interfaces, spin-memory-loss within F- and N-metal layers and at interfaces, whether mean-free-paths are scaling lengths in the CPP-MR, and current-driven magnon excitation and magnetization reversal.
HgCdTe versus HgZnTe - Electronic properties and vacancy formation energies

The alloy variation of the band gap and the electron and hole effective masses have been calculated for HgCdTe and HgZnTe. Band-gap bowing is larger in HgZnTe than in HgCdTe because of the larger bond length mismatch of HgTe and ZnTe; electron and hole effective masses are found to be comparable for the two alloys for a given band gap. The electron mobility was calculated in both alloys with contributions from phonon, impurity, and alloy scattering. Contributions to the E1 line width due to alloy and impurity scattering in Hg(0.7)Cd(03)Te have been calculated. Results of calculations of the vacancy formation energies in HgTe, ZnTe, and CdTe are discussed.
Pressures in the common hepatic duct of the rat.

Summary1) A method for recording pressure within the common hepatic duct of the rat with a strain-gauge manometer is described. Measurements of pressure in the common hepatic duct were made on a series of fasting rats with normal livers, cirrhosis or passive venous congestion of the liver, and these were analyzed statistically. The higher mean secretory pressure in the rat with cirrhosis over that in the rat with normal liver and with passive venous congestion is statistically significant. 2) Secretory pressure in rats after inhalation of carbon tetrachloride vapor fell slightly but significantly. 3) The duodenal-end pressure in the common hepatic duct was related to findings on simultaneous recordings of biliary pressure and gastric and duodenal motility. This pressure was significantly higher in rats with chronic venous congestion of the liver than in normal or cirrhotic animals. The lower end of the common hepatic duct probably has some sphincteric action in the rat. 4) Intravenous injection of chlorpr...
Nucleon size and the attractive nuclear force.

That the size of a nucleon increases when bound is shown to follow in first order from the attractive nature of the binding potential. We give two simple demonstrations of the connection of size change with the sign of the external potential, the generality of which helps to connect a wide class of successful explanations of medium modifications of the form factor and of the European Muon Collaboration effect.
A conceptual model of ocean freshwater flux derived from sea surface salinity

A conceptual model is proposed to express freshwater flux (evaporation minus precipitation) as a function of sea surface salinity (and vice versa). The model is formulated using an idealized one-dimensional diffusion equation for the ocean surface layer. It is shown to provide good agreement with existing freshwater flux estimates and salinity observations. It also has the potential to enhance our capability of monitoring and modeling global freshwater fluxes and salinity as a data retrieval algorithm for remote sensing. The model may improve physical parameterization in coupled ocean-atmosphere models to study the global water cycle.
BRCA1 as a potential human prostate tumor suppressor: modulation of proliferation, damage responses and expression of cell regulatory proteins

In addition to breast and ovarian cancer in women, recent evidence suggests that germ-line mutations of the breast cancer susceptibility gene-1 (BRCA1) also confer an increased life-time risk for prostate cancer in male probands. However, it is not known if and how BRCA1 functions in prostate cancer. We stably expressed wild-type (wt) and tumor-associated mutant BRCA1 transgenes in DU-145, a human prostate cancer cell line with low endogenous expression of BRCA1. As compared with parental cells and vector transfected clones, wtBRCA1 clones exhibited: (1) a slightly decreased proliferation rate (doubling time = 25 h as compared with 22 h for control cells); (2) a (3-6)-fold increase in sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs (adriamycin, camptothecin, and taxol); (3) increased susceptibility to drug-induced apoptosis; (4) reduced repair of single-strand DNA strand breaks; and (5) alterations in expression of key cellular regulatory proteins (including BRCA2, p300, Mdm-2, p21(WAF1/CIP1), Bcl-2 and Bax). Clones transfected with the 5677insA breast cancer-associated mutant BRCA1 (insBRCA1) displayed a similar phenotype to wtBRCA1 clones, except that insBRCA1 clones had a significantly decreased proliferation rate (doubling time = 42 h). On the other hand, cells transfected with with 185delAG mutant BRCA1 showed no obvious phenotype as compared with parental or vector transfected cells. These findings suggest that BRCA1 may function as a human prostate tumor suppressor by virtue of its ability to modulate proliferation and various components of the cellular damage response. They also suggest several potential target gene products for a BRCA1 prostate tumor suppressor function.
Light requirements of seagrasses Halodule wrightii and Syringodium filiforme derived from the relationship between diffuse light attenuation and maximum depth distribution

