cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction in Recurrent Cardiovascular Events With Intensive Lipid-Lowering Statin Therapy Compared With Moderate Lipid-Lowering Statin Therapy After Acute Coronary Syndromes: From the PROVE IT–TIMI 22 (Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 22) Trial

Objectives In addition to reducing first events in patients after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), we hypothesized that high-dose atorvastatin 80 mg would also reduce recurrent cardiovascular events, and therefore total events, compared with pravastatin 40 mg during the 2-year follow-up. Background In the PROVE IT–TIMI 22 (Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 22) trial, more intensive lipid lowering with high-dose atorvastatin reduced the first occurrence of the primary end point (death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring rehospitalization, stroke, or revascularization ≥30 days) compared with moderate lipid lowering with pravastatin. Methods Poisson regression analysis was performed to compare the number of occurrences of the primary end point between high-dose atorvastatin and pravastatin in the PROVE IT–TIMI 22 trial. Results As previously reported, first primary end point events were reduced by 16% with atorvastatin 80 mg versus pravastatin 40 mg (n = 464 vs. n = 537, respectively; p = 0.005). Additional events were also reduced by 19% with atorvastatin 80 mg (n = 275 vs. n = 340, respectively; p = 0.009). Overall, there were 138 fewer primary efficacy events with atorvastatin 80 mg versus pravastatin 40 mg (n = 739 vs. n = 877, respectively; rate ratio: 0.85, 95% confidence interval: 0.77 to 0.94, p = 0.001). Conclusions Although analytic techniques commonly used in clinical outcomes trials censor patients who experience a component of the primary composite end point, total cardiovascular events are important to patients, clinicians, and health care payers. Maintaining low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is central to preventing additional atherosclerotic development and subsequent cardiovascular events. Atorvastatin 80 mg, a more intensive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering agent, reduced both first and subsequent primary end point events compared with pravastatin 40 mg after ACS.
Mixed-Mode Fracture Modeled Through a Discrete Cohesive Zone Model-DCZM

The Discrete Cohesive Zone Model (DCZM) is proposed to simulate fracture initiation and subsequent growth when material nonlinear effects are significant using the finite element method. Different from the widely-used Continuum Cohesive Zone Model (CCZM) where the cohesive zone model is implemented within continuum type elements and the cohesive law is applied at each integral point, DCZM uses 1D rod type elements and applies the cohesive law as the rod internal force vs. nodal separation. A series of 1D interface elements are placed between node pairs along the intended fracture path to simulate fracture initiation and growth. Dummy nodes are introduced within the DCZM extract information regarding the mesh size and the crack path orientation. To illustrate the DCZM, three popular fracture test configurations (double cantilever beam -DCB, end notched flexure - ENF and mixed mode bending - MMB) are examined, and results are presented that show mesh independence. Good agreement between the present approach and previously published results is shown.
Measurement of TLR4 and CD14 Receptor Endocytosis Using Flow Cytometry

After recognizing extracellular bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-CD14 signaling complex initiates two distinct signaling pathways-one from the plasma membrane and the other from the signaling endosomes (Kagan et al., 2008). Understanding the early stages of TLR4 signal transduction therefore requires a robust and quantitative method to measure LPS-triggered TLR4 and CD14 receptor endocytosis, one of the earliest events of LPS detection. Here, we describe a flow cytometry-based method that we used recently to study the role of the ion channel TRPM7 in TLR4 endocytosis (Schappe et al., 2018). The assay relies on stimulating the cells with LPS and measuring the cell surface levels of TLR4 (or CD14) at various time points using flow cytometry. Although we detail the method specifically for TLR4 and CD14 from murine bone marrow-derived macrophages, it can be readily adapted to evaluate receptor endocytosis in a variety of other signaling contexts.
San Diego Osteotomy (Lateral Acetabuloplasty)

The comprehensive approach to neuromuscular hip disease (dysplasia and dislocation) requires appropriate management of contracted hip flexors, adductors, and sometimes distal hamstrings, along with reduction of the hip (with capsulorrhaphy in severe cases) plus proximal femoral and acetabular osteotomies. The San Diego osteotomy (lateral bending acetabuloplasty) allows for better correction of the posterior-superior acetabular deficiency, which is most common in neuromuscular hip disease, resulting in excellent midterm outcomes with low rates of recurrent instability.
PLINY'S TACITUS: THE POLITICS OF REPRESENTATION

As Eleanor Winsor Leach and others have demonstrated, in the corpus of the Letters Pliny represents different aspects of his ideal self through the way he characterizes his relationships with his correspondents. This paper examines more closely the letters to and about Tacitus, disregarding intertextual references between the works of Tacitus and Pliny (a well‐mined field), and shifting the focus to the friendly competition Pliny creates with Tacitus. In particular, Pliny arranges the ‘Tacitus cycle’ into three sections which highlight their roles as orators, patrons, and literary figures. In each of these, Pliny shows that he and his friend are similar in their goals, but unique in their styles and methods. Thus, Pliny creates a world where he is both inferior and superior to his former mentor, as in Laelius' paradox — ‘maximum est in amicitia parem esse inferiori’ (Cic. "Amic." 19.69).
How Intersectionality-Based Approaches to International Development Illuminate the Plight of Palestine Refugees

