cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The association between hand disease severity and fatigue in individuals with systemic sclerosis: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND Hand disease severity in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) arises from connective tissue and vascular changes causing functional limitations, pain, and disability. Fatigue is not well-understood in SSc and reported to be highly distressing. It is not known how fatigue relates to these disease changes. The objective of this study was to identify which elements of hand disease severity contribute to fatigue in individuals with SSc. METHODS Five online databases and Google Scholar were searched to identify publications through 2021 presenting data related to hand disease severity and fatigue. RESULTS Five articles met the inclusion criteria. The samples were 72-91% female, and 35-100% with diffuse SSc. Measures of disease severity included skin thickening (modified Rodnan score), joint involvement (mobility, tenderness, swelling), and digital ulcers. Fatigue was measured by various self-report. Joint involvement was strongly associated with fatigue. Skin thickening weakly associated with fatigue. The perceived interference of digital ulcers in daily activities was related to fatigue. CONCLUSIONS Few studies have examined how fatigue relates to hand disease severity. While joint involvement was associated with fatigue over time and in cross-sectional studies, digital ulcers may be associated with fatigue indirectly. A conceptual model is proposed with implications for future research.Implications for RehabilitationStructural disease changes that manifest in the hands, is often associated with pain, disability, and fatigue in SSc.Fatigue is one of the most distressing symptoms of SSc and reported by 61-90% of individuals with SSc, but is not well characterized.Of measures of hand disease severity, joint involvement (contractures, swollen and tender joints) is most associated with fatigue in individuals with SSc and more so if pain is involved.A better understanding of the physiological features of disease and fatigue could provide insight into development of fatigue management interventions and help rheumatology providers work with patients to manage their fatigue.Rehabilitation assessments and interventions for hand disability need to be considered as important elements in improving all elements of quality of life for individuals with systemic sclerosis.
Pearl: A Fast Deep Learning Driven Compression Framework for UHD Video Delivery

Ultra-high-definition (UHD) videos are enjoying increased popularity in people’s daily usage because of the good visual experience. However, the data size of UHD videos is 416 times larger of HD videos. This will bring many challenges to existing video delivery systems, such as the shortage of network bandwidth resources and longer network transmission latency. Super resolution (SR) algorithms are widely used in video delivery applications to tackle these challenges. However, applying the super resolution model on UHD videos requires much more GPU memory, as compared with HD videos, which brings a significant challenge to existing systems.In this paper, we propose a deep compression framework named Pearl, which utilizes the power of deep learning to compress UHD videos. New channel-based super resolution models are developed to overcome the GPU memory shortage problem. In pearl, instead of applying the traditional RGB-based super resolution model, three separate super resolution models are trained based on the Y, U, and V channels of UHD videos. These super resolution models are used to reconstruct a UHD video from a low-resolution video. With Pearl, super resolution algorithms can be successfully applied to UHD videos. As a result, the data size of UHD videos can be significantly reduced during network transmission. At the same time, the efficiency of video encoding and decoding can also be improved with Pearl. To the best of our knowledge, Pearl is the first deep learning driven compression framework on UHD videos. We evaluate the performance of Pearl with extensive experiments. In all considered scenarios, Pearl can compress up to 95% of video data size during the video transmission and achieve 2.4 times faster, as compared with existing systems1.
I-GCN: A Graph Convolutional Network Accelerator with Runtime Locality Enhancement through Islandization

Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) have drawn tremendous attention in the past three years. Compared with other deep learning modalities, high-performance hardware acceleration of GCNs is as critical but even more challenging. The hurdles arise from the poor data locality and redundant computation due to the large size, high sparsity, and irregular non-zero distribution of real-world graphs. In this paper we propose a novel hardware accelerator for GCN inference, called I-GCN, that significantly improves data locality and reduces unnecessary computation. The mechanism is a new online graph restructuring algorithm we refer to as islandization. The proposed algorithm finds clusters of nodes with strong internal but weak external connections. The islandization process yields two major benefits. First, by processing islands rather than individual nodes, there is better on-chip data reuse and fewer off-chip memory accesses. Second, there is less redundant computation as aggregation for common/shared neighbors in an island can be reused. The parallel search, identification, and leverage of graph islands are all handled purely in hardware at runtime working in an incremental pipeline. This is done without any preprocessing of the graph data or adjustment of the GCN model structure. Experimental results show that I-GCN can significantly reduce off-chip accesses and prune 38% of aggregation operations, leading to performance speedups over CPUs, GPUs, the prior art GCN accelerators of 5549 ×, 403 ×, and 5.7 × on average, respectively.
Geochemical Energy Sources that Support the Subsurface Biosphere

