cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limited angle C-arm tomosynthesis reconstruction algorithms

In this paper, C-arm tomosynthesis with digital detector was investigated as a novel three dimensional (3D) imaging technique. Digital tomosythses is an imaging technique to provide 3D information of the object by reconstructing slices passing through the object, based on a series of angular projection views with respect to the object. C-arm tomosynthesis provides two dimensional (2D) X-ray projection images with rotation (m20 angular range) of both X-ray source and detector. In this paper, four representative reconstruction algorithms including point by point back projection (BP), filtered back projection (FBP), simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) and maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) were investigated. Dataset of 25 projection views of 3D spherical object that located at center of C-arm imaging space was simulated from 25 angular locations over a total view angle of 40 degrees. With reconstructed images, 3D mesh plot and 2D line profile of normalized pixel intensities on focus reconstruction plane crossing the center of the object were studied with each reconstruction algorithm. Results demonstrated the capability to generate 3D information from limited angle C-arm tomosynthesis. Since C-arm tomosynthesis is relatively compact, portable and can avoid moving patients, it has been investigated for different clinical applications ranging from tumor surgery to interventional radiology. It is very important to evaluate C-arm tomosynthesis for valuable applications.
Cheilitis granulomatosa: Report of six cases and review of the literature

Six cases of cheilitis granulomatosa, a rare inflammatory disorder of unknown origin, are reported. The condition produces nontender, persistent swelling of one or both lips and affects primarily young adults. Histologically, nonnecrotizing granulomatous inflammation is seen. The clinical findings and results of therapy in these six cases are presented. One patient was treated with hydroxychloroquine sulfate (Plaquenil) that stabilized the process. One of our patients had vesicular-appearing lesions. Microscopic examination showed the lesions to be dilated superficial lymphatic channels, a finding that to our knowledge has not been previously described.
Patterns and Correlates of Tic Disorder Diagnoses in Privately and Publicly Insured Youth

Objective This study examined the prevalence and demographic and clinical correlates of children diagnosed with Tourette disorder, chronic motor or vocal tic disorder, and other tic disorders in public and private insurance plans over the course of a 1-year period. Method Claims were reviewed of Medicaid (n = 10,247,827) and privately (n = 16,128,828) insured youth (4-18 years old) focusing on tic disorder diagnoses during a 1-year period. Rates are presented for children with each tic disorder diagnosis overall and stratified by demographic characteristics and co-identified mental disorders. Mental health service use, including medications prescribed, and co-existing psychiatric disorders were also examined. Results In Medicaid-insured children, rates of diagnosis per 1,000 were 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.55) for Tourette disorder, 0.08 (95% CI 0.07-0.08) for chronic motor or vocal tic disorder, and 0.43 (95% CI 0.41-0.44) for other tic disorders. In privately insured children, comparable rates were 0.50 (95% CI 0.49-0.52), 0.10 (95% CI 0.10-0.11), and 0.59 (95% CI 0.58-0.61). In 1 year, children diagnosed with tic disorders also frequently received other psychiatric disorder diagnoses. Compared with privately insured youth, children under Medicaid diagnosed with Tourette disorder had higher rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (50.2% versus 25.9%), other disruptive behavior (20.6% versus 5.6%), and depression (14.6% versus 9.8%) diagnoses and higher rates of antipsychotic medication use (53.6% versus 33.2%). Conclusions Despite similarities in annual rates of tic disorder diagnoses in publicly and privately insured children, important differences exist in patient characteristics and service use of publicly and privately insured youth who are diagnosed with tic disorders.
Histocompatibility Typing in the Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies: A Survey

T HE FIRST association of a human disease (Hodgkin disease) and increased prevalence of a histocompatibility (HLA) antigen was described by Amiel in 1967.’ Since then, a large number of other diseases have been associated with increased or decreased frequencies of various HLA antigens.2-5 A number of different correlations have emerged; some are detectable at the population level, while some are detectable only at the haplotype level within families. The most significant and reproducible associations, however, have been reported in the seronegative group of rheumatic diseases. HLA-B27 has been shown to be a frequent genetic marker for rheumatic disease characterized by axial (spondylitis) types of arthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS),“” Reiter syndrome (RS),“,‘* psoriatic spondylitis (PsS),“~‘~ and spondylitis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)15 are all characterized by significant increases in HLA-B27. Recently, we and others’6-‘9 reported a significantly increased prevalence of HLA-Bw38 in patients with peripheral psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in whom the frequency of HLA-B27 was within normal limits. Because HLA-Bw38 is a recently identified antigen, we concluded that it was useful to evaluate in other conditions characterized by seronegative peripheral arthritis. In this study of the association among HLAB27, Bw38, the DR antigens and seronegative arthritis, we evaluated clinically, radiologically, and by means of HLA typing, a large number of patients with seronegative arthritis. We confirmed the significant association of B27 and spinal involvement in the spondyloarthropathies and the association of Bw38 and DRw4 with psoriatic arthritis. Additionally, Bw38 and DRw4 were not found to be elevated in any other form of arthritis. No abnormal elevation and/or depression of a given HLA antigen was observed in patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Retinoic acid- and bone morphogenetic protein 4-induced apoptosis in P19 embryonal carcinoma cells requires p27.