Intersectionality is both an analytic framework and a complicated set of social practices that can, if implemented correctly, lead to collective solidarity and action. In practice, intersectionality has the potential to illuminate invisible and complex social relationships that bring to light hidden injustices, socially, politically, and economically. This chapter explores foreign development by drawing from scholarly and practitioner-based intersectional feminist literature, such as the work of Fenella Portman and Caroline Sweetman, to analyse contemporary trends in development practice, particularly around gender-based programming. Contemporarily, gender mainstreaming has been integral in maintaining and distributing gender politics to the Global South. Drawing on the case of Palestine, the author provides framework that merges current discourses laid out by Olena Hankivsky et al.’s intersectionality-based policy framework to create a new theoretical-based framework for international development professionals. In the coming sections, gender development will be adequately defined and framed from within both development/policy and feminist paradigms.
Model for the operation of an emissive cathode in a large magnetized-plasma

A model for the steady-state operation of an emissive cathode is presented. The cathode, biased negative with respect to a cold anode, emits electrons thermionically and is embedded within a large magnetized-plasma column. The model provides formulas for the spatial shape of the global current system, the partition of potential across the plasma–sheath system, and the effective plasma resistance. The formation of a virtual cathode is explored, and an analytical expression for the critical operating conditions is derived. The model is further developed to include the self-consistent increase in plasma temperature which results from thermionic injection. In a companion paper [S. Jin et al., Phys. Plasmas 26, 022105 (2019)], results from transport experiments in the Large Plasma Device at the University of California Los Angeles are compared with this model, and excellent quantitative agreement is achieved.A model for the steady-state operation of an emissive cathode is presented. The cathode, biased negative with respect to a cold anode, emits electrons thermionically and is embedded within a large magnetized-plasma column. The model provides formulas for the spatial shape of the global current system, the partition of potential across the plasma–sheath system, and the effective plasma resistance. The formation of a virtual cathode is explored, and an analytical expression for the critical operating conditions is derived. The model is further developed to include the self-consistent increase in plasma temperature which results from thermionic injection. In a companion paper [S. Jin et al., Phys. Plasmas 26, 022105 (2019)], results from transport experiments in the Large Plasma Device at the University of California Los Angeles are compared with this model, and excellent quantitative agreement is achieved.
Aberrant activity in conceptual networks underlies N400 deficits and unusual thoughts in schizophrenia

Abstract Background The N400 event-related potential (ERP) is triggered by meaningful stimuli that are incongruous, or unmatched, with their semantic context. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have identified brain regions activated by semantic incongruity, but their precise links to the N400 ERP are unclear. In schizophrenia (SZ), N400 amplitude reduction is thought to reflect overly broad associations in semantic networks, but the abnormalities in brain networks underlying deficient N400 remain unknown. We utilized joint independent component analysis (JICA) to link temporal patterns in ERPs to neuroanatomical patterns from fMRI and investigate relationships between N400 amplitude and neuroanatomical activation in SZ patients and healthy controls (HC). Methods SZ patients (n = 24) and HC participants (n = 25) performed a picture-word matching task, in which words were either matched (APPLE→apple) by preceding pictures, or were unmatched by semantically related (in-category; IC, APPLE→lemon) or unrelated (out of category; OC, APPLE→cow) pictures, in separate ERP and fMRI sessions. A JICA “data fusion” analysis was conducted to identify the fMRI brain regions specifically associated with the ERP N400 component. SZ and HC loading weights were compared and correlations with clinical symptoms were assessed. Results JICA identified an ERP-fMRI “fused” component that captured the N400, with loading weights that were reduced in SZ. The JICA map for the IC condition showed peaks of activation in the cingulate, precuneus, bilateral temporal poles and cerebellum, whereas the JICA map from the OC condition was linked primarily to visual cortical activation and the left temporal pole. Among SZ patients, fMRI activity from the IC condition was inversely correlated with unusual thought content. Conclusions The neural networks associated with the N400 ERP response to semantic violations depends on conceptual relatedness. These findings are consistent with a distributed network underlying neural responses to semantic incongruity including unimodal visual areas as well as integrative, transmodal areas. Unusual thoughts in SZ may reflect impaired processing in transmodal hub regions such as the precuneus, leading to overly broad semantic associations.
Toxicity and efficacy profiles of intrathecal injection of I-131 NaI via intraventricular (IVent) or intralumbar (Ilumb) route for leptomeningeal metastases (LM) therapy

