cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An object-based system for LiDAR data fusion and feature extraction

In urbanized areas of the developed world, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) exists alongside a wealth of other geospatial information. Despite this bounty, high-resolution land cover is still lacking in many urban areas. This can be attributed to the complexity of many landscapes, the volume of available data and the challenges associated with combining data that were acquired over differing time periods using inconsistent standards. Object-based approaches are ideal for overcoming these limitations. We describe the design, development and deployment of an object-based system that incorporated LiDAR, imagery and vector data sets to develop a comprehensive, multibillion-pixel land-cover data set for the City of Philadelphia. A novel approach using parallel processing allowed us to distribute the feature extraction load to multiple cores, providing massive gains in efficiency and permitting continual modification of the expert system until the accuracy goals of the project were achieved.
Immature granules are not major sites for segregation of constitutively secreted granule content proteins in NIT-1 insulinoma cells.

Abstract Immature secretory granules (ISG's) are sites of segregation of proteins destined for secretion by unregulated pathways from those stored in mature secretory granules in endocrine cells. To determine whether significant soluble protein sorting occurs in ISG's, the secretion of soluble versions of the pancreatic protein GP2 (GP2-GPI − ) and placental alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) was analyzed in NIT-1 cells. By immunofluorescence microscopy, neither protein localized to SG's in transfected cells. Their secretion was secretagogue-independent in pulse-chase radiolabeling experiments even at early times of chase, while a small increase in the secretion of amylase, which is known to enter ISG's, could be detected. Finally, in sucrose gradient fractionation experiments, SEAP was present in light density fractions. We conclude that while some proteins, such as amylase, have a limited intrinsic capacity to enter ISG's, the segregation of proteins secreted via the constitutive pathway from SG content proteins occurs primarily in the trans Golgi network.
Self Definition by Rejection: The Case of Gang Girls

I use material obtained from a two-year participant observational study of girl gang members to examine now their structural position as poor, Puerto Rican, and female affects their self presentation in social talk. Much of their sense of individuality results from their rejection of aspects of identity associated with that social position. Their self definition is realized not through the construction of a fully integrated “deviant” personality but through piecemeal rejection of various components of stereotypes about poor, Puerto Rican women. I suggest that closer examination of gossip and “put downs” can illuminate how one's one identity is constructed through the vilification of others' actions and character.
Fiddler crabs (Uca thayeri, Brachyura: Ocypodidae) affect bacterial assemblages in mangrove forest sediments

To clarify the relationship between the detritivore fiddler crab, Uca thayeri, and sediment bacteria, we quantified morphotype richness, abundance and evenness of these microorganisms inside the crabs’ guts and in mangrove-associated sediments in Sisal, Mexico (21° 9′ N, 90° 1′ W) from July to September 2008. Increased bacterial richness and abundance were observed in mesocosm experiments when nutrients were added to the sediment or in the absence of fiddler crabs. Thus, crab disturbance seems to play a role in shaping the bacterial assemblage by reducing richness and abundance just as nutrient limitation does. Crabs can also play a second role by harboring a subset of bacterial morphotypes inside their gut. We exposed sterile sediment to fiddler crabs and found that viable cells were expelled from the crab’s gut and proliferated in previously sterile substratum. The bacterial community is thus structured by the foraging behavior of fiddler crabs since it benefits some bacteria and restricts others. By agar plating we have obtained conservative results, yet the data suggest that the crab influences the bacterial assemblage in two ways by allowing inoculation of the sand from the gut and reducing bacteria diversity through disturbance when foraging on sediments.
Adamantinoma or Ameloblastoma of the Hypophyseal-Duct Region: With Report of a Case

In Duffy's (11) discussion of tumors of the hypophyseal duct (1920) is included an historical survey in which it appears that Rathke was the first to state, in 1838, that the hypophysis developed from a diverticulum of the pharynx. Zenker in 1857 demonstrated squamous-lined cysts in the anterior lobe of the hypophysis, and in 1860 Luschka first noted the presence of groups of squamous epithelial cells in the sections of some normal hypophyses. It was not until 1875, however, that the essential points in the formation and structure of the hypophysis were finally settled and clearly presented. This was done by Goette and von Mihalkovics, who independently demonstrated the ectodermal origin of the anterior lobe. In 1892 Onanoff drew attention to the similarity of certain tumors of the hypophyseal region to the adamantinomas of the jaw. In 1904 Erdheim, in making serial sections of thirteen normal adult hypophyses, found squamous epithelial cell rests in ten. These epithelial rests were usually located along the anterior surface of the infundibulum and beneath the capsule of the upper surface of the anterior lobe. Erdheim believed that these cell groups formed the point of origin for the adamantinomas. In 1926 Critchley and Ironside (12) defined this tumor of the hypophyseal-duct region as follows: “The pituitary adamantinoma may be defined as a variety of epithelial tumor growing in the neighborhood of the infundibulum, and originating in unobliterated portions of the fetal craniopharyngeal duct; its minute structure is a duplicate of the embryonic enamel organ, the general histological appearance resembles that of the adamantine tumors of the jaw.”
Morphology and phase behavior of two types of unilamellar vesicles prepared from synthetic phosphatidylcholines studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy and calorimetry

Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry and freeze-fracture electron microscopy have been used to characterize the phase behavior and morphology of two types of unilamellar vesicles composed of synthetic phosphatidylcholines. The first type displayed an average diameter of roughly 100 nm and was formed by slow dilution and dialysis of octylglucoside-solubilized lipid. These large, unilamellar vesicles were termed dialyzed, octylglucoside vesicles and could be obtained as a fairly well defined and uniform population of vesicles. The second vesicle type was prepared by a unique procedure involving dialysis of deoxycholate-solubilized lipid at its pre-transition temperature. This procedure produced a much more heterogeneous distribution of vesicle sizes (500 to 4000 nm in diameter) and left some dilamellar and oligolamellar species which could not be conveniently separated from the giant, unilamellar vesicles constituting the major portion of the sample. Both populations of vesicles displayed phase behavior similar, but not identical to that of large, multilamellar vesicles (LMV). Fracture-face morphology of the gel phase was also observed to differ between the two unilamellar and the multilamellar species. LMV have previously been shown to have clear undulated or banded fracture-faces in the P β′ phase, while octylglucoside vesicles are shown here to have facetted fracture-faces. Giant, unilamellar vesicles displayed a faint banded morphology similar to but less distinct than that of the LMV P β ′ phase. These results have demonstrated that bilayer apposition is not required to support the banded fracture-face morphology characteristic of the P β ′ phase but that a limiting curvature is necessary.
Commentary on Factorial Versus Typological Models: Complementary Evidence in the Model Selection Process

The notion that there is often no clear distinction between factorial and typological models (von Davier, Naemi, & Roberts, this issue) is sound. As the authors state, theory often indicates a pref...
Adaptation-level and theory of signal detection: an examination and integration of two judgment models for voluntary stimulus generalization.

Abstract An examination of two judgement models, adaptation-level (AL) theory and the theory of signal detection (TSD), was made in terms of their ability to handle data from several voluntary generalization studies. Both models were found to be somewhat inadequate, though in different ways. AL theory was found to be unable to predict amount or slope of the generalization gradient, while TSD was seen to be unable to account for shifts in judgment due to context and frequency effects. A combined AL-TSD model was presented which combines the advantages of each model and offers a good account of both choice and latency data in voluntary generalization
Analysis of combined cooling, heating, and power systems operating following the electric load and following the thermal load strategies with no electricity export:

Technologies such as cogeneration and trigeneration have great potential for energy and emission reduction because these technologies make better use of fuels by recovering waste heat to satisfy thermal loads. Operation of a system that involves several types of equipment operating as one unit, that at the same time interact with the building to meet its energy demand, requires an operational strategy that makes the system operate properly. This means the system must be able to respond to the building energy demand while having the best performance within the constraints imposed by the operational strategy. When a cogeneration system (combined heating and power) or trigeneration system (combined cooling, heating, and power) operates at partial load, the operational strategy has particular effect on the performance of the system. Two common operational strategies to operate these systems are following the electric load and following the thermal load. This article presents a methodology that allows selectin...
Measurement of Soluble Nuclide Dissolution Rates from Spent Fuel

Gaining a better understanding of the potential release behavior of water-soluble radionuclides is the focus of new laboratory spent fuel dissolution studies being planned in support of the Yucca Mountain Project. Previous studies have suggested that maximum release rates for actinide nuclides, which account for most of the long-term radioactivity in spent fuel, should be solubility-limited and should not depend on the characteristics or durability of the spent fuel waste form. Maximum actinide concentrations should be sufficiently low to meet the NRC annual release limits. Potential release rates for soluble nuclides such as 99Tc, 135Cs, 14C and 129I, which account for about 1–2% of the activity in spent fuel at 1000 years, are less certain and may depend on processes such as oxidation of the fuel in the repository air environment. Dissolution rates for several soluble nuclides have been measured from spent fuel specimens using static and semi-static methods. However, such tests do not provide a direct measurement of fuel matrix dissolution rates that may ultimately control soluble-nuclide release rates. Flow-through tests are being developed as a potential supplemental method for determining the matrix component of soluble-nuclide dissolution. Advantages and disadvantages of both semi-static and flow-through methods are discussed. Tests with fuel specimens representing a range of potential fuel states that may occur in the repository, including oxidized fuel, are proposed. Preliminary results from flow-through tests with unirradiated UO2 suggesting that matrix dissolution rates are very sensitive to water composition are also presented.
Diffusion tensor MRI in temporal lobe epilepsy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the diffusion characteristics of white matter in patients with focal temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was applied to patients and normal controls. Rotationally invariant mean diffusivity and diffusion anisotropy maps were calculated for all subjects. Comparisons between the two groups were performed for several white matter structures. Mean diffusivity and diffusion anisotropy of each selected structure were tested for correlations with age at onset and duration of epilepsy. Significantly lower diffusion anisotropy, and higher diffusivity in directions perpendicular to the axons, was detected in several white matter structures of the patients when compared to the controls. These structures were not located in the temporal lobes. No significant difference in mean diffusivity was detected between the selected structures from the two groups. Diffusion anisotropy was significantly correlated with age at onset of epilepsy in the posterior corpus callosum. Duration of epilepsy was not significantly correlated with the diffusion indices from any of the selected structures. The results of this study suggest that diffusion anisotropy may reveal abnormalities in patients with focal TLE. In addition, these abnormal changes are not necessarily restricted to the temporal lobes but might extend in other brain regions as well. Furthermore, the age at onset of epilepsy may be an important factor in determining the extent of the effect of epilepsy on white matter.
Demonstration of adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors in cultured sympathetic neurons--their coupling to cAMP but not to the transmitter release process.

