cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Basics and Science of Tendon Transfers

Tendon transfers are an invaluable tool that may be used for a variety of purposes in foot and ankle surgery. They allow for the correction of deformity, establishment or augmentation of motor functio...
Particle Deflection in a Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Microchannel Using a Propagating Surface Acoustic Wave: Size and Frequency Dependence

We study the effect of a propagating surface acoustic wave (PSAW) with different frequencies on particles with different sizes in microfluidic channels. We find that the deflection critically depends on the applied frequency as well as on the particle size. For fixed frequencies, large particles are deflected and migrate perpendicular to the flow direction while smaller particles only follow the streamlines of the flow field. However, with increasing frequency of the PSAW above a size dependent limit, small particles are also actuated. This relation can be characterized by the wavenumber k and the particle radius r using the parameter κ = k · r. For the onset of deflection, we find a critical value κc ≅ 1.28 ± 0.20. Finally, we demonstrate how this device can be used for particle separation.
Levels of Care: Defining Best Supportive Care in Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This article reviews published data on best supportive care (BSC) in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and proposes improvements in defining this critical aspect of treatment. A clinical challenge is to prospectively identify patients who could benefit from existing therapies and to optimize their treatment tolerance by improving BSC. Advanced age and poor performance status consistently emerge as reliable indicators of poor outcome in older AML patients and have historically been the most important variables used to stratify treatment. Performance status is notoriously difficult to assess, and a “snapshot” view at the time of initial presentation can be misleading. Comorbidity scales may be a better predictor of outcome, but studies looking at their effectiveness are variable. New methods are needed to stratify patients. Although the prognosis of older AML patients is generally dismal, selected patients benefit from treatment and can have prolonged survival. Because it has never been shown that BSC as a sole therapeutic approach is kinder, less expensive, or better for older AML patients, it should be reserved for select clinical situations.
Ability of Vietnam Veterans to dissimulate a pscchophysiological assessment for post-traumatic stress disorder

Psychophysiological assessment procedures have begun to play an important adjunctive role in the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study sought to examine the ability of Vietnam veterans with and without PTSD to fake the psychophysiological assessment. The study replicated previous findings in demonstrating that PTSD veterans respond to combat stimuli with significantly greater increases in psychophysiology than veterans without the disorder. When subjects were instructed to alter their psychophysiological responses to the combat stimuli, subjects with PTSD were unable to do so. However, subjects without PTSD were able to increase certain psychophysiological responses to appear more like the PTSD veterans. Despite the ability of some non-PTSD veterans to control these responses, PTSD and non-PTSD subjects were still discriminated at a high rate. This study also found relatively good short-term test-retest reliability for heart rate and skin conductance in subjects given no instructions to fake.
Variations in 16S rRNA-based microbiome profiling between pyrosequencing runs and between pyrosequencing facilities

Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons on the 454 FLX Titanium platform has been widely used to analyze microbiomes in various environments. However, different results may stem from variations among sequencing runs or among sequencing facilities. This study aimed to evaluate these variations between different pyrosequencing runs by sequencing 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries generated from three sets of rumen samples twice each on the 454 FLX Titanium system at two independent sequencing facilities. Similar relative abundances were found for predominant taxa represented by large numbers of sequence reads but not for minor taxa represented by small numbers of sequence reads. The two sequencing facilities revealed different bacterial profiles with respect to both predominant taxa and minor taxa, including the most predominant genus Prevotella, the family Lachnospiraceae, and the phylum Proteobacteria. Differences in primers used to generate amplicon libraries may be a major source of variations in microbiome profiling. Because different primers and regions of 16S rRNA genes are often used by different researchers, significant variations likely exist among studies. Quantitative interpretation for relative abundance of taxa, especially minor taxa, from prevalence of sequence reads and comparisons of results from different studies should be done with caution.
Evidence for binding of the ectodomain of amyloid precursor protein 695 and activated high molecular weight kininogen.

Abstract To identify ligands that bind to the N-terminal portion of human amyloid precursor protein (APP), we sought binding partners for a fragment of the ectodomain of human APP695 (sAPP695T). The probe bound to fragments of high molecular weight kininogen (HK) in rat cortical membrane preparations in vitro. Laser confocal microscopy indicated that APP and HK colocalize near cerebral blood vessels, in the neuropil, and in many neurons of rat brain. sAPP695T bound to human activated kininogen (HKa) (Kd=0.3±0.1 nM), but not to inactivated or low molecular weight kininogen. Binding was specific for the light chain sequence of HKa. Biotinylated human HKa also bound to sAPP695 (Kd=0.3±0.5 nM). sAPP695 and HKa form tight complexes in solution that can be coimmunoprecipitated. These results support the hypothesis that forms of APP and kininogen can interact in brain tissue. Considering the implications of APP in neurite outgrowth, the APP–HKa interaction could modulate neurogenesis.
Full Adaptive Optics Images of Asteroids Ceres and Vesta; Rotational Poles and Triaxial Ellipsoid Dimensions☆☆☆