Predictions of bioavailable energy can be made through calculation of geochemical disequilibria. The geochemical model of McCollom and Shock [1997] of mid-ocean ridge black smoker systems was tested against microbiological measurements collected in these environments. This model was modified in this paper to include hydrogen oxidation, as there was evidence that hydrogen-oxidizing microorganisms inhabit black smoker environments. The sharp distinction between high tempearture, anoxic environments and low temperature, oxic environments in the model of McCollom and Shock [1997] disappeared in the new model; both reductive and oxidative metabolic strategies provided energy in low- and high-temperature environments. Future directions for model modification are explored, in light of potential subseafloor biotopes.
A 3.3 V 16 Mb flash memory with advanced write automation

The design of this flash memory is governed by the following considerations. Use of flash memory to store both data and code requires fast write with interruptible erase. Portable systems operate at 3.3 V to optimize battery life, while the desktop remains primarily a 5 V platform. This 16 Mb flash memory on a 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS process operates with either 3.3 or 5 V supply. In the 3.3 V mode, a word line boost circuit is enabled, the input buffer trip points are modified, and the read path circuits are reconfigured for optimum performance. This memory uses the host computer 12 V supply to minimize flash media cost and maximize flash media performance. The device contains an advanced user interface that allows the host to queue up to three commands for execution by the write state machine, designed to allow erase to be interrupted so a program operation can be executed. Two 256B page buffers improve write performance and reduce host overhead. Wafer yields are improved by including redundant row pairs and columns. >
Technology for energy-efficient buildings

ABSTRACT New Western buildings use little energy for heating, even compared to current Chinese usage. Research and progress in energy efficiency are summarized and applications to China pointed out, in particular, insulation, thermal mass, and improved daylighting.
On Uneven Ground

The economic recovery after the Great Recession highlighted a continuous divergence between soaring profits and lagging investment. The policy goals the authors discuss aim to find a better economic balance between short-run and long-run goals by defining long-term performance measures and finding a better balance in the incentives of short-run and long-run-oriented corporate stakeholders.
Hypoxia-dependent proliferation and protease expression in oral carcinoma cell lines

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 1822 Objective: Microenvironmental hypoxia has been implicated in the progression of cancer from neoplasia to invasive cancer. Determination of protein expression patterns of carcinoma cell lines under hypoxic and normoxic conditions may offer new therapeutic targets for treatment of cancer. The objective of the present study was to determine the cell proliferation rates and expression patterns of hypoxia-inducible factor1a (HIF1a), lysosomal proteases cathepsin B (CB), D (CD), and L (CL), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in primary tumor and metastatic cell lines under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Methods: The oral cancer cell lines 1386Tu, 1386Ln, 686Tu and 686Ln derived, from the primary tumors (Tu) or lymph node metastases (Ln) of two different patients (1386 and 686, respectively), were used. Cells were exposed to normoxia or hypoxia (1% O2, 5% CO2 and 94% N2) for 24, 48, or 72 h, and cell proliferation rates were studied using the MTT assays. Protein expression of HIF-1a, CB, CD, CL, MMP2, and MMP9 were investigated with Western Blot analysis. Activities of cathepsins and cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPI) were studied using fluorometric assays; MMP2 and MMP9 were also quantitated by ELISA. Results: Expression levels of HIF-1a, CB and CD under normoxia varied in cell lines, with the 1386Tu cells expressing low and 1386Ln cells expressing higher levels (CB, 3-fold; CD, 2-fold; HIF-1a, 10-fold relative to Tu). Under hypoxia, HIF-1a was upregulated in both cell lines in a time-dependent manner with optimum at 24 hours. Hypoxia for 24h had no apparent effects on the expression of these proteases in all the four cell lines. However, 48h exposure to hypoxia resulted in increased expression, secretion, and activity of CB and CD in all cell lines. Hypoxia reduces the expression of MMP2 in 1386Tu cells by 45% with no significant change in 1386Ln cells; whereas MMP9 is poorly expressed in those cells. CL was observed only at very low levels and appeared not to be responsive to hypoxia. The proliferation rates of all four cell lines under normoxic and hypoxic conditions were not significantly different up to 48 hours, and microscopic examination of cells after hypoxia revealed no apparent changes in their morphology. Conclusions: Exposure of a set of oral carcinoma cells to hypoxia for a period of 48 h results in: i) increased expression of HIF-1a; ii) no significant effect on cell proliferation; iii) reduced expression of MMP2 in a primary tumor cell line with no apparent change in its corresponding metastatic cell line; iv) changes in the secretion and activities of CB, and CD in all cell lines. These observations will help to rationalize the effects of intra-tumor microenvironmental conditions on the malignant phenotypes of oral carcinoma cells. Supported by grants from the NIH/NIDCR and the Philip Morris External Research Program (to W.Z).
Design considerations to reduce gap variation and misalignment effects for inductive power transfer system

