cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Software framework of a real-time pre-beamformed RF data acquisition of an ultrasound research scanner

Acquisition of pre-beamformed data is essential in advanced imaging research studies such as adaptive beamforming, synthetic aperture imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. Ultrasonix Co. has developed such a data acquisition device for pre-beamformed data known as the SONIX-DAQ, but data can only be downloaded and processed offline rather than streamed in real-time. In this work, we developed a software framework to extend the functionality of the SONIX-DAQ for streaming and processing data in near real-time. As an example, we applied this functionality to our previous work of visualizing photoacoustic images of prostate brachytherapy seeds. In this paper, we present our software framework, applying it to a real-time photoacoustic imaging system, including real-time data collection and data-processing software modules for brachytherapy treatment.
Health care and treatment for the chronically ill: toward a conceptual framework.

Abstract Due to the aging of the population there is an increased prevalence of chronic disease which requires a special style of treatment. The intention of this article is to develop a model of care for the treatment of the chronically ill. The basic ingredients of this model are: (1) that the needs of chronically ill persons go well beyond medical considerations: (2) that in order to administer quality care, a wide variety of therapies must function in the context of a dynamic and flexible team; (3) that the referent for therapeutic decisions and interdisciplinary problems be the patient and his/her needs; and (4) that the team be aided and abetted by the larger organizational context in which it functions, i.e. the hospital.
Osteoclast molecular phenotyping by random cDNA sequencing.

Abstract The osteoclast is a cell type that is highly specialized for its bone resorption function. In order to decipher the numerous biochemical functions of osteoclasts, a description of the gene expression profile of osteoclasts would be beneficial. We have sought to identify genes that are highly expressed in osteoclasts by partially sequencing 194 randomly chosen cDNA clones from a representative rabbit osteoclast cDNA library. Comparison to nucleic acid and protein sequence databases indicates that 135 of these cDNAs are identical to or homologous to known mammalian genes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays with micro-isolated osteoclasts were used to verify the osteoclast expression of some of these genes. Fifty-nine cDNAs, including two abundantly expressed species, have no significant similarity to the sequence databases and likely represent novel genes. The most abundant of the osteoclast expressed genes encode cofilin and the vacuolar H + -ATPase 16 kd subunit. Each were represented at a frequency of 4.1 % of the clones in the library (95% confidence interval = 2.4–6.6%). The high expression of these gene products is consistent with the high motility of osteoclasts and their very active hydrogen ion secretion. Other abundantly expressed sequences include (3-actin (95% C.I. = 2.0–6.0%), creatine kinase B (95% C.I. = 1.2–4.9%), c- fms and ribosomal protein L18 (95% C.I. = 0.8–4.3%), and cathepsin-OC2, cyclophilin, δ-aminolevulinate synthetase, 165 mitochondrial rRNA, and two novel gene sequences (95% C.I. = 0.5–3.6%).
Measurement of heat input in complex wave form welding

AbstractHeat input is an essential variable in many codes and industry specifications due to the relationship between heat input and the mechanical properties of a weldment. However, the current and voltage values displayed by many welding power sources or traditional hand-held meters often do not reflect the energy input to a weld with pulsing or other modern welding waveforms.Modern welding waveforms are often not symmetric. They operate on inductive loads, contain high frequency harmonics and are not repetitive. Traditional methods of calculating heat input involve the measuring of either average or RMS voltage and average or RMS current. While traditional methods produce relatively consistent results with high energy processes, such as traditional spray arc, the results become less consistent or accurate with short arc and pulse modes due to the continually changing output of the machine.This work identifies modern waveforms and describes the means for accurately measuring the energy input into a weld...
A Critical Evaluation of Glycated Protein Parameters in Advanced Nephropathy: A Matter of Life or Death: Time to dispense with the hemoglobin A1C in end-stage kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease remains as one of the major complications for individuals with diabetes and contributes to considerable morbidity. Individuals subjected to dialysis therapy, half of whom are diabetic, experience a mortality of ∼20% per year. Understanding factors related to mortality remains a priority. Outside of dialysis units, A1C is unquestioned as the “gold standard” for glycemic control. In the recent past, however, there is evidence in large cohorts of diabetic dialysis patients that A1C at both the higher and lower levels was associated with mortality. Given the unique conditions associated with the metabolic dysregulation in dialysis patients, there is a critical need to identify accurate assays to monitor glycemic control to relate to cardiovascular endpoints. In this two-part point-counterpoint narrative, Drs. Freedman and Kalantar-Zadeh take opposing views on the utility of A1C in relation to cardiovascular disease and survival and as to consideration of use of other short-term markers in glycemia. In the narrative below, Dr. Freedman suggests that glycated albumin may be the preferred glycemic marker in dialysis subjects. In the counterpoint narrative following Dr. Freedman’s contribution, Dr. Kalantar-Zadeh defends the use of A1C as the unquestioned gold standard for glycemic management in dialysis subjects. —William T. Cefalu, MD Editor in Chief, Diabetes Care
Personality and background characteristics of suicidal mental patients.