Abstract Adaptive optics (AO) images of asteroids Ceres and Vesta were obtained on September 18–20, 1993, with the 1.5-m telescope at the Starfire Optical Range of the USAF Phillips Laboratory located near Albuquerque, NM. The light source for higher-order wavefront correction was a Rayleigh laser beacon focused at a range of 10.5 km generated by a copper vapor laser. On April 27 and May 11, 1996, Vesta was again imaged, this time at its perihelic opposition using Vesta itself as the beacon for the AO. Images obtained at an effective wavelength of 0.85 μm were analyzed with a new reconstruction technique, called parametric blind deconvolution. The technique allows fits for relevant parameters in the frequency domain, where the convolution of the asteroid ellipse with the variable Lorentz-shaped point spread function produced by the AO system during these observations can be separated into a multiplication of analytic functions. The triaxial ellipsoid dimensions and rotational pole (with a two-fold ambiguity) of Ceres were obtained from 17 images and found to be in excellent agreement with its 1983 stellar occultation outline ( 975882 ) and the 1991 AO image produced by the COME-ON system ( 975882 ). A similar analysis of eight images of Vesta in 1993, 19 images in April 1996, and 28 images in May 1996, and combined with results from four previous speckle interferometry (SI) sets, yield dimensions and a rotational pole in reasonable agreement with the Hubble Space Telescope's results ( 975882 ). Differences may arise from a non-alignment between principal axes of inertia and the spin axis. The AO data from May 11, 1996, is of sufficient quality that Vesta's lightcurve can be decomposed into its cross-sectional area and surface brightness components, proving analytically that Vesta's lightcurve minimum is caused by a dark hemisphere. Combining the AO and SI observations with previous lightcurves yields a sidereal period of 0.22258874 days with an uncertainty of 4 in the last decimal place (3.5 ms) and shows that lightcurve minimum occurs 6° before a maximum in cross-section area.
Effect of toothless stator design on the dynamic performance characteristics of high speed permanent magnet generator-load systems

The results of a study on the effect of toothless stator design on the dynamic performance characteristics of high speed permanent magnet generator-load systems are presented. This study is based on the use of magnetic field solutions and state space models which account for saturation due to magnetic material nonlinearities and space harmonics due to machine geometry. Two particular stator designs, a toothless stator and a conventional type stator (with iron teeth), are considered in this study when feeding AC and DC rectified loads. Based on this study, it is demonstrated that the toothless design for this class of PM generators could result in lower levels of harmonics in the various machine voltages and currents waveforms as well as the power delivered to the loads. In addition, some design modifications are discussed to boost the output power level of the toothless machine which are inherently lower than the conventional machine due to the larger effective airgap that exists in the toothless design. >
A study of the synthesis of endohedral metallofullerenes and empty fullerenes by the carbon-arc and RFICP technique

Abstract Fullerenes and endohedral metallofullerenes (Mx@C2n; M=La, Mn, Nb, Au, and Li; x=1–3, n≥30) were synthesized by two different techniques: the standard carbon-arc technique and a modification involving an RF-inductive coupled plasma discharge. Both techniques employ a modified carbon-arc reactor which is durable, easy to operate, and capable of providing a high degree of control over many parameters of the reaction. Our results suggest that both fullerenes and endohedral metallofullerenes are formed by a radical pathway.
Transient puffs of trace organic emissions from a batch-fed waste propellant incinerator.

Abstract Emissions data have been obtained from a waste propellant incinerator. The incinerator is a dual fixed hearth, controlled air incinerator equipped with acid gas and particulate scrubbing. “Puffing” has been evident in this waste propellant incinerator by spikes in the CO concentration. Transient puffs of organics may travel down the combustion chambers and lead to stack emissions. The major conclusions from this study are that (1) transient puffs are formed due to the semi-batch feed nature of the combustion process (causing a local oxygen deficiency) and high water content of the desensitized propellant; (2) in batch-fed combustors, puffs can contribute to most of the organic emissions (which are relatively low) measured with US EPA sampling and analytical methods; (3) it is estimated that batch-fed combustion contributes up to 7–18 times more emissions than steady-state combustion will generate; (4) by applying dispersion analyses to determine the amount of oxygen deficiency in the flame zone, the combustion zone concentration of CO during batch-fed operation could be as high as 160,000 ppm, compared to a measured peak stack concentration of 1200 ppm CO; and (5) an organic sample is collected and averaged over at least a 2-h period that smooths out the transient peaks of organics emissions during batch-fed operation. For emissions that are associated with long-term potential health impacts, this is an appropriate sampling method. However, if a compound has a short-term potential health impact, it may be important to measure the time-resolved emissions of the compound.
A Missed Opportunity for Clarity: Problems in the Reporting of Effect Size Estimates in Infant Developmental Science