An inductive power transfer (IPT) system usually consists of four parts: an AC-DC power factor correction (PFC) converter, a high frequency DC-AC inverter, a compensation network comprising a loosely coupled transformer (LCT) and the resonant capacitors, and a rectification output circuit. Due to the relative large air gap, the magnetic coupling coefficient of the IPT system is poor, different from the closely-coupled IPT systems. As a result, the efficiency of the IPT system is always a main concern for different applications. To ensure high power transfer efficiency, these IPT systems should have high tolerance for different gap variation and horizontal misalignment conditions. In this paper, some design considerations to reduce gap and misalignment effects for the IPT system is proposed. By using finite element analysis (FEA) simulation method, the performance of different transmitter and receiver coil dimensions are compared. In order to validate the performance of the proposed design considerations, a hardware prototype is built and the corresponding experiments are carried out. The experimental results shows that the LCT prototype could maintain coupling coefficient between 0.237∼0.212 within 40 mm horizontal misalignment.
1. Digital Images and Computer Modeling

Abstract This chapter describes how digital images of porous materials can be analyzed to give information about the structure and properties of the material and the various ways 3-D digital-image-based models can be generated to help understand real porous materials.
Magnetic resonance imaging of gel-cast ceramic composites

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are being employed to aid in the development of advanced near-net-shape gel-cast ceramic composites. MRI is a unique nondestructive evaluation tool that provides information on both the chemical and physical properties of materials. In this effort, MRI imaging was performed to monitor the drying of porous green-state alumina - methacrylamide-N.N`-methylene bisacrylamide (MAM-MBAM) polymerized composite specimens. Studies were performed on several specimens as a function of humidity and time. The mass and shrinkage of the specimens were also monitored and correlated with the water content.
Effective free energy for nonlinear dynamics

Nonlinear dissipative systems often become dynamically unstable at critical values of a control parameter h. For h<hc, all normal modes of the linearized theory decay, whereas, when h exceeds hc, linearized modes with wavenumbers near a nonzero critical value qc grow exponentially with time. A nonlinear analysis of the original free energy yields an effective renormalized free energy for the slowly varying envelope function that modulates the plane wave exp(iqc·x). For several cases of interest in connection with superfluid 3 He-A, the sign of the resulting quartic coupling produces catastrophic growth, indicating a failure of the small amplitude perturbation theory.
Resilience in nursing students: An integrative review

Summary Objective The aim of this integrative review was to investigate the state of knowledge on resilience in nursing students. Specifically the authors sought to define and describe the concept, and identify factors that affect and evaluate strategies to promote resilience in nursing students. Design Integrative literature review. Data Sources Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINHAL), Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) and PsychINFO electronic databases were searched for publications between 1990 and 2014. Search terms included resilience, student, nurse, nursing student, hardiness, emotional resilience, research, resili*, and nurse*. Review Methods Whittemore and Knafl's integrative approach was utilized to conduct the methodological review. Each article was assessed with an appraisal tool. Results The search resulted in the inclusion of nine articles. The majority of the literature utilized definitions of resilience from the discipline of psychology. One exception was a definition developed within nursing specific to nursing students. Factors that affect resilience were grouped into three themes: support, time, and empowerment. Strategies to promote resilience in nursing students were found in three of the nine articles, but their methods and findings were disparate. Conclusions This review provides information about the concept of resilience in nursing students. Faculty awareness of the importance of resilience in nursing students can better prepare students for the role of the professional nurse. Support from family, friends and faculty impact a student's resilience. Through closely working with students in advisement, the clinical arena and the classroom faculty can promote resilience.
Directly diode-pumped Yb:KGW kHz regenerative amplifier

Summary form only given. We present what is, to our best knowledge, the first Yb:KY(WO/sub 4/)/sub 2/ (Yb:KYW) regenerative amplifier. The 10-at.% Yb/sup 3+/-doped KY(WO/sub 4/)/sub 2/ crystal is 4-mm long and cut at Brewster angle for the E//b signal beam. The injection pulses originated from a directly diode-pumped Yb:glass saturable-absorber mode-locked oscillator. The mode-locked pulses stretched by a grating stretcher before being injected.
Magnesium in health and disease

Mammalian cells tightly regulate cellular Mg2+ content through a variety of transport and buffering mechanisms under the control of various hormones and cellular second messengers. The effect of these hormones and agents results in dynamic changes in the total content of Mg2+ being transported across the cell membrane and redistributed within cellular compartments. The importance of maintaining proper cellular Mg2+ content optimal for the activity of various cellular enzymes and metabolic cycles is underscored by the evidence that several diseases are characterized by a loss of Mg2+ within specific tissues as a result of defective transport, hormonal stimulation, or metabolic impairment. This chapter will review the key mechanisms regulating cellular Mg2+ homeostasis and their impairments under the most common diseases associated with Mg2+ loss or deficiency.
Can folate intake reduce arsenic toxicity

Arsenic-contaminated groundwater is a global environmental health concern. Inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen, and epidemiologic studies suggest that persons with impaired arsenic metabolism are at increased risk for certain cancers, including skin and bladder carcinoma. Arsenic metabolism involves methylation to monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) by a folate-dependent process. Persons possessing polymorphisms in certain genes involved in folate metabolism excrete a lower proportion of urinary arsenic as DMA, which may influence susceptibility to arsenic toxicity. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial in a population with low plasma folate observed that after 12 weeks of folic acid supplementation, the proportion of total urinary arsenic excreted as DMA increased and blood arsenic concentration decreased, suggesting an improvement in arsenic metabolism. Although no studies have directly shown that high folate intake reduces the risk of arsenic toxicity, these findings provide evidence to support an interaction between folate and arsenic metabolism.
Cognitive structure among the sensory modalities

