cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Jefferson Lab High-Power Free-Electron Laser

In partnership with the U.S. Navy, high-technology corporations, and research universities, Jefferson Lab is building a superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) accelerator-driven free-electron laser (FEL) and is outfitting an FEL user facility. The 1 kW, 3 urn infrared (IR) laser—which was being installed in the newly constructed user facility as of summer 1997—is the first step in a program to develop high-average-power SRF-based IR and ultraviolet (UV) FELs for multiple manufacturing applications as well as for defense-related applied research and basic scientific research. This initial FEL is driven by a 42 MeV, 5 mA recirculating SRF linac closely similar to the much larger SRF linac in Jefferson Lab’s 4 GeV, 200 μA Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF). The FEL will demonstrate 75% energy recovery. Its linac will be cooled by the existing CEBAF cryogenic system. At Jefferson Lab, an infrastructure of facilities and people already supports the advance of SRF and closely related technologies in the furtherance of the lab’s primary mission of nuclear and particle physics. This paper, after describing that infrastructure, summarizes the opportunity represented by SRF-driven FELs and reports on the program now underway to develop them.
Technologies for intrapericardial delivery of therapeutics and cells.

Abstract The pericardium, which surrounds the heart, provides a unique enclosed volume and a site for the delivery of agents to the heart and coronary arteries. While strategies for targeting the delivery of therapeutics to the heart are lacking, various technologies and nanodelivery approaches are emerging as promising methods for site specific delivery to increase therapeutic myocardial retention, efficacy, and bioactivity, while decreasing undesired systemic effects. Here, we provide a literature review of various approaches for intrapericardial delivery of agents. Emphasis is given to sustained delivery approaches (pumps and catheters) and localized release (patches, drug eluting stents, and support devices and meshes). Further, minimally invasive access techniques, pericardial access devices, pericardial washout and fluid analysis, as well as therapeutic and cell delivery vehicles are presented. Finally, several promising new therapeutic targets to treat heart diseases are highlighted.
A Facet Theory Model for Integrating Contextual and Personal Experiences of International Students.

The purpose of this article is to use a facet theory research approach to provide a clear, coherent, and integrated model of international students’ experiences based upon the findings of psychological research into students when studying abroad. In research that employs a facet theory approach events are classified in terms of their constituent parts or facets and the sub-elements of facets. The specification of facets serves to allow accumulative knowledge and theory construction. A model is proposed in the form of a mapping sentence with three background facets and four content facets. How the mapping sentence forms a flexible template for designing, conducting and analyzing research into international students’ experiences is discussed, as is the potential in using facet theory to develop a cumulative body of knowledge about this student group.
Implementing a High Level Competency Assessment for Rn's and Paramedics in a Neonatal/pediatric Critical Care Transport Program

Competency validation is an on-going process of knowledge, skills, ability and behaviors to perform transport in a safe and correct manner. It is a process from hire, initial orientation and then on-going competency validation. It is easy to fall into competency assessment traps, such as; assessing so many competences that the team drowns in them, measuring the same competencies year after year, and assessing competencies …
Community Participation and Recognition Justice in Border Environmental Governance

In the U.S.-Mexico border region, environmental governance is fractured by the multiplicity of jurisdictions that overlap and create accountability gaps for local communities. In order to understan...
A Cascaded Noise-Shaping SAR Architecture for Robust Order Extension

The emerging noise-shaping (NS) successive approximation (SAR) architecture is highly efficient and compact; however, the order and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of sub-MHz NS SAR ADCs are still lower than conventional sigma–delta ADCs. This work proposes a cascaded NS (CaNS) SAR architecture that increases system order and enables more effective NS for higher SNR. The proposed architecture enhances the robustness of high-order NS performance at the system level and is inherently process, voltage and temperature (PVT) stable. A two-phase settling technique improves the efficiency of residue amplification without sacrificing robustness. A prototype CaNS SAR ADC, fabricated in 28-nm CMOS, occupies 0.02 mm2 and consumes 120 $\mu \text{W}$ . The measured Signal to Noise and Distortion Ratio (SNDR) over 100-kHz bandwidth is 88 dB, resulting in a Schreier Figure of Merit (FoM) of 177 dB.
Biometric and Psychometric Remote Monitoring and Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers in Ischemic Heart Disease.