During development, many cells are specifically eliminated. Therefore, programmed cell death must be understood to fully elucidate embryogenesis. Retinoic acid (RA) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4 induce rapidly dividing P19 embryonal carcinoma cells to undergo apoptosis. RA alone minimally induces apoptosis, while BMP4 alone induces none. RA and BMP4 exposure also elevates the number of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Because many cell cycle proteins control both proliferation and apoptosis, we determined the role of these proteins in inducing apoptosis. Although the mRNA levels of cyclins D1 and D2 are reduced in cells undergoing apoptosis, the protein levels are not. In contrast, RA and BMP4 induce the Cdk inhibitor p27. This protein binds Cdk4 in RA- and BMP4-treated cells and inhibits Cdk4-dependent kinase activity. We used p27 antisense oligonucleotides to rescue the P19 cells from RA and BMP4 apoptosis thus proving that p27 is necessary. The Cdk4 substrate, retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, is also induced in apoptotic cells. Consistent with the decreased kinase activity of the apoptotic cells, this Rb protein is hypophosphorylated and presumably active. These data support the hypothesis that RA and BMP4 together induce the p27 protein leading to Rb activation and ultimately apoptosis.
Use of Low Molecular Weight Polyethylene in Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

The ultraviolet spectra of high-molecular-weight materials were obtained by dispersing them in polyethylene, which had a negligible contribution to the spectrum between 2200 and 4000 A. The spectra of reference compounds as well as asphaltenes and polymers are given. The sample is stirred into melted polyethylene, and a portion of the dispersion is pressed between sheets of metal foil in a heated laboratory press to form a film. A circular plate cut from the film and mounted between two metal rings is inserted into the spectrophotometer to obtain a spectrum.
Vitamin D and asthma-life after VIDA?

The vitamin D hypothesis postulates that lower vitamin D levels are causally associated with increased asthma risk and asthma severity. Multiple epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between circulating vitamin D levels (in the form of 25-hydroxy vitamin D) and asthma severity and control and lung function. However, in the recently published vitamin D and asthma (VIDA) study, vitamin D supplementation failed to show an improvement in asthma control in adults. This article reviews the current epidemiological and trial evidence for vitamin D and asthma and explores some of the possible alternative explanations for previous findings (including “reverse causation” and the importance of studying children and adults). We also address some of the unique challenges of conducting vitamin D trials and potential ways to address them. Finally, I will argue for further clinical trials of vitamin D in asthma, especially in children, using knowledge gained from the VIDA trial.
Heterogeneous map merging using WiFi signals

We propose a map merging algorithm that is capable of merging together heterogeneous maps independently built by different robots. Heterogeneous map merging is a crucially important problem for scenarios where multiple heterogeneous robots collaborate to provide situational awareness in urban search and rescue, patrolling, and explorations tasks, just to name a few. To remedy the lack of uniform representation between heterogeneous map models, we rely on the ubiquitous presence of WiFi signals in today's environments. Our solution consists of three steps. First, the overlap between the heterogeneous maps being merged is determined. Second, metric correspondences between overlapping parts are established. Third, the merging is improved by exploiting the structural properties inherent to graph-based maps. Our proposed system is validated using various occupancy grid and appearance-based maps built in real-world conditions, the results of which confirm its strengths. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first solution to the heterogeneous map merging problem.
The Thrombophilias: Well-Defined Risk Factors with Uncertain Therapeutic Implications

Discovery of the factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations has greatly increased the percentage of patients in whom venous thrombosis can be attributed to hereditary thrombophilia. The first step in the diagnostic approach to all patients with venous thrombosis consists of a careful history and physical examination combined with routine laboratory testing to characterize the severity of the thrombotic condition and determine the presence of any of the acquired causes of hypercoagulability. The second step is to consider screening for the causes of hereditary and acquired thrombophilia in selected subsets of patients. The selection of patients for testing, the choice of tests to perform, and the timing of the testing are important and challenging issues to consider. Routine testing would be warranted if the identification of abnormalities led to an alteration in the type or duration of initial anticoagulant therapy or the use of long-term prophylactic anticoagulation. The available data, however, do not yet indicate that most patients with defined thrombophilic states should be managed any differently than patients without identifiable abnormalities. On the basis of relative prevalences of the various thrombophilias, patients can be classified as "strongly" or "weakly" thrombophilic depending on their thrombotic histories. Management considerations and guidelines are offered for patients who are found to have one or more defined abnormalities, hereditary or otherwise. The future identification of additional laboratory abnormalities predisposing patients to thrombosis, coupled with prospective clinical trials, should enable us to better identify patients at high risk for recurrence who will benefit from prolonged anticoagulant prophylaxis.
Effects of age on ventricular performance during graded supine exercise.

