cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Software functionalities and requirements for manufacturing systems integration

The meaning of the integration in manufacturing environments is that all component systems work together to meet the company business objectives rather than simply work together. Each component should behave intelligently and actively cooperate with other systems. The issues of integration of a manufacturing system are investigated and applied to vision and image processing system. To achieve the integration, the integrated system is implemented as a collection of objects which are classified into active objects and passive objects. An initial framework for the prototype implementation for an integrated manufacturing system is presented.
Réparation endovasculaire par stentgraft d'un anévrysme de l'aorte mycotique tuberculeux

Mycobacterium tuberculosis est une cause rare d’anevrysme mycotique de l'aorte, classiquement traitee avec une combinaison d’un traitement medical antituberculeux et d’une chirurgie ouverte. Le traitement endovasculaire a gagne de la popularite comme alternative a la chirurgie pour les anevrysmes mycotiques. Nous rapportons un cas d'anevrysme mycotique tuberculeux de l'aorte thoracique descendante qui a ete traite avec succes par voie endovasculaire par stentgraft avec resolution complete du faux anevrysme a 1 an. Nous passons en revue d'autres cas dans les donnees precedemment publiees pour identifier les facteurs qui peuvent affecter les resultats du traitement endovasculaire des anevrysmes mycotiques tuberculeux.
Large torsional deformation of a circular band

A total-Lagrangian displacement-based finite-element model of initially curved beams undergoing large displacements and rotations is derived using a beam theory that fully accounts for large rotations and extensionality by using Jaumann stress and strain measures. To verify the accuracy of the finite-element model, a test fixture has been built and used to test the large twisting of a circular band. The finite-element results agree closely with the experimental results.
Active lifestyle offsets HRT-induced suppression of T cell reactivity to mitogens

Objecti6e. The purpose of the study was to investigate the combined impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and active lifestyle on the phenotypic profile and in vitro activities of specific immune cells in postmenopausal women. Methods. Healthy postmenopausal women aged 45‐70 were assigned to one of four groups: (a) HRT:sedentary (n9); (b) HRT:active (n12); (c) no HRT:sedentary (n 10); and (d) no HRT:active (n 9). Blood samples were collected from each subject on 3 days within 1 week. The mean value of three samples was used to assess the in vitro response of T lymphocytes to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A and natural killer cell activity. One of three blood samples was utilized for phenotypic analysis of circulating leukocytes. Results. The mitogenic reactivity of T lymphocytes in whole blood cultures for the groups receiving HRT was lower than from the groups not receiving HRT. There also was a trend for T lymphocyte reactivity to be higher in the active women when compared to the sedentary women. In contrast, the phenotypic profile of leukocytes and natural killer cell activity were not significantly different for samples collected from the four groups. Conclusions. These data suggest that the suppressive effect of HRT on T cell function in postmenopausal women may be attenuated by a physically active lifestyle. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Melittin-evoked increase in plasma corticosterone levels

Abstract The present study was undertaken to systematically evaluate the effect of melittin on nonstress pituitary-adrenal function of the adult female rat. In the first study rats were given melittin (0.5 mg·kg −1 ) or saline (0.5 ml) intraperitoneally at 0800 hr. Blood for determining plasma corticosterone levels was collected by decapitation at 4, 8, 24 or 48 hrs post-injection. Corticosterone levels of rapidly decapitated rats provided basal corticosterone levels. In general, plasma corticosterone levels of melittin-treated animals were higher than those of saline-injected rats at 4, 24, and 48 hrs but significant differences (p −1 melittin on day 1 and day 4). In all studies melittin-evoked increases in corticosterone levels were observed only in the AM and the melittin-induced increases in plasma corticosterone levels were suppressed with dexamethasone (DECADRON, 100μg·kg −1 −1 , s.c.). These data indicate that a 0.5mg·kg −1 dose of melittin evokes a significant increase in adrenocortical activity and the evoked response is feedback sensitive.
Disclosure and the cost of capital: A discussion

Abstract In this discussion I comment on the contribution of two papers toward our understanding of how disclosure affects the cost of capital. Specifically, in the context of these papers, I comment on whether disclosure ameliorates or exacerbates the cost of capital that arises from the existence of information asymmetries in capital markets. This is a notion that should be of fundamental interest in that it provides an economic basis for evaluating the costs and benefits of accounting information.
The dependence of chamber dynamics on chamber dimensions

