cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Existence of the First Negative Moment Revisited

This article demonstrates the utility of a comparison test for integrals in showing the existence of E(1/X), the first negative moment of a continuous random variable X. In addition, this article presents several extensions and generalizations of the results in a previous work by Piegorsch and Casella.
Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors prevent a decrease in the mechanical properties of stress-deprived tendons: an in vitro experimental study.

BackgroundAn increase in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the resulting degradation of the extracellular matrix have been implicated in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. Studies have documented the beneficial effects of MMP inhibitors used to treat pathologic conditions in which MMP activity has had a negative effect on connective tissues.HypothesisMatrix metalloproteinase inhibitors will prevent the decrease in material properties associated with tendon stress deprivation by inhibiting MMP activity.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsRat tail tendons were subjected to 7 days of in vitro stress deprivation with and without the addition of 1 of 2 broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors (doxycycline and ilomastat). The material properties (ultimate tensile stress, strain, and tensile modulus) of the tendons were compared with each other and with fresh control tendons. In addition, tendons from each group were evaluated for MMP-13 messenger RNA expression, MMP-13 protein synthesis, MMP-13 activity, and ...
The Jahn–Teller effect: a retrospective view

Abstract A short history of Jahn–Teller (JT) effect is given from the personal perspective of the author, in order to dispel the impression, not infrequently still encountered, that the JT effect has remained an enigma, particularly among experimentalists. The principal questions, which once caused justified confusion as to how the instability predicted by Jahn and Teller would show up experimentally, were resolved, it is shown, more than 30 years ago.
Race, driving, and police organization: Modeling moving and nonmoving traffic stops with citizen self-reports of driving practices

A rapidly growing body of police scholarship has found evidence of racial disparities in traffic stop patterns using police-generated data. Despite the empirical consensus, the question of whether race inappropriately influences traffic stop patterns remains open, largely as a result of methodological weaknesses. The current article helps to address this issue by employing self-report data about citizens' driving practices and traffic stops. It presents a series of models that predict the likelihood of a self-reported traffic stop disaggregated by police organizational type and the reason for the stop. Results suggest that moving and nonmoving driving practices are associated with the likelihood of police stops for moving and nonmoving reasons, respectively. As expected, differences between local police and state police models emerge. Finally, Black drivers and younger drivers are especially vulnerable to traffic stop risk for nonmoving stops by local police, even after controlling for driving behaviors.
Chronic Outpatient Sildenafil Therapy for Pulmonary Hypertension in a Child After Cardiac Surgery

We report the case of a 14-month-old male with d-transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonary hypertension successfully treated with long-term sildenafil following cardiac surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of long-term sildenafil treatment in a child after corrective cardiac surgery.
Stress Relaxation of Star/Linear Polymer Blends

Stress relaxation dynamics in a series of star/linear 1,4-polybutadiene blends with fixed star-arm molecular weight Ma, variable linear polymer molecular weight ML, and variable star polymer volume fraction φs are investigated. Storage and loss moduli, G‘(ω) and G‘ ‘(ω), obtained from small amplitude oscillatory shear experiments are compared with predictions of a parameter-free molecular theory for star/linear blend dynamics. For star/linear blends with moderate star polymer concentrations φs ≈ 0.28, theoretical G‘(ω) and G‘ ‘(ω) are found to be in good to excellent accord with experimental results over the entire range of frequencies and ML values studied. The quality of the predictions worsen as star polymer concentration is varied in either direction (i.e., higher or lower). At low φs, the greatest discrepancies between theory and experiment are observed at oscillation frequencies ω ≤ ωd, where ωd-1 ∼ ML3.4±0.25 is approximately the terminal time of linear polymer molecules in the blends. A theoretica...
Regulatory Approaches to the Use of Water for Domestic Purposes