Several years ago, the American Psychological Association began requiring that effect size estimates be reported to provide a better indication of the associative strength between factors and dependent measures in empirical studies (Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, 2010, Author, Washington, DC). Accordingly, developmental journals require/strongly recommend effect size estimates be included in published work. Potentially, this trend has important benefits for infancy research given some of the inherent difficulties in establishing conceptually strong findings when often facing highly variable performance in typically small samples. This study examined recent infant research from select journals for accuracy and interpretative value of effect size estimates. Demographics, sample size, design, and statistical data were coded from 158 published (2007–2012) articles presenting 878 effect size estimates from experimental findings with infants using behavioral methods. Descriptive and distribution statistics were calculated for the following variables: (1) statistical tests, (2) effect size parameters, and (3) effect size interpretations. Although partial eta squared () and eta squared (η2) were most common (49 and 42%, respectively), “η confusion” was apparent, and interpretation of effect size estimates was virtually nonexistent. Thus, effect size estimates are not impacting infant development research in spite of criticisms of sole dependence on null hypothesis (e.g. American Psychologist, 49, 1994 and 997). Suggestions for increasing accuracy of effect size estimate selection and interpretative effect size estimate cutoffs are offered to improve empirical clarity.
Non-uniform partial-match file designs

File designs suitable for retrieval from a file of k-letter words when queries may be only partially specified are examined. A class of PMF-tries is introduced which admits closed form analysis of worst case bounds and average case performance. The worst case bounds obtained are seen to be bounds on the worst case performance of even larger families of PMF-designs which have no closed form worst case bounds. The implementation of these designs requires storage essentially equal to that required of the records themselves.
Mapping deforestation and secondary growth in Rondonia, Brazil, using imaging radar and thematic mapper data

Abstract Excellent data on deforestation have been obtained in the tropics with the use of high-resolution optical sensors. Yet, several problems remain. Cloud cover creates data gaps that limit the possibility of complete and frequent assessments, and secondary growth is not well characterized. Active microwave sensors could complement these sensors because they operate independently of cloud cover and smoke and can detect differences in woody biomass and forest structure associated with various stages of forest clearing and regrowth. An example of comparison and synergy between the two techniques is discussed here. Polarimetric, C- (5.6 cm) and L-band (24 cm) frequency, radar data gathered in October 1994 by NASA's Spaceborne Imaging Radar C, on a test site southeast of the city of Porto Velho, in the state of Rondonia, Brazil, are analyzed in conjunction with one 1993 Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) scene, a 9-year time series of Satellite pour l'observation de la Terre (SPOT) XS data, two Japan Earth Resources Satellite (JERS-1) radar images from 1994 and 1995, and a field visit conducted in 1995. The C-band radar data are found to be of limited utility for mapping deforestation. At L-band, multiple polarizations are required to obtain a reliable classification. The single polarization, L-band, single date, JERS-1 data underestimate the extent of deforestation, especially during the wet season. With multiple polarizations, six classes of land cover, including one level of regrowth, are mapped with 90% accuracy, but intermediate regrowth 5–8 years of age is not well separated from the forest. The Landsat TM data identify deforested areas better but provide less information on residual woody biomass levels. Combining the two classifications, seven classes of land cover invluding two levels of regrowth are mapped with 93% accuracy. The results show that the deforestation rate for 1994 was 1.7%. Large variations in residual woody biomass are detected among new clearings. Half of the total deforested land is in some stage of regrowth, but most of it is less than 5 years old. Secondary growth is therefore a significant form of land use that is recleared quickly.
PATHOLOGIC CHANGES IN SENSITIZED RATS TREATED WITH METHYLANDROSTENEDIOL AND WITH GROWTH HORMONE1

The chronic administration of large doses of mcthylandrostencdiol (MAD) to the sensitized rat (unilateral nephrcctomy and a 4% sodium chloride diet) causes hypertension, renal and cardiovascular pathology. In the present study MAD was administered to non-adrenalectomized, sensitized rats and to adrenalectomized-sensitized rats treated with adrenal cortex extract (ACE). The control groups did not receive MAD. Experiments 1 and 2 involved rats eating ad libitum. The dose of MAD was 10 mg. per rat per day for 56 days; the adrenalectomized rats were each given 2 cc. of ACE per day. The rats given MAD developed hypertension and renal and cardiovascular pathology in both the presence and absence of the adrenal glands. In Experiment 3, force-fed rats were given 20 mg. of MAD per rat per day; the adrenalectomized rats were each given 1 cc. of ACE per day. The duration of the experiment was 42 days.
Simultaneous Photometry and Spectroscopy of the Supersoft X-Ray Source RX J0019.8+2156 (QR Andromedae)