Three experiments examined the role that serial cognitive structure (SCS) plays in PA learning when S-terms containing SCS were introduced via differing sensory modalities. The DeSoto and Boseley (1962) paradigm was employed in experiments in which color continua for the visual mode, piano notes along a scale for the auditory mode, and grades of sandpaper along a roughness continuum for the tactile mode served as S-terms. Since the SCSs utilized consisted of either four or five units, two R-terms were paired with each unit of the SCS in order to render the learning task reasonably difficult. In all experiments the S s were required to associate two separate R-terms to each unit of the SCSs, thereby making this a “many-into-one” PA model (Pollio, 1968) . The expected serial position curves resulted in all three experiments when average errors were plotted against the sequential units of the SCS within the S-input. Although making S s aware of the SCS in Exp. III reduced errors by about 50%, it had no effect upon the operation of the SCS as evidenced by the serial position curve. The data suggest the operation of certain central, organizing processes as determiners of how and what S learns, irrespective of the sensory modality through which portions of the PA input are channeled.
AWKWARD SILENCES: BEHAVIORAL ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONVERSATIONAL LAPSE

Audio tape-recordings of 30-minute conversations between pairs of strangers (N=90) were scored for the frequency and duration of conversational lapses, interactive silences of three or more seconds occurring at the recognizable completion of a turn-constructional unit. Ten-utterance segments of conversation immediately prior and immediately subsequent to lapses were transcribed from the tapes of 45 of the conversations characterized by multiple lapses. Pre-and post lapse behaviors were coded as (A) (B) discloses, questions, edifies, acknowledges, advises, interprets, confirms, reflects. Also coded were gaps and laughter outbursts. Lag sequential analysis of the pre lapse data indicated that behavior sequences prior to lapses were characterized by a pattern of “minimal response” by one of the participants. Post lapse sequences were characterized by the presence of question-answer adjacency pairs.
Metabolic syndrome and periodontitis in Gullah African Americans with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim To assess associations of metabolic syndrome, and its individual components, with extent of severe periodontitis among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials & Methods We performed a secondary data analysis (N = 283) using a cross-sectional study population of Gullah African Americans with T2DM. Extent of severe periodontitis was assessed as total diseased tooth-sites/person [evaluated as separate outcomes: 6+mm clinical attachment level (CAL), 5+mm periodontal probing depth (PPD)] using negative binomial regression techniques. Primary independent variables assessed in separate models included metabolic syndrome (yes/no), each metabolic syndrome component (low HDL, hypertension, high triglycerides, large waist circumference) and glycemic control (poor/good). Results Multivariable CAL-model results showed a significant association for metabolic syndrome status with extent of severe periodontitis (RR = 2.77, p = 0.03). The separate multivariable CAL-model including each metabolic syndrome component showed marginally increased rates among those with large waist circumference (RR = 2.33, p = 0.09) and those with HbA1c ≥ 7% (RR = 1.73, p = 0.06). Multivariable PPD-models showed marginally increased rates among those with metabolic syndrome (RR = 2.18, p = 0.06). Conclusion Metabolic syndrome is associated with the extent of severe periodontitis in this Gullah population with T2DM.
Inhibitory effect of hydroxyzine on antigen-induced histamine release in vivo.

Abstract By use of a modified heat-suction, skin blister technique, we found that oral hydroxyiine, 25 mg four times a day, inhibits antigen-induced ultrastructural changes of mast cells, and in vivo histamine release in the skin of ragweed-sensitive individuals. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration that an orally active antihistamine can inhibit in vivo cutaneous anaphylactic reactions.
Climate Diagnostics from Global Analyses: Conservation of Mass in ECMWF Analyses

Abstract The extent to which mass is conserved in European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analyses archived on pressure surfaces is examined from two perspectives and with two different datasets. The data used come from the WMO archive of 7-level, twice daily initialized analyses and from the WCRP archive of 14-level, four-times daily uninitialized analyses. The first perspective, which considers the equation of continuity in pressure coordinates locally in three dimensions, reveals spurious residuals in the equation of up to 100% of the size of the divergence term, with largest errors of 60% to 100% in the tropics. In this case the horizontal velocity and vertical p-velodty (ω) fields are checked for consistency. Modest improvements occur when 14 versus 7 levels are used. The second perspective considers the vertical integral in which the surface pressure tendency should balance the total mass convergence into a column, and thus does not involve the omega fields. The latter reveals tha...
Urgent problems in the transfer of water resources knowledge

Abstract Results of the Second International Conference on Transfer of Water Resources Knowledge indicated that more attention is needed by research managers to the problem of transfer of results. This affects the organization and financing of projects, the management of scientific information services, international development activities and relationships between scientific and water management institutions. A summary of the conference is provided in this paper.
Computer measures of sleep EEG reliably sort visual stage 2 epochs by NREM period of origin.

