cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mucosal defense: gastroduodenal injury and repair mechanisms.

Purpose of review The mucosal barrier serves as a primary interface between the environment and host. In daily life, superficial injury to the gastric or duodenal mucosa occurs regularly but heals rapidly by a process called 'restitution'. Persistent injury to the gastroduodenal mucosa also occurs but initiates a regenerative lesion with specific wound healing mechanisms that attempt to repair barrier function. If not healed, these lesions can be the site of neoplasia development in a chronic inflammatory setting. This review summarizes the past year of advances in understanding mucosal repair in the gastroduodenal mucosa, which occurs as a defense mechanism against injury. Recent findings Organoids are an emerging new tool that allows for the correlation of in vivo and in vitro models; organoids represent an important reductionist model to probe specific aspects of injury and repair mechanisms that are limited to epithelial cells. Additionally, proof-of-concept studies show that machine learning algorithms may ultimately assist with identifying novel, targetable pathways to pursue in therapeutic interventions. Gut-on-chip technology and single cell RNA-sequencing contributed to new understanding of gastroduodenal regenerative lesions after injury by identifying networks and interactions that are involved in the repair process. Summary Recent updates provide new possibilities for identifying novel molecular targets for the treatment of acute and superficial mucosal injury, mucosal regeneration, and regenerative lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.
Automation of Material Takeoff using Computer Vision

Automated material takeoff (MTO) can significantly impact construction productivity of the projects control team. The takeoff work is often a repetitive and mundane routine since it involves a manual counting of a variety of items sprawled in all kinds of locations over a drawing layout. For larger projects, such takeoffs can be time-consuming and the results can be prone to counting errors. In order to automate the task, we propose the Smart Layout Analyzer (SLA) that uses computer vision capabilities to automatically detect and recognize the items in an electrical engineering drawing layout with the aim of producing an overall item count. The software trains a Faster R-CNN with a ResNet50 convolution neural network (CNN) on the different items and their respective labels in the layout legend to subsequently localize and count the items in the drawing layout. The proposed model is different from other commercial programs that automate the takeoff making during the design process, as it can efficiently learn to count the different elements by being directly trained on the drawing layout legend.
Web-Services - The Next Evolutionary Stage of E-Business

Web-Services are a set of new technologies that promise to take “service-oriented” distributed computing to a whole new level, and eventually take e-business to the next evolutionary stage. Web-Services, in a nutshell, let organizations bridge communication gaps among their information systems, and build new software applications by “stitching” together existing ones. It is capable of integrating applications written in different programming languages, developed by different vendors, and running on different servers with dissimilar operating systems. WebServices would enable companies to seamlessly connect their information systems and business processes with those of their partners and customers – thus ushering in a new “service oriented” distributed computing architecture. The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of Web-Services, explain the essential concepts that enable WebServices, and understand its major benefits and point out its shortcomings.
Effects of long-term elevated CO2 treatment on the inner and outer bark chemistry of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) trees

Long-term exposure of sweetgum trees to elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations significantly shifted inner bark (phloem) and outer bark (rhytidome) chemical compositions, having implications for both defense and nutrient cycling. Changes in plant tissue chemistry due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations have direct implications for tissue resistance to abiotic and biotic stress while living, and soil nutrient cycling when senesced as litter. Although the effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on tree foliar chemistry are well documented, the effects on tree bark chemistry are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a long-term elevated CO2 treatment on the contents of individual elements, extractives, ash, lignin, and polysaccharide sugars of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) bark. Trees were harvested from sweetgum plots equipped with the Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) apparatus, receiving either elevated or ambient CO2 treatments over a 12-year period. Whole bark sections were partitioned into inner bark (phloem) and outer bark (rhytidome) samples before analysis. Principal component analysis, coupled with either Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy or pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry data, was also used to screen for differences. Elevated CO2 reduced the N content (0.42 vs. 0.35 %) and increased the C:N ratio (109 vs. 136 %) of the outer bark. For the inner bark, elevated CO2 increased the Mn content (470 vs. 815 mg kg−1), total extractives (13.0 vs. 15.6 %), and residual ash content (8.1 vs. 10.8 %) as compared to ambient CO2; differences were also observed for some hemicellulosic sugars, but not lignin. Shifts in bark chemistry can affect the success of herbivores and pathogens in living trees, and as litter, bark can affect the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients within the forest floor. Results demonstrate that increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations have the potential to impact the chemistry of temperate, deciduous tree bark such as sweetgum.
Novel systematic approach of gain selection for adaptive backstepping motion control

Traditionally, the controller gains and estimator parameters are chosen ad hoc in adaptive motion control systems to achieve the control objectives. This paper considers motor position and velocity control problems and provides novel systematic approach and analytic solution for gain and parameter selection. Specifically we focus on an adaptive nonlinear backstepping motion control algorithm for motor position and velocity command tracking. We reformulate the nonlinear motion control system as a linear time-invariant system plus a nonlinear element in the feedback loop. By this novel reformulation some of the gains appear in the linear system. Stability and convergence rate requirements for the linear system naturally lead to the selection of these gains. By this analysis we also make the connection between the gain selection and the overall motion control system convergence rate both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Stability of colloidal silica