Abstract Experiments were carried out on cultured sympathetic neurons of the chick embryo; first, to demonstrate the presence of adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors, and then to see if these receptors are involved in regulation of transmitter release. We show that α 2 -agonists, norepinephrine, epinephrine and clonidine, had no effect on neuronal cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate content. Forskolin enhanced neuronal cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate from a control value of about 20 pmoles/mg protein to 150pmoles/mg protein. In the presence of α 2 -agonists and forskolin the cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate content increased between 340 and 430 pmoles/mg protein. The α 1 -agonist, phenylephrine, had no such effect. The facilitatory effect of α 2 -agonist on forskolin-stimulated cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate production was blocked by the α 2 -antagonist, yohimbine, but not the α 1 -agonist, prazosin. Dopamine did not affect neuronal cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate content, but forskolin-stimulated increase in cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate was further facilitated by dopamine, and this effect was blocked by haloperidol. Activation of neuronal α 2 -receptors by norepinephrine, epinephrine and clonidine did not interfere with electrically induced release of tritium from [ 3 H]-norepinephrine-loaded sympathetic neurons. However, if sympathetic neurons were co-cultured with heart cells, clonidine, norepinephrine and epinephrine markedly inhibited the stimulation-induced release. Yohimbine or phentolamine partially reversed the inhibitory effects of α 2 -agonists. α 2 -Agonists and -antagonists also modified stimulation-induced release of tritium from [ 3 H]norepinephrine-loaded hearts of the chick embryo. We conclude that α 2 and dopamine receptors are located on embryonic sympathetic neurons and are coupled to the adenylate cyclase-cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate system. However, the ability of adrenergic α 2 -receptors to regulate the stimulation-induced release of transmitter is evident only if sympathetic neurons develop together with the target cells, either in vivo or in vitro . These results further support the general conclusion drawn from our previous study that the effector organ exerts a trophic influence on their sympathetic nerve supply.
Esophageal Injuries in Anterior Cervical Surgery

Background: Operative treatment of the cervical spine is commonly performed through an anterior Smith-Robinson approach. Injury to the esophagus during this approach is an uncommon though devastating injury that can be very difficult to diagnose. The discussion of esophageal injuries has been presented in individual case report format, and a thorough review of the literature has yet to be performed. Objective: To describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes for esophageal injuries associated with anterior cervical surgery. Method: A review of the medical literature associated with esophageal perforations and cervical spine surgery was performed using PubMed and the Ovid database from our institution. Results: The incidence of esophageal injuries in the setting of cervical spine surgery remains unknown. Potential risk factors include revision spine surgery, difficult surgical exposures, surgery for spine trauma, and a prior history of esophageal disease or surgery. The diagnosis of esophagea...
Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to pregnenolone 16-α-carbonitrile inducible rat liver cytochrome P-450☆