1549 Background: LM is a fatal complication occurring in up to 30% of cancer patients. Intrathecal chemotherapy of LM is limited by diffusion while external beam irradiation is limited by neurotoxi...
TESTING OF A UNIVERSAL DESIGN MATRIX FOR NATURAL ENERGY IMPLMENTATION IN LOW-INCOME HOUSING FOR THREE MEXICAN REGIONS

ABSTRACT The matrix was developed as a design tool in the first stage of a process, to assist architects and other building designers in a comprehensive approach, through survey and evaluation of the ambient factors that must be considered in an energy responsive building. Passive and natural systems, only, are included. An opportunity to test this matrix for low-cost housing in Mexico City, Nuevo Laredo and Veracruz – all in Mexico, has proved its usefulness as a design reference tool.
Free electron lasers with spiraling electrons

Experiments, theory, and computer simulations will be discussed concerning the generation of coherent millimeter wavelength radiation by spiraling electrons subjected to periodic wiggler magnetic fields.
The state of labor in the democratic party coalition

Since the New Deal, labor has been a key member of the Democratic coalition. As unions decline, their centrality to the Democratic Party has also diminished. At the same time, state variation in pa...
Integrated Clustering and Anomaly Detection (INCAD) for Streaming Data

Most current clustering based anomaly detection methods use scoring schema and thresholds to classify anomalies. These methods are often tailored to target specific data sets with “known” number of clusters. The paper provides a streaming clustering and anomaly detection algorithm that does not require strict arbitrary thresholds on the anomaly scores or knowledge of the number of clusters while performing probabilistic anomaly detection and clustering simultaneously. This ensures that the cluster formation is not impacted by the presence of anomalous data, thereby leading to more reliable definition of “normal vs abnormal” behavior. The motivations behind developing the INCAD model [17] and the path that leads to the streaming model are discussed.
Positional and ontogenetic variation in vertebral centra morphology in five batoid species

An increasing number of studies on elasmobranchs have shown that band-pair counts in vertebral centra do not accurately reflect age. Research in sharks has indicated that the number of band pairs vary with body size and that centrum morphology is related to structural needs. A study of this kind has not been undertaken on batoids; thus, we examined the relationship between band-pair deposition and morphology of centra along the vertebral column, and ontogenetically, for five batoid species (little skate, Leucoraja erinacea, winter skate, Leucoraja ocellata, barndoor skate, Dipturus laevis, Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina, and round ray, Urobatis halleri). Centrum morphology and band-pair count varied along the vertebral column in all individuals of all species, except in young of the year. Variation in band-pair counts among centra within individuals supports the hypothesis that band-pair formation is related to somatic growth and body shape rather than to an annual cycle.
Turbulent shear layers in a uniformly stratified background: DNS at high Reynolds number

Direct numerical simulations are performed to investigate a stratified shear layer at high Reynolds number (. The dependence of mixing efficiency on buoyancy Reynolds number during the turbulence phase is qualitatively similar to homogeneous sheared turbulence.
Vaccine Hesitancy and Intransigence.

Edited by Jacquelyn H. Flaskerud, RN, PhD, FAANSchool of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USAJanna Lesser, RN PhD, FAANSchool of Nursing, University of Texas...
Modelling effective electromagnetic properties of composites containing barium strontium titanate and/or nickel zinc ferrite inclusions from 1 to 4 GHz

Abstract The importance of nonlinear dielectric and magnetic materials for developing nonlinear transmission lines for high power microwave applications necessitates characterization of the behavior of composites containing these inclusions at microwave frequencies. Here, we apply commercial finite element software and various effective medium theories (EMTs) to predict the effective permittivity and permeability of composites containing inclusions with volume fractions of up to 25 % barium strontium titanate (Ba2/3Sr1/3TiO3, BST) and/or nickel zinc ferrite (Ni1/2Zn1/2 Fe2O4, NZF) in a silicon-based host from 1 to 4 GHz. The modelling results suggest that limited agglomerations of high dielectric contrast BST inclusions may create effective higher aspect ratio inclusions that may enhance the effective dielectric properties of BST composites. For the three-phase composites containing BST and NZF in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), we first treated the NZF and PDMS as an intermediate “host,” which we subsequently mixed with BST inclusions to construct an effective two-phase EMT. The modelling results agree with the measured permittivity and permeability of the two- and three-phase composites in the linear region and may be used as predictive tools to guide composite design.
Low-Molecular Weight Heparin is Superior to Unfractionated Heparin for Elderly Trauma Patients.