Computer measures of sleep EEG were employed to test the hypothesis that waveforms in visually scored epochs of stage 2 differ systematically according to their NREM Period (NREMP) of origin. The subjects were two groups of young adult males. Three waveform measures for each of five frequency bands were applied to 20-sec epochs of visually scored stage 2. The raw data were converted to standard scores, eliminating differences in means and variances, thus highlighting the trends across NREMPs. Discriminant analysis revealed systematic differences in waveform pattern according to whether the visually scored stage 2 epochs originated from NREMPs 1–4. The discriminant functions were validated by successful prediction of NREMP of origin in the second sample. This result provides further evidence that change rather than constancy characterizes the EEG of human sleep. These data also illustrate the limitations of visual sleep stage scoring, which lumps together epochs of EEG which are reliably different. We suggest that the methods employed here will prove fruitful in the investigation of sleep as a function of age and in different clinical conditions.
The synthesis and characterization of [Tc(SPh)2(NNC5H4N)(HNNC5H4N)]2, a paramagnetic dimer with bridging phenylthiolate ligands. The X-ray structure of [Tc(SPh)2(NNC5H4N)(HNNC5H4N)]2

Abstract The reaction of [TeCl3(NNC5H4NH)(HNNC5H4N)] with thiophenol and trialkylamine in methanol gives [Tc(SPh)2(NNC5H4N)(HNNC5H4N)]2 in excellent yields. The neutral, paramagnetic, doubly thiolato-bridged dimer contains a pyridyldiazenido ligand and a bidentate organodiazene ligand on each of the technetium atoms, as well as a terminal and a bridging phenyl-thiolate ligand. The infrared spectrum displays a series of strong absorption in the 1600-1150 cm1 region from the two organohydrazide ligands. The fast atom bombardment (+) mass spectrum displays the protonated parent ion {[Te2(SPh)4(NNC5H4N)2(HNNC5H4N)2]·H}+ of 1061 m/z and the fragment [Te2(SPh)3(NNC5H4N)2(HNNC5H4N)2]+ of 951 m/z. The X-ray structure displays a molecular coordination geometry of distorted octahedral. The TeN bonnd length to the pyridine nitrogen atom of the organodiazene chelate is 2.135(8) A, while the TeN bond to the diazene α-nitrogen atom is 2.016(8) A. The NN bond length of this ligand is 1.285(11) A, indicative of multiple bonding within the chelated ligand. The TeN bond length of the pyridyldiazenido ligand is 1.778(10) A and the NN bond length is 1.237(11) A, again reflecting the multiple bonding throughout the organodiazenido unit. The bond angle for this linkage is 174.2(8)″. Crystal data for TeS2N6C22H19; orthorhombic space group Pbca; unit cell dimensions: a = 15.176(3), b = 16.560(5), c = 19.875(5) A V = 4995(2) A , with D = 1.408 g cm1 to give Z = 8. Structure solution based on 2325 reflections converged at R = 0.0753 for (I · 2σ(I)).
Customized kernel execution on reconfigurable hardware for embedded applications

To conserve space and power as well as to harness high performance in embedded systems, high utilization of the hardware is required. This can be facilitated through dynamic adaptation of the silicon resources in reconfigurable systems in order to realize various customized kernels as execution proceeds. Fortunately, the encountered reconfiguration overheads can be estimated. Therefore, if the scheduling of time-consuming kernels considers also the reconfiguration overheads, an overall performance gain can be obtained. We present our policy, experiments, and performance results of customizing and reconfiguring Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) for embedded kernels. Experiments involving EEMBC (EDN Embedded Microprocessor Benchmarking Consortium) and MiBench embedded benchmark kernels show high performance using our main policy, when considering reconfiguration overheads. Our policy reduces the required reconfigurations by more than 50% as compared to brute-force solutions, and performs within 25% of the ideal execution time while conserving 60% of the FPGA resources. Alternative strategies to reduce the reconfiguration overhead are also presented and evaluated.
Multiattribute Utility Copulas

We introduce the notion of a multiattribute utility copula that expresses any (i) continuous; (ii) bounded multiattribute utility function that is (iii) nondecreasing with each of its arguments, and (iv) strictly increasing with each argument for at least one reference value of the complement attributes, in terms of single-attribute utility assessments. This formulation provides a wealth of new functional forms that can be used to model preferences over utility-dependent attributes and enables sensitivity analyses to some of the widely used functional forms of utility independence. We introduce a class of utility copulas, called Archimedean utility copulas, and discuss the conditions under which it yields the additive and multiplicative forms. We also discuss linear and composite transformations of utility copulas that construct utility functions with partial utility independence. We conclude with the risk aversion functions that are induced by utility copula formulations and work through several examples to illustrate the approach.
A simplified procedure for determining the perforation limits for thin plates.

