cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory and application of ultrasonic microstructural characterization

Ultrasonic microstructural characterization techniques have been developed for a variety of reasons ranging from process control to life extension. The techniques are based on principles of wave propagation and scattering from inhomogeneities. Applications of ultrasonic techniques include predicting sheet metal formability, controlling microstructure in metal-matrix composites, monitoring diffusion bonding, measuring porosity in castings and composites, and designing microstructures for enhanced inspectability.
Adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder presenting as locally advanced endometrial carcinoma. Case report and review of the literature.

Abstract Background. Carcinoma of the urinary bladder that occurs after urinary diversion is a rare entity. We report a case of an adenocarcinoma arising in a defunctionalized bladder that presented as locally advanced endometrial carcinoma. Case. A 77-year-old presented with postmenopausal bleeding and mucous vaginal discharge. She had a prior history of urinary diversion via a Koch pouch. Examination revealed a mass protruding through the cervix and possibly involving the bladder anteriorly. The patient underwent anterior pelvic exenteration for a locally advanced mucinous carcinoma thought to be arising from the uterus and invading into the bladder. Final pathology, however, was consistent with a primary bladder carcinoma. Conclusion. Carcinoma developing in the bladder after urinary diversion presents at an advanced stage and has associated poor overall survival.
Synthesis and reactivity of an unprecedented osmium(VIII) alkylidene

The synthesis of a family of Os(VIII) alkylidene complexes, the highest oxidation state alkylidenes known to date, and their reactivity toward small organic molecules are reported.
Chronic lung disease and developmental delay at 2 years of age in children born before 28 weeks' gestation

Chronic lung disease (CLD) (also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia) seems to place an infant at increased risk of early developmental delays,1–3 cognitive impairment,4–6 language impairment,7,8 and poor academic performance.9 Predictors and correlates of CLD, such as prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV), are also associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment.10–12 CLD is associated with global dysfunction rather than specific neuropsychological impairments.13 The more severe the CLD, the greater the probability of developmental impairment.14–16 The putative causal pathways from antenatal events to the development of CLD involve multiple antecedents, effect modifiers, and confounders (chorioamnionitis, preterm birth, antenatal steroids, postnatal infection, patent ductus arteriosus [PDA], and fluid management, etc).17,18 Although 2 randomized, controlled, clinical trials have shown that medications that reduce the risk of CLD also reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment (eg, caffeine19,20 and vitamin A21,22), the underlying mechanisms have not been identified.23 Thus, we still do not know to what extent CLD, its antecedents, or comorbid conditions contribute to neurodevelopmental impairment. The Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn (ELGAN) study assessed measures of pulmonary dysfunction as well as prenatal, antenatal, and postnatal exposures and events.24,25 The purpose of the analyses presented here was to explore to what extent CLD and its antecedents influence the risk of developmental delays at 24-months adjusted age, as assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-2nd Edition (BSID-II),26 among infants without gross motor function impairments.
Development of the Student-Athlete Career Situation Inventory (SACSI)

Currently a sound and reliable measure of a student-athlete's career development does not exist. The purpose of this study was to develop a psychometrically sound instrument that measures the career situation of student-athletes. Participants for the study were 204 (138 male and 66 female) student-athletes from a large midwestern Division I university. A primary axis factor analysis using promax rotation revealed that five factors, named: Career Development Self-efficacy, Career versus Sport Identity, Locus of Control, Barriers to Career Development, and Sport to Work Relationship, accounted for 81.39% of the common variance in the data. The internal reliability of each factor of the Student-athlete Career Situation Inventory (SACSI) was established using Cronbach's alpha (.70 to .80). The criterion validity of the SACSI was investigated by regressing career experiences and gains on the five factors of the SACSI, resulting in significant squared multiple correlations (.17, .28).
Tyrosinase, Laccase, and Peroxidase in Mushrooms (Agaricus, Crimini, Oyster, and Shiitake)

Enzyme assays and electrophoresis were used to monitor the activity of tyrosinase, laccase, and peroxidase in Agaricus bisporus (common cultivated button mushrooms and Crimini mushrooms), Oyster, and Shiitake mushrooms. The three enzymes could be differentiated using specific substrates and inhibitors. Tyrosinase seemed to be the major phenol oxidase in the Agaricus strains, while Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms had much lower levels. Peroxidase activity was low or undetectable in all types examined. Control of enzymatic browning in different mushroom types may depend upon the distribution of different oxidases within any given type.
Composition and origin of clasts and inclusions in the Abee enstatite chondrite breccia

