cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Containment of Solutions to Strongly Coupled Parabolic Systems

Publisher Summary This chapter analyzes containment of solutions to strongly coupled parabolic systems and discusses about H. Weinberger who gave a “positive invariance” principle for nonlinear parabolic systems. In Weinberger's result, the condition that S should be positively invariant under the flow is actually stated in terms of the direction of the vector field on the boundary of S . That condition has been weakened by H. Amann, by J. Bebernes, and by others to allow the reaction term in the parabolic system to depend upon the solution and its gradient as well as the point in space-time. The chapter generalizes the invariance principle to allow the “invariant” set to move under some flow. Thus, although there is no positively invariant set, there may be a set moving according to an ODE that always contains the solution to the PDE as it evolves in time. If S is supposed to be closed with nonempty interior and S ( t ) be the evolution of S under some vector field, then if S ( t ) is convex for all t , S ( t ) contains the solution to the corresponding parabolic system obtained by adding a scalar diffusion term to the vector field, provided the initial data lies in S and the boundary data at time t lies in S ( t ).
Empirical Bayes scan statistics for detecting clusters of disease risk variants in genetic studies

Summary Recent developments of high-throughput genomic technologies offer an unprecedented detailed view of the genetic variation in various human populations, and promise to lead to significant progress in understanding the genetic basis of complex diseases. Despite this tremendous advance in data generation, it remains very challenging to analyze and interpret these data due to their sparse and high-dimensional nature. Here, we propose novel applications and new developments of empirical Bayes scan statistics to identify genomic regions significantly enriched with disease risk variants. We show that the proposed empirical Bayes methodology can be substantially more powerful than existing scan statistics methods especially so in the presence of many non-disease risk variants, and in situations when there is a mixture of risk and protective variants. Furthermore, the empirical Bayes approach has greater flexibility to accommodate covariates such as functional prediction scores and additional biomarkers. As proof-of-concept we apply the proposed methods to a whole-exome sequencing study for autism spectrum disorders and identify several promising candidate genes.
Positron escape from annihilation centers in electron-irradiated Si crystals☆

Abstract The mean positron lifetime in irradiated Si diminishes with increasing temperature between 77°K and 300°K. Isochronal high-temperature crystal anneals reduce the effect. Analysis suggests that thermally activated positrons escape after trapping in radiation-induced defects.
Online Radiology Appropriateness Survey: Results and Conclusions from an Academic Internal Medicine Residency

Abstract Rationale and Objectives This study was performed to evaluate the ability of medical trainees to choose appropriate diagnostic imaging studies for patients with various clinical indications. Materials and Methods Twelve clinical scenarios were excerpted from the 2000 edition of the American College of Radiology appropriateness criteria and arranged in multiple-choice question format. Summary answers based on the criteria were written. The questionnaire and answer key were placed online and linked; the answer key was viewable only after all 12 answers were submitted by the trainee. An invitation to participate in the online survey was forwarded to medical house staff. Results Sixty-five (43.3%) of 150 potential respondents completed the survey. The results were tabulated for all respondents and separately for each postgraduate-year class. Fewer than 50% of the respondents correctly answered more than half of the 12 questions. The average number of questions answered correctly by 1st-year residents was 7.02; by 2nd-year residents, 7.5; and by 3rd-year residents, 7.9. Conclusion Medical house staff are not adequately prepared to choose appropriate imaging examinations for specific indications. Improvements in education could prevent inappropriate use of radiology resources. Imaging centers might want to consider developing online catalogs to assist clinicians in choosing appropriate imaging tests.
Association Between Supine Hypertension and Orthostatic Hypotension in Autonomic Failure

Supine hypertension occurs commonly in primary chronic autonomic failure. This study explored whether supine hypertension in this setting is associated with orthostatic hypotension (OH), and if so, what mechanisms might underlie this association. Supine and upright blood pressures, hemodynamic responses to the Valsalva maneuver, baroreflex-cardiovagal gain, and plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels were measured in pure autonomic failure (PAF), multiple-system atrophy (MSA) with or without OH, and Parkinson's disease (PD) with or without OH. Controls included age-matched, healthy volunteers and patients with essential hypertension or those referred for dysautonomia. Baroreflex-cardiovagal gain was calculated from the relation between the interbeat interval and systolic pressure during the Valsalva maneuver. PAF, MSA with OH, and PD with OH all featured supine hypertension, which was equivalent in severity to that in essential hypertension, regardless of fludrocortisone treatment. Among patients with PD or MSA, those with OH had higher mean arterial pressure during supine rest (109+/-3 mm Hg) than did those lacking OH (96+/-3 mm Hg, P=0.002). Baroreflex-cardiovagal gain and orthostatic increments in plasma NE levels were markedly decreased in all 3 groups with OH. Among patients with PD or MSA, those with OH had much lower mean baroreflex-cardiovagal gain (0.74+/-0.10 ms/mm Hg) than did those lacking OH (3.13+/-0.72 ms/mm Hg, P=0.0002). In chronic autonomic failure, supine hypertension is linked to both OH and low baroreflex-cardiovagal gain [corrected]. The finding of lower plasma NE levels in patients with than without supine hypertension suggests involvement of pressor mechanisms independent of the sympathetic nervous system.
Toughness of Cr-Mo-V Steels for Steam Turbine Rotors