Abstract The stabilities of the silica hydrosols Ludox HS and Ludox AM have been studied as a function of pH in the presence of various concentrations of several hydrolyzable electrolytes. “Log electrolyte concentration-pH” domains are given for the HS sol in Al(NO3)3 and Al2(SO4)3 solutions and for the AM sol in Al(NO3)3 and La(NO3)3 solutions. The ion-exchange mechanism of destabilization, which was previously established for the coagulation of silica with nonhydrolyzable electrolytes and for La(NO3)3 at low pH, is shown to hold for Al(NO3)3 and Al2(SO4)3 along the coagulation boundaries at pH At low concentrations the shapes of the coagulation boundaries are determined by depletion of the bulk cation concentration due to exchange. Under these conditions the critical amounts of cation exchange of Al3+ and Ca2+ necessary for the destabilization of Ludox HS were calculated from the c.c.c. at two different sol concentrations.
The cryosurgical therapy of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: III. Continuing follow-up

Abstract This is a report of our findings with cryosurgical treatment and continuing follow-up of 395 women with varying degrees of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Of these women, 143 were followed for 2 or more years and 88 for more than 3 years. The longest follow-up was 8 years. Negative findings at follow-up examinations were recorded for 351 women. Residual atypia—which we term as cryosurgical failure—was found in 44 patients. Recurrent or residual disease was detected as late as 69 months after therapy. Of the 44 women classified as cryosurgical failures, negative pretreatment findings from endocervical curettage were obtained in only 14. In the remaining 30 patients, endocervical curettage either was not performed (20 patients) or revealed significant atypia (10 patients). Thirty-four (77 per cent) of the treatment failures had residual atypia diagnosed within 12 months of cryosurgery; 28 patients (64 per cent), within 6 months of treatment. Only three women with negative cytology 2 years after treatment were subsequently found to have atypia within the cervix. A failure rate of 20.8 per cent was found in the 48 individuals with a positive pretreatment endocervical curettage and in only 5.8 per cent of 238 women with a negative endocervical curettage. We conclude that cryosurgical therapy of CIN is an effective means of treatment. But we stress that it is of utmost importance that a precise diagnosis be established prior to therapy and that meticulous endocervical curettage be performed as part of the evaluation of the patient.
Payment systems in Latin America : a tale of two countries - Colombia and El Salvador

Payment systems include all the paper (including cash) and electronic systems a country uses to exchange financial value to discharge obligations. Financial markets rely on promptness and certainty of payment and settlement for borrowing and investing. Consumers want convenience, choice (of payment options), privacy, and low cost. Inefficiencies in payment systems cause a drag on the national economy. The authors compare trends and areas for improvement in payment systems in Colombia and El Salvador, two countries that differ in size, volume of check-based transactions, and national issues. Check standards have developed slowly in both countries, which has retarded automation, particularly in Colombia, where the volume of checks handled makes manual processing unmanageable. Both countries need stronger leadership from central banks and bankers associations; incentives to adopt common check standards; streamlined check sorting and encoding, microfilming, and manual data processing; alternative (especially credit-based) payment mechanisms and private check-processing bureaus; and settlement of stock exchange transactions through several banks, rather than one bank. The countries differ in important ways: 1) it will be easier to reach economies of scale in check processing in Colombia (which has too many local clearinghouses) than in El Salvador (which has too few). Both countries need a more balanced approach; 2) same day payments are possible in Colombia; payments in El Salvador are next day, at best; 3) financial markets are less mature in El Salvador and may not need to be as sophisticated as markets in other countries; and 4) Colombia has yet to create effective disincentives for writing checks against insufficient funds. Both countries must take certain actions to develop a system for electronic payment and the settlement of payments at the central bank: 1) draft new laws and regulations; 2) provide more systematic data collection and analysis of payment flows; 3) undertake more risk analysis and prevention in the central banks and supervisory agencies, and draft contingency plans for major failures; 4) reexamine the dual roles of the central banks and other government agencies in operating and supervising payment systems; 5) review check-clearing pricing policies; and 6) analyze the economics of automating check processing.
Identification of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid antibody binding site(s) in human beta4 integrin.

