cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple instance learning for landmine detection using ground penetrating radar

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has been extensively employed as a technology for the detection of subsurface buried threats. Although vehicular mounted GPRs generate data in three dimensions, alarm declarations are usually only available in the form of 2-D spatial coordinates. The uncertainty in the depth of the target in the three dimensional volume of data, and the difficulties associated with automatically localizing objects in depth, can adversely impact feature extraction and training in some detection algorithms. In order to mitigate the negative impact of uncertainty in target depth, several algorithms have been developed that extract features from multiple depth regions and utilize these feature vectors in classification algorithms to perform final mine/nonmine decisions. However, the uncertainty in object depth significantly complicates learning since features at the correct target depth are often significantly different from features at other depths but in the same volume. Multiple Instance Learning (MIL) is a type of supervised learning approach in which labels are available for a collection of feature vectors but not for individual samples, or in this application, depths. The goal of MIL is to classify new collections of vectors as they become available. This set-based learning method is applicable in the landmine detection problem because features that are extracted independently from several depth bins can be viewed as a set of unlabeled feature vectors, where the entire set either corresponds to a buried threat or a false alarm. In this work, a novel generative Dirichlet Process Gaussian mixture model for MIL is developed that automatically infers the number of mixture components required to model the underlying distributions of mine/non-mine signatures and performs classification using a likelihood ratio test. In this work, we show that the performance of the proposed approach for discriminating targets from non-targets in GPR data is promising.
Lucky-electron model of channel hot-electron injection in MOSFET'S

The lucky-electron concept is successfully applied to the modeling of channel hot-electron injection in n-channel MOSFET's, although the result can be interpreted in terms of electron temperature as well. This results in a relatively simple expression that can quantitatively predict channel hot-electron injection current in MOSFET's. The model is compared with measurements on a series of n-channel MOSFET's and good agreement is achieved. In the process, new values for many physical parameters such as hot-electron scattering mean-free-path, impact-ionization energy are determined. Of perhaps even greater practical significance is the quantitative correlation between the gate current and the substrate current that this model suggests.
Energetics of coupled active transport of sodium and chloride.

A Clark electrode was used to measure oxygen consumption by the gall bladder, in which there is a direct and one-to-one linkage between active Na and active Cl transport. O2 uptake was reversibly depressed when Cl in the mucosal bathing solution was replaced by a poorly transported anion, such as sulfate. This effect of Cl was abolished by ouabain or in Na-free solutions. When the anion was chloride, treatment with ouabain or replacement of Na by a poorly transported cation depressed Qoo2, more than did replacement of Cl. However, ouabain or removal of Na also depressed Qoo2, in Na2SO4 solutions, in which salt transport is minimal. It is concluded that oxygen uptake in the gall bladder consists of three fractions: 9% requires both Na and Cl, is inhibited by ouabain, and is linked to the NaCl pump; 36% requires Na but not Cl, is inhibited by ouabain, and possibly is linked to the cellular K uptake mechanism; and 55% represents basal uptake. If the extra oxygen uptake observed during transport supplies all the energy for transport, then 25 Na + 25 Cl ions are transported actively per O2 consumed; i.e., twice as many ions as in epithelia which transport only Na actively. This extra uptake is more than sufficient to supply the energy for overcoming internal membrane resistance under the experimental conditions used.
Strategies for reducing the ecological risks of hatchery programs: Case studies from the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest state and federal agencies and tribes that operate salmon and steelhead (Oncorhynchus sp.) hatcheries are authorized to develop and implement strategies to reduce the risks the programs pose to wild fish populations. This paper reviews five case studies from the states of Oregon and Washington, USA, where agencies and tribes have implemented or proposed programs that were intended to reduce ecological risks due to hatchery programs. The case studies are for Oregon coho salmon, Select Area terminal fisheries programs for Chinook and coho salmon in the lower Columbia River, Hood Canal chum salmon in Puget Sound Washington, Siletz River steelhead on the Oregon coast, and Okanogan River Chinook salmon in eastern Washington. The five case studies address a diversity of management objectives and species. They demonstrate some of the science and risk reduction strategies used to alleviate the ecological effects of hatcheries, and they document some of the results and outcomes of taking action. Elements of four of the case studies have been in place for nearly 20 years. The available science and the conservation ethic toward hatchery programs evolved significantly over this period, and management decisions and strategies have been influenced by public policy as well as by scientific information. Therefore the case studies also document some of the history, the evolution of ideas, the uncertainty, and the political controversy associated with the management of this risk factor. The paper concludes with six principles to help guide the development of future risk reduction programs.
Visits to emergency departments for gynecologic disorders in the United States, 1992-1994.