Simultaneous optical photometry and spectroscopy of QR Andromedae (RX J0019.8+2156) obtained in 1995 are reported. The V light curve shows a range of ~0.5 mag through the 15.85 hr orbital period, with shorter term (~1.8 hr) variations superposed. There is no clear indication of any color change through the orbit. The spectra show strong emission lines, principally due to He II, which vary in both velocity and strength throughout the orbit. Violet-displaced H absorption lines are present during about half the orbital cycle. Emission lines of O VI (λ3811, λ3834) are clearly present. Two higher dispersion spectra also reveal emission lines of O V, C III, C IV, N III, N V, [Fe X], and [Fe XIV]. A few moderate-strength emission lines remain unidentified. Analysis of the radial velocity variations and light curve show the donor star to be a very low mass object (0.3–0.5 M⊙), assuming the compact star's mass lies below ~1.5 M⊙. A search for spectral variations associated with the short-term photometric flickering reveals no obvious correlations, but our spectra have rather low resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Supplemental photometry taken in 2000 July allows us to derive an improved orbital ephemeris for the system.
Unique global solvability for initial-boundary value problems in one-dimensional nonlinear thermoviscoelasticity

The balance laws of mass, momentum and energy are considered for a broad class of one-dimensional nonlinear thermoviscoelastic materials. For the initial-boundary value problem corresponding to pinned endpoints held at constant temperature, we establish existence and uniqueness of temporally global classical solutions for initial data of unrestricted size. Our approach also applies to all boundary conditions involving pinned or stress-free endpoints which are either held at constant temperature or insulated. An additional and novel feature of the theory is that solid-like and gaseous materials are treated in a unified way.
Experimental evaluation of an injector system for powering a high Reynolds number transonic wind tunnel

The problems of powering a large, high-Reynolds number transonic wind tunnel are briefly reviewed, and the advantages of an injector drive system are presented. This paper is based on the results of an experimental investigation of a series of injector configurations and test variables using a pilot wind tunnel with a 6-in.-diameter test section. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the efficiency and flow quality of an injector driven wind tunnel and develop configurations that will reduce the initial cost of a wind tunnel without seriously reducing efficiency and flow quality. The results indicate that high efficiencies can be obtained and that injector drive does not compromise flow quality in a transonic wind tunnel.
E-Government Literature Review

ABSTRACT There is little to no doubt expressed in the literature that the Internet is registering significant change in government. Some see it as revolutionary. Others see it as incremental. All see it as significant. This thread of consensus surrounding the significance of the Internet in contemporary governance emerges in the following review of e-govern-ment literature. The review presents a synthesis of findings from a literature that is little more than a decade old, revealing an ongoing development of thinking in the area. A clear pattern of steady maturation is identified in moving from a discussion of early prescriptive reports, through an assessment of descriptive studies and arriving at an emerging set of causal projects. Each phase of the literature development (prescriptive, descriptive, and causal) is discussed in light of the major contributions made by the literature as well as the deficits that leave us with unanswered questions or worse yet, possible misinformation. The literature review...
The Interrelationship between Research Integrity, Conflict of Interest, and the Research Environment.

Quite distinct regulatory measures have been established to try to deal with research misconduct and conflict of interest. To decrease research misconduct, the emphasis has been on education aimed at promoting an understanding of and commitment to research integrity. To decrease the impact of conflict of interest, the emphasis has been on management of the research environment. In this essay I discuss the idea that research misconduct and its close relative “questionable research practices” should be framed in the context of conflict of interest. If we take seriously the implication of conflict of interest regulations that even a $5,000 financial interest might bias the design, conduct, or reporting of research, then how much more risk of bias will be in play when what is at stake is ongoing funding of short-term research grants on which a researcher’s salary and job depend? Education is important and necessary to promote research integrity but by itself will not be sufficient. Placing problems of research misconduct and questionable research practices in the context of conflict of interest makes it clear that we also will need to develop new approaches to manage the structure of the research environment. One example of such a management strategy would be for NIH to phase in a limit on the overall percentage of a faculty member’s salary permitted to be supported with NIH grant funds, complementing the already existing upper dollar limit that can be used for faculty salaries.
Anandamide inhibition of recombinant AMPA receptor subunits in Xenopus oocytes is increased by forskolin and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP

Anandamide is an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist with similar pharmacological effects as D9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the major psychoactive compound in marijuana. Because anandamide does inhibit long-term potentiation, and cannabinoid abuse is known to affect learning and memory, the effects of anandamide on recombinant AMPA glutamate receptor (GluR) subunit currents were studied in Xenopus oocytes. All subunit currents were not affected by SR-1 41716A (a selective CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist), but were blocked by the selective AMPA antagonist CNQX and were sensitive to anandamide. Anandamide directly inhibited kainate (KA) activated homomeric GluR1; GluR3 and heteromeric GluR1/3; GluR2/3 receptor currents with IC50 values of 161±19, 143±12, 148±10 and 241±107 µM, respectively.
Report on the progress of supernova research by the Livermore group

