cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex and ability differences in children's math self-efficacy and prediction accuracy

Abstract Sex and ability differences in math self-efficacy and prediction accuracy were examined in 38 gifted and 38 average ability fifth graders. Utilizing a 5-point certainty scale, subjects made predictions about their ability to solve each problem on a 20-item math task. After predictions were made, participants completed the math task in full. As expected, a significant ability effect in favor of gifted subjects was obtained for self-efficacy level (number of items out of 20 with certainty ratings above 3), self-efficacy strength (average of certainty ratings), and prediction accuracy (number of hits for items with certainty ratings above and below 3). Significant sex differences were found on the self-efficacy strength index; regardless of ability level, males showed more self-efficacy strength for the math task than was demonstrated by their female counterparts. Prediction accuracy analyses of success expectations revealed that gifted subjects made significantly fewer over-estimations and that males tended to overestimate more than females. Average ability subjects' low self-efficacy ratings were found to be significantly more accurate than those made by gifted subjects. Findings were discussed in relation to educational implications and directions for continued investigation.
Abstract LB-429: Dormant cancer cells contribute to residual disease in a mouse model for reversible pancreatic cancer

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL The initiation and progression of premalignant lesions into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) is governed by a series of genetic changes, but it is still unknown whether these alterations are still required for the maintenance of primary and metastatic PDAC. Here we show that the c-Myc oncogene is upregulated throughout the entire process of neoplastic progression in human PDAC. To address whether this oncogene is essential for the growth and survival of cancer cells, we developed a novel mouse model that allows a temporally and spatially controlled expression of c-Myc in pancreatic progenitors and derived lineages of the exocrine pancreas. Upregulation of c-Myc is sufficient to cause adenocarcinomas after a short latency, and haploinsufficiency in Cdkn2a dramatically increases the rate of metastasis. Despite a macroscopically complete regression of primary, metastatic, and transplantable tumors following the downregulation of c-Myc, some cancer cells remain dormant. A significant number of these residual neoplastic cells express cancer stem cell markers, and re-expression of exogenous c-Myc leads to rapid cancer recurrence. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that c-Myc plays a significant role in the progression and maintenance of PDAC, but additional therapeutic strategies are necessary to eradicate residual cancer cells to prevent cancer relapse. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-429. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-429
Intimate partner violence as a risk factor for children's use of the emergency room and injuries

This study examined the associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) and children's use of the emergency room (ER) for an illness or injury, and care of the child by a doctor or nurse for a serious injury, accident or poisoning. We hypothesized that a mother's mental health (depression, alcohol abuse and drug abuse) and a child's lack of supervision would mediate these associations. Data were from the National Survey of Children and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW), a national probability study of children investigated for abuse and neglect. The analysis was limited to 2929 female caregivers who were the biological, adoptive, or stepmothers of the children. Exposure of the mother to current severe intimate partner violence was positively associated with children's use of the ER. There was no association between maternal current or past exposure to IPV and children's injuries. Current moderate IPV, current severe IPV and past severe IPV were significantly and positively associated with maternal depression. Maternal depression was not associated with child's lack of supervision. However, maternal alcohol abuse and drug abuse were positively associated with child's lack of supervision. The relationship between IPV and children's use of the ER was mediated by maternal depression. Maternal depression and lack of supervision of the children were positively associated with children's injuries. Identification of maternal IPV and depression during children's ER visits can help guide services to prevent future use of the ER and injuries to children.
Management Factors Associated with Calf Mortality in South Carolina Dairy Herds

The relationship between heifer calf mortality and various calf rearing practices was surveyed in 140 South Carolina Dairy Herd Improvement herds. Cooperators supplied mortality information at various periods from birth of calves to 6 mo of age for the survey year 1 August 1978 to 31 July 1979. Average mortality, including calves born dead, was 19.1%. Mortality to 1 mo of age accounted for 84% of the total mortality. Annual losses decreased from 21.2 to 16.3% as herd size increased from less than 100 to greater than 200 head. Rolling herd average fat increased with increase in herd size. Mortality decreased from 23.0 to 12.5% as rolling herd average fat increased from less than 200 kg to greater than 264 kg. Average herd size grouped by rolling herd average fat increased from 108 to 193 head. Other factors such as person responsible for rearing calves, length of time cow and calf remain together after calving, fat in milk replacer, and weaning age played a role in calf mortality. No relationship between mortality and type of liquid diet fed or type of housing was evident. These factors are discussed as they relate to calf mortality.
Excitation of the Na(3p) level by H+, H2+, or H3+ ions

Abstract The cross section for the excitation of Na atoms from the 3s ground level to the 3p level by incident H+, H2+, or H3+ ions is reported for energies in the range 1–25 keV. The cross section for H+ ions is 1.2 × 10−15 cm2 at 1 keV and increases to 4.6 × 10−15 cm2 at 15 keV. The cross sections for H2+ and H3+ ions are the same as for H+ ions at the same incident velocity.
Influence of skin type and wavelength on light wave reflectance.