Abstract The present study has compared the personality traits and background characteristics of 30 psychiatric patients admitted to a State hospital subsequent to a suicide attempt with a group of nonsuicidal psychiatric patients. The two groups were matched on sex, age, race and marital status. All patients completed a form designed to elicit data on various demographic, clinical, and past history variables. They also completed a personality instrument designed to evaluate the relative importance in the life of an individual of eight basic emotions. The suicidal patients scored considerably higher on feelings of depression and aggression and lower on feelings of fear. Other variables such as the following also differentiated between the two groups: more suicidal patients were only children, raised by their mothers alone; a large number of the suicidal group reported regular usage of such drugs as marajuana and heroin, whereas none of the nonsuicidals so reported; the suicidals more frequently reported recent losses; and there were more schizophrenics in the nonsuicidal group. Implications for the timing of discharge and follow-up care were discussed.
Use of Avatars and a Virtual Community to Increase Cultural Competence

This study compared learning objectives achieved in hybrid/online social work courses through MSW student use of avatars and virtual communities (n = 25) to those achieved in a traditional course (n = 22). Learning outcomes were compared through students' reflections on “cocktail party” exercises occurring either in virtual communities or in class. The potential for and barriers to successful implementation of virtual communities in social work education are discussed. In summary, virtual communities and avatars present a vital opportunity for individuals to experience different perspectives, which, in turn, can nurture culturally competent skill building.
Follow-up of Patients with Early Breast Cancer

An otherwise healthy 53-year-old woman is seen for routine care after completing treatment several months earlier for stage II estrogen-receptor–positive, HER2-positive breast cancer. The treatment consisted of lumpectomy, irradiation, adjuvant chemotherapy (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel), and trastuzumab. Her only current medication is an aromatase inhibitor. She is amenorrheic. She reports fatigue, hot flashes, arthralgias, and sexual difficulties and is concerned about the risk of a recurrence. How would you follow this patient, and what would you recommend for her symptoms?
Toxicity evaluation of a complex metal mixture to the softshell clam Mya arenaria

Adults of the softshell clam Mya arenaria were continuously subjected to a flowing raw seawater solution containing a mixture of salts of manganese, zinc, lead, nickel, copper, and cadmium. Final calculated concentrations, in μg l-1, of the toxicant solution were 7200 Mn, 2500 Zn, 70 Pb, 50 Ni, 50 Cu and 1 Cd; these concentrations approximated highest measured levels within surficial interstitial sediment waters from mid-Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. M. arenaria were also subjected to a 20% solution, i.e., 1440 Mn, 500 Zn, 14 Pb, 10 Ni, 10 Cu, and 0.2 μg l-1 Cd. One study was conducted for 112 days in winter at 0° to 10°C and another for 16 days in summer at 16° to 22°C. In the winter study, all clams exposed to a 100% solution died between the 4th and 10th week; soft parts of survivors at 6 weeks contained about 19 times more Pb, 15 x more Zn, 12 x more Cu, 10 x more Mn, 3 x more Ni and 0.1 x more Cd than controls; relatively minor changes in whole body elemental content of Ca, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Sr, and V were observed. Clams exposed to a 20% solution during winter survived the 112 day study; at that time these contained about 5 x more Cu, 4 x more Mn, 3 x more Zn and about 2 x more Pb than controls; comparatively minor changes were observed in other elements examined. In the summer study, all M. arenaria subjected to the 100% solution died between 6 and 14 days; survivors from this group at 7 days contained about 25 x more Pb, 13 x more Cu, 11 x more Zn, 7 x more Mn, and 3 x more Ni than controls; other changes in elemental content were not as pronounced. Mortality in the 20% group during summer was slightly higher than controls during the 16 day study; at 14 days survivors from this group contained about 12 x more Mn, 7 x more Pb, 7 x more Zn, 4 x more Cu, and 3 x more Ni than controls. Survival and bioaccumulation patterns were not altered through feeding a supplemental diet of algae. The significance of these findings are discussed in terms of potential environmental perturbations, especially local dredging practices.
Recent Results in Silicon Photonics

Silicon photonics has recently attracted attention. This presentation gives an overview of recent advances in this area including demonstration of 10 Gbps data transmission using a silicon modulator and a continuous-wave Raman silicon laser.
Effect of three extinction procedures following avoidance conditioning in preschool children

Following acquisition of an instrumental avoidance response, 36 preschool Ss were given 200 extinction trials. Omission of children’ s songs served as the aversive event. Three extinction procedures were established: (a) a CS-only procedure in which the music was never omitted, (b) a punishment procedure in which music omission was response contingent, and (c) a procedure whereby music omission was unavoidable and inescapable. The results were dependent upon the extinction procedures being compared; however, the CS-only procedure was most resistant to extinction.
Bladder cancer among chemical workers exposed to nitrogen products and other substances.