This paper reviews the legislation of various countries on domestic water use at the stage of both withdrawal from the source and consumption. The abstraction of public domain water for domestic consumption is widely exempt from government permits, and is given priority status in the satisfaction of competing demands for water. Restrictions are in effect in various countries as to the amount of water which can be withdrawn, the quality thereof, the final destination of designated sources, and as to land use activities in and around the sources and intakes of domestic and municipal water abstractions. Both direct and indirect regulatory measures are in effect in various countries to assure that city mains water is available to domestic consumers. Interference by industrial consumers is discouraged mainly by means of pricing mechanisms which penalize the withdrawal of excess amounts of city mains water for industrial purposes. Cet article examine la legislation en vigueur dans de nombreux pays sur les eaux a usage domestique au stade a la fois du pompage et de la consommation. Le prelevement des eaux du domaine public pour la consommation domestique est largement exempte des autorisations gouvernementales et jouit d'un statut preferentiel par rapport aux demandes concurrentielles pour l'eau. Des restrictions sont en vigueur dans de nombreux pays en ce qui concerne la quantite d'eau qui peut etre prelevee, la qualite de cette eau, la destination finale de sources designees ainsi que les travaux d'irrigation aux alentours des sources, l'alimentation des foyers domestiques et des collectivites. Des mesures regulatoires directes et indirectes sont en vigueur dans differents pays pour s'assurer que l'eau des conduites municipales est mise a la disposition des usagers domestiques. C'est au niveau des tarifs que l'on empeche les usagers industriels de prelever pour leurs besoins des quantites excessives d'eau des conduites municipales. Este articulo pasa revista a la legislacion de varios paises con respecto al uso domestico de agua en las etapas de captacion y consumo. La captacion de agua de dominio publico para uso domestico esta exento de permisos de gobierno y se le da prioridad a otros usos competitivos. Existen restricciones con respecto a la cantidad y calidad de agua que puede captarse, el destino final y el uso de tierras vecinas a las fuentes y tomas de agua domestico y municipal. Existen regulaciones directas e indirectas para asegurar que el agua de una sociedad este disponible al consumidor domestico. Interferencias por parte del consumidor industrial es restringido principalmente mediante el mecanismo de precios que penaliza el uso excesivo de agua por estos ultimos.
Mercury and behavior in wild mouse populations

Abstract Various mouse populations on islands in the Great Salt Lake accumulate relatively high concentrations of mercury ( \ sx = 10.8 ppm in hair) because of a unique diet of brine flies which are indigenous to the Great Salt Lake and, as a result, demonstrate several behavioral deviations when put under stressful situations (e.g., swimming and behavior field). Increased mercury levels (by hair analysis) resulted in decreased swimming ability in the mice, while behavior field observations demonstrated increased deviant behavior in the mice.
Altered patterns of gene expression distinguishing ascending aortic aneurysms from abdominal aortic aneurysms: complementary DNA expression profiling in the molecular characterization of aortic disease.

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to profile altered patterns of gene expression that characterize degenerative ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms and to compare these patterns with those observed for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods Full-thickness aortic wall tissues were obtained during surgical repair of degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms and infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (n = 4 each), with normal thoracic and abdominal aortas from organ transplant donors used as control preparations. Radiolabeled complementary DNA was prepared for each specimen and hybridized to complementary DNA microarrays, and differential levels of gene expression between aneurysmal and normal aortic tissues at each site were assessed by parametric statistics. Results Of 1185 genes examined, 112 (9.5%) were differentially expressed ( P yes -1 oncogene, mitogen-activated protein kinase 9, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1/CD54). Results for 9 genes were independently confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions Thoracic aortic aneurysms and infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms exhibit distinct patterns of gene expression relative to normal aorta from the same sites, with most alterations being unique to each disease. Degenerative aneurysms arising in different locations are thus characterized by a high degree of molecular heterogeneity, reflecting different pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Safety considerations for use of bone-targeted agents in patients with cancer.

Bisphosphonates were the first bone-directed therapies used to treat skeletal complications resulting from malignant bone disease. Reducing the incidence of skeletal complications has significantly improved patient quality of life. Intravenous bisphosphonates also have been evaluated as an adjunct treatment to minimize bone loss from cancer therapy. In these settings, there is a suggested improvement in cancer-associated outcomes, in addition to their bone-protective benefits. Denosumab is a fully human antibody to the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand. Recently reported data suggest that denosumab is efficacious in decreasing skeletal-related events, but the long-term safety of denosumab remains to be determined. The available data for the approved intravenous bisphosphonates, including zoledronic acid, as well as for other investigational bone-directed therapies is reviewed, with a focus on the incidence and management of treatment-associated side effects.
Effects of Shearing Conditions on Crystalline Orientation and Relaxation in Polyethylene

The effects of shearing conditions (i.e., shear temperature and shear rate) on the degree of orientation of polyethylene (Marlex 6006) and to what extent the induced orientation could be relaxed were examined in this study. Two types of samples were prepared: namely, SIC (shear-induced crystallization) and non-SIC samples. The SIC samples show induction times and possess a high degree ofc-axis orientation along the shear direction. The induced orientation of SIC samples can be relaxed to a small extent but does not reach a steady value. NonSIC samples do not show induction times and they show low degrees of c-axis orientation. The induced orientation of nonSIC samples can be relaxed to a steady state value with an activation energy of 90 kJ/mole. Our results also indicate that, when the shear temperature is at and above 145"C, polyethylene can be sheared up to 2OOX without introducing any significant molecular orientation even at very high shear rates.
Studies of gene expression in human cumulus cells indicate pentraxin 3 as a possible marker for oocyte quality.