To assess the effects of age on ventricular performance, graded supine exercise tests with equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography were performed in six normal subjects of mean age 37 ± 4 years and in eight normal subjects with a mean age of 59 ± 2 years. At a standard submaximal work load, older subjects had a similar heart rate (older: 126 ± 10, younger: 128 ± 5 bpm) and systolic blood pressure responses (older: 198 ± 24, younger: 202 ± 24 mm Hg). Cardiac output counts increased appropriately in both groups during submaximal exercise. However, when expressed as percent change from resting values, the increases in cardiac output (older: 125 ± 14, younger: 75 ± 10 L/min; p < 0.05) were greater for the older subjects. The percent change in end-diastolic counts (older: 8.4 ± 5, younger: −2.8 ± 4), stroke counts (older: 26 ± 6, younger: 8.6 ± 4), and ejection fraction (older: 18 ± 3, younger: 11 ± 1%) in proceeding from rest to exercise Stage III (600 kg-m/min) was greater for the older subjects. Age-related differences in each of these measurements were significant at p < 0.05. These findings suggest that cardiac output during exercise is maintained by an increased heart rate in younger subjects, and by a combination of increased heart rate and the Frank-Starling mechanism in older individuals. Since the heart rate and mean blood pressure response to exercise were similar in both groups, the use of the Frank-Starling mechanism during exercise in older subjects suggests that age-related differences in ventricular preload are important in modulating the performance of the aging left ventricle.
The role of neuroinflammation in neuropathic pain: mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Neuroinflammation is a proinflammatory cytokine-mediated process that can be provoked by systemic tissue injury but it is most often associated with direct injury to the nervous system. It involves neural-immune interactions that activate immune cells, glial cells and neurons and can lead to the debilitating pain state known as neuropathic pain. It occurs most commonly with injury to peripheral nerves and involves axonal injury with Wallerian degeneration mediated by hematogenous macrophages. Therapy is problematic but new trials with anti-cytokine agents, cytokine receptor antibodies, cytokine-signaling inhibitors, and glial and neuron stabilizers provide hope for future success in treating neuropathic pain.
Interpretations of Cigarette Advertisement Warning Labels by Philadelphia Puerto Ricans

This study examined Philadelphia Puerto Ricans' interpretations of the Surgeon General's warnings that appear on cigarette packaging and in advertisements. In-home family focus groups in which participants were asked to comment on magazine cigarette advertisements showed a great variety of interpretations of the legally mandated warning labels. These findings (a) corroborate and add to research in public health and communications regarding the possibility of wide variations in message interpretations and (b) support the call for public health messages to be carefully tested for effectiveness among different social groups. The article's focus on Puerto Ricans addresses the problem of misleading conclusions that can arise from aggregating all Latino subpopulations into one group. The use of a naturalistic setting to examine interpretations of messages about smoking departs from the experimental methods typically used for such research and provides new evidence that even a seemingly straightforward message can be interpreted in multiple ways. Understanding and addressing differences in message interpretation can guide public health campaigns aimed at reducing health disparities.
Desvenlafaxine succinate monohydrate

The title compound {systematic name: [2-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]dimethylammonium 3-carboxypropanoate monohydrate}, C(16)H(26)NO(2)(+) x C(4)H(5)O(4)(-) x H(2)O, is a succinate salt of O-desmethylvenlafaxine (desvenlafaxine). The present structure is one of four reported polymorphs of this salt, which is a new antidepressant drug. The carboxyl group of the succinate anion adopts a rare anti conformation and is engaged in a very short O-H...O(-) hydrogen-bond contact. Both cations and anions are involved separately in the formation of distinct O-H...O hydrogen-bonded networks. Desvenlafaxine cations and water molecules self-assemble to generate a honeycomb layer, while the succinate anions form a linear tape structure. These hydrogen-bonded networks are interlinked via N-H...O and O-H...O hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen-bonding network is so strong that desolvation and melting occur together at approximately 402 K. Thus, the crystal structure may be used to understand the thermal stability and solubility of the compound at the molecular level.
Application of a Laplace transform pair model for high-energy x-ray spectral reconstruction