PURPOSE: To identify specific site(s) on human ss4 molecule to which sera from ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) patients bind and to determine its role in the process of blister formation. METHODS: Clone the fragments representing the extracellular and intracellular domain of ss4 molecule from normal human conjunctival mRNA into an expression vector; map the region to which sera from OCP patients bind by Western blot analysis. Determine the role of the immunodominant region in pathogenesis by demonstrating the ability of the rabbit antibody to the immunodominant region to produce separation of basement membrane zone (BMZ) from the basal epithelial layer when incubated with normal human conjunctiva in an in vitro organ culture model. RESULTS: Majority of the OCP sera tested bound to the C-terminal end of the intracellular domain (IC3.0) of the human ss4 integrin. Further subcloning of IC3.0 demonstrated that a smaller fragment extending from 1489 aa to 1572 aa (IC3.4) was responsible for this binding. This region may have multiple antibody binding sites. Antibody to human IC3.0 and IC3.4 produced in rabbit, resulted in BMZ separation, histologically identical with that observed when normal human conjunctiva was cultured with OCP sera in an human conjunctival organ culture model. CONCLUSIONS: These observations identify IC3.4 as the antibody binding site for sera of OCP patients and suggest a possible role for it in blister formation. Indirectly it highlights certain important aspects of the structural and functional dynamics of the biology of the hemidesmosomes and basement membranes.
Biosynthesis of T1 Antigen in Salmonella: Origin of d-Galactofuranose and d-Ribofuranose Residues

The "T1 side chain" portion of cell wall lipopolysaccharide from T1 strains of Salmonella contains d-galactofuranose and d-ribofuranose residues. Isotope labeling studies, using intact cells of mutants each blocked at either of the two different steps of d-galactose metabolism (uridine diphosphate-glucose 4-epimerase and galactose-1-P uridylyl transferase) or at phosphoglucoisomerase, led to the following conclusions. (i) d-Galactofuranose residues are synthesized from d-galactopyranose or its derivatives, rather than by a direct conversion from other hexopyranoses or their derivatives. (ii) The pyranose-to-furanose conversion does not appear to take place at the level of the free d-galactose or d-galactose 1-phosphate. This result suggests that the conversion may occur at the stage of uridine diphosphate-d-galactose. (iii) In a mutant lacking phosphoglucoisomerase, d-ribofuranose residues in T1 side chains contained (14)C derived from exogenous d-fructose-U-(14)C, but little (3)H from exogenous d-glucose-1-(3)H. Thus, no evidence was found for a direct pathway of aldohexose-to-ribose conversion involving a loss of one of the carbons in the C2-C6 moiety of aldohexoses. This suggests, but does not prove, that the T1 ribofuranose residues are synthesized by conventional mechanisms involving hexose monophosphate shunt and transketolase-transaldolase reactions.
An association of ABO non-identical platelet and cryoprecipitate transfusions with altered red cell transfusion needs in surgical patients.

Background Transfusion of ABO non-identical plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate is routine practice even though adverse effects can occur.
Fluorescence techniques for following interactions of microtubule subunits and membranes.

THERE is increasing evidence that several cell functions are controlled by the state of polymerisation of microtubules (MTs) and by the interaction of MTs with membranes. For example, previous studies in our laboratory have shown that colchicine-sensitive structures, presumably MTs, determine the topographical organisation of cell membrane components1–3. Conditions for the polymerisation of MTs in vitro have been described4. The MT subunit has been identified by centrifugation studies as a 6S dimer of approximately 110,000 daltons5. An additional 36S component is required for MT assembly6. The established procedures used, however, to record MT polymerisation (light scattering and viscosity measurements supplemented by negative staining and electron microscopy) do not reveal details of the interactions between subunits undergoing polymerisation and cannot be applied in the presence of elements such as membranes that contribute separately to light scatter and viscosity.
Ethylene and Alkyne Carbon−Carbon Bond Cleavage across Tungsten−Tungsten Multiple Bonds

Treatment of [(silox)2WH]2 (1) with RC⋮CR‘ (R = R‘ = H, CH3; R = H, R‘ = Ph) afforded thermally unstable [(silox)2W]2(μ:η2,η2-RCCR‘)(μ-H)2 (R = R‘ = H, 2a; CH3, 2b; R = H, R‘ = Ph, 2c), which lose H2 and convert to [(silox)2W]2(μ-CR)(μ-CR‘) (R = R‘ = H, 4a; CH3, 4b; R = H, R‘ = Ph, 4c). An X-ray structural study of 4b revealed a nearly square W2C2 core and a d(WW) of 2.720(2) A. Thermal degradation of [(silox)2W(CH2CH3)]2 (5) also produced 4b, and with 2 equiv of C2H4, its formation is nearly quantitative with 2 equiv of EtH as a byproduct. Na/Hg reduction of (silox)2ClW⋮WCl(silox)2 (3) in the presence of excess 2-butyne afforded [(silox)2W]2(μ:η2,η2-MeC2Me) (8), which could be treated with H2 to give 2b or thermolyzed to 4b. A similar reduction of 3 with excess ethylene present afforded 4a via [(silox)2W]2(μ-CH)(μ-CH2)(H) (9, −78 °C) followed by H2 loss; ethylene cleavage does not proceed via 2a or 8. Related cleavage chemistry was not observed for [(silox)2TaH2]2 (10) and excess ethylene, which formed [...
Materials science: Semiconductors grown large and thin