ABSTRACT Background Several studies have demonstrated that low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is superior to unfractionated heparin (UFH) in trauma patients. The superiority of either one has not been established for the elderly. In this study, we compared LMWH to UFH in elderly trauma patients. Methods A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons’ Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was performed for patients aged ≥65 y. Propensity score matching was performed to minimize confounders between the two groups. Outcomes included venous thromboembolic (VTE) and bleeding events. Results Overall, 93,987 patients were identified (mean age 77.1 ± 7.3 y, females 55,035 [58.6%]), of which 67,738 (72.1%) patients received LMWH and 26,249 (27.9%) received UFH. After Propensity score matching, LMWH was associated with a lower incidence of deep venous thrombosis (1.7% versus 2.1%, P = 0.007) and pulmonary embolisms (0.6% versus 1%, P Conclusion LMWH prophylaxis is superior to UFH for VTE prevention among elderly trauma patients. LMWH prophylaxis is associated with fewer bleeding complications compared to UFH in patients with injuries of mild or moderate severity.
The Federal Reserve Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF): Where the municipal securities market and fed finally meet

The CARES Act authorized the Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) with an explicit purpose of aiding state and local governments with their liquidity needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike other federal liquidity facilities authorized by the Act that offered short-term financing to certain dealers and institutional investors in municipal securities, the MLF offered direct access to liquidity to eligible state and local governments. In this article we describe the MLF, including its legal arrangements, structural characteristics, and public policy features. We then empirically evaluate the pricing, credit rating, and issuer eligibility requirements of the MLF, in the context of other federal interventions, using difference-in-differences and interrupted time series analysis techniques. Finally, we propose suggestions for the evolution of the MLF and the Federal Reserve's liquidity provision role in response to continued exposure to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2021 Public Financial Publications LLC
Transparency as Justice: The Ethics of Public Attorneys and Judicial Seals

In 2004, the State of West Virginia settled a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma LP accusing the company of pushing pills by understating the addictive effects of OxyContin. As a result, the judge in the case sealed his ruling denying Purdue’s motion to dismiss. The seal was not vacated until the United States was enveloped by the opioid crisis twelve years and 245,000 overdose deaths later. The pattern nearly repeated itself in 2019 until the United State Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated a judicial seal in In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation, allowing press access to information in discovery and in the pleadings. Such seals in mass products liability cases stretch back decades, but they are getting renewed attention based on the Sixth Circuit’s pattern tightening requirements for such seals in Shane Group, Inc. v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. This article addresses the duties of public sector attorneys in situations involving judicial seals of information relevant to the public health and safety. Although the Supreme Court has held that seals may only issue after the trial court balances the public interest in disclosure against the private interest in confidentiality, courts typically grant an uncontested motion to seal without performing it. Because the public interest is in favor of such disclosures — particularly where the government is a party — government attorneys have a duty to ensure the public release of such data. Thus, reform is needed through the imposition of legal or ethical requirements that ensure this result and, by extension, require public servants to protect the public.
Evidence for skipped spawning in a potamodromous cyprinid, humpback chub ( Gila cypha ), with implications for demographic parameter estimates

Abstract Our findings reveal evidence for skipped spawning in a potamodromous cyprinid, humpback chub (HBC; Gila cypha). Using closed robust design mark-recapture models, we found, on average, spawning HBC transition to the skipped spawning state ( γ ¯ ˆ ″ ) with a probability of 0.45 (95% CRI (i.e. credible interval): 0.10, 0.80) and skipped spawners remain in the skipped spawning state ( γ ¯ ˆ ′ ) with a probability of 0.60 (95% CRI: 0.26, 0.83), yielding an average spawning cycle of every 2.12 years, conditional on survival. As a result, migratory skipped spawners are unavailable for detection during annual sampling events. If availability is unaccounted for, survival and detection probability estimates will be biased. Therefore, we estimated annual adult survival probability (S), while accounting for skipped spawning, and found S remained reasonably stable throughout the study period, with an average of 0.75 ((95% CRI: 0.66, 0.82), process variance σ2 = 0.005), while skipped spawning probability was highly dynamic (σ2 = 0.306). By improving understanding of HBC spawning strategies, conservation decisions can be based on less biased estimates of survival and a more informed population model structure.
Studies on the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune renal tubulointerstitial disease in guinea pigs. 1. Inhibition of tissue injury in leukocyte-depleted passive transfer recipients.

Abstract Renal tubulointerstitial disease (RTD) in guinea pigs is passively transferred to unmanipulated recipients by autoantibody to renal tubular basement membrane. The present experiments show that such tissue injury could not be induced in recipients depleted of radiosensitive circulating leukocytes before or 1 day after injection of antibody. Radioresistant phagocytic mononuclear cells, characteristic of RTD lesions, did not accumulate in the target organ in the absence of radiosensitive cells. When lethally irradiated recipients were reconstituted by bone marrow grafts and then given antibody, they developed RTD indistinguishable from that seen in unirradiated passive transfer recipients. There observations indicate that the initial accumulation of radiosensitive leukocytes in the target tissue is mediated by autoantibody and complement, and that progression of tissue damage depends to some extent on radioresistant mononuclear cells. Direct injury of renal tubules by complement and autoantibody was not observed.
Differences in Computer Use of Practicing versus Preservice Teachers