Background Patients with stable ischemic heart disease represent a heterogeneous population at variable risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Because MACE typically occurs outside the hospi...
Anatomic suitability for commercially available percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation systems.

Abstract Objective The Food and Drug Administration recently approved two percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation systems: the Ellipsys vascular access (EL) system and WavelinQ EndoAVF (WQ) system. Although the initial clinical trials of each system have demonstrated a high success rate, little detail on anatomic suitability was provided. We sought to determine the real-world applicability of the EL and WQ systems by studying them in a single representative cohort. Methods All patients receiving a first-time arteriovenous access consultation at a single Veterans Affairs institution underwent extensive vein mapping of the bilateral upper extremities. Anatomic suitability was assessed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU), and clinical usability was determined using additional published anatomic guidelines. The suitability for radiocephalic fistula (RCF) creation was also assessed. To estimate how often these systems would be used in practice, a clinical algorithm was created, with a preference for RCF creation, followed by percutaneous arteriovenous fistula (pAVF) creation, surgical fistula creation at the elbow, and, finally, graft placement. Results During the study period, 116 upper extremities were measured in 58 male patients. Per the IFU, the rate of extremity suitability was 93% and 52% for the WQ and EL systems, respectively (P Conclusions Anatomic suitability was greater for WQ than for EL when considering only the IFU. Once the full requirements for pAVF creation were considered, we found no significant differences in usability between the two systems. Anatomic analysis showed that pAVF creation can constitute a substantial part of a hemodialysis access practice.
Performance of Test-and-Set Algorithms for Naming Anonymous Processes

Processes in anonymous distributed systems begin without names to distinguish them. A naming algorithm is used to assign unique names to the processes in a distributed manner. This paper studies five naming algorithms that use Test-and-Set Registers (TAS). It aims to validate the theoretical results of the naming algorithms with respect to their performance. We developed a simulation tool to model the behavior of these algorithms. The proposed simulation tool is used to obtain the performance results and observe how the naming algorithms work. These algorithms are compared in terms of the number of steps needed to finish assigning unique names and the shared space-size requirement. The results of the simulations are in line with the theoretical results for the five naming algorithms. They show that the Random Lookup algorithm outperforms all other naming algorithms. As expected, the worst-performing algorithm is the Sequential Lookup algorithm as demonstrated by the simulation results. Our simulation experiments provide a clear understanding of how the naming algorithms work and present a more precise and detailed comparison of the performance differences between them.
Towards Uncovering Generic Effects Of Matter Sources In Anisotropic Quantum Cosmologies Via Taub Models

We solve the Wheeler DeWitt equation for the Taub models in closed form when both a cosmological constant and an electromagnetic field are present. In doing so, we examine the 'excited states' of the quantum Taub models with the aforementioned matter sources, and prove the existence of a countably infinite number of 'excited' states. Additionally, we prove the existence of multiple asymptotic solutions to the Lorentzian signature Wheeler DeWitt equation using the Taub analogues of the 'wormhole', and 'no boundary' solutions of its Euclidean-signature Hamilton Jacobi equation; we also study their 'excited states. In the end we investigate qualitatively how our matter sources affect the behavior of our wave functions and argue how these effects within the context of quantum cosmology point to how a primordial electromagnetic field could have played a profound role in the early universe.
Cold War – But No War – in Space

Space war has been a fixture of astroculture since the blossoming of science fiction in the late nineteenth century. Yet in the more than seventy years since the Second World War, no hostile military action between two powers has ever taken place outside the atmosphere. During the Cold War, outer space was militarized but not weaponized, because military satellite systems stabilized, rather than destabilized, world order. They provided global transparency and fostered dependence on space infrastructure. As a result, the gulf between space fiction and space reality has only widened since 1945. Space war makes for good entertainment, but so far, at least, it has made very little military or political sense.
A limit theorem for the eigenvalues of product of two random matrices