Objective To investigate further bladder cancer mortality excess based on four deaths observed among the internal comparison population of a previous historical cohort study of workers from a chemical plant in Lima, Ohio. The internal population mainly comprised workers from the Nitrogen Products (NP) Division. Methods The original Lima cohort was expanded to include all workers (n = 1,841) employed between 1955 and 1996. A subcohort of workers employed mainly in the NP Division (NP Subcohort) was identified and used as the primary study population and as the source of cases and controls for a matched case-control study of bladder cancer. All death records were reviewed for any mention of bladder cancer; all available personnel, medical, and insurance files were reviewed to identify any current or former employees with an existing diagnosis of bladder cancer. A qualitative exposure assessment of all cases and controls was performed to evaluate an exploratory hypothesis that the bladder cancer excess may be associated with work histories involving both NP and urea, specifically, nitric acid and urea. Results We identified 96 new deaths among the expanded Lima cohort and obtained cause of death for 90. One additional bladder cancer death and one living case were identified and these were members of the original Lima cohort. The bladder cancer standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for the NP Subcohort (SMR = 3.31, 95%CI = 0.90–8.47) fell between the SMRs observed for all workers in the original and expanded Lima cohort (SMR = 3.93, 95%CI = 1.07–10.06 and 3.10, 95%CI = 1.01–7.24, respectively), but was markedly less than the SMR observed for corresponding subcohort of AN-unexposed workers in the original Lima cohort (SMR = 7.01, 95%CI = 1.91–17.96). Sparse data and a high prevalence of exposure among controls precluded an informative statistical analysis of the possible association between work histories involving both nitric acid and urea and bladder cancer risk. Conclusions This study confirms that bladder cancer mortality is elevated among persons who worked mainly in the NP Division of the Lima plant, but at a lower, less statistically significant level than indicated by the original cohort study. No occupational risk factors considered to be causally related to the bladder cancer excess could be identified by this intensive investigation; other possible reasons for the excess are suggested by the descriptive data. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:286–295, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Conserved energy without work or heat.

Abstract By merely observing the common empirical temperature that two like subsystems in contact reach, as a recordable function of their initial empirical temperatures and specific volumes, we can deduce logically a conserved energy function that depends only on empirical temperature and specific volume. What makes possible this offbeat 18th-century inference, quite free of any 19th-century concepts of "heat" or measurable mechanical work, is the Invariance Law of nature, whereby any four like subsystems must settle down to the same common temperatures regardless of which two-by-two pairings are made-so to speak, an "independence of path" property. Mathematically, the Invariance Law imposes Abel-like functional equations on the admissible functions. Remarkably, recourse to such temperature-equalization data renders it impossible to identify one constant in the energy function. By observing how two quite different substances come into equilibrium, or by utilizing "adiabatic slopes" at two points for one substance, or by observing its expansion into a vacuum, we can determine all its unknowns. Much of conventional expositions of the First and Second Laws seems derivable from the equation of state and the First Law's energy function.
Intelligent three step sampling design for face recognition

Learning curve phenomenon indicates that not all available images need to be used in training. This paper proposes a three-step intelligent sampling to construct a representative and efficient training database, where both the number of training images and which images to be included are determined. Firstly, clustering on a subset of huge face database is implemented as preparation. Secondly, systematic sampling on clusters is utilized to improve the efficiency. Thirdly, performance is evaluated to check whether the learning curve has reached a point of diminishing returns, and a new metric of difficulty is defined to determine which images from the complementary subset of initial training set should be added into training. The proposed intelligent three step sampling design enhances recognition rate and generalizability while improving efficiency, which exerts the full potential of any given face recognition algorithm without system overhaul.
Characterization of Escherichia coli Endonuclease VIII

Abstract Escherichia coli endonuclease VIII (endo VIII) was identified as an enzyme that, like endonuclease III (endo III), removes radiolysis products of thymine including thymine glycol, dihydrothymine, β-ureidoisobutyric acid, and urea from double-stranded plasmid or phage DNA and cleaves the DNA strand at abasic (AP) sites (Melamede, R. J., Hatahet, Z., Kow, Y. W., Ide., H., and Wallace, S. S. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 1255–1264). Using apparently homogeneous endo VIII protein, we now show that endo VIII removes from double-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides the stable oxidative products of cytosine, 5-hydroxycytosine and 5-hydroxyuracil. Endo VIII cleaved the damage-containing DNA strand by β,δ-elimination as does formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg). Like Fpg, endo VIII also excised the 5′-terminal deoxyribose phosphate from an endonuclease IV (endo IV) pre-incised AP site. Thus, in addition to amino acid sequence homology (Jiang, D., Hatahet, Z., Blaisdell, J., Melamede, R. J., and Wallace, S. S. (1997) J. Bacteriol. 179, 3773–3782), endo VIII shares a number of catalytic properties with Fpg. In addition, endo VIII specifically bound to oligodeoxynucleotides containing a reduced AP site with a stoichiometry of 1:1 for protein to DNA with an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant of 3.9 nm. Like Fpg and endo III, the DNase I footprint was small with contact sites primarily on the damage-containing strand; unlike Fpg and endo III, the DNA binding of endo VIII to DNA was asymmetric, 3′ to the reduced AP site.
The Structure of the Marine Inversion in Northwest Oregon during 26–30 August 1973

