cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Number of Users Detection in Multi-Point FSOC Using Unsupervised Machine Learning

Multi-point free-space optical communication (FSOC) has recently received extensive interest as a valuable solution for providing increased capacity in the upcoming communication networks. Diverse optical multiple access control (O-MAC) techniques have proved to successfully support multi-user FSOC. However, to adaptively and automatically select the most fitting O-MAC technique or combination thereof for signal demodulation, the number of transmitting users should be known a priori at the receiver side. In this letter, a technique based on histogram peak detection and unsupervised machine learning (e.g., k-mean, k-medoid, hierarchical, and fuzzy clustering), is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for number of users detection. The proposed methodology relies on amplitude information of received signals. Results show that when multiple users’ signals are received with equal amplitude, under-estimation of user number was observed; hence, a modified approach—a weighted clustering—was employed and experimentally validated. The work reported herein demonstrated the ability of the proposed methodology to simultaneously and accurately detect multiple transmitting users in real time and under severe atmospheric turbulence.
Review of wide-area geophysical urban infrastructure monitoring techniques

Abstract Geophysical techniques have the potential to comprehensively assess the urban landscape, including the human-built environment. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC...
Dreaming of Orientalism in Kenneth Branagh's As You Like It

Kenneth Branagh's As You Like It: A Review Cluster Edited by Matt Kozusko Kenneth Branagh's choice of Meiji-era Japan for Shakespeare's pastoral comedy inspires some visually pleasing imagery and tableaux in his film version of As You Like It, but the mingling of Asian cultures and marginalizing of Asian actors makes the film racially problematic and, ultimately, Eurocentric.
TopiQAL: Topic-aware Question Answering using Scalable Domain-specific Supercomputers

We all have questions. About today's temperature, scores of our favorite baseball team, the Universe, and about vaccine for COVID-19. Life, physical, and natural scientists have been trying to find answers to various topics using scientific methods and experiments, while computer scientists have built language models as a tiny step towards automatically answering all of these questions across domains given a little bit of context. In this paper, we propose an architecture using state-of-the-art Natural Language Processing language models namely Topic Models and Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) that can transparently and automatically retrieve articles of relevance to questions across domains, and fetch answers to topical questions related to COVID-19 current and historical medical research literature. We demonstrate the benefits of using domain-specific supercomputers like Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), residing on cloud-based infrastructure, using which we could achieve significant gains in training and inference times, also with very minimal cost.
Specified dynamics scheme impacts on wave-mean ﬂow dynamics, convection, and tracer transport in CESM2 (WACCM6)

Abstract. Specified dynamics schemes are ubiquitous modeling tools for isolating the role of dynamics and transport on chemical weather and climate. They typically constrain the circulation of a chemistry-climate model to the circulation in a reanalysis product through linear relaxation. However, recent studies suggest that these schemes create a divergence in chemical climate and the meridional circulation between models and do not accurately reproduce trends in the circulation. In this study we perform a systematic assessment of the specified dynamics scheme in the Community Earth System Model version 2, Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model version 6 (CESM2 (WACCM6)), which proactively nudges the circulation toward the reference meteorology. Specified dynamics experiments are performed over a wide range of nudging timescales and reference meteorology frequencies, with the model's circulation nudged to its own free-running output - a clean test of the specified dynamics scheme. Errors in the circulation scale robustly and inversely with meteorology frequency, and have little dependence on nudging timescale. However, the circulation strength and errors in tracers, tracer transport, and convective mass flux scale robustly and inversely with nudging timescale. A 12 to 24 hour nudging timescale at the highest possible reference meteorology frequency minimizes errors in tracers, clouds, and the circulation, even up to the practical limit of one reference meteorology update every timestep. The residual circulation and eddy mixing integrate tracer errors and accumulate them at the end of their characteristic transport pathways, leading to elevated error in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere and in the polar stratosphere. Even in the most ideal case, there are non-negligible errors in tracers introduced by the nudging scheme. Future development of more sophisticated nudging schemes may be necessary for further progress.
PUFFIN: An Efficient DNN Training Accelerator for Direct Feedback Alignment in FeFET

The currently widely used backpropagation (BP) training algorithm requires that all trainable weights in a deep neural network (DNN) be stored in memory and used sequentially in the backward path, which makes training parallelization extremely challenging and also incurs significant memory and computing overheads. Although emerging ReRAM-based computing has demonstrated great potential for DNN acceleration, state-of-the-art designs suffer from >60% energy overhead for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). In this work, we propose PUFFIN, an efficient DNN training accelerator for Direct Feedback Alignment (DFA). PUFFIN leverages DFA to overcome the limitation of long-range data dependency required by BP and executes an L -layer DNN training in parallel in an (L+2)-stage pipeline. We implement PUFFIN using Ferroelectric Field-Effect Transistors (FeFET) due to their high performance and low-power operation. To further improve the power efficiency, we propose a random number generator (RNG) based on the statistical switching in FeFET device and an ultra-low power FeFET-based ADC. Compared to previous ReRAM-based training accelerators, PUFFIN achieves 1.3 × speedup and 2.5× improvement on power efficiency.
The E34 Phage Tailspike Protein: An in vitro characterization, Structure Prediction, Potential Interaction with S. newington LPS and Cytotoxicity Assessment to Animal Cell Line

