cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance improvement of fresnel beamforming using dual apodization with cross-correlation

Fresnel beamforming is a beamforming method that has a delay profile with a shape similar to a physical Fresnel lens. With 4 to 8 transmit channels, 2 receive channels, and a network of single-pole/single-throw switches, Fresnel beamforming can reduce the size, cost, and complexity of a beamformer. The performance of Fresnel beamforming is highly dependent on focal errors resulting from phase wraparound and quantization of its delay profile. Previously, we demonstrated that the performance of Fresnel beamforming relative to delay- and- sum (DAS) beamforming is comparable for linear arrays at f-number = 2 and 50% bandwidth. However, focal errors for Fresnel beamforming are larger because of larger path length differences between elements, as in the case of curvilinear arrays compared with linear arrays. In this paper, we present the concept and performance evaluation of Fresnel beamforming combined with a novel clutter suppression method called dual apodization with cross-correlation (DAX) for curvilinear arrays. The contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of Fresnel beamforming followed by DAX are highest at f-number = 3. At f-number = 3, the experimental results show that using DAX, the CNR for Fresnel beamforming improves from 3.7 to 10.6, compared with a CNR of 5.2 for DAS beamforming. Spatial resolution is shown to be unaffected by DAX. At f-number = 3, the lateral beamwidth and axial pulse length for Fresnel beamforming with DAX are 1.44 and 1.00 mm larger than those for DAS beamforming (about 14% and 21% larger), respectively. These experimental results are in good agreement with simulation results.
Uniqueness in the radial dependence of the optical potential for alpha-nucleus scattering

Abstract It is shown that the extent to which the radial dependence of the phenomenological, local alpha-nucleus real potential V(r) is determined in a scattering experiment is controlled by an effective band pass in angular momentum encountered in the measurement. This band pass increases with energy and hence unique determination of V(r) to smaller radial distances becomes possible.
A variance component analysis on recombination rate in the COGA pedigrees

We estimated the crossover frequency in 1,232 gametes from 356 subjects in pedigrees from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics on Alcoholism. We examined the effect of covariates including age, ethnicity, and years with ALDX1 on recombination rate, and found a positive correlation between recombination rate and years with ALDX1. By variance-component analysis, we estimated the heritability of recombination rate to be around 0.5, and provided suggestive evidence for a locus linked to recombination rate.
The value of postoperative MR in tethered cord: a review of 140 cases.

Purpose This study aimed to determine the justification for routine postoperative MRI (POMR) following surgical release of tethered cord (TC) given that an MR, in this situation, mostly serves as a baseline and rarely has immediate clinical implications. Furthermore, later in the course of the disease, the presence of retethering is mostly assessed by clinical parameters, rather than imaging.
In tennis, do smashes win matches?

It is summer, and Wimbledon and the French and US Opens are with us. In tennis, does the man with the fastest serve win? And can you make too few unforced errors for success? Sarah Budrus, Susan Vander Plas and Dianne Cook analyse what gets the star players to match point.
Capillary-Scale Refractive Index Detection by Interferometric Backscatter

We describe a novel approach for measuring fluid bulk properties such as refractive index (RI) and temperature changes in tubes of capillary dimensions based on a simple optical configuration which uses an unfocused He-Ne laser, a cylindrical tube, and a photodetector. Side illumination of a fused silica capillary produces a fan radiation in a 360° plane normal to the central axis of the capillary that is spatially well defined in the lateral direction. It is shown that, upon viewing a high-contrast interference pattern contained in the beam profile on a flat imaging plane in a direct backscattering configuration, the physical characteristics of the capillary and the bulk properties of the fluid contained within the tube can be determined. Position changes in the maxima and minima in the intensity-modulated profile (interference fringes) are directly related to the refractive index of the fluid in the tube. Measurement of the fringe shift by a slit-photodetector assembly facilitates the determination of dn/n at the level of 1.8 x 10 -7 , while temperature changes can be measured using the fringe centroid position at a level of 5.8 x 10 -5 °C (DL = 3σ). Each determination can be made within a probe volume of 2.6 nL. Also, awide range of tube diameters can be employed (75-775 μm i.d.) with no modification to the optical train or measurable degradation in system performance. We report results for an optical ray trace model for predicting fringe pattern energy distributions, optimization of the optical configuration, and general system performance predictions. Comparison of our four-beam interference model with experimental results illustrates the utility of the model.
3.4.3 The Value‐Based Theory of Systems Engineering: Identifying and Explaining Dependencies

The Value-Based Theory of Systems Engineering brings together many interdisciplinary theoretical lenses into a state of synchrony and allows reasoning about systems in different dimensions, and at various levels of abstraction. The theory's primary strength is in its ability to identify and work through the dependencies of most socio-political-technical systems and explain success in such contexts by situating the success-critical stakeholders at the forefront. In this paper we present the 4+1 theoretical lenses of the Value-Based Theory of Systems Engineering with a core emphasis on the Dependency Theory – the first and most complex of the four component theories.
AMBER force field parameters for the trimethylanilinium cation