A Laplace transform pair model, previously shown to accurately reconstruct x‐ray spectra at diagnostic energies, has been applied to megavoltage energy beams. The inverse Laplace transforms of 2‐, 6‐, and 25‐MV attenuation curves were evaluated to determine the energy spectra of these beams. The 2‐MV data indicate that the model can reliably reconstruct spectra in the low megavoltage range. Experimental limitations in acquiring the 6‐MV transmission data demonstrate the sensitivity of the model to systematic experimental error. The 25‐MV data result in a physically realistic approximation of the present spectrum.
Multichannel Zero-Range Potentials in the Hyperspherical Theory of Three-Body Dynamics

The hyperspherical adiabatic representation is reviewed. Both the advantages and disadvantages of this representation are discussed. Zero-range potentials are introduced as one way to circumvent one of the disadvantages. It is shown that such potentials can be used to model complex multiparticle interactions. An application to magnetic tuning of Feshbach resonances shows how complex processes can be modeled in a fairly simple way.
Time delayed control of classically damped structural systems

The effects of time delays on collocated as well as non-collocated point control of classically damped discrete dynamic systems have been examined. Controllers of PID type nave been considered. Analytical estimates of time delays to maintain/obtain stability for small gains have been given. Several new results dealing with the effect of time delays on collocated and non-collocated control designs are obtained. It is shown that undamped structural systems cannot be stabilized with pure velocity (or integral) feedback without time delays while using a controller that is not collocated with the sensor, when the mass matrix is diagonal. However, with the appropriate choice of time delays, for certain classes of commonly occurring structural systems, stable non-collocated control can be achieved. Analytical results providing the upper bound on the controller's gain necessary for stability have been presented. The theoretical results obtained are illustrated and verified with numerical examples.
Research on High Reliability Communication System Witch Based on Hardware Watchdog

During the operation of transmission line communication system, the software failure is a very important and difficult issues. The event, usually requires a manual reset troubleshooting by climbing the pylons. This article describes the hardware watchdog technology , which can obtain high reliability and effectively reduce the cost of equipment maintenance for communication devices.
Clearance rate of macrophages from the vitreous in rabbits

Macrophages are usually present in epiretinal membranes from eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Information on the kinetics of macrophages in the eye may be of help in identifying their role in this disease. To determine the half-life of macrophages in the vitreous, peritoneal macrophages were labeled by allowing them to phagocytose 141Cerium (gammaemitter) labeled microspheres, and were then injected into the vitreous of the same rabbit from which they were obtained. The animals were sacrificed at various times post-injection and the radioactivity remaining in the vitreous was measured. Using this procedure, the half-life was found to be 4.8 days.
More challenges ahead of DHCR7's role in Hh signaling

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is caused by defects in 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7), a key enzyme in the final step of cholesterol biosynthesis. Cholesterol has been suggested to play roles in Hedgehog (Hh) signaling by either the direct cholesterification of Hh ligands or by regulating
Time-of-flight system for use with the SLAC 1.6 GeV/c spectrometer facility☆

Abstract A time-of-flight system has been built for particle identification with the SLAC 1.6 GeV/ c spectrometer facility. The system makes use of a nanosecond modulation of the SLAC primary electron beam. The flight time of the particle is determined by comparing the phase of the arrival of a pulse from a counter at the counting electronics to an rf waveform extracted from the deflection plates which modulate the accelerated beam. The system is relatively simple and has been used successfully in several experiments at SLAC.
Coping with duplicate bug reports in free/open source software projects

Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) communities often use open bug reporting to allow users to participate by reporting bugs. This practice can lead to more duplicate reports, as users can be less rigorous about researching existing bug reports. This paper examines how FOSS projects deal with duplicate bug reports. We examined 12 FOSS projects: 4 small, 4 medium and 4 large, where size was determined by number of code contributors. First, we found that contrary to what has been reported from studies of individual large projects like Mozilla and Eclipse, duplicate bug reports are a problem for FOSS projects, especially medium-sized, which struggle with a large number of submissions without the resources of large projects. Second, we found that the focus of a project does not affect the number of duplicate bug reports. Our findings indicate a need for additional scaffolding and training for bug reporters.
Mechanistic insight into 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate-8-phosphate synthase and 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase utilizing phosphorylated monosaccharide analogues.

Escherichia coli 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonate 8-phosphate (KDO8-P) synthase is able to utilize the five-carbon phosphorylated monosaccharide, 2-deoxyribose 5-phosphate (2dR5P), as an alternate subs...
Iontophoresis versus subcutaneous injection: a comparison of two methods of local anesthesia delivery in children.