ABSTRACT The E34 phage is a member of the podoviridae family of phages, (short non-contractile tailed bacteriophages) that uses Salmonella newington as its host. This phage initiates the infection of its host via a specific interaction between its tailspike protein (TSP) and the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of the bacterial. The E34 TSP is structurally similar and functionally equivalent to the P22 phage whose TSP has been well characterized and electron micrographs of both phages appear indistinguishable. The crystal structure of P22 phage TSP in complex with the O-antigen of S. typhimurium has been determined; and the active site of the TSP demonstrated to be the residues Asp392, Asp395 and Glu359 of the receptor binding domain. In another phage called E15, a phylogenetic relative of E34 phage, a short polysaccharide consisting of α repeating units is responsible for the interaction between the E15 phage and Salmonella anatum’s LPS leading to the adsorption of the phage to the bacteria. Studies on E34 phage shows that it interacts with Salmonella newington’s O antigen polysaccharide component of the LPS, this polysaccharide consists of mannosyl-rhamnosyl-galactose repeating units joined together by β-galactosyl linkages. However, no data exist regarding the specific residues of E34 TSP that are responsible for LPS binding and hydrolysis. In this study, the tailspike gene was cloned onto vector pET30a-LIC and expressed as a fusion protein termed the extended E34 TSP (EE34 TSP). We characterized the protein based on resistance to heat, SDS, and proteases; showing that the protein is heat resistant, shows aberrant electrophoretic mobility in the presence of SDS gradient, and actively binds to P22 phage heads to form hybrid phages that cannot infect P22 host. We also demonstrate via in silico study that the E34 TSP binds to and hydrolyses the O-antigen of its host via the ALA250, SER279 and ASP280 residues. Finally, testing E34 phage ability to protect Vero cells from Salmonella infection shows highly encouraging results, implying that E34 phage can be used in therapeutic/preventive medicine.
District Courts Versus the USITC: Considering Exclusionary Relief for F/RAND-Encumbered Standard-Essential Patents

Technological standards allow manufacturers and consumers to rely upon these agreed-upon basic systems to facilitate sales and further invention. However, where these standards involved patented technology, the process of standard-setting raises many concerns at the intersection of antitrust and patent law. As patent holders advocate for their patents to become part of technological standards, how should courts police this activity to prevent patent holdup and other anti-competitive practices? This Note explores the differing approaches to remedies employed by the United States International Trade Commission and the United States District Courts where standard-essential patents are infringed. This Note further proposes that both adjudicative bodies should utilize the public policy prongs of their respective analyses to deny injunctive relief where an entity has previously pledged to license its standard-essential patent and fails to undergo appropriate negotiations prior to bringing a patent infringement suit. I. STANDARD-SETTING ORGANIZATIONS AND STANDARDESSENTIAL PATENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 A. Standard-Setting Organizations and Standard-Essential Patents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 B. The Patent Holdup Concern and F/RAND Commitments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 II. ENFORCING PATENTS IN THE UNITED STATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 A. Equitable and Legal Remedies in District Courts . . . . . . 178 * J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 2014; Managing Editor, Vol. 20, Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review. My sincere gratitude goes to the entire MTTLR Volume 21 editorial staff and especially to KeAndra Barlow, Madison Sharko, Micah Siegel Wallace, and James Herr.
Whatever It Is, Wherever You Are

The cross-hatching technique which allowed our ancestors to exchange certain genetic traits for others, in order to provide their offspring with a way of life at once more variegated and more secure than their own, has just about run out of steam and has left us wondering, once more, what there is about this plush solitude that makes us think we will ever get out, or even want to. The ebony hands of the clock always seem to mark the same hour. Yet it is not an hour that will let us out. That is
Initialization in fractional order systems

This paper proves the requirement of a time-varying initialization for fractional differential equations. This then requires a new definition for the fractional differintegral that includes the initialization and a new form of the Laplace transform of the fractional differintegral. An initialized fractional system theory is developed.
Degradation of Misfolded Secretory and Membrane Proteins and Associated Diseases