Abstract The concentrations of 25 major, minor and trace elements have been determined in four clasts, a metal-rich inclusion and two dark metal-poor inclusions from the Abee enstatite chondrite. The clasts are heterogeneous, displaying 2-fold enrichments or depletions in some elements. The data suggest that there are two generations of metal, one with low, the other with high concentrations of refractory siderophiles. The other elemental patterns can be understood in terms of variations in the abundance of major minerals. We infer that Sc and Mn are located largely in the niningerite ((Fe,Mg)S), V in the troilite (FeS) and rare earth elements in the oldhamite (CaS). Heterogeneities among the clasts are probably primary, resulting from the accretion-agglomeration process, although shock processes in a regolithic setting remain a possibility provided that they were followed by a period of metamorphism sufficient to erase petrologic evidence. In the dark inclusions the concentrations of the rare earths, Eu excepted, are 4 × higher than mean EH levels; this infers enhanced amounts of CaS. The dark inclusions are low in siderophiles, Sc, Mn, K, Na and Al, implying low amounts of metal, niningerite and feldspar. The origin of the dark inclusions is unclear; they do not appear to be the result of a simple, single-stage process.
MacroJournal—Turning Students into Practitioners

Incorporating currents events into an economics curriculum is a goal of many dedicated instructors. The benefits of doing so are obvious. Unfortunately, the costs associated with implementation are nontrivial. In the following, the authors introduce an experiential writing assignment, called the MacroJournal, which streamlines the process of incorporating current events into a macroeconomics course. The costs for the instructor are mitigated by a repeated structure of questioning and a well-defined grading rubric. By completing the assignment, students have an opportunity to become practitioners and link current events to classroom theory.
Evolution of Immunoglobulins: Structural Homology of Kappa and Lambda Bence Jones Proteins

The amino acid sequence of a human lamba chain has been determined. There are many identities in sequence with human kappa chains, but this intraspecies homology is less than the interspecies homology of kappa light chains of man and mouse. Structural relationships suggest a common evolutionary origin and early differentiation of light- and heavy-chain genes.
Validation of the "important other" climate questionnaire: Assessing autonomy support for health-related change

Self-determination theory suggests that autonomy support from others is important in motivating change of various health behaviors. The present research provides initial validation for the Important Other Climate Questionnaire for smoking (IOCQ–S)and for diet (IOCQ–D)in the context of a large (N 1,006)intensive tobacco treatment and dietary intervention trial. These scales are intended to measure the degree of autonomy support patients experience from important others (non-health care professionals)with respect to tobacco abstinence and eating a healthy diet. Results indicate the measures are reliable ( .87 smoking and .95 diet)and valid. Important other support was associated with change in perceived autonomy and perceived competence for target behaviors. Further, the IOCQ–S was associated with 7-day point prevalence cessation and 6-month prolonged abstinence from tobacco. The IOCQ–D was associated with a change in the percentage of calories from fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat. Initial reliability and validity are supported for the IOCQ.
Energy band structure of strained crystals: Pseudopotential calculations for Ge and Si with trial calculations for GaAs and CdTe

Abstract A simple model pseudopotential scheme is presented for calculating the effects of strain on the energy-band structure of diamond and zinc-blende structure crystals. Spin-orbit coupling is included in the calculation by using an empirical approach to describe the spin-orbit interaction throughout the Brillouin zone by a single constant for each different atom in a unit cell. Good numerical agreement with experimentally determined deformation potential constants for silicon and germanium is obtained. Quantitative results for a variety of nonlinear effects are also obtained. For GaAs and CdTe agreement with experiment is poorer and it is suggested that this is caused by poor initial values for the pseudopotential form factors. This indicates that deformation potential constants may be sensitive parameters to use for determining pseudopotential form factors when the empirical pseudopotential technique is being employed.
Temperature dependent dynamic susceptibility calculations for itinerant ferromagnets

Inelastic neutron scattering experiments have revealed a variety of interesting and unusual phenomena associated with the spin dynamics of the 3‐d transition metal ferromagnets nickel and iron. An extensive series of calculations based on the itinerant electron formalism has demonstrated that the itinerant model does provide an excellent quantitative as well as qualitative description of the measured spin dynamics of both nickel and iron at low temperatures. Recent angular resolved photoemission experiments have indicated that there is a rather strong temperature dependence of the electronic spin‐splitting which, from relatively crude arguments, appears to be inconsistent with neutron scattering results. In order to investigate this point and also the origin of spin‐wave renormalization, a series of calculations of the dynamic susceptibility of nickel and iron has been undertaken. The results of these calculations indicate that a discrepancy exists between the interpretations of neutron and photoemission experimental results regarding the temperature dependence of the spin‐splitting of the electronic energy bands.
Nonlinear Stress Analysis of Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Blades