Abstract The relative efficacy of local lidocaine anesthesia administered by subcutaneous injection and by iontophoresis was studied in 13 pediatric renal dialysis patients (ages 11–19 years; mean age 15.8 years). Each patient served as his own control at 3 assessment periods. Each type of anesthetic delivery method was administered to either of 2 fistula sites. Patients used visual analogue scales to rate pain, anxiety, and satisfaction for each method. Behavioral observations were made by an observer and a nurse. Paired sample t tests were used to compare the 2 drug delivery methods for patient, observer, and nurse ratings across assessment periods. There were no significant differences between methods for ratings of anxiety before or during the procedure. The injection of lidocaine was rated as more painful by the observer and nurse (with a trend for patients) than the use of iontophoresis. But, the patients and nurse rated the injection method as more effective. Iontophoresis was never rated as superior to the injection method, even after turning over control of drug delivery by iontophoresis to the patient (sessions 2 and 3). Patients were more satisfied with iontophoresis at session 2 when they took over control, but lost enthusiasm by session 3. Three subjects withdrew from the study due to cutaneous burns and prolonged anesthesia delivery time with iontophoresis. Iontophoresis appears to be effective in reducing the pain of dialysis needle insertion but requires further investigation before it can be considered a viable alternative to subcutaneous injection.
Learning adaptive leg cycles using fitness biasing

This paper discusses the use of fitness biasing to alter the control of a seven-microprocessor robot as it shifts from one environment to another. The robot was initially using a gait evolved to work on a smooth surface (tile). When tested on a rough surface (carpet) the learned gait was found to be inappropriate because the legs were causing drag as they repositioned. An efficient move to reposition on the smooth surface did not work on the rough surface. Anytime learning with fitness biasing was applied to the continued evolution of the individual leg cycles as the simulated robot moved from an area of smooth to rough terrain. An actual robot was used to test the results. Following training using fitness biasing, the robot's gait was more appropriate for a rough surface as it learned to raise its leg more before initiating the return movement.
Unstaged cancer in the United States: a population-based study

The current study examines unstaged disease for 18 cancer sites in the United States according to the influence of age, sex, race, marital status, incidence, and lethality. Analyses are based on 1,040,381 male and 1,011,355 female incident cancer cases diagnosed during 2000 through 2007. Data were collected by population-based cancer registries in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. The level of unstaged disease was greater in more lethal cancers (e.g., liver, esophagus, and pancreas) compared with less deadly cancers (i.e., colon, urinary bladder, and female breast). Unstaged disease increased with age and is greater among non-married patients. Blacks compared with whites experienced significantly higher levels of unstaged cancers of the stomach, rectum, colon, skin (melanoma), urinary bladder, thyroid, breast, corpus, cervix, and ovaries, but lower levels of unstaged liver, lung and bronchial cancers. Males compared with females experienced significantly lower levels of unstaged cancers of the liver, pancreas, esophagus, and stomach, but significantly higher levels of unstaged lung and bronchial cancer and thyroid cancer. The percent of unstaged cancer significantly decreased over the study period for 15 of the 18 cancer sites. Tumor staging directly affects treatment options and survival, so it is recommended that further research focus on why a decrease in unstaged disease did not occur for all of the cancer sites considered from 2000 to 2007, and why there are differential levels of staging between whites and blacks, males and females for several of the cancer sites.
Further Evidence of an Association Between Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Cigarette Smoking

The authors investigated the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cigarette smoking in siblings of ADHD and non-ADHD probands. They conducted a 4-year follow-up of siblings from ADHD and control-group families. In the siblings of ADHD probands, ADHD was associated with higher rates and earlier onset of cigarette smoking. There was also a significant positive association between cigarette smoking and conduct disorder, major depression, and drug abuse in the siblings, even after adjusting for confounding variables. Moreover, smoking was found to be familial among ADHD families but not control-group families. Our findings indicate that ADHD is a risk factor for early initiation of cigarette smoking in the high-risk siblings of ADHD probands.
Modern theory and applications of photocathodes

A theory of photoemission is presented which has proven over the last thirty years to provide a very useful description of this process, both for fundamental and practical applications. This is the Three Step Model of Spicer. By treating photoemission in terms of three successive steps-- optical absorption, electrons transport, and escape across the surface, it allows photoemission to be related to parameters of the emitter, such as optical absorption coefficient, electron scattering mechanisms, and the height of the potential barrier at the surface. Using simple equations and established parameters, this theory is very useful in predicting the performance of cathodes and in understanding in detail the unexpected phenomena appearing when photocathodes are pushed into new practical domains.
Adaptation of torsional eye alignment in relation to smooth pursuit and saccades

The long-term fusion of vertical or horizontal disparities by vergence eye movements is known to evoke persistent changes in vertical and horizontal eye alignment. Adaptive changes in response to torsional disparities have not been well studied. Torsional eye position was measured binocularly with a video system before and after 90 min training periods in which subjects attempted to fuse cyclodisparities. Subjects trained with either a single cyclodisparity presented at a single vertical eye position or with cyclodisparities that varied smoothly from an incyclodisparity to an excyclodisparity as a function of either vertical or horizontal eye position. All five subjects showed persistent changes in binocular torsional eye alignment following both types of training. Incyclodisparities were more easily fused during training and the training aftereffect was greater in that direction. The training aftereffect was observed in relation to both saccades and smooth pursuit under both open-loop and closed-loop viewing conditions. During saccades, the dynamics of the cyclovergence training aftereffect more closely resembled the dynamics of cyclofusional movements than the dynamics of the saccades with which they were associated.
The Paradoxes of Race, Class, Identity, and “Passing”: Enforcing the Chinese Exclusion Acts, 1882-1910