Cr-Mo-V steels are used extensively as the rotor material in the High Pressure and Intermediate Pressure Sections of modern steam turbines. The toughness of these rotors has a major influence on the reliability and efficiency of the turbine and the overall economy of operation and maintenance of the plant. The metallurgical factors affecting the toughness of the rotors and the methods to improve the toughness are now understood better than ever before. This paper will present a broad overview of the materials and design aspects of the toughness of Cr-Mo-V rotors with emphasis on the salient results of recent research programs aimed at improving their toughness.
Laser-induced fluorescence and Raman spectra of chlorine and bromine molecules isolated in inert matrices

Abstract Fluorescence spectra have been obtained from halogen molecules isolated in inert matrices at 15 K. Isotopic splittings have been observed for numerous bands in the Cl2 and Br2 progressions of the halogen monomer, leading to matrix values of ωe, ωexe, and T0, which are compared to the gas phase values. Fluorescence spectra of more concentrated matrix samples yielded progressions of broad, unresolved bands which have been assigned to aggregated species. A resonance Raman spectrum, including three overtones, was obtained for monomeric Br2 with 4880, 5145, and 5309 A laser excitation, while enhancement of the Cl2 monomer fundamental was observed, with no overtones. The matrix shifts and degree of isolation in different inert matrices have also been determined.
Characterization of Hollow-Fiber Membranes

Solute permeability and reflection coefficients (σ) through hollow-fiber membranes were measured for cellulose and poly(methyl metharrylate) (PMMA) membranes. The dialysis apparatus used was a U-type hollow fiber unit which was loosely bundled and set in a perfectly mixed reservoir with dialyzate flowing perpendicularly to the hollow fibers. Mass transfer resistance across the boundary layer outside the fibers was small at low flow velocity, so solute permeability could be measured accurately. The mass transfer correlation obtained wasSh = 0.38Reout0.72Sc1/3 Ultrafiltration experiments were performed for the case of flow within the fibers, in order to determine actual rejections and σ values. The relationship between σ and the molecular weights of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) in the cellulose membrane approached that of inulin and other solutes when the amount of hydrated molecules of water to PEG units was taken into account. Negative σ values were observed in PMMA membrane for PEGs #1000–#6000.
Holographic Beamformer Designed By An Iterative Technique

A fundamentally energy efficient, two element holographic beamformer for converting a Gaussian beam into a rectangular uniform beam in the far-field was designed, fabricated, and tested. The design method is based on a modification of the Gerchberg-Saxton iterative Fourier transform algorithm to include an x-y separability constraint on the phase of one of the holographic elements. This modification gave a design with improved beamforming performance. The two required holographic elements were fabricated using a combination of optical and computer-generation techniques. The experimental results verify the effectiveness of the design approach.
Combustors for micro-gas turbine engines

The development ofa hydrogen-air microcombustor is described. The combustor is intended for use in a 1 mm 2 inlet area, micro-gas turbine engine. While the size of the device poses several difficulties, it also provides new and unique opportunities. The combustion concept investigated is based upon introducing hydrogen and premixing it with air upstream of the combustor. The wide flammability limits of hydrogen-air mixtures and the use of refractory ceramics enable combustion at lean conditions, obviating the need for both a combustor dilution zone and combustor wall cooling. The entire combustion process is carried out at temperatures below the limitations set by material properties, resulting in a significant reduction of complexity when compared to larger-scale gas turbine combustors. A feasibility study with initial design analyses is presented, followed by experimental results from 0.13 cm 3 silicon carbide and steel microcombustors. The combustors were operated for tens of hours, and produced the requisite heat release for a microengine application over a range of fuel-air ratios, inlet temperatures, and pressures up to four atmospheres. Issues of flame stability, heat transfer, ignition and mixing are addressed. A discussion of requirements for catalytic processes for hydrocarbon fuels is also presented.
Escherichia coli transcription factor that both activates fatty acid synthesis and represses fatty acid degradation

The fadR gene of Escherichia coli encodes a protein that acts as a negative regulator (repressor) of the inducible beta-oxidation pathway. We report that the FadR protein also functions as a positive transcriptional activator of the fabA gene, which encodes the enzyme introducing the double bond of the unsaturated fatty acids of E. coli.
Motherhood and Counselor Education: Experiences With Work–Life Balance

Female professors with children continue to experience institutional and cultural barriers in academia. This article situates the experiences of counselor educator mothers in the context of current trends in academia and research related to mothers in the workforce.
Fast HPLC–ECD analysis of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and uric acid