A Darrieus-type vertical-axis wind turbine has been proposed as an alternate to conventional horizontal axis, propeller-type machines. An advantage is that the blades will be primarily in tension, thus making for a more efficient design. In connection with its vertical-axis wind turbine program, Sandia Laboratories has developed the “troposkien” (Greek for turning rope) shape for the blade design. The prototype blade shape is similar to that of the troposkien, but more easily manufactured. The effect on the stress distribution of this alternate blade shape is investigated. Analytical models of the blades were constructed using a general purpose, nonlinear, dynamic finite element structural code. This code accounts for the large deflection effects of the various blade shapes through incremental applications of angular velocity.
SU-E-J-96: Does Combining Lung Ventilation Information to Perfusion Provide Any Additional Value for Treatment Planning?

Purpose: Recently, there have been efforts to incorporate regional lung function during treatment planning to limit radiation toxicity in the lungs. However, most efforts have focused on using either perfusion or ventilation alone in designing a function based treatment plan. There have been no reports whether combining the two metrics of lung function will add value. In this study, we test whether the two modalities provide redundant information by analyzing the distribution of perfusion in areas of low and high ventilation. Methods: Five patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were recruited in a prospective study. Perfusion imaging was carried out using dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, and ventilation imaging was carried out using 4DCT. Anatomical and functional images were matched using an affine transform. The lung was segmented into regions of high and low ventilation using the threshold as the mean of lung ventilation. For both regions, the average pulmonary blood flow (PBF) value and the histogram of the PBF distribution were obtained and compared. Results: Visual spatial assessment of lung ventilation/perfusion images show areas of general agreement as expected (V/Q match). However, this is not true on a voxel‐by‐voxel assessment. For 4 out of 5 patients, the average PBF value is similar (0.123 vs 0.127; 0.049 vs 0.045; 0.062 vs 0.063; 0.091 vs 0.080) between areas of low and high ventilation. The remaining patient had only one functioning lung showing high correspondence between ventilation and perfusion. Conclusion: The necessity of including the ventilation information into functional treatment planning for patients with thoracic tumors was investigated. Early results suggest that for most cases combining ventilation and perfusion can provide additional insight for function based treatment planning. Further studies are needed to validate the findings from this preliminary study. Supported by Varian Medical Systems
Chromatographic and biological aspects of organomercurials

Abstract The chromatographic and biochemical aspects of the organomercurials (principally agricultural and medicinal) have been reviewed with focus on methyl- and phenylmercurials and their ecological significance.
Cellular transformation by radiation: Induction, promotion, and inhibition

Mammalian cell cultures offer powerful tools for evaluating qualitatively and quantitatively the oncogenic potential of radiation over a wide range of doses with particular importance at the low dose range that is relevant to human exposure and risk. Our studies have shown that early events in the process of radiation induced transformation in both rodent and human cells requires initial replication for fixation of transformation as a hereditary property of the cells and further clonal expansion for full expression. Early events (fixation) are inhibited by cell–cell contact and high cell density but can be modified at low temperature where repair processes are slowed. Cell–cell contact and communication in tissue organization may be in part responsible for our findings that radiation oncogenesis induced in utero in hamsters is expressed at a lower frequency than that induced in vitro. Quantitative studies carried out on hamster embryo cells indicate that neutrons are more effective in their carcinogenic potential than x-rays but also more toxic, that splitting the dose of x-rays at low doses leads to enhanced transformation, but that at high doses protracted radiation has a sparing effect. At all dose ranges survival was increased by protracting the radiation dose, thus suggesting that different repair processes must be involved for survival and transformation. Similar observations were seen when the protease inhibitor Antipain was found to enhance transformation in rodent and human cells when present at the time of radiation, but was protective when added after radiation. Survival was not modified under any of those conditions, and Antipain did not affect DNA replication and repair. In our qualitative studies, once cells are transformed by radiation, they exhibit a wide range of structural and functional phenotypic changes, some of which are membrane-associated and are expressed within days after induction. Our current studies on nutritional and hormonal influences on radiation transformation indicate the following: Pyrolysate products from broiled protein foods act in synergism with radiation to produce transformation, whereas vitamin A analogs are powerful, preventive agents. Retinoids inhibit both x-ray-induced transformation and its promotion by TPA: these modifications (enhancement by TPA, inhibition by retinoids) are not reflected in sister chromatid exchanges, but are reflected in the level of membrane associated enzymes Na/K ATPase. Whereas retinoids modify late events (expression, promotion), we find that thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in the early phases of radiation and chemically induced transformation. Under hypothyroid conditions no transformation is observed. The addition of triiodothyronine at physiological levels results in a transformation rate that is dose-related. Our recent success in transforming human skin fibroblasts will enable quantitative and qualitative studies of radiation carcinogenesis in a system relevant to man.
Image codec by noncausal prediction, residual mean removal, and cascaded VQ