Thin plate ballistic limit for perforation by cylindrical projectiles, using computational procedures and graphs
Generalized long memory and mean reversion of the real exchange rate

Definitive evidence regarding a rapid mean reversion of the real exchange rate is not present when using standard linear methodology, including unit root tests and fractional integration. To consider the robustness of these results, we use an encompassing model, the Gegenbauer AutoRegressive Moving Average (GARMA) model, which nests as special cases the existing linear methods. The GARMA model accommodates a complete notion of persistence and allows shocks to dissipate slowly in a cyclical manner. We find evidence supporting a weak version of purchasing power parity, where equilibrium errors are long memory with strongly persistent cycles. However, this new form of cyclical mean reversion is likely too slow to be economically meaningful. The inability to find a strong equilibrium attractor process, using a very general encompassing linear methodology provides support for the recent models that allow for a nonlinear attraction process and for shifting real exchange rate equilibria.
Compressible linear and nonlinear resistive MHD calculations in toroidal geometry

Abstract A formalism has been developed and incorporated in the computer code FAR to solve the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations compressibly or incompressibly for either ideal or resistive modes. A linear subset or the full nonlinear set of equations can be solved, in toroidal geometry, with no ordering assumptions. Significant features of the formalism include (1) the addition of compressibility by adding two equations to a basic incompressible set, (2) the ability of the code to converge very rapidly for linear calculations, and (3) the use of a diffusive term in the evaluation of the compressible part of the velocity. This term damps the short-wavelength waves and allows a time step size which is comparable to that needed for incompressible simulations.
The elucidation of the primary structure of the hypothalamic thyroid stimulating hormone releasing factor of ovine origin by means of mass spectrometry

This paper illustrates the role that mass spectrometry played in the first elucidation of the primary structure of a hypothalamic releasing factor. It has been demonstrated that ovine TRF has the structure 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylyl-histidyl-proline amide.
Reversible Phase Transformations in Concentrated Aqueous Block Copolymer Solutions of Poly(methyl acrylate)-b-poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)

We have synthesized and characterized concentrated aqueous block copolymer solutions made with a series of poly(methyl acrylate)-b-poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), PMA/PHD, diblock copolymers with varying dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) content. The concentrated aqueous block copolymer solution consisting of PMA/PHD with high DMAEMA content (75 mol %) exhibits reversible morphological transitions from disordered, interacting spherical micelles to hexagonally packed cylinders to alternating lamellae over a narrow temperature range (30 °C) due to decreased hydrophilicity of DMAEMA units with increasing temperature. Between morphological transformations, the microstructures experience a decrease in characteristic spacing, reminiscent of a lower critical solution temperature-type response. By changing the DMAEMA content within the PHD block, we are able to tune the swelling characteristics of concentrated PMA/PHD solutions, as well as the range of morphologies acces...
First-principle study of the atomic structure and magnetic properties of ultrathin Ni films on Cu(001) substrate

Abstract Atomic structures and magnetic properties of ultrathin Ni films on the Cu(001) substrate are studied by using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method with generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange correlation interactions. Unlike the uniform structure relaxations found in a recent LEED measurement, the NiNi interlayer distances strongly vary in depth with relaxations of −8, 1.1 and −1.7% from the surface to the interface in Ni 4 /Cu(001) compared to that in the bulk Ni (1.76 A). Interestingly, uniform relaxations are found in Cu 2 /Ni 4 /Cu(001), indicating a possible subsurface growth mode in these systems. The spin and orbital magnetic moments of Ni atoms increase at the surface and decrease at the interface.
Adaptive hybrid (prismatic–tetrahedral) grids for incompressible flows

Hybrid grids consisting of prisms and tetrahedra are employed for the solution of the 3-D Navier-Stokes equations of incompressible flow. A pressure correction scheme is employed with a finite volume-finite element spatial discretization. The traditional staggered grid formulation has been substituted with a collocated mesh approach which uses fourth-order artificial dissipation. The hybrid grid is refined adaptively in local regions of appreciable flow variations. The scheme operations are performed on an edge-wise basis which unifies treatment of both types of grid elements. The adaptive method is employed for incompressible flows in both single and multiply-connected domains
Influence of domain disorder on parametric noise in quasi-phase-matched quantum frequency converters

Ideal quantum frequency conversion (QFC) devices enable wavelength translation of a quantum state of light while preserving its essential quantum characteristics, namely photon statistics and coherence. However, the generation of noise photons due to spontaneous scattering of the strong classical pump used in the three-wave mixing process can limit QFC fidelity. We experimentally and theoretically characterize the noise properties of a difference-frequency generation device for QFC and find that fabrication errors in the quasi-phase-matching grating enhance generation of noise photons by parametric fluorescence.
Ramanujan's q-hypergeometric functions in lattice statistics problems