Abstract Objective: To assess rates of visits to emergency departments for gynecologic disorders among women of reproductive age in the United States. Methods: Data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for 1992–1994 were analyzed to determine rates of visits to emergency departments among women, ages 15–44 years. Average annual rates per 1000 women were calculated using age, race, and region-specific population estimates. Rate ratios were used to compare rates among subgroups. Results: Approximately 1.4 million gynecologic visits were made to emergency departments annually, for an average annual rate of 24.3 visits per 1000 women, ages 15–44 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.0, 26.6). The most frequent diagnoses were pelvic inflammatory disease (average annual rate 5.8, 95% CI 5.0, 6.6), lower genital tract infections including sexually transmitted diseases (average annual rate 5.7, 95% CI 4.8, 6.6), and menstrual disorders (average annual rate 2.9, 95% CI 2.3, 3.5). Nearly half of all gynecologic visits resulted in diagnoses of genital tract infections. Younger women (ages 15–24 years) were 2.3 (95% CI 2.0, 2.6) times as likely as older women (ages 25–44 years), and black women were 3.6 (95% CI 2.9, 4.3) times as likely as white women, to visit emergency departments for gynecologic disorders. Rate ratios for genital tract infections were 10–20 times higher for younger black women than for older, white women. Conclusion: Almost half of gynecologic visits to emergency departments were related to genital tract infections, which largely are preventable. (Obstet Gynecol 1998;91:1007–12.)
Drug users seeking emergency care for soft tissue infection at high risk for subsequent hospitalization and death.

Objective: Although soft tissue infections are common among injection drug users (IDUs), little is known about the health outcomes among those who seek care for these infections. Emergency department visits are an important point-of-health-care contact for IDUs. In this prospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the hospitaliza- tion and mortality rates and factors associated with hospitalization or death among IDUs seeking emergency care for soft tissue infection. Method: Participants were English-speaking IDUs, 18 years of age and older, who sought initial care for soft tissue infection in an urban emer- gency department. We conducted semistructured interviews, identifi ed hospitalizations from hospital records, and identifi ed deaths using the National Death Index. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to investigate associations between baseline characteristics and hospitaliza- tions or death. Results: Of 211 eligible patients, 156 (74%) participated (mean age = 42 years). There were 255 subsequent hospitalizations over a mean of 3.9 years follow-up. The hospitalization rate was 42 hospitalizations per 100 person-years (95% confi dence interval (CI): 38-48). The mortality rate was 2.0 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 1.1- 3.7). Factors associated with increased risk for hospitalization or death included living on the street or in a shelter (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.10-2.79), being recently incarcerated (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.05-3.44), and having insurance (AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.22-3.23). Conclusions: IDUs who sought care in the emergency department for soft tissue infections were at high risk for subsequent hospitalization and death. Visits for soft tissue infections represent missed opportunities for preventive care. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 69: 924-932, 2008)
Characterization of temperature-sensitive cytidine triphosphate synthase mutations in bacteria by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract Cytidine triphosphate (CTP) synthase catalyzes the last step in pyrimidine ribonucleotide synthesis, namely the formation of CTP from UTP, ATP, and glutamine. Mutants devoid of CTP synthase activity require cytidine for growth and have been designated purG in an obligate cdd background. Using a ts mutation blocked in the conversion of UTP to CTP at 43°C, it was demonstrated that the conversion occurs by growing cells at 33°C or below where UTP and CTP pools are normal. Growth at 43°C shuts off the enzyme, while UTP accumulates and CTP is described significantly. By now feeding exogenous cytidine the CTP pool can be restored to the level found at the permissive temperature. Instacellular nucleoside triphosphates (CTP and UTP) were separated on a Partisil SAX10 cartridge, using a linear gradient of low buffer (7 m M ammonium dihydrogenphosphate, pH 3.8) to high buffer (250 m M ammonium dihydrogenphosphate, pH 4.5 with 500 m M potassium chloride). Nucleoside triphosphates were also separated after enzymativ conversion of UTP to CTP in solution by cell extracts using ion-pair reversed-phase chromatography on a C 18 cartridge eluted with a mixture of 95% buffer A (25 m M ammonium dihydrogenphosphate with 1 m M tetrabutylammonium phosphate, pH 7.0) and 5% buffer B (15% aqueous acetonitrile). Using the two different separation techniques, it was possible to monitor the level of UTP and CTP inside cells as well as the enzymatic conversion of UTP to CTP by the enzyme CTP synthase.
Seismic modeling of multi-span simply-supported bridges using ADINA