Proper folding and targeting of proteins are pivotal for the functioning of cells. Misfolded secretory and membrane proteins are selected for degradation by the proteasome, a multisubunit cytosolic protease. This disposal process termed endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) includes recognition of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), retrotranslocation of substrates from the ER to the cytosol, ubiquitylation of substrates by the ubiquitylation enzymes, targeting of substrates to the proteasome, preprocessing of the substrates for efficient proteasomal degradation and final cleavage of misfolded proteins by the proteasome. Malfunctioning of ERAD components or accumulation of misfolded substrates has been found to cause various human diseases ranging from neurodegenerative disorders to cancers. Understanding the mechanism underlying ERAD provides a critical stepping-stone to design drugs and develop preventative and therapeutic strategies against these diseases. Key Concepts: Misfolded secretory and membrane proteins are degraded by ERAD. Malfunctioning of ERAD components or accumulation of misfolded substrates cause various human diseases. ERAD is composed of multiple steps including substrates recognition, retrotranslocation, ubiquitylation, targeting of substrates to the proteasome and the cleavage of substrates by the proteasome. ERAD substrates are recognised and sorted into different degradation pathways based on the location of the misfolded domain and the topology of the protein. The retrotranslocation of the substrates from the ER to the cytosol is mediated by undefined channel proteins. Retrotranslocated substrates are ubiquitylated by membrane associated E3 enzymes with the help from E1, E2 enzymes. Postubiquitylation processes in ERAD include substrate extraction from the ER membrane, substrate delivery to the proteasome, preprocessing of the substrates and proteasomal degradation. Keywords: ER; ERAD; proteolysis; ubiquitin; proteasome; protein folding; protein trafficking; secretory proteins; membrane proteins; ubiquitylation
The role of photonics in future computing systems and data centers

We discuss innovations in computing and data center systems rising from introduction of photonics. We will cover new computing architectures, control planes, productivity, performance enhancements based on simulation and experimental studies.
Thin Film Ag/YBCO Multistructures for Metal Contact Applications

A technique is presented where Ag is initially sputter deposited on a single crystal ceramic substrate followed by in situ deposition of YBa2Cu3O7δ The resulting microstructure shows Ag islands amidst a c-axis oriented YBCO film, apparently with intimate contact between the YBCO and substrate. This morphology appears ideal for electrical contact to the ­ko} surfaces of the superconductor with current carrying CuO planes in maximum contact with the Ag.
Neurobehavioral Grand Rounds introduction: Does near drowning in ice water prevent anoxic induced brain injury?

Cold water near-drowning is often thought to be neuroprotective in individuals with anoxia of a longer duration than that usually required to produce irreversible neurologic damage. There is a paucity of data in adults with cold water near-drowning that assess neuropsychological outcomes. Information regarding long-term effects of near cold water near-drowning on neuropathology, neuropsychological and neurobehavioral outcomes are uncommon. This paper provides an introduction to two cases of cold water near-drowning reported in this issue of JINS by Sameulson and colleagues and provides background information for interpretation of the findings of these cases in the context of outcomes following anoxia. (JINS, 2008, 14, 656–659.)
Nonlinear source-filter coupling due to the addition of a simplified vocal tract model for excised larynx experiments.

Summary Objectives Traditional excised larynx dissection and setup calls for the removal of all supraglottal structures, eliminating any source-filter interactions that measurably affect the acoustic properties of phonation. We introduce a simplified vocal tract model that can be used in the excised larynx experiments and tested the nonlinear source-filter interactions that are present with the addition of highly coupled, supraglottal structures. Methods Aerodynamic and acoustic data were measured at phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and +25% PTP in 10 excised canine larynges using a modified dissection technique. PTP and phonation threshold flow (PTF) were defined as the pressure and flow at the phonation onset; phonation threshold power (PTW) is the product of these values. Data were recorded for four experimental conditions: PTP without vocal tract; +25% PTP without vocal tract; PTP with vocal tract; and +25% PTP with vocal tract. Differences in PTP, PTF, and PTW were evaluated. For trials conducted at +25% PTP, differences in airflow were evaluated. Results PTP ( P = 0.009) and PTW ( P = 0.002) were significantly reduced with the addition of the novel vocal tract. A reduction in PTF was also present with the vocal tract ( P = 0.021), but airflow was not significantly reduced in +25% PTP trials ( P = 0.196). Conclusion The proposed vocal tract can be used with complete larynges when conducting excised larynx experiments. The effects of nonlinear source-filter interaction were observed during trials with the vocal tract, as evidenced by changes in threshold aerodynamic parameters.
Micromolding of Polymers in Capillaries: Applications in Microfabrication

This paper describes the use of micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC) to produce complex polymeric microstructures supported on different substrates and the applications of these microstructures in microfabrication. Patterned microstructures of several organic polymerspolyurethane, polyacrylate, and epoxywere formed by molding in enclosed, continuous channels formed by conformal contact between a solid support and an elastomeric mold whose surface had been patterned with a relief structure having micrometer-scale dimensions. A liquid prepolymer filled these channels by capillary action and was allowed to cure photochemically or thermally. The mold was then removed. Polymeric microstructures formed on films of Saran Wrap could be folded into different shapes, while these microstructures retained their forms; they could also be stretched uniaxially to generate microstructures having distorted forms. The patterned polymeric microstructures formed on SiO2, glass, and metals (Au, Ag, and Cr) could be used direct...
Adjustment Disorders in Adolescents and Adults