Abstract We report on the current state of our research in the understanding of the evolution of core collapse supernovae. Convection in the post collapse stellar core (proto neutron star) is an important ingredient to the success of the neutrino heating mechanism; we discuss our model and indicate the sensitivity of our calculations to the inclusion of this convective model.
Computer analysis on the collection of alpha-generated charge for reflecting and absorbing surface conditions around the collector

Abstract We present an alalysis of the collection of alpha-particle generated charge by collectors surrounded by either uniform reflecting or uniform absorbing surfaces. These are the two extreme cases of any real condition that exists in IC's. The analysis of the upper limit of charge collection should be more useful for circuit design than the previously available lower limit. It is assumed that the charge transport is by diffusion. The effects of collector size, α-particle energy, and the separation between the collector and the alpha track are studied. When the α-particle strike is through the center of the collector, the difference in collected charge for the two cases is up to a factor of two. When the α-particle strike does not pass through the collector, the difference is much greater. The collected charge scales approximately linearly with the collector side length.
Regional bias in birth defect prevalence rates for Arkansas: influence of incomplete ascertainment along surveillance system borders.

Background As part of the continuing evaluation of the Arkansas Reproductive Health Monitoring System (ARHMS), we assessed the effects on birth defect prevalence rates introduced by incomplete case ascertainment along surveillance boundaries. Methods Using data from ARHMS and Arkansas Vital Statistics for 1993–1998, we determined birth defect prevalence rates (per 10,000 live births), stratified by race, among three geographic comparison groups of counties. These included: (1) the Northeast Group, near the state border at Memphis, Tennessee; (2) the Central Group, surrounding Little Rock, Arkansas; and (3) the Southwest Group, near Texarkana, Texas. These counties have similar socioeconomic measures and proximity to health care facilities, but are differentiated by limitations imposed by ARHMS' surveillance borders. Maternal age-standardized rates from the control groups were used to impute expected rates, for the Northeast Group and statewide, which were compared with reported rates. Results We found that there were 620 fewer reported birth defect cases than expected for the Northeast Group. The Northeast Group's prevalence rates were approximately half of the control groups' rates (310.6 vs. 529.8, respectively, for Whites, and 240.8 vs. 550.1, respectively, for African-Americans). Incorporating the missed cases into statewide prevalence calculations could increase prevalence rates from 502.6 to 523.2 for Whites and from 527.4 to 590.7 for African-Americans. Conclusions This study identified significant regional differences in reported birth defect rates in Arkansas. Case ascertainment might be incomplete in other surveillance systems lacking the means to share data with neighboring systems. Regional inaccuracy can hinder evaluation of localized birth defect trends or targeted prevention efforts. Teratology 66:S36–S40, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Where Is the Library in Course Management Software

Abstract Course management software (CMS) or courseware products, such as Prometheus, FirstClass, Blackboard, and WebCT, do not include the Library as an essential, curricular component in their design. Consequently, the task falls to librarians to creatively partner with faculty to input library resources into courseware to support students effectively in their research endeavors. Distance learning students, who are off campus, will benefit as they are physically removed from the Library. Distance learners (DLs) can be intimidated by library Web sites and find it difficult and time consuming to navigate. Since the entire course content is in the course management product, the primary source for class information, it makes good sense to include library resources and services in the appropriate areas, such as the syllabus, assignments, projects, etc. Including research resources within courseware enables students to get started on their own in navigating the Library and can provide direct contact informati...
Synthetic “Life,” Ethics, National Security, and Public Discourse

The work by Gibson and colleagues in this issue of Science ( 1 ) showcases technological achievement, highlights the promises of science, and raises questions about the nature of life. The ensuing discussion has featured a number of concerns about biosecurity and ethics—some real, some imagined.
Low-Frequency Current Variability on the Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight

Abstract Low-frequency current variability on the continental shelf, 84 km off the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, was examined from 4-month (mid-March to June 1975) current, sea level and meteorological records. Taking into account the seasonal change in wind stress and stratification, the record was divided into two 60-day periods. In both periods, the transient alongshore currents wore barotropic and coherent with sea level fluctuations. During the first period (March and April 1975), winds were in the east–west direction, and the shelf water was homogeneous. At time scales longer than 4 days, sea level was a large-scale feature (coherent over the entire Mid-Atlantic Bight). At shorter time scales, sea level was driven by the local, alongshore wind. In contrast, the cross-shelf current, which was mainly barotropic, was driven by the alongshore wind at all time scales. During the second period (May and June 1975), winds were in the north-south direction and the shelf water was stratified. Sea level was mai...
Mindful consumption: a customer-centric approach to sustainability

