cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoionization of simple hydrocarbons at 73.6–74.4 and 58.4 nm. Comparison with penning ionization☆

Abstract Ionic fragmentation patterns have been determined for CH4, CD4, C2H2, C2H6, and C3H8 following photoabsorption at 73.6–74.4 (16.7–16.9 eV) and 58.4 nm (21.2 eV). These mass spectra have been compared with previous spectra obtained via Penning ionization processes involving collisions of these same molecules with metastable Ne (16.6–16.7 eV) and He (19.8–20.6 eV). On the basis of this comparison it is concluded that the molecular ions produced in Penning ionization have a higher internal energy content than is produced by photoionization at the same energy.
Investigations Concerning Heat Transfer Involving Conical Structures

Das in dem Gebiet zwischen zwei endlichen koaxialen Kreiskegeln herrschende Temperaturfeld wird im isothermischen und im adiabatischen Fall untersucht, wobei die Temperaturverteilung als rotationssymmetrisch bezuglich der Achse angenommen wird. The temperature field inside a region consisting of two coaxial finite circular cones is investigated. Both the isothermic and the adiabatic case is considered and the temperature distribution is assumed to be of rotational symmetry with respect to the axis.
Characterization of the renal cyst fluid proteome in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by localized autonomous cellular proliferation, fluid accumulation within the cysts, and intraparenchymal fibrosis of the kidney. Little is known about the cyst fluid's protein composition. We hypothesized that the complex collection of cyst fluid proteins (cyst fluid proteome) plays a major role in cyst formation/maintenance and contains yet unknown diagnostic and mechanistic features that are common to all forms of PKD. We analyzed five kidney cyst fluids from four patients with ADPKD. Tryptic peptides from plasma-protein immunodepleted (ProteoPrep(R)) and undepleted cyst fluid samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Proteins were identified by SEQUEST and validated via the Trans-Proteomic Pipeline; 391 proteins were identified with >90% confidence; 251 of them in undepleted and 362 in immunodepleted samples. Immunodepletion removed >94% of the cyst fluid protein. A surprisingly large and functionally diverse number of proteins common to most cysts were identified. These proteins may be of mechanistic interest and include Ig gamma, kappa, and fragments; complement components; vitronectin; orosomucoid; prostaglandin D2 synthase; vitamin D-binding protein; clusterin; SERPIN family proteins; hemopexin; and fetuin-A. Additionally, these results suggest that further prefractionation and enhanced chromatographic separation of tryptic peptides is likely to expose an even greater number of relevant proteins.
MO-E-I-609-07: Dual-Energy Digital Mammography for Calcification Imaging: Improvement by Image Processing

Purpose: We have developed and implemented a full-field dual-energy digital mammography (DEDM) technique, with total mean-glandular dose similar to screening-examination levels, to detect and visualize calcifications over tissue structures on mammograms. The suppression of tissue structures by DEDM comes at the cost of increased DE image noise. We report on the effects of image processing techniques on the DE calcification images. Method and Materials: To evaluate different image processing techniques, we have designed a special phantom with calcium carbonate crystals simulating calcifications of various sizes superimposed with a 5 cm thick breast-tissue phantom with continuously varying glandular ratio from 0.0 to 1.0. We report on the effects of three noise reduction techniques: (1) a simple smoothing filter applied to the DE image, (2) a median filter applied to the HE image, and (3) a correlated-noise reduction technique (KNR), where the scaled correlated noise from the DE tissue image was added to the DE calcification image (originally developed for DE computed tomography by Kalender et al., IEEE Transactions on Medical Physics 7, 218, 1988). Results: Most calcifications larger than 355 microns were visible in the unprocessed DE calcification image. The simple smoothing filter, although effective in noise suppression, does not improve calcification visibility due to loss of spatial resolution. Calcifications larger than 300 microns were visible with the median filter for kernel sizes of 3 and 5 pixels; while calcifications larger than 250 microns were visible with the the KNR technique for a scale facor of 0.00145 and kernal sizes of 25 and 51 pixels. Conclusion: The median and KNR image processing techniques improved calcification visibility while reducing the image noise in the DE calcification images. (Supported in part by research grants DAMD 17-00-1-0316 from the US Army BCRP, CA 104759 from the NCI, and EB000117 from the NIBIB)
Formation of ductular structures in vitro by rat pancreatic epithelial oval cells