AbstractThis study compared levels of computer use by practicing teachers with expected levels of use by preservice teachers. The variables related to computer use were also measured. The levels of computer use of practicing (N = 170) and preservice (N = 167) elementary school teachers were first classified. The predictiveness of several personal variables to the use of available computers for teaching was then examined. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed level of computer use, self-competence in the use of computers, perceived relevance of computers to teaching, teacher locus of control, and innovativeness. Data on age, gender, and years of computer experience were also collected. Chi-square and logistic regression procedures were used to analyze the differences between the groups’ levels of use and relationships between teacher characteristics and computer use, respectively. About half of the practicing teachers reported not using computers for teaching. Almost all of the preservice tea...
Hydraulic Accumulator Technology Boosts Transit Bus Fuel Economy

An investigation into the use of current hydraulic accumulator technology to regenerate braking energy in urban transit buses indicates that this system can improve vehicle fuel economy by approximately 50 percent. This savings plus that achieved through extended brake life can mean nearly $70,000 saved per vehicle over a 12-year lifetime. Of the four system approaches investigated, that employed by the Technical University of Denmark is described in detail. It has the highest commercialization potential and would require only a short-term development program before introduction. It is also widely applicable to the transit bus retrofit market. A theoretical analysis of the energy available for regeneration during the transit bus duty cycle; a computer simulation of system performance; and a cost/benefit analysis are discussed. Included is an extensive bibliography resulting from a worldwide literature search that produced over 240 papers on the subject.
Toward a Logic of Historical Constitution

The question which it is my intention to explore in the pages which follow is, What makes an historical reconstruction acceptable? But before I begin, it seems appropriate to say something about the term ‘historical constitution,’ particularly since so far as I know I am the only one who uses it. Such perverse idiosyncracy ought not to be indulged, yet in the present case some justification can be offered. I am not wedded to the term for its own sake, but it does seem to suit my purpose admirably. What I am trying to do when I use it, is to avoid using the established alternatives, because those alternatives carry along with them suggestions about history and historical knowing which I should want to reject.
Generalizations of the compactness theorem and Gödel's completeness theorem for nonstandard finite structures

The compactness theorem and Godel's completeness theorem are perhaps the most important tools of mathematical logic for creating extensions of an existing model of a given theory. Unfortunately none of these theorems hold if we restrict our attention to finite models. In this paper we give generalizations of these theorems which can be used to construct extensions of nonstandard versions of finite structures. Therefore, although the structures are infinite, some finiteness properties will be true both for the original and the extended structures. These types of model extensions are closely related to questions in complexity theory.
One-step and stepwise magnification of a bobbed lethal chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster.

Bobbed lethal (bbl) chromosomes carry too few ribosomal genes for homozygous flies to be viable. Reversion of bbl chromosomes to bb or nearly bb + occurs under magnifying conditions at a low frequency in a single generation. These reversions occur too rapidly to be accounted for by single unequal sister chromatid exchanges and seem unlikely to be due to multiple sister strand exchanges within a given cell lineage. Analysis of several one-step revertants indicates that they are X-Y recombinant chromosomes which probably arise from X-Y recombination at bb. The addition of ribosomal genes from the Y chromosome to the bbl chromosome explains the more rapid reversion of the bbl chromosome than is permitted by single events of unequal sister chromatid exchange. Analysis of stepwise bbl magnified chromosomes, which were selected over a period of 4–9 magnifying generations, shows ribosomal gene patterns that are closely similar to each other. Similarity in rDNA pattern among stepwise magnified products of the same parental chromosome is consistent with reversion by a mechanism of unequal sister strand exchange.
An Investigation of using statistically designed experiments and a computer model

Abstract This paper outlines the results of an experimental program aimed at established the best formation parameters for dynamic Zr (IV) — PAA membranes formed on porous ceramic supports. The membrane formation parameters investigated are the pressure, the circulation velocity, the Zr (IV) concentration, and the PAA concentration. The formation pressure was allowed to vary between 200 psig (1.4 MPa) to 800 psig (5.4 MPa), the circulation velocity from 6 fps (1.8 m/s) to 24 fps (7.3 m/s), the Zr (IV) concentration from 10-4M to 9 × 10-4M, and the PAA concentration from 50 ppm to 250 ppm. Twenty statistically designed experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of these four parameters on the flux and rejection of the resulting membrane at the end of the formation procedure. The results were used in a multiple linear regression computer program named BMD-PIR which develops the measured values with an accuracy of +_ 2 percent. Using these models, it is possible to form a membrane with a given value of flux or rejection within their ranges. For the range of variables used in this study, the maximum membrane rejection was 91% corresponding to a flux of 10 gpd/ft2(1.7 cm/hr) for 0.05 M NaCl and 800 psi (5.4 MPa). High rejection was obtained by increasing the membrane formation pressure and by increasing the PAA concentration. High flux can be achieved by increasing the formation pressure, by increasing the Zr (IV) concentration up to 9.0 × 10-4M -, and by increasing the circulation velocity.
Separable beamforming for 3-D synthetic aperture ultrasound imaging