Abstract One can learn something about the determinants of ventricular dimensions and dynamics from a simple spherical model. We have derived equations showing how isometric pressure, compliance, isometric P-V curves and viscous resistance to wall displacement depend on dimensions of a spherical chamber whose fibers adjust for a “normal” stretch at a particular point in the pump cycle. The derivations show: (a) that isometric pressure at this point is proportional to the logarithm of total chamber volume (cavity plus wall) relative to cavity volume; (b) that compliance at this point is proportional to cavity volume and to total chamber volume relative to wall volume; (c) that the rate of wall displacement relative to the disparity between isometric pressure and actual pressure depends on dimensions like compliance depends on dimensions; and (d) since reciprocal compliance does not increase with wall/cavity ratios as much as isometric pressure at the normal-stretch volume, the P-V curves spread out on either side of the normal-stretch volume as the chamber undergoes adaptive thickening, resulting in disproportionate increases of isometric pressure at low cavity volumes. This tends to increase ejection fraction and reduce cavity volumes relative to stroke volume, and it is partly responsible for the “concentric” character of hypertrophy in response to high systolic pressure.
Real time spectroscopic ellipsometry determination of the evolution of amorphous semiconductor optical functions, bandgap, and microstructure

A unique real time spectroscopic ellipsometer has been applied to determine the microstructure and optical properties of plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD) and sputtered amorphous semiconductors. With this instrument, the limitations of single wavelength ellipsometry have been overcome, and the dielectric functions and optical gap (corrected for surface effects) have been obtained from real time observations on films as thin as 20 A. A wealth of information on the microstructural evolution at the monolayer scale is also deduced; e.g. the mass thickness evolution, and the nucleation density and cluster thickness when nuclei make contact to form the first full-coverage monolayer. The coalescence process first noted in earlier single wavelength ellipsometry studies of optimum PECVD a-Si:H has also been completely quantified.
SU-E-J-123: Blinded Clinician Evaluation of Amplitude versus Phase Binned 4DCT Patient Data.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinician's perspective of amplitude versus phase‐based binning of four‐dimensional computed tomography (4DCT). Methods: Ten random lungcancer patients were selected with 10‐phase binned 4DCT's acquired on a Philips BigBore (Philips Healthcare, Andover, MA). The data was re‐binned using the amplitude of the respiratory signal and a new 10‐phase 4DCT dataset was generated. These two datasets were coregistered and shown together for each patient in cine mode in MIMVista (MIM Software, Cleveland, OH). Nine clinicians were shown the images and asked to determine if one dataset was more clinically beneficial or if there was no difference. The clinicians were blinded to the nature of each dataset and to each other's’ responses. The data were tabulated using a point system where each patient was given +1 point if the amplitude binned image was selected, −1 point if the phase binned image was selected, and 0 points if they looked the same. Results: The results showed large variations from patient to patient. Scores ranged from −7 to 9 with a mean score of −0.7 indicating a very small preference toward the phase‐binned datasets. For one patient, all of the clinicians selected the amplitude binned dataset. For two patients, no clinicians selected the amplitude binned dataset. The mean percentage of responses per patient that favored the amplitude binned dataset was 27.8% and the phase‐binned dataset was 35.6%. No difference was detected in 36.7% of responses. Conclusions: It is not clear from our limited data that clinicians prefer amplitude or phase binned datasets for a random selection of lungcancer patients. This suggests that patients could benefit on a case‐by‐case basis depending on breathing pattern.
EFG approximation with discontinuous derivatives

A technique for incorporating discontinuities in derivatives into meshless methods is presented. The technique enriches the approximation by adding special shape functions that contain discontinuities in derivatives. The special shape functions have compact support which results in banded matrix equations. The technique is described in element-free Galerkin context, but is easily applicable to other meshless methods and projections. Numerical results for problems in one and two dimensions are reported. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sexual reproductive structures in the green alga Ivanovia triassica

Ivanovia triassica is a new species of calcified Codiaceae from Triassic rocks of the Yukon Stikine Terrane in Canada. The genus was known previously only from the late Paleozoic. Stalked outgrowths of the thalli are interpreted as oogonia and dome-shaped outpocketings as male gametangia. These represent the first sexual reproductive structures observed in Ivanovia. Sectional views of the thalli indicate the species was cyathiform and that the inner and outer cortices of the membranes comprising the thallus were dimorphic.
A twin-study of genetic contributions to morningness–eveningness and depression

Circadian rhythms are associated with the preference for sleep–wake timing, also known as morningness–eveningness (ME). Both circadian rhythms and ME are influenced by genetic factors. Studies show an association between eveningness and depression. This study investigates the heritability of ME and whether ME and depression share common genetic influences. Study participants (n = 1237) were from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging, a longitudinal study of aging with a baseline in midlife. Participants received the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale as part of an extensive neurocognitive and psychosocial assessment. MEQ correlations between members of twin pairs were 0.41 (95% CI 0.31–0.49) for monozygotic (MZ) twins and 0.28 for dizygotic (DZ) twins (95% CI 0.19–0.41). CES-D correlations were 0.38 (95% CI 0.28–0.46) for MZ twins and 0.24 (95% CI 0.14–0.36) for DZ twins. Greater eveningness (i.e. lower MEQ scores) was significantly ...
Flexible protein-ligand docking by global energy optimization in internal coordinates.