In the rat pancreas oval cells were shown to contain albumin transcripts and are considered to be precursors of pancreatic hepatocytes. Pancreatic oval cells have been maintained in our laboratory as a cell line. In the present study we have examined the differentiation potential of rat pancreatic epithelial oval cells under different culture conditions using light and electron microscopy and in situ hybridization techniques. Oval cells cultured on collagen gels formed a monolayer. However, when oval cells were embedded in collagen gels and cultured with or without fibroblasts, they readily organized into duet-like structures within 1 week. Over the next 3 weeks there was a gradual increase in the number and size of ductules. Morphological examination of duct-like structures showed true lumen formation. Ultrastructurally, cells showed features of ductal cells characterized by well-formed cell junctions, interdigitation of plasma membranes, well-developed cytoplasmic organelles, and apical microvilli. Light microscopic autoradiography showed proliferation of cells lining the ductules throughout the 4 week culture period. Albumin mRNA expression was demonstrable by in situ hybridization with albumin probe in oval cells cultured on collagen gels and embedded in collagen gels. Results of these studies indicate that under these in vitro conditions, oval cells appear to express albumin transcripts but exhibit duct-like morphogenetic features.
Further Analysis of Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale:

Further factor analysis of responses to Rosenberg's 10-item self-esteem scale by 1,332 older men living in small communities suggested this was not a unidimensional scale.
Chemical Simulation of Biogenesis of the 2,4,5-Trihydroxyphenylalanine Quinone Cofactor of Copper Amine Oxidases: Mechanistic Distinctions Point toward a Unique Role of the Active Site in the o-Quinone Water Addition Step†

The biogenesis of the 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine quinone (TPQ) cofactor from tyrosine at the active site of copper amine oxidases is believed to proceed along a pathway that includes a conjugate addition of water to the corresponding o-quinone intermediate, followed by autoxidation of the resulting benzenetriol to the hydroxyquinone cofactor. The water addition reaction has been presumed to occur not only in previous model studies reported for cofactor biogenesis starting with either catechol or o-quinone, but also for generation of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine during autoxidation of dopamine. We here report the surprising finding that water addition does not occur under solution chemistry conditions. The production of hydroxyquinone from catechol arises instead from reaction of the o-quinone with H2O2 generated during autoxidation of catechol. When starting with the o-quinone itself, production of hydroxyquinone still arises from autoxidation of the catechol, generated either by reduction of the o...
mRNA up-regulation of MHC II and pivotal pro-inflammatory genes in normal brain aging.

Abstract In normal brain aging, CNS resident macrophages exhibit increased expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II expression. However, the transcriptional basis for this observation has not been clarified nor have age-related alterations in pivotal pro-inflammatory genes been characterized. Age-related mRNA alterations in MHC II, MHC II accessory molecules and several pro-inflammatory mediators were measured in older (24 months) and younger (3 months) male F344xBN F1 rats. Real time RT-PCR was utilized to measure steady state mRNA levels in hippocampus. Older as compared to younger animals exhibited increased mRNA levels of MHC II, CD86, CIITA and IFN-γ. Furthermore, IL-10 and CD200 mRNA, molecules that down-regulate macrophage activation, was decreased in older animals. The present results indicate that normal brain aging is characterized by a shift towards a pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the CNS.
Internal Feedback and Neutralization of Transistor Amplifiers

Transistors are nonunilateral amplifying devices. The most important effects of internal feedback are reflected immittances and potential instability of amplifiers in certain frequency ranges. These phenomena are undesirable in many applications. Considering the various matrix representations of a two-terminal pair one can show that by connecting appropriate networks in a suitable manner to the active nonunilateral element, the internal feedback of the latter can be removed (neutralized). Several neutralized transistor arrangements have been investigated experimentally. The circuits are based on an analysis of the properties of transistor feedback parameters at "higher" frequencies. Neutralization throughout relatively wide bands of frequencies can be achieved using simple feedback arrangements. The maximum available power gain of transistor amplifiers is only moderately affected by neutralization.
Senate Apportionment as a Source of Political Inequality

Political scientists have long known that the equal representation of states in the U.S. Senate and the placement of state lines might disadvantage politically relevant groups, granting some citizens greater voting weight in the chamber. Yet we lack systematic, longitudinal evidence that identifies the groups disadvantaged by Senate malapportionment, the sources of this disadvantage, and probes the policy consequences. In this article, I compare each state's liberalism and racial composition with its relative voting weight in the Senate over time. Additionally, I examine whether roll-call coalitions in the Senate map onto these patterns of state ideology and racial composition.
Modeling and computation of random thermal fluctuations and material defects in the Ginzburg-Landau model for superconductivity

It is well known that thermal fluctuations and material impurities affect the motion of vortices in superconductors. These effects are modeled by variants of a time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau model containing either additive or multiplicative noise. Numerical computations are presented that illustrate the effects that noise has on the dynamics of vortex nucleation and vortex motion. For an additive noise model with relatively low variances, it is found that the vortices form a quasi-steady-state lattice in which the vortex core sizes remain roughly fixed but their positions vibrate. Two multiplicative noise models are considered. For one model having relatively long-range order, the sizes of the vortex cores vary in time and from one vortex to another. Finally, for the additive noise case, we show that as the variance of the noise tends to zero, solutions of the stochastic time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations converge to solutions of the corresponding equations with no noise.
Low-density parity-check codes for volume holographic memory systems