Abstract The AMBER force field was extended to include the trimethylanilinium cation. Ab initio and electrostatic fitting calculations were used to derive new AMBER parameters to describe the nitrogen-aryl carbon and nitrogen-united methyl bonds of the trimethylanilinium cation. These parameters should be useful in modeling synthetic macrocyclic hydrophobic cavities which incorporate the anilinium cation as a structural element.
Fertilizer effects on common bermudagrass on a southwest Louisiana coastal plain soil

Abstract Common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers] is a widely used forage on the shallow, droughty coastal plain in southwest Louisiana. Management inputs including fertilizer are typically minimal, even though common bermudagrass has proven as productive as Coastal bermudagrass on these shallow soils. Lack of information about responsiveness of common bermudagrass to specific fertilizer treatments on these soils has led to an evaluation of sources of nitrogen (N) at two rates of N compared to a zero N control and the high N rate plus magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S), and boron (B). At 224 kg N/ha split into four applications, urea produced only 82% as much (P 0.05). Forage production from 448 kg N/ha as ammonium nitrate plus Mg, S, and B was 16% greater (P<0.05) than that from the same rate of ammonium nitrate without Mg, S, and B. Each increment of N produced small but distinct increases in crude prot...
Gender Differences in the Transformation Narrative: Implications for Revised Reentry Strategies for Female Offenders

Several studies have found that men and women differ in how they recount events and experiences. However, they may also differ in the actual experiences of events. A sample of 37 individuals with various stigmatized identities was asked to describe how their lives changed in a positive way. The narratives revealed that women and men experience role transformation differently. Men refer to status-related factors (SRF) while women refer to relationship-related factors (RRF) as integral parts of their narratives. Dominant reentry paradigms rely on a male model of change, but if women transform differently, revised female-specific reentry strategies are necessary for women.
Review of chemical-kinetic problems of future NASA missions, II: Mars entries

A number of chemical-kinetic problems related to phenomena occurring behind a shock wave surrounding an object flying in the earth atmosphere are discussed, including the nonequilibrium thermochemical relaxation phenomena occurring behind a shock wave surrounding the flying object, problems related to aerobraking maneuver, the radiation phenomena for shock velocities of up to 12 km/sec, and the determination of rate coefficients for ionization reactions and associated electron-impact ionization reactions. Results of experiments are presented in form of graphs and tables, giving data on the reaction rate coefficients for air, the ionization distances, thermodynamic properties behind a shock wave, radiative heat flux calculations, Damkoehler numbers for the ablation-product layer, together with conclusions.
Optimization of energy expenditure during level walking.

An analytical relationship between the basic variables of walking — step rate, step length, and metabolic energy expenditure — is formulated with the aid of data derived from the only two complete studies in the literature (Atzler and Herbst, 1927; Molen et al., 1972b). The relationship in its hyperbolic form indicates that for any given step length within the normal range of walking speeds (approximately up to 145 m/min) there is a unique step rate which requires minimal energy expenditure per unit distance traversed. Matching the given step length with any other step rate results in greater energy demand. As derived here, the condition of optimality requires that the step rate be directly proportional to the step length with a subject-dependent proportionality constant. Imposing this optimality constraint on the hyperbolic form yields an optimal pattern equation which virtually coincides, up to speeds of about 100 m/min, with an empirical equation of quadratic form, found by a number of investigators to adequately relate energy expenditure to speed under moderate walking conditions.
The effect of tricyclic antidepressants on corticofugal inhibition of the spinal trigeminal nucleus.

Abstract A conditioning stimulus to the contralateral coronal gyrus of cats inhibits the response of certain neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus to maxillary nerve stimulation. This corticofugal inhibition was reduced by imipramine, and also by clomipramine, but not by desipramine or by amitriptyline. Although these drugs are all chemically related, clomipramine has a stronger serotonergic effect than imipramine, while desipramine has more of an adrenergic and less of a serotonergic and anticholinergic effect, and amitriptyline has a relatively stronger anticholinergic effect. We also found that the administration of the central anticholinergic drug procyclidine did not decrease the cortical inhibition of the trigeminal nucleus. Brompheniramine, which has a strong adrenergic and serotonergic effect, also failed to depress this corticofugal inhibition. On the other hand, the combination of an anticholinergic and an adrenergic agent (procyclidine and desipramine or procyclidine and brompheniramine) did depress this corticofugal inhibition. Our results, therefore, support the hypothesis that the cortical inhibition of the spinal trigeminal nucleus is depressed by drugs that combine anticholinergic and adrenergic properties. These observations are discussed in relation to the mechanisms that may be involved in the production and control of petit mal epilepsy, since we had previously found that anti-petit mal drugs depress the corticofugal inhibition of the trigeminal nucleus while anti-grand mal drugs do not.
Quantification of bottlenecks to fast charging of lithium-ion-insertion cells for electric vehicles