Purpose: A new application of photoplethysmography (PPG) has emerged recently to provide the possibility of heart rate monitoring without a telemetric chest strap. The aim of this study was to determine if a new device could detect pulsation over a broad range of skin types, and what light wavelength would be most suitable for detecting the signals. A light emitting diode-based PPG system was used to detect changes in pulsatile blood flow on 23 apparently healthy individuals (11 male and 12 female, 20–59 years old) of varying skin types classified according to a questionnaire in combination with digital photographs with a skin type chart. Four different light wavelengths (470, 520, 630, and 880 nm) were tested. Normalized modulation level is calculated as the AC/DC component ratio and represents the change in flow over the underlying constant state of flow or perfusion. Results: In the resting condition, green light wavelength (520 nm) displayed greater modulation (p < 0.001) than all the other wavelengths analyzed regardless of skin types. Type V (dark brown) skin type was significantly lower in modulation than all other skin types. In the exercise condition, both blue (470 nm) and green (520 nm) light wavelengths displayed greater signal-to-noise ratios than red (630 nm) or infrared (880 nm) light wavelengths (p < 0.001). Conclusions: We concluded that a PPG-based device can detect pulsation across all skin types and that a greater resolution was obtained using a green light wavelength at rest and a green or blue light wavelength during exercise.
Interplay of Optical Feedback and Current Modulation in Multimode VCSELs

We experimentally investigated polarization dynamics in a current-modulated VCSEL with optical feedback. Feedback features can be enhanced or suppressed by modulation. VCSELs are more sensitive to modulation in multimode regime than in single mode regime.
Quantum gravity on a lattice

Abstract A formulation of quantum gravity with a gauge-invariant cutoff is given by transcribing MacDowell and Mansouri's formulation of general relativity onto a Wilson lattice. The weak coupling and strong coupling expansions are developed. The strong coupling expansion reveals a typical strong coupling phase with short range order, confinement (of spin) and asymptotic freedom. If the lattice theory has a second-order phase transition, then the continuum theory may be well-defined.
Improving Clarity of Compliance Procedures Associated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Public Access Policy (NIHPAP) via Process Mapping

ABSTRACTThe University of Michigan's Taubman Health Sciences Library is a significant partner in collaborating with National Institutes of Health (NIH) grantees to maintain continued funding at our institution. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Public Access Policy (NIHPAP) requires grantees to submit final peer-reviewed journal manuscripts that arise from NIH funds to PubMed Central (PMC), the NIH open-access digital repository. Because NIH is the University of Michigan's largest research sponsor, the continuation of that funding is dependent on compliance with NIHPAP. This paper describes the development of a process map (PM) to improve clarity and efficiency in complying with NIH funding requirements.
Dual antrostomy optical window for visualising sinus cavity during implant restoration

The authors report a case of maxillary sinusitis that developed after placement of four dental implants. Although one implant failed due to infection, the remaining dental implants were functional. A polyp had been identified on CT scan before implantation. Discussion of the possible odontogenic aetiology of the maxillary sinusitis led to consideration of explantation. Both middle and inferior meatal antrostomy were performed for utilisation as optical windows during postoperative care, allowing direct visualisation of the sinus cavity. The characteristics of the nasal mucosa were evaluated during a series of dental treatments including implant removal, sinus floor elevation and re-implantation.
Hemoglobin types of adult, fetal, and newborn subhuman primates: Macaca speciosa

Abstract Two hemoglobin types have been identified by starch gel electrophoresis in stumptail macaques of both sexes and various ages. Although two hemoglobins were found in all animals, the proportion of these hemoglobins is not the same in different individuals. A comparison of the appearance and disappearance of the hemoglobins seen in the fetuses, newborns, and adults was made to the well-established ontogeny of the human hemoglobins. Structural differences that cause the electrophoretically distinguishable fetal and adult hemoglobins are described.
Phosphorylated intermediate of ATPase of isolated cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Abstract Isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum of calf heart was found to incorporate the terminal phosphate of ATP, indicating the presence of a phosphorylated intermediate of ATPase of heart sarcoplasmic reticulum. The incorporation was less for sarcoplasmic reticulum from heart than for that from skeletal muscle. Protein components of heart sarcoplasmic reticulum differed from those of skeletal muscle on acrylamide gel electrophoresis. However, the location of the component of sarcoplasmic reticulum labeled with 32P of ATP was the same for heart and skeletal muscle. The molecular weight of the labeled component was estimated to be in the range of 90 000 to 100 000.
The Band Spectrum of AsH