How effectively business deals with the challenges of sustainability will define its success for decades to come. Current sustainability strategies have three major deficiencies: they do not directly focus on the customer, they do not recognize the looming threats from rising global over-consumption, and they do not take a holistic approach. We present a framework for a customer-centric approach to sustainability. This approach recasts the sustainability metric to emphasize the outcomes of business actions measured holistically in term of environmental, personal and economic well-being of the consumer. We introduce the concept of mindful consumption (MC) as the guiding principle in this approach. MC is premised on a consumer mindset of caring for self, for community, and for nature, that translates behaviorally into tempering the self-defeating excesses associated with acquisitive, repetitive and aspirational consumption. We also make the business case for fostering mindful consumption, and illustrate how the marketing function can be harnessed to successfully implement the customer-centric approach to sustainability.
Automatic layout of domain-specific reconfigurable subsystems for system-on-a-chip

When designing SOCs, a unique opportunity exists to generate custom FPGA architectures that are specific to the application domain in which the device will be used. The inclusion of such a device will provide an efficient compromise between the flexibility of software and the performance of hardware, while at the same time allowing for post-fabrication modification of circuits. To automate the layout of reconfigurable subsystems for system-on -a-chip we present template reduction, standard cell, and circuit generator methods. We explore the standard cell method, as well as the creation of FPGA-specific standard cells. Compared to full custom circuits, we achieve designs that are 46% smaller and 36% faster when the application domain is well known in advance. In cases where no reduction from the full functionality is possible, the standard cell approach is 42% larger and 64% slower than full-custom circuits. Standard cells can thus provide competitive implementations, with significantly greater opportunity for adaptation to new domains.
Cementitious Mixtures for Sealing Access Shafts/Boreholes Through Evaporite and Clastic Rocks in a Radioactive-Waste Repository

Geochemically compatible cement-based mixtures were designed for sealing a potential geologic repository for high-level radioactive waste in evaporite and related rock strata. The slightly expansive cementitious mixtures were based on Class H cement and Class C fly ash, with silica and calcium sulfate additives, and a low ratio of water to cementitious solids (w/s = 0.32). Both a salt-free and a salt-containing version were used in tests with anhydrite/siltstone and halite. Although it is difficult to achieve strong bonding between anhydrite and cement-based mixtures, tensile bond strengths, interface permeability, and other properties of the composites as a whole indicate achievement of the desired chemical and physical compatibility between these materials Integrity of bonding and low permeability to water (on the order of 110 darcy) suggest the likelihood of attaining durable sealing of repository access shafts/boreholes through the use of such chemically tailored cementitious mixtures. Rock samples used in ongoing sealing studies were obtained from various areas throughout the United States. The data in the present paper represent results for rocks obtained from the Palo Duro Basin and as such typify bedded-salt strata.
Large deviations bounds for estimating conditional value-at-risk

In this paper, we prove an exponential rate of convergence result for a common estimator of conditional value-at-risk for bounded random variables. The bound on optimistic deviations is tighter while the bound on pessimistic deviations is more general and applies to a broader class of convex risk measures.
Ocean Color Inferred from Radiometers on Low-Flying Aircraft

The color of sunlight reflected from the ocean to orbiting visible radiometers hasprovided a great deal of information about the global ocean, after suitable corrections aremade for atmospheric effects. Similar ocean-color measurements can be made from a lowflyingaircraft to get higher spatial resolution and to obtain measurements under clouds.A different set of corrections is required in this case, and we describe algorithms to correctfor clouds and sea-surface effects. An example is presented and errors in the correctionsdiscussed.
An empirical study using task assignment patterns to improve the accuracy of software effort estimation

In most software development organizations, there is seldom a one-to-one mapping between software developers and development tasks. It is frequently necessary to concurrently assign individuals to multiple tasks and to assign more than one individual to work cooperatively on a single task. A principal goal in making such assignments should be to minimize the effort required to complete each task. But what impact does the manner in which developers are assigned to tasks have on the effort requirements? This paper identifies four task assignment factors: team size, concurrency, intensity, and fragmentation. These four factors are shown to improve the predictive ability of the well-known intermediate COCOMO cost estimation model. A parsimonious effort estimation model is also derived that utilizes a subset of the task assignment factors and unadjusted function points. For the data examined, this parsimonious model is shown to have goodness of fit and quality of estimation superior to that of the COCOMO model, while utilizing fewer cost factors.
Lack of Water a Cause of Loose, Slimy Gizzard Linings Accompanying Early Mortality in Poults