Abstract In this work, an isothermal, physics-based, dual lithium-ion insertion cell sandwich model is used for simulating the galvanostatic charge performance of a graphite (LixC6)/liquid electrolyte/Liy(NiaCobMnc)O2 at room temperature at various current densities. The modeling results are compared with experimental cell potential vs. capacity data. The validated model is used to identify the bottlenecks to fast charging by quantification of the various contributions to the cell overpotential. Lithium plating at the negative electrode is shown to be thermodynamically feasible during galvanostatic charging at 2C rate and above. This work will aid in research and development activities to overcome the hurdles to fast charging of advance electric vehicle batteries.
Reidemeister conjugacy for finitely generated free fundamental groups

LetX be a space with the homotopy type of a bouquet ofk circles, and let f : X! X be a map. In certain cases, algebraic techniques can be used to calculate N(f), the Nielsen number of f, which is a homotopy invariant lower bound on the number of xed points for maps homotopic to f. Given two xed points of
Relaxation kinetics of dimer formation by self complementary oligonucleotides

Abstract We report relaxation measurements on the kinetics of dimer formation by self complementary oligoribonucleotides of the form A(pA)n−1 (pU)n, 4 ≤ n ≤ 7. The two strands combine with a bimolecular rate constant of about 2 × 106 liters per mole of strands per second. One relaxation accounts for most of the optical change, with a time constant varying from 100 μsec to 1 second, depending on conditions. Additional effects are much faster and arise mainly from unstacking of bases in the separated strands. We interpret the results with a two-state equilibrium model, an all-or-none transition between the dissociated strands and the fully bonded helix. The rate constant for dimerization decreases with increasing temperature. Consequently the kinetic model requires a transient steady-state intermediate with several bases paired before the rate-limiting step of helix growth to the fully bonded dimer. When the temperature is raised, this species melts out and the rate of dimer formation decreases. According to our analysis the critical transient intermediate has 2 or 3 base pairs; longer helices grow more rapidly than they dissociate (at the temperature of our experiments). Careful analysis of the transition curves allows estimation of the concentration of the intermediate, from which we further calculate a rate constant for the helix growth step of between 1 × 106 and 2 × 107 sec−1. This is the rate constant for adding a base pair to the end of an existing helical segment. The rate constant for dimer dissociation is strongly dependent on oligomer size and on temperature, with an activation energy roughly proportional to chain length.
A dual-mode, correlation-based spectrum sensing receiver for TV white space applications achieving −104dBm sensitivity

A spectrum-sensing receiver targeted at the UHF TV band is implemented in 65 nm CMOS. Using known characteristics of the target signal, an efficient architecture employing subsampling downconversion and digital-analog hybrid correlation is implemented to achieve high sensitivity with low power. Fine and coarse detection modes enable both rapid sensing and the detection of very weak signals. For a 6 MHz TV band channel, the system achieves -91 dBm sensitivity with rapid energy detection, -104 dBm sensitivity with correlation, and 84 dB of full-scale dynamic range. The chip consumes only 28 mW of power.
SOCS1 Mimetics and Antagonists: A Complementary Approach to Positive and Negative Regulation of Immune Function.

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are inducible intracellular proteins that play essential regulatory roles in both immune and non-immune function. Of the eight known members, SOCS1 and SOCS3 in conjunction with regulatory T cells play key roles in regulation of the immune system. Molecular tools such as gene transfections and siRNA have played a major role in our functional understanding of the SOCS proteins where a key functional domain of 12 amino acid residues called the kinase inhibitory region (KIR) has been identified on SOCS1 and SOCS3. KIR plays a key role in inhibition of the JAK2 tyrosine kinase which in turn plays a key role in cytokine signaling. A peptide corresponding to KIR (SOCS1-KIR) bound to the activation loop of JAK2 and inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1α transcription factor by JAK2. Cell internalized SOCS1-KIR is a potent therapeutic in the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of multiple sclerosis and showed promise in a psoriasis model and a model of diabetes associated cardiovascular disease. By contrast, a peptide, pJAK2(1001-1013), that corresponds to the activation loop of JAK2 is a SOCS1 antagonist. The antagonist enhanced innate and adaptive immune response against a broad range of viruses including herpes simplex virus, vaccinia virus, and an EMC picornavirus. SOCS mimetics and antagonists are thus potential therapeutics for negative and positive regulation of the immune system.
Vitamin E deficiency in adults.