Atomically thin layers of semiconductors called transition-metal dichalcogenides have been grown uniformly on the square-centimetre scale — paving the way for the ultimate miniaturization of electronic applications. See Letter p.656 Monolayers of semiconducting transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) — a mere three-atoms thick — show promise as materials for next-generation nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. Here Jiwoong Park and colleagues describe a new method for the fabrication of TMD monolayers by chemical vapour deposition onto insulating silicon dioxide wafers that produces large, wafer-scale areas with uniform properties. The resulting materials have a high electron mobility at room temperature which is highly constant over the whole four-inch area. Field-effect transistors can be fabricated with 99% device yield. The work demonstrates the practicability of wafer-scale batch fabrication of high-performance devices with TMD monolayers.
Toward the financial integration of public mental health services.

The public treatment of seriously mental ill patients continues to be frustrated by the lack of administrative and financial integration of state and community mental health services. Several states have initiated attempts to improve the costeffectiveness of public mental health services through mechanisms that create financial incentives fostering community-based alternatives to psychiatric hospitalization. Examples of such mechanisms include capitation financing systems, performance contracts, regional mental health authorities, utilization review, and bed-targets. This paper reviews evidence supporting the need for and success of these efforts, and also addresses their limitations.
Multimodality imaging of an asymptomatic female with anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery.

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3] An asymptomatic 73-year-old woman underwent elective transthoracic echocardiography, which showed normal left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) size and systolic function and normal valves. Incidentally, multiple abnormal color Doppler
In search of agile hardware

In an engineering perspective, agility is one property that a designer must consider when creating a product that is expected to undergo change throughout its lifetime. For embedded computing systems, traditionally the system hardware is fixed, and the system software provides the means of achieving agility. Altering software functionality is relatively easy to do, and software compile times are fast. There are situations, however, where for performance reasons, agility beyond software is needed. In theory, FPGAs offer a degree of agility to system hardware through the mechanism of altering functionality under software control. In practice, however, FPGAs are not very agile at all, requiring long design times and complicated compilation processes. In this talk, the use-model of contemporary FPGAs is reexamined, and alternative ways of hardware/software interaction are presented with the objective of achieving a higher degree of hardware agility.
Nanotechnology-based trusted remote sensing

We present a new nanotechnology PPUF-based architecture for trusted remote sensing. Current public physical unclonable function designs encompass complex circuits requiring high measurement accuracy and whose size slows down the authentication process. Our novel nanotechnology-based architecture ensures fast authentication through partial simulation while maintaining robust security. We authenticate over partitions in the design space in order to alleviate the authentication burden while still ensuring attack by simulation is entirely ineffective. We contribute new nanotechnology-based security protocols for authentication and time-stamping for trusted remote sensing.
Employing Response Surface Methodology for the Optimization of Ultrasound Assisted Extraction of Lutein and β-Carotene from Spinach

The extraction of lutein and β-carotene from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves is important to the dietary supplement industry. A Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to investigate the effect of process variables on the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of lutein and β-carotene from spinach. Three independent variables, extraction temperature (°C), extraction power (%) and extraction time (min) were studied. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) followed by UV visualization and densitometry was used as a simple and rapid method for both identification and quantification of lutein and β-carotene during UAE. Methanol extracts of leaves from spinach and authentic standards of lutein and β-carotene were separated by normal-phase TLC with ethyl acetate-acetone (5:4 (v/v)) as the mobile phase. In this study, the combination of TLC, densitometry, and Box-Behnken with RSM methods were effective for the quantitative analysis of lutein and β-carotene from spinach extracts. The resulting quadratic polynomial models for optimizing lutein and β-carotene from spinach had high coefficients of determination of 0.96 and 0.94, respectively. The optimal UAE settings for output of lutein and β-carotene simultaneously from spinach extracts were an extraction temperature of 40 °C, extraction power of 40% (28 W/cm 3 ) and extraction time of 16 min. The identity and
RNA-Mediated Neurodegeneration in Repeat Expansion Disorders

Most neurodegenerative disorders are thought to result primarily from the accumulation of misfolded proteins, which interfere with protein homeostasis in neurons. For a subset of diseases, however, noncoding regions of RNAs assume a primary toxic gain-of-function, leading to degeneration in many tissues, including the nervous system. Here we review a series of proposed mechanisms by which noncoding repeat expansions give rise to nervous system degeneration and dysfunction. These mechanisms include transcriptional alterations and the generation of antisense transcripts, sequestration of mRNA-associated protein complexes that lead to aberrant mRNA splicing and processing, and alterations in cellular processes, including activation of abnormal signaling cascades and failure of protein quality control pathways. We place these potential mechanisms in the context of known RNA-mediated disorders, including the myotonic dystrophies and fragile X tremor ataxia syndrome, and discuss recent results suggesting that mRNA toxicity may also play a role in some presumably protein-mediated neurodegenerative disorders. Lastly, we comment on recent progress in therapeutic development for these RNA-dominant diseases.
STUDIES ON THE COMPOSITION OF NUCLEAR RESIDUAL PROTEINS FROM RAT LIVER AND WALKER 256 CARCINOSARCOMA.