We describe a technique for still image compression that combines (i) noncausal optimal recursive prediction, (ii) residual quadtree mean removal, and (iii) a modification of cascaded vector quantization. We refer to this image codec as noncausal prediction with residual mean removal, and cascaded vector quantization (NRQ/CVQ). We provide examples that illustrate the performance of NRQ/CVQ up to compression ratios of 42.5:1. We show that NRQ/CVQ outperforms alternative algorithms that we tested including the conventional causal prediction differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) with quadtree mean removal cascaded vector quantization and the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) baseline standard algorithm.
A fully implicit, time dependent 2-D fluid code for modeling tokamak edge plasmas

A fully implicit, time dependent 2-D fluid code is described that models the edge plasma region of a tokamak with a divertor or limiter. Equations solved are for particle continuity, parallel momentum, electron energy, ion energy, electrostatic potential, and neutral gas diffusion. We include the effects of parallel currents and cross-field drifts so that divertor biasing can be investigated. The core plasma is poloidally periodic, and the inner and outer private flux regions are properly connected. An implicit method-of-lines scheme is used to advance the variables in time utilizing the Krylov technique which does not require explicit formation or solution of the Jacobian matrix. However, for good performance, the problem needs to be preconditioned; a numerically generated Jacobian is used for this stage. The Jacobian can also be used to obtain the steady state solution by standard Newton iteration. Results are presented on the effects of biasing and parallel currents for DIII-D single-null parameters, and showing the time dependent heat flux on the divertor plate.
Probabilistic reinforcement learning in adults with autism spectrum disorders

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can be conceptualized as disorders of learning, however there have been few experimental studies taking this perspective. Methods: We examined the probabilistic reinforcement learning performance of 28 adults with ASDs and 30 typically developing adults on a task requiring learning relationships between three stimulus pairs consisting of Japanese characters with feedback that was valid with different probabilities (80%, 70%, and 60%). Both univariate and Bayesian state–space data analytic methods were employed. Hypotheses were based on the extant literature as well as on neurobiological and computational models of reinforcement learning. Results: Both groups learned the task after training. However, there were group differences in early learning in the first task block where individuals with ASDs acquired the most frequently accurately reinforced stimulus pair (80%) comparably to typically developing individuals; exhibited poorer acquisition of the less frequently reinforced 70% pair as assessed by state–space learning curves; and outperformed typically developing individuals on the near chance (60%) pair. Individuals with ASDs also demonstrated deficits in using positive feedback to exploit rewarded choices. Conclusions: Results support the contention that individuals with ASDs are slower learners. Based on neurobiology and on the results of computational modeling, one interpretation of this pattern of findings is that impairments are related to deficits in flexible updating of reinforcement history as mediated by the orbito-frontal cortex, with spared functioning of the basal ganglia. This hypothesis about the pathophysiology of learning in ASDs can be tested using functional magnetic resonance imaging.Autism Res 2011, 4: 109–120. © 2011, International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radiation from the open end of a coaxial waveguide with an infinite conducting flange covered by a plasma layer Part I. Theoretical analysis

Abstract A theoretical study of the radiation from the open end of a coaxial waveguide fed in the dominant TEM mode and flush-mounted to an infinite, perfectly conducting flat ground plane covered by a plasma (or an ordinary dielectric) layer is presented. The aperture admittance for which the contribution from the higher-order TM0n (n≥l) modes is considered, has been calculated by two methods: (1) successive substitution method and (2) variational technique. It is shown that for any desired order of accuracy the results of these approaches are identical. Expressions for the radiated fields and surface waves are also given. In addition to the surface waves, the near fields inside the plasma (or dielectric) layer for a large radial distance from the aperture are obtained. The contribution of the surface waves to the aperture admittance is also discussed.
Radiopharmaceutical and Hydrometallurgical Separations of Perrhenate Using Aqueous Biphasic Systems and the Analogous Aqueous Biphasic Extraction Chromatographic Resins