Excerpt To the editor: We were pleased to see our recent article (1) reviewed in the "From Other Pages" section of the January 1984 issue. The commentary by Dr. Black implied, however, that the neu...
Allergic rhinitis and association with the O blood group

Affecting about 600 million people worldwide, allergic rhinitis (AR) is an atopic disease that has a significant impact on the quality of life. The prevalence has increased abruptly in recent years in most Western countries. The disease, also known as hay fever or pollinosis, occurs in individuals with a sensitized immune system. The allergen triggers the production of IgE antibodies, which bind to mast cells and basophiles containing inflammatory mediators such as histamine, which are then released into the bloodstream.
Abstract 2310: Snail-induced epigenetic regulation and its implication in plasticity of cellular morphology

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Epithelial and mesenchymal cells exhibit distinct phenotypic and functional characteristics, yet the two cell types possess substantial plasticity and are interconvertable. Bidirectional transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells play crucial roles in physiological and pathological processes. Both epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) are fundamental to embryonic development. In human cancer, EMT confers migratory and invasive properties on carcinoma cells, thereby promoting tumor invasion and dissemination. Moreover, EMT may endow cells with stem cell-like traits. After migrating tumor cells reach ectopic organ sites, conversion of mesenchymal tumor cells to epithelial cells through MET (including differentiation of tumor stem cells) may facilitate macrometastatic growth. However, despite its critical relevance in normal development and cancer metastasis, the molecular basis underpinning the interconvertibility between epithelial and mesenchymal states remains incompletely understood. The zinc-finger transcription factor Snail induces EMT by directly repressing E-cadherin, a defining marker of epithelial cells. Here we show that Snail physically interacts with and recruits the histone demethylase LSD1 to the E-cadherin promoter to remove dimethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4m2), a histone modification associated with active chromatin. Furthermore, demethylation of H3K4m2 by LSD1 is essential for Snail-mediated transcriptional repression. In contrast to H3K4me2, the active trimethylated H3K4 (H3K4m3) mark is not a substrate for LSD1 and it remains at high levels at the inactive E-cadherin promoter despite Snail expression. In addition, Snail induces H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27m3), a repressive chromatin mark. As a consequence, the Snail-repressed E-cadherin promoter simultaneously possesses opposite H3K4m3 and H3K27m3 marks, a pattern characteristic of bivalent chromatin modifications. Bivalent chromatin domains were initially identified and are enriched in stem cells. Bivalent promoters are inactive but are poised for activation. Although it awaits to be determined whether Snail-induced chromatin bivalency might contribute to cellular stemness, this observation suggests that the E-cadherin gene repressed by Snail remains in a transcriptionally ready state for re-activation, which may be critical for MET. These results exemplify how a bivalent chromatin state is established and provide new insights into epigenetic regulation of E-cadherin transcription and the plasticity of cellular morphology. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2310.
Scavenging of thorium isotopes in the Arctic regions: implications for the fate of particle-reactive pollutants

The sources of inorganic pollutants to the Arctic areas are reviewed using previously published results. The removal of particle-reactive pollutants is discussed using thorium scavenging as an analog. The scavenging of 234Th from the upper water column (approximately 100 m) and sediment inventory of 230Th from the deep Arctic waters is compared to different ocean basins in the subarctic areas. Such a comparison shows that 234Th is in equilibrium with its parent, 238U, in certain regions of the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean, while it is deficient in other regions of the arctic as well as in sub-polar ocean basins. This implies that the particle-reactive pollutants in the deep Arctic of the Canada Basin are less likely to be removed from the deep waters and will eventually be transported out of this area. We have utilized the 230Th inventory in sediments from the Arctic area to determine the removal rates of particle-reactive nuclides. The 230Th inventory in the deep Arctic Ocean of the Canada Basin is much lower than the Norwegian Sea and the Fram Strait of the Arctic as well as all other sub-polar world oceans. These observations suggest that any pollutants into the deep Arctic areas of the Canada Basin are less likely to be removed locally and may be transported out of this area. In those areas, the colloidal material could potentially play a major role in the removal of particle-reactive contaminants.
Envelope Control: Stabilizing within the Limits of Handling Using a Sliding Surface

Abstract While today's ESC systems are effective, they are predominantly reactive, offering control effort only once the vehicle has become unstable. This paper introduces a new method of vehicle envelope control that proactively utilizes a sliding surface to keep the vehicle within a stable region. Experimental results are shown, using a steer-by-wire electric vehicle testbed to augment the driver's input through steering commands. The results demonstrate that the controller is successful in stabilizing the vehicle on a variable friction gravel surface.
Structure and Function of P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1

Directed emigration of leukocytes into inflammatory sites and lymphatic tissues is orchestrated by the regulated expression of adhesion and signaling molecules on cells within the vasculature. The selectin family of adhesion molecules that are expressed on activated endothelial cells (E-selectin and P-selectin), activated platelets (P-selectin), and peripheral blood leukocytes (L-selectin), mediate tethering and rolling of leukocytes to the vessel wall in the microcirculation. Selectins promote these interactions by binding to glycoconjugate ligands expressed on apposing cells. Selectin-mediated rolling is a prerequisite for firm adhesion and subsequent transendothelial migration of leukocytes into tissues. This review will focus on the structure and function of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1, CD162). PSGL-1 is a disulfide-bonded homodimeric mucin-like glycoprotein on leukocytes that interacts with P-, L-, and E-selectin. PSGL-1 mediates leukocyte-endothelial and leukocyte-platelet adhesion by binding to P-selectin expressed on activated endothelium and platelets and PSGL-1 mediates leukocyte-leukocyte adhesion by binding to L-selectin expressed on apposing leukocytes. PSGL-1 is unique in that it is the only selectin glycoprotein ligand that has been directly demonstrated to mediate cell-cell adhesion in vitro and in vivo.
Nuclear migration advances in fungi