Hybridomas were prepared from mouse myeloma cells and spleen cells derived from BALBc female mice immunized with purified rat hepatic pregnenolone 16-α-carbonitrile (PCN) induced cytochrome P-450 2a/PCN-E. The monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) thus obtained were screened for binding to the purified P-450 2a/PCN-E by radioimmunoassay. Eleven independent hybrid clones produced MAbs, each of which was of a single mouse immunoglobulin subclass of the IgG1, IgG2a or IgG2b type. Each of the MAbs produced by the eleven individual hybrid clones bound strongly to P-450 2a/PCN-E as assessed by radioimmunoassay and immunoprecipitation of P-450 2a/PCN-E in Ouchterlony double-immunodiffusion plates. Of the eleven MAbs, three also bound strongly to the phenobarbital-inducible rat liver cytochrome P-450 PB-4. Thus, two classes of MAbs were obtained, one class specific for P-450 2a/PCN-E and a second class that bound to both PCN- and phenobarbitalinducible P-450 forms. The reactivities of one MAb from each class toward eight highly purified rat hepatic cytochromes P-450 were examined using solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent analyses. The MAb designated C2 was found to be specific for P-450 2a/PCN-E and did not cross-react with seven other P-450 forms. This MAb was shown to be an effective probe for monitoring, by Western blotting, the induction of microsomal P-450 2a/PCN-E by PCN and phenobarbital. The MAb designated C1 reacted both with P-450 2a/PCN-E and with the two major phenobarbital-inducible P-450 forms, PB-4 and PB-5. None of the MAbs was inhibitory towards P-450 2a/PCN-E-dependent aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, benzphetamine N-demethylase, ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase or ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity, indicating that the epitopes recognized by these MAbs are not directly associated with catalytic activity. The strong reactivities of three of the MAbs with both P-450 2a/PCN-E and P-450s PB-4 and PB-5 indicate that these two structurally quite different cytochrome P-450 families share at least one common epitope. These new MAbs are additions to our library of MAbs to different cytochromes P-450 and should help further our understanding of the relationship of cytochrome P-450 phenotype and multiplicity to inter-individual differences in drug and carcinogen metabolism and sensitivity.
Cognitive correlates of anxious and depressive symptomatology: an examination of the Helplessness/Hopelessness model.

Expectancies about future life events were assessed in anxious and depressed patients to test predictions of the Helplessness/Hopelessness model of anxiety and depression (Alloy, Kelly, Mineka, & Clements, 1990). In addition to expectancies for future events, patients from affective and anxiety treatment clinics completed anxiety and depression symptom ratings and positive and negative affect scales. Findings revealed partial support for the model. Negative outcome and helplessness expectancies were related specifically to depression. Cognitions regarding future positive events were interrelated and associated with symptom measures more strongly than were cognitions regarding negative events. Additionally, positive affect was more strongly related to depression than to anxiety symptom ratings. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
Effect of pravastatin and cholestyramine on triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles and Lp(a) in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia

The effects of treatment, on plasma lipids in patients with Type II hypercholesterolemia, for 8–24 weeks was determined with pravastatin (PR) and cholestyramine (CH) given alone or in combination. The first 8 weeks of treatment included a parallel placebo (P) control, while the subsequent period to 24 weeks compared four groups (40 and 80 mg PR, CH, and PR + CH). There were seven to nine patients per group (average age of 58 years). Cholesterol (C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased with PR and CH. There were inconsistent and nonsignificant effects on triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, B, and Lp(a) were measured, and only Apo-B decreased with drug therapy. Lipoprotein particles characterized by their specific apolipoprotein content were also measured. LpB Cholesterol ester-rich, containing predominantly Apo-B, decreased with PR and CH relative to their respective baselines, but not relative to P. Similarly, triglyceride-rich, LpBc, a complex lipoprotein particle containing apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, B, C, D, and E decreased relative to baseline, but not with respect to P. This study has further defined the effect of PR and CH on lipids and lipoprotein particles in patients with Type II hypercholesterolemia. These effects might be favorable in relation to reduction of risk factors in atherosclerosis. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Calibration of reflected GPS for tropical storm wind speed retrievals

[1] Since 1996 when GPS reflected signals were purposefully acquired, an effort to assess the utility of these signals has been under way. It was early determined that the reflected GPS signal can be related to ocean surface wind dependent slope probability densities. Quantifying that relationship has resulted in considerable data taken at wind speeds below those associated with tropical storms. During the 2005 hurricane season, data were taken in high wind speed conditions that have been used to compare with the U.S. Navy's COAMPS model. The gridded data were used to develop a calibration for high wind speeds which also represents a measurement of apparent ocean surface slopes at L-Band. This paper presents the results of this GPS surface reflection calibration for winds up to 35 meters per second. In addition a simple function is developed that models the mean square slope variation with surface wind speed and includes winds above 35 meters per second. This model is applied to data from Hurricanes Dennis and Isabel to demonstrate the ability of surface reflected GPS signals to yield good retrieval performance for winds at and above tropical storm strength.
Hematoxylin-Eosin Staining of OsO4-Fixed Epon- Embedded Tissue; Prestaining Oxidation by Acidified H2O2

Successful application of hematoxylin-eosin staining to 0.5-1 μ sections of OsO4-fixed Epon-embedded mammalian tissue is made possible by first treating the sections for approximately 1 min at 25-30 C with 10% H2O2 acidified with 0.1 or 0.01 N H2SO4 to pH 3.2. Subsequent steps are: washing; drying; Hams hematoxylin at 50 C, 1-2 min; washing; drying; 0.2–0.3% NH4OH in 70% ethanol, 3-5 sec, drying at 50 C; 5% aqueous eosin for 3 & 45 sec at 25-30 C, washing; drying; clearing in xylene and mounting in resin. The use of acidified H2O2 prevents the staining of Epon and permits the characteristic staining picture to be obtained. Sections were attached to glass slides without adhesive and processed horizontally on a rack. Slides should be well drained and blotted before each drying step, to prevent formation of precipitate on the section.
Pro: Computerized tomographic fine needle aspiration (CT-FNA) is valuable in the management of infected pancreatic necrosis.