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) and the analogous aqueous biphasic extraction chromatographic (ABEC) resins have been investigated for the separation of perrhenate (ReO4-) from tungstate (WO42-) in alkaline tungstate media for radiopharmaceutical application and for the separation of perrhenate from molybdate (MoO42-) in hydrometallurgical application. Salts of the water-structuring anions OH-, WO42-, and MoO42- form ABS by salting-out PEG, while chaotropic anions such as ReO4- and the similar TcO4- quantitatively partition to the PEG-rich phase in such ABS. Perrhenate can thus be separated from solutions high in WO42- and OH- concentration, and the separation factors improve with an increase in the tungstate or hydroxide concentration. In addition, the ReO4- anion can be separated from load solutions high in MoO42- and SO42-. Perrhenate can also be separated under similar conditions using ABEC resins in both batch and chromatographic modes. The retained ReO4- can be elute...
Cloud and Mobile Web-Based Graphics and Visualization

Cloud computing is rapidly becoming one of the most prevailing computing platforms. At the same time, the Web browser has become an application platform. Mobile+Cloud, the combination of mobile devices and cloud-based computing is changing how users produce, consume, and use computing resources. With the introduction and penetration of HTML5, and, in particular, its visual capabilities in the form of the Canvas element, the implementation of high-quality browser-based graphics has become a reality. Indeed, WebGL offers capabilities comparable to the traditional (desktop) OpenGL utilizing in browser computing resources. It is now feasible to have high performance graphics and visualization "in your palm, " utilizing a mobile device's browser as the graphics platform as well as the front end interface and the display. In the near future, graphics'"heavy lifting" on a cloud-based platform, coupled with a mobile client will afford high-performance graphics for most users most of the time. We argue that this will become the most common platform for computer graphics and visualization in the not too-distant future. We further argue that such platforms will democratize the use of advanced graphics and visualization and will revolutionize analysis and display of the growing amount of data we all face every day. The goals of this survey are to make the reader familiar with the underlying technologies that make this possible, including(but not limited to) cloud-based computing, mobile computing, their combination, HTML5 and the Canvas element, the Web Gland other graphics libraries, and general Web-based graphics and visualization.
Paternal and Maternal Influences on Problem Behaviors Among Homeless and Runaway Youth

Using an Attachment Theory conceptual framework, associations were investigated among positive paternal and maternal relationships, and recent problem behaviors among 501 currently homeless and runaway adolescents (253 males, 248 females). Homeless and runaway youth commonly exhibit problem behaviors such as substance use, various forms of delinquency and risky sex behaviors, and report more emotional distress than typical adolescents. Furthermore, attachments to their families are often strained. In structural equation models, positive paternal relationships significantly predicted less substance use and less criminal behavior, whereas maternal relationships did not have a significant effect on or association with either behavior. Positive maternal relationships predicted less survival sex behavior. Separate gender analyses indicated that among the females, a longer time away from home was significantly associated with a poorer paternal relationship, and more substance use and criminal behavior. Paternal relations, a neglected area of research and often not addressed in attachment theory, should be investigated further. Attachments, particularly to fathers, were protective against many deleterious behaviors. Building on relatively positive relations and attachments may foster family reunifications and beneficial outcomes for at-risk youth.
On the behavior of congestion minimization during placement

Typical placement objectives involve reducing net-cut cost or minimizing wirelength. Congestion minimization is least understood, however, it models routability accurately. In this paper, we study the congestion minimization problem during placement. We introduce the notion of consistent routing model and promote its adoption by placement systems. First, we show that in this model the wirelength objective is indeed a good measure of congestion by establishing that a placement with minimum wirelength has minimum total congestion. We show that minimizing wirelength may (and in general, will) create locally congested regions. We demonstrate that most other congestion related objectives are ill behaved and they should only be used in a post processing step. We then propose several novel congestion minimization objectives. One in particular, called over ow minimization with look-ahead, performs very well and can be computed very e ciently in an incremental manner. At the end, we propose a post processing phase that further improves the congestion. By combining the over ow minimization with look-ahead and the post processing phase, we improve the congestion by more than 40% on the average.
Global perspective on alcohol research: Facilitating interdisciplinary and international collaborations to address prevailing challenges

(no abstract) Swahn, M. H. & Tumwesigye, N. M. (2012). Global perspective on alcohol research: Facilitating interdisciplinary and international collaborations to address prevailing challenges. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 1 (1), 13-15. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.84 ( http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v1i1.84 )
Phonon Energies and Lifetimes in Solid Ne and He in the First-Order Self-Consistent Approximation

We discuss the response of a crystal in the presence of a neutron distortion in the first-order self-consistent approximation and we stress the importance of the self-consistency condition. The resultant integral equation for the phonon energies is solved by direct matrix inversion instead of truncating a series expansion. Numerical results are presented for solid Ne and fcc ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ at 10.0 and 11.5 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$/mole.
Subtype diversity and reassortment potential for co-circulating avian influenza viruses at a diversity hot spot.