Summary The results presented indicate that a main component of the nuclear “residual protein” of liver and Walker tumor is collagen and the remainder may result from incomplete extraction or denaturation of alkali-soluble nuclear proteins. These findings may account for the very low solubility of the “residual proteins” noted in previous studies [16, 17, 18].
Landsat thematic mapper attitude data processing

The Landsat 4 and 5 satellites carry a new, high resolution, seven band thematic mapper imaging instrument. The spacecraft also carry two types of attitude sensors: a gyroscopic internal reference unit (IRU) which senses angular rate from dc to about 2 Hz, and an AC-coupled angular displacement sensor (ADS) measuring angular deviation above 2 Hz. A description of the derivation of the crossover network used to combine and equalize the IRU and ADS data is made. Also described are the digital data processing algorithms which produce the time history of the satellites' attitude motion including the finite impulse response (FIR) implementation of G and F filters; the resampling (interpolation/decimation) and synchronization of the IRU and ADS data; and the axis rotations required as a result of the on-board sensor locations on three orthogonal axes.
Thyrotoxicosis factitia masked as heart disease

Abstract A case of concealed factitious hyperthyroidism is presented, which was masked as heart disease manifested by auricular flutter and was diagnosed by the elevated radioiodine excretion.
A methodology for fast FPGA floorplanning

Floorplanning is an important problem in FPGA circuit mapping. As FPGA capacity grows, new innovative approaches will be required for efficiently mapping circuits to FPGAs. In this paper we present a macro based floorplanning methodology suitable for mapping large circuits to large, high density FPGAs. Our method uses clustering techniques to combine macros into clusters, and then uses a tabu search based approach to place clusters while enhancing both circuit routability and performance. Our method is capable of handling both hard (fixed size and shape) macros and soft (fixed size and variable shape) macros. We demonstrate our methodology on several macro based circuit designs and compare the execution speed and quality of results with commercially available CAE tools. Our approach shows a dramatic speedup in execution time without any negative impact on quality.
Emission computed tomography.

Although there are many common aspects to x-ray transmission and radionuclide emission computerized tomography, (ECT) there are added difficulties and a number of particular factors that form the basis of ECT. At this time, the instrumentation design and application strategies in ECT are diverse and in a stage of rapid development. The approaches are divided into two major categories of single-photon counting (SPC), employing scanner and camera concepts with radionuclides of 99m Tc, 201 Tl, 123 I, etc. and annihilation coincidence detection (ACD) of positron-emitting radionuclides. Relatively uniform detection response with depth and approximate methods for photon attenuation correction have been demonstrated for SPC studies of the brain. However, ACD systems have a general advantage of more accurate methods for photon attenuation correction, higher efficiency, and more uniform sensitivity and resolution with depth when applied to whole body studies. The deciding factor between these two approaches and the success of ECT in general depends to a large extent on the development of labeled compounds and procedures directed at the unique property of ECT in providing physiologic information not available from other techniques. ECT not only provides tomographic imaging advantages, it allows a quantitative measurement not possible in the past. SPC approaches have an advantage in the availability of radionuclides and a disadvantage in providing true physiologic tracers. ACD approaches have the reverse situation at this time.
Impact of patency of the left anterior descending coronary artery on long-tern survival

Abstract This study examines the relative importance of patency of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery on long-term survival when the LAD is the only signicantly narrowed coronary artery. From a cardiac disease registry of 21,786 patients, 826 medically treated patients with isolated LAD disease were identified. These patients were followed for >5 years. Patients were divided into those with op en versus those with closed arteries. With the use of univariate and multivariate analysis, the relative importance of the patency of the LAD was determined. All patients with previous anterior wall infarction were analyzed as a separate group, and those with and without a patent LAD were compared. Overall, survival was significantly better in patients with an open LAD. However, multivariate analysis of either the entire study group or the group with myocardial infarction showed that coronary artery potency was not an independent predictor of long-term survival. Analysis of patients with prior anterior myocardial infarction showed significantly improved 5-year survival in younger patients (
Nano-resolution technology demonstrates promise for improved local tsunami warnings on the MARS project

Recent advances in deep-ocean tsunami measurement technology coupled with tsunami forecast models have reliably demonstrated that tsunami impact can be predicted before the tsunami reaches the affected coastlines. These forecast models are based on observations that are typically 1000 km or more from the earthquake epicenter. The major challenge today is to forecast tsunamis in the near field where the tsunami wave is often overwhelmed by the seismic event. Nano-resolution pressure sensors have the necessary resolution to distinguish between tsunami and seismic signals and ocean noise in the near field. This study describes the results of a 17 month experiment that was initiated on June 30, 2010, at the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) cabled observatory in Monterey Bay, California. The experiment compared a conventional pressure sensor and a nano-resolution pressure sensor at a depth of approximately 900 m. The results presented include examples of near- and far-field earthquakes and micro-tsunamis that were detected by the nano-resolution pressure sensor. Through wavelet analysis several micro-tsunamis were identified. The paper also describes additional testing planned by NOAA on the nano-resolution pressure sensors for potential application to the NOAA DART System.
Don't Abandon the Model Penal Code Yet! Thinking Through Simons's Rethinking