A robust and rapid high-pressure liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) method was developed and validated for the accurate determination of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA), in human plasma. Dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) was indirectly measured by subtracting native ascorbic acid from total ascorbic acid concentrations; the latter was obtained after chemical reduction. A stable electrochemical active internal standard (homogentisic acid) was added for the accurate quantification of the analytes. The analyses were performed on a reverse-phase column with traditional HPLC and ultra-HPLC (UHPLC). The UHPLC method showed increased sensitivity with detection limit of 0.05ng for both AA and UA, 2 times lower compared to conventional HPLC. UHPLC also reduced run times fourfold with less waste generation. Both assays showed good accuracy and precision, the intra- and inter-day CVs of AA and UA analysis are less than 7%.
Diurnal changes in pore water sulfide concentrations in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum beds: the effects of seagrasses on sulfide dynamics.

Abstract The dynamics of the seagrass–sulfide interaction were examined in relation to diel changes in sediment pore water sulfide concentrations in Thalassia testudinum beds and adjacent bare areas in Corpus Christi Bay and lower Laguna Madre, Texas, USA, during July 1996. Pore water sulfide concentrations in seagrass beds were significantly higher than in adjacent bare areas and showed strong diurnal variations; levels significantly decreased during mid-day at shallow sediment depths (0–10 cm) containing high below-ground tissue biomass and surface area. In contrast, diurnal variations in sediment sulfide concentrations were absent in adjacent bare patches, and at deeper (>10 cm) sediment depths characterized by low below-ground plant biomass or when the grasses were experimentally shaded. These observations suggest that the mid-day depressions in sulfide levels are linked to the transport of photosynthetically produced oxygen to seagrass below-ground tissues that fuels sediment sulfide oxidation. Lower sulfide concentrations in bare areas are likely a result of low sulfate reduction rates due to low organic matter available for remineralization. Further, high reoxidation rates due to rapid exchange between anoxic pore water and oxic overlying water are probably stimulated in bare areas by higher current velocity on the sediment surface than in seagrass beds. The dynamics of pore water sulfides in seagrass beds suggest no toxic sulfide intrusion into below-ground tissues during photosynthetic periods and demonstrate that the sediment chemical environment is considerably modified by seagrasses. The reduced sediment sulfide levels in seagrass beds during photosynthetic periods will enhance seagrass production through reduced sulfide toxicity to seagrasses and sediment microorganisms related to the nutrient cycling.
Proximal probe lithography and surface modification

The advantage of a low voltage approach to lithography and surface modification is that a more spatially localized energy deposition can be achieved than with a focused high energy charged particle beam. Proximal probes, such as the scanning tunnelling microscope or atomic force microscope with a conductive tip, are convenient ways to realize this approach. We summarize here research performed over the past few years at the Naval Research Laboratory directed towards materials studies and lithographic fabrication of structures and devices using proximal probes.
Reoxidized nitrided oxide for radiation-hardened MOS devices

A 37-nm reoxidized nitrided oxide has been developed that exhibits zero interface-state density increase, less than -1.5-V midgap voltage shift, and less than 5% degradation in inversion layer mobility after irradiation to 50 Mrad(SiO/sub 2/) with +or-5 V applied to the gate. Bias annealing studies demonstrate that midgap voltage-shift recovery is more rapid than in conventional hardened oxide, indicating that these dielectrics will compare even more favorably with hard oxide at lower dose rates. The experiments also indicate that the density of hole traps in reoxidized nitrided oxide is sharply peaked at both interfaces and that the same species of trap dominates trapping at both interfaces. >
The Effect of Adaptive Administration on the Variability of the Mantel-Haenszel Measure of Differential Item Functoning

The Mantel-Haenszel (MH) approach of Holland and Thayer is frequently used to assess differential item functioning (DIE). The formula for the variance of the MH DIE statistic is based on work by Phillips and Holland, and Robins, Breslow, and Greenland. Recent simulation studies showed that, for a given sample size, the MH variances tended to be larger when items were administered to "examinees" who were randomly selected from a population than when items were administered adaptively. An analytic perspective shed some light on this result. Although the general form of the MH variance is complex and does not provide an intuitive understanding of the phenomenon, application of certain Rasch model assumptions yields a simple expression that appears to explain the difference in variances for adaptive versus nonadaptive administration. The results suggest that adaptive testing may lead to more efficient application of MH DIF analyses.
Sparse cepstral codes and power scale for instrument identification