Abstract A major component of the Seismic Retrofit Program in the State of New Jersey includes analysis and evaluation of high-risk bridges. Most bridges in New Jersey (and more generally in the eastern U. S. A.) are multi-span simply-supported, thus creating the high possibility of impact of adjacent spans in the longitudinal direction. The results of an ongoing study on modeling and the effect of impact on the seismic response of bridges is presented. ADINA is used for development of nonlinear bridge models. A number of practical examples indicating how ADINA can be used for analysis of different bridge components are also illustrated.
Seismic profiling of Archean crust: Crustal structure in the Morton block, Minnesota River Valley subprovince

Abstract A 58 km seismic reflection profile recorded by the University of Wyoming over the early Archean gneisses (3.6–3.8 Ga) of the Minnesota River Valley subprovince (Superior Province) shows more complicated structure and rock variation with depth than the limited surface geology suggests. Wide-angle data show a high average velocity of 6.8 ± 0.1 km/s and a crustal thickness of 49 ± 1 km from a zero-offset time of 14.2 ± 0.2 s. Upper-crustal (0–10 km) reflections are consistent with the gentle dips from surface folding, while middle-crustal (10–24 km) reflections are interpreted as a 40 km long SE dipping thrust or fold structure, 6 km thick. Lower-crustal (24–48 km) reflections are short and low amplitude, consistent with small reflection coefficients and short reflectors. Modeling suggests that this reflectivity is consistent with small (
Effect of prolactin on dopamine synthesis in medial basal hypothalamus: evidence for a short loop feedback.

Several procedures were utilized to study the effects of prolactin on dopamine synthesis in the medial basal hypothalamus of the rat. Elevation of serum prolactin was produced by the administration of trifluoperazine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and resulted in a significant increase in the conversion of [3',5'-3H]tyrosine to dopamine when measured in slices of medial basal hypothalamus and striatum. Hypophysectomy abolished this effect of trifluoperazine in the medial basal hypothalamus but not in the striatum. In addition, the synthesis of dopamine was significantly elevated in slices of medial basal hypothalamus obtained from rats bearing pituitary tumor implants that secreted microgram quantities of prolactin. In contrast, the in vitro synthesis of dopamine in the striatum of such rats was increased by the secretory products in one tumor line but decreased in another compared to that observed in control animals. It is suggested that the ability of prolactin to accelerate the synthesis of dopamine in the medial basal hypothalamus might constitute a short loop feedback system that finely regulates prolactin secretion.
Arithmetic algorithms in a proof-oriented set-theoretic language

Recently, a pseudocode language for set-theoretic algorithms hos been investigated for use In discrete math/structures courses [1-4]. The language is highly intuitive and contains only eight elementary statements. In the language, it is possible to (a) readily express the elementary algorithms of discrete mathematics and (b) develop correctness proofs using set theory and its underlying logic (without resort to logical-invariance proofs). In this paper, it is demonstrated that correct algorithms for the arithmetic operations over natural numbers are essentially corollaries of two easily-proved theorems about primitive recursion. In essence, for a function defined over natural numbers, a correct definition by mathematical induction immediately yields a correct algorithm for computation.
The structure of plasma sprayed MoSi2-Al2O3 microlaminate tubes

Plasma spraying has been a well-developed and widely used technique for applying coatings on various materials. The versatility in materials selection, ranging from metal, ceramic, intermetallics to polymer and the relatively high deposition rate compared to vapor deposition processes, makes it a desirable technique for large scale industrial applications. Even though the MoSi[sub 2]-Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] may exhibit a combination of desirable strength and toughness, a thorough microstructural characterization of the laminates is needed before issues such as the reliability and the optimization of mechanical properties can be addressed. The objective of the present study is to characterize the structure of the laminated MoSi[sub 2]-Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] tubes with the aim of understanding the synthesis-microstructure relationship.
Efficient visibility processing for projective texture mapping

Abstract Projective texture mapping is a powerful tool for image-based rendering. However, visibility information must be obtained in order to project correct textures onto the geometric sturcture. This paper presents a novel visibility algorithm for determining which polygons are visible from each camera position. It has object-space precision, but operates in both image-space and object-space to get better performance. It generates much less polygons than traditional object-space algorithms to help accelerate the speed of texture mapping. The techniques used to achieve these are conservative image-space occlusion testing and object-space shallow clipping . This algorithm has been successfully used to generate large-scale image-based rendering of a whole university campus, and image-based rendering of architectures under dynamic lighting.
Applications of a hollow fiber device to monitor hemostasis