Objective To search for differentially expressed genes in cumulus cells from two groups of oocytes with different developmental outcome in vitro. Design Analyses of gene expression in human cumulus cells from oocytes that failed to fertilize in vitro (group A) and those that developed into normal-appearing embryos on day 3 (group B). Setting University-based facilities for clinical service and research. Patient(s) Women undergoing IVF treatment for infertility. Intervention(s) Cumulus cells were collected from oocytes that were aspirated from ovarian follicles for IVF. The oocytes were cultured individually for IVF and embryo development. Total RNA was extracted from the cumulus cells for gene expression analyses. Main Outcome Measure(s) General gene expression profiles and relative abundance of pentraxin 3 (Ptx3) mRNA. Result(s) DNA microarray analysis identified 160 genes, including Ptx3, that were differentially expressed between cumulus cells in group A and group B. Quantitative analysis confirmed that the relative abundance of Ptx3 mRNA in cumulus cells was highly associated with oocyte development. Conclusion(s) This study demonstrated that changes in the expression levels of 160 genes, including particularly Ptx3, in human cumulus cells may be indicative of the quality of their enclosed oocyte.
Auger-induced valence processes in alkali halides following alkali core-hole creation.

Ab initio calculated values are presented for the interatomic Auger and radiative decay rates for initial (2p${)}^{2}$ and 2p hole states of the Na ion in NaF. A comparison of the rates shows that these hole states decay overwhelmingly by the nonradiative Auger process. The knowledge of the rates makes possible a clarification of the mechanism of photon-stimulated positive-ion desorption presented by Parks et al. [Phys. Rev. B 28, 4793 (1983)]. Following the creation of a Na(1s) hole in NaF, the ensuing Auger cascade results in the creation of four to six valence holes, or one ${\mathrm{F}}^{+}$ ion and two to four valence holes, on the neighboring negative fluorine ions within an elapsed time of a few times ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}14}$ s. The majority of the valence holes are produced as hot holes, and are likely to diffuse several tens to hundreds of angstroms in times of the order of picoseconds before self-trapping to form ${V}_{K}$ centers. The fast diffusion of these holes greatly reduces their chance of participating in ion desorption processes. The possibility that a fraction of the holes self-trap immediately and assist in the desorption of positive ions is considered. It is found that positive-ion desorption can occur if enough holes self-trap immediately. However, the required configurations are so special that they may occur with too small a probability to account for the observed positive-ion current. The fast hole diffusion also makes it unlikely that the ${V}_{K}$ centers from the cascade will exhibit the clustering effects which would have been expected had the holes self-trapped in place. An increase in the yield of electron-hole pairs of about 6% is predicted to occur at the Na K edge.
Refractive Index Measurements Of AMTIR-1 At Cryogenic Temperatures

The refractive index of an infrared transmitting glass, AMTIR-1, has been measured at infrared wavelengths and cryogenic temperatures. Experimental data are presented for wave-lengths of 7-12 micrometers (pm) and for temperatures of 170-350K. The change in index with temperature, dn/dT, was determined as well. An overall accuracy in index of five parts in the fourth decimal place was achieved. In addition to results, the equipment, measurement procedures, and error estimates are also described.
Improved method for the removal of endotoxin from DNA

Contaminating endotoxin in solutions used in gene therapy and genetic immunization can result in various deleterious effects both in vitro and in vivo. In order to avoid such complications, attempts were made to characterize the extent of the problem of endotoxin contamination and develop a solution to this problem. After screening for endotoxin in plasmid DNA preparations using the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay, nearly half of all samples displayed high endotoxin levels. Therefore, a simple one-step procedure was developed for the removal of endotoxin using a polymyxin B resin.
Use of spatial statistics to identify and test significance in geographic disease patterns

Abstract Spatial analysis provides a powerful method to test epidemiologic hypotheses about patterns of disease occurrence. Available techniques can be classified based on the type of data which they utilize, generally areas or points, and the primary question of interest. Three issues relevant to epidemiology are: whether a disease is clustered; whether two diseases or a disease and potential risk factor have the same distribution; and if there are specific definable relationships between the values of the same variable at different locations. Join count statistics, which relate actual and expected number of joins between areas with dissimilar values, and second order analysis, which compares the actual and expected distances between all points weighted by their values, give estimates of the magnitude and statistical significance of clustering in patterns. To test for codistribution between areal patterns, the kappa statistic evaluates the degree of pattern overlap corrected for chance. Tjosteim's statistic measures the correlation, corrected for point locations, of the ranked values. Spatial autocorrelation analysis can be used to test for specific network and distance associations between values, for the scale of a pattern, for defined complex spatial relationships or to remove spatial effects from more traditional regression analysis of other risk factors. Epidemiologists have uncovered spatial associations between diseases and risk factors using traditional methods. However, more widespread application of spatial analyses to objectively quantify the magnitude and significance of hypothesized geographical associations could offer new insights into disease questions.
Fire mediated edge effects in bayhead tree islands