This paper presents a novel feature representation called sparse cepstral codes for instrument identification. We first motivate the approach by discussing why cepstrum is suitable for instrument identification. Then we propose the use of sparse coding and power normalization to derive compact codes that better represent the information of the cepstrum. Our evaluation on both uni-source and multi-source instrument identification tasks show that the proposed feature leads to significantly better accuracy than existing methods. We further show that cepstrum obtained from power-scaled spectrum can do better than typical cepstrum especially in multi-source signal. The proposed system achieves 0.955 F-score in uni-source dataset and 0.688 F-score in multi-source dataset.
Glucocorticoid Modulation of gp120-Induced Effects on Calcium-Dependent Degenerative Events in Primary Hippocampal and Cortical Cultures

The HIV coat protein gp120 has been implicated in damaging the nervous system and may play a role in AIDS-related dementia complex. The glycoprotein triggers the release of a glutamatergic agent from infected microglia and macrophages, causing NMDA receptor- and calcium-dependent excitotoxic damage to neurons. We have previously shown that glucocorticoids, the adrenal steroids secreted during stress, worsen gp120 neurotoxicity and calcium mobilization in various brain regions. This study explores events downstream of gp120-induced calcium mobilization, specifically, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent lipid peroxidation, destruction of the cytoskeleton through spectrin proteolysis, and the glucocorticoid modulation of these events in primary hippocampal cultures. We observe that 200 pM gp120 causes a significant accumulation of ROS, including superoxide, and of lipid peroxidation. Counter to our predictions, pretreatment with the glucocorticoid corticosterone (CORT) did not worsen the effects of gp120 on ROS accumulation, but did increase lipid peroxidation. We also observed that neither gp120 alone nor gp120 plus CORT caused detectable proteolysis of the cytoskeletal protein spectrin, whose breakdown has been shown to be a damaging consequence of calcium excess in other models of necrotic neuronal injury.
Thin alumina nanoporous membranes for similar size biomolecule separation

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes are chemically and thermally stable and inert, and can be produced with wide variety of pore size distribution. We report thin alumina nanoporous membranes (0.7–1 μm thickness) with narrow pore size distribution (20–30 nm diameter) obtained by anodizing aluminum films that were deposited on silicon substrates for a biomolecule separation platform. We demonstrate the electrostatic sieving effect for separation of proteins with similar molecular weights with the thin nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide membranes. Without separate modification of the membrane surface, we have achieved high throughput (>10−8 M cm−2 s−1) and high selectivity (>42) for separation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and bovine hemoglobin (BHb) at pH = 4.7, the isoelectric point of BSA.
Centers for Disease Control "high-risk" donor status does not significantly affect recipient outcome after heart transplantation in children.

Background In 2004, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) added the label "high-risk donor" (HRD) for any organ donor who met the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria for high-risk behavior for infection. The aim of this study was to calculate the rate of HRD graft use in heart transplantation in children and determine the differences in outcome from those who received standard-risk donor (SRD) grafts. Methods We reviewed information from the UNOS database regarding transplants performed between June 30, 2004 and July 31, 2012. Heart transplant recipients Results During the study period, 2,782 pediatric heart transplantations were performed and 116 (4.1%) patients received a CDC HRD graft. Recipients of HRD grafts were significantly older and heavier than those who received an SRD graft (8.5 vs 6.5 years, p p p = 0.88) between groups. There was no difference in rejection prior to discharge (17.2 vs 16.4%, p = 0.81) or length of stay after transplantation (26.1 vs 27.6 days, p = 0.58). Conclusions CDC HRD graft status does not appear to significantly affect recipient outcome after heart transplantation in children.
Father Involvement During Early Childhood and Its Association with Children's Early Learning: A Meta-Analysis

Research Findings: In the present meta-analysis, information from 21 studies (representing 22 separate samples) was pooled across a 10-year period (1998–2008). Across 2 primary dimensions of direct father involvement (frequency of positive engagement activities and aspects of parenting quality) and 5 dimensions of children's early learning (representing social and cognitive domains), findings revealed small to moderate associations. Among group differences tested to further explain the relationships between these constructs, residential status and the ethnic/racial identification of fathers' surfaced as significant moderators, whereas income status was only meaningful at the trend level. Practice or Policy: In recent years, national attention has increased concerning the important influence of fathers on children's development. Concurrently, national interest has turned to the early childhood period as marking a major transition for young children, during which children are confronted with new and diverse...
On finite element approximations of the streamfunction-vorticity and velocity-vorticity equations

We consider finite element methods for vorticity formulations of viscous incompressible flows. In two-dimensional settings the familiar streamfunction-vorticity formulation is examined. We focus on its accuracy, especially when using low-order elements, and on its use with a variety of boundary conditions and in multiply connected domains. In three dimensions the velocity-vorticity formulation is shown to be preferable, and a promising algorithm using this formulation is presented. We close by considering the recovery of the pressure field once the streamfunction or velocity fields are known. In particular we describe and analyse an algorithm for recovering the pressure which is based on well known methods for the primitive variable formulation and which requires no boundary conditions on the pressure at solid walls.
Crowd-powered systems