Eight protein-ligand complexes were simulated by using global optimization of a complex energy function, including solvation, surface tension, and side-chain entropy in the internal coordinate space of the flexible ligand and the receptor side chains [Abagyan, R.A., Totrov, M.M. J. Mol. Biol. 235: 983-1002, 1994]. The procedure uses two types of efficient random moves, a pseudobrownian positional move [Abagyan, R.A., Totrov, M.M., Kuznetsov, D.A. J. Comp. Chem. 15:488-506, 1994] and a Biased-Probability multitorsion move [Abagyan, R.A., Totrov, M.M. J. Mol. Biol. 235: 983-1002, 1994], each accompanied by full local energy minimization. The best docking solutions were further ranked according to the interaction energy, which included intramolecular deformation energies of both receptor and ligand, the interaction energy, surface tension, side-chain entropic contribution, and an electrostatic term evaluated as a boundary element solution of the Poisson equation with the molecular surface as a dielectric boundary. The geometrical accuracy of the docking solutions ranged from 30% to 70% according to the relative displacement error measure at a 1.5 A scale. Similar results were obtained when the explicit receptor atoms were replaced with a grid potential.
Birth outcomes and background exposures to select elements, the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment (LIFE)

Evidence suggests that trace exposures to select elements may increase the risk for adverse birth outcomes. To investigate further, we used multiple regression to assess associations between preconception parental exposures to Pb, Cd, and total Hg in blood, and 21 elements in urine, with n=235 singleton birth outcomes, adjusted for confounders and partner's exposure. Earlier gestational age at delivery (GA) was associated with higher tertiles of urine maternal W (-1.22 days) and paternal U (-1.07 days), but GA was later for higher tertiles of maternal (+1.11 days) and paternal (+1.30 days) blood Hg. Additional analysis indicated shorter GA associated with higher paternal urine Ba, W, and U, and with higher maternal blood Pb for boys, but GA was longer in association with higher maternal urine Cr. Birth weight (BW) was lower for higher tertiles of paternal urine Cs (-237.85g), U (-187.34g), and Zn (-209.08g), and for higher continuous Cr (P=0.021). In contrast, BW was higher for higher tertiles of paternal urine As (+194.71g) and counterintuitively for maternal blood Cd (+178.52g). Birth length (BL) was shorter for higher tertiles of urine maternal W (-1.22cm) and paternal U (-1.10cm). Yet, higher tertiles of maternal (+1.11cm) and paternal (+1.30) blood Hg were associated with longer BL. Head circumference at delivery was lower for higher tertiles of paternal urine U (-0.83cm), and for higher continuous Mo in boys (-0.57cm). Overall, associations were most consistently indicated for GA and measures of birth size with urine W and U, and paternal exposures were more frequently associated than maternal. Though limited by several factors, ours is the largest multi-element investigation of prospective couple-level trace exposures and birth outcomes to date; the novel observations for W and U merit further investigation.
The diversity, status and conservation of small carnivores in a montane tropical forest in northern Laos.

Laos harbours globally significant populations of small carnivores, including mustelids and viverrids of conservation concern and felids that are relatively rare or unknown from other parts of Asia. However, few have received conservation attention as managers still lack basic information on the status and distribution of even the most common species. We conducted the country’s first systematic camera-trap monitoring of carnivores in the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area on the Laos–Vietnam border, with intensive sampling across 500 km2 from 543 to 2,288 m altitude for 8,499 camera-trap days during 2003–2006. Surveys detected 14 species of small carnivores, including the first record of Owston’s civet Chrotogale owstoni for Laos. Preliminary occupancy estimates for the seven most common species ranged from 11% for marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata to 42% for Asian golden cat Pardofelis temminckii. Activity patterns of viverrids were primarily nocturnal whereas mustelids, except for hog badger Arctonyx collaris, were diurnal. Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis was largely nocturnal, marbled cat primarily diurnal and Asian golden cat as likely detected during the day as at night. Our results led to the establishment of a contiguous 3,000-km2 protected area core zone and regulations that protect threatened species and control harvest of managed species.
Peak-insensitive parametric spectrum estimation

Abstract The problem of estimating the parameters of the continuous spectrum of a time series which might contain periodic components is studied. When a series contains periodic components, the periodogram ordinates at frequencies near the frequencies of the periodic components have significant amplitude, and can be viewed as outliers in an exponential sample. Three estimation procedures are proposed, which apply robust techniques on the periodogram ordinates to reduce the effect of the peaks. Under some regularity conditions, the asymptotic distributions of the estimates are derived. The proposed procedures have one major advantage that they do not need a precise model for the periodic components, and therefore can be applied when the periodic components are too complicated to model or when the number of the periodic components is unknown. The procedures are applied to a simulated series and the data set of the Canadian lynx trappings. An order selection criterion is also proposed.
Qualitative Depth Localization with Diplopic Images