Abstract A global assessment of hemostasis can be determined by the perfusion of unanti-coagulated whole blood through a hollow fiber at a nominal shear rate of 300 sec−1. Once the pressure across the hollow fiber is stable, uniform holes are punched through the top and bottom of the fiber, resulting in an optically detectable leakage of blood from the hollow fiber and a pressure drop throughout the system. Changes in the shear rate and flow profile at the puncture site are sufficient to activate platelets mechanically, resulting in a platelet plug observable by electron microscopy. Fibrin is the principal component of the luminal surface adjacent to the puncture site and a prominent fibrin tail extends downstream from this site. The time from the introduction of the punch site to 90% recovery of the baseline pressure defines the in vitro bleeding time (IVBT). The rate of the pressure recovery appears to be related to the efficiency of the thrombin-mediated recruitment of additional platelets to the plug. Pressure recovery can be delayed by either platelet or thrombin inhibitors.
What does pet imaging add to conventional staging of head and neck cancer patients

Purpose: To determine the value of PET scans in the staging of patients with head and neck carcinoma. Methods and Materials: The charts of 25 patients who underwent neck dissection, computed tomography (CT) scan, and F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging as part of their initial work-up for a head and neck squamous cell cancer between 2000-2003 were reviewed. All patients underwent clinical examination, triple endoscopy, and chest radiograph as part of their clinical staging, adhering to American Joint Commission for Cancer criteria. In addition to the clinical nodal (N) stage, PET findings were incorporated to determine a second type of N staging: clinical N + PET stage. The number of neck sides and nodal levels involved on CT or PET and on pathologic examination were recorded. Results: The sensitivity and specificity for detection of nodal disease were similar for CT and FDG-PET. Positive and negative likelihood ratios were similar for both diagnostic tests. None of our 25 patients had unsuspected distant disease detected by PET. Conclusion: The addition of PET imaging did not improve diagnostic accuracy in our patients compared with CT. PET scanning did not alter clinical management in any of the patients.
Experimental investigations of the anode boundary layer in high intensity arcs with cross flow

The anode boundary layer in high intensity arcs determines the anode lifetime and processing efficiency in many industrial applications and can be controlled by cold lateral gas flows (LGFs) parallel to the anode. In this paper, properties of the anode boundary layer in a high intensity argon arc with argon and nitrogen LGFs have been studied. Anode heat and current transfer and restrike frequency and restrike length have been measured using a segmented anode and a high speed camera. Electron temperature, electron density and current density have been measured by a Langmuir probe setup. The correlation between these properties and the previously defined arc attachment mode has been described and explained.
When familiarity breeds contempt, absence makes the heart grow fonder: Effects of exposure and delay on taste pleasantness ratings

The effects of repeated exposure and delay on taste pleasantness ratings were explored in a study involving 10 female subjects. Subjects tasted and rated for pleasantness small quantities of 15 spices 10 times each in Session I and 1 week later (Session II) made four additional tastes and ratings of each of the spices. Pleasantness ratings were a decreasing concave upward function of trials during each session, the decay in pleasantness being more rapid in Session II than in Session I: Initial trials in both sessions did not differ in rated pleasantness. Results suggest that some satiation effects dissipate with time while others are cumulative.
Bidirectional recovery patterns of Mojave Desert vegetation in an aqueduct pipeline corridor after 36 years: I. Perennial shrubs and grasses

Abstract We studied recovery of 21 perennial plant species along a severely disturbed aqueduct corridor in a Larrea tridentata-Ambrosia dumosa plant alliance in the Mojave Desert 36 years after construction. The 97-m wide corridor contained a central dirt road and buried aqueduct pipeline. We established transects at 0 m (road verge), 20 m and 40 m into the disturbance corridor, and at 100 m in undisturbed habitat (the control). Although total numbers of shrubs per transect did not vary significantly with distance from the verge, canopy cover of shrubs, species richness, and species diversity were higher in the control than at the verge and other distances. Canopy cover of common shrubs (Ericameria nauseosa, Ambrosia salsola, A. dumosa, L. tridentata, Grayia spinosa) and perennial grasses (Elymus elymoides, Poa secunda) also varied significantly by location. Discriminant analysis clearly separated the four distances based on plant composition. Patterns of recovery were bidirectional: secondary succession from the control into the disturbance corridor and inhibition from the verge in the direction of the control. Time estimated for species composition to resemble the control is dependent on location within the disturbance corridor and could be centuries at the road verge. Our findings have applications to other deserts.
Microvascular metabolism in diabetes