Question: The role edges play in mediating the effects of disturbance is unclear. Bayhead tree islands, which experience above- and belowground fire, contain trees that recover from disturbance by seed (Pinus elliottii var. densa) and by sprouting (Gordonia lasianthus). How does distance-to-edge affect survival and post-fire response of trees with these contrasting life-history strategies? Location: Two bayhead tree islands at Archbold Biological Station, central Florida, North America. Methods: Stem diameter, depth of peat smoldering, char height, resprouting status, and location were recorded for all Pinus and Gordonia stems ≥8 cm. Distance to the edge of the tree island was quantified using GIS. Results: The focal species showed contrasting patterns of survival across the edge-to-interior gradient that reflected gradients of fire severity. Survival of Gordonia was lowest in the bayhead interior where peat smolder was deepest. Conversely, survival of Pinus was lowest near the edges where char heights were greatest. The distinct types of Gordonia resprouting (crown versus basal) also showed spatially contrasting patterns. Basal resprouting dominated near the edges and was positively influenced by char height, while crown resprouting was nearly constant across the edge-to-interior gradient and was negatively influenced by char height. Conclusions: The spatial patterns of tree survival and resprouting observed are likely due to gradients in intensity of peat smoldering and aboveground burning, coupled with differential susceptibility to these two types of fire. Despite the rarity of fire in wetland tree islands (compared to uplands) it may play an important role in structuring the spatial distribution of trees.
On the use of Hilbert-Huang Transforms in GPS Software Receivers

Abstract Global Positioning System (GPS) is susceptible to interference from both man-made and natural sources. The suppression of interference in GPS signals using Hilbert Huang Transform (HHT) in the software receiver model is demonstrated. HHT is a novel method used to analyze non-linear and non-stationary data. It uses Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) to obtain the basis function. Here we use EMD to sift out the noise and subsequently remove it from the GPS signal. We attempt to implement this as a part of the GPS software receiver and the results are analyzed for single-tone, linear chirp and pulse interference.
Far lateral suboccipital approach for the treatment of proximal posteroinferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: surgical results and long-term outcome.

Objective Proximal posteroinferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are challenging to treat surgically, with high reported perioperative complication rates. We describe the perioperative course and long-term clinical outcomes obtained via a far lateral suboccipital approach in 20 consecutive proximal PICA aneurysms. Methods Data were collected prospectively on the first 20 proximal PICA aneurysms treated surgically by a single surgeon (ESC) between December 1997 and April 2003. All aneurysms were clipped via a far lateral approach. Patients with unruptured aneurysms were assessed at 3 and 12 months after surgery. For all subarachnoid hemorrhage patients, a battery of outcome tests was performed at 3- and 12-month intervals. Outcomes were then compared with those of a contemporaneously managed population of ruptured right-sided posterior communicating artery aneurysms. Results The far lateral suboccipital approach achieved adequate exposure in all cases. There were no intraoperative complications or intraoperative aneurysm ruptures. All patients with unruptured aneurysms were fully functional at long-term follow-up. At 3 months of follow-up, 93% of the subarachnoid hemorrhage patients achieved a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1 to 2. At 12 months of follow-up, 92% achieved a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1 to 2. Compared with the patients with a ruptured right-sided posterior communicating artery aneurysm, no difference could be found in quality of life or activities of daily living at either time point. Conclusion The favorable outcomes and low postoperative morbidity in this subset of patients argues that clipping via this approach be considered a first-line therapeutic option. When performed in this manner, PICA aneurysm surgery seems to have no greater morbidity than right-sided posterior communicating artery aneurysm surgery.
Elevation of C-reactive protein in "active" coronary artery disease.

Abstract Unstable angina occurs most commonly in the setting of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD), but there is little information concerning the mechanisms responsible for the transition from clinically stable to unstable coronary atherosclerotic plaque. Recently, increased focal infiltration of inflammatory cells into the adventitia of coronary arteries of patients dying suddenly from CAD and activation of circulating neutrophils in patients with unstable angina have been observed. To characterize the presence of inflammation in “active” atherosclerotic lesions, the acute phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured in 37 patients admitted to the coronary care unit with unstable angina, 30 patients admitted to the coronary care unit with nonischemic illnesses and 32 patients with stable CAD. CRP levels were significantly elevated (normal
Enhanced specificity of immunoblotting using radiolabeled antigen overlay: studies of blood coagulation factor XII and prekallikrein in plasma.

Abstract Immunoblotting of blood coagulation Factor XII and plasma prekallikrein in whole plasma was performed using radiolabeled antigen for detection. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of plasma and transfer to nitrocellulose sheets, the blots were first reacted with polyclonal goat anti-Factor XII or anti-prekallikrein antisera and then with 125 I-Factor XII or 125 I-prekallikrein, respectively. A major advantage of using radiolabeled antigen rather than radiolabeled secondary antibody was enhanced specificity of immunodetection of these antigens in plasma. This procedure was sensitive to ∼0.3 ng of either Factor XII or prekallikrein antigen and was useful for detection of Factor XII cleavage fragments in contact activated plasma. Radiolabeled antigen overlay may improve the specificity of immunoblotting of trace antigens in any complex mixtures.
Benchmarking analytical calculations of proton doses in heterogeneous matter.