Abstract The existence of limit spectral distribution of the product of two independent random matrices is proved when the number of variables tends to infinity. One of the above matrices is the Wishart matrix and the other is a symmetric nonnegative definite matrix.
Fast backprojection for video-SAR

We present a simple, practical Fast Backprojection algorithm for Video-SAR. We employ the overlap-and-save algorithm to create an efficient filter bank for downsampling a continuous stream of pulses in the azimuth dimension. We discuss GPU and subaperture processing details along with some important design considerations and tradeoffs.
Fire history and dendroecology of Catoctin Mountain, Maryland, USA, with newspaper corroboration

Our study was designed to reveal a detailed forest fire history at Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland, USA. We compared the ages of living trees to known fire dates in the dendrochronological record. Seasonality and years of fires in the dendrochronological record were juxtaposed with specific dates of fires recorded in newspapers. Twenty-seven pines (Pinus L.) captured 122 fire scars representing 58 distinct fire years between 1702 and 1951. Climate was significantly hotter and drier in the years of burns that affected at least two trees and was wetter two years prior. Thirty-three fires described in local newspapers were reported largely in the spring and fall months (68% between March and June, 32% between September and December). Ninety-one percent of fire scars in our tree-ring chronology had dormant seasonality. The mean fire interval was 5.47 ± 10.14 (SD; standard deviation) yr, and the Weibull median fire interval was 3.22 yr during the entire chronology. The longest fire-free interval was from 1952 to 2018. The size structure of living trees was biased toward smaller black gums (Nyssa sylvatica Marshall) and oaks (Quercus L.) that recruited in the 1930s and 1940s. Most living pitch pines (Pinus rigida Mill) recruited between 1890 and 1910, but a few individuals recruited before the 1850s. Diversity of tree stems smaller than 10 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) was generally lacking; the youngest tree >10 cm DBH in our study area had recruited by 1967. The Catoctin Mountains experienced frequent fire during the 1800s and early 1900s. The causes of fires were diverse, including accidental ignitions and purposeful cultural burning for berry (Vaccinium L.) production. The current forest developed during a period of low deer density and after the demise of the charcoal iron industry ended an era of logging. The lack of fire since the 1950s has encouraged the development of a black gum dominated mid- and understory. Management with frequent fire would facilitate pine and oak regeneration.
Abortion Travel Within the United States: An Analysis of Cross-State Movement to Obtain Abortion Care in 2018

Background: In the United States, pregnant people seeking an abortion often travel in order to access care. Abortion access is often more limited for people who live in states with few abortion facilities and restrictive abortion legislation. Methods: We computed state-specific abortion rate (number of abortions per thousand women ages 15-44) with CDC 2018 Abortion Surveillance data and Census data. We calculated percentage of abortion patients leaving their state of residence for abortion care for each state using the CDC’s 2018 Abortion Surveillance data. We categorized percent leaving by policy restrictiveness using NARAL’s classification of restrictiveness of state abortion laws. We categorized percent leaving by “facility density” (number of abortion facilities per million women ages 15-44), calculated using Census data and ANSIRH’s Abortion Facility Database. We created a map of percent leaving by state and a scatterplot of percent leaving against facility density. Thirty-nine states with high quality data are included in our analysis. Findings: In 2018, an average of 8% of US patients left their state of residence for abortion care. Percent leaving varied widely by state: 59% left South Carolina, 53% South Dakota, 46% Mississippi, and 42% Kentucky, while 5% or fewer of patients left from 16 of the states we evaluated. States with more restrictive laws averaged 9% of patients leaving, while states with less restrictive or more protective laws averaged 4% of patients leaving. States in the bottom quartile for facility density averaged 32% leaving, while states in the top quartile averaged 2% leaving. Interpretation: Many patients travel across state lines for abortion care. Restrictive state-level abortion policy and facility scarcity may play a role in patients leaving their state of residence. Funding: This study was supported by a philanthropic foundation that makes grants anonymously. Funding: This study was supported by a philanthropic foundation that makes grants anonymously. The Declaration of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.
The Galvanomagnetic Effects in the Germanium-Silicon Alloys