We investigate the application of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes in volume holographic memory (VHM) systems. We show that a carefully designed irregular LDPC code has a very good performance in VHM systems. We optimize high-rate LDPC codes for the nonuniform error pattern in holographic memories to reduce the bit error rate extensively. The prior knowledge of noise distribution is used for designing as well as decoding the LDPC codes. We show that these codes have a superior performance to that of Reed-Solomon (RS) codes and regular LDPC counterparts. Our simulation shows that we can increase the maximum storage capacity of holographic memories by more than 50 percent if we use irregular LDPC codes with soft-decision decoding instead of conventionally employed RS codes with hard-decision decoding. The performance of these LDPC codes is close to the information theoretic capacity.
Learning and Developing Followership

Followership has been recognized as an essential component of leadership studies as evidenced by growth of research within this area. To keep pace with the growth of this research, it is time to bring followership into the leadership classroom. This paper proposes a case-based exercise with two main learning objectives: (1) to help students broaden their perceptions about followership, and (2) to promote followership behaviors that actively contribute to organizations. This exercise includes large group discussion, peer coaching, and individual work to facilitate these endeavors. The paper concludes with suggested methods for assessment that include both self- and peerratings, as well as open-ended reflection.
Fluorocarbon polymers with alternating oxyalkylene and oxysilylene units

Linear polymers were prepared by the condensation of bis(dimethylamino)dimethylsilane and 1,4-bis(dimethylaminodimethylsily)benzene with fluorocarbon diols. 1,5-Dihydroxy-3-methyl-1,1,5,5-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene, the cis addition product of hexafluoroacetone and isobutylene, with the silylbenzene monomer gave a polymer that cured at room temperature to a rubber exhibiting a glass transition temperature of 0°C, low swelling in hydrocarbons, and excellent resistance to hydrolytic, oxidative, and thermal degradation, retaining its flexibility after exposure to air for 3 hr at 305°C. The polymers obtained by condensing 1,5-dihydroxy-1,1,5,5-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene, the trans addition product of hexafluoroacetone and propylene, with the silylbenzene and the silane monomers had glass transition temperatures of −12 and −50°C respectively, and greater resistance to swelling in hydrocarbons.
Practical and efficient point insertion scheduling method for parallel guaranteed quality delaunay refinement

We describe a parallel scheduler, for guaranteed quality parallel mesh generation and refinement methods. We prove a sufficient condition for the new points to be independent, which permits the concurrent insertion of more than two points without destroying the conformity and Delaunay properties of the mesh. The scheduling technique we present is much more efficient than existing coloring methods and thus it is suitable for practical use. The condition for concurrent point insertion is based on the comparison of the distance between the candidate points against the upper bound on triangle circumradius in the mesh. Our experimental data show that the scheduler introduces a small overhead (in the order of 1--2% of the total execution time) it requires local and structured communication compared to irregular, variable and unpredictable communication of the other existing practical parallel guaranteed quality mesh generation and refinement method. Finally, on a cluster of more than 100 workstations using a simple (block) decomposition our data show that we can generate about 900 million elements in less than 300 seconds.
An Approach to Preserving Sufficient Correctness in Open Resource Coalitions

Most software that most people use most of the time needs only moderate assurance of fitness for its intended purpose. Unlike high-assurance software, where the severe consequences of failure justify substantial investment in validation, everyday software is used in settings in which occasional degraded service or even failure is tolerable. Unlike high-assurance software, which has been the subject of extensive scrutiny, everyday software has received only meager attention concerning how good it must be, how to decide whether a system is sufficiently correct, or how to detect and remedy abnormalities. The need for such techniques is particularly strong for software that takes the form of open resource coalitions - loosely coupled aggregations of independent distributed resources. In this paper, we discuss the problem of determining fitness for purpose, introduce a model for detecting abnormal behavior, and describe some of the ways to deal with abnormalities when they are detected.
Working with Dr. Tiller: staff recollections of Women's Health Care Services of Wichita.

WHCS’s closure raised important public health concerns; chief among these was what would become of women carrying wanted pregnancies that go horribly wrong late in pregnancy. For abortion providers wishing to offer similar specialized abortion care, and for scholars of the nation’s longstanding abortion confl ict, the closure raises other important questions: What services were developed for this unique segment of abortion patients? How did staff cope with working in a facility that was continually under attack by antiabortion activists? This report draws on interviews the author conducted with seven former WHCS staff members to address these questions. Open-ended group interviews took place in Wichita in December 2009. The author made follow-up queries by e-mail and phone. The institutional review board of the University of California, San Francisco, approved the project. The focus here is on the carefully choreographed experience of women who qualifi ed for abortions after 24 weeks’ gestation because of fetal indication—that is, their fetuses had anomalies such as anencephaly (the absence of a large part of the brain and skull) or trisomy 13 (a genetic disorder characterized by multiple abnormalities, which typically leads to death within the fi rst month of life). According to staff, Dr. Tiller devoted much thought to the particular care needed by fetal indication patients, and he refi ned his approach over many years. These patients made up about 15–20% of the WHCS caseload. (Of the remaining patients, about half sought fi rst-trimester abortions, and half either sought second-trimester abortions or came for later abortions because of “maternal indications”—serious physical or mental health conditions, such as cancer or pregnancy resulting from incest.)
Distributed segmentation and classification of human actions using a wearable motion sensor network