Criminal law theorists argue that culpability is a prerequisite for blameworthiness and responsibility. The definition above renders our endeavor circular. What does it mean to say someone is culpable? For some time, we thought we knew the answer to this question. Culpability was about choosing to commit a wrong, and the nature of this choice determined the degree of culpability. This is the view of the Model Penal Code. Yet, as this Symposium reveals, our consensus has devolved to dissensus. Criminal law theorists are now challenging the conventional framework’s ability to capture culpability adequately. These theorists argue that our current culpability theory pays insufficient attention to the motives, emotions, and desires of the actor and that these elements are a constitutive part of culpability.
On fluctuations of a multivariate random walk with some applications to stock options trading and hedging

In this paper we continue our studies of multivariate marked recurrent processes (initiated in the 1990s) which we refer to as a multivariate random walk. It is formed with a delayed renewal process T={@t"0,@t"1,...}, along with marks representing a multidimensional recurrent process S. In our interpretation, this recurrent process S={S"0,S"1,...} is observed by T. Of the entire multitude of components of S, some are referred to as active and the rest as passive components. The first passage time (or exit time) @t"@r of S is defined as the first epoch of T when at least one active entry of S exits its preassigned critical set. At this moment, the value of an active entry that exits the set (called excess value) will be ''registered'' as well as the rest of the active and passive components S"@r at @t"@r. We will form a joint transformation of these values, along with @t"@r"-"1 (pre-exit time) and S"@r"-"1 and find its explicit form. The analysis of the functional is restricted to only four active entries of S, which is an upgrade form of a past accomplishment for a maximum three active entries. The latter made the authors conjecture that a very compact formula for the above functional, holding for one, two, and three components and being identical in terms of some previously introduced index operators, must hold for arbitrary many active components. The proof of this conjecture is still out of reach, but the present case of four (using quite tedious calculations) is a confirmation that the conjecture must be true. The problem in essence stems from a stock option trading with multiple portfolios, and this is where most of our examples are collected from. The results can be applied to many other instances of stock market as well as computer network security and other areas of science and technology mentioned in the paper.
The corticospinal tract attains a normal configuration in the absence of myelin: Observations in Jimpy mutant mice

The corticospinal projection was examined in dysmyelinated, jimpy mice and in unaffected littermates following cortical injections of either wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase or biocytin. Corticospinal axons in both phenotypes traverse the medulla within a well-defined pyramidal tract, decussate within several fascicles at the spinomedullary junction, and extend down the spinal cord in a compact bundle in the ventral-most part of the dorsal funiculus. Very few labeled fibers are seen separated from the main bundle. This normal configuration of the corticospinal tract is attained despite the virtual absence of CNS myelin in jimpy mice. It seems unlikely then that the myelin normally present in fiber bundles adjacent to this relatively late emerging projection can significantly influence pathway selection during its development.
Low-Power Helium Pulsed Arcjet

An electrothermal thruster that operates in a rapid-pulse mode at low power ( 85%of the initial stored energy is transferred to the arc in a unipolar pulse. The arc discharges occur in a cylindrical capillary upstream of a converging–diverging nozzle, and all of the energy additionoccurs in the subsonic region. Tests with heliumpropellant are conducted for two 20-deghalf-angle conicalnozzleswith area ratiosof 20 and230.Thrust levels from14 to 31mNaremeasured,andamaximumspeci c impulse of 313 s is achieved with 36% ef ciency at 119 W. A time-dependent, quasi-one-dimensional numerical model is developed to evaluate energy losses using a time-marching procedure, and comparisonwith experimental results is good. Heat transfer losses to the wall in the subsonic region are found to be the primary energy-loss mechanisms. Speci c impulse is strongly affected by wall temperature. Viscous effects become important as the speci c energy increases above 12 MJ/kg and the throat Reynolds number falls below 1 £ 103.
66 CHILD HEALTH AND BREASTFEEDING: THE EFFECT OF A SUPPORTIVE WOMAN (DOULA) DURING LABOR AND THE EFFECT OF EARLY SUCKLING