Crowd-powered systems combine computation with human intelligence, drawn from large groups of people connecting and coordinating online. These hybrid systems enable applications and experiences that neither crowds nor computation could support alone. Unfortunately, crowd work is error-prone and slow, making it difficult to incorporate crowds as first-order building blocks in software systems. I introduce computational techniques that decompose complex tasks into simpler, verifiable steps to improve quality, and optimize work to return results in seconds. These techniques develop crowdsourcing as a platform so that it is reliable and responsive enough to be used in interactive systems. This thesis develops these ideas through a series of crowd-powered systems. The first, Soylent, is a word processor that uses paid micro-contributions to aid writing tasks such as text shortening and proofreading. Using Soylent is like having access to an entire editorial staff as you write. The second system, Adrenaline, is a camera that uses crowds to help amateur photographers capture the exact right moment for a photo. It finds the best smile and catches subjects in mid-air jumps, all in realtime. Moving beyond generic knowledge and paid crowds, I introduce techniques to motivate a social network that has specific expertise, and techniques to data mine crowd activity traces in support of a large number of uncommon user goals. These systems point to a future where social and crowd intelligence are central elements of interaction, software, and computation. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Quantitative structure-activity relationships and dipole moments of anticonvulsants and CNS depressants

Abstract The anticonvulsant and CNS-depressant activities of 16 commercially available antiepileptics were subjected to regression analysis. For the maximal electroshock seizure test and pentylenetetrazol seizure threshold test, good correlations were obtained only after diazepam, clonazepam, and carbamazepam were deleted; for the median toxic dose (rotorod ataxia), all 16 compounds can be included in one single equation using log MW, log P, and dipole moment ( μ ) terras. For the anticonvulsant activities of 7-substituted 1,4-benzodiazepinones, a parabolic equation of π combined with the Hammett σ constant gave fair correlations for most derivatives examined in three different tests. Based upon the correlations obtained, further molecular modifications are suggested. The dipole moments of seven clinically used antiepileptic drugs were measured in 1,4-dioxane for the first time.
GRANDMA MOSES AND THE "CORRUPTION" OF DATA

Distortion of data is caused by purposeful, goal-oriented activity of people who produce data, as well as by attempts to cheat or manipulate social service delivery systems. Failure to recognize a ...
Surface-Initiated Vapor Polymerization of Various α-Amino Acids

Vapor deposition was used to synthesize surface-grafted polypeptides from a wide range of α-amino acids: γ-benzyl-l-glutamate, γ-methyl-l-glutamate, β-benzyl-l-aspartate, O-benzyl-l-serine, S-benzyl-l-cysteine, O-benzyl-l-tyrosine, l-tryptophan, l-phenylglycine, and l-phenylalanine. l-Alanine and l-valine were also examined, but surface grafting was not achieved. The thickness of the chemisorbed film, which ranged up to 800 A, was measured using ellipsometry, and the conformation of the polymer, which can exist as an α-helix (right- or left-handed), β-sheet (parallel or antiparallel), and/or random coil, was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Contact angle measurements were also performed to calculate the dispersive and polar surface energies of the film. The thermal stability of the monomer was important in the formation of the polymer film, and benzyl moieties present in the side chain seemed to provide that stability. The resulting film conformation on the surface correspond...
Strong discontinuities in antiplane/torsional problems of computational failure mechanics

This paper considers the analysis of localized failures and fracture of solids under antiplane conditions. We consider the longitudinal cracking of shafts in torsion, with the crack propagating through the cross section, besides pure antiplane problems (that is, with loading perpendicular to the plane of analysis). The main goal is the theoretical characterization and the numerical resolution of strong discontinuities in this setting, that is, discontinuities of the antiplane displacement field modeling the cracks. A multi-scale framework is considered, by which the discontinuities are treated locally in the (global) antiplane mechanical boundary value problem of interest, incorporating effectively the contributions of the discontinuities to the failure of the solid. We can identify among these contributions, besides the change in the stiffness of the solid or structural member, the localized energy dissipation associated to the cohesive law governing the physical response of the discontinuity surfaces. A main outcome of this approach is the development of new finite elements with embedded discontinuities for the antiplane problem that capture these solutions, and physical effects, locally at the element level. This local structure allows the static condensation at the element level of the degrees of freedom considered in the approximation of the antiplane displacement jumps along the discontinuity. In this way, the new elements result not only in a cost efficient computational tool of analysis for these problems, but also in a technique that can be easily incorporated in an existing finite element code, while resolving objectively those physical dissipative effects along the localized surfaces of failure. We develop, in particular, quadrilateral finite elements with the embedded discontinuities exhibiting constant and linear approximations of the displacement jumps, showing the superior performance of the latter given the stress locking associated with quadrilateral elements with constant jumps only. This limitation manifests itself in spurious transfers of stresses across the discontinuities, leading to severe oscillations in the stress field and an overall excessively stiff solution of the problem. These features are illustrated with several numerical examples, including convergence tests and validations with analytical results existing in the literature, showing in the process the treatment of characteristic situations like snap-backs, commonly encountered in the modeling of these structural members at failure.
Medical Student Health Promotion: The Increasing Role of Medical Schools.