We propose a distributed recognition method to classify human actions using a low-bandwidth wearable motion sensor network. Given a set of pre-segmented motion sequences as training examples, the algorithm simultaneously segments and classifies human actions, and it also rejects outlying actions that are not in the training set. The classification is distributedly operated on individual sensor nodes and a base station computer. We show that the distribution of multiple action classes satisfies a mixture subspace model, one sub-space for each action class. Given a new test sample, we seek the sparsest linear representation of the sample w.r.t. all training examples. We show that the dominant coefficients in the representation only correspond to the action class of the test sample, and hence its membership is encoded in the representation. We further provide fast linear solvers to compute such representation via l1-minimization. Using up to eight body sensors, the algorithm achieves state-of-the-art 98.8% accuracy on a set of 12 action categories. We further demonstrate that the recognition precision only decreases gracefully using smaller subsets of sensors, which validates the robustness of the distributed framework.
Differing signal requirements for the activation of macrophages from C3H/HeJ and C3H/OuJ mice

Endotoxin-associated protein (EP) from Salmonella typhi stimulated the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interferon (IFN) activity in macrophages from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responder C3H/OuJ mouse strain. However, only PGE2 and IL-1 were stimulated by EP in macrophages from the LPS nonresponder C3H/HeJ mouse strain. LPS stimulated the release of PGE2, IL-1 and IFN activity in C3H/OuJ macrophages, but not in C3H/HeJ macrophages. The protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol myristic acid (PMA) stimulated PGE2 production in both strains but not IL-1 production, suggesting that signalling pathways other than PKC may be involved in IL-1 production. The calcium ionophore ionomycin stimulated PGE2 production in C3H/OuJ but not C3H/HeJ macrophages, suggesting a defective calcium-related pathway in the C3H/HeJ macrophages as compared to the C3H/OuJ cells.
Variability in total microbial biomass measurements made in cross-sections of salt-marsh creeks

Abstract The temporal fluctuation and distribution of microbial biomass were studied at two salt-marsh creeks having different salinities and hydrographic features. One creek, North Jones Creek, is adjacent to the marsh inlet, while the second creek, South Jones Creek, interfaces with a brackish-water embayment. Samples for analysis of microbial biomass, measured as adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), were collected synoptically for 25 h from three depths at each of three sites within each creek cross-section. The temporal fluctuation pattern of ATP at North Jones Creek followed a tidal rhythm with maximum concentrations occurring at high tide. The temporal fluctuation pattern at South Jones Creek was somewhat erratic with highest concentrations of ATP recovered from samples collected during flooding tides. The distribution of mean ATP densities as well as net flux through each interface proved to be complex which suggests that sampling depth and station placement are critical in determining net fluxes through marsh creeks.
Mechanical strength of repairs of the hip piriformis tendon

Mechanical properties of repairs of the piriformis tendon to the proximal femur were examined in a cadaveric model. Four constructs were separately tested: a suture anchor in the proximal femur, the anchor to suture interface, the suture in tendon interface, and a bone bridge style repair. The weakest interface was the anchor in the bone in cases in which the bone quality was poor. In specimens with high bone quality, the weakest interface was the suture in the anchor. A positive correlation was seen between Singh score for each femur and failure load of the anchor-bone constructs. Therefore, repairing the short external rotators after procedures involving a posterior approach to the hip may be warranted in patients with good bone quality.
Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Need for Innovative Treatment Strategies to Improve Outcome

Relapse continues to be a major hurdle in achieving cure in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The outcome after relapse is not uniform in all patients with AML and is dependent on several prognostic variables, including age, cytogenetics at initial diagnosis, duration of first complete remission, whether an allogeneic stem cell transplant was performed during first complete remission, and the presence of a number of molecular aberrations. Despite extensive research over the past several decades, there is no standard of care for treating patients with relapsed AML. This is possibly due to the accrual of patients with widely different disease profiles in most trials for relapsed AML. With increasing insights into the disease biology based on identification of pathogenic and aberrant molecular and cellular pathways, novel therapeutic strategies are emerging. Hopefully in the near future, we can improve the outcome of patients with relapsed AML with treatment strategies based on identification of specific targets and methods to overcome these aberrant processes.
Homologous acellular matrix graft for urethral reconstruction in the rabbit: histological and functional evaluation.