PRO: Computerized Tomographic Fine Needle Aspiration (CT-FNA) Is Valuable in the Management of Infected Pancreatic Necrosis
Sustainable and giga-materials from plants and plant byproducts

(2009). Sustainable and giga-materials from plants and plant byproducts. Materials Research Innovations: Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 413-414.
Introduction to the Special Issue on the Chinese FengYun-3 Satellite Instrument Calibration and Applications

The 15 papers in this special issue focus on the Chinese Fengyun (FY)-3 Satellite instrument calibration and applications.
Seismic safety of reinforced concrete members and structures

Based on cyclic load tests of large-scale reinforced concrete elements and assemblages, a probabilistic model of member failure is developed. The model gives the probability of survival at time t as a functional of damage ratio and dissipated energy up to t. After extension to multivariate survival of several members with correlated resistance, the model is used to calculate the safety of reinforced concrete frames subjected to given input motions. Results are in terms of the probability of local failure and of no failure anywhere in the system.
Plasma corticotropin and cortisol responses to ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), arginine vasopressin (AVP), CRH plus AVP, and CRH plus metyrapone in patients with Cushing's disease

The CRH test may sometimes be useful in the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome, because most patients with pituitary ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (Cushing's disease) respond to CRH, but those with other causes of Cushing's syndrome usually do not. However, about 10% of Cushing's disease patients fail to respond to CRH. We wondered if we could eliminate these false negative results either by exploiting the potential additive or synergistic effects of another ACTH secretagogue or by reducing glucocorticoid inhibition of CRH's ACTH-releasing effect. We compared the effect on plasma ACTH and cortisol in 51 patients with Cushing's disease of administering ovine CRH (1 microgram/kg BW, i.v.) alone, arginine vasopressin (AVP; 10 U, i.m.) alone, the combination of CRH and AVP, and CRH after pretreatment with metyrapone (1 g, orally, every 4 h for three doses; CRH + MET). The rates of nonresponse (ACTH increment, < 35%; cortisol increment, < 20%) to AVP and CRH alone were 26% and 8%, respectively; a...
PubChem BioAssay: 2014 update

PubChem's BioAssay database (http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) is a public repository for archiving biological tests of small molecules generated through high-throughput screening experiments, medicinal chemistry studies, chemical biology research and drug discovery programs. In addition, the BioAssay database contains data from high-throughput RNA interference screening aimed at identifying critical genes responsible for a biological process or disease condition. The mission of PubChem is to serve the community by providing free and easy access to all deposited data. To this end, PubChem BioAssay is integrated into the National Center for Biotechnology Information retrieval system, making them searchable by Entrez queries and cross-linked to other biomedical information archived at National Center for Biotechnology Information. Moreover, PubChem BioAssay provides web-based and programmatic tools allowing users to search, access and analyze bioassay test results and metadata. In this work, we provide an update for the PubChem BioAssay resource, such as information content growth, new developments supporting data integration and search, and the recently deployed PubChem Upload to streamline chemical structure and bioassay submissions.
A Detailed Study of the Physical State Conditions in Covariantly Quantized String Theories

Abstract We offer a detailed account of the Goddard-Thorn proof of the no-ghost theorem which incorporates simplifications presented earlier. We extend these methods to obtain a new calculation of the cohomology of the nilpotent operator Q occuring in BRST quantized strings. We further explain why the apparent doubling of transverse states in the cohomology of Q has no physical significance.
Carotid stenosis: medical and surgical aspects

Medical treatment for carotid disease is similar to the treatment of atherosclerosis. Recent data suggest that there is a benefit to an aspirin dipyridamole combination. Carotid endarterectomy has revolutionized the treatment of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis. This approach remains the gold standard for the surgical treatment of carotid artery stenosis, against which emerging modalities such as percutaneous carotid stenting should be compared. Higher-risk asymptomatic patients can safely undergo carotid endarterectomy in high-volume centers for stenosis greater than 80% as defined by ultrasound.
Reducing False Transactional Conflicts with Speculative Sub-Blocking State -- An Empirical Study for ASF Transactional Memory System