Measurements of the Hall effect and the magnetoresistance in n-type germaniumsilicon alloys reveal a change in the electronic band structure with alloy composition. For alloys of less than ten percent silicon in germanium,the room temperature observations are due to conduction in a conduction band made up of (111)-oriented spheroids (like germanium); in the region ten to twenty percent silicon in germanium, conduction occurs in the above set of spheroids and in a set of (100)-oriented spheroids; for alloys of twenty-four percent silicon and greater, conduction occurs in the (100)-oriented spheroids (like silicon). The data substantiate Herman’s suggestion that there is a shift from the germanium-type conduction band to the silicon-type band at about fifteen percent silicon in germanium. The ratios of the longitudinal to transverse effective masses in the (111) and the (100) bands in the alloys are in agreement with the values found from galvanomagnetic measurements in pure germanium and pure silicon respectively. The electron Hall mobility decreases rapidly with increasing alloying. The observations are in agreement with a simple phenomenological theory which includes the scattering of the carriers by the disorder present, and an increase in the scattering (inter-band scattering) when the two bands are close together.
Entropy Constructed Probabilities

Objective and subjective information are separately modeled as entropies. For the objective case, the information in considered as uncertain and information entropy is used; from this, probabilities are generated by the principle of maximum entropy. Subjective ideas are considered as imprecise rather than uncertain, and a measure for these is obtained by the construction of a fuzzy entropy. These two entropies embody countable information and mental wisdom. The former leads to objective probabilities which will usually be altered by the latter. To facilitate this, the two entropies are combined. This leads to a revised probability which takes into account both objective and subjective information. An example is used to illustrate the method. This involves deciding on the concrete strength in a structure in the light of cylinder tests, and professional wisdom concerning the actual construction, contractor, weather and other matters. Here the objective probability is found from the cylinder tests, and this is modified by engineering judgment.
GLYCOLYTIC ENZYMES IN ZYMOMONAS MOBILIS

Raps, Shirley (University of Illinois, Urbana) and R. D. DeMoss. Glycolytic enzymes in Zymomonas mobilis. J. Bacteriol. 84:115–118. 1962—An enzyme extract of Zymomonas mobilis (Pseudomonas lindneri) was capable of fermenting glucose-6-phosphate to CO2 and ethanol. The extract was found to contain phosphohexoisomerase, aldolase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, but no demonstrable phosphohexokinase. The lack of isotope-mixing found in earlier studies is, thus, explained on an enzymatic basis.
Chapter 20 Alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the issues of alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence. Excessive drinking can have a number of adverse consequences, both for the individual drinker—for example, liver cirrhosis—and for friends or even unrelated individuals—for example alcohol-related car crashes. Cirrhosis is characterized by the gradual replacement of normal liver tissue with abnormal tissue, leading to scarring, liver failure, and death. Studies conducted in humans have convincingly demonstrated that alcoholism runs in certain families. Evidence suggests that as many as 80% of alcoholics may have close biological relatives with a history of alcohol-related problems. The average risk for developing alcoholism is seven times greater among first-degree relatives of alcoholics than among controls. Male relatives of male alcoholics appear to be at particular risk for the disease. Adoption and twin studies also indicate that the risk for alcoholism may be determined at least partially by the genetic factors. Through its interaction with specific membrane proteins in the brain, alcohol produces a variety of behavioral effects.
Epidermoid carcinoma of the cervix uteri