Momentary presentation of point targets seen in diplopia were made to six observers using a method of constant stimuli. Fifty presentations were given in a random order at each of 20 levels of binocular disparity from 10° crossed disparity to 10° uncrossed disparity. Thirty-four correct responses out of 50 stimulus presentations constitute the 1% significance level beyond which guessing may be ruled out. Almost all observers were able to respond considerably better than this at disparities up to about 7°, while one highly trained observer showed 90% correct responses or better up to 10° disparity. The average observer was never able to make correct responses to all presentations at any disparity used, and stimuli presented with uncrossed disparity were localized correctly more often than those with crossed disparity.
Indexing bipartite memberships in web graphs

Massive bipartite graphs are ubiquitous in real world and have important applications in social networks, biological mechanisms, etc. Consider one billion plus people on Facebook making trillions of connections with millions of organizations. Such big social bipartite graphs are often very skewed and unbalanced, on which traditional indexing algorithms do not perform optimally. In this paper, we propose Arowana, a data-driven algorithm for indexing large unbalanced bipartite graphs. Arowana achieves a high-performance efficiency by building an index tree that incorporates the semantic affinity among unbalanced graphs. Arowana uses probabilistic data structures to minimize space overhead and optimize search. In the experiments, we show that Arowana exhibits significant performance improvements and reduces space overhead over traditional indexing techniques.
Do Labor Market Rigidities Fulfill Distributive Objectives?: Searching for the Virtues of the European Model

The distributional effects of the minimum wage are analyzed in a model where skilled and unskilled labor are inputs into the production function. It is argued that distributional goals are best achieved by letting the labor market clear itself and achieving redistribution through taxes and transfers. The results stand up to the imposition of the additional constraint of political viability, although skilled workers may be harmed by excessive equilibrium tax rates under the second system.
Why Spherical Escherichia coli Dies: the Inside Story

It is remarkable how often what we think must be true is not. In this issue, Bendezu and de Boer ([1][1]) tackle a phenomenon that seemed to have a perfectly good explanation, only to find that another, more satisfying and more interesting mechanism is at work. The short story is that several
Increasing GPU throughput using kernel interleaved thread block scheduling

The number of active threads required to achieve peak application throughput on graphics processing units (GPUs) depends largely on the ratio of time spent on computation to the time spent accessing data from memory. While compute-intensive applications can achieve peak throughput with a low number of threads, memory-intensive applications might not achieve good throughput even at the maximum supported thread count. In this paper, we study the effects of scheduling work from multiple applications on the same GPU core. We claim that interleaving workload from different applications on a GPU core can improve the utilization of computational units and reduce the load on memory subsystem. Experiments on 17 application pairs from the Rodinia benchmark suite show that overall throughput increases by 7% on average.
Quantifying the Biomechanics of the Embryonic Zebrafish Heart

Congenital heart defects are present in 4 to 50 per 1000 live births[1]. Most of these defects begin within the first few weeks post fertilization. Ample evidence exists which shows that mechanical epigenetic factors, such as pressure and shear stress, play key roles in heart development [2–3]. It has been shown in-vitro that cardiomyocytes are able to sense and respond to the presence of pulsatile flow[4], and that shear stress can activate genetic pathways which might ultimately dictate the morphological development of the cardiac tissue[5]. When blood flow characteristics have been changed experimentally, embryonic hearts consistently develop serious malformations. In order to understand mechanical epigenetic factors and their role in heart development, it is critical to contrive techniques for quantitatively measuring the biomechanics of the embryonic heart.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Selecting the best binomial population: parametric empirical Bayes approach

Abstract Consider k populations π 1 ,…,π k , where an observation from population π i has a binomial distribution with parameters N and p i (unknown). Let p [ k ] = max 1≤ j ≤ k P j . A population π i with p i = p [ k ] is called a best population. We are interested in selecting the best population. Let p =(p 1 ,…,p k ) and let a denote the index of the selected population. Under the loss function L( p ,a)=p [k] −p a , this statistical selection problem is studied via a parametric empirical Bayes approach. It is assumed that the binomial parameters p i , i =1,…, k , follow some conjugate beta prior distributions with unknown hyperparameters. Under the binomial-beta statistical framework, an empirical Bayes selection rule is proposed. It is shown that the Bayes risk of the proposed empirical Bayes selection rule converges to the corresponding minimum Bayes risk with rates of convergence at least of order O(exp(− cn )) for some positive constant c , where n is the number of accumulated past experience (observations) at hand.
To Split or to Not Split: The Split Infinitive Past and Present

This article reviews the history of the proscription of the English split infinitive and presents a corpus-based investigation of its present usage and distribution across registers in American Eng...
Detoxification of amitriptyline by oligochitosan derivatives.