Abstract As a part of the Second Coastal Upwelling Experiment along the Oregon Coast in summer 1973, extensive thermodynamic data were gathered in a mesoscale area. These data were examined in relation to the marine inversion at seven stations along a line from Salem, Ore., to a point 22 n mi off the coast, or a distance of approximately 65 n mi. The structure of the inversion was examined via time sections of temperature and potential temperature at each station, and cross sections along the line for selected times during the intensive period. Limited time and cross sections of relative humidity were also examined. The inversion seemed to respond to even weak synoptic-scale changes, rising with low-level convergence and lowering with subsidence in high-pressure regions. It was also found that the marine inversion had a more complex structure than a single stable layer.
A Full Waveform Test of the Southern California Velocity Model by the Reciprocity Method

Weapply the reciprocity method (EISNER and CLAYTON, 2001a) to compare the full waveform synthetic seismograms with a large number of observed seismograms. The reciprocity method used in the finite-difference modeling allows for the use of high quality data observed from the earthquakes distributed over the wide range of azimuths and depths. We have developed a methodology to facilitate the comparison between data and synthetics using a set of attributes to characterize the seismograms. These attributes are maximum amplitude, time delay and coda decay of the magnitude of the displacement vector. For the Southern California Velocity Model, Version 1 (MAGISTRALEet al., 1996), we have found misfits between data and synthetics for paths traveling outside of the sedimentary basins and the western part of the Los Angeles and San Fernando basins.
Influence of presorbed water on the sorption of nitrogen by zeolites at ambient temperatures

Isotherms are presented for nitrogen sorption in zeolites Na-A, Ca-A, Na-X, and Na-Y at temperatures of from 283 to 313 K and at pressures up to atmospheric in both dehydrated samples and those in which varying amounts of water were presorbed. The decline of nitrogen sorption capacity with increasing water content is interpreted in terms of a ‘titration’ of sites on which nitrogen molecules are sorbed. The findings conform to the known crystal structures.
Mathematics Instruction in Secondary Interim, Short- and Long-Term Alternative School Placements.

Some of our most challenging youth are educated in interim, short-, and long-term alternative school settings. Many of those youth have emotional disturbances and learning disabilities and have experienced academic and social failure in other school settings. Federal mandates require teachers to provide mathematics instruction to those students with disabilities that is consistent with regular public schools. Student characteristics and institutional barriers however, make that a difficult task. In this article, the authors highlight significant issues that affect instruction for secondary school-aged youth in exclusionary school settings. The authors also provide specific examples of effective instructional approaches in mathematics, such as enhanced anchored instruction, hands-on activities, and other integrative approaches.
Hot-atom systems. The sensitivity of the collision density to ionic energy-loss processes and reactive depletion

Abstract Product yields and collision density are calculated for nuclear-recoil tritium ions generated in situ with 4 Mkcal/mole of translational energy in gaseous methane or methane mixed with argon. The distribution of collision experienced in the reactive region and the yield of stable products are independent of the starting energy when it is large.
CO2 -binding organic liquids, an integrated acid gas capture system

Abstract Amine systems are effective for CO2 capture, but they are still inefficient because the solvent regeneration energy is largely defined by the amount of water in the process. Most amines form heat-stable salts with SO2 and COS resulting in parasitic solvent loss and degradation. Stripping the CO2-rich solvent is energy intensive it requires temperatures above 100 °C due to the high specific heat and heat of vaporization of water. CO2-capture processes can be much more energy efficient in a water free process. In addition, if the capture-material can be chemically compatible with other acid gases, less solvent would be lost to heat-stable salts and the process economics would be further improved. One such system that can address these concerns is Binding Organic Liquids (BOLs), a class of switchable ionic liquids.
Uncertainty sampling and transductive experimental design for active dual supervision

Dual supervision refers to the general setting of learning from both labeled examples as well as labeled features. Labeled features are naturally available in tasks such as text classification where it is frequently possible to provide domain knowledge in the form of words that associate strongly with a class. In this paper, we consider the novel problem of active dual supervision, or, how to optimally query an example and feature labeling oracle to simultaneously collect two different forms of supervision, with the objective of building the best classifier in the most cost effective manner. We apply classical uncertainty and experimental design based active learning schemes to graph/kernel-based dual supervision models. Empirical studies confirm the potential of these schemes to significantly reduce the cost of acquiring labeled data for training high-quality models.
Effect of Color Coding on Misperception of Heading from Superimposed Optic Flow