Recently, there has been great interest in 3-D ultrasound imaging, but power constraints have precluded practical implementation of high-resolution 3-D ultrasound in handheld imaging platforms. In this paper, we propose a separable beamforming procedure for subaperture-based 3-D synthetic aperture ultrasound systems that drastically reduces computational (and hence power) requirements. Separable beamforming approximates 2-D array beamforming through a series of 1-D beamforming operations. Our proposed method is based on a separable delay decomposition method that minimizes phase error. We show that the proposed separable system achieves 19-fold complexity reduction while producing images with contrast-to-noise ratio comparable to that of non-separable systems. Furthermore, we propose an online iterative delay calculation method that substantially reduces storage requirements. We briefly describe how the separable beamformer can be implemented in the context of Sonic Millip3De, our recently proposed hardware accelerator for the diaital front-end of a 3-D ultrasound system.
A Secure Group Collaboration Protocol for Nonverbal Human Social Signals Featuring Deception Detection

Non-verbal human social signals have emerged as an important area of study including the analysis of human deception. The ability to credibly detect truth and deception can be critical today especially due to the wave of terrorism acts and illegal immigration upheavals just to mention a few instances where individuals might not be forthright with their information. Unlike for non-verbal human social signals, with other regular data many networked groups are collaboratively sharing data in order to achieve broader and more comprehensive results. To overcome the inherent danger of data exposure in groups with potential semi-honest participants, measures have been introduced to ensure privacy, integrity, and security in such collaborative exchanges. We do notice, however, that sharing of non-verbal human social signals data is lagging behind in such sharing. As this form of data is growing rapidly and prominently, we propose a protocol that extends group sharing of such data featuring human deception detection social signals among collaborative partners. The protocol will provide privacy, integrity, and security of the data during these exchanges.
Emergency Medicine Rural Rotations: A Program Director's Guide

The Institute of Medicine's 2006 report titled "Hospital-Based Emergency Care: At the Breaking Point" called national attention to the lack of specialty-trained emergency care practitioners, particularly in rural America. One suggested strategy for narrowing the gap between the prevalence of residency-trained, board-certified emergency physicians practicing in rural and urban emergency departments is the development of rural clinical experiences for emergency medicine residents during the course of their training. This article addresses promotion of a rural emergency medicine rotation to hospital leadership and resident recruits, examines funding sources, discusses medical liability and disability insurance options, provides suggestions for meeting faculty and planned educational activity residency review committee requirements, and offers guidance about site selection to direct emergency medicine academic leaders considering or planning a new rural emergency medicine rotation.
Ergodic properties of stationary stable processes

Abstract We derive spectral necessary and sufficient conditions for stationary symmetric stable processes to be metrically transitive and mixing. We then consider some important classes of stationary stable processes: Sub-Gaussian stationary processes and stationary stable processes with a harmonic spectral representation are never metrically transitive, the latter in sharp contrast with the Gaussian case. Stable processes with a harmonic spectral representation satisfy a strong law of large numbers even though they are not generally stationary. For doubly stationary stable processes, sufficient conditions are derived for metric transitivity and mixing, and necessary and sufficient conditions for a strong law of large numbers.
Personality disorders and the persistence of anxiety disorders: evidence of a time-of-measurement effect in NESARC.

Abstract Recent studies using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) have found that some personality disorders (PDs) increase the persistence of several Axis I disorders. However, these effects are potentially confounded with the data collection wave in which PDs were assessed. Our aim was to extend published analyses to the case of anxiety disorders and to determine the robustness of the associations to analyses examining time-of-measurement effects. Persistence of anxiety disorders was defined either as follow-up diagnosis among participants diagnosed at baseline (“prediction”) or baseline diagnosis among participants diagnosed at follow-up (“post-diction”). Results revealed a robust pattern of higher odds ratios for post-diction among PDs assessed at baseline, and lower odds ratios for post-diction among PDs assessed at follow-up, suggesting a time of measurement artifact. Although only 4% of associations were robust to both predictive and post-dictive analyses, these were consistent with previous research.
SOME METAL COMPLEXES OF α, β, γ, δ-TETRA-(4-PYRIDYL) PORPHINE

Abstract The zinc (II), copper (II), nickel (II), cobalt (II), chloromanganese (III), and chloroiron (III) complexes of α, β, γ, δ-tetra-(4-pyridyl)-porphine (4-TPyP) were prepared. The magnetic susceptibilities from near 0° to 90° K and at room temperature were measured for solid Cu(4-TPyp), Ni(4-TPyP), Co-(4-TPyP), ClMn(4-TPyP) · H2 O and ClFe(4-TPyP). The Mossbauer spectra of ClFe(4-TPyP) were obtained at several temperatures. The infrared spectra and d-spacings were obtained for all of the solids. Electronic spectra of the complexes in pyridine and, where possible, in 0.1 N HCl solution were recorded. Evidence of intermolecular interaction was found for Co(4-TPyP), Ni(4-TPyP), and ClFe(4-TPyP).
Material-specific memory in traumatic brain injury: differential effects during acquisition, recall, and retention.