Stimulated by the results of our first study on the short-term benefits of a doula (shorter labor, fewer perinatal problems, more early attachment behaviors), we designed a second study to explore long-term advantages of having a doula during labor and delivery. 244 primiparous full-term normal Guatemalan mothers in early labor were randomly assigned to the doula or control group. The mothers who delivered without perinatal problems were then randomized to early (1st hour) or late (2-3 hour) suckling. For these patients we made home visits at 1, 3 and 6 months to assess feeding practices, infant health status and make anthropometric measurements of the infant. Significantly more perinatal problems (cesarian section, meconium staining, fetal distress) occurred in the control group (61% vs 34%) p<.001, which replicates the findings of our first study. The presence of the doula and/or early suckling did not affect the length of breastfeeding or anthropometric measurements. The number of common pediatric illnesses (i.e. diarrhea, U.R.I.) did not differ between the control and doula patients. However, significantly more infants of the control mothers were hospitalized in the first six months of life with pneumonia or diarrhea (6/67 vs 0/49) p<.01. These observations suggest that present maternity practices that require women to labor and deliver without support may result in iatrogenic disease of the mother and infant.
Tool length influences reach distance estimation via motor imagery in children with developmental coordination disorder

Purpose: Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) often have difficulties with planning and generating a precise visuospatial representation of intended actions and using motor imagery to mentally represent motor behavior. Here, we aimed to extend the investigation of motor imagery in children with DCD by exploring its use with an estimation of reach paradigm that combines action representation and extension of space with tools. Method: Two groups of 18 children with DCD and typically developing (TD) matched controls were tested with an estimation of reach paradigm using a 20-cm (Experiment 1) and 40-cm (Experiment 2) tool. Conditions involved estimations via motor imagery with their arm, tool, and a switch-block (SB) involving an abrupt change of space with an “extension” from arm to tool and a “retraction” from tool to arm. Results: No significant group differences were found with the 20-cm tool; however, with the 40-cm implement, children with DCD were significantly less accurate than th...
Ab initio theoretical study of dipole-bound anions of molecular complexes. [H2O⋯HCN]− and [HCN⋯H2O]− anions

Abstract Ab initio calculations have been performed to determine structures and adiabatic electron affinities of water complexes of hydrogen cyanide. In these systems the excess electron is bound by the dipole field of the complex. Based on the calculations we determined that, as for the neutral complexes, there are two equilibrium anion structures, [HCN⋯H 2 O] − and [H 2 O⋯HCN] − . Upon electron attachment to the neutral H 2 O⋯HCN complex, which the only system detected in the gas phase, its stability with respect to the HCN⋯H 2 O complex increases even further, from 1.4 kcal/mol to 3.0 kcal/mol. The adiabatic electron affinities of H 2 O⋯HCN and HCN⋯H 2 O complexes are predicted to be 86 and 17 meV, respectively.
Supporting storage resources in Urgent Computing Environments

The special priority and urgent computing environment (SPRUCE) provides on-demand access to high-performance computing resources for time-critical applications. While SPRUCE supports computationally intensive applications, it does not fully support high-priority, data intensive applications. To support data intensive applications in urgent computing environments, we developed the urgent computing environment data resource manager (CEDAR). CEDAR provides storage resource provisioning capabilities that manage the availability and quality of service of storage resources used by urgent computing applications. In this paper, we describe the architecture of CEDAR, illustrate how CEDAR will integrate with urgent computing environments, and evaluate the capabilities of CEDAR in simulated urgent computing environments.
Abdominal Mass, Anemia, Diabetes Mellitus, and Necrolytic Migratory Erythema

A 47-year-old Hispanic man presented to an outside hospital in March 2011 for evaluation of nausea, vomiting, fatigue, intermittent diarrhea, and weight-loss. He had suffered from alternating diarrhea and constipation for several months, associated with nausea and vomiting, as well as unintentional weight-loss of approximately 11 kg (25 lb) over a 2-year period. He had also noted the development of a new pruritic diffuse erythematous rash present on his back, chest, abdomen, and bilateral lower extremities. Interestingly, he also described recent difficulties in controlling his blood sugars, with glucose levels persistently ranging above 250 mg/dL. Additionally, there was a remote history of fatigue dating back approximately 3 years, associated with the progressive weight-loss. His past medical history included alcoholism, with a drinking history of a six-pack of beer daily for many years, as well as depression and dermatitis. Upon cessation of drinking, the patient had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type II, which had been relatively well controlled, although required both saxagliptin and lantus to achieve glycemic control. The patient also reported dysphagia, and, in May 2011, he was investigated with a battery of tests including endoscopy, esophageal manometry, 24-h pH monitoring, and barium swallow examination, all of which revealed ulcerative esophagitis with a moderate degree of reflux, but without any evidence of malignant disease. An abdominal ultrasound carried out at the same time revealed a dilated gallbladder without any evidence of gallstones or liver disease. He was referred to dermatology for biopsy and diagnosis of the erythematous, pruritic eruption. The histopathologic findings included epidermal acanthosis with upper epidermal necrolysis and loss of the granular cell layer. There were also areas of epidermal ulceration with neutrophilic infiltration, compatible with necrolytic migratory erythema (Fig. 1). Therefore, a fasting glucagon level was ordered and was elevated at 1,136 pg/ml (normal range 50–100 pg/ ml). With a working diagnosis of glucagonoma, a CT scan was ordered in an attempt to localize a tumor. Axial and coronal arterial phase images demonstrated a large mass occupying the majority of the pancreas, but without evidence of distant metastatic disease (Fig. 2). The patient was subsequently referred to the surgical oncology outpatient clinic at Stanford University Medical Center where he was noted to have worsening of his gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms, and dermatitis. On physical examination, the patient stood at a height of 1.70 m (50 700) and weighed 50 kg. There were no palpable abdominal masses. Laboratory findings included a normocytic anemia (hemoglobin 10.0 g/dL, MCV 88.3 fL), hyperglycemia (537 mg/dL), and moderate derangement of liver function tests (AST 113 U/L, ALT 349 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 216 U/L, albumin 2.7 g/dL). He was admitted M. Qadan (&) B. Visser Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA e-mail: mqadan@stanford.edu
Atomic lifetime measurements employing an electron beam ion trap