• The face and descriptive validity of the diagnosis of adjustment disorders is examined in a sample of 402 adolescents and adults who received a DSM-II diagnosis of "transient situational disturbance" over a four-year period. The study suggests that the redefinition of the disorder in DSM-II should have substantially better face and descriptive validity. This redefinition recognizes that both the stressors that precipitate the disorder and the disorder itself may often by quite chronic, and that the stressor need not be overwhelming. Among adolescents in this study, 59% of the stressors had been present for a year of more, while among the adults, 36% of the stressors had been present for a year or more. A classification that subtypes ajustment disorders in terms of predominant symptomatology appears to have potential clinical utility. In this study, adolescents tended to have many behavioral symptoms and adults many depressive symptoms.
Spatial temporal wave mixing for space time conversion.

A nonlinear optical processor that is capable of true real-time conversion of spatial-domain images to ultrafast time-domain optical waveforms is presented. The method is based on four-wave mixing between the optical waves of spectrally decomposed ultrashort pulses and spatially Fourier-transformed quasi-monochromatic images. To achieve efficient wave mixing at a femtosecond rate we utilize a cascaded second-order nonlinearity arrangement in a ?-barium borate crystal with type??II phase matching. We use this ultrafast technique to experimentally generate several complex-amplitude temporal waveforms, with efficiency as high as 10%, by virtue of the cascaded nonlinearity arrangement.
Imperative Indications for Conservative Management of Upper Tract Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: We report our experience with patients with imperative indications for endoscopic treatment for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods: Between 1983 and 2004 we identified 37 patients with a solitary kidney, bilateral disease or preoperative creatinine greater than 2.0 mg/dl who underwent endoscopic treatment for localized upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. A retrospective chart review was performed.Results: Of the 37 patients 32 had a solitary kidney, 3 had bilateral disease and 2 had preoperative creatinine greater than 2.0 mg/dl. Median age at diagnosis was 75 years (range 56 to 88). Bladder cytology was positive or atypical in 15 of 31 patients (48%). Tumors were grade 1 to 3 in 2, 13 and 7 patients, respectively, and diagnosed visually in 15. At a median followup of 2.7 years for survivors 23 patients (62%) had a total of 56 upper tract transitional cell carcinoma recurrences. Grade and stage progression occurred in 3 and 3 patients, respectively. Ten of the 23 p...
Lipopolysaccharide binds to and activates A1 adenosine receptors on human pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Previously,it was reported that A1 adenosine receptor antagonists prevent endotoxin-inducedacute lung injury and pulmonary arterial endothelial cell damage. In competition radioligand binding experiments in membranes prepared from human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs), lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa displaced the binding of a selective A adenosine receptor antagonist [125I]-BWA844U (IC 50 values: 195 ng/ml, 290 ng/ml, 602 ng/ml, and 6931 ng/ml, respectively)in a dose-dependent, competitive manner. There was no displacement of this radioligand by enterotoxin (≤ 10 μg/ml), diphosphoryl lipid A (≤ 10μg/ml), and glycolipids, monosialoganglioside(≤ 1μg/ml), lactocerebroside (≤ 100μg/ml), or NBD galactocerebroside (≤ 100 μg/ml). Based on calculated IC values, LPS (E. coli, IC50 111 ng/ml) 50 6 displaced the selective A1 adenosine receptor agonist, [3H]-2-chloro, N -cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) in human PAECs wit...
Studies in Refractive Index. Part IV

In this paper an account is given of an extension of the second method for determining refractive indices of liquids in thin films, previously described in Part I of this series. The apparatus was modified mechanically and optically and an air thermostat built to contain it. The critical angle of reflection from glass to liquid was determined for three normal fatty acids, undecylic, lauric and myristic, in the molten state. The surface layers of the liquid phase were observed to become suddenly birefringent within a narrow range of temperature immediately above the temperature of solidification, thus indicating orientation of the molecules of the molten acid to a depth of at least a wave-length or so of visible light.
The Influence of Lipids on the Energetics of Uptake of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Natural Organic Matter

Although most of the organic carbon in soils and sediments may be composed of humic substances, their interaction with other compounds, especially their sorption interactions, may be significantly affected by the presence of small amounts of the other components of natural organic matter (NOM). In this investigation, the influence of the lipid fraction of NOM on the sorption thermodynamics of fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene to several geosorbent samples was examined before and after extraction of lipids. Batch experiments were performed at the same concentration for all polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (0.025 x their solubility in water) at different temperatures (10, 20, 30, and 40 degrees C), and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated. Removal of the lipids increases the sorption capacity of the samples as well as the exothermicity of the process. The free energy change was negative for all the samples and no significant differences were noticed on lipid removal. The entropy changes were small and positive for the whole geosorbent samples, but even smaller or more negative when the lipids were removed. This indicates that the interaction of PAHs with soils and sediments in the absence of extractable lipids is stronger and the mechanisms involved may be different, changing from a partitioning-like mechanism to specific adsorption. Because of the competition between lipids and PAHs for the same sorption sites, the lipids can be viewed as an "implicit sorbate."
POULTRY PRODUCT QUALITY. 4. levels of Carbonyl Compounds in Fresh, Uncooked Chicken and Turkey Skin