In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, barring the entry into the United States of all Chinese laborers. This article explores the dilemmas and contradictions associated with the enforcement of this legislation, focusing on the early years during which the most glaring dilemmas were exposed. Drawing from congressional documents, as well as unpublished letters, memoranda, and circulars of immigration officials, I argue that the difficulties encountered by enforcement personnel, and the sometimes chaotic and inconsistent nature of enforcement, were related to paradoxes associated with prevailing assumptions about the nature of race, class, and identity more generally. I then document how these same paradoxes, and the techniques employed by inspectors to deal with them, ironically facilitated aspiring immigrants’resistance to the full force of the law. This case study, with its emphasis on the contradictions implicit in the law and the dialectical quality of enforcement and resistance, may contribute to OUR understanding of the law's fundamental indeterminacy. Finally, I suggest that the focus on the everyday dilemmas faced by frontline officials may tell us more about the ordinary life of the law and its indeterminacy than the heavily scrutinized landmark cases that constitute much of the literature.
Ultra-stable Hg/sup +/ trapped ion frequency standard

The authors report the development of a fieldable frequency standard based on /sup 199/Hg/sup +/ ions confined in a hybrid RF/DC linear ion trap. This trap permits storage of large numbers of ions with reduced susceptibility to the second-order Doppler effect caused by the RF confining fields. A 160-mHz-wide atomic resonance line for the 40.5-GHz clock transition is used to steer the output of a 5-MHz crystal oscillator to obtain a stability of 2*10/sup -15/ for 24000 second averaging times. For long averaging intervals measurements are limited by instabilities in available hydrogen maser frequency standards. >
SLAN-4-A software specification and design language

SLAN-4 ("Software Language-4") was developed to meet the need for a formal tool for specifying and designing large software systems. It provides language constructs for algebraic and axiomatic specifications and also pseudocode constructs for the design step. A major design goal was to ease subsequent refinements of a (given) specification. The design can start with a very informal specification, which can be implemented later using lower level concepts. This paper gives an overview of the SLAN-4 syntax and semantics. It concentrates on the most important aspects of: abstract data types, algebraic specification of abstract data types, and axiomatic specification of modules. Because the pseudocode part of SLAN-4 consists mainly of control structures similar to those in modern high-level programming languages, this element of the language is not separately described. The paper includes an example of how to use SLAN-4, and also the experiences gained in using the language to formally specify a real-world software product of about 18 000 lines of code written in an IBM internal high-level language.
Consolidation of hepatic arterial inflow by embolization of variant hepatic arteries in preparation for yttrium-90 radioembolization.

Abstract Purpose Before yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) radioembolization administration, the authors consolidated arterial inflow by embolizing variant hepatic arteries (HAs) to make microsphere delivery simpler and safer. The present study reviews the technical and clinical success of these consolidation procedures. Materials and Methods Preparatory and treatment angiograms were retrospectively analyzed for 201 patients. Variant HAs were coil-embolized during preparatory angiography to simplify arterial anatomy. Collateral arterial perfusion of territories previously supplied by variant HAs was evaluated by digital subtraction angiography (DSA), C-arm computed tomography (CT), and technetium-99m ( 99m Tc)–macroaggregated albumin (MAA) scintigraphy, and by follow-up evaluation of regional tumor response. Results A total of 47 variant HAs were embolized in 43 patients. After embolization of variant HAs, cross-perfusion into the embolized territory was depicted by DSA and by C-arm CT in 100% of patients and by 99m Tc-MAA scintigraphy in 92.7%. Uniform progressive disease prevented evaluation in 33% of patients, but regional tumor response in patients who responded supported successful delivery of microspheres to the embolized territories in 95.5% of evaluable patients. Conclusions Embolization of variant HAs for consolidation of hepatic supply in preparation for 90 Y radioembolization promotes treatment of affected territories via intrahepatic collateral channels.
Angular Selective Light Filter Based on Photonic Crystals for Photovoltaic Applications

In this paper, we present a new angular selective filter design that is based on photonic bandgap engineering principles. The operation of the filter is based on the occurrence of angular-dependent photonic stopbands and passbands in a photonic crystal structure. Such a filter allows for the propagation of normally incident light while disallowing the propagation of obliquely incident light waves. When the filter is applied to a solar cell structure that consists of a diffraction grating structure on the back surface, a high-efficiency light trap can be formed. Hence, the light-trapping capacity of the new structure is dependent on the photonic band structure of the light filter rather than on refractive optical properties of the active photovoltaic material. This paper presents a model of such a structure and investigates the possibilities afforded by the new structure.
Complexity and integration in sexual ornamentation: an example with carotenoid and melanin plumage pigmentation