Abstract Mathematical techniques leading to exact q-series type generating functions for several lattice and stacking models are presented. The structure of the generating function singularities is related to universality. These results have been obtained in collaboration with V. Privman and were extensively reviewed in Ref. 3.
Use of 2‐Hydroxy‐1‐naphthoic Acid as a Matrix for Matrix‐assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Low Molecular Weight Porphyrins and Peptides

Use of the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization matrix 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid provides a 2-4-fold enhancement of ion signal for low molecular mass porphyrins over other matrices including α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid, sinapinic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Tetraphenyl-, octaethyl-and tetramethoxyphenylporphyrins give strong signals corresponding to [M + H] + ions and limits of detection between 100 and 500 fmol. Significant fragmentation is observed for the octaethylporphyrins at high laser power and moderate fragmentation is observed for the other classes of porphyrins. The 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid matrix also gives strong signals corresponding to [M + H] + and/or [M + Na] + ions for peptides, including methionine enkephalin, bacitracin, bradykinin, renin substrate and insulin.
Treatment of MOPP‐refractory Hodgkin‐s disease with vinblastine, doxorubicin, bleomycin, CCNU, and dacarbazine

Eighteen patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease, refractory to combination chemotherapy with nitrogen mustard, vincristine, prednisone, and procarbazine (MOPP), were treated with vinblastine, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), bleomycin, CCNU, and dacarbazine (DTIC) (VABCD). Fifteen patients had Stage IV disease and 11 had systemic symptoms. Although hematologic toxicity was considerable, there was no drug related mortality. Eight patients achieved a complete remission (CR), and five are currently in a continuous CR of five, 24, 30, 34, and 36 months duration, respectively. An additional patient had a 30-month CR and relapsed with localized lymphadenopathy and is currently disease-free following involved-field radiotherapy 46 months from initiation of VABCD. This study suggests that long-term disease-free survival and potential cure can be achieved with VABCD in MOPP-refractory Hodgkin's disease.
SR-BII, an isoform of the scavenger receptor BI containing an alternate cytoplasmic tail, mediates lipid transfer between high density lipoprotein and cells.

Abstract The scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI), binds high density lipoprotein (HDL) and mediates selective uptake of cholesteryl ester from HDL and HDL-dependent cholesterol efflux from cells. We recently identified a new mRNA variant that differs from the previously characterized form in that the encoded C-terminal cytoplasmic domain is almost completely different. In the present study, we demonstrate that the mRNAs for mouse SR-BI and SR-BII (previously termed SR-BI.2) are the alternatively spliced products of a single gene. The translation products predicted from human, bovine, mouse, hamster, and rat cDNAs exhibit a high degree of sequence similarity within the SR-BII C-terminal domain (62–67% identity when compared with the human sequence), suggesting that this variant is biologically important. SR-BII protein represents approximately 12% of the total immunodetectable SR-BI/II protein in mouse liver. Subcellular fractionation of transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells showed that SR-BII, like SR-BI, is enriched in caveolae, indicating that the altered cytoplasmic tail does not affect targeting of the receptor. SR-BII mediated both selective cellular uptake of cholesteryl ether from HDL as well as HDL-dependent cholesterol efflux from cells, although with approximately 4-fold lower efficiency than SR-BI. In vivo studies using adenoviral vectors showed that SR-BII was relatively less efficient than SR-BI in reducing plasma HDL cholesterol. These studies show that SR-BII, an HDL receptor isoform containing a distinctly different cytoplasmic tail, mediates selective lipid transfer between HDL and cells, but with a lower efficiency than the previously characterized variant.
A replica molding technique for producing fibrous chitosan scaffolds for cartilage engineering

Cartilage engineering benefits from the fabrication of random fibrous constructs, mimicking the structures found in the extracellular matrix of natural tissue, to support the attachment and proliferation of cells. Here, a novel approach is demonstrated for the production of fibers with controlled dimensions in the micron regime from the naturally derived biopolymer chitosan. The process involves filling an array of microchannels recessed into a mold surface with a solution bearing chitosan, inducing a pH-dependent coagulation, and releasing the structures from the mold into a medium where they assume random orientation. The dimensions and shape of these channels in the master template were defined by a standard photolithographic process followed by anisotropic reactive ion etching of the underlying silicon wafer. Replica castings of this silicon wafer surface in elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) served as the mold for chitosan. The resulting scaffolds were produced with fiber cross-sectional widths of 22 ± 4 µm, 13 ± 3 µm, 4.7 ± 1.6 µm, 1.7 ± 0.6 µm, and 1.1 ± 0.4 µm and were found to consist of 97.8 ± 0.5% medium when hydrated. Study of the nanoscale morphology of the fibers revealed that the effects of liquid surface tension play a significant role in the preservation of this open form and that lyophilization of the product is the preferred long term storage method.
DEVELOPING A TECHNOLOGY FOR THE USE OF OPERANT EXTINCTION IN CLINICAL SETTINGS: AN EXAMINATION OF BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH

Extinction of operant behavior, which involves terminating the reinforcement contingency that maintains a response, is important to the development, generalization, and reduction of behavior in clinical settings. We review basic and applied research findings on variables that influence the direct and indirect effects of extinction and discuss the potential value of a general technology for the use of extinction. We suggest that current research findings are not sufficient for the development of a comprehensive, applied technology of extinction and provide extensive guidelines for further studies on factors that may affect the course of extinction in clinical settings.
Instructional Technology Must Contribute to Productivity.