A protondose computational algorithm, performing an analytical superposition of infinitely narrow proton beamlets (ASPB) is introduced. The algorithm uses the standard pencil beam technique of laterally distributing the central axis broad beam doses according to the Moliere scattering theory extended to slablike varying density media. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of our computational tool by comparing it with experimental and Monte Carlo(MC) simulation data as benchmarks. In the tests, parallel wide beams of protons were scattered in water phantoms containing embedded air and bone materials with simple geometrical forms and spatial dimensions of a few centimeters. For homogeneous water and bone phantoms, the protondoses we calculated with the ASPB algorithm were found very comparable to experimental and MC data. For layered bone slab inhomogeneity in water, the comparison between our analytical calculation and the MC simulation showed reasonable agreement, even when the inhomogeneity was placed at the Bragg peak depth. There also was reasonable agreement for the parallelepiped bone block inhomogeneity placed at various depths, except for cases in which the bone was located in the region of the Bragg peak, when discrepancies were as large as more than 10%. When the inhomogeneity was in the form of abutting air-bone slabs, discrepancies of as much as 8% occurred in the lateral dose profiles on the air cavity side of the phantom. Additionally, the analytical depth-dose calculations disagreed with the MC calculations within 3% of the Bragg peak dose, at the entry and midway depths in the phantom. The distal depth-dose 20%–80% fall-off widths and ranges calculated with our algorithm and the MC simulation were generally within 0.1 cm of agreement. The analytical lateral-dose profile calculations showed smaller (by less than 0.1 cm ) 20%–80% penumbra widths and shorter fall-off tails than did those calculated by the MC simulations. Overall, this work validates the usefulness of our ASPB algorithm as a reasonably fast and accurate tool for quality assurance in planning wide beam proton therapy treatment of clinical sites either composed of homogeneous materials or containing laterally extended inhomogeneities that are comparable in density and located away from the Bragg peak depths.
Rural parents' vaccination-related attitudes and intention to vaccinate middle and high school children against influenza following educational influenza vaccination intervention

Objective: This study examined changes in parental influenza vaccination attitudes and intentions after participating in school-based educational influenza vaccination intervention. Methods: Participants were drawn from three counties participating in a school-based influenza vaccination intervention in rural Georgia (baseline N=324; follow-up N=327). Data were collected pre- and post-intervention from phone surveys with parents’ with children attending middle- and high-school. Attitudes, beliefs, vaccination history, and intention to vaccinate were assessed. Results: Parents who participated in the intervention conditions reported significantly higher influenza vaccination rates in their adolescents, relative to a control group, as well as increased vaccination rates post-intervention participation relative to their baseline rates. Intervention participants reported greater intention to have their adolescent vaccinated in the coming year compared to control parents. Significant differences were observed post intervention in perceived barriers and benefits of vaccination. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a school- delivered educational influenza vaccination intervention targeting parents and teens may influence influenza vaccination in rural communities. Future influenza vaccination efforts geared toward the parents of rural middle- and high-school students may benefit from addressing barriers and benefits of influenza vaccination.
Circular permutation of 5-aminolevulinate synthase: effect on folding, conformational stability, and structure.

The first and regulatory step of heme biosynthesis in mammals begins with the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent condensation reaction catalyzed by 5-aminolevulinate synthase. The enzyme functions as a homodimer with the two active sites at the dimer interface. Previous studies demonstrated that circular permutation of 5-aminolevulinate synthase does not prevent folding of the polypeptide chain into a structure amenable to binding of the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate cofactor and assembly of the two subunits into a functional enzyme. However, while maintaining a wild type-like three-dimensional structure, active, circularly permuted 5-aminolevulinate synthase variants possess different topologies. To assess whether the aminolevulinate synthase overall structure can be reached through alternative or multiple folding pathways, we investigated the guanidine hydrochloride-induced unfolding, conformational stability, and structure of active, circularly permuted variants in relation to those of the wild type enzyme using fluorescence, circular dichroism, activity, and size exclusion chromatography. Aminolevulinate synthase and circularly permuted variants folded reversibly; the equilibrium unfolding/refolding profiles were biphasic and, in all but one case, protein concentration-independent, indicating a unimolecular process with the presence of at least one stable intermediate. The formation of this intermediate was preceded by the disruption of the dimeric interface or dissociation of the dimer without significant change in the secondary structural content of the subunits. In contrast to the similar stabilities associated with the dimeric interface, the energy for the unfolding of the intermediate as well as the overall conformational stabilities varied among aminolevulinate synthase and variants. The unfolding of one functional permuted variant was protein concentration-dependent and had a potentially different folding mechanism. We propose that the order of the ALAS secondary structure elements does not determine the ability of the polypeptide chain to fold but does affect its folding mechanism.
FSM watermarks based on ordering of flip flops