Objective: To evaluate urethral replacement by a free homologous graft of acellular urethral matrix in a rabbit model.Materials and Methods: In 30 male New Zealand rabbits, a 0.8 to 1.1 cm. segment of the urethra was resected, replaced with an acellular matrix graft of 1.0 to 1.5 cm. (mean 1.3 cm.), and placed on an 8F feeding tube. Additionally 4 animals underwent sham operation. At varying intervals before sacrifice (from 10 days to 8 months), the animals underwent urodynamic evaluation and retrograde urethrography (for which 4 untreated rabbits served as control). The grafted specimens were prepared for evaluation histologically and by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results: In all animals, the acellular matrix graft remained in its original position. Histological examination showed complete epithelialization and progressive vessel infiltration. At 3 months, smooth muscle bundles were first observed infiltrating the matrix at the end-to-end anastomosis; after 6 months, the smo...
Are some women more at risk of obstetric fistula in Uganda? Evidence from the Uganda demographic and health survey

With only four years left for the Millennium Development Goal’s 2015 deadline for reducing poor maternal health outcomes, developing countries are still bearing a huge burden of maternal morbidity worldwide. Estimates show that over 2 million women worldwide are suffering from obstetric fistula, the majority of which live in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Arab region. The purpose of this study is to shed a light on obstetric fistula by examining risk factors associated with this morbidity in Uganda. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted using data from the 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. Older age at first sexual intercourse was significantly associated with a lower risk of obstetric fistula (OR=0.302) compared to younger age at first intercourse (7-14 years). Lack of autonomy was negatively associated with the risk of obstetric fistula; women who have problems securing permission from their husband to go seek care (OR=1.658) were more likely to suffer from this morbidity. Significant differentials in obstetric fistula have also been observed based on the region of residence: women living in Central (OR=4.923), East Central (OR=3.603), West Nile (OR=2.049), and Southwest (1.846) more likely to suffer from obstetric fistula than women living in North Central. Findings demonstrate the importance of improving geographical accessibility to maternal health care services, and emphasize the need to reinforce intervention programs, which seek to address gender inequalities.
DETERMINATION OF URINARY UNCONJUGAT- ED CORTISOL BY GLASS FIBER CHROMATOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CUSHING'S SYNDROME.

Measurement of unconjugated cortisol in the urine affords a reliable index of the biologically active fraction of circulating cortisol useful in the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. A simple and accurate technique using glass fiber chromatography was developed to determine unconjugated urinary cortisol. One hundred ml of urine was extracted with dichloromethane without previous hydrolysis, applied to glass fiber sheets and run in 1 or 2 different chromatographic systems for 20 min. Quantitation was performed by the Porter-Silber reaction, and values were corrected for losses by means of added tracer amounts of ortisol-4-C14. Mean recovery was 80.5%, and replicate determinations had an average deviation from the mean of 5.5%. Thirty-eight normal subjects studied with this technique had a mean value of urinary unconjugated cortisol of 71.4 μg/day, with arange of 0–181. Nine patients with Cushing's syndrome had values of 297 to 3,605 μg/day. In thyrotoxic and obese patients with elevated urinary 17-hydroxyco...
LRb signals act within a distributed network of leptin-responsive neurones to mediate leptin action

The adipose tissue-derived hormone, leptin, acts via its receptor (LRb) in the brain to regulate energy balance and neuroendocrine function. In order to understand leptin action we have explored the physiological function of LRb signalling pathways, defining important roles for signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in positive signalling and for LRbTyr(985)-mediated feedback inhibition in leptin signal attenuation. As the cells on which leptin acts are not homogeneous, but rather represent a broadly distributed network of neurones with divergent projections and functions, it is also crucial to consider how each of these populations responds to LRb signals to contribute to leptin action. While well-known LRb-expressing neurones within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus mediate crucial effects on satiety and energy expenditure, other populations of LRb-expressing neurones in the ventral tegmental area and elsewhere likely control the mesolimbic dopamine system. Additional populations of LRb-expressing neurones likely contribute to other aspects of neuroendocrine regulation. It will be important to define the molecular mechanisms by which leptin acts to regulate neurophysiology in each of these LRb-expressing neural populations in order to understand the totality of leptin action.
Game design education: integrating computation and culture

Game studies, as a humanistic discipline, has no defined limits to its coverage, no single methodology, and no clear historical boundary. In short, the creation of a curriculum around games is an emerging practice in which research and education, theory and practice, art and commerce, and existing disciplinary boundaries all continue changing in challenging and unpredictable ways. Although many universities focus their digital media curricula on game production and game studies, Georgia Tech's commitment to humanistic frameworks connect this emerging environment to longer traditions of human culture by emphasizing research into the expressive potential of games
Structured decomposition design of partial Mueller matrix polarimeters