Abstract This study is based on 70 specimens of cancer of the cervix uteri obtained by operation at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. In each instance biopsy material was available for comparison with the histology of the parent tumor. The object of this study is to ascertain to what extent the cytomorphology of the biopsy material reflects the histologic picture of the parent tumor in so far as the predominating type of cancer cell is concerned. In 43 specimens of transitional-cell cancer , study of the biopsy material revealed in 13 (30.2 per cent) instances a histologic picture that did not satisfactorily reflect the cytomorphology of the parent tumor. In 4 of these 13 specimens the biopsy material erroneously indicated a spindle-cell type of cancer and in the 9 remaining specimens it was impossible to define a predominant variety of cancer cell. In 6 specimens of spinal-cell cancer it was impossible from a study of the biopsy material to definitely determine the predominant type in 3 (50 per cent). In one of these the biopsy incorrectly indicated a transitional-cell cancer. There were 11 specimens of spindle-cell cancer available for study. In 4 of these (36.4 per cent of 11) the biopsy material did not indicate the predominant cell type of the parent tumor. In the group of cancers where the spinal- and trasitional-cell types occurred in about equal proportion it was found that the biopsy material in 4 (40 per cent) of the 10 specimens available for study did not bear out the findings in the parent tumor in that they indicated a predominance of transitional cells. Observations were made on the occurrence of epithelial pearls, mitoses, nucleoli and giant cells in both biopsy and parent tumor material.
Relationship to Perpetrator and Posttraumatic Symptomatology among Sexual Abuse Survivors

This study investigated the association of several dimensions of relationship to perpetrator of childhood sexual abuse to posttraumatic symptomatology in adulthood. A structured clinical interview, the Impact of Event Scale, and the TSC-40 were administered to 67 women survivors seeking psychotherapy. The t-tests for significant differences indicated that subjects whose perpetrators were not caretakers experienced higher levels of posttraumatic symptomatology (PTS) in adulthood than those abused by caretakers. No significant differences were found in traumatic symptomatology between those whose perpetrators were family members and those whose perpetrators were not or between those abused by someone in the home and those abused by someone outside the household. Implications for future research and clinical practice are explored.
Approximate Solution of First-Passage Problem

The first-passage time probability is approximated for Markovian processes of diffusion type from the mean crossing rate of random sequences or moving averages obtained from these processes by sampling or averaging. Simple rules are developed for selecting sampling intervals and averaging periods. The approach is applied with satisfactory results to the analysis of the reliability of a brittle prismatic bar, with random strength, loaded axially.
Dynamics of Earth Dams with Foundation Interaction

An analytical procedure to determine the dynamic properties (natural frequencies, mode shapes, and radiation damping) of dams including foundation interaction effects, which has been presented earlier in the literature, is briefly mentioned. In this procedure, the dam-foundation system is idealized as a plane strain problem. The dam is represented as an assemblage of two-dimensional finite elements, and the foundation is considered as an elastic half space. This procedure is employed to determine the dynamic properties of earth dams including foundation interaction effects for different values of \IE\df/E\dd(E\df, E\dd\N = elastic moduli of foundation and dam, respectively) and dam geometry. The numerical results presented indicate that: (1) Foundation interaction may have significant influence on the frequencies and mode shapes of vibration of earth dams; (2) the influence of foundation interaction depends significantly on the geometry of the earth dam cross-section, being relatively more important for dams with flatter side slopes; and (3) the magnitudes of radiation damping computed for idealized dam-foundation systems appear to be unrealistically large. Further research is necessary to obtain realistic estimates of radiation damping.
Optimization of environmental water purchases with uncertainty

[1] Water managers are turning increasingly to market solutions to meet new environmental demands for water in fully allocated systems. This paper presents a three-stage probabilistic optimization model that identifies least cost strategies for staged seasonal water purchases for an environmental water acquisition program given hydrologic, operational, and biological uncertainties. Multistage linear programming is used to minimize the expected cost of long-term, spot, and option water purchases used to meet uncertain environmental demands. Results prescribe the location, timing, and type of optimal water purchases and illustrate how least cost strategies change as information becomes available during the year. Results also provide sensitivity analysis, including shadow values that estimate the expected cost of additional dedicated environmental water. The model's application to California's Environmental Water Account is presented with a discussion of its utility for planning and policy purposes. Model limitations and sensitivity analysis are discussed, as are operational and research recommendations.
Characterization of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from processed bison carcasses