SUMMARY— The complex nature of poultry flavor prevents any single, complete characterization of its source. The contribution of the sulfur compounds to the flavor of the meat has received attention and recently the carbonyl-related off-flavor development in further processed products has become a problem. In order to determine the carbonyl compounds available in row poultry skin, the hexane soluble extract of ground skin was reacted with DNPhydrozine. The derivatives formed were fractionated by column and thin layer chromatography and quantified spectrophotometrically. Male and female chickens and turkeys were raised on standard diets to selected ages to study the influence of age, sex and group of birds on the level and composition of carbonyl compounds. The particular carbonyls investigated were the total carbonyls, the total monocarbonyl fraction and the specific aliphatic monocarbonyl classes. Data showed higher levels of total carbonyl and total monocarbonyl compounds in mole turkeys than in females until both were quite mature. Within the chicken samples, there was no appreciable difference due to either sex or age. The only methyl ketone found in any of the samples was acetone. The male turkeys had an increase in acetone concentration from 20 wk to a max at 24 wk, the same time at which lipid composition was the lowest. During the same time the female turkey maintained a relatively constant methyl ketone level. At 30 wk both sexes exhibited the lower concentration of acetone. Chicken skin data consistently displayed low acetone concentrations similar to that of the female turkeys.
Cognitive impairments associated with early Parkinson's disease.

We administered a battery of cognitive tests to 41 recently diagnosed Parkinson patients and 41 controls to assess the early neuropsychological changes associated with Parkinson9s disease (PD). Parkinson subjects did as well as controls on tasks assessing attention and select language and visuospatial measures. However, PD subjects did significantly worse on embedded figures, facial recognition, proverbs, and verbal and figural memory measures, and made more perseverative responses on a set shifting task. A discriminant function of measures of proverbs, embedded figures, and memory accounted for 22% of the variance between groups. These data suggest that the cognitive changes in early PD are more pervasive than originally described and may reflect the onset of a more widespread pathologic process.
Toxicity and Abuse of Prescribed Stimulants

Concerns about the toxicities of psychomotor stimulants originate primarily from effects seen at high doses, when stimulants are abused. Low dose use in the apathetic medically ill patient has been generally associated with only minimal, short lived side effects, which are detailed herein. Confusion may be worsened in already delirious patients. Anxiety, psychosis, cardiovascular effects, insomnia, and tremor may occur but infrequently require discontinuation. Appetite is normally stimulated in the medically ill. In fact, stimulants are frequently utilized in the medically ill largely because of their minimal toxicity. The history of U.S. stimulant abuse in the twentieth century is briefly discussed. Abuse of prescribed stimulants appears to be infrequent. Over-zealous concern regarding abuse has previously led to unfortunate declines in appropriate utilization of stimulants, e.g., for attention deficit disorder. Guidelines for prescribing stimulants in light of abuse potential are included.
Outcomes after laparoscopic intestinal resection in obese versus non‐obese patients

Background: The degree of benefit derived from laparoscopic bowel resection in obese compared with non-obese patients is poorly understood. Methods: A total of 436 obese patients (body mass index (BMI) at least 30 kg/m2, mean 34·9 kg/m2) who underwent laparoscopic bowel resection during 1992–2008 were identified from a prospective database. An equal number of non-obese patients (mean BMI 24·8 kg/m2) was case-matched by age, sex, year of surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, diagnosis and type of operation. Patients with previous major abdominal surgery were excluded. Postoperative morbidity and recovery were compared between obese and non-obese patients. Results: Mean duration of operation (171·5 versus 157·3 min; P = 0·017), estimated blood loss (EBL; 224·9 versus 164·6 ml; P = 0·001) and conversion rate (13·3 versus 7·1 per cent; P = 0·003) were increased significantly in obese patients. Overall postoperative morbidity was also greater (32·1 versus 25·7 per cent; P = 0·041), particularly wound infection rate (10·6 versus 4·8 per cent; P = 0·002). Among laparoscopically completed operations, obese patients had higher rates of overall morbidity (31·5 versus 24·2 per cent; P = 0·026) and wound infection (10·2 versus 4·4 per cent; P = 0·002). Conversion was associated with increased EBL, intraoperative complications, overall morbidity and length of stay in both groups. The effect of conversion in worsening outcomes was comparable in obese and non-obese patients, except for a greater increase in incision length (11·0 versus 8·0 cm; P = 0·001) and EBL (304·8 versus 89·8 ml; P = 0·001) in obese patients. Conclusion: Laparoscopic bowel resection results in greater morbidity in obese than in non-obese individuals. This difference remains comparable whether the procedure is completed laparoscopically or converted. Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computer architecture in the 1990s

Some of the technology that will drive the advances of the 1990s are explored. A brief tutorial is given to explain the fundamental speed limits of metal interconnections. The advantages and disadvantages of optical interconnections and where they may be used are discussed in some detail. Trends in speeding up performance by increasing data-path width and by increasing the number of operations performed are reviewed, and questions of efficiency are examined. The advent of super reliable machines produced at very low cost by replicating entire processors is examined. >
Reversal learning in the neonatal rhesus monkey.