Partial Mueller matrix polarimeters (pMMPs) are active sensing instruments that probe a scattering process with a set of polarization states and analyze the scattered light with a second set of polarization states. Unlike conventional Mueller matrix polarimeters, pMMPs do not attempt to reconstruct the entire Mueller matrix. With proper choice of generator and analyzer states, a subset of the Mueller matrix space can be reconstructed with fewer measurements than that of the full Mueller matrix polarimeter. In this paper we consider the structure of the Mueller matrix and our ability to probe it using a reduced number of measurements. We develop analysis tools that allow us to relate the particular choice of generator and analyzer polarization states to the portion of Mueller matrix space that the instrument measures, as well as develop an optimization method that is based on balancing the signal-to-noise ratio of the resulting instrument with the ability of that instrument to accurately measure a particular set of desired polarization components with as few measurements as possible. In the process, we identify 10 classes of pMMP systems, for which the space coverage is immediately known. We demonstrate the theory with a numerical example that designs partial polarimeters for the task of monitoring the damage state of a material as presented earlier by Hoover and Tyo [Appl. Opt.46, 8364 (2007)10.1364/AO.46.008364APOPAI1559-128X]. We show that we can reduce the polarimeter to making eight measurements while still covering the Mueller matrix subspace spanned by the objects.
The Toxicity of Low-Dose Chemical Exposures: A Status Report and a Proposal, Reviewing Carl Cranor, Legally Poisoned: How the Law Puts US at Risk from Toxicants

There is no general requirement in U.S. law that manufacturers of chemicals test for the environmental and health effects of their products. As a result, firms can forego testing and then, in disputes over toxicity, argue that no harm has been proven. However, we know that environmental factors are important contributors to many diseases. Carl Cranor's LEGALLY POISONED: HOW THE LAW PUTS US AT RISK FROM TOXICANTS outlines recent scientific breakthroughs that have substantial implications for the market and for law. Some low level chemical exposures in utero and in early childhood have been linked to diseases that occur later in life; in the field of epigenetics, there are indications that some environmentally induced health effects persist into later generations, without changes in genetic material. Cranor proposes that the act of exposing people to untested potential toxicants be considered a dignitary tort, an offensive battery. Recognition of the battery action in this context would provide an incentive for manufacturers to either perform basic toxicity testing. This is what the law already requires for pharmaceuticals and pesticides and what the European Union is now imposing on all commercial chemicals in its market. Recognizing a common law obligation to test suspect chemicals for toxicity would normalize the duties of U.S. chemical manufacturers. This review outlines highlights of the research that Cranor describes and reports briefly on recent developments in chemicals regulation and legislative reform. It then discusses the use of the offensive battery action in this context. Offensiveness in the law of battery is judged by a community standard. Thus it is a defense to the action that the offensive contact was the kind of ordinary touching that is customary and reasonably necessary to daily life. If anyone has doubted it, sociological and cognitive research shows that exposure to untested chemicals is not acceptable to ordinary people. The common law of offensive battery provides an important alternative to the regulatory risk-management frame.
Fabrication and Magneto-Capacitance Measurements of PbNb0.02Zr0.2Ti0.8O3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SiO2/Si Structure Grown by Chemical Solution Deposition

Multiferroic composite thin films consisting of PbNb0.02Zr0.2Ti0.8O3 (PNZT) and La0.7 Sr0.3 MnO3 (LSMO) were deposited on SiO2/Si substrates. SiO2 films were deposited by pulsed electron deposition and LSMO and PNZT films were prepared using chemical solution deposition process using a metal organic deposition route. Individual films and the test structure PNZT/LSMO/ SiO2/Si were characterized using various characterizing techniques. Preliminary results of magnetic field dependent capacitance (magneto-capacitance) on the test structure are reported. A change in capacitance from 18.92 pf to 5.49 pf is observed as frequency changes from 50 KHz to 1 MHz, when no external magnetic field is applied. When a magnetic field of 330 Oe (positive or negative) is applied, the change in magneto-capacitance is appreciable, with a maximum change of 37 % being observed at a frequency of 1 MHz.
Soft Agar Culture of Human Transitional Cell Carcinoma Colonies from Urine

Soft-agar culture of transitional cell carcinoma colonies from urine, bladder irrigation fluid, and transurethral resection solid tumor specimens demonstrate generally better growth of tumor cell colonies from urine than from irrigation fluid. Growth of tumor colonies from urine was adequate to evaluate presence of tumor and to study growth parameters of the tumor colonies in vitro , although the number of colonies produced from urine was inadequate to evaluate sensitivity or resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Growth in soft agar of transitional cell carcinoma colonies from urine may offer a simple, noninvasive method of evaluating the effectiveness of therapy and the prognosis for tumor progression.
Model Predictive Control Using Preview Measurements From LIDAR y