Abstract TURKEY growers are occasionally confronted by moderate to severe losses of poults between the fifth and twelfth days after hatching. Typically, such poults show a lack of growth, a loose, slimy gizzard lining that frequently forms a ball that plugs the opening to the duodenum, and no evidence of specific infection. Severe early losses in one lot of poults at the Beltsville Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland, prompted the writer to attempt to duplicate the condition experimentally in 1941 and 1942. This paper describes three experiments conducted by the writer and reports his findings. EXPERIMENTAL The first experiment was for the purpose of finding out if large doses of cod liver oil would have detrimental effect on the gizzards of turkeys. Miller and Hammond (1942) had previously found that the addition of large quantities of cod liver oil to a diet for growing chickens increased the severity of gizzard erosion. Four . . .
Can a system make novice users experts?: Important factors for automatic metadata generation systems

The description of Web resources is one of the problems related to the development of the Semantic Web. The major problem in metadata generation is due to the lack of experts and the tremendous amount of Web resources. It is expected that an automated system would encourage creation of metadata for Web resources. This work is focused on suggesting four classes of descriptive elements - bibliographic, semantic, keywords, structure -- in designing an automated metadata generation system. In addition, this study tries to assess how the level of knowledge or skill impacts the quality of the metadata generated and, based on the results, it suggests factors that automatic metadata generation tools should suggest to users.
Long-term clinical effectiveness of an acellular pertussis component vaccine and a whole cell pertussis component vaccine

The objective of this open study was to monitor the long-term effectiveness of the Lederle-Takeda diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis antigen(s) (DTaP) vaccine and the Wyeth-Lederle diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis whole cell (DTP) vaccine in children who had received four doses of vaccine at 3, 4.5, 6 and 15 months of age during a pertussis vaccine efficacy trial from May 1991 to December 1994. After unblinding of the study code, follow-up information was obtained by use of standardised questionnaires twice a year from 1995 to 2000 to detect clinical pertussis and cough illnesses ≥14 days duration. Physician confirmation was sought for all reported cases. Rates of reported cough illnesses ≥14 days duration and rates of parent and physician diagnosed pertussis in former DTaP, DTP and diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DT) recipients were determined and vaccine efficacy was calculated. Nine questionnaires were sent to parents of 2924 study children of whom 349, 1304 and 1271 had originally received DT, DTaP and DTP, respectively. Overall, rates for cough illnesses (per 100 person years) were similar among the vaccine groups suggesting that reporting bias was not a major factor. Calculated efficacy for the 6-year follow-up period based upon physician diagnosed pertussis was 89% (95% CI=79–94) for DTaP and was 92% (95% CI=84–96) for DTP. Conclusion: no evidence of decreasing efficacy over time was noted.
Lung cancer vaccines: current status and future prospects

Designing a cancer treatment that very specifically targets and kills tumor cells with little to no side effects is the “holy grail” of oncology. Cancer vaccines have this potential. Vaccines utilize the immune system to specifically target and eliminate tumor cells. Historically, vaccination approaches against lung cancer have been disappointing. However, over the past decade, a greater understanding of the immune system and of the antigens expressed by tumors, coupled with advances in immunoadjuvants and improved delivery systems, has led to advances in the use of immunotherapy including vaccines to target lung cancer. Proof of principle phase I/II clinical trials targeting the MAGE-A3 and MUC1 tumor antigens, as well as cell-based vaccines such as belagenpumatucel-L have suggested improved survival, leading to larger scale phase III clinical trials. This review will discuss cancer vaccines in relation to lung cancer and present clinical data supporting their use.
Attitudes toward the implementation of computerized testing at IU School of Medicine (533.6)

Computerized testing has been introduced at Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) as a way to standardize the assessment experience among the different campuses. The computerized testing use...
Medication adherence behavior and priorities among older adults with CKD: a semistructured interview study

Background Older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) typically use more than 5 medications and have multiple prescribing physicians. However, little is known about how they prioritize their medical conditions or decide which medications to take. Methods Semistructured interviews (average length, 40 minutes) with 20 community-dwelling adults with CKD stages 3-5D receiving nephrology care at a tertiary referral center. Respondents were asked about medications, prescribing physicians, and medication-taking behaviors. We performed thematic analysis to explain patients' decisions regarding medication prioritization, understanding, and adherence decisions. Results Participants (age range, 55-84 years; mean, 72 years) used 5-14 prescribed medications, had 2-9 physicians, and had 5-11 comorbid conditions. All had assigned implicit priorities to their medications. Although most expressed the intention to be adherent, many regularly skipped medications they considered less important. Most identified the prescribing physician and indication for each medication, but there often was substantial discordance between beliefs about medications and conventional medical opinion. Respondents prioritized medications based on the salience of the particular condition, perceived effects of the treatment, and barriers (physical, logistic, or financial) to using the prescribed drug. Side effects of medications were common and anxiety provoking, but discussions with the prescribing physician often were delayed or unfulfilling for the patient. Conclusions Polypharmacy in patients with CKD leads to complex medication choices and adherence behaviors in this population. Most patients we interviewed had beliefs or priorities that were nonconcordant with conventional medical opinion; however, patients rarely discussed these beliefs and priorities or the resultant poor medication adherence with their physicians. Further study is needed to provide quantitative data about the magnitude of adherence barriers. It is likely that more effective communication about medication use could improve patients' health outcomes and reduce potential adverse drug events.
Enhancing Roundabout Operations via Vehicle Connectivity