Aim: To determine the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Escherichia coli from bison carcasses. Methods and Materials: The antimicrobial resistance of 138 E. coli isolates recovered from processed bison carcasses was determined by using the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System panels, polymerase chain reaction assays, plasmid analysis and conjugation studies. Results: Resistance to 14 of the 16 antimicrobials was observed. Twenty-three (16·7%) isolates displayed resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent. The most prevalent resistances were to tetracycline (13·0%), sulfamethoxazole (7·9%) and streptomycin (5·8%). No resistance was observed to amikacin and ciprofloxacin. Further analysis of 23 antimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolates showed the presence of resistance genes corresponding to their phenotypic profiles. Results of conjugation studies carried out showed most isolates tested were able to transfer their resistance to recipients. Conclusion: This study indicated that multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates are present in bison. However, the resistance rate is lower than that reported in other meat species. Significance and Impact of the Study: The beneficial effects of antimicrobial-free feeding practice in bison may be promoting a reduction in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in commensal flora of bison.
Sociedad civil y Revolución Ciudadana en Ecuador.

With the aim of establishing a participatory democratic model, in line with the demands of social movements, the Citizens Revolution project in Ecuador has created a complex regulatory-institutional machinery, which, paradoxically, seeks to reify the main scenarios of action by civil society in the public sphere. This process has been characterized by the standard-ization and bureaucratization of opportunities for participation and social control; the design of state strategies of confrontation towards social movements, and the disciplinary control of spheres of opinion created by the media and universities.
Fuzzy approximation by fuzzy convolution type operators

Here we introduce and study four sequences of naturally arising fuzzy integral operatorsof convolution type that are integral analogs of known fuzzy wavelet type operators, defined via a scaling function. Their fuzzy convergence with rates to the fuzzy unit operator is established through fuzzy inequalities involving the fuzzy modulus of continuity. Also, their high-order fuzzy approximation is given similarly by involving the fuzzy modulus of continuity of the N^t^h order (N >= 1) H-fuzzy derivative of the engaged fuzzy number valued function. The fuzzy global smoothness preservation property of these operators is demonstrated also.
Insights into Cytoplasmic Rheology Gained from Modeling Cellular Blebbing

Blebbing occurs when the cytoskeleton detaches from the cell membrane, resulting in the pressure-driven flow of cytosol towards the area of detachment and local expansion of the cell membrane. Recent experiments involving blebbing cells have led to conflicting hypotheses regarding the timescale of intracellular pressure propagation. The interpretation of one set of experiments supports a poroelastic cytoplasmic model which leads to slow pressure equilibration when compared to the timescale of bleb expansion. A different study concludes that pressure equilibrates faster than the timescale of bleb expansion. To address this, a dynamic computational model of the cell was developed that includes mechanics of and the interactions between the intracellular fluid, the actin cortex, the cell membrane, and the cytoskeleton. The model results quantify the relative importance of cytoskeletal elasticity and drag in bleb expansion dynamics. This study also shows that recent multi-bleb experimental results can be explained by the combination of cytoskeletal poroelasticity with either dynamic membrane-cortex adhesion or cortical reformation.
Humans put their eggs in more than one basket

Primordial germ cell (PGC) development in the human fetus remains relatively uncharted. A new study suggests that epigenetic reprogramming and sex differentiation in human PGCs occur asynchronously over an extended time period. This finding raises questions and implications for in vitro PGC differentiation.
Analysis of damage growth in particulate composites using a work potential

Abstract The elements of a theory for elastic composites with a changing microstructure, such as microcracking, are first reviewed. This formulation, which uses internal state variables and potentials like strain energy and work, is then illustrated by mathematically characterizing and predicting the damage and deformation behavior of particle-filled rubber under axial straining and confining pressure. Next, a micromechanical model, which accounts for the effects of distributed microcracks and particles on the overall deformation behavior, is described and shown to be in fair agreement with experimental findings. It is then indicated how this model may be combined with the potential theory to extend the results from specimens under axial straining and pressure to more general strain states.
Judgemental Decision Models as Alternatives to Optimization: The Case of Spousal Selection