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems are able to measure conditions at a distance in front of wind turbines and are therefore suited to providing preview information of wind disturbances before they impact the turbine blades. In this study, a time-varying model predictive controller is developed that uses preview measurements of wind speeds approaching the turbine. Performance of the controller is evaluated using ideal, undistorted measurements at positions that rotate with the turbine blade and measurements obtained at the same locations, but including distortion characteristic of LIDAR systems. Using these measurements, the model predictive controller is simulated in turbulent wind conditions and its performance is compared against previously designed, linear-time-invariant H1 preview controllers and industry standard controllers. Surprisingly, even though the LIDAR distortions produce signicant measurement error, controller performance is found to surpass that obtained using individual-pitch feedback-only controllers without preview. In previous studies, errors introduced articially, but of the same order of magnitude, were shown to degrade the performance of preview control so that it is worse than using feedback only. In this study, we also incorporate a simple error model to compensate the eect of LIDAR induced error, but nd that it does not improve performance.
Improve the Accuracy of Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy by Eliminating the Cantilever Effect

Scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) is widely used to measure surface work functions and electrostatic potentials on nanoscale circuits, devices and materials. However, the accuracy of scanning Kelvin probe microscopy is reduced by a cantilever effect, which is due to a large capacitance gradient associated with the cantilever. We introduce an aperture structure to quantitatively moderate the strength of the cantilever effect. In this approach, the cantilever effect is eliminated and the true surface potential can be extracted by solving a set of linear equations. Experimental results show that this approach yields very accurate surface potentials when there is only a single potential source within the aperture. In the case of multiple potential sources, this method significantly improves accuracy as well. A mobile aperture structure mounted on a micromanipulator can make this approach more versatile.
Bis­(η2-ethyl­ene)(η5-inden­yl)iridium(I)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Ir(C9H7)(C2H4)2], consists of two independent mol­ecules. The bonding between iridium and the five-membered ring of the indenyl ligand shows the usual asymmetry associated with the typical ring slippage responsible for the enhanced activity of indenyl metal compounds when compared with the analogous cyclo­penta­dienyl metal compound. There are three short Ir—C bonds of 2.210 (3), 2.190 (4) and 2.220 (3) A and two long Ir—C bonds to the C atoms that are part of the fused six-membered ring of 2.349 (4) and 2.366 (3) A for one of the independent mol­ecules [2.208 (4), 2.222 (3), 2.197 (4) A for the short distances and 2.371 (3) and 2.358 (3) A for the long distances in the second mol­ecule]. This results in both indenyl ligands being slightly kinked, with dihedral angles of 6.8 (4)° and 6.5 (4)°.
391 KINASE SIGNALING AND ALTERNATIVE MESSENGER RIBONUCLEIC ACID SPLICING: TWO METHODS TO CUSTOMIZE SMRT AND N-COR FUNCTION WITHIN THE CELL.

SMRT and N-CoR are corepressor paralogs that play a critical role in mammalian development, reproduction, and homeostasis by partnering with and mediating transcriptional repression by a wide variety of metazoan transcription factors, including nuclear hormone receptors. Although encoded by distinct genetic loci, SMRT and N-CoR share substantial sequence interrelatedness and can form analogous assemblies with histone deacetylases and auxiliary factors, interact with similar sets of transcription factor partners, and exert overlapping functions. Notably, MAP kinase (MAPK) cascades operating downstream of growth factor and stress signaling pathways can phosphorylate SMRT, inducing its release from its transcription factor partners, export from nucleus to cytoplasm, and derepression of target gene expression. We previously reported that although SMRT is regulated by these MAPK cascades, the otherwise closely related N-CoR is not. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that SMRT and N-CoR are expressed as a series of alternatively spliced protein variants that differ in their structure and function. We therefore characterized the impact of these alternative mRNA splicing events on the corepressor response to MAPK signaling. Whereas the SMRTa, SMRTt, and SMRTsp2 splice variants are released from their nuclear receptor partners in response to MAPK activation, the SMRTsp18 variant, which resembles N-CoR in its overall molecular architecture, is largely refractory to this kinase-induced release. Alternative splicing of N-CoR, in contrast, had only minimal effects on the resistance of this corepressor to MAPK inhibition. In addition, whereas all of the SMRT splice variants examined redistributed from the nucleus to cytoplasm in response to MAPK cascade signaling, none of the N-CoR splice variants did so. Different tiers of the MAPK cascade hierarchy contributed to these aspects of corepressor regulation, with MEKK1 and MEK1 regulating subcellular redistribution and ERK2 regulating nuclear receptor-corepressor interaction. We conclude that cells can customize their transcriptional response to MAPK cascade signaling by selective expression of the SMRT or N-CoR locus, utilization of specific corepressor splice variants, and exploitation of specific MAPK cascade tiers.
Retinopathy in lupus transitioned to Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