Sexual ornaments often consist of several components produced by distinct developmental processes. The complexity of sexual ornaments might be favoured by mate choice of individual components in different environments which ultimately results in weak interrelationships (integration) among the developmental processes that produce these components. At the same time, sexual selection for greater exaggeration of individual components favours their stronger co-dependence on organismal resources. This should ultimately produce stronger condition-mediated integration among ornaments' components in individuals with the most exaggerated ornamentation. Here we distinguish between these two sources of integration by examining the relationship between integration and elaboration of sexual ornamentation in three bird species: two with carotenoid-based sexual ornamentation (the house finch, Carpodacus mexicanus and common redpoll, Carduelis flammea) and a species with melanin-based sexual ornamentation (house sparrow, Passer domesticus). We found that integration of components varied with elaboration of carotenoid-based ornamentation but not of melanin ornamentation. In the house finches, integration was the highest in individuals with small ornaments and decreased with ornament elaboration whereas the pattern was the opposite in common redpolls. These results suggest that in these species integration and complexity of carotenoid-based ornamental components are due to shared condition-dependence of distinct developmental pathways, whereas integration and complexity of the melanin ornamentation is due to organismal integration of developmental pathways and is largely condition- and environment-invariant. Thus, functionally, ornamentation of the house sparrows can be considered a single trait, whereas complexity of the house finch and redpoll ornamentation varies with ornament elaboration and individual condition.
Chemical Aspects of the Fluorescence Analysis of Chromosomes

In the previous paper Dr. Caspersson has described a collaborative project between our two institutions that has produced some very useful information on identification and study of chromosomes by fluorescence analysis. About ten years ago, when he had developed the necessary microfluorometric instrumentation, Dr. Caspersson conceived that it might be possible to label different regions of metaphase chromosomes with specific DNA-binding agents that are fluorescent. This research program has achieved far-reaching success (Caspersson et al., 1968; 1969a; 1969b; 1970a; 1972): our chromosome fluorescence banding method is now the primary international identification standard for human metaphase chromosomes (Paris Conference, 1971); is in use for the detailed analysis of chromosomes and chromosome structure; and has led to the development of nonfluorescent banding techniques for human chromosomes, including the use of Giemsa stain and trypsin (Sumner et al. 1971; Patil et al. 1971; Schnedl 1971; Drets and Shaw 1971; Lomholt and Mohr 1971; Dutrillaux and Lejeune 1971; Wang and Fedoroff 1972; Seabright 1971).
But That’s Just Good Teaching! : The Case for Culturally Relevant Pedagogy

(1995). But that's just good teaching! The case for culturally relevant pedagogy. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 34, Culturally Relevant Teaching, pp. 159-165.
Recent Results About the Largest Eigenvalue of Random Covariance Matrices and Statistical Application

Sample covariance matrices are a fundamental tool of multivariate statistics. After data collection, we get an n×p data matrix X. We will call n the number of observations and p the number of predictors. The rows of X are assumed to be realizations of a random variable whose covariance structure is Σ p. For practical applications, one often wishes to estimate Σp in order to understand the dependence structure of the predictors, do various tests etc. Here the sample covariance matrix XX/n plays a key role. (Of course, in practice, it is often computed as (X− X)∗(X− X)/(n−1), where X stands for the column-wise mean of the matrix X, but for the sake of this note we will assume that the entries are centered.) One most important statistical application in which eigenvalues of the covariance matrix play a key role is Principal Component Analysis (PCA). It is a linear dimensionality reduction procedure, which can also be thought of as a model selection technique. The idea is as follows. We are interested in recovering as much of the total variance in the data as possible while reducing the dimensionality of the problem from p to k. In other words, we
Power grid physics and implications for CAD

Much research has been done lately concerning analysis and optimization techniques for on-chip power grid networks. However, all of these approaches assume a particular model or behavior of the power delivery. In this paper, we describe the first detailed full-die dynamic model of an industrial microprocessor design, including package and non-uniform decap distribution. This model is justified from the ground up using a full-wave model and then increasingly larger but less detailed models with only the irrelevant elements removed. Using these models we show that there is little impact of on-die inductance in such a design, and that the package is critical to understanding resonant properties of the grid. We also show that transient effects are sensitive to non-uniform decap distribution and that locality is a tight function of frequency and of the package-die resonance, producing newly explained localized resonant effects. Specifically, all of these points have impact on what kind of analysis and optimization are required from CAD.
Gender Differences in Salary Expectations when Current Salary Information is Provided