Oligo-chitosans were chemically modified with dinitrophenyl groups for selective and rapid adsorption of amitriptyline by forming π-π complexes. 1H-NMR was utilized not only for characterization of modified chitosans but also for monitoring the aromatic-aromatic interaction. The variation in the chemical shift of aromatic protons was followed to monitor the aromatic-aromatic interaction. Upfield shift of aromatic protons of dinitrophenyl groups supports aromatic-aromatic interactions with amitriptyline. Drug uptake test by HPLC reveals that dinitrophenyl chitosan particles (1–2 μm) at 0.4 wt% (w/v) in a saline solution (pH 6.9) adsorb 90% amitriptyline within 30 min.
Frequent deletions within FRA7G at 7q31.2 in invasive epithelial ovarian cancer

We previously showed that FRA7G, an aphidicolin-inducible common fragile site at 7q31.2, colocalized with the common region of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in a number of different tumors. Based on the sequence analysis of 150 Kb in the FRA7G region, we identified four new polymorphic microsatellite markers. In this article, we have used these four microsatellite markers and eight additional markers from 7q22-32 to analyze the breakage and loss of the region surrounding FRA7G in 49 invasive epithelial ovarian cancers and three borderline ovarian tumors. No allelic loss was detected in the ovarian tumors of borderline malignancy, but 71% (35/49) of the invasive tumors showed LOH at one or more loci in the region analyzed. Of the 12 markers analyzed, most of the markers exhibiting a high frequency of LOH were within FRA7G, and the highest frequency of LOH was seen with the new marker 7G14 (37%, 15/41). Breakpoint analysis in tumors with LOH demonstrated that the frequent loss of DNA sequences seen within the FRA7G region was due to frequent small interstitial deletions and not a result of loss of the whole fragile site region. These findings indicate that FRA7G does play a role in the breakage and loss of 7q sequences in invasive ovarian cancer. In addition, the newly identified markers enable us to further delineate a smallest common region of loss in invasive ovarian tumors to a 150-Kb region flanked by markers D7S486 and 7G14.
How Task Familiarity and Cognitive Predispositions Impact Behavior in a Security Game of Timing

This paper addresses security and safety choices that involve a decision on the timing of an action. Examples of such decisions include when to check log files for intruders and when to monitor financial accounts for fraud or errors. To better understand how performance in timing-related security situations is shaped by individuals' cognitive predispositions, we effectively combine survey measures with economic experiments. Two behavioral experiments are presented in which the timing of online security actions is the critical decision-making factor. The feedback modality in the decision-environment is varied between visual feedback with history (Experiment 1), and temporal feedback without history (Experiment 2). Using psychometric scales, we study the role of individual difference variables, specifically risk propensity and need for cognition. The analysis is based on the data from over 450 participants. We find that risk propensity is not a hindrance in timing tasks. Participants of average risk propensity generally benefit from a reflective disposition (high need for cognition), particularly when visual feedback is given. Overall, participants benefit from need for cognition, however, in the more difficult, temporal-estimation task, this requires familiarity with the task.
Broad 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase Inhibitor Herbicide Tolerance in Soybean with an Optimized Enzyme and Expression Cassette

With an optimized expression cassette consisting of the soybean (Glycine max) native promoter modified for enhanced expression driving a chimeric gene coding for the soybean native amino-terminal 86 amino acids fused to an insensitive shuffled variant of maize (Zea mays) 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), we achieved field tolerance in transgenic soybean plants to the HPPD-inhibiting herbicides mesotrione, isoxaflutole, and tembotrione. Directed evolution of maize HPPD was accomplished by progressively incorporating amino acids from naturally occurring diversity and novel substitutions identified by saturation mutagenesis, combined at random through shuffling. Localization of heterologously expressed HPPD mimicked that of the native enzyme, which was shown to be dually targeted to chloroplasts and the cytosol. Analysis of the native soybean HPPD gene revealed two transcription start sites, leading to transcripts encoding two HPPD polypeptides. The N-terminal region of the longer encoded peptide directs proteins to the chloroplast, while the short form remains in the cytosol. In contrast, maize HPPD was found almost exclusively in chloroplasts. Evolved HPPD enzymes showed insensitivity to five inhibitor herbicides. In 2013 field trials, transgenic soybean events made with optimized promoter and HPPD variant expression cassettes were tested with three herbicides and showed tolerance to four times the labeled rates of mesotrione and isoxaflutole and two times the labeled rates of tembotrione.
Sodium‐induced calcium deficiency in salt‐stressed corn

Abstract The effect of the Na+/Ca2+ ratio in the root media on salt-stressed corn (Zea mays L. cvs DeKalb XL-75 and Pioneer 3906) was determined in greenhouse experiments. Plants grown in a complete nutrient solution salinized with 86.5 mol m−3 NaCl exhibited severe Ca2+ deficiency symptoms at the four-leaf stage. The symptoms disappeared when part of the NaCl was replaced with 10 mol m−3 CaCl2 (Na+/Ca2+ molar ratio = 5.7). Salt stress at an iso-osmotic potential of −0.4 MPa substantially decreased shoot growth at all solution Na+/Ca2+ ratios from 34.6 to 0.26. However, the dry weights of blades at 26 d of age were much less when plants were salinized with NaCl alone, particularly that of DeKalb XL-75 which was more susceptible to Na-induced Ca2+ deficiency than was Pioneer 3906. The growth of sheaths was similarity reduced by sail stress at all Na+/Ca2+ ratios. The symptoms of Ca2+ deficiency were correlated with low Ca2+ concentrations in the leaf tissue. Ca2+ concentrations in the developing blades of NaCl-stressed plants were much lower than in control plants. As the Na+/Ca2+ ratio in the solution was decreased, Ca2+ levels increased in both the blades and sheaths while Na+ concentrations greatly decreased. DeKalb XL-75 was much less effective than Pioneer 3906 in restricting the uptake of Na+. The results clearly indicate that NaCl stress may cause lesions and unique plant responses that are not manifested on agronomic plants grown on saline soils.
Quantitative Intellectual Property Protection Using Physical-Level Characterization