Nuclear migration encompasses three areas: separation of daughter nuclei during mitosis, congress of parental nuclei before they fuse during fertilization, and positioning of nuclei in interphase cells. This review deals primarily with interphase nuclear migration, which is crucial for events as disparate as vertebrate embryonic development and growth of fungal mycelia. Mutants of Aspergillus nidulans, Neurospora crassa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been particularly informative, and a detailed molecular analysis of this process is now well under way.
A Parametric Identification Technique for Single-Degree-of-Freedom Weakly Nonlinear Systems with Cubic Nonlinearities:

We present a procedure for the identification of parameters describing a single-mode response of a structure possessing cubic geometric and inertia nonlinearities and linear (viscous) and quadratic...
Dynamical scaling for spin waves in dilute ferromagnets

The ambiguity in the application of the principle of dynamic scaling to spin waves in dilute ferromagnets is resolved by taking account of the fractal nature of the infinite percolation cluster.
Engineering Multiphysics Research

This paper describes an engineering undergraduate course that covers the methods and techniques of multiphysics modeling. Students become active participants in analysis and discovery by being challenged to solve a sequence of problems related to high priority technology areas. Projects range from power systems and thermal control of habitats to autonomous flight systems and harsh environment electronics. Working in a cooperative learning environment, teams encounter a series of assignments that build on existing skills while gradually expanding their knowledge and expertise in disciplines outside of their own. This project-based approach employs a scaffolding structure with assignments organized in progressively challenging modules supported by mentoring. Each project begins with a problem definition which requires consideration of factors and influences beyond a single discipline. Solution development then moves to setting material properties, boundary constraints and including the necessary physics engines. For many students, this is the first in depth exposure to problems with specialized terminologies, driving equations and limiting conditions. Lastly, solving and post processing are addressed exploring steady state, time-variant, frequency response, optimization and sensitivity methods. The paper discusses the teaching and learning strategies, course structure, outcome assessment and project examples.
Biological role of connexin intercellular channels and hemichannels

Gap junctions (GJ) and hemichannels (HC) formed from the protein subunits called connexins are transmembrane conduits for the exchange of small molecules and ions. Connexins and another group of HC-forming proteins, pannexins comprise the two families of transmembrane proteins ubiquitously distributed in vertebrates. Most cell types express more than one connexin or pannexin. While connexin expression and channel activity may vary as a function of physiological and pathological states of the cell and tissue, only a few studies suggest the involvement of pannexin HC in acquired pathological conditions. Importantly, genetic mutations in connexin appear to interfere with GJ and HC function which results in several diseases. Thus connexins could serve as potential drug target for therapeutic intervention. Growing evidence suggests that diseases resulting from HC dysfunction might open a new direction for development of specific HC reagents. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current studies of GJ and HC formed by connexins and pannexins in various tissue and organ systems including heart, central nervous system, kidney, mammary glands, ovary, testis, lens, retina, inner ear, bone, cartilage, lung and liver. In addition, present knowledge of the role of GJ and HC in cell cycle progression, carcinogenesis and stem cell development is also discussed.
Heart Failure During Cardiac Pacing

Background— Right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing creates abnormal left ventricular contraction, hypertrophy, and reduced pump function. The adverse effects of ventricular desynchronization may explain the association of RVA pacing with an increased risk of heart failure hospitalization (HFH) in clinical trials. Methods and Results— Baseline and postimplantation variables were used to predict HFH in the Mode Selection Trial, a 2010-patient, 6-year trial of dual-chamber (DDDR) versus ventricular (VVIR) pacing in sinus node dysfunction. A Cox model showed that New York Heart Association (NYHA) class at baseline and follow-up predicted HFH (hazard ratio [HR], 3.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.74–5.79 for NYHA class III/IV and HR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.54–3.04 for NYHA class II versus class I); other predictors were heart failure (HR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.70–3.11), atrioventricular (AV) block (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.11–1.97), and myocardial infarction (MI)(HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.00–1.86). Postimplantation predictors were ...
Lead reduction among combinatorial logic circuit

The paper provides a description of the behavior of lead reduction among combinatorial logic circuits. Methods by which one may design the lead reduction architecture for modular packaging schemes are developed. The methods are then applied to the design of the lead reduction architecture of an integrated circuit chip and a nine-chip cell.
Is epidemiology correcting its vision problem? A perspective on our perspective: 2012 presidential address for American College of Epidemiology