If dynamic sensor imagery is overlaid on the view seen through the windscreen using a HUD, and if the sensor is misaligned with the pilot's eye, the resulting motion transparency can lead to systematic errors in perceiving the direction of heading. We examined whether coding misaligned, dynamic imagery in distinct colors aids pre-attentive segregation of transparent optical flow, thus eliminating errors in heading perception. Observers were shown displays overlaying radially expanding optic flow patterns with foci of expansion (FOEs) separated along the horizontal meridian and indicated the perceived direction of the FOE of one flow pattern by moving an on-screen cross-hair. We found significant repulsion errors when the angular separation between the FOEs exceeded four degrees. Further, coding the flow patterns in distinct colors did not eliminate the repulsion errors. Distinctive color coding alone appears to be insufficient for overcoming errors in heading perception induced by motion transparency.
COMPACT CONVEX SETS AND COMPLEX CONVEXITY

We construct a quasi-Banach space which cannot be given an equivalent plurisubharmonic quasi-norm, but such that it has a quotient by a one-dimensional space which is a Banach space. We then use this example to construct a compact convex set in a quasi-Banach space which cannot be affinely embedded into the spaceL0 of all measurable functions.
Dependence of the Critical Frequency of the Ionospheric E -layer on Solar Zenith Angle and the Annual Variation in E -layer Ionization

IT is generally known that ƒ0E, the critical frequency of the ionospheric E layer, varies in a fairly regular manner with a law of the form: where χ is the solar zenith angle. This form can be applied to both diurnal and annual variations, and generally both ƒ0 and n are different for these two variations. To distinguish these two cases we use ƒd and m for diurnal variations, and ƒa and n for annual variations. It is known that m is greater than n except at stations in equatorial regions and at very high latitudes (see Fig. 1), while ƒd is greater than ƒa everywhere1.
A Stay of Execution: Type I Interferons Pardon T Cells from Death by Natural Killers

In this issue of Immunity, Crouse et al., (2014) and Xu et al., (2014), show that by modulating the expression of natural killer (NK) cell receptor ligands, type I interferons protect responding T cells against culling by NK cells.
Managing plant symbiosis: fungal endophyte genotype alters plant community composition

Summary 1. Understanding the extent to which plant genotype influences community composition has important conservation and management value. Here, we add a new layer to current research by testing whether genotypes of plant symbionts influence plant community composition. 2. Tall fescue grass Lolium arundinaceum is planted worldwide for forage, turf, and soil stabilization, has invaded native communities, and commonly hosts the foliar endophytic fungus, Neotyphodium coenophialum. We quantified vegetation development over a 6-year period in replicated field plots of the two most commonly introduced genotypes of the endophyte (KY-31, AR-542) in two tall fescue cultivars (Georgia-5, Jesup). The KY-31 endophyte produces ergot alkaloids toxic to mammalian herbivores, while AR-542 lacks ergots. We expected that the KY-31 endophyte would promote tall fescue dominance by altering mammalian herbivory, that endophyte-free plots would support the highest plant diversity, and that AR-542 endophyte would show intermediate effects. 3. Plots with the KY-31 endophyte supported 10% fewer plant species than endophyte-free or AR-542 plots. KY-31 also reduced graminoids and forbs more strongly than AR-542, with the greatest response in Georgia-5. Endophyte genotype did not significantly alter the prevalence of tall fescue; however, absence of the endophyte reduced the biomass of Georgia-5. 4. Both plant and endophyte genetic identity influenced the persistence of endophyte symbiosis. In Georgia-5, the frequency of AR-542 declined more through time than did KY-31; these effects were reversed in Jesup. 5. Endophyte presence reduced herbivory by mammals (voles), but endophyte genotype had no effect, suggesting that voles were not driving endophyte genotype-mediated changes in plant composition, and that other compounds besides ergot alkaloids influenced vole feeding. 6. Synthesis and applications. When endophyte-symbiotic plants are desired, the AR-542 endophyte in the Georgia-5 background would achieve higher native plant diversity and reduce tall fescue invasion of nearby areas. Conversely, Jesup is recommended for increased tall fescue persistence, as both biomass and reproduction exceeded Georgia-5. In summary, our results demonstrate that, like plant genotype, symbiont genotype can also alter vegetation dynamics and plant composition and should be considered when managing for conservation, restoration, forage, turf, re-vegetation or soil stabilization.
The fine structure of neurons and synapses in the motor nuclei of the cat spinal cord