Abstract Hyperglycemia has been implicated in the development of retinal vascular disease. Consequently, the effects of excessive hexose concentration on cells of the vascular wall are receiving increasing attention. Techniques for isolating metabolically active microvessels from tissues such as those from the retina and cerebral cortex are providing new opportunities for the study of the uptake and metabolism of hexose by microvessels. Such studies indicate that hexose uptake by microvessels is not insulin dependent and that microvessels are capable of metabolizing hexose by pathways common to many diverse tissues, including anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis, pentose phosphate shunt, and glycogenogenesis. Microvessels isolated from diabetic animals metabolize glucose at a subnormal rate. Hexitol production and accumulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications in a variety of tissues and might also play a role in the development of diabetic microvascular disease. We have quantitated hexitol-producing metabolic activity of retinal and cerebral microvessels isolated from dogs, a species known to develop a retinopathy similar to that seen in diabetic patients. Erythrocytes were removed by perfusion prior to microvessel isolation because they are known to have hexitol-producing activity. Both retinal and cerebral microvessels produce galactitol from galactose, and this activity is inhibited in the presence of the aldose reductase inhibitor sorbinil. The presence of hexitol-producing activity within microvessels is consistent with a possible role of polyol production in the etiology of diabetic microvascular disease. Nevertheless, it is not even clear that the primary defect leading to vascular disease in diabetes resides in the vasculature itself; nonvascular cells such as erythrocytes, platelets, and glial cells have been postulated to play a role in the development of the vascular lesions. The steps linking diabetic retinopathy to hyperglycemia await clarification.
Issues and Challenges in Securing eHealth Systems

With the widespread eHealth usage, security of eHealth services is becoming increasingly important. In this paper, we analyze the security problems in eHealth systems, discuss various approaches of securing health data collection and sharing proposed in the recent literature on eHealth security, and provide comparative evaluations that include advantages and limitations of each approach. Possible future research directions on each approach for enhancing security for eHealth applications are also suggested.
Development of an Efficient Regional Four-Dimensional Variational Data Assimilation System for WRF

AbstractThis paper presents the development of a single executable four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4D-Var) system based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model through coupling the variational data assimilation algorithm (WRF-VAR) with the newly developed WRF tangent linear and adjoint model (WRFPLUS). Compared to the predecessor Multiple Program Multiple Data version, the new WRF 4D-Var system achieves major improvements in that all processing cores are able to participate in the computation and all information exchanges between WRF-VAR and WRFPLUS are moved directly from disk to memory. The single executable 4D-Var system demonstrates desirable acceleration and scalability in terms of the computational performance, as demonstrated through a series of benchmarking data assimilation experiments carried out over a continental U.S. domain. To take into account the nonlinear processes with the linearized minimization algorithm and to further decrease the computational cost of the ...
Optimization under uncertainty: state-of-the-art and opportunities

Abstract A large number of problems in production planning and scheduling, location, transportation, finance, and engineering design require that decisions be made in the presence of uncertainty. Uncertainty, for instance, governs the prices of fuels, the availability of electricity, and the demand for chemicals. A key difficulty in optimization under uncertainty is in dealing with an uncertainty space that is huge and frequently leads to very large-scale optimization models. Decision-making under uncertainty is often further complicated by the presence of integer decision variables to model logical and other discrete decisions in a multi-period or multi-stage setting. This paper reviews theory and methodology that have been developed to cope with the complexity of optimization problems under uncertainty. We discuss and contrast the classical recourse-based stochastic programming, robust stochastic programming, probabilistic (chance-constraint) programming, fuzzy programming, and stochastic dynamic programming. The advantages and shortcomings of these models are reviewed and illustrated through examples. Applications and the state-of-the-art in computations are also reviewed. Finally, we discuss several main areas for future development in this field. These include development of polynomial-time approximation schemes for multi-stage stochastic programs and the application of global optimization algorithms to two-stage and chance-constraint formulations.
Anaesthesia for patients with trisomy 13 (Patau's syndrome)

Summary Patau's syndrome (Trisomy 13) is usually fatal within the first six months of life. For the few survivors, corrective surgery is only undertaken if the child has a reasonable chance of living for some time. Hence the reports of anaesthesia and surgery in the literature are rare. We describe the anaesthesia for a repair of cleft lip and palate on two children who presented to our department.
Compiler performance analysis tools

Most of the performance bench-marks for compilers do not give detailed performance characteristics that might be useful to a programmer. The goal of most bench-marks seems to be to produce a single number. A set of bench-mark tools that measure individual language features of C and generate a large number of measurements has been designed to create a detailed performance profile of any C compiler. There is an emphasis on the detailed statement-level measurements of both CPU and I/O aspects of C, but there is also a range of routine and program-level bench-marks that seek to measure the interaction of CPU and I/O in actual application programs. The programs are portable, parametrized, and openended so that additional measurements can be added with little effort. With some additional effort, the tools could be adapted to other languages.
Steroid Hormone Regulation of Antiviral Immunity