Epidemiology, like all disciplines, exists within and is shaped by a culture that frames its ways of understanding. In the last 60 years epidemiology as a discipline and scientific approach has undergone major transition, but remains challenged by vestiges of the limiting frameworks of our origins which shape the way we approach questions, and even the questions we choose to investigate. A part of the current transformation is a reframing of our perspective and a broadening of our methods to encourage creativity and to encompass new types of evidence and new approaches to investigation and interpretation. Epidemiologists are developing innovative ways to approach increasingly complex problems and becoming more open to multi-disciplinary approaches to solving epidemiologic challenges.
Timing for Pacing after Acquired Conduction Disease in the Setting of Endocarditis

A 53-year-old gentleman with a history of a mechanical aortic valve presented to the emergency department complaining of a sudden right-sided abdominal pain. He was found to have atrioventricular dissociation on his initial electrocardiogram and his blood cultures grew Streptococcus viridans. The suspicion for endocarditis with periaortic abscess was high so a transthoracic echocardiogram was performed and showed a mass in the left ventricular outflow tract. For better visualization, a transesophageal echocardiogram was recommended and revealed a bileaflet mechanical aortic valve with perivalvular abscess and valvular vegetation as well as severe eccentric paravalvular aortic regurgitation. After sterilization, the patient underwent a successful surgery. Postoperatively, he remained in complete heart block and a permanent pacemaker placement was performed after complete sterilization. He tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home in a stable condition. Perivalvular abscess is one of the most common cardiac complications of infective endocarditis and is associated with an increased risk of mortality. It is imperative to have appropriate treatment guidelines established. However, because of the relative nature of the disease process and the acuity at which intervention needs to be done, a true assessment of the duration of antibiotic therapy prior to surgical intervention, timing of pacemaker placement, and the type of pacemaker is controversial.
Incorporation of lysine-C14 into the developing grain of wheat

Uniformly labeled l -lysine-C14 (5 μc. total, 6.6×106 μc. per mole) was injected into the top internodes of wheat stems. Injection 20–24 days after flowering (early dough stage) resulted in ripened wheat in which 46–49% of the radioactivity was recovered. About a quarter of the injected tracer was found in the flour fraction. A little over half the total seed C14 was contributed by lysine. About half the total flour activity and about 60% of the activity in the bran fraction was in lysine. Flour lysine and bran lysine had specific activities of about 40,000 and 50,000 μc. per mole, respectively. Injection at a late dough stage of development of the grain resulted in much lower deposition of radioactivity. Quantitative analyses for the free amino acids of total wheat stem juices from the top internode at three times during wheat development showed the presence of considerable amounts of lysine along with other expected amino acids, but no diaminopimelic acid. This finding, together with the relatively high specific activity of wheat lysine following lysine-C14 injection, suggests that lysine in wheat grain may derive from preformed lysine delivered to the head by way of the stem.
Teaching Psychiatry Residents to Teach: A National Survey

Because there have been no previously published national surveys on teaching psychiatry residents about how to teach, the authors surveyed United States psychiatry program directors on what and how residents are taught about teaching. All psychiatry training programs across the United States were mailed a semistructured questionnaire; 95 responded (response rate: 53%). The survey included questions on what, if anything, was provided in the way of formal instruction; the number of seminars offered each year; texts and other materials that were used for teaching; and how seminars were evaluated. The majority (N=69, 73%) of all responding programs provided formal instruction to residents about how to teach. Topics most commonly taught included evaluation and feedback (N=57; 60%), lecturing skills (N=43; 45%), small-group skills (N=40; 42%), learning theory (N=37; 39%), and problem-based learning (N=36; 38%). Instructional methods used were predominantly group discussion (N=62; 65%), lecturing (N=59; 62%), reading of relevant literature (N=35; 37%), role-playing (N=33; 35%), and audiovisual instruction (N=32; 34%). There was a heterogeneity of texts and materials used for teaching. Few of the programs utilized formal validated and reliable tools for evaluating their teaching. Although most programs provided formal teaching, there remains a need to further develop teaching programs and to create model ones.
Exciton dynamics in 1,4-dibromonaphthalene from an analysis of asymmetric absorption lineshapes

Abstract From an analysis of the triplet exciton absorption lineshape in 1,4-dibromonaphthalene we have been able to obtain information on the decay of the initially prepared k ≈ 0 state into other exciton quasi-momentum states. Of particular interest is the asymmetric lineshape and corresponding non-exponential decay, resulting from the position of the k ≈ 0 level at one edge of the band. Similar lineshapes are found in the FeS2 Raman spectrum.
The political import of intrinsic objections to genetically engineered food