The normal synaptic organization of the motor nuclei in the cat lumbosacral spinal cord was examined by light and electron microscopy. Neurons could be classified into three categories on the basis of their size in Nissl stained sections. In neurofibrillar stained sections, seven neurofibrillar rings were observed, on the average, to lie upon large neurons and proximal dendrites in the motor nuclei. Electron microscopic examination revealed no apparent differences in the fine structure of the three neuronal cell types. In contrast the synaptic covering, as determined by the actual number of synaptic contacts or “active” zones, varied greatly. Less than half of the perikaryal surface of large neurons was covered by “active” zones and very few or no “active” zones covered the perikaryal surface of smaller neurons. The synaptic knobs contacting neuronal cell bodies and dendritic processes were classified into seven morphological types on the basis of vesicle shape, the presence of neurofilaments, and the nature of the subsynaptic specializations. Synaptic contacts occurred more frequently on proximal dendrites and less frequently on perikarya and distal dendrites. Rounded vesicle knobs outnumbered flattened vesicle knobs on distal dendrites, while the reverse was true on cell bodies and proximal dendrites. Two quite large synaptic knobs were characteristically observed. One knob, occurring predominantly on cell bodies and proximal dendrites, exhibited an apposed subsynaptic cistern and elaborate subsynaptic granular endoplasmic reticulum. The other synaptic knob, the least commonly found of all synaptic types, appeared primarily on proximal dendrites and exhibited multiple synaptic contacts with specialized subsynaptic densities. No axo-axonal synaptic contacts were observed in the motor nuclei.
Misconceptions arising from a Sign Discrepancy in Thermodynamic Data for the Gibbs Free Energy Profile of Ribonuclease A

An apparent discrepancy in the data for the Gibbs free energy change as a function of temperature at different pHs, originally published by Brandts in 1965 and repeated by Brandts and Hunt in 1967 with an unexplained change in sign, has lead to close to 40 years of misguided thinking in examining the thermodynamics of protein unfolding, including the frequently promulgated idea of cold denaturation. We have carried out a detailed analysis based on the Planck-Benzinger approach, which is very powerful in clarifying the fundamental aspects of biochemical energetics.
Complementary Surgical/Interventional Techniques for Nonresective Management of “Inoperable” Aneurysms: A Second Look

Induced thrombosis (“nonresective” therapy) of aortic aneurysms by distal arterial ligation, coil/wire embolization, and extraanatomic bypass was devalued by anecdotal reports emerging during the mid-1980s. Nevertheless, we have recently found the technique to be life-saving in occasional cases and worth revisiting. Since 1990, standard aortic aneurysm repair has been performed in 231 patients (99.1% survival), endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in 6 patients (83.3% survival), and combined surgical/interventional “nonresective” repair of a variety of aneurysms in 10 patients (100% survival). Mean age of the group was 67.9 years. Repair was performed for aortoiliac aneurysms (4), common iliac aneurysms (3), internal iliac aneurysms (2), and a large proximal subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm (1). Four of the patients had been explored and declared to be “inoperable” (retroperitoneal fibrosis) prior to transfer to the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. All patients survived. Aneurysm rupture has not occurred in any patient, but one patient with a presumably thrombosed subclavian pseudoaneurysm presented 26 months postcoil-induced thrombosis with progressive aneurysm enlargement due to incomplete aneurysm thrombosis and required repair using circulatory arrest. Eight of the patients remain alive (80%) at a mean follow-up of 40.3 months (range 14–88 months). Two patients died of malignancy (30 months) and cardiac disease (15 months). It is concluded that combined surgical/interventional techniques can be life-saving in the rare instances when conventional or endovascular aneurysm repair is not advisable but that complete aneurysm thrombosis is essential and occasionally difficult to achieve. Since small proximal portions of the aneurysm may remain patent and not be visualized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, contrast angiographic documentation of complete aneurysm thrombosis is essential prior to hospital discharge and close follow-up is necessary to ascertain long-term adequacy of the repair. Incomplete thrombosis is suspected as a major factor in earlier reports of aneurysm rupture after seemingly successful nonresective therapy.
The uranium-vanadium equilibrium phase diagram

Abstract Three uranium-rich alloys of uranium–vanadium (U–V) were melted and processed to bars for final heat treatment. The microstructures were studied via optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and hardness measurements. The results necessitate revisions in positions of phase fields in the uranium-rich portion of the phase diagram, but confirm positions of phase lines at the vanadium-rich side. The revised diagram shows substantially lower solubility limits for α, β and γ phases and a shift in γ-eutectoid composition from 2.08 to 1.0 wt.% vanadium. The role of carbon in causing these original disparities is analyzed. For hypereutectoid γ-quenched U–V alloys, the transition from acicular to banded martensitic structure occurs between 1.45 and 1.65 wt.% V. The microstructures and mechanical properties of hypereutectoid γ-quenched alloys indicates suitability of these alloys in structural applications requiring high density.
Fibonacci codes for synchronization control