Conflict detection and resolution are among the most fundamental issues in transactional memory systems. Hardware transactional memory (HTM) systems such as AMD's Advanced Synchronization Facility (ASF) employ inherent cache coherence protocol messages to perform conflict detection among transactions. Such an implementation has the advantage of design simplicity, nonetheless, it also generates false transactional conflicts due to false sharing within cache lines, unnecessarily reducing the overall performance. In this work, we first investigated the behavior of false transactional conflicts under the AMD's ASF system. It is found that false conflicts showed rather stable pattern within each cache line that subsequently inspired our false transactional conflict reduction technique using our proposed speculative sub-blocking state. By adding an extra speculative state for each cache line's sub-block, we can maintain conflict detection at the granularity of sub-blocks while keeping the original cache coherence protocol intact. The overall design is simple and highly implementable for achieving a high-efficiency HTM system with minimum impact in hardware. We evaluated our proposed technique using PTLsim-ASF and compared it with a baseline ASF HTM system and an ideal system with no false transactional conflict. Our results showed that the proposed lightweight technique can avoid false conflicts effectively and efficiently. With four sub-blocks in a cache line, our technique can eliminate 56.4% false transactional conflicts and 31.3% of all transactional conflicts on average, which approaches the performance of an ideal system.
The dehydration of methanol and ethanol catalyzed by polystyrene sulfonate resins

Abstract Initial rates of the reaction of methanol and of ethanol to give water and the corresponding ether were obtained utilizing a packed-bed flow reactor. The reactions were conducted isothermally at 1 atm total pressure, as vapor-phase reactants contacted catalyst at temperatures from 80 ° to 120 °C. The catalyst was a sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer (Dowex 50). The hydrogen form resin was altered by successively replacing hydrogen exchange ions with lithium ions in one series, and with sodium ions in another series. Reaction rate depression became complete at complete replacement of hydrogen ions. Lithium-containing catalysts were more active than sodium-containing catalysts of the same hydrogen content. A bimolecular rate-determining reaction step is indicated, with hydrogen ions being required for catalyst activity. A structure is proposed for the reaction intermediate.
On the Effects of Roughness Orientation—A Mapping and Double Scale Analysis of Flow Factors

A comprehensive approach for computing the lubricant flow as functions of the roughness orientation is presented. By using a mapping function, a periodic, anisotropic surface is transformed into an isotropic one. The transformed isotropic roughness has only one characteristic wavelength, so that a double scale analysis based on this wavelength of roughness can be developed to calculate the flow factors introduced in the average Reynolds equation. In addition, the Bhushan number instead of the conventional Peklenik number is used to describe the surface property more clearly
Neuromonitor-guided repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective Monitoring during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair has included the use of cerebrospinal fluid drainage and motor and somatosensory evoked potentials. We report our experience with neuromonitoring-guided thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Methods Between November 2008 and January 2010, 105 thoracic aorta repairs were performed; 89% of patients (93/105) underwent repair using cerebrospinal fluid drainage and distal aortic perfusion. In addition, somatosensory and motor evoked potentials were monitored during repair, and active intraoperative maneuvers were undertaken in response to changes in the signals. Intraoperative maneuvers included intercostal artery reimplantation. Results In-hospital mortality for thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair was 5.7% (6/105). Immediate spinal cord injury occurred in 1 patient (1%), and 3 patients (3%) had delayed neurologic deficit. Intercostal arteries were reattached in 85% of possible cases (51/60). Somatosensory evoked potentials achieved adequate readings in 99% of cases (102/103). Loss of somatosensory evoked potential was encountered in 26% of cases (27/102), and return of somatosensory evoked potentials occurred in all cases after intraoperative maneuvers. Motor evoked potentials achieved adequate readings in 96% of cases (99/103). Loss of motor evoked potential was encountered in 50% of cases (50/99), and return of motor evoked potentials occurred in all but 1 case (95%). This patient awoke with an immediate spinal neurologic deficit. Conclusions Neuromonitoring using somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials seems useful during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Alterations in intraoperative conduct resulted in return of neuromonitoring signals. This suggests a benefit in intercostal artery reimplantation via increasing perfusion to the collateral network of the spinal cord. Further studies using neuromonitoring-guided repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms are warranted.
Image processing and control of a programmable spatial light modulator for spatial beam shaping

Programmable spatial shapers using liquid-crystal-based spatial-light-modulators in the National Ignition Facility lasers enable spatial shaping of the beam profile so that power delivered to the target can be maximized while maintaining system longevity. Programmable spatial shapers achieve three objectives: Introduce obscurations shadowing isolated flaws on downstream optical elements that could otherwise be affected by high fluence laser illumination; Spatial shaping to reduce beam peak-to-mean fluence variations to allow the laser to operate at higher powers so that maximum power can be delivered to the target; And finally gradually exposing the optical regions that have never seen laser light because they have always had shadowing from a blocker that is no longer needed. In this paper, we describe the control and image processing algorithms that determine beam shaping and verification of the beam profile. Calibration and transmittance mapping essential elements of controlling the PSS are described along with spatially nonlinear response of the device such as scale and rotation.
A Phosphatase Associated with Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer

To gain insights into the molecular basis for metastasis, we compared the global gene expression profile of metastatic colorectal cancer with that of primary cancers, benign colorectal tumors, and normal colorectal epithelium. Among the genes identified, the PRL-3 protein tyrosine phosphatase gene was of particular interest. It was expressed at high levels in each of 18 cancer metastases studied but at lower levels in nonmetastatic tumors and normal colorectal epithelium. In 3 of 12 metastases examined, multiple copies of the PRL-3 gene were found within a small amplicon located at chromosome 8q24.3. These data suggest that the PRL-3 gene is important for colorectal cancer metastasis and provide a new therapeutic target for these intractable lesions.
Replication of a Problem Behavior Model with American Indian, Hispanic, and Caucasian Youth.