Abstract Purpose We present a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus with significant vaso-occlusive retinal findings mimicking antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, who developed Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. Observations Our patient was initially diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome given consistent serologic markers and profound retinal vascular ischemia. However, on subsequent follow up, she presented with fever and lymphadenopathy and underwent lymph node biopsy, which declared histologic findings of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. Repeat markers for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome were negative and she was taken off lifelong anticoagulation. Conclusions and importance Systemic lupus erythematosus and Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease may have many similar features and even biomarkers, and given the potential overlap of presentation, clinicians must carefully distinguish between these diseases to prevent unnecessary treatment.
Micromechanical Study of Mammalian Metaphase Chromosomes and Nuclei

Eukaryote chromosomes are organized into complex folded structures with remarkably different organization at different stages of the cell cycle. During interphase, chromosomes are organized into functional compartments and domains composed of dense heterochromatic regions and less compacted, transcriptionally active chromatin. Then, following DNA replication, chromosomes are entirely refolded into remarkably uniform, cylindrical mitotic chromosomes, which become individualized and ultimately split into sister chromatids. We have investigated the organization of both metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei from mammalian cells using micromechanical experiments. Metaphase chromosomes behave remarkably like crosslinked networks of chromatin, showing a wide range of elastic extensibility (Young modulus ∼ 400 Pa), and with their elasticity dependent on connectivity of chromatin. Experiments where DNA is cleaved show an immediate loss of mechanical stability arguing against an underlying connected protein “scaffold” as an organizing principle. siRNA experiments interfering with production of condensin subunits lead to a loss of mechanical stability of metaphase chromosomes, indicative of the role of condensin as a major “cross-linker” of chromatin in metaphase chromosomes, and antibody staining of condensin indicates its organization into clusters that become visible when metaphase chromosomes are extended. We have also recently developed similar techniques for studying the mechanics of isolated human cell nuclei; DNA cleavage experiments indicate that chromatin itself contributes a large portion of the elastic modulus of the nucleus for small deformations, with the elasticity of the nuclear lamina becoming important at large extensions. Experiments increasing or decreasing the amount of heterochromatin or lamin A (a major intermediate component of the nuclear lamina) validate our conclusions concerning the differential importance of chromatin and the nuclear lamina to small and large nuclear deformations.
Computed tomography and upper gastrointestinal series findings of esophageal bronchi in infants

Esophageal bronchus is a rare form of communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation and a rare but important cause of an opaque hemithorax on chest radiography. A higher incidence of esophageal bronchus is associated with esophageal atresia, tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) and VACTERL (vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities) association. In the presence of these conditions, the pediatric radiologist may be the first to consider the diagnosis of esophageal bronchus or esophageal lung. To describe the imaging features in five children with esophageal bronchus. We reviewed hospital records and teaching files at two large pediatric tertiary referral centers over the 24-year period from January 1992 to January 2016. We reviewed all imaging studies and tabulated findings on radiography, fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal (GI) series and CT. We then described the imaging features of esophageal bronchi with emphasis on CT and upper GI findings in four infants and one toddler. Three cases were identified from one institution (cases 2, 3, 4) and two from another (cases 1, 5). All five cases occurred in association with other midline malformations: four of the five had VACTERL association and three of the five had esophageal atresia and TEF. Lung opacification, ipsilateral mediastinal shift, and an abnormal carina and anomalous vascular anatomy suggest an esophageal bronchus or an esophageal lung on CT. While esophageal bronchus is a rare cause of an opaque hemithorax, CT and upper GI imaging play key roles in its diagnosis. Associations with esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula and VACTERL association are particularly pertinent. Early diagnosis of esophageal bronchus might prevent complications such as aspiration and infection, which can allow for parenchymal sparing surgery as opposed to pneumonectomy.
A novel, very high performance, sub-20nm depletion-mode double-gate (DMDG) Si/Si/sub x/Ge/sub (1-x)//Si channel PMOSFET

A novel, high performance sub-20 nm DMDG Si/Si/sub x/Ge/sub (1-x)//Si channel PMOSFET is proposed. Full-band Monte Carlo and 1D Poisson-Schrodinger simulations show a 43% increase in I/sub on/ and /spl sim/2/spl times/ increase in switching speeds at 35% lower power dissipation compared to conventional Si DGFETs. The cut-off frequencies are in excess of 1000 GHz making the device also very suitable for analog applications.
“Walk a Mile in My Shoes”: A Virtual World Exercise for Fostering Students’ Subjective Understandings of the Experiences of People of Color

In the virtual immersion project (VIP), students in the author’s Cross-Cultural Psychology class spend 2 h interacting in the virtual world, Second Life (SL), while piloting an avatar of a different racial background from their own. A qualitative coding of students’ (N = 16) reflection papers related to the VIP suggest that the project facilitated students’ complex understandings of race and racism, both affectively and intellectually. For example, some White students described feelings related to experiencing racial microaggressions while piloting avatars of color and related these experiences to their developing understanding of the concepts of race and their own White privilege in real life. Some students resisted seeing the role of race in their interactions. These findings are discussed in relation to the potential for the VIP to facilitate social justice educators in meeting the goals of transformative education pedagogy.