THESE bands were obtained by photographing a carbon are, the negative electrode of which had been drilled and filled with arsenic, run in an atmosphere of hydrogen at a potential of 110 volts. No bands were obtained with the arsenic in the positive electrode. The electrodes were composed of Acheson graphite. The spectrograph used was a Hilger three-metre quartz prism instrument.
In-Plane Biaxial Crush Response of Polycarbonate Honeycombs

The crushing response of a polycarbonate circular cell honeycomb to inplane biaxial loading under displacement control is analyzed. The study involves a combination of experiment and numerical simulation. Experiments corresponding to several different biaxial loading conditions are carried out. In the first phase of the response, the material deforms in a uniform fashion. Next, a nonlinear phase caused by the progressive localization of deformation is characterized by the variation of overall (macroscopic) stiffness. The progressive localization causes the walls of each cell to contact. These periodic honeycomb materials show different collapsed modes under different biaxial loading histories. Experimental measurements indicate how the magnitude of the collapse load varies and how the load-displacement response changes as a function of load biaxiality. The experimental results are simulated through numerical analysis using the finite-element method.
Adaptive cluster selection for collaborative beamforming in ground sensors communications with UAV

It is of interest to find compare optimum beamforming communications between a random antenna array of sensors and a uniform antenna array base station to MIMO communications between the two arrays. For these purposes we examine a specific example. Channel capacity is compared for various versions of MIMO communications. Channel state information is assumed to be known a.) at the receiving array only, and b) at both the transmitting and receiving arrays. When the signal to noise ratio is high, the blind transmitter and the knowledgeable transmitter MIMO provides higher channel capacity than the beamformer, but for very low signal to noise ratio only the knowledgeable transmitter MIMO equals the beamformer channel capacity.
Selective generation of charge-cependent/independent ion energy distributions from a heated capillary electrospray source

Retarding grid and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry variable trap potential measurements are performed to determine factors that contribute to the kinetic energy distribution of ions formed in an electrospray source that uses a heated capillary for desolvation. The control of ion kinetic energies is achieved by manipulating the skimmer position in the postcapillary expansion and by varying the potential appEed to the skimmer. The selective generation of either charge-dependent or charge-independent ion energy distributions is demonstrated. Charge-dependent energy distributions of electro-sprayed ions are created by sampling ions near the Mach disk of the supersonic expansion and by using a larger diameter skimmer orifice; the FTICR spectra acquired under these conditions exhibit mass-to-charge ratio-dependent mass discrimination determined by the potential used to trap the ions. Charge-independent energies of electrosprayed ions are created by positioning the capillary adjacent to the skimmer to sample thermal ions and by using a smaller skimmer orifice to reduce expansion cooling; under these conditions ion kinetic energy is determined primarily by the skimmer potential and no mass-to-charge ratio-dependence is observed in the selection of optimum FTICR trapping conditions. The ability to select between proteins of different conformation on the basis of kinetic energy differences is demonstrated. For example, a 0.4 V difference in trap potential is observed in the selective trapping of open and closed forms of the +10 charge state of lysozyme. Finally, it is demonstrated that by operating the source under conditions which deliver a beam of ions with charge-independent energies to the cell, it is possible to obtain precursor and product ion signal magnitudes in FTTCR spectra without charge-dependent mass discrimina-tion.
Isolation and Partial Characterization of Two Human Neurophysins: Their Use in the Development of Specific Radioimmunoassays

Two neurophysins (NPs) that are thought to be the primary protein forms produced with the hormones vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) were isolated from 5000 human pituitary glands. In sucrose gradient centrifugation of human neural lobes, each of these NPs had a distribution similar to that of either VP or OT. Such differential localization of 1 human NP (HNP) with VP and the other HNP with OT suggests an association of their biosynthesis, and it is on the basis of this association that 1 NP has been named VP-associated HNP (VPHNP) and the other OT-associated HNP (OT-HNP). The purified proteins were complexed to bovine thyroglobulin in order to develop specific antisera. RIAs developed with these antisera are effective for each HNP in the range of 5–320 pg. Reference standards in both assays were corrected for protein content using amino acid analysis to obtain absolute protein concentration; this type of correction is recommended for all RIAs that measure proteins. The RIAs were used to measure the conc...
Do rats drink water in excess of apparent need when they are given food

Rats were give powdered food for 24 h and one of the following six conditions: water, 0.0025%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.04% quinine solutions, and no liquid, to study whether rats drink in excess of apparent water need induced by dry-food eating. Quinine solutions were used to discourage habitual drinking in excess of apparent water requirement. The results indicated that there was no excess water intake when rats were given dry food [although Morrison (1968) showed rats drank in excess when food deprived]. The efficiency of a liquid to consume dry food was found to be constant’ from water up to 0.01% quinine solution. Low efficiency of 0.04% quinine solution may be due to small amount of intake of the solution. This low intake level of 0.04% quinine solution may be sufficient to correct the dehydrated state produced by eating dry food but not enough to produce additional eating.
A Torque Transducer System for Observing, Recording, and Controlling