Hardware metering, the extraction of unique and persistent identifiers (IDs), is a crucial process for numerous integrated circuit (IC) intellectual property protection tasks. The currently known hardware metering approaches, however, are subject to alternations due to device aging, since they employ unstable manifestational IC properties. We, on the other hand, have developed the first robust hardware metering approach by using physical-level gate proprieties for ID generation. By using effective channel length, which is resilient to aging, and threshold voltage, which is essentially independent across gates and suitable for calculating the uniqueness of the IDs, we overcome the limitations of the existing approaches. Also, despite the increase in threshold voltage that occurs with aging, the original threshold voltage value can be extracted through intentional IC aging. Our ID generation procedure first employs two types of side channels, namely switching power and leakage power, to extract metering results for each gate. Next, we show that localized delay measurements alone are sufficient for accurate characterization of large sets of gates. Finally, by using threshold voltage for ID creation, we are able to obtain low probabilities of coincidence between legitimate and pirated ICs. The application of the approach to a set of benchmarks quantitatively establishes the effectiveness of the new hardware metering approach.
Thresholds for the Collision-Induced Dissociation of Clusters by Rare Gas Impact

Classical trajectory simulations are used to study collision-induced dissociation (CID) of octahedral Al6 and M6 clusters, by rare gas impact. M represents a first-row transition metal atom with a mass of 60 amu. Both an analytic Al6 potential derived from ab initio calculations [J. Chem. Phys. 1987, 87, 2205] and a model analytic function with adjustable parameters were used for the Al6 and M6 cluster potentials. Ab initio and model intermolecular potentials were also used for interactions between the Ne, Ar, and Xe rare gases and the Al6 and M6 clusters. CID cross sections versus relative translational energy Erel are calculated for collisions between the rare gas atoms and clusters, from which CID thresholds are determined. For all cases is larger than the actual threshold, which results from inefficient transfer of Erel to cluster vibrational modes. The efficiency of energy transfer to the cluster depends on the cluster vibrational frequencies, masses of the rare gas and cluster atoms, repulsiveness o...
Optimization of Extraction of Toxic Metals from Medicinal Plants, Malva sylvestris L., and Pistacia lentiscus

The goal of the present study was to establish the best procedure for the extraction of metals from medicinal plants. Wet ashing, dry ashing, and microwave digestion methods were applied with different mixtures of nitric and hydrochloric acids using Malva sylvestris L. and Pistacia lentiscus leaves collected from two sites in Algeria. Cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. There were significant differences in the metal concentrations extracted by the methods. The highest efficiency from the leaves were obtained using a dry ashing method using 4:1 HNO3:HCl (v:v), and this approach was considered to be the optimum procedure. However, the wet and microwave digestion methods were suitable for this extraction but with reduced digestion efficiency. The extraction method has a significant influence on the measured metal concentrations, which emphasizes the need to choose the optimum procedure.
SP-01PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT: A NEW WAY TO ASSIST CAREGIVERS

The UCSF Neuro-Oncology Clinic provides treatment recommendations and care for patients with newly-diagnosed and recurrent central nervous system tumors. Due to the nature of the illness, the caregiver of the patient often has the responsibility of managing the patient's health, in addition to attending to their daily needs. Significant life changes may occur for the caregiver. The impetus of implementing the Neuro-Oncology Caregiver-to-Caregiver Peer Support Program was these observed stresses. Numerous studies have shown how peer support between patients has improved the patients' quality of life. Extrapolating this for caregivers, goals of the program include: reduction of anxiety and isolation, allowing for the exchange of navigational information and coping strategies, improving emotional support, indirectly improving the quality of life of the patient by improving the support network of the caregiver, and improving patient and caregiver satisfaction of clinic services. The peer support program allows caregivers to talk with experienced caregivers of brain tumor patients without exchanging medical advice. These experienced caregivers are formally trained by UCSF staff as peer volunteers in topics concerning confidentiality, peer support skills, and caregiver resources. Intake of peer support requests and matching is conducted by a staff member. The mode of communication is primarily over the phone, which can benefit those that do not have time to meet in person or for those that live a far distance from the clinic or peer support volunteer. The desire to obtain peer support is high. However, available time to participate is minimal due to caregiver burden, resulting in 12 matches to date. This is a novel program and collection of data will be administered at year 2 from implementation, using tools such as questionnaires, and pre- and post-surveys for both the volunteers and the caregivers seeking support.
The effects of changes in nursing home staffing on pressure ulcer rates