The correspondence between maximum depth of growth (Zmax) for two seagrases,Halodule wrightii andSyringodium filiforme, and the attenuation of diffuse photosynthetically active radiation (KdPAR) were evaluated over a 3.5-yr period in the southern Indian River Lagoon, Florida. The lower limit of seagrass depth distribution was controlled by light availability. Both species grew to the same maximum depth, indicating they have similar minimum light requirements. Based on average annual values of KdPAR, estimates of seagrass minimum light requirements ranged from 24% to 37% of the light just beneath the water surface (Io), much hgiehr than a photic zone for many phytoplankton and macroalgae (1–5% incident light). In less transparent waters of Hobe Sound, where turbidity (NTU) and color (Pt-Co) had their highest concentrations, minimum light requirements for growth were greatest. These results suggest that more sophisticated optical models are needed to identify specific water quality constituents affecting the light environment of seagrasses. Water quality criteria and standards needed to protect seagrasses from decreasing water transparency must be based on parameters that can be routinely measured and reasonably managed.
cDNA surveying of specific tissue expression of human chromosome 19 sequences.

cDNA surveying is a straightforward approach for identifying sequences in genomic clones expressed in specific tissues. It has been applied to a subchromosomal region of human chromosome 19 (19q13.2–q13.4), a region that contains several known expressed sequences including the locus for myotonic dystrophy (DM). Genomic clones were selected from this region by probing a human placental cosmid library with a chromosome 19q-specific minisatellite sequence, or human genomic clones were isolated from a cosmid library constructed from a human chromosome 19q13.2–q13.3 hamster hybrid cell line using human repetitive DNA as probe. Pooled cDNAs synthesized from RNA of specific tissues characteristically affected in DM were depleted in repetitive sequences and used as hybridization probes against gridded cosmid arrays. DNA from the cDNA-positive cosmid clones was transferred to nylon filters and reprobed with cDNAs to identify restriction fragments that were expressed in these tissues. Hybridizing restriction fragments were subcloned, sequenced, and demonstrated to be nonrepetitive. Primer pairs complementary to subcloned sequences were constructed and used for PCR amplification of cDNA synthesized from RNA of tissues affected in myotonic dystrophy. PCR products were sequenced to verify the identity of expressed genomic DNA and its corresponding cDNA.
Light and Iron(III)-induced oxidation of chromium(III) in the presence of organic acids and manganese(II) in simulated atmospheric water

Abstract In atmospheric waters, oxidation of Cr(III) by Mn(III/II) species has been considered to be the major pathway for Cr(III) to become Cr(VI), but the finding of light-induced Cr(III) oxidation in the presence of Fe(III) implicates a new possible pathway. This study further tests the occurrence of this pathway in simulated atmospheric water containing organic acids and Mn(II). Our results showed that in simulated atmospheric water, the light and Fe(III)-induced Cr(III) oxidation occurred in the presence of the organic acids of low Fe(III) photoreductivity (LFPR) such as acetate and succinate and in the presence of very low levels of the organic acids of high Fe(III) photoreductivity (HFPR) such as citrate and tartarate (e.g., [Citrate]0 : [Cr(III)]0 ∼7.5 : 1) because of competition of the acids with Cr(III) for ·OH radicals as well as in the presence of mild levels of the HFPR acids (e.g., [Citrate]0:[Cr(III)]0>∼1 : 10) because of rapid reduction of the formed Cr(VI) by organic radicals from photolysis of complexes of Fe(III) with these acids. This oxidation was substantially limited at pH 〈2.5 or〉 4.5 in the presence of the organic acids. The presence of Mn(II) led to decreases in the Cr(III) oxidation presumably resulting from the competition of Mn(II) with Cr(III) for ·OH radicals. This study thus suggests that the light and Fe(III)-induced Cr(III) oxidation could be a potential important pathway for Cr(III) to be converted to toxic Cr(VI) in atmospheric waters where organic acids such as acetate are frequently predominant.
The Comparison of Treatment Plans.

Abstract The comparison of plans, once done by looking from one isodose plot to another, has become in hyper-dimensional planning a sophisticated matter. I have described here a number of tools that support plan evaluation and comparison, namely: 1.1. Side-by-side display of dose distributions: using color-wash to represent dose; displays on any section, transverse, sagittal, coronal, oblique; ostensive (mouse-driven cursor) interrogation of dose at a point; pan and zoom to highlight a specified volume of interest. 2.2. Dose-volume histograms: cumulative and (optionally) differential; with superposed constraint points. 3.3. Dose statistics: minimum, mean, maximum dose to a volume of interest; minimum dose received by a specified proportion of a VOI; proportion of a VOI which receives at least a specified dose; numerical score based on deviation from specified dose or dose-volume constraint. 4.4. Biophysical models: tumor control probability; normal tissue control probability. The greater complexity that this tool kit implies has, of course, its downside: although the clinician has much more useful information at his or her fingertips, it can take longer to use it. For this reason I have emphasized here the importance of speed and inter-activity in the programs and of tools to help users in the evaluation process. These are becoming increasingly available in the new generation of treatment-planning programs; pressure from the consumer is needed to keep researchers on their toes and manufacturers responsive!