Recent observations in both humans and animals have demonstrated that stress is immunomodulatory and can alter the pathogenesis of microbial infections to the extent that it may be adverse to health. Stress disrupts homeostasis, and the body responds through endocrine and nervous system interactions in an effort to re-establish the health of the host. However, the resulting physiologic changes associated with stress, such as the rise in serum glucocorticoids (GCs), are implicated in suppression of antiviral immunity. Therefore, it would be of significance to counterregulate stress-mediated immunosuppression during viral infection to improve immune responses and limit virus-mediated damage. The data in this study focus upon the antiglucocorticoid influence of a native steroid hormone that has been shown to augment immune function and protect animals against lethal viral infections. Androstenediol (5-androstene-3 beta,17 beta-diol, AED), a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), confers protection against lethal infection with influenza A virus. The protective activity appears to counterbalance the function of the regulatory GCs because AED prevents GC-mediated suppression of IL-1, TNF-alpha, and IL-2 secretion. Furthermore, AED inhibits GC-induced transcription of a GC-sensitive reporter gene.
Modeling the role of bacteria in leaching of low‐grade ores

A robustious structural model is developed to describe the role of bacteria in the leaching process of low-grade ores under conditions controlled by intraparticle diffusion. The main impetus behind developing this model is to provide an insight into such systems, together with a suitable framework for interpreting experimental data. The model is derived in detail with respect to reaction chemistry and the role of bacteria in catalyzing these reactions, specifically the synergism of chemistry, physics and biology in determining the overall behavior of the system. The model is used to simulate the atmospheric oxidation of iron disulfide contained in porous solids in the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (T. ferrooxidans). The experimental data are predicted well by the model, which demonstrates its applicability and supports the view that the rate of intraparticle diffusion is the controlling mechanism for this system.
Enhanced Link Adaptation Methods for Wireless Multi-Carrier Systems

This work describes a family of low feedback, high performance link adaptation algorithms for multi-carrier systems. The methods include the use of the exponential effective SNR mapping (EESM) method as part of the modulation/coding selection process. The drawbacks of current link adaptation algorithms are reviewed, and means of combating the effect of Doppler and fading gain variation are proposed. In addition, a method enabling conventional SNR feedback reports to be converted to the effective SNR domain is described. This allows the effect of variable power allocation on coded BER to be more accurately estimated. Simulation results show that the proposed methods are effective.
Acute Submucosal Esophageal Hemorrhage

Two cases of acute submucosal esophageal hemorrhage are reported. This condition is uncommon and presents an urgent diagnostic dilemma. Its presentation, diagnosis, and management are reviewed. The underlying pathology and causative factors are researched and clarified. Conservative management is safe and effective.
Seasonal and Inter-day Variation in Serum High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein in Japanese Male Workers: A Longitudinal Study

Although seasonal variation in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has been studied cross-sectionally and longitudinally, the results to date have been mixed. Here, to test sea- sonal variation in this compound with regard to within-subject, inter-day variation, we conducted a longitudinal follow-up study with repeated measurements in Japanese workers with low hsCRP. Blood samples were obtained from four male indoor daytime workers, who were aged 32-57 and commuted to offices in Kawasaki City, on six days within 2-wk windows in February and October, 2008. Serum hsCRP was measured using ultrasensitive latex-enhanced immunonephelometry. Among the subjects with detectable levels of hsCRP, individual median serum hsCRP levels were 38-74% higher in October than in February (p=0.03). This study identified the presence of a sea- sonal variation in the serum hsCRP level of Japanese workers with low hsCRP levels.
Application of Matrix Converter for Large Induction Machines

This paper proposes the use of a direct AC-AC matrix converter, as an alternative to the DC-link voltage-sourced converter, for large induction machines. A switching strategy is developed to operate the matrix converter based induction machine in sub- and super-synchronous motoring and generating modes. A steady-state model for the matrix converter based induction machine is developed and used to design a controller through a systematic approach. Performance of the matrix converter based induction machine in sub- and super-synchronous motoring and generating modes of operation as well as smooth transition of the machine through the synchronous speed are evaluated.
Should selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors be prescribed for children with major depressive and anxiety disorders

In January 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved fluoxetine for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in youth aged 7 to 18.1 The decision for MDD was based on 2 placebo-controlled clinical trials.2,3 No major expressions of concern were raised at the time, but beginning in June 2003, doubts increasingly arose about the efficacy and safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in youth after the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received pediatric trial data from Glaxo SmithKline on paroxetine. Subsequently, both the FDA and the MHRA reanalyzed both published and unpublished efficacy and safety data from SSRI trials for youth.4,5 Relevant findings from these reanalyses are presented herein. In reviewing the available age-grouped SSRI data on the treatment of youth with MDD, which used the primary measure of depression, the Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R), it became apparent that all the results covering preadolescents (ie, children) were negative (Table 1). The age-grouped analyses of 7 SSRI/venlafaxine trials for depressive symptoms were reportedly underpowered or not part of the initial outcome assessments; nonetheless, these findings presented no evidence of even a trend favoring any SSRI or venlafaxine over placebo in children with MDD (Table 1). In fact, 2 of these antidepressant-medication outcome analyses related to children favored the placebo, and 1 was nearly significant ( P = .052) favoring the placebo (Table 1). Thus, it would be reasonable to conclude that there is no scientific evidence … Address correspondence to Daniel J. Safer, MD, 6 Hadley Square North, Baltimore, MD 21218. E-mail dsafer{at}jhmi.edu
Improving the quality of care of patients with rheumatic disease using patient-centric electronic redesign software.