Many people object to genetically engineerehd (GE) food because they believe that it is unnatural or that its creation amounts to playing God. These objections are often referred to as intrinsic objections, and they have been widely criticized in the agricultural bioethics literature as being unsound, incompatible with modern science, religious, inchoate, and based on emotion instead of reason. Many of their critics also argue that even if these objections did have some merit as ethicalobjections, their quasi-religious nature means that they are entirely irrelevant when interpreted aspolitical objections regarding what public policy ought to be. In this paper, we argue that this widespread view is false. Intrinsic objections have much more political import than has previously been recognized, and indeed the requirements of political liberalism and its associated idea of liberal neutrality, once properly understood, protect intrinsic objections from many of the most common objections. That is, policy-makers may not legitimately base public policy on grounds that are inconsistent with intrinsic objections, even when they believe those objections to be flawed in the ways mentioned above. This means that in the context of a political debate about GE food, the discussion should not center on the substantive merits of the intrinsic objections themselves but rather on the appropriate political norms for achieving democratically legitimate policy on issues that touch people’s deepest religious and moral beliefs.
Fatigue crack closure of surface flaws loaded in pure bending

The objective of this paper is to report fatigue crack growth and closure behavior for surface flaws subjected to pure bending. An optical interference technique is employed with PMMA, a transparent polymer, to determine the three-dimensional crack-surface displacement field. The point-wise measure of crack closure along the crack front obtained from optical interference is compared with an average (bulk) crack-opening load determined via crack-mouth-displacement gage measurements. In addition, the effect of crack-closure loads on the subsequent growth of the surface flaw is examined.
Mitochondrial DNA mutations as a fundamental mechanism in physiological declines associated with aging.

Summary The hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA damage accumulates and contributes to aging was proposed decades ago. Only recently have technological advancements, which facilitate microanalysis of single cells or portions of cells, revealed that mtDNA deletion mutations and, perhaps, single nucleotide mutations accumulate to physiologically relevant levels in the tissues of various species with age. Although a link between single nucleotide mutations and physiological consequences in aging tissue has not been established, the accumulation of deletion mutations in skeletal muscle fibres has been associated with sarcopenia. Different, and apparently random, deletion mutations are specific to individual fibres. However, the mtDNA deletion mutation within a phenotypically abnormal region of a fibre is the same, suggesting a selection, amplification and clonal expansion of the initial deletion mutation. mtDNA deletion mutations within a muscle fibre are associated with specific electron transport system abnormalities, muscle fibre atrophy and fibre breakage. These data point to a causal relationship between mitochondrial DNA mutations and the age-related loss of muscle mass.
SOME PSYCHOLINGUISTIC ASPECTS OF BRÔU LITERACY PROBLEMS

The forty-one syllable nuclei of Brou, a Mon-Khmer language of South Viet Nam, are described and their symbolization in an orthography constructed by the author is presented. The orthography was tested for appropriateness in two ways—(1) primers were written and the teachability of the orthography to non-literate native speakers was assessed and (2) native speakers literate in Vietnamese were asked to spell Brou words using cardboard letters. The spelling experiment tested five features of the orthography—the representation of (1) contrasts in vowel length, (2) the relationship of final to medial vowels, (4) offglides as complex or simple nuclei and (5) non-register onglides as complex or simple. Results indicated that certain revisions in the proposed orthography are called for, particularly in the representation of tense-register vowels and non-register onglides.
Di­chloro{N-(2,6-diiso­propyl­phenyl)-2-[(di-2-pyridyl­methyl)­amino]­ethan­amido}iron(II) aceto­nitrile solvate

The title compound, [FeCl2(C27H34N4O)]·CH3CN, was readily synthesized from the reaction of FeCl2·4H2O and N-(2,6-diiso­propyl­phenyl)-2-[(di-2-pyridyl­methyl)­amino]­ethan­amide in THF. The iron(II) metal center is in an octahedral geometry. There is an intermolecular hydrogen bond between the amide H and one chlorine of a neighboring complex.
Mobilization Processes and the 1989 Chinese Democracy Movement

Using a multimethod strategy, we identify and analyze mobilization processes associated with the rapid emergence of the 1989 Chinese Democracy Movement. We propose that the confluence of macro-, me...
An odd couple: Chomsky and Quine on reducing the phoneme

Abstract Though typically viewed as if in diametrical opposition, W.V. Quine—arguably one of the most strident anti-mentalistic philosophers in contemporary philosophy of language—and Noam Chomsky have both explicitly defended the behavioral “paired-utterance test” as a non-semantic definition of basic phonemic equivalence. Indeed, consistent with some standard neo-Bloomfieldian reservations regarding semantics generally, and his own commitment to the autonomy of phonology, Chomsky’s early rejection of a semantic-based phonology in favor of a behavioral reduction of phonemic equivalence is virtually indistinguishable from Quine’s own intermittent behaviorist remarks on the phoneme. There are, of course, important philosophical, linguistic and even personal reasons for this seemingly odd convergence. Indeed, just as significant as the misleading claim to have provided a non-semantic criterion for basic phonological equivalence (given that native informants inevitably rely upon, albeit their own, semantic knowledge) is a linguistic historiography so concentrated so as to permit such a convergence between two towering figures in linguistics and the philosophy of language. The phoneme, in addition to dividing similar-minded linguists, could also unite otherwise incompatible language theorists too.
An adaptive protocol for locating programmable media gateways