This paper describes a torque transducer system which measures the force of reaction on the stationary member of a rotating machine delivering or receiving power. The transducer system is not interposed between the driver and the driven machine. It is used as a sub-base in setting up the machine whose torque is to be measured. The transducer has a torque rating but no speed rating. Its torque rating can be changed by interchanging sets of hollow cylindrical springs. Some data are given to show its versatility, and its time-and investment-saving possibilities.
Acoustic and Entropy Waves in a Nonideal Combustion MHD Generator

Experimental measurements and a linearized theory using integral transforms examine the growth and attenuation of acoustic and entropy waves in MHD generators of weak interaction. A generalized quasi-one-dimensional model for the electrical parameters which includes implicitly some two- and three-dimensional nonideal effects such as boundary layers, heat-transfer, and near electrode phenomena has been included. The wave growth rates are obtained by perturbing the normal acoustic wave solutions with the effects of magnetic interaction. The model predicts that these nonideal phenomena have a mitigating effect on the level of magnetic interaction and may reduce wave growth rates significantly when the boundary-layer resistance is larger than the plasma core resistance. The experimental results suggest the presence of secondary flows which affect the near-electrode boundary layers and would exist in MHD generators of any scale. 32 references.
Surface topography of a new polymer material for tooth implants.

A new polymer material has been developed for tooth implants. This material appears to be more successful than previous materials used, in that self support of tooth-replica implants have been demonstrated in baboons. The surface topography of the new material has been studied with a scanning electron microscope and a lace-like pattern was demonstrated, which had certain similarities to the surface of cementum of natural teeth.
Interface agents: caveat mercator in electronic commerce

Abstract Electronic commerce has opened new opportunities for buyers and sellers. Consumers can do things in an on-line environment that are simply not possible in face-to-face transactions. In this paper, we push this observation by examining and using a new type of software agent to convert merchant interfaces into middleware thus enabling one to assess and optimize their interactions with all the computing support available in today's Decision Support System (DSS) environments.
Pancreatic injury in hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase-deficient deer mice after subchronic exposure to ethanol

Pancreatitis caused by activation of digestive zymogens in the exocrine pancreas is a serious chronic health problem in alcoholic patients. However, mechanism of alcoholic pancreatitis remains obscure due to lack of a suitable animal model. Earlier, we reported pancreatic injury and substantial increases in endogenous formation of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in the pancreas of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)-deficient (ADH(-)) deer mice fed 4% ethanol. To understand the mechanism of alcoholic pancreatitis, we evaluated dose-dependent metabolism of ethanol and related pancreatic injury in ADH(-) and hepatic ADH-normal (ADH(+)) deer mice fed 1%, 2% or 3.5% ethanol via Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet daily for 2months. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was remarkably increased and the concentration was ∼1.5-fold greater in ADH(-) vs. ADH(+) deer mice fed 3.5% ethanol. At the end of the experiment, remarkable increases in pancreatic FAEEs and significant pancreatic injury indicated by the presence of prominent perinuclear space, pyknotic nuclei, apoptotic bodies and dilation of glandular ER were found only in ADH(-) deer mice fed 3.5% ethanol. This pancreatic injury was further supported by increased plasma lipase and pancreatic cathepsin B (a lysosomal hydrolase capable of activating trypsinogen), trypsinogen activation peptide (by-product of trypsinogen activation process) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (endoplasmic reticulum stress marker). These findings suggest that ADH-deficiency and high alcohol levels in the body are the key factors in ethanol-induced pancreatic injury. Therefore, determining how this early stage of pancreatic injury advances to inflammation stage could be important for understanding the mechanism(s) of alcoholic pancreatitis.
MICROCOMPUTER BUDGET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

tion systems, and marketing strategies. The enterprise budget, whole farm cash Budgeting is widely used in economic reflow, and income statement are fundamental search, policy evaluation, investment-project tools of farm and ranch management. The evaluation, and production management. Ap"Microcomputer Budget Management Sys- plications range form aiding very specific tem" (MBMS) is a microcomputer software management decisions to government policy package that facilitates the storage and use implications. of information for crop and livestock budg- A continued cost-price squeeze, fluctuating eting. It performs the calculations for severa input and output prices, and changes in techenterprise budgeting formats and for prepa- nology increase the demand for timely enration of whole farm resource use reports errise and finnil inform and financial statements. The MBMS also includes internal machinery and irrigation cost Computerized budget generator systems are calculation routines. one means of providing reliable, consistent, MBMS was developed for use by extension and up-to-date cost and return information. staff, researchers, lenders, consultants, and This paper describes microcomputer budget operators of diversified farms and ranches software, compares its capability to other with many enterprises that use enterprise and programs, illustrates reports through partial whole farm budgeting for analysis and plan- examples, and describes cost calculation proning activities. The flexibility and detailed cedures used by the software. nature of the program requires the user to have knowledge of enterprise budgeting and operation of complex computer programs. DESCRIPTION OF SOFTWARE This paper presents a discussion of the features and capabilities of the software and the The Microcomputer Budget Management computational procedures used in the cost System (MBMS) is a microcomputer software calculations. package that facilitates storage of information for corp and livestock enterprise budgeting.
Fleet Assessment of Fuel Burn and NOx Emissions for NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Technologies and Concepts