Twenty-one day old and 31 day old monkeys were presented with a black-versus-white discrimination reversal problem after having completed 20 days of learning on the original problem. Age at the time of reversal was not a significant factor, but reversing to the white stimulus was significantly faster than reversing to the black stimulus. This preference persisted over repeated reversals. The infant monkey shows improvement in repeated reversal learning that is very similar to the behavior of the adult rat.
Atherosclerosis, thrombosis and inflammation: a problem of linkage

Summary Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is in part an inflammatory process, although our traditional definitions of inflammation may need modification. Hallmarks of this ‘new’ inflammation include: (a) a chronic, low-level nature, (b) often an apparent lack of immunological activation, (c) elaboration of cytokines such as IL-6, (d) chronic, often mild, elevations of so-called ‘acute phase reactants’, (e) an intricate relation to smoking history, and (f) a strong relation to fibrinolytic activity. Several ‘acute phase’ markers have been identified as independent CVD risk factors, including fibrinogen, C-Reactive protein (CRP), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and several others. There are many potential mechanisms by which these factors may contribute to the atherothrombotic process, and the prospective nature of some analyses has been used to argue that these factors are in the causal pathway for CVD. However, these results are confounded by subclinical disease, which is both a strong causal factor for CVD and the inflammatory stimulus. Ongoing studies in which cases and controls are matched on extent of subclinical disease, eliminate this confounding. It appears likely that genetic elevations may predispose towards atherothrombosis. In the absence of genetic elevations, if atherothrombosis progresses, inflammation will cause elevations. These elevations, in turn, may accelerate the process. In this sense, elevated acute phase markers are both a cause and a consequence of CVD.
SNS accumulator ring collimator optimization with beam dynamics

Abstract It is required to have an uncontrolled beam loss less than 1 nA/m at 1 GeV energy for hands-on maintenance of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) Accumulator Ring. Collimators will be used for this end. Various beam dynamics questions related with the collimators have been studied. Various factors are optimized with the given ring lattice and error study is done. Numerical simulations also indicate that movable shielding is necessary for a few hot places downstream of the primary collimator. These simulations indicate that with properly designed collimators the uncontrolled beam-loss requirements of the SNS accumulator ring may be achievable.
Official-English and the States: Influences on Declaring English the Official Language in the United States

In this study, I seek to answer the question of why some states choose to declare English the official state language while others do not. Using an event history model, I show that both the proportion of a state's population that is foreign-born and whether the state allows for direct initiatives interact to influence the adoption of language laws. Specifically, states with many immigrants and no initiatives have almost no chance of declaring English the official language while a similar state with direct initiatives is more likely to do so. Implications for ethnic politics, direct democracy, and the future of language policy are discussed.
Arising from the Wetlands: Mechanisms and Chronology of Landscape Aggradation in the Northern Coastal Plain of Belize

Research on human and environmental interactions in the Maya Lowlands has included important case studies of ancient water and soil management, impacts of climatic fluctuations, and diverse agricultural adaptations over millennia. Studies also have shed light on landscape and soil formation, including past periods of soil erosion and aggradation of several parts of these tropical lowlands. This study uses water, soils, radiocarbon, and archaeological data to determine the quantity, timing, and causes of aggradation in Belize's Three Rivers region in a series of sinks from the karst uplands into the coastal plain. Water sources in the uplands have low quantities of dissolved ions including sulfate, but water in the coastal plain has high amounts of dissolved ions and is nearly saturated in sulfate and calcium. Soil and geomorphic findings come from twenty-two excavations that uncovered more than 1,200 m2 of stratigraphy, representing a broader region. These extensive data serve to characterize and date str...
Galleria mellonella nerve cords in vitro: Stage-specific survival and differential responsiveness to β-ecdysone☆

Abstract The survival of ventral nerve cord segments of Galleria mellonella in tissue culture medium, ascertained by histological and biochemical criteria, ability to shorten when transplanted, and responsiveness to β-ecdysone, is correlated with the stage of development of the donor, and with the presence of a connective tissue sheath, the neural lamella, about the segment. After only 18 hr in vitro connectives which have lost the neural lamella during metamorphosis no longer have the capacity to shorten when transplanted or when exposed to β-ecdysone in the culture medium. By contrast, after 7 days in vitro connectives with a neural lamella shorten appreciably when β-ecdysone is added, or when they are exposed to the humoral milieu of a host undergoing metamorphosis. β-Ecdysone stimulates the incorporation of uridine-5- 3 H in segments both with and without the neural lamella, but only in segments which have previously begun their metamorphosis. Since shortening in response to β-ecdysone occurs only in connectives which have already begun to shorten, β-ecdysone appears to accelerate physiological processes underway before it is added to the medium rather than initiate metamorphosis in cultured nerve cords.
Limulus psychophysics: dark adaptation in the ventral eye.