We describe a new control protocol called Adaptive Gateway Location Protocol (AGLP). In this protocol, a client requests a computation on a multimedia stream. AGLP discovers programmable Internet servers that process multimedia streams, and assigns the computation to one of these so-called gateways. AGLP continuously searches for alternate gateways, and, transparent to users, migrates computations between them to improve efficiency. The AGLP protocol uses soft-states for robustness and scale. Simulation results support that our protocol quickly locates gateways and migrates computations while keeping the load on the network low. We also outline planned enhancements to AGLP.
A portable and inexpensive method for quantifying ambient intermediate volatility organic compounds

Abstract Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and intermediate volatility VOCs (IVOCs) are gas-phase organic compounds which may participate in chemical reactions affecting air quality and climate. The development of an inexpensive, field-portable quantification method for higher molecular weight VOCs and IVOCs utilizing commercially available components could be used as a tool to survey aerosol precursors or identify and monitor air quality in various communities. We characterized the performance characteristics for the HayeSep-Q adsorbent with a representative selection of anthropogenic and biogenic VOC standards and optimized experimental conditions and procedures for field collections followed by laboratory analysis. All VOCs were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Precision (average 22%) and accuracy were reasonable and the limit of detection ranged from 10 to 80 pmol/mol (ppt) for the studied compounds. The method was employed at the Los Angeles site during the CalNex campaign in summer 2010 and ambient mixing ratios agreed well (slope 0.69–1.06, R 2 0.67–0.71) with measurements made using an in-situ GC–MS – a distinctly different sampling and quantification method. This new technique can be applied to quantify ambient biogenic and anthropogenic C8–C15 VOCs and IVOCs.
Assessment of different construction and demolition waste management approaches

Abstract The waste generated from construction and demolition sites is considered one of the most irritating problems in Egypt. In the last 10 years some effort has been made toward solving this problem, the most outstanding is the newly issued Egyptian rating system “Green Pyramids Rating System”. It emphasizes on waste management and particularly “site provision and environment” which contributes to 75% of the management category score. However the traditional practice which is limited to dumping all the generated waste is still dominating. The absence of sustainable practices in construction sector in Egypt led to the lack in financial and environmental data. From strategic perspective, the research aims at developing a detailed procedure to evaluate two construction and demolition waste management approaches by means of Decision Matrix technique. A detailed study is introduced for the two approaches; for each approach a flow chart is developed to demonstrate its lifecycle, as well as the cost break down structure and the different stakeholders’ roles. A penetration discussion of the pros and cons for each approach was developed accordingly and came out with sixteen influencing attributes for both approaches. The previous steps paved the ground to construct a Decision Matrix to decide on one of the approaches from a strategic environmentally oriented perspective. The study relied on the detailed and deep demonstration of the two approaches to justify the assigned weight for attributes and scores for corresponding approach. From a strategic perspective, the decision came out in favor of the more environmentally friendly approach.
An Animal Cell Mutant Defective in Heparan Sulfate Hexuronic Acid 2-O-Sulfation

The interaction of heparan sulfate with protein ligands depends on unique oligosaccharide sequences containing iduronic acid (IdUA), N-sulfated glucosamine residues, and O-sulfated sugars. To study the role of O-sulfation in greater detail, we isolated a Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant defective in 2-O-sulfation of iduronic acid. The mutant, pgsF-17, was identified by a colony blotting assay in which colonies of mutagen-treated cells were replica plated to two disks of polyester cloth. One disk was blotted with 125I-labeled basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to measure binding to cell surface proteoglycans. The other disk was incubated with 35SO4 to measure proteoglycan biosynthesis. Autoradiography revealed a colony that did not bind 125I-bFGF, but incorporated 35SO4 normally (mutant pgsF-17). Complete deaminative cleavage of heparan sulfate revealed that material from pgsF-17 lacked IdUA(2OSO3)-GlcNSO3 and IdUA(2OSO3)-GlcNSO3(6OSO3), but contained a higher proportion of glucuronic acid GlcUA-GlcNSO3(6OSO3) and IdUA-GlcNSO3(6OSO3). Assay of the 2-O-sulfotransferase that acts on IdUA residues showed that mutant 17 lacked enzyme activity. Interestingly, the alteration resulted in accumulation of GlcNSO3 groups, suggesting that under normal conditions 2-O-sulfation decreases GlcNAc N-deacetylation/N-sulfation, and that the reactions occur simultaneously. The formation of IdUA and 6-O-sulfated glucosaminyl residues appears to be independent of 2-O-sulfation. pgsF-17 also lacks 2-O-sulfated GlcUA residues, suggesting that the same enzyme is responsible for 2-O-sulfation of IdUA and GlcUA residues. Mutant 17 provides a useful tool for studying the regulation of heparan sulfate biosynthesis and the relationship of heparan sulfate fine structure to its biological function.