It was hypothesized that current gender differences in salary expectations arise from women's lack of accurate salary information. Current salary information was provided for a sample of upcoming university graduates. Contrary to expectations, large gender differences in salary expectations continued in spite of subjects' knowledge of current salary data. Alternative explanations are discussed.
A trust model for grid resource selection

Grid computing system is the one where individual entities share their resources with others in their own domain as well as with other domain. The resources should be shared with out loosing individual's confidentiality and control over their resources. The resources must be selected in such a way to achieve this and at the same time grid security also must be ensured. Various models have been proposed and one of them is the trust model. Reputation based trust models are coming up to address the problems in behavior conformity. The reputation values in these models are evaluated in a democratic manner based upon the feedback from other entities. This paper investigates different reputation based trust models in the presence of malicious entities which give deliberately wrong feedbacks. We propose an efficient model for resource selection which enhances the behavioral conformity in the presence of malicious entities.
An Optimization Framework for Dynamic Hybrid Energy Systems

A computational framework for the efficient analysis and optimization of dynamic hybrid energy systems (HES) is developed. A microgrid energy system with multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) is modeled using the Modelica language in the Dymola environment. The optimization loop is implemented in MATLAB, with the FMI Toolbox serving as the interface between the computational platforms. Two characteristic optimization problems are selected to demonstrate the methodology and gain insight into the system performance. The first is an unconstrained optimization problem that optimizes intrinsic properties of the base generation, power cycle, and electrical storage components to minimize variability in the HES. The second problem takes operating and capital costs into consideration by imposing linear and nonlinear constraints on the design variables. Variability in electrical power applied to high temperature steam electrolysis is shown to be reduced by 18% in the unconstrained case and 11% in the constrained case. The preliminary optimization results obtained in this study provide an essential step towards the development of a comprehensive framework for designing HES.
Differential biophysical properties of infectious intracellular and secreted hepatitis C virus particles.

The recent development of a cell culture infection model for hepatitis C virus (HCV) permits the production of infectious particles in vitro. In this report, we demonstrate that infectious particles are present both within the infected cells and in the supernatant. Kinetic analysis indicates that intracellular particles constitute precursors of the secreted infectious virus. Ultracentrifugation analyses indicate that intracellular infectious viral particles are similar in size (∼65 to 70 nm) but different in buoyant density (∼1.15 to 1.20 g/ml) from extracellular particles (∼1.03 to 1.16 g/ml). These results indicate that infectious HCV particles are assembled intracellularly and that their biochemical composition is altered during viral egress.
An unusually dense population of Sphodros rufipes (Mygalomorphae: Atypidae) at the edge of its range on Tuckernuck Island, Massachusetts

Abstract We counted and measured Sphodros rufipes (Latreille 1829) pursewebs in two survey plots on Tuckernuck Island, Massachusetts. Our objectives were to quantify web density, record physical web characteristics and determine the main components of S. rufipes' diet. We counted 479 webs in the two plots and report web densities between 0.058 and 0.18 webs/m2, denser than previously reported populations. Webs were not distributed evenly, and densities ranged from 0 to 0.38 webs/m2. Aggregation indices suggest that webs are aggregated on a landscape level, but are more evenly distributed at a local level. Contrary to most previously published literature on S. rufipes, we noted the predominance of the grass-like sedge, Carex pensylvanica, rather than trees, as a web support. Coleopterans and isopods made up 79 percent of the prey parts collected from 56 pursewebs.
Inventing HCI: The grandfather of the field

Brian Shackel is considered by many to be the grandfather of the field of human-computer interaction. The present paper provides a commentary to Shackel's seminal (1997) paper on the field, ''HCI: Whence and Whither'' with accompanying observations of his life's work and intellectual contributions.
Microphysical Structure of Winter Monsoon Cloud Clusters

Abstract Images of hydrometeors in the size range 0.1 to 1.6 mm were obtained by aircraft in precipitating clouds over the South China Sea during Winter MONEX. These observations document for the first time the particle structures and concentrations in tropical cloud clusters above the 0°C level. The data were obtained under nearly constant atmospheric conditions (altitude 7–8 km, temperature −14 to −19°C). The particle samples were stratified according to the type of precipitation in which they were observed as determined from airborne radar, and according to particle size and shape. The convective cells in the observed clusters were not unlike cells observed elsewhere. They had typical particle concentrations of 100–300 per liter, and riming was apparently the dominant growth mechanism. Ice multiplication may have been active in the convection. The stratiform regions of the clusters were microphysically quite distinct from the convective cells. “Strong” stratiform precipitation areas (radar reflectivity...
Stability of Framed Structures

The stability characteristics of multistory framed structures are studied herein. A simplified reduced eigenvalue approach to include the effect of joint rotation is used, and its validity verified under four different assumptions by applying it to small frames and a 19-story building.