The replicability of a model of family and peer influences on adolescent problem behavior was evaluated with samples of adolescent boys and girls from three ethnic groups: American Indians, Hispanics, and Caucasians. Participants were 1,450 seventh-grade students from 16 communities. The model included links between three aspects of family functioning (family conflict, positive family relations, and inadequate parental monitoring) and adolescents’ association with deviant peers. Those variables were hypothesized predictors of adolescents’ problem behavior (antisocial behavior, poor school performance, and frequency of substance use). The resulting cross-sectional model showed good consistency across the three ethnic groups for both genders, but some subgroup differences emerged in the magnitude of relations between monitoring and adolescents’ associations with deviant peers and between substance use and the problem behavior construct. With those qualifications, the model was applicable to Hispanic and Nat...
The Impact of Changing Financial Work Incentives on the Earnings of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Beneficiaries.

SSDI beneficiaries lose their entire cash benefit if they perform work that is substantial gainful activity (SGA) after using Social Security work incentive programs. The complete loss of benefits might be a work disincentive for beneficiaries. We report results from a pilot project that replaces the complete loss of benefits with a gradual reduction in benefits of $1 for every $2 earned above an earnings disregard level. Beneficiaries who volunteered to participate in the project were randomly assigned to a group receiving the new program or to a control group. The policy led to a 25 percent increase in the percentage of beneficiaries with earnings above the annualized SGA amount, or $11,760 in 2009 dollars. It did not result in a reduction in benefit payments. © 2011 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Input-Output Model Programs

Model programs are used as high-level behavioral specifications typically representing abstract state machines. For modeling reactive systems, one uses input-output model programs, where the action vocabulary is divided between two conceptual players: the input player and the output player. The players share the action vocabulary and make moves that are labeled by actions according to their respective model programs. Conformance between the two model programs means that the output (input) player only makes output (input) moves that are allowed by the input (output) players model program. In a bounded game, the total number of moves is fixed. Here model programs use a background theory $\mathcal{T}$ containing linear arithmetic, sets, and tuples. We formulate the bounded game conformance checking problem, or BGC, as a theorem proving problem modulo $\mathcal{T}$ and analyze its complexity.
Senegalia berlandieri, S. crassifolia, and S. reniformis Hybrids (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) in Central and Northern Mexico

Abstract Principal component analyses (PCA) and principal coordinate analyses (PCoA) suggest that Senegalia berlandieri (Benth.) Britton & Rose hybridizes with S. crassifolia (A. Gray) Britton & Rose, the resulting hybrid being S. × anisophylla (S. Watson) Britton & Rose. This uncommon hybrid is reported from the states of Coahuila, Durango, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. In addition, PCA and PCoA suggest that S. berlandieri hybridizes with S. reniformis (Benth.) Britton & Rose. The resulting hybrid, S. berlandieri × reniformis, also is infrequent, being restricted to the state of Queretaro, Mexico. The morphological features of both probable F1-hybrids are highly variable. The backcrosses to each respective parent were also examined. The hybrid between S. berlandieri and S. reniformis (Senegalia × zamudii Seigler, Ebinger, & Glass) is described.
Optimal Strategies for Efficient Peer-to-Peer File Sharing

We study a model for peer-to-peer file sharing. The goal is to distribute a file from a server to multiple peers. We assume the upload capacity of each peer is the only bottleneck. We examine the finish times of peers under different transmission strategies. Pareto optimality, min-max finish time, and optimal average finish time of the model are studied. We believe the results provide fundamental insights into practical peer-to-peer systems such as BitTorrent.
Secondary reclosure in classic bladder exstrophy: challenges and outcomes.

Objective To analyze the outcomes of failed classic bladder exstrophy (CBE) reclosure with and without pelvic osteotomy. Each failed CBE closure decreases the chance of eventual continence. To minimize secondary failures, most institutions use pelvic osteotomy with reclosure. Reclosure with and without osteotomy can still fail. Methods An institutional database of 1210 exstrophy-epispadias complex patients was reviewed for CBE patients who had 2 prior failed closures with the third closure at the authors' institution. Patient demographics, closure history, diastasis distance, bladder capacity, and outcomes were examined by chi-square tests comparing osteotomy status with first reclosure. Results Of 848 CBE patients, 17 met inclusion criteria: 12 with osteotomy at reclosure (group 1) and 5 without (group 2). Median time between initial closure and reclosure in the 2 groups were 6.5 months (range, 0-42 months) and 3 months (range, 0-59 months), respectively. There was no significant difference in the rate of attaining sufficient bladder capacity for bladder neck reconstruction (BNR; 100 cc) between groups 1 and 2 (42% vs 40%; P = .490). Within group 1, patients receiving proper immobilization with external fixation (n = 5) demonstrated a significantly greater rate of attaining sufficient bladder capacity for BNR compared with patients who did not (80% vs14%; P = .023). There were no differences in the rates of attaining dryness per urethra. Conclusion CBE outcomes worsen with each successive failed closure. Reclosure should be performed with osteotomy and proper immobilization to maximize the chance of sufficient capacity for BNR or augmentation cystoplasty.
Applications of scheduling theory to the optimal intelligence gathering of a military surveillance aircraft