A new family of codes is described for representing serial binary data, subject to constraints on the maximum separation between successive changes in value (0 \rightarrow 1, 1 \rightarrow , or both), or between successive like digits ( 0 's, 1 's, or both). These codes have application to the recording or transmission of digital data without an accompanying clock. In such cases, the clock must be regenerated during reading (receiving, decoding), and its accuracy controlled directly from the data itself. The codes developed for this type of synchronization are shown to be optimal, and to require a very small amount of redundancy. Their encoders and decoders are not unreasonably complex, and they can be easily extended to include simple error detection or correction for almost the same additional cost as is required for arbitrary data.
Problems in financial engineering: security price dynamics and simulation in financial engineering

Applications in financial engineering have relied heavily on Brownian Motion as a workhorse model for pricing derivative securities and implementing risk management programs. When more than one state variable is required, the standard approach is to use a multivariate Brownian Motion with constant correlations. This article briefly summarizes several important reasons why this approach is not adequate (and in some cases, can lead to disaster). Examples include fat tails, volatility clustering, large discrete jumps, parameter instability, and asymmetric correlations. Including such features makes analytic modelling less tractable, and potentially makes simulation a more attractive alternative.
Reaction mechanism determines NMDA receptor response to repetitive stimulation.

At central excitatory synapses, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which have a high affinity for glutamate1, produce a slowly rising synaptic current in response to a single transmitter pulse and an additional current after a second, closely timed stimulus2. Here we show, by examining the kinetics of transmitter binding and channel gating in single-channel currents from recombinant NR1/NR2A receptors, that the synaptic response to trains of impulses is determined by the molecular reaction mechanism of the receptor. The rate constants estimated for the activation reaction predict that, after binding neurotransmitter, receptors hesitate for ∼4 ms in a closed high-affinity conformation before they either proceed towards opening or release neurotransmitter, with about equal probabilities. Because only about half of the initially fully occupied receptors become active, repetitive stimulation elicits currents with distinct waveforms depending on pulse frequency. This high-affinity/low-efficiency activation mechanism might serve as a link between stimulation frequency and the directionality of the ensuing synaptic plasticity.
Age of donor influences ability of suprachiasmatic nucleus grafts to restore circadian rhythmicity

Abstract Previous studies have shown a high (80–90%) rate of restoration of circadian rhythmicity in suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)-lesioned adult hamsters given anterior hypothalamic tissue containing the SCN taken from fetal day 13–15 donors. In the present experiments we explored the influence of age of donor on morphological and functional characteristics of the SCN graft, using tissue taken from animals at postnatal day 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10. Grafts taken from older donors tend to reach a smaller overall final size than those from younger donors, and are more likely to contain isolated, medium sized NP-positive neurons. The rate of restoration of locomotor rhythmicity following transplantation of postnatal day (PN) 1 grafts is as high as that of embryonic grafts. By PN 3, the rate of restoration falls to about 50%, and grafts of PN 7 and 10 do not restore function. As in the case of fetal grafts, there is a strong correlation between the ability of a graft to restore locomotor rhythmicity, and the presence of a cluster of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neurophysin (NP) cells characteristic of the intact SCN within the graft. Since the period of neurogenesis for the hamster SCN occurs between day 10.5 and day 13 postfertilization, the results indicate that the SCN can be transplanted successfully well beyond the period of neurogenesis.
Analyzing the distribution of threshold voltage degradation in nanoscale transistors by using reaction-diffusion and percolation theory

Continued scaling of transistors into the nanoscale regime has led to large device-to-device variation in transistor characteristics. These variations reflect differences in substrate doping, channel length, interface and/or oxide defects, etc. among various transistors. In this paper, we develop a theory for the statistical distribution of threshold voltage degradation (ΔV T ) due to the Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI). First, we model the time dynamics of interface defects within the Reaction-Diffusion (R-D) framework and calculate the statistics of interface defect using Markov Chain Monte-Carlo method. We show that the generation and annealing of interface defects are strongly correlated and that the statistics of interface defect at a given stress time (N IT @t STS ) follows a skew-normal distribution. Second, we explore the differential effect of the spatial distribution of interface defects in nanoscale transistors pre-populated with a discrete number of randomly placed substrate dopants. We model the effect of spatial distribution of defects using a percolative network and demonstrate that the distribution of threshold voltage degradation for a single additional interface defect, i.e., ΔV T @ΔN IT =1, is exponential, with a fraction of transistors having ΔV T ~0. Finally, we obtain the statistics of ΔV T @t STS by convolving the statistics of N IT @t STS with that of ΔV T @ΔN IT =1. The resultant statistics of ΔV T @t STS compares favorably with a broad range of experiments reported in the NBTI literature.
The Genetic Counselor: An Important Surgical Ally in the Optimal Care of the Cancer Patient