Objective To examine the relationships between various components of nursing home staffing (total staffing levels and staff mix, staff turnover, and changes in staffing patterns) to an important measure of quality, risk-adjusted rates of pressure ulcer development. Design, setting, and measurements Staffing records from 35 Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) nursing homes were reviewed and nursing home administrators from each of the facilities were interviewed. Incidence rates for pressure ulcers were obtained from DVA’s national long-term care database and risk adjusted using patients’ baseline characteristics. The relationships of risk-adjusted pressure ulcer rates to staffing patterns were tested. Results Although there was no linear association between staffing levels and pressure ulcer rates, data analysis revealed a strong trend (P = .07) that among the nursing homes meeting staffing guidelines, 60% were among the best performing. Ten nursing homes reduced staffing levels from their baseline levels at the beginning of the study and/or changed their staffing mix by replacing licensed personnel with nursing assistants. This change was associated with a 2.1% higher rate of pressure ulcer development (P = .004) Conclusion Changes in nursing home staffing patterns (either a decrease in overall staffing levels or a change in staffing mix) are related to the quality of nursing home care. Staff stability is associated with better outcomes.
Multiple scattering in optical coherence microscopy

We show that the multiple-scatter rejection provided by optical coherence microscopy (low-coherence interferometry) can be incomplete in optically turbid media and that multiple scattering manifests itself in two distinct ways. Multiple small-angle scattering results in an effective probe field that is stronger than expected from a first-order beam extinction model, but that contains a distorted wave front that enhances the apparent reflectance of small structures relative to those that are larger than the unscattered incident beam. Multiple wide-angle scattering produces a broad diffuse haze that reduces the contrast of subsequent features.
Patient flow analysis and the delivery of radiology service

Abstract In recent years there has been an increased awareness regarding the cost of radiologic health care, and the patient delays encountered in the delivery to the consumer. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that, at least in one case in the Diagnostic Radiology Department at Temple University, the assumption that better service can be given to patients provided more technicians and orderlies are available, is not valid. The facts tend to indicate that the real problem lies in scheduling techniques, and improved utilization of available equipment. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that for improved radiologic services, the emphasis should be directed towards the design of the management systems and scheduling techniques, and not the staff and/or facilities.
Confirmation of cross-reactivity between lyme antibody H9724 and human heat shock protein 60 by a combinatorial approach

A library of Ac-XXXXXPAPRM decapeptides was prepared on a TentaGel solid support using the approach of split synthesis and the strategy of partial chain termination. Epitope screening of the library (175 ∼ 1.4 × 106 decapeptides) with a Lyme monoclonal antibody (H9724) and subsequent MALDI-MS analysis of candidate peptides from colored beads revealed a consensus structure of XiDLSXj (Xi = V, L, Y; Xj = G, R). These identified sequences presented no homology to the natural epitope from Borrelia burgdorferi flagellin. However, they were found to resemble a fragment at the N-terminus of human heat shock protein (Hsp60). Our results confirmed that H9724 cross-reacts between bacterial and human proteins and provided support for an autoimmunity mechanism of Lyme disease.
Symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in infancy.

Summary 1. Ten patients with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in infancy are reported and their clinical and laboratory findings summarized. 2. The importance of this congenital heart lesion is emphasized as a cause of growth retardation, pulmonary overcirculation, enlarged heart, and cardiac decompensation. In the majority, specific left atrial enlargement was also noted. 3. Cardiac catheterization, angiocardiography, and/or aortography is frequently necessary for the diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus in patients prior to the development of a “typical” murmur. 4. Differential diagnosis in our experiencerests between patent ductus arteriosus and interventricular septal defect.
Cingulum bundle white matter in MAG-knockout mice

Myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) is an oligodendrocyte-derived gene whose expression is decreased in schizophrenia. Several measures of white matter integrity appear abnormal in schizophrenia, specifically in the anterior cingulate gyrus. We studied mice lacking MAG as a potential model of dysmyelination. Using the stereological “Space Balls” method, we estimated myelinated fiber length density in the cingulum bundle in adult knockout and control mice. We performed diffusion anisotropy imaging in these animals, measuring fractional anisotropy (FA) in a region of the cingulum bundle. We found no differences in cingulum myelinated fiber length density between the two groups, although we did note an age-related decrease regardless of genotype. No differences were noted in FA either, but an age-related decrease was seen as well. These findings imply that MAG dysfunction alone is not sufficient to cause the white matter alterations seen in schizophrenia.
Principles Of Acoustic Tomography Of Internal Waves