With in-vehicle automation and vehicle connectivity gaining momentum, cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) systems are expected to enter the market in the near future. Given that the number of roundabouts in the United States has increased significantly, this research effort investigated the potential benefits of the use of CACC systems and vehicle-to-infrastructure connectivity to optimize the trajectories of vehicles approaching a single-lane roundabout. The optimization ensures that vehicles can enter the roundabout when gaps in the circulating roadway are available. The proposed idea is generally similar to the concept of metering single-lane entrance ramps. The system is simulated on a single-lane roundabout for different traffic demands and CACC market penetration levels. The study demonstrates that CACC systems can produce savings in total delay and fuel consumption levels of up to 80% and 40%, respectively, relative to the levels for traditional roundabout control. Further benefits are also ...
Resolution of rabbit polyclonal anti-fluorescein Fab (IgG) fragments into subpopulations differing in affinity and spectral properties of bound ligand.

Abstract Fab fragments derived from ten different IgG populations of hyperimmune rabbit polyclonal anti-fluorescein antibodies were further resolved into subfractions based on differences in time-dependent dissociation from an FITC-adsorbent in the presence of 0.1 M fluorescein at 4 °C. Fab fragments separated into subpopulations based on specific dissociation times of 0.1 day, 1.0 day, 10 days and 100 days from the adsorbent. Finally, after the 100 days elution step incubation with 6.0 M guanidine–HCl was included to determine total protein concentration of specific anti-fluorescein Fab fragments. Yields of specifically eluted Fab fragments ranged from 12.7 to 84.1% of the total Fab population originally incubated with the adsorbent. All Fab polyclonal populations and subpopulations analyzed quenched the fluorescence of the bound ligand by 90% or greater. None of the plots of protein concentration versus percent yield of the total specific antibody obtained for each of the five resolved fractions constituting a specific polyclonal population conformed to Gaussian distributions. All resolved Fab subpopulations retained bound fluorescein ligand that exhibited significant bathochromic shifts in absorbancy. Based on the extent of the red-shift the antibodies segregated into one of two general spectral families showing either a peak shift to 505–507 nm or to 518–520 nm. The red-shift to 518–520 nm appeared unique to rabbit anti-fluorescein antibodies, since corresponding large shifts have not been observed with antibodies derived from other species (e.g. mouse, rat, chicken, etc.). K d values determined for the resolved fractions confirmed a continuous progression in affinity from the 0.1day through the 100 days elution. Preliminary isoelectric focusing analyses revealed progressive selection for relatively more homogeneous fractions, especially in the 100 days resolved fraction.
The electron and proton as one particle in dual space-times

The 1% coincidence ofmp/mc with\(\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {16} \\ 4 \\ \end{array} } \right)\) and the identification of the 4 and 16 with the dimensions of space-time and an embedding space suggest that the space-time we observe may locally be two rotating 4D sheets that regularly align in 16 space. The proton and electron may be described as one particle appearing on the two sheets. By considering nuclear protons the calculated minimum electron mass is only 32 p.p.m. below the accepted value. Slightly higher masses may be observed with newly created positrons.
Dynamics of simple beams

In the previous chapters is was assumed that the applied loads were independent of time. That is, the loads were assumed to be applied slowly so that no dynamic effects occurred. Actually, rapid application of loads can occur in aircraft structures due to air gusts, pilot maneuvers, and rough landings. These dynamic or time effects upon the structure of the airplane are considered in detail in References 1, 4, 5, and 6. In this chapter only the dynamic effects on simple beams will be considered. The procedures given in this chapter can be extended to more complicated aircraft structures.
Qualitatively Assessing the Experiences of College Students Completing AlcoholEdu: Do Participants Report Altering Behavior After Intervention?

To reduce college student drinking and associated alcohol-related consequences, many universities are turning to e-interventions, such as AlcoholEdu. To date, however, results of evaluations examining the impact of AlcoholEdu are mixed. Among these evaluations, few qualitative assessments have examined the experiences and perceptions of students who complete AlcoholEdu. This investigation aimed to assess whether students (a) find the program educational and engaging, (b) implemented specific strategies learned from participation, and (c) self-report altering their behavior as a result of participation. Even though respondents universally reported an increase in alcohol-related knowledge, there was an evident disconnect between this knowledge and their actual behavior. In other words, respondents reported that they did not implement what was taught in AlcoholEdu. Moreover, students highlighted several limitations associated with the program that would have influenced its overall impact, such as ignoring vi...