Summary 1. Biological diversity has long been used to measure ecological health. While evidence exists from many ecosystems that declines in host biodiversity may lead to greater risk of disease emergence, the role of pathogen diversity in the emergence process remains poorly understood. Particularly, because a more diverse pool of pathogen types provides more ways in which evolutionary innovations may arise, we suggest that host–pathogen systems with high pathogen diversity are more prone to disease emergence than systems with relatively homogeneous pathogen communities. We call this prediction the diversity-emergence hypothesis. 2. To show how this hypothesis could be tested, we studied a system comprised of North American shorebirds and their associated low-pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) viruses. These viruses are important as a potential source of genetic innovations in influenza. A theoretical contribution of this study is an expression predicting the rate of viral subtype reassortment to be proportional to both prevalence and Simpson’s Index, a formula that has been used traditionally to quantify biodiversity. We then estimated prevalence and subtype diversity in host species at Delaware Bay, a North American AIV hotspot, and used our model to extrapolate from these data. 3. We estimated that 4 to 39 virus subtypes circulated at Delaware Bay each year between 2000 and 2008, and that surveillance coverage (percentage of co-circulating subtypes collected) at Delaware Bay is only about 63� 0%. Simpson’s Index in the same period varied more than fourfold from 0� 22 to 0� 93. These measurements together with the model provide an indirect, model-based estimate of the reassortment rate. A proper test of the diversityemergence hypothesis would require these results to be joined to independent and reliable estimates of reassortment, perhaps obtained through molecular surveillance. 4. These results suggest both that subtype diversity (and therefore reassortment) varies from year to year and that several subtypes contributing to reassortment are going undetected. The similarity between these results and more detailed studies of one host, ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), further suggests that this species may be the primary host for influenza reassortment at Delaware Bay. 5. Biological diversity has long been quantified using Simpson’s Index. Our model links this formula to a mechanistic account of reassortment in multipathogen systems in the form of subtype diversity at Delaware Bay, USA. As a theory of how pathogen diversity may influence the evolution of novel pathogens, this work is a contribution to the larger project of understanding the connections between biodiversity and disease.
Compact optical cross-connect switch based on total internal reflection in a fluid-containing planar lightwave circuit

Optical cross-connect switch matrices have demonstrated transmission losses of 0.07 dB per crosspoint, crosstalk of /spl sim/70 dB per crosspoint and switching times of 1 msec. We now have the technology to produce 32/spl times/32-size matrices.
Regulation of Aromatase Expression in Estrogen-Responsive Breast and Uterine Disease: From Bench to Treatment

A single gene encodes the key enzyme for estrogen biosynthesis termed aromatase, inhibition of which effectively eliminates estrogen production. Aromatase inhibitors successfully treat breast cancer and endometriosis, whereas their roles in endometrial cancer, uterine fibroids, and aromatase excess syndrome are less clear. Ovary, testis, adipose tissue, skin, hypothalamus, and placenta express aromatase normally, whereas breast and endometrial cancers, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids overexpress aromatase and produce local estrogen that exerts paracrine and intracrine effects. Tissue-specific promoters distributed over a 93-kilobase regulatory region upstream of a common coding region alternatively control aromatase expression. A distinct set of transcription factors regulates each promoter in a signaling pathway- and tissue-specific manner. Three mechanisms are responsible for aromatase overexpression in a pathologic tissue versus its normal counterpart. First, cellular composition is altered to increase aromatase-expressing cell types that use distinct promoters (breast cancer). Second, molecular alterations in stromal cells favor binding of transcriptional enhancers versus inhibitors to a normally quiescent aromatase promoter and initiate transcription (breast/endometrial cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids). Third, heterozygous mutations, which cause the aromatase coding region to lie adjacent to constitutively active cryptic promoters that normally transcribe other genes, result in excessive estrogen formation owing to the overexpression of aromatase in many tissues.
SCHOTTKY'S FORM AND THE HYPERELLIPTIC LOCUS.

We show that Schottky's modular form, Jg, has in every genus an irreducible divisor which contains the hyperelliptic locus. We also improve a corollary of Igusa concerning Siegel modular forms that must necessarily vanish on the hyperelliptic locus.
Techniques to improve the accuracy and to reduce the variance in noise power spectrum measurement

Several techniques to increase the accuracy and to reduce the variance of the noise power spectrum (NPS) measurement for digital X-ray imaging systems are investigated. These techniques include: (1) averaging the outputs from subblocks of the entire image; (2) averaging the two-dimensional NPS data along a circular route centered on the origin of spectral domain; and (3) masking a window function on each subblock before Fourier transforms. Techniques (1) and (2) are used mainly to reduce the variance of the NPS measurement. Technique (3) serves to improve the accuracy of the final result. Experiments with two different charge-coupled device-based X-ray imaging systems demonstrated that the precision and accuracy of the NPS measurement could be significantly improved using these techniques. The impact of the image partition for averaging is discussed and the corresponding NPS estimations are presented for the number of subblocks ranging from 4 to 64. The effect of masking on the NPS is also studied using four different window functions.
Squeezing, striking, and vocalizing: Is number representation fundamentally spatial?