Sudden illumination applied to Limulus produces an unconditioned downward tail movement which is under stimulus control and can be used to measure psychophysical thresholds. The method of constant stimuli was used to measure the behavioral dark-adaptation function mediated by the ventral eye of Limulus. The resulting function has two phases, each of which is rectified when log threshold is made a function of long time in the dark. Under the conditions of the present experiment, the transition between the two phases occurred at 6 min. This psychophysical dark-adaptation function has the same form as an electrophysiologic dark-adaptation function obtained by Fein and DeVoe (using the ventral eye receptor potential as the response). In more complex visual systems such two-phase, dark-adaptation functions would usually be interpreted in terms of screening pigment movements or changes in the neural contributions of different receptor classes, but neither interpretation is appropriate for the ventral eye of Limulus. Language: en
Immobillzation of a bio-catalyst (enzyme) on a ceramic surface treated by the SPCP-CVD method

A novel method using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) surface treating method was studied to introduce organic groups, which can be utilized for enzyme immobilization, onto ceramic surfaces. SPCP-CVD is a kind of CVD reaction using surface corona discharge for activation of the reactive gas. Using this method, a CVD reaction which was fed organo silicic compounds could prepare a silica thin film with remaining aminopropyl groups on the ceramic surface. It was shown that the enzyme was immobilized effectively on this remaining organic group by the glutaraldehyde cross-linkage method.
Long-term intellectual outcome of traumatic brain injury in children: limits to neuroplasticity of the young brain?

Trauma is the most frequent cause of acquired brain injury in young children, but few studies of long-term intellectual outcome have been published. With a high incidence of inflicted injury in young children, long-term outcome data on accidental traumatic brain injury (TBI) in young children is especially sparse. In these 2 reports from the same children's hospital, there are noteworthy differences in the intellectual outcomes. Crowe et al1 followed up 53 children who had sustained TBI (20 mild, 33 moderate to severe) before age 3 years and tested 27 healthy children with similar demographic features for comparison. Two-thirds of the children who had sustained moderate to severe TBI were injured in falls. Socioeconomic level of the family at the time of injury was the strongest predictor of intellectual level at follow-up when the children were 4 to 6 years old. The nonsignificant effect of acute TBI severity and the generally average range of intellectual function are unexpected findings. However, the classification … Address correspondence to Harvey S. Levin, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, 1709 Dryden Rd, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: hlevin{at}bcm.edu
Pulsed amperometric detection of sulfur-containing pesticides in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Abstract Pulsed amperometric detection at a gold electrode is demonstrated for the separation of eight sulphur-containing pesticides on a C-18 reversed-phase column with 50% (v/v) acetonitrile in acetate buffer (pH 5.0) as the mobile phase. Detection was based on a two-step potential waveform with adsorption of the analyte during cathodic polarization and subsequent amperometric detection catalyzed by oxide formation following anodic polarization. The mechanism of the anodic detection involves prior adsorption of the sulfur compounds. Hence, the shape of the calibration curve is strongly influenced by the adsorption isotherm of the analyte and, therefore, deviates from linearity at high concentrations. Detection limits below 100 ng ml−1 in 20-μl samples (e.g., 0.8 ng of dimethoate) were obtained by using preconcentration from a larger sample onto a C-18 fore column prior to injection into the separation column.
US Multicenter Experience With the Wingspan Stent System for the Treatment of Intracranial Atheromatous Disease: Periprocedural Results

To the Editor: We read with great interest the recent article published by Fiorella et al who report a multicenter experience with the use of the Wingspan stent system (Boston Scientific) for the treatment of intracranial atherosclerosis.1 This collaborative effort should be applauded, but we would advocate for closer scrutiny to future registry designs in order to enhance our understanding of treatment modalities being used. A total of 78 patients with 82 lesions were treated with a high technical success rate and a periprocedural complication rate (stroke or death) of 6.1%.1 We would like to bring attention to 3 issues that may help with further study in this area. The first is the patient selection …
Digital particle image thermometry: The method and implementation

A computerized flow visualization technique capable of automatically quantifying the temperature field in a two-dimensional cross section of a flow field is described. The temperature sensors used are fast-response temperature-sensitive micro-encapsulated liquid crystal particles. Illuminating the flow by a thin sheet of white light, the reflected colors from the liquid-crystal particles were captured through a 3-chip video color camera and stored onto a videotape for subsequent data processing. The temperature field was obtained through an automatic color-temperature calibration scheme in HSI rather than RGB space, thus allowing for data processing of approximately one-third the time of RGB processing. The technique is finally applied to the study of a heated vortex-ring and some preliminary results are discussed.
Gift of time: Continuing your pregnancy when your baby's life is expected to be brief.