Material-specific memory refers to the ability to learn and recall new episodic information on the basis of the nature of the stimulus material (e.g., verbal vs. nonverbal-visuospatial). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data from a sample of patients with traumatic brain injury to compare 3 models of memory functioning: material-specific, material-specific plus general, and general (non-material-specific). The models were examined separately for acquisition, delayed free recall, and retention aspects of memory. Results suggest that, at least in a population with traumatic brain injury, the acquisition of new information takes place in a material-specific memory fashion, delayed free recall involves both material-specific and general (non-material-specific) memory components, but retention relies primarily on general (non-material-specific) memory processes.
Saline and methionine-saline effects on survival rate of rats receiving standardized burn shock.

SummaryA simple and convenient method for producing standardized burn shock in rats is described. Isotonic saline injected intraperitoneally one hour before a standardized burn shock did not increase the survival rate; administration at the time of the burn or one hour following significantly increased the survival rate. Methionine-sa-line solution given one hour before burning significantly increased the survival rate; given at the time of the burn or one hour following, the effect was the same as with saline alone.
Robust Fluorescent Response of Micropatterned Multilayered Films

We demonstrate that photobleaching can be significantly suppressed in fluorescent‐labeled polyelectrolyte layer‐by‐layer (LbL) films by efficient spatial isolation of the dye molecules using multilayered architecture. The films exhibited excellent temporal stability under high excitation power where the bulk films suffered a significant photobleaching. Quenching of the fluorescence caused by the resonant energy transfer between the dye molecules and gold nanoparticles exhibited a weak distance dependence with significant quenching extending beyond 20 nm distance. The robust, freely suspended, fluorescent LbL films exhibited stable fluorescence response under deformation which can make them attractive for sensitive fluoroimmunoassays. In Commemoration of the Contributions of Professor Valery P. Privalko to Polymer Science.
Intraindividual analysis of antiepileptic drug effects on EEG background rhythms

Antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy with either phenytoin or carbamazepine has been associated with generalized slowing of EEG background rhythms. These effects have been seen in groups of patients undergoing AED manipulation, although the background slowing has been highly variable from patient to patient. Background slowing may represent an objective physiologic measure of drug impact on cerebral function and could be useful in monitoring for AED neurotoxicity in individual patients. This would require an intraindividual analysis of AED effects on EEG background rhythms. The present study was designed to develop a methodology for intraindividual analysis of EEG background changes and to apply this methodology to patients beginning or ending chronic AED therapy. EEG recordings were obtained under controlled conditions in 31 healthy subjects and were repeated after an interval of 12-16 weeks. EEG background rhythms from each record were analyzed using the fast Fourier transform, and test-retest differences for several quantitative measures were calculated from each subject's paired recordings. EEG recordings were also obtained in 6 patients beginning or ending chronic AED therapy. Test-retest differences for each patient's quantitative EEG measures were statistically compared with the distributions of test-retest measures obtained from the healthy controls. AED therapy was associated with an increase in absolute delta and/or theta power and a slowing of the dominant posterior rhythm; however, these EEG background changes varied widely in degree from patient to patient. Intraindividual analysis revealed that 5 patients had statistically significant slowing relative to the control group on at least 1 of the 9 target quantitative EEG measures, as well as a composite measure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A framework for adaptive algorithm selection in STAPL

Writing portable programs that perform well on multiple platforms or for varying input sizes and types can be very difficult because performance is often sensitive to the system architecture, the run-time environment, and input data characteristics. This is even more challenging on parallel and distributed systems due to the wide variety of system architectures. One way to address this problem is to adaptively select the best parallel algorithm for the current input data and system from a set of functionally equivalent algorithmic options. Toward this goal, we have developed a general framework for adaptive algorithm selection for use in the Standard Template Adaptive Parallel Library (STAPL). Our framework uses machine learning techniques to analyze data collected by STAPL installation benchmarks and to determine tests that will select among algorithmic options at run-time. We apply a prototype implementation of our framework to two important parallel operations, sorting and matrix multiplication, on multiple platforms and show that the framework determines run-time tests that correctly select the best performing algorithm from among several competing algorithmic options in 86-100% of the cases studied, depending on the operation and the system.
CVD Diamond As An IR And Optical Material