Genetic counselors and surgeons both have important roles in the care of patients with hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes. Surgeons have the initial responsibility to identify and refer high-risk patients. Genetic counselors' specialized skill sets are then used in the risk assessment and genetic evaluation of such patients and their at-risk family members, and this may be performed in multiple settings. As discussed in this article, these roles and the processes of genetic counseling and genetic testing may be enhanced through multiple surgeon and genetic counselor collaborations. Continued medical management of patients and families with hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes becomes the responsibility of patients and their multiple health care providers. Box 7 provides a list of resources to assist in finding a local genetic counselor. Because there are various opportunities for surgeons and genetic counselors to collaborate, the authors urge surgeons to recognize the importance of, identify, and work in partnership with a local genetic counselor because that relationship sets the stage for optimal care of the cancer patient.
Sustainability issues in laser-based additive manufacturing

Abstract Sustainability is a consideration of resource utilization without depletion or adverse environmental impact. In manufacturing, important sustainability issues include energy consumption, waste generation, water usage and the environmental impact of the manufactured part in service. This paper deals with three aspects of sustainability as it applies to additive manufacturing. First is a review of the research needs for energy and sustainability as applied to additive manufacturing based on the 2009 Roadmap for Additive Manufacturing Workshop. The second part is an energy assessment for selective laser sintering (SLS) of polymers. Using polyamide powder in a 3D Systems Vanguard HiQ Sinterstation, energy loss during a build was measured due to the chamber heaters, the roller mechanism, the piston elevators and the laser. This accounted for 95% of the total energy consumption. An overall energy assessment was accomplished using eco-indicators. The last topic is electrochemical deposition of porous SLS non-polymeric preforms. The goal is to reduce energy consumption in SLS of non-polymeric materials. The approach was to mix a transient binder with the material, to create an SLS green part, to convert the binder, and then to remove the open, connected porosity and to densify the part by chemical deposition at room temperature within the pore network. The model system was silicon carbide powder mixed with a phenolic transient binder coupled with electrolytic deposition of nickel. Deposition was facilitated by inserting a conductive graphite cathode in the part center to draw the positive nickel ions through the interconnected porous network and to deposit them on the pore walls. The Roadmap for Additive Manufacturing Workshop was sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant CMMI-0906212 and by the Office of Naval Research under Grant N00014-09-1-0558. The electrolytic deposition research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Grant CMMI-0926316.
Dual forms and a proposed forward integration method for the matrix differential Riccati equation

Much of the research done in recent years towards the development of the smart or adaptive structure focuses on the application of active control to alleviate undesirable structural responses. Classical optimal control algorithms are not directly applicable to most civil engineering applications because the control gains neglect the effects of the external forcing function and assume a time invariant system (which allows the differential Riccati equation (DRE) to be reduced to an algebraic Riccati equation). The reason for these assumptions is that the time dependent DRE can only be stably integrated backwards in time. This study presents a more effective LQR control algorithm for civil structure applications, based on a proposed methodology for forward integrating the DRE. A set of dual equations are presented together with an optimization technique for obtaining the DRE solution from a forward integrable dual form. In addition, a matrix-valued integration procedure is formulated for and applied to the differential Riccati equation with time variant plant and weighting matrices.
A nanoparticle amplification based quartz crystal microbalance DNA sensor for detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Abstract A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) DNA sensor, based on the nanoparticle amplification method, was developed for detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. A thiolated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe specific to E. coli O157:H7 eaeA gene was immobilized onto the QCM sensor surface through self-assembly. The hybridization was induced by exposing the ssDNA probe to the complementary target DNA, and resulted in the mass change and therefore frequency change of the QCM. Streptavidin conjugated Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (average diameter = 145 nm) were used as “mass enhancers” to amplify the frequency change. Synthesized biotinylated oligonucleotides as well as E. coli O157:H7 eaeA gene fragments (151 bases) amplified using asymmetric PCR with biotin labeled primers were tested. As low as 10 −12 M synthesized oligonucleotides and 2.67 × 10 2 colony forming unit (CFU)/ml E. coli O157:H7 cells can be detected by the sensor. Linear correlation between frequency change and logarithmic number of bacterial cell concentration was found for E. coli O157:H7 from 2.67 × 10 2 to 2.67 × 10 6 CFU/ml.
"Twin" Neutrinos: A Modified Two-Component Theory

To overcome certain discrepancies between experiment and the predictions of conventional 2-component neutrino theory, a "twin neutrino" theory is proposed. In the more general formulation of this theory in part I, two different 2-component neutrinos ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{1}$, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{2}$ of opposite screw-sense are introduced, together with their antiparticles ${\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{1}$, ${\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{2}$. In beta decay, one of these is coupled by $T$ and $V$ interactions, the other by $S$ and $A$ interactions. This eliminates all interference terms.In part II, the theory is specialized to the assumption ${\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{1}\ensuremath{\equiv}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{2}$, i.e., to Majorana-type neutrinos. This more restricted theory is equally successful in explaining the results of the "parity experiments." It is shown that the conventional objections to the Majorana theory need not apply to this twin-neutrino theory.