In this paper, we propose a method for constructing and verifying a watermark of finite state machines based on ordering of flip flops. The underlying idea is to use the flip-flop arrangement information as part of the IP owner's secret. We present simple watermark construction and verification algorithms. We demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method for a class of FSMs which satisfies certain conditions.
Electro-oxidation of methanol on gold in alkaline media: Adsorption characteristics of reaction intermediates studied using time resolved electro-chemical impedance and surface plasmon resonance techniques

Abstract Electro-catalytic oxidation of methanol is the anode reaction in direct methanol fuel cells. We have studied the adsorption characteristics of the intermediate reactants of this multistep reaction on a gold film electrode in alkaline solutions by combining surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements with Fourier transform electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (FT-EIS). Methanol oxidation in this system shows no significant effects of “site poisoning” by chemisorbed CO. Our results suggest that OH− chemisorbed onto Au acts as a stabilizing agent for the surface species of electro-active methanol. Double layer charging/discharging and adsorption/desorption of OH− show more pronounced effects than adsorption/oxidation of methanol in controlling the surface charge density of the Au substrate. These effects are manifested in both the EIS and the SPR data, and serve as key indicators of the surface reaction kinetics. The data presented here describe the important role of adsorbed OH− in electro-catalysis of methanol on Au, and demonstrate how SPR and FT-EIS can be combined for quantitative probing of catalytically active metal–solution interfaces.
An improved method for calculation of potential-pH diagrams of metal-ion-water systems by computer

A computer program has been developed for calculating potential-pH diagrams of metal-ion-H2O systems. A brief description of the program is presented along with two diagrams calculated by computer. The method is considerably simpler than previously reported methods and makes use of the concept of “convexity” from operations research to determine areas of predominance of particular species.
Antigenic Variation of Indigenous Streptococci

Isolates of Group D streptococci indigenous to the murine oral cavity were studied to detect the occurrence of antigenic variation. Group D streptococci cultured from molar homogenates of Balb/c mice were randomly selected for study on the basis of distinctive colony morphology. Isolates obtained over a 12-week period were biotyped using the API 20S system, and subjected to Lancefield extraction and rocket immunoelectrophoresis for serotyping. All isolates were compared with an arbitrarily selected standard test strain (W1S-1) isolated the first week of the first experimental series. Four biotypes were encountered during the first week of two experimental series. Two very unusual biotypes detected during the first experimental series persisted throughout that series, as did two more common biotypes throughout the second experimental series. Anti-W1S-1 serum produced three precipitin bands (antigens O, D, and K) against WIS-1 Lancefield extract and against the respective biotypes detected during the first ...
Use of a Low Resistance Compliant Thoracic Artificial Lung in the Pulmonary Artery to Pulmonary Artery Configuration

Background Thoracic artificial lungs have been proposed as a bridge to transplant in patients with end-stage lung disease. Systemic embolic complications can occur after thoracic artificial lung attachment in the pulmonary artery to left atrium configuration. Therefore, we evaluated the function of a compliant thoracic artificial lung attached via the proximal pulmonary artery to distal main pulmonary artery configuration. Methods The compliant thoracic artificial lung was attached to 5 sheep (63 ± 0.9 kg) in the proximal pulmonary artery to distal main pulmonary artery configuration. Device function and animal hemodynamics were assessed at baseline and with approximately 60%, 75%, and 90% of cardiac output diverted to the compliant thoracic artificial lung. At each condition, dobutamine (0 and 5 μg·kg −1 ·min −1 ) was used to simulate rest and exercise conditions. Results At rest, cardiac output decreased from 6.20 ± 0.53 L/min at baseline to 5.40 ± 0.43, 4.66 ± 0.31, and 4.05 ± 0.27 L/min with 60%, 75%, and 90% of cardiac output to the compliant thoracic artificial lung, respectively ( P P = .82, P = .19, and P Conclusions Use of a compliant thoracic artificial lung may be feasible in the proximal pulmonary artery to distal main pulmonary artery setting if its blood flow is held at less than 75% of cardiac output. To ensure a decrease in cardiac output of less than 10%, a blood flow rate less than 60% of cardiac output is advised.
Shearography and applications in experimental mechanics