The author proposes courses of action for medical schools to increase positive health promotion among medical students. This article will review the current literature on medical student health care. Strategies of action for medical schools are proposed for increasing student wellness. Medical schools can positively influence medical student well-being. Many options, ranging from expansive program changes to simple cost-effective initiatives allow medical schools to promote student wellness. Action now bymedical schools to create a learning environment where positive self-care is valued could enhance the personal well-being of medical students now and begin a movement toward improved personal health care for physicians in the future.
X-ray stimulated luminescence in MgO☆

Studies have been made of the emission spectrum of MgO crystals induced by X-irradiation at 90 K. Two bands (half-widths ∼0.8 eV) were observed to peak at 4.95 and 3.2 eV, respectively, in high purity crystals. Doping with 100 ppm or greater of Fe, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni suppressed the luminescence, though in the MgO:Ni crystal the 2.3 eV Ni2+ band due to the 1T2g→3A2g transition was observed. In deuterium-doped crystals the ratio of the intensity of 3.2–4.95 eV emission was found to be 1.2 as compared to 8 for the undoped crystals. Prior exposure of the pure crystals to ionizing radiation enhances the 4.95 eV band by a factor of three while not affecting the 3.2 eV band. This enhancement of intensity decays in several stages upon standing at room temperature in a way that reflects the thermal stability of the various components of the composite V-band absorption. These facts together with the observation that the 210 K thermoluminescence peak is composed entirely of 4.95 eV emission indicate that this luminescence band is associated with the recombination of an electron with a hole located in a V-type center, i.e. O−□ + e → (O2−□)∗ → O2−□ + 4.95 eV, where the square indicates that the perturbing positive ion vacancy is adjacent to the oxugen ion which has captured the hole. In MgO:Li+, which exhibits no V-type centers upon irradiation, the 4.95 eV band was absent and a 2.9 eV emission which may be associated with recombination at the [Li]0 center was observe.
A two-tier memory architecture for high-performance multiprocessor systems

Performance of high-speed multiprocessor systems is limited by the available bandwidth to memory and the need to synchronize write sharable data. This paper presents a new memory system that separates synchronization related data from others. The memory system has two tiers: synchronization memory and high bandwidth (HB) memory. The synchronization memory consists of snooping caches connected to a bus and is used to store synchronization variables such as locks and semaphores. The HB memory is used to store the bulk of the application program code and data. It contains caches and a high bandwidth interconnection network to memory, such as the crossbar, but does not have full snooping among caches.The two tier memory system has been evaluated by analyzing the memory behavior of the simulated parallel execution of Prolog programs. Initial results indicate that the two tier memory system potentially reduces memory interference and speeds up synchronization. Three different schemes have been studied for the caches on the HB memory and the results are presented. The two-tier memory system has potential applications in areas where synchronization is light to medium and local data is often accessed.
Frontotemporal degenerative dementias

Abstract Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinical term now used for a group of dementing neurodegenerative disorders marked clinically by general predominance of symptoms referable to the frontal lobes. Symptoms may include changes in language ability with expressive or receptive aphasia, and changes in personality, including disinhibited, obsessive, hyperoral, hypersexual, repetitive, and perseverative behaviors. Memory is often affected, but is usually not a primary symptom. Characteristically, analytic, navigational, and other visuospatial abilities may be quite preserved. The clinical symptomatology of FTD contrasts with the general predominance of temporal and parietal symptoms in the most common neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease (AD). FTD symptoms also differ from those seen with the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), which while having substantial clinical and pathological overlap with AD, often shows additional clinical visuospatial (occipital) and parkinsonian symptomatology. FTD likely constitutes the third most-common cause of degenerative dementia. Clinical overlap can sometimes make it difficult to distinguish individual cases from AD. Genetic studies have shown that FTD, like AD, occurs in both familial and nonfamilial types, and a proportion of FTD cases arise from autosomal dominant genetic disorders due to mutations in the tau gene. Some recent formulations include in the family of frontal degenerative disorders other dementias with frontal symptomatology such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Lending support to such a grouping, neuropathological studies show a group of histologies, sometimes including PSP and CBD, to be the substrates for clinical FTD.
Patterns and Outcomes of Mother‐Daughter Communication About Sexuality

Drawing from a sample survey of 449 black and white mother-teenage daughter dyads, this study examines patterns, correlates, and consequences of direct verbal communication about sex between mother and daughter. Findings suggest that while mothers and daughters reported frequent discussions of sex-related topics, they differed in terms of how comfortable they felt talking with each other, what roles each played in initiating discussions, and whether they desired more frequent discussions in the future. Higher frequencies of current communication were associated with more responsible patterns of daughters' sexual behavior. The authors suggest that future research be directed at determinants of parental involvement in sexual socialization, and at analyses of the underlying processes of parent-child sexual communication.
Electroencephalographic abnormalities during sleep as related to the temporal distribution of seizures.