Objective Electronic health records (EHRs) are not optimized for chronic disease management. To improve the quality of care for patients with rheumatic disease, we developed electronic data capture, aggregation, display, and documentation software. Methods The software integrated and reassembled information from the patient (via a touchscreen questionnaire), nurse, physician, and EHR into a series of actionable views. Core functions included trends over time, rheumatology-related demographics, and documentation for patient and provider. Quality measures collected included patient-reported outcomes, disease activity, and function. The software was tested and implemented in 3 rheumatology departments, and integrated into routine care delivery. Post-implementation evaluation measured adoption, efficiency, productivity, and patient perception. Results Over 2 years, 6,725 patients completed 19,786 touchscreen questionnaires. The software was adopted for use by 86% of patients and rheumatologists. Chart review and documentation time trended downward, and productivity increased by 26%. Patient satisfaction, activation, and adherence remained unchanged, although pre-implementation values were high. A strong correlation was seen between use of the software and disease control (weighted Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.5927, P = 0.0095), and a relative increase in patients with low disease activity of 3% per quarter was noted. Conclusion We describe innovative software that aggregates, stores, and displays information vital to improving the quality of care for patients with chronic rheumatic disease. The software was well-adopted by patients and providers. Post-implementation, significant improvements in quality of care, efficiency of care, and productivity were demonstrated.
Hypochondriacal Concerns and Attitudes toward Illness in Males and Females

OBJECTIVE To review the published studies on the sex distribution of hypochondriasis, and to examine sex differences in hypochondriacal concerns and in attitudes toward illness. METHOD The Illness Attitude Scales, Factors 2 and 3 of the Whiteley Index and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) were administered to fifty randomly-selected female family practice patients ages eighteen to sixty-five, and to male patients matched by age in decades. From a pool of 130 consecutive nonpsychotic psychiatric outpatients, fifty females and fifty males were matched with the family practice patients. RESULTS Although females rated themselves as more depressed than males in both groups, there were no significant differences between the sexes in hypochondriacal fears and beliefs. Psychiatric male patients reported the most adverse effects of bodily symptoms on work and leisure. There were no other significant differences between the sexes in any of the other attitudes toward illness or symptoms. Hypochondriacal concerns were more common in the psychiatric patients than in the family practice patients of both sexes. CONCLUSION The review of published studies on the sex distribution of hypochondriasis suggests that disease phobia is more common in females, except for the cardiophobic syndrome, which is more common in males. The other reported differences are inconsistent and appear to be caused by referral biases, varying diagnostic criteria, and cultural factors. In our study, we found no substantial differences between males and females in hypochondriacal concerns and attitudes toward illness.
Efficient low delay filter banks

The paper treats the problem of designing efficient FIR analysis-synthesis filter banks with system delays that can be pre-specified. A framework is introduced that is comprised of the cascade of several distinctive matrices with invertibility properties. The explicit form of the matrices guarantees computational efficiency and exact reconstruction, and allows for control over the system delay. >
Convergence of Counterterrorism Policies: A Case Study of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia

Why do counterterrorism policies of the Central Asian states grow more alike amid propensities for divergence? This article engages with this question. It focuses on the counterterrorism measures of Kyrgyzstan and attributes their growing intensity to influence of the neighboring states and regional organizations. It is the contention of this research that Kyrgyzstan's increasingly vigorous responses aimed at combating terrorism are a part of a broader process of convergence of counterterrorism policies and measures targeting religious extremism adopted by Kyrgyzstan's neighbors. The three mechanisms that lie at the roots of this process are direct coercive transfer, harmonization of security policies, and emulation of counterterrorism responses.
Atomic structure and nonhomologous end-joining function of the polymerase component of bacterial DNA ligase D