This paper describes efforts to develop a simulation environment for modeling the operations of an airborne surveillance aircraft. The simulated aircraft will monitor seismic and visual sensors to detect disturbances on the ground. In traditional systems, a human operator is responsible for managing all surveillance resources. The simulation environment developed in this project will allow for the evaluation of automated scheduling systems. The system described here uses an on-line optimization algorithm to schedule cameras to targets. To assess the performance of the on-line optimization algorithm, the team developed an off-line formulation of the scheduling problem to estimate an upper-bound for the optimal achievable performance. Varying both the total area defined by the user as areas of interest and those areas' corresponding priority, we assessed the intelligence-gathering capability of the system using a performance ratio. By experimentally comparing the performance ratio between the on-line algorithm's performance and the optimal achievable off-line performance, we conclude that the human operators can detriment the performance of the on-line scheduling algorithm.
Single event transients in scaled CMOS operational amplifiers

Time-domain and a new frequency analysis are used to investigate the effects of SETs in CMOS op amps of different feature sizes. Characterization in the frequency-domain was achieved by using non-linear regression techniques to obtain closed-form expressions of the transients. The full width at half-maximum (FWHM) and peak amplitude of the transient pulses were used for the time-domain analysis. The techniques were used to analyze the propagation of SET in op amps for LETs of 100 and 10 MeV/mg/cm2. It was observed that as the feature size of the op amps decreased, the average product of the peak voltage and FWHM decreased. In addition, as the feature size decreased, the 3-dB frequency of the op amps decreased increased. the abstract; it sets the footnote at the bottom of this column.
3-Thenyl Nitrogen Mustards

As potential anticancer agents, three new 3-thenyl nitrogen mustards have been prepared from the corresponding diethanolamine derivatives. The NMR data for these compounds are reported.
Crossing boundaries: The nexus of time, space, person, and place in narrative

Recent research on narrative has widened the scope of analysis, suggesting the value of reexamining the canonical Labovian view of the structure and function of personal-experience narrative. This article suggests that narra tive is not simply a way of evoking and shaping experience in time. Rather, narrative can evoke and shape cultural "chronotopes" (Bakhtin 1981) or nexuses of time, space, and identity. To illustrate this, I analyze a narrative from an oral history related in 1972 by a young woman whose volunteer work in the mid-1960s led to the rehabilitation of a small African American enclave in a middle-class White suburb. Analysis of clause types, con structed dialogue, existential there, deixis, verb chains, and referring ex pressions shows that the narrative is a blend of genres evoking place as well as personal identity linked to complex coordinates of time and space, and dependent intertextually on other parts of a larger story. (Narrative, oral his tory, chronotope, space, place, identity, genre)*
Stress-driven Melt Segregation and Strain Partitioning in Partially Molten Rocks: Effects of Stress and Strain

The evolution of melt segregation in deforming partially molten olivine-rich rocks has been studied in a series of laboratory experiments. During deformation, melt segregates into networks of anastamosing channels (or ‘bands’) surrounding lenses of melt-depleted material. We quantify the nature of the melt distribution in the samples, including thickness, angle, spacing, volume fraction, and melt fraction of melt-rich bands, to understand the dynamics of melt-network organization. Two series of experiments were designed to isolate the effects of (1) increasing shear strain (at similar stress levels), and (2) varying stress levels (deformed to similar shear strains). Melt-rich bands develop by a shear strain of unity. In samples deformed at varying stress levels, higher stress produces smaller characteristic band spacings. We relate these variations to the compaction length, dc, which varies only as a result of the reduction of matrix viscosity with increasing stress. Simple approaches to scaling from experimental to mantle conditions suggest that stress-driven melt segregation can occur in the asthenosphere; if so, it will significantly affect rheological, transport and seismic properties, with enticing consequences for our understanding of plate^mantle interactions.
“In Affirming Them, He Affirms Himself” Max Weber's Politics of Civil Society

But with the member of a Nonconforming or self-made religious community, how different! The sectary's eigene grosse Erfindungen, as Goethe calls them,—the precious discoveries of himself and his friends for expressing the inexpressible and defining the undefinable in peculiar forms of their own,—cannot but, as he has voluntarily chosen them and is personally responsible for them, fill his whole mind. He is zealous to do battle for them and affirm them; for in affirming them, he affirms himself, and that is what we all like.Matthew Arnold