A system-wide model for fuel burn and NOx emissions is presented whereby the introduction of NASA's Environmentally Responsible Aviation aircraft technologies on future vehicles can be assessed with respect to fleet-level environmental impact. This model extends upon prior work in three ways: Improvements in operations balancing and allocation logic yield fuel burn estimates that more closely match empirical data for domestic and international operations; enhancements to vehicle environmental performance models offer a better representation of the updated ERA technology portfolio; parametric NOx emissions models for full-flight as well as departure and arrival segments are integrated into the existing system-wide model to offer fleet-level NOx estimates. Results for scenarios featuring varying levels of ERA technology introduction into the fleet are presented that characterize potential benefits achievable. Results suggest that significant reductions for local emissions can be attained, whereas total emissions closely follow favorable fuel burn improvements.
AN INTEGRATED KERNEL-WEIGHTED SMOOTHED MAXIMUM SCORE ESTIMATOR FOR THE PARTIALLY LINEAR BINARY RESPONSE MODEL

This paper considers a binary response model with a partially linear latent equation, where ϕ is an unknown function and β is a finite-dimensional parameter of interest. Using the principle of smoothed maximum score estimation (Horowitz, 1992; Econometrica 60(3), 505–531), a consistent and asymptotically normal (C.A.N.)estimator for β is proposed under the restriction that the median of the error conditional on the covariates is equal to 0. Furthermore, the rate of convergence in probability is close to the parametric rate, if certain functions admit enough derivatives. This method neither restricts the form of heteroskedasticity in the error term nor suffers from the curse of dimensionality whenever ϕ is multivariate. Some Monte Carlo experiments suggest that this estimator performs well compared with conventional estimators.
Adolescents with chronic pain and associated functional disability: A descriptive analysis

The purpose of this research was to describe the biopsychosocial characteristics of adolescents with chronic pain and functional disability. Data were obtained from a registry of 100 adolescents (mean age = 15.84, SD = 2.72; 21 males) admitted to an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program. Clinician ratings were used to categorize coping and personality styles. The most common chief complaint at admission was limb pain (n = 44), followed by headache (n = 21) and abdominal pain (n = 17). Eighteen patients presented with other types of pain. The most frequent triggers to pain were physical trauma, medical condition or disability, and surgery or another medical procedure. Sleep problems, mental health difficulties, and high academic performance were common. Seven previously identified pain-associated disability factors, including passive or dependent coping style, chronic illness in a parent, personality consistent with alexithymia, unresolved family problems, early pain experiences, learning/developmental difficulties, and perfectionistic personality, were common. Ninety-eight adolescents presented with two or more of these contributing factors. Fifty-six adolescents had four or more of the factors. Adolescents with chronic pain and associated disability presented with numerous biopsychosocial factors that relate to their impairment. The understanding and attention to these factors will be important for successful rehabilitation.
Transglutaminase 2 Is Central to Induction of the Arterial Calcification Program by Smooth Muscle Cells

Arterial calcification is a phenotype of vascular repair in atherosclerosis, diabetes, hyperphosphatemic renal failure, and aging. Arterial calcification is modulated by transition of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from contractile to chondro-osseous differentiation programmed in response to increases in P(i), bone morphogenetic protein-2, and certain other stimuli. Transglutaminase (TG)2 release modulates tissue repair, partly by transamidation-catalyzed covalent crosslinking of extracellular matrix substrates. TG2 regulates cultured SMC differentiation, resistance artery remodeling to vasoconstriction, and atherosclerotic lesion size. Here, TG2 expression was required for the majority of TG activity in mouse and human aortic SMCs. TG2(-/-) SMCs lost the capacity for P(i) donor-induced formation of multicellular bone-like nodules and for increased expression of the type III sodium-dependent P(i) cotransporter Pit-1 and certain osteoblast and chondrocyte genes (tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, the osteoblast master transcription factor runx2, and chondrocyte-restricted aggrecan), and for P(i) donor- and bone morphogenetic protein-2-induced calcification. Uniquely in TG2(-/-) SMCs, P(i) donor treatment increased expression of the physiological SMC chondro-osseous differentiation and calcification inhibitors osteoprotegerin, matrix Gla protein, and osteopontin. Conversely, TG2(-/-) SMCs, unlike wild-type SMCs, failed to maintain contractile differentiation on laminin. Exogenous catalytically active TG2 augmented calcification by TG2(-/-) SMC in response to P(i) donor treatment. TG2 expression also drove P(i)-stimulated calcification of mouse aortic ring organ cultures, which was suppressed by the TG2 catalytic site-specific inhibitor Boc-DON-Gln-Ile-Val-OMe (10 micromol/L). Our results suggest that TG2 release in injured arteries is critical for programming chondro-osseous SMC differentiation and calcification in response to increased P(i) and bone morphogenetic protein-2.
Discontinuous Phase Formation and Selective Attack of SiC Materials Exposed to Low Oxygen Partial Pressure Environments