DNA ligase D (LigD) is a large polyfunctional protein that participates in a recently discovered pathway of nonhomologous end-joining in bacteria. LigD consists of an ATP-dependent ligase domain fused to a polymerase domain (Pol) and a phosphoesterase module. The Pol activity is remarkable for its dependence on manganese, its ability to perform templated and nontemplated primer extension reactions, and its preference for adding ribonucleotides to blunt DNA ends. Here we report the 1.5-A crystal structure of the Pol domain of Pseudomonas LigD and its complexes with manganese and ATP/dATP substrates, which reveal a minimized polymerase with a two-metal mechanism and a fold similar to that of archaeal DNA primase. Mutational analysis highlights the functionally relevant atomic contacts in the active site. Although distinct nucleoside conformations and contacts for ATP versus dATP are observed in the cocrystals, the functional analysis suggests that the ATP-binding mode is the productive conformation for dNMP and rNMP incorporation. We find that a mutation of Mycobacterium LigD that uniquely ablates the polymerase activity results in increased fidelity of blunt-end double-strand break repair in vivo by virtue of eliminating nucleotide insertions at the recombination junctions. Thus, LigD Pol is a direct catalyst of mutagenic nonhomologous end-joining in vivo. Our studies underscore a previously uncharacterized role for the primase-like polymerase family in DNA repair.
Multiple hormones stimulate the production of somatomedin by cultured human fibroblasts

Although immunoreactive somatomedin (IRSM) secretion by cultured human fibroblasts has been reported, the hormonal control of IR-SM production is not well defined. This study concerns the effects of several hormones and growth factors on IR-SM production by cultured human fibroblasts. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) had concentration-dependent stimulatory effects on IR-SM production when added to confluent quiescent cultures. When PDGF, FGF, macrophage growth factor (MGF), or epidermal growth factor (EGF) was added transiently for 5 h and the cells subsequently incubated in SM-C deficient, plateletpoor plasma (SM-C-deficient PPP), persistent stimulation of IR-SM production occurred. In contrast, transient exposure to other known stimuli of IR-SM production, such as human GH, T4, and insulin, resulted in no stimulation. Continuous exposure of quiescent, high density fibroblast cultures to EGF, insulin, hydrocortisone, or T4 incubated in the presence of seurm-free me...
Micro and macroscopic models of rock fracture

SUMMARY The anelastic deformation of solids is often treated using continuum damage mechanics. An alternative approach to the brittle failure of a solid is provided by the discrete fiber-bundle model. Here we show that the continuum damage model can give exactly the same solution for material failure as the fiber-bundle model. We compare both models with laboratory experiments on the time dependent failure of chipboard and fiberglass. The power-law scaling obtained in both models and in the experiments is consistent with the power-law seismic activation observed prior to some earthquakes.
Effective theory of Wilson lines and deconfinement

To study the deconfining phase transition at nonzero temperature, I outline the perturbative construction of an effective theory for straight, thermal Wilson lines. Certain large, time dependent gauge transformations play a central role. They imply the existence of interfaces, which can be used to determine the form of the effective theory as a gauged, nonlinear sigma model of adjoint matrices. Especially near the transition, the Wilson line may undergo a Higgs effect. As an adjoint field, this can generate eigenvalue repulsion in the effective theory.
Crystallization and crystallographic characterization of the iron-sulfur-containing DNA-repair enzyme endonuclease III from Escherichia coli.

Abstract Endonuclease III from Escherichia coli is an iron-sulfur enzyme possessing both DNA N -glycosylase and apurinic/apyrimidinic lyase activities. It could serve to repair damaged thymine residues in DNA via base excision-repair. We have crystallized endonuclease III by a combination of dialysis and seeding techniques after exploration of a wide variety of precipitants which failed to yield macroscopic crystals. Important features of the optimized crystallization include: the use of 5 to 10% glycerol, a temperature of 15°C, controlled dialysis to decrease ionic strength and macroseeding using a 200 m m -NaCl transfer buffer to dissolve microcrystalline contamination. The crystals belong to space group P 2 1 2 1 2 1 with unit cell dimensions of a = 48·5 A , b = 65·8 A , c = 86·8 A , α = β = γ = 90 ° , have one 23 kDa monomer per asymmetric unit, and diffract to 1·84 A. A native anomalous Patterson map located the iron-sulfur cluster and reaffirmed its existence. The reported crystallization procedures ensure an ample supply of crystals for the extensive heavy-atom derivative search necessary for this labile iron-sulfur enzyme. The elucidation of endonuclease III structure will facilitate not only the understanding of glycosylase and lyase mechanisms but also the structure and function of this new class of iron-sulfur proteins.
Gender, Family Resources, and Success in Science:

This research examines the effect of gender and family resources on success in multiple areas of science. Science experiences are measured using longitudinal science trajectories. Findings show that young women are less likely than young men to persist in science, whether it is science achievement, access, or attitudes. Large numbers of women permanently exit the science pipeline after their sophomore year of high school. However, results from the science trajectory models show that among men and women who are equally qualified, women are not necessarily less likely to persist in science. Results also show that young men have more family resources than young women and some of the total effect of gender on science experiences involves an indirect effect through family resources. In addition, gender interacts with family resources with the effects of many resources being stronger for women than for men.