I would like to share with you my experience of developing shearography and transferring the technology to industry. Shearography has already received wide industrial acceptance for nondestructive testing. Currently the rubber industry is routinely using shearography for evaluating tires and the aerospace industry has adopted the technique for nondestructive testing of composite structures. Many other industrial applications of shearography are presently underway. These include material evaluation, measurement of strains, residual stresses, 3-D shapes, fluid temperature, as well as vibration studies. There are three versions of shearography employing different recording media: photographic emulsion, thermoplastic and digital. Digital shearography employs a computerized process which is much more superior to the former versions. It uses video sensors (such as CCD) as recording medium and digital image processing technology to acquire the results thus eliminating the consumable materials used by the photographic and thermoplastic versions. Furthermore, the computerization of shearography has led to the automation of data deduction. This talk reviews computerized shearography and its applications.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Determination of the effect of bee venom and the venom of Lachesis jararacu upon the central nervous system

Die zentralerregende Wirkung des Apitoxins last sich mit Hilfe der Elektrokrampfmethode nachweisen.
Extending the relational algebra to support transaction time

In this paper we discuss extensions to the conventional relational algebra to support transaction time. We show that these extensions are applicable to historical algebras that support valid time, yielding a temporal algebraic language. Since transaction time concerns the storage of information in the database, the notion of state is central. The extensions are formalized using denotational semantics. The additions preserve the useful properties of the conventional relational algebra.
Problems in prenatal diagnosis resulting from chromosomal mosaicism.

Prenatal diagnosis was performed on a 36-year-old woman with a history of Tay-Sachs disease in one of her children. A diagnosis of 45, X was made by conventional karyotype analysis on the first amniotic fluid specimen. Cells from this specimen also showed a small fluorescent body, leading to suspicion of the presence of a Y chromosome. Special staining techniques demonstrated a possible D/Y translocation. The patient elected to have a therapeutic abortion and a male fetus was expelled. Subsequent culture of the amniotic fluid obtained at the time of abortion revealed 46,XY. The indications for prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis, the problems of diagnosing in utero mosaicism, and the problems resulting from the application of new methods of chromosome identification are discussed.
Diffusion of He interstitial and di-He cluster at grain boundaries in α-Fe

A systematic molecular dynamics study of the diffusion mechanisms of He interstitial and their small clusters at two representive interfaces has been carried out in a-Fe. The diffusion coefficient of a He interstitial and the effective migration energies were determined. The He atom diffuses rapidly along the sigma11 grain boundary one-dimensionally along specific directions, while it migrates one-dimensionally at low temperature, two-dimensionally at intermediate temperature and three-dimensionally at higher temperature, in the sigma3 grain boundary. The di-He interstitial cluster can migrate rapidly along the sigma3 interface at low temperatures, but not at the sigma11 interface. It has been observed that a di-He interstitial cluster can kick out a self interstitial atom (SIA) at high temperatures, forming a He2V complex. The SIA migrates rapidly near interfaces, whereas the He2V complex is immobile at the temperatures considered. This small cluster may serve as a smallest nucleation for the formation of helium bubbles at interfaces.
Reactivity of certain organophosphorus insecticides toward hydroxyl radicals at elevated air temperatures.

Methods were developed to determine OH reaction rates for medium-weight organophosphorus pesticides in the gas phase. A 57-L chamber was constructed that utilized xenon arc irradiation (>290 nm) to photolyze the OH precursor, methyl nitrite. Experiments were performed at elevated temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 °C to minimize wall sorption. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling of the gas phase was employed to assess the simultaneous rate of loss of the pesticides in relation to the rate of loss of two reference substances with known OH rate constants. An internal gas-phase standard (hexachlorobenzene), relatively stable to hydroxyl radicals, was used to assess other processes, which included dilution and wall sorption. The relative reaction rates of the organophosphorus insecticides, diazinon and chlorpyrifos, when compared to reference compounds, were unaffected by various air temperatures between 60 and 80 °C. Although both insecticides were expected to react at similar rates on the basis of structural activity model predictions, diazinon reacted 3 times more rapidly than chlorpyrifos and gave estimated environmental OH half-lives of 0.5 and 1.4 h, respectively. The degree of sorption onto the chamber walls was minimal and similar for each of the compounds examined. Experimental gas-phase determinations at elevated temperatures may provide important information that can be used when in the assessment of the potential of airborne pesticide risks to nontarget and ecologically sensitive areas.
Mobility Assisted Distributed Tracking in Hybrid Sensor Networks

In this paper, we propose a new mobility assisted tracking (MAT) algorithm for tracking a single target in a hybrid sensor network consisting of both static and mobile nodes. The network is assumed to be partitioned into clusters and cluster heads are formed from a set of high capacity static nodes. One cluster head is selected to perform the tracking task using particle filters at a given time based on the observations received from the nodes belonging to the corresponding cluster. We exploit the node mobility in the hybrid sensor network to dynamically maintain a certain coverage level at the predicted target location at each time. In the proposed MAT algorithm mobile nodes are directed to move towards the predicted target position at each time step if the predicted target position is not covered to the desired coverage level by static nodes. Simulation results show that with the proposed MAT algorithm, an improved performance closer to the PCRLB is achieved with a relatively small number of mobile nodes in the network compared to the scenario when all nodes are static. The proposed scheme is also robust against static node as well as cluster head failures.
Aortic Stenosis in the Elderly