Three SiC materials were exposed to gas mixtures containing N2, H2, and CO at 1000–1300°C, 1–740 torr for a few to 1000 h. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies indicate that CO is the predominant oxidizing species. A variety of corrosion processes were observed, including surface and internal pit formation, needle growth, grain boundary attack, and attack of impurities and surrounding material. In the case of a siliconized SiC, impurities such as Ca, Al, and Fe diffused rapidly through the Si matrix forming complex calcium aluminosilicates on the surface, leaving behind internal voids. Evaluation of the mechanical properties, including fractography, revealed a variety of degradative phenomena. Efforts to identify causes of pit formation suggested that the overall process was complex. Pits formed during attack of grain boundaries and regions containing transition metal impurities. Studies of single crystals showed preferential attack near impurities and crystalline defects, indicating that damaged crystals or certain crystal orientations in the polycrystalline materials are susceptible to attack. In addition, under some conditions where pit formation was observed, the strength of certain materials increased apparently due to flaw healing. It is suggested that flaws can heal in the absence of mechanical stress due to their high surface energy. However, second phases observed within partially healed surface cracks suggest impurities also contribute to the flaw healing processes.
A Genetic Algorithm Based Procedure for Extracting Optimal Solutions From a Morphological Chart

A novel approach using a genetic algorithm is presented for extracting globally satisfycing (Pareto optimal) solutions from a morphological chart where the evaluation and combination of “means to sub-functions” is modeled as a combinatorial multi-objective optimization problem. A fast and robust genetic algorithm is developed to solve the resulting optimization problem. Customized crossover and mutation operators specifically tailored to solve the combinatorial optimization problem are discussed. A proof-of-concept simulation on a practical design problem is presented. The described genetic algorithm incorporates features to prevent redundant evaluation of identical solutions and a method for handling of the compatibility matrix (feasible/infeasible combinations) and addressing desirable/undesirable combinations. The proposed approach is limited by its reliance on the quantifiable metrics for evaluating the objectives and the existence of a mathematical representation of the combined solutions. The optimization framework is designed to be a scalable and flexible procedure which can be easily modified to accommodate a wide variety of design methods that are based on the morphological chart.© 2007 ASME
Trainable fuzzy and neural-fuzzy systems for idle-speed control

The authors describe the use of a neural-network-based procedure to train fuzzy or hybrid neural-fuzzy systems as vehicle idle-speed controllers. Simulation with a nonlinear model containing a significant delay was used, and an attempt was made to simulate the effects of realistic sampling and controller update frequencies. The present treatment may be regarded as a step toward online training with an actual system. The fuzzy system has a parameterized form similar to that described previously, allowing use of methods identical to those used for training neural networks. The results of training are illustrated by imposing various torque disturbances and showing the controller actions and the response of the system. >
Healing of saccular aneurysms following platinum coil embolization: lack of improved efficacy with vitamin C supplementation

Background and purpose To test the hypothesis that systemic administration of vitamin C, through its action of stimulating collagen synthesis and crosslinking, would decrease the recurrence and improve the occlusion of experimental aneurysms treated with platinum coils. Methods Experimental aneurysms were created in female rabbits and were embolized with platinum coils (>30% packing density). The animals were divided into three groups: group 1 (n=6) rabbits served as controls, group 2 (n=5) rabbits were fed with a vitamin C supplemented feed and group 3 (n=8) rabbits were medicated with vitamin C pills. Digital subtraction angiography was used to evaluate stability after embolization. Subjects were euthanized at 12 weeks after coil implantation, and serum vitamin C levels were then measured. Histological samples were examined with a grading system (range 0–12) based on the neck and dome features. Masson Trichrome staining was used to evaluate collagen deposition. Parametric data were analyzed with one way analysis of variance and non-parametric data were examined using a Kruskal–Wallis test. Results There were no significant differences between groups in mean aneurysm size. Mean serum vitamin C concentration was significantly higher in group 3 and group 2 compared with group 1, while vitamin C levels between group 2 and group 3 were statistically comparable. Coil compaction was noted in one of six subjects in group 1 and in three of eight subjects in group 3. All of the remaining aneurysms in the test and control groups showed stable occlusion. There were no significant differences in histological scores or collagen deposition among groups. Conclusions Vitamin C supplementation following platinum coil embolization does not demonstrate improvement of long term occlusion rates of aneurysms.
On-line hazard aversion: a Bayes approach