SUMMARY The sleep and awake EEG's of 90 epileptics and 30 normal controls were evaluated. The epileptics were divided into three groups: (1) Nocturnal seizures predominately, (2) Diurnal seizures predominately, (3) Mixed diurnal and nocturnal seizures. Patients with nocturnal seizures showed greater numbers and degrees of abnormalities during sleep EEG's. In patients with diurnal seizures abnormalities appeared about equally in sleep and awake EEG's. The stage of sleep most useful for detecting abnormalities was drowsiness-light sleep. Depriving the patient of anticonvulsant medication for 24 hours did not increase the chance of abnormalities occurring during sleep recordings. The sleep recordings were conducted on a 16 channel electroencephalograph using bipolar and monopolar recording techniques simultaneously. Except that bipolar recordings seemed to detect foci better, these techniques appeared to be equal in their ability to display abnormalities associated with epilepsy. RESUME Les E.E.G. enregistres en sommeil ou en veille chez 90 epileptiques et 30 temoins normaux ont eteetudies. Les epileptiques avaient ete repartis en trois groupes: (1) Crises nocturnes predominantes, (2) Crises diurnes predominantes et (3) Crises diurnes et nocturnes melangees. Les malades ayant des crises nocturnes ont donne dans ľE.E.G. en sommeil des anomalies en chiffres et en degres plus eleves. Chez les malades souffrant de crises diurnes, les anomalies se sont manifestees a peu pres egalement dans ľE.E.G. pendant le sommeil et pendant la veille. La phase du sommeil la plus favorable a la detection ďanomalies a ete celle ďun sommeil leger. La privation de medicament anticonvulsif infligee au malade pendant 24 heures n'a pas augmente la chance des anomalies se produisant lors de ľenregistrement pendant le sommeil. Les E.E.G. pris pendant le sommeil ľont ete avec electroencephalographe a 16 canaux faisant un usage simultane de techniques bipolaires et monopolaires ďenregistrement. Exception faite du fait que ľenregistrement bipolaire a semble mieux reveler les foci, ces techniques se sont montrees de valeur egale dans la detection des anomalies associees aľepilepsie.
Laser desorption mass spectrometry and MS/MS with a three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap

Abstract An ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS) has been modified to enable laser desorption mass spectrometry to be performed. The effects of the ion trap r.f. amplitude and helium bath gas pressure during desorption, along with the time delay between the laser pulse and the acquisition of the mass spectrum have been investigated. The ability to perform multiple stages of mass spectrometry (MS/MS) on laser-desorbed ions is also demonstrated.
Developing a Policy-Relevant Research Agenda for the Patient-Centered Medical Home: A Focus on Outcomes

The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a widely endorsed model of delivery system reform that emphasizes primary care. Pilot demonstration projects are underway in many states, sponsored by Medicare, Medicaid, major health plans and multi-payer coalitions. In this paper we consider the development of a long-term policy-relevant research agenda on outcomes of the PCMH. We provide an overview of potential measures of PCMH impact, identify measurement challenges and recommend areas for further study. Although the PCMH should not be expected to solve every problem in the health care system, developing a research agenda for measuring outcomes of delivery system innovations such as the PCMH should be considered in the context of the larger effort to improve the US health care system, with the ultimate goal to improve population health. As a framework for our discussion, we have chosen the Institute of Medicine’s six specific aims for 21st century health care: (1) safe, (2) effective, (3) patient-centered, (4) timely, (5) efficient and (6) equitable. In addition, we include potential areas of PCMH outcomes that do not easily fall under this framework and consider unintended consequences. Multi-stakeholder involvement will be essential in developing a long-term policy-relevant research agenda for outcomes of the PCMH.
Tremulous jaw movements induced by the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor tacrine: effects of antiparkinsonian drugs

Several experiments were conducted to study the effects of established or potential antiparkinsonian drugs on the tremulous jaw movements induced by the anticholinesterase tacrine (9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroaminoacridine hydrochloride). In the first group of four experiments, separate groups of animals that received 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg tacrine showed a dose-dependent decrease in tremulous jaw movements following co-administration of the non-selective dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine, the full dopamine D2 receptor agonist bromocriptine, and the full dopamine D1 receptor agonist APB (R(+)-6-bromo-7,8-dihydroxy-3-allyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1 H-3-benzazepine). Co-administration of the partial dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 (R(+)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-l phenyl-1 H-benzazepine: 7.5-30.0 mg/kg) did not reduce tremulous jaw movements produced by 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg tacrine. In animals treated with 2.5 mg/kg tacrine, co-administration of SKF 38393 resulted in a dose-related trend towards a potentiation of tremulous jaw movements. In the second group of experiments, all rats received 2.5 mg/kg tacrine. The dopamine precursor L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), the dopamine and norepinephrine releasing agent amantadine, and the muscarinic receptor antagonist benztropine all reduced tremulous jaw movements induced by 2.5 mg/kg tacrine. Across all experiments, it was noted that apomorphine, bromocriptine and benztropine were more potent than amantadine and L-DOPA. These results are broadly consistent with the therapeutic doses of these agents noted in the clinical literature. The results of these experiments indicate that tremulous jaw movements in rats may be a useful model for evaluating potential antiparkinsonian agents.
Thread scheduling for heterogeneous multicore processors using phase identification