The theory of sound transmission through internal waves is used to develop a method for determining the geographical distribution of internal-wave strength by acoustic tomography. It is shown that short-term fluctuations of acoustic travel-time can be used to probe low-mode internal waves, whereas fluctuations of arrival angle measured by vertically separated hydrophones will probe high-mode internal waves.
Recent work on Italian cinema

(1995). Recent work on Italian cinema. Journal of Modern Italian Studies: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 101-123.
Alternative interfaces for chat

We describe some common problems experienced by users of computer-based text chat, and show how many of these problems relate to the loss of timing-specific information. We suggest that thinking of chat as a real-time streaming media data type, with status and channel indicators, might solve some of these problems. We then present a number of alternative chat interfaces along with results from user studies comparing and contrasting them both with each other and with the standard chat interface. These studies show some potential, but indicate that more work needs to be done.
Design and implementation of advanced multicast router based on cluster computing

This paper presents the design principles of an advanced multicast router and evaluates its performance in experiments. Our multicast router features cluster computing, which has been used to develop a high performance search engine and grid computing. The router consists of a small-scale cluster attached to a regular router. While it is not a standard router architecture, it offers high extensibility and availability without much investment. Our design is based on the new multicast technology called Flexcast by Inoue, Tani, Ishimaru, Minato and Miyazaki, (2003), which naturally supports incremental deployment of the multicast infrastructure unlike IP multicast. In Flexcast, multicast packets are replicated at each router like IP multicast. However, Flexcast is implemented in the layer above the network layer; the multicast stream is transmitted by unicast between routers that support Flexcast, and bypasses routers that do not support it. The goal of this paper is to bring the concept of incremental deployment to a multicast router as well as the protocol, by means of cluster computing. We implemented several routers on Linux PCs and tested them in experiments. The results of the experiments reveal that forwarding performance and availability are greatly enhanced by cluster computing. Our efforts provide the economy, efficiency, and extensibility needed to realize the multicast infrastructure.
Increasing hospital admission rates for intracerebral hemorrhage during the last decade.

Background. The incidence and mortality of all types of strokes, including intracerebral hemorrhages, declined during the 1970s. However, some evidence exists that these trends stabilized or reversed during the 1980s. In the present study, a large North American population was observed from 1981 to 1989 to assess changes in the annual hospital admission rates of intracerebral hemorrhage. Method. Data provided by the Connecticut Health Information Management and Exchange (CHIME, WaUingford, Connecticut), a state-wide clinical database of records submitted voluntarily by all of Connecticut's 36 acute care, nongovernrnent hospitals, was analyzed for all patients with primary diagnosis of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICD-9-CM=431) for the fiscal years 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1989. Results. During the time periods studied, there were 3,277 hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of intracerebral hemorrhage. There was an initial annual hospital admission rate of 12 per 100,000 in 1981. Rates steadily increased to nearly 20 per 100,000 in 1988 and 1989. This increase in hospital admission rates from intracerebral hemorrhage was statistically significant when the data were adjusted for gender, race, and age (P < .001). When admission rates for intracerebral hemorrhage were stratified by age, admission rates increased dramatically only in those 65 years and older (P < .001). The in-hospital death rate decreased during the study decade (P = .004); however, age-adjusted analysis indicated that in-hospital deaths increased significantly (P < .001) in patients 65 years and olden Conclusions. Hospital admission rates for intracerebral hemorrhage nearly doubled from 1981 to 1989. This change may be due to an actual increase in the annual incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage caused by mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. Key Words: Intracerebral hemorrhage--Admi ssion rates--Stroke incidence--Epidemiology.
The FeasNewt benchmark

We describe the FeasNewt mesh-quality optimization benchmark. The performance of the code is dominated by three phases - gradient evaluation, Hessian evaluation and assembly, and sparse matrix-vector products - that have very different mixtures of floating-point operations and memory access patterns. The code includes an optional runtime data- and iteration-reordering phase, making it suitable for research on irregular memory access patterns. Mesh-quality optimization (or "mesh smoothing") is an important ingredient in the solution of nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) as well as an excellent surrogate for finite-element or finite-volume PDE solvers.
Self-Reference as a Principle Indicator of Complexity

Self-reference, the ability of a system to refer to itself, is a necessary condition for complexity, and can indeed form the basis for a definition of complexity. When a part of the system can refer to the whole of the system, there indeed have to be deeper complex structures and processes than those that only superficially appear. Examples of the centrality and essentialness of self-reference to complexity can be found in many fields of study, including mathematics, intelligent networks, and systems engineering processes.
Electrooptically Q-switched CO 2 waveguide laser

A flowing-gas CO2 waveguide laser whose cw output is 13 W has been electrooptically Q-switched repetitively at rates up to 108 kHz and, with a 20% duty cycle, up to 345 kHz. To extract power efficiently in the Q-switched mode, it is necessary to operate the laser at far higher pulse repetition frequencies than for low-pressure lasers. A simplified theory was used to describe this behavior accurately. The short-term (10-msec) frequency stability was measured to be ≲ 200 kHz.