A Bayes theorem and fault tree (BFT) method is developed for online hazard aversion in process systems. BFT requires as input a prediction of the measurement patterns resulting from system operating nodes, equipment malfunctions and disturbances, and the prior rates of equipment malfunctions and disturbances. The Bayes theorem is used to estimate the posterior probability of each fault candidate, given the online measurements, producing a list of fault candidates ranked by their posterior probabilities. A fault tree is then used to estimate the current top event probability, given the online measurements in which basic event probabilities are the posterior probabilities of the faults. The future safety of the process is measured by safety meters which compare the estimated top event probability at given times over a time horizon. The estimated current top event probability and the safety meters indicate process safety, providing the basis for an unplanned shutdown, maintenance, or corrective action decision. A negative feedback process control loop illustrates the accuracy of BFT and lays the groundwork for applying BFT to more complicated process systems. >
Recursive Path Selection for Delay Fault Testing

This paper presents a new path selection algorithm for delay fault testing in a statistical timing framework. Existing algorithms which consider correlation between paths use an iterative process for each path or defect and require a Monte Carlo simulation for each iteration to calculate the conditional fault probability. The proposed algorithm does not require the iteration process and selects a requested number of paths simultaneously once it performs a statistical timing analysis at the beginning. If selection of k paths is required in a set of paths, it partitions the set into two path sets and determines how many paths should be selected in each path set out of the k paths. It recursively continues this process and ends up with k paths. The partitioning is easily performed during the recursive traversal of a circuit, which produces an imaginary path tree, where paths are already grouped based on their prefix. Experimental results show the proposed algorithm can effectively use structural correlation and spatial correlation to generate high quality path sets.
Effect of Implant Energy on Silicon Defect Evolution

Recent studies on the relationship between defect evolution and transient enhanced diffusion (TED) have lead to the discovery that, for sub-amorphous Si+ implants, atoms released by extended defects (i.e. {311}’s) are a primary source of interstitials for TED. In this paper, the effect of implant energy on the interstitials stored in {311} defects is reported. Silicon wafers were implanted with Si+ at fluences of 1×1014/cm2 and 2×1014/cm2 and energies of 30, 50 and 100 keV. Rapid thermal anneals (RTA) and furnace anneals were performed at times ranging from a few minutes to several hours, at temperatures of 700°, 750° and 800°C. Cross-sectional and plan-view TEM was used to obtain microstructural information. The extended defects observed upon annealing consisted of both {311} defects and dislocation loops. It was found that the ratio of the interstitials bound by extended defects and the implant dose was 0.3. Changing the implant energy did not change the total number of interstitials trapped in both types of defects combined. There was a noticeable variation in the type of defect that dominated each implant regime, despite the constant value of the trapped interstitial to dose ratio. For an RTA of 5 min. at 750°C, the ratio of {311} “rod-like” defects to dislocation loops in the 2×1014/cm2 sample unexpectedly increased as the energy increased from 30 to 50 keV. Longer furnace anneals were employed to determine the activation energy of {311} dissolution. Our data suggests a slightly higher activation energy for {311} dissolution of approximately 4.2 eV versus the previously reported 3.6 eV, however, this difference may be within experimental error.
All-solid-state, diode-pumped regenerative amplifier for the OMEGA laser system

Summary from only given. We have proposed and have built a prototype of a new all-solid-state, diode-pumped, cavity-dumped compact Nd:LiYF/sub 4/ regenerative laser amplifier with a gain of 10/sup 9/ for the OMEGA front-end laser system, which reduces system complexity and gross gain. Here we present details of regenerative design and results of extensive prototype testing.
MR enterography to evaluate sub-clinical intestinal inflammation in children with spondyloarthritis

Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is an established tool to evaluate for changes associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but has not been studied in sub-clinical IBD. We sought to evaluate the use of MRE in children with spondyloarthritis (SpA), who are at risk of having sub-clinical gut inflammation. Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with evidence of intestinal inflammation as evidence by an abnormal fecal calprotectin assay were offered MRE of their intestines. Flavored sports drink containing polyethylene glycol 3350 was used as oral contrast. Glucagon was used to arrest peristalsis. Patients were imaged in the prone position on a 1.5 T scanner. Heavily T2-weighted fat-suppressed coronal and axial images using breath-hold technique were obtained, followed by post-gadolinium fat-suppressed T1-weighted gradient echo images. We recruited five children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA); four had SpA, and one had poly-articular JIA. All five had evidence of intestinal inflammation based upon a positive fecal calprotectin assay and successfully completed the MRE. Three of the studies showed findings suggestive of IBD, including thickening and contrast uptake at the terminal ileum (TI) in one child, contrast uptake of the distal ileum in another, and prominent vasa recta and mesenteric lymph nodes in the third. The child with evidence of inflammatory changes at the TI underwent colonoscopy, which revealed inflammatory bowel disease limited to the TI. MRE can be used to evaluate for subclinical IBD in children with JIA. This protocol was safe and well-tolerated, and identified mild changes in three of the subjects.
Using test data to improve IC quality and yield

The complexity of interactions in todaypsilas manufacturing processes makes test structures and experiments inadequate as sole drivers of yield-learning and design-for-manufacturing [DfM]. They must be driven by product impact. Product-impact-oriented test-based learning provides insight into the nature of model-hardware mismatches and variability that exist on and impact real products. That insight can be used to drive both parametric and defect-oriented process actions and DfM.
Optimal Inflation for the US Economy

This paper characterizes the optimal inflation rate in a standard macro model, which accounts for an occasionally-binding zero lower bound on nominal interest rates and model uncertainty. Estimates of the optimal rate of inflation, as measured by the PCE price index, range 0.7 to 1.4 percent per year. Even under extreme model uncertainty, the optimal inflation rate is not as high as previous studies suggest.
Combined inhibition of Na+ and Ca2+ channels: A novel paradigm for the treatment of incessant ventricular arrhythmias in Andersen-Tawil syndrome

Introduction Andersen-Tawil syndrome type 1 (ATS1), also referred to as long QT syndrome type 7, is a disorder of ventricular repolarization caused by mutations in the KCNJ2 gene. The cardiac phenotype is characterized by bidirectional ventricular tachycardia (VT), polymorphic VT, and multifocal premature ventricular contractions, with or without corrected QT prolongation. In addition, patients manifest facial dysmorphisms and periodic skeletal muscle paralysis. Treatment of ventricular arrhythmia in ATS1 can be difficult, and patients with a high burden of ventricular ectopy can develop tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. In this case report, we describe a novel approach to the treatment of refractory ventricular arrhythmia in an adolescent patient with ATS1.
Positron Emission Tomography Shows that Intrathecal Leptin Reaches the Hypothalamus in Baboons

Human obesity may be caused by a resistance to circulating leptin. Evidence from rodents and humans suggests that a major component of this resistance is an impairment in the ability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to transport leptin from the blood to the brain. One potential way to bypass the BBB is by administering leptin into the intrathecal (i.t.) space. To be effective, i.t. leptin would have to move caudally from the site of injection, enter the cranium, and reach the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus at the base of the pituitary fossa. However, many substances, especially small, lipid-soluble molecules, do not diffuse far from the site of i.t. injection but are resorbed back into blood. To determine whether i.t. leptin can move caudally, we injected leptin conjugated to diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and labeled with68Ga (G-Ob) into the lumbar space of three baboons. We also studied unconjugated DTPA labeled with 68Ga, which did not move up the spinal cord but rapidly appeared in blood after i.t. injection. In contrast, G-Ob steadily moved toward the cranium and had reached the hypothalamus 91 and 139 min after i.t. injection in two baboons. We estimated the concentration of leptin in the hypothalamic region to be at least 8 ng/ml, which is about 40 times higher than cerebrospinal fluid levels in normal weight humans and about 4 times higher than the highest level ever recorded after the peripheral administration of leptin. In a third baboon, the leptin neither moved caudally nor appeared in the blood. We conclude that leptin administered i.t. can reach the hypothalamus in therapeutic concentrations, although there is considerable individual variation.
A general statistical model for ultrasonic backscattering from tissues

The backscattered ultrasonic echo from tissue can be described in terms of Rayleigh distribution or K distribution. Even though both generalized K distribution and homodyned K distribution can account for some of the scattering conditions that exist in tissues, the analytical complexity involved with these distributions is significant. A much simpler generalized model based on the Nakagami distribution is proposed here. This model can describe the statistics of the envelope of the backscattered echo from an ensemble of scatterers with varying number densities, varying cross sections, and the presence or absence of regularly spaced scatterers. Computer simulations and experiments on tissue-mimicking phantoms have been undertaken to test the validity of the model. Results clearly show the versatility of the Nakagami distribution and its parameter to model the backscattered envelope from tissues. It is suggested that Nakagami distribution may be a good model for use in tissue characterization because of its simple analytical nature and ability to encompass different scattering conditions.