Those involved in instructional technology in higher education are urged to view instructional technology as a means of improving academic productivity. Instructional technology has been used for over forty years to analyze instructional problems and design solutions that reduce costs and improve learning outcomes. The Pew Program in Course Redesign is the most recent program that has yielded a number of case examples of how contemporary instructional technology has improved academic productivity.
Identification of G-Protein Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 in Paired Helical Filaments and Neurofibrillary Tangles

G-protein coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) constitute a serine/threonine kinase family playing a major role in agonist-induced phosphorylation and desensitization of G-protein coupled receptors. Recently, GRK2 and GRK5 have been demonstrated to phosphorylate alpha-synuclein (Ser129) and other synuclein isoforms. We studied colocalization of GRK2, GRK5, alpha-synuclein, and tau in neurodegenerative disorders characterized by fibrillary tau inclusions and/or alpha-synuclein-enriched Lewy bodies. We found that Lewy bodies were negative for both GRK2 and GRK5 in Lewy body disease (LBD) and LBD mixed with Alzheimer disease (AD + LBD). Instead, GRK2 but not GRK5 colocalized with 40% to 50% of neurofibrillary tangles in AD + LBD and AD brains. In disorders with less prominent alpha-synucleinopathy, neuronal and glial fibrillary tau deposits known to contain distinct subsets of tau isoforms were also positive for GRK2. These deposits included tufted astrocytes and coiled bodies in progressive supranuclear palsy, astrocytic plaques in corticobasal degeneration, and Pick bodies in Pick disease. In addition, paired helical filaments isolated from AD and AD + LBD brains were found to immunogold-label for GRK2, suggesting that GRK2 could be a potential tau kinase associated with fibrillary tau. Our studies indicate that GRK2 is a novel component of neuronal and glial fibrillary tau deposits with no preference in tau isoform binding. GRK2 may play a role in hyperphosphorylation of tau in tauopathies.
Intrapericardial Delivery of l-Arginine Reduces the Increased Severity of Ventricular Arrhythmias During Sympathetic Stimulation in Dogs With Acute Coronary Occlusion Nitric Oxide Modulates Sympathetic Effects on Ventricular Electrophysiological Properties

Background Nitric oxide (NO) modulates autonomic effects on myocardial contractility and sinus and atrioventricular nodal function of the heart. Whether NO influences autonomic actions on ventricular electrophysiological properties and arrhythmogenesis is not known. Methods and Results Four groups consisting of 43 autonomically denervated dogs were studied. To “superfuse” sympathetic nerves innervating the ventricles, test drugs were introduced into the pericardial sac for 30 minutes, and their effects on ventricular effective refractory period (ERP) and arrhythmia development were assessed before and during sympathetic stimulation (SS). In group 1 (n=12), ventricular ERPs showed no significant difference between control and superfusion with l-arginine, a NO precursor (222±20 versus 222±19 ms, P=.485). However, l-arginine significantly reduced SS-induced ERP shortening compared with control (9±7 versus 13±7 ms, P<.001). Simultaneous administration of NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (2 mg/mL) abolished the inhibi...
Turbulence structure in microburst phenomena

The efect on turbulence of a variable mean wind along the flight path of an aircraft is modeled and analyzed. It is found that the effect of a variable head or tail wind alters the magnitude of the length-scale of sensed microburst turbulence, rendering turbulence more random than usually encountered in the upper atmosphere. This, coupled with accompanying aerodynamic lift loss experienced during the headwind-to-tailwind swing, is what collectively creates the hazardous environment for a microburst-encountering aircraft attempting to land during a thunderstorm.
In Search of Improved Fat Transfer Viability: A Quantitative Analysis of the Role of Centrifugation and Harvest Site

Fat grafting is an unpredictable procedure that continues to challenge the field of plastic surgery due to irregular resorption. Applications for this procedure are broad in both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery. Fat grafts are carefully obtained and manipulated to obtain better graft takes and results, yet there is no universal agreement on what constitutes an ideal methodology. The present study examines adipocyte viability from four commonly used donor sites in five subjects. No statistical differences in adipocyte viability were demonstrated among abdominal fat, thigh fat, flank fat, or knee fat donor sites that were immediately removed and untreated (p < 0.225). In addition, no differences were observed in representative tissue samples that were removed and centrifuged (thigh, p = 0.508; knee, p = 0.302; flank, p = 0.088; abdomen, p = 0.533). On the basis of these quantitative data, neither harvest location nor centrifugation demonstrated any advantage in terms of lipocyte viability. Fat tissue transfers from these common sites may be considered equal, and centrifugation does not appear to enhance immediate fat tissue viability before implantation.