Transition probabilities relate to atomic structure and dynamics in ways that are different from straightforward spectra. Besides being a tool for fundamental physics studies, the knowledge of transition probabilities is essential for applications in plasma physics and astrophysics. Techniques and procedures used for measuring the lifetimes of levels in highly charged ions by employing an electron beam ion trap are reviewed to illustrate the state of the art. Examples are drawn from experiments that involve observations in the visible, extreme-ultraviolet, and X-ray ranges, and cover atomic lifetimes in the femtosecond to second range.PACS Nos.: 32.70.Cs, 32.30.Jc, 32.30.Rj
Modeling an adaptive impedance boundary condition device for helicopter individual blade control

In the present investigation, the helicopter blade is modeled as a rotating beam with two degrees of freedom, namely the elastic flatwise bending and torsion. A mathematical model in the frequency domain is developed, incorporating the unsteady aerodynamic loads associated with helicopters in forward flight. The effects of dynamic adaptation of the rot boundary conditions on the beam aeroelastic response are studied. The results suggest that it is possible to control the local dynamic response at particular sections of the beam by varying the frequency and relative phase of the control signal.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The bioenergetic response of Chlorella vulgaris to alpha radiation

Abstract This study evaluated changes in adenylate pools (including ATP, ADP and AMP), CO 2 fixation, oxygen evolution and uptake and thymidine incorporation in the alga Chlorella vulgaris following acute exposure to 275 rad of alpha radiation. In addition, by employing special environmental conditions during exposure, the effects of alpha radiation on ATP production via respiration and cyclic photophosphorylation were evaluated. The results suggest that alpha exposure at 275 rad did not directly affect or damage the phosphorylation mechanisms, but caused a 1-hr latent demand for ATP due to radiation-induced DNA repair. To compensate for this ATP demand, the Chlorella seemed to decrease non-essential utilization of ATP by slowing the rate of carbon fixation.
Evaluating an Objective Wind Analysis Technique with a Long Record of Routinely Collected Data

Abstract An automated system has collected meteorological data hourly in the San Francisco Bay Area since October 1995. Data from sites operated by the National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, the San Francisco Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and others have been integrated into a common database and archived by the U.S. Geological Survey. Data for 0300 and 1500 UTC during 1996 were taken from that archive and used to evaluate the performance of the Winds on Critical Streamline Surfaces objective analysis code in this area of complex terrain, where altitudes range from 0 to over 1000 m above mean sea level. The comparisons of observed and modeled winds are for a longer time period and a wider variety of meteorological conditions than are available from limited-duration field studies. The authors chose 4-, 7-, and 11-station “networks” for analysis; there were 461 h when data were available from all the sites in the 4-station network, 439 h for the 7 s...
High-pressure effects on ultrafast-relaxation kinetics of excitons in polydiacetylene 4BCMU.

The ultrafast-relaxation kinetics of the singlet excitons in polydiacetylene 4 BCMU was measured at hydrostatic pressures up to 80 kbar, using the pump-probe photoinduced-absorption technique with 70-fs time resolution at 2 eV and 5 ps in the spectra range 1.2\char21{}2.2 eV. The 100-fs decay component survives at high pressures, but the slow component evolves from a 1.5-ps exponential decay at atmospehric pressure to a much slower stretched-exponential decay at high pressures with a complete recovery in the ns time range. Results suggest that the fast decay component is a 1D relaxation process, whereas th slow component is due to exciton recombination which requires a subsequent 3D distortion of the polymer chain.
A small computer data system for low resolution magnetic deflection mass spectrometers

A small on-line computer system for complete processing of low resolution magnetic deflection mass spectrometric data has been demonstrated. An interpolated mass scale accuracy of 200ppm was achieved for both repetitive (five or ten second cycle times) and single scan modes. Identification of m/e values above 1000 is possible with an accuracy of 500 ppm to m/e 3600. Mass scale assignments are time based and externally calibrated (pfa).