Amy Kuebelbeck is an author and mother. She is a journalist who previously worked as a reporter and editor for the Associated Press. She is the author of the book Waiting with Gabriel, the story of her journey with her son Gabriel, who was diagnosed prenatally with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and lived only a short time after birth. She writes from personal experience about perinatal hospice and brings together the stories of over 120 mothers and fathers who experienced a baby with a lethal anomaly. Amy writes with Deborah L. Davis, who is a developmental psychologist and an expert in neonatal medical ethics and perinatal bereavement. Her work includes the book Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby. What results from their collaboration is a practical, personal, readable, and encouraging book about how to deal with perinatal loss and stillbirth due to lethal anomalies. The whole concept of perinatal hospice is fleshed out and explained. Most importantly, the book encourages parents to relish the special time they will have with their child.
Iron Induced Oxidative Damage As a Potential Factor in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Cogan Lecture

Iron is a potent generator of oxidative damage whose levels increase with age, potentially exacerbating age-related diseases. Several lines of evidence suggest that iron accumulation may be a factor in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD retinas have more iron within the photoreceptors, RPE, and drusen than do age-matched control retinas. Accelerated AMD-like maculopathy develops in patients with retinal iron overload from the hereditary disease aceruloplasminemia. Mice with retinal iron overload resulting from knockout of cerulo-plasmin and its homologue hephaestin exhibit retinal degeneration with some features of AMD, including subretinal neovascularization, accumulation of RPE lipofuscin and sub-RPE deposits, and RPE/photoreceptor death. Increased understanding of the mechanisms of retinal iron homeostasis may help in the development of therapies to prevent iron overload. For example, herein it is shown that one regulator of systemic iron homeostasis, HFE, is expressed in the RPE. Thus, patients with the common disease hereditary hemochromatosis, which is often caused by an HFE mutation, may have retinal iron overload predisposing to AMD. Preliminary data suggest that iron chelation can reduce RPE iron overload in mice and protect them from degeneration, suggesting that iron-binding drugs may one day prove useful in reducing RPE oxidative stress and decreasing the risk of AMD progression.
The effect of electrical stimulation on the number of mast cells in healing wounds

Many cutaneous disorders are associated with activation or increased numbers of mast cells. Electrical stimulation has been shown to be effective in treating many of these disorders. This study is designed to examine the effect of electrical stimulation on mast cells in acute wounds. Four pathogen-free pigs received 20 wounds, each of which was subjected to biopsy at various times after wounding. Half of the wounds were treated with electrical stimulation and the other half were treated with a sham electrode. The biopsy specimens were fixed in Carnoy's medium and stained with alcian blue and Nuclear Fast Red. Mast cells from both sets of wounds were counted and analyzed. Highly significant reductions in the number of mast cells were seen with electrical stimulation on days 1 and 2 compared with nonstimulated control wounds. Electron microscopy was performed to compare the stimulated and control mast cells for characteristic features in morphology, location, and evidence of degranulation. Electrical stimulation did not appear to induce degranulation. The ability of electrical stimulation to decrease the number of mast cells may be related to a reduction of either proliferation or migration of these cells and may prove to be a valuable therapeutic technique.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Among Women With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

For much of the last century, a major medical interest in ethanol research has been related to the biological effects of ethanol abuse on the brain, liver, and heart. Focused in urban centers where addiction to this agent was a common phenomenon, little consideration of the dose-response relationship at the lower end of the scale was provided. Fortunately, there has been a growing interest in this relation over the past 2 to 3 decades. Epidemiological investigation relying on individual histories of daily intake found that an alcohol intake of 3 to 5 drinks per day was associated with a diminished incidence of myocardial infarction as well as total mortality.1 a The frequent association with some degree of hypertension was apparently of insufficient impact to affect this beneficial outcome. Most data suggested that this advantage was most evident in those older than 50 years, with some sex differences. Subsequently, a long-term study from an oncology center pointed out the increased risk of certain cancers associated with alcohol use, independent of tobacco use.1 b The threshold for an increased appearance of cancer was at the moderate level of 3 to 4 drinks per day in men.1 b In women, the increased risk for breast cancer seemed to have a threshold of 2 drinks per day.2 The term “light drinking” has been used to indicate a level not exceeding 12 to 15 g (1 drink) of ethanol per day. Major contributions to this field have been made by the Physicians Health Study, which originally observed the cardiovascular benefits of the higher threshold in men. More recently, this group has indicated that no further benefit may be achieved above …