Since the incidence of aortic stenosis increases with age, physicians are likely to encounter this valvular disorder with greater frequency as populations continue to age. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the etiology, natural history, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of aortic stenosis in the elderly. Echocardiography is the diagnostic modality of choice, suitable for the serial assessment of disease progression. Cardiac catheterization should be reserved mainly for the evaluation of possible concomitant coronary artery disease prior to cardiac surgery. Aortic valve replacement represents the only proven treatment modality for symptomatic, hemodynamically significant aortic stenosis. Advanced age is not a contraindication for surgery, and valve replacement can be performed in any patient with an acceptable surgical risk.
ATR and H2AX Cooperate in Maintaining Genome Stability under Replication Stress

Chromosomal abnormalities are frequently caused by problems encountered during DNA replication. Although the ATR-Chk1 pathway has previously been implicated in preventing the collapse of stalled replication forks into double-strand breaks (DSB), the importance of the response to fork collapse in ATR-deficient cells has not been well characterized. Herein, we demonstrate that, upon stalled replication, ATR deficiency leads to the phosphorylation of H2AX by ATM and DNA-PKcs and to the focal accumulation of Rad51, a marker of homologous recombination and fork restart. Because H2AX has been shown to play a facilitative role in homologous recombination, we hypothesized that H2AX participates in Rad51-mediated suppression of DSBs generated in the absence of ATR. Consistent with this model, increased Rad51 focal accumulation in ATR-deficient cells is largely dependent on H2AX, and dual deficiencies in ATR and H2AX lead to synergistic increases in chromatid breaks and translocations. Importantly, the ATM and DNA-PK phosphorylation site on H2AX (Ser139) is required for genome stabilization in the absence of ATR; therefore, phosphorylation of H2AX by ATM and DNA-PKcs plays a pivotal role in suppressing DSBs during DNA synthesis in instances of ATR pathway failure. These results imply that ATR-dependent fork stabilization and H2AX/ATM/DNA-PKcs-dependent restart pathways cooperatively suppress double-strand breaks as a layered response network when replication stalls.
Combined trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification

(1991). Combined Trabeculectomy and Phacoemulsification. Seminars in Ophthalmology: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 76-80.
Overlay Measurement based on Dual-Overlay Grating Image

We develop a novel target, dual-overlay grating, used in the overlay measurement with an optical bright-field imaging tool. The dual-overlay grating is the combination of two overlay gratings with different pitch. The two overlay grating are approached each other and the separation gap between them is sub-micrometer. The image in the proximity of the boundary of two overlay gratings is measured at in-focus position, and a method is built to analyze the image. The gradient value of image and a merit value are calculated. A series of dual-overlay grating is measured and analyzed with different overlay offset. We found the relation between the merit value and overlay offset is linear in certain region, and the dual-overlay grating has the nano-scale resolution to the overlay offset. Thus, the dual-overlay grating has potential application in overlay metrology for the process control in the future semi-conductor manufacturing.
Blind maximum-likelihood equalization of CDMA signals via the EMV algorithm

We propose a blind maximum-likelihood (ML) equalization method for synchronous and asynchronous spread-spectrum code-division multiple access (CDMA) signals in intersymbol interference channels. Our method employs an expectation-maximization Viterbi algorithm (EMVA) capable of joint channel identification and signal estimation for transmission systems that admit a hidden Markov model description. By modelling the observed signal as a finite-state hidden Markov process, it is possible to use the Viterbi algorithm (VA) to execute the M-phase of the expectation-maximization iteration. When the parameter estimate converges to a stationary point, the best survivor of the VA is selected as the ML estimate of the transmitted sequence. Simulations show that the EMVA performs almost as well as the ML detector based on exact channel knowledge and that it is near-far resistant in the presence of large power disparities among users. We then devise an EMVA-based quasi-maximum-likelihood successive cancellation (QML-SC) method which reduces the trellis complexity by first ignoring weak users, equalizing the stronger users, subtracting off their contributions from the observed signal, equalizing and cancelling the weak users, and repeating the procedure until convergence. Though not near-far resistant, the QML-SC method tends to resist the near-far effect for a wide range of power disparities.
The axial air gap wobble motor-an appropriate topology for magnetic micromotors

This paper introduces a motor topology called the axial air gap wobble motor. The axial air gap wobble motor was developed for use in biomedical applications, such as ultrasound catheters, requiring motors with diameters between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. The motor's planar geometry eliminates the need for three-dimensional windings and is specifically suited for fabricating magnetic micromotors using photolithography. This paper describes the performance of 10 and 60 mm diameter feasibility prototypes fabricated with conventional construction techniques. The prototypes verified a simulation of motor performance which, in turn, predicts success for a 1 mm diameter motor.