Recent developments in the science and technology of diamond deposition have, surprisingly, almost kept pace with the expectations generated by the popular press. Diamond of optical, i.e. gem, quality has been deposited on silica based glasses. In addition, free standing, optical quality films have been prepared by numerous laboratories in both the U.S. and Japan. Despite the rapid progress of recent months several goals have proved elusive. These include such important ones as uniform, high density (~10 8 cm -2 or greater) nucleation without surface damage and commercially feasible rates of deposition (~0.1 to 1 μm/hr) at substrate temperatures below 500°C. It has been found that the "quality" of diamond deposited at low substrate temperatures can be equivalent to that obtained at more conventional deposition temperatures of 800° to 1000° C. Nevertheless, the achievements which have been accomplished show significant promise for the future.
Microcavities in Three-Dimensional Photonic Crystals

Designed point-defects, or microcavities, have been achieved in high-index-contrast 3D photonic crystals. Such cavities may possess ultra-high quality factors and be robust against fabrication distortions. Future applications in cavity quantum electrodynamics will be discussed.
Error and failure-control proceedure for a large-size bubble memory

This paper describes a new dual-mode error-coding scheme for a large-size bubble memory. The scheme is designed to preserve the nonvolatility property of bubbles against random single-bit errors and occasional massive data loss caused by failure of a module or a card. The objective in this design was to obtain reasonable amount of fault tolerance in a cost-effective manner without substantial increase in normal ECC (error correcting code) redundancy. In this memory, blocks of data are accessed sequentially in the form of m-byte words, which corresponds to interleaved or parallel operation of m bubble modules. Each word contains one check byte. A group of N words forms a block with an additional end-of-block check byte in the Nth word. The word ECC, in its primary mode, routinely corrects random single-bit errors. In the presence of larger errors, caused by an oncoming module failure, the interaction between the word ECC and the end-of-block check provides detection and isolation of the failing module. The word ECC, then in its secondary mode, provides recovery of a large amount of data lost in the failing module. The bubble memory is then reconfigured, bypassing the failed module before restoring the data.
On the macroscopic description of slow viscous flow past a random array of spheres

We give rigorous derivation of Brinkman's equation as the effective equation for slow viscous flow in porous media with high porosity. The medium is composed of spherical obstacles distributed randomly, and the microscopic flow is described by the Stokes equation. Along the road we giveW 2 1 convergence estimates for the point-sources approximation.
System reliability developments in structural engineering

Abstract Two major limitations occur in present structural design code developments utilizing reliability theory. The notional system reliabilities may differ significantly from calibrated component reliabilities. Secondly, actual failures are often due to gross errors not reflected in most present code formats. A review is presented of system reliability methods and further new concepts are developed. The incremental load approach for identifying and expressing collapse modes is expanded by employing a strategy to identify and enumerate the significant structural collapse modes. It further isolates the importance of critical components in the system performance. Ductile and brittle component behavior and strength correlation is reflected in the system model and illustrated in several examples. Modal combinations for the system reliability are also reviewed. From these developments a system factor can be addended to component safety cheking equations. Values may be derived from system behavior by substituting in a damage model which accounts for the response range from component failure to collapse. Other strategies are discussed which emphasize quality assurance during design and in-service inspection for components whose behavior is critical to the system reliability.
Personalisation–privacy paradox: The effects of personalisation and privacy assurance on customer responses to travel Web sites

Personalisation refers to individualizing products, services, and contents according to customer interests and preferences. In order to deliver appropriate personalised offerings, firms inevitably need to collect rich customer data profiles. Prior research suggests that personalised services lead to positive customer responses such as increased willingness to disclose personal information and make purchases. However, another stream of research emphasizes negative outcomes of personalisation – namely, privacy concerns surrounding the use of personal information and associated negative effects on behaviour. The objectives of this study are twofold: (1) to examine how privacy assurance affects proximal outcomes of personalisation, such as perceived usefulness and privacy concerns; and (2) to identify the role such outcomes play in predicting customer behavioural responses, such as willingness to disclose personal information and make purchases. Our findings show that enhancing privacy assurance increases the perceived usefulness of services and decreases customer privacy concerns. Moreover, customer behavioural responses are positively related to the perceived usefulness of services and negatively associated with privacy concerns. However, despite the positive effects on perceived usefulness and purchase intentions, personalisation has no effect on privacy concerns and intentions to disclose personal information.
The developmental aspect of marking and nesting behaviors in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

The marking and nest-building behaviors of male and female gerbils were studied developmentally. Gerbils of both sexes began to mark at 5 weeks of age, though males did not mark more often than females until 16 weeks of age. Both males and females were able to use cotton to build nests at 5 weeks of age. No sex difference was found in cotton consumption at any age level. The marking and nesting activities were positive functions of age.