Numbers are fundamental entities in mathematics, but their cognitive bases are unclear. Abundant research points to linear space as a natural grounding for number representation. But, is number representation fundamentally spatial? We disentangle number representation from standard number-to-line reporting methods, and compare numerical estimations in educated participants using line-reporting with three nonspatial reporting conditions (squeezing, bell-striking, and vocalizing). All three cases of nonspatial-reporting consistently reproduced well-established results obtained with number-line methods. Furthermore, unlike line-reporting—and congruent with the psychophysical Weber–Fechner law—nonspatial reporting systematically produced logarithmic mappings for all nonsymbolic stimuli. Strikingly, linear mappings were obtained exclusively in conditions with culturally mediated elements (e.g., words). These results suggest that number representation is not fundamentally spatial, but builds on a deeper magnitude sense that manifests spatially and nonspatially mediated by magnitude, stimulus modality, and reporting condition. Number-to-space mappings—although ubiquitous in the modern world—do not seem to be rooted directly in brain evolution but have been culturally privileged and enhanced.
Self-aligned vertical electrostatic combdrives for micromirror actuation

In this paper, we analyze the effect of misalignment in electrostatic combdrives, and describe a fabrication technology that minimizes misalignment in vertical electrostatic combdrives by creating self-aligned, vertically staggered electrodes. Self-alignment of the interdigitated electrodes simplifies fabrication and minimizes failures due to electrostatic instability, thus enabling fabrication of narrow-gap, high-force actuators with high yield. The process is based on deep-reactive ion etching (DRIE) of buried-patterned silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers. Measurements on fabricated combdrives show relative misalignment of less than 0.05 /spl mu/m. This corresponds to less than 0.1% misalignment, which, according to our analysis, results in a travel range of 98% of that for perfectly aligned drives. The validity of the process is demonstrated by fabrication of scanning micromirrors measuring 300 /spl mu/m by 100 /spl mu/m. Optical angular deflections from 4/spl deg/ at low frequency to 40/spl deg/ at resonance were measured for an applied voltage of 75 Vpp. Resonant frequencies ranged from 5 kHz to 15 kHz for these devices, making them suitable for high-speed, high-resolution optical scanning and switching.
Vitamin D and adipogenesis: new molecular insights

The focus of the current review is to highlight some new insights into the molecular mechanism by which vitamin D, a potentially nutritionally modulated factor, influences adipogenesis. Recent studies, predominantly using the mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell culture model, have shown that the role of vitamin D in inhibiting adipogenesis is mediated at the molecular level through a vitamin D receptor (VDR)-dependent inhibition of CCAAT enhancer binding protein-alpha (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) expression and a decrease in PPARγ transactivating activity in the pre-adipocyte. The latter action may reflect a vitamin D-induced decrease in endogenous PPARγ ligand availability and a competition between VDR and PPARγ for a limiting amount of retinoid X receptor (RXR), a common heterodimeric binding partner of both nuclear receptors.
Electrolyte transport in kidney tubule cells.

Transtubular movement of Na and K takes place across an electrically negative cell compartment rich in K and poor in Na. Some properties of the luminal and peritubular cell boundaries with respect to ionic pump and leak characteristics are analysed. Sodium enters the tubule cell from the lumen down an electrochemical potential gradient. Peritubular Na-extrusion takes place both by an ouabain-sensitive Na-K exchange pump and by an electrogenic ouabain-insensitive Na pump. Net Na transport can be uncoupled from peritubular K uptake. It is highly likely that peritubular K uptake is pH sensitive. Once sodium has been extruded into the peritubular infoldings net Na transepithelial-transport is further critically affected by physical factors regulating capillary uptake of interstitial fluid. Several lines of evidence indicate that a large, variable intercellular transport pathway is present at the proximal tubular level. Tubular K secretion is controlled at the distal tubular level by: (1) the interplay of luminal and peritubular active K uptake into the tubule cell and (2) by a variable passive leak of K from cell into lumen across the partly depolarized luminal cell membrane. Changes in active peritubular K uptake regulate the size of a relatively small intracellular K transport pool and are critically involved in setting the rate of net tubular potassium secretion.
Learning for Semantic Parsing Using Statistical Syntactic Parsing Techniques