Heterogeneous multicore processors (HMPs) offer promise for significant efficiency improvement. Power-effcient cores can be paired with higher performance cores in an HMP to achieve a beneficial design in terms of both power and performance. However, such processors produce challenges in the effective mapping of threads to cores. An application could have very different behavior and performance when executing on cores of different types. The behavior of typical applications also vary with their phases of execution. Thus, the type of core providing the best performance for an application may depend on the current phase. In this work, we highlight the correlation between execution phases of an application and the performance of those phases on particular core types. We propose mechanisms that identify program phases, exploit the performance behavior of these phases to make effective scheduling decisions, and reuse the result of these scheduling decisions on future occurrences of the same program phases.
Self-Concept, Choice of Study Plan, and Performance in an Introductory Psychology Course

AbstractUsing the Interpersonal Checklist (ICL) this investigation explored the relationship between self-concept, choice of study option, and subsequent performance in an introductory psychology course, The results indicated that a person’s self-concept (personality), as measured by the ICL, was only marginally related to both choice of study plan and performance. It was suggested that further research employing the ICL be undertaken, but with attention being given to aspects of personality adaptiveness and maladaptiveness.
Gender Ascription and the Stereotyping of Deviants

This research explores the assumption that evaluations of criminal offenders are related to the ascription of stereotypic gender-linked traits. Three hypotheses derived from the literatures on deviant stereotypes, gender roles, and female crime were tested with data obtained from a statewide survey of the general public of Washington State. The findings indicate that evaluations of offenders in terms of perceived motivations are related to both gender ascription and type of crime committed. Recommended dispositions for and anticipated social accetance of offenders, however, may be adequately described solely by their relationships to type of crime. These findings may be related to the nature of the stereotyping process, the specific types of stimuli–including characteristics of the research setting that trigger it, and the kind of evaluation being made of the criminal deviant.
Dosimetry measurements and analyses of 10-MV x rays for Clinac-18.

Radiation parameters for two Varian Clinac‐18 10‐MV x‐ray units were measured and compared with the same parameters for the Toshiba LMR‐13 and the Arco Mevatron XII. Comparison of the percentage depth dose, surface dose, and depth of maximum ionization as a function of field size are presented.
Fault Detection and Isolation in a Nuclear Reactor

A fault detection and identification methodology has been developed for sensor and plant component validation, with special emphasis on applications to nuclear powerplants. The methodology is particularly suitable for on-line fault diagnostics and does not rely on detailed knowledge of sensor and plant noise statistics. The algorithm has been computer coded for real-time applications and validated by on-line demonstration in an operating nuclear reactor. ARIOUS methods for fault detection and identification (FDI) of sensors have been reported in the literature.1"4 However, current practice in the nuclear industry is restricted to a few rather rudimentary techniques such as like-sensor comparisons, limit checking, auctioneering, etc. Although these techniques generally serve to improve system safety, availability, and operability, some limitations, such as the inability to identify gradual drifts and to detect common mode failures, significantly curtail their effectiveness. (If two or more elements fail identically, due to a common cause, the failure is called common mode.) The above limitations can often be circumvented with the aid of advanced computer-aided diagnostic techniques that have been developed for aerospace systems. In addition to improvement of plant availability and operability, these techniques promise to aid plant operators in making valid and timely decisions, thereby enhancing plant safety. The FDI methodology reported in this paper is developed on the basis of the "parity space" concept,3 which takes into account inconsistencies among all data sources. Any malfunctioning sensors are isolated by sequential checking until a relative consistency among the remaining (normal) sensors is achieved. This methodology does not require a detailed knowledge of sensor and plant noise statistics. Error bounds that are allowed for normal operation of the sensors are sufficient for making decisions. Real-time computer codes have been developed for detection and identification of failed sensors and plant components. As a proof of concept, these codes were verified by demonstration of on-line detection and identification of sensor failures in the 5 MW(t) nuclear reactor presently in operation at MIT, Cambridge, Mass.
Are malpractice insurance premiums a tort signal that influence physician hours worked

Abstract This study reports some new evidence on the impact of malpractice insurance costs on physician labor supply behavior. A strategy is proposed to test for the existence of malpractice premium tort signal effects on physician hours worked.