Most recent work on semantic analysis of natural language has focused on “shallow” semantics such as word-sense disambiguation and semantic role labeling. Our work addresses a more ambitious task we call semantic parsing where natural language sentences are mapped to complete formal meaning representations. We present our system SCISSOR based on a statistical parser that generates a semanticallyaugmented parse tree (SAPT), in which each internal node has both a syntactic and semantic label. A compositional-semantics procedure is then used to map the augmented parse tree into a final meaning representation. Training the system requires sentences annotated with augmented parse trees. We evaluate the system in two domains, a natural-language database interface and an interpreter for coaching instructions in robotic soccer. We present experimental results demonstrating that SCISSOR produces more accurate semantic representations than several previous approaches on long sentences. In the future, we intend to pursue several directions in developing more accurate semantic parsing algorithms and automating the annotation process. This work will involve exploring alternative tree representations for better generalization in parsing. We also plan to apply discriminative reranking methods to semantic parsing, which allows exploring arbitrary, potentially correlated features not usable by the baseline learner. We also propose to design a method for automating the SAPT-generation process to alleviate the extra annotation work currently required for training SCISSOR. Finally, we will investigate the impact of different statistical syntactic parsers on semantic parsing using the automated SAPT-generation process.
A multiscale, finite deformation formulation for surface stress effects on the coupled thermomechanical behavior of nanomaterials

Abstract We present a multiscale, finite deformation formulation that accounts for surface stress effects on the coupled thermomechanical behavior and properties of nanomaterials. The foundation of the work lies in the development of a multiscale surface Helmholtz free energy, which is constructed through utilization of the surface Cauchy–Born hypothesis. By doing so, temperature-dependent surface stress measures as well as a novel form of the heat equation are obtained directly from the surface free energy. The development of temperature-dependent surface stresses distinguishes the present approach, as the method can be utilized to study the behavior of nanomaterials by capturing the size-dependent variations in the thermoelastic properties with decreasing nanostructure size. The coupled heat and momentum equations are solved in 1D using a fully implicit, monolithic scheme, and show the importance of capturing surface stress effects in accurately modeling the thermomechanical behavior of nanoscale materials.
Bone Loss in the HIV-Infected Patient: Evidence, Clinical Implications, and Treatment Strategies

Osteoporosis is common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected persons. The etiology of osteoporosis in HIV-infected patients is likely multifactorial, involving traditional risk factors such as low body weight, hypogonadism, and smoking, as well as direct effects of chronic HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy. Emerging evidence suggests that the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis in HIV-infected persons translates into a higher risk of fracture, likely leading to excess morbidity and mortality as the HIV-infected population ages. This review addresses the epidemiology of osteoporosis, discusses the causes of low bone mineral density in HIV-infected persons, including the impact of specific antiretroviral therapies, and offers recommendations on screening and treating vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis.
Variation in the Biochemical/Biophysical Properties of Mutant Superoxide Dismutase 1 Enzymes and the Rate of Disease Progression in Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Kindreds

Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) polypeptides cause a form of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). In different kindreds, harboring different mutations, the duration of illness tends to be similar for a given mutation. For example, patients inheriting a substitution of valine for alanine at position four (A4V) average a 1.5 year life expectancy after the onset of symptoms, whereas patients harboring a substitution of arginine for histidine at position 46 (H46R) average an 18 year life expectancy after disease onset. Here, we examine a number of biochemical and biophysical properties of nine different FALS variants of SOD1 polypeptides, including enzymatic activity (which relates indirectly to the affinity of the enzyme for copper), polypeptide half-life, resistance to proteolytic degradation and solubility, in an effort to determine whether a specific property of these enzymes correlates with clinical progression. We find that although all the mutants tested appear to be soluble, the different mutants show a remarkable degree of variation with respect to activity, polypeptide half-life and resistance to proteolysis. However, these variables do not stratify in a manner that correlates with clinical progression. We conclude that the basis for the different life expectancies of patients in different kindreds of sod1-linked FALS may result from an as yet unidentified property of these mutant enzymes.
Expanding the Bioheat Equation to Include Tissue Internal Water Evaporation During Heating

We propose a new method to study high temperature tissue ablation using an expanded bioheat diffusion equation. An extra term added to the bioheat equation is combined with the specific heat into an effective (temperature dependent) specific heat. It replaces the normal specific heat term in the modified bioheat equation, which can then be used at temperatures where water evaporation is expected to occur. This new equation is used to numerically simulate the microwave ablation of bovine liver and is compared to experimental ex vivo results.