The psychological literature is replete with studies applying statistical models to diverse human judgement problems with remarkable success. Yet the technique has been comparatively neglected in the operational research field. The strength of these judgement models is particularly evident where the coefficients of decision parameters cannot be estimated easily, accurately or cheaply. And under such conditions they become a useful alternative to traditional optimization. To draw attention to this fertile area and to demonstrate its versatility, we choose a provocative topic—spousal selection. A set of hypothetical spouses is developed on the basis of randomly assigned values to salient attributes. Then subjects are asked to provide an overall rating for each case in the set. From the data, statistical models are derived that use the attributes to predict the overall ratings. The results obtained confirm the ability of judgement models to replicate human judgement.
Improving system dependability by enforcing architectural intent

Developing dependable software systems. requires enforcing conformance between architecture and implementation during software development and evolution. We address this problem with a multi-pronged approach: (a) automated refinement of a component-and-connector (C&C) architectural view into an initial implementation, (b) enforcement of architectural structure at the programming language level, (c) automated abstraction of a C&C view from an implementation, and (d) semi-automated incremental synchronization between the architectural and the implementation C&C views.We use an Architecture Description Language (ADL), Acme, to describe the architecture, and ArchJava, an implementation language which embeds a C&C architecture specification within Java implementation code. Although both Acme and ArchJava specify C&C views, a number of structural differences may arise. Our approach can detect structural differences which correspond directly to implementation-level violations of the well thoughtout architectural intent. Furthermore, supplementing the C&C view extracted from the implementation with architectural types and styles can uncover additional violations.
An Application Specific Memory Characterization Technique for Co-processor Accelerators

Commodity accelerator technologies including reconfigurable devices provide an order of magnitude performance improvement compared to mainstream microprocessor systems. A number of compute-intensive scientific applications, therefore, can potentially benefit from commodity computing devices available in the form of co-processor accelerators. However, there has been little progress in accelerating production-level scientific applications using these technologies due to several programming and performance challenges. One of the key perfomance challenges is performance sustainability. While computation is often accelerated substantially by accelerator devices, the achievable performance is significantly lower once the data transfer costs and overheads are incorporated. We present an application-specific memory characterization technique for an FPGA-accelerated system that enabled us to reduce data transfer overhead by a factor of five for a production-scale scientific application. Our proposed technique extends to applications that exhibit similar memory behavior and to co-processor accelerator systems that support data streaming, pipelining, and overlapped execution.
Dysgerminoma with syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells presenting as a hydatidiform mole

There have been a total of 11 cases of pure dysgerminoma with syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells (SGC) previously reported in the literature as of June 1981. All were Stage IA, all were treated with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and the preoperative serum human chorionic beta-gonadotropin (beta-hCG) titers ranged from 2000 to 3160 mlU/ml. A recent case at William Beaumont Army Medical Center involved a 20-year-old Hispanic female who presented with a 20 weeks' size pelvic-abdominal mass which was sonographically consistent with a hydatidiform mole. An initial preoperative serum beta subunit hCG was 193,000 mlU/ml. At the time of surgery a Stage IC dysgerminoma of the right ovary was discovered and right salpingo-oophorectomy performed. In reviewing all 11 previously reported cases, not only is this case the first Stage IC reported, but it also is the first to present as a hydatidiform mole, has the highest ever reported preoperative beta-hCG, and provides the first ultrastructural study of this tumor type. The unusual clinical presentation and management of this case are discussed and a brief review of the clinical and pathological features of this unusual tumor is given.
Rigidity and Semi-invariants in Drinfeld Modules

Abstract We show that if φ is a Drinfeld A-module over a field L, then any polynomial g(x) ∈ L[x] which maps the a-torsion into itself for all a ∈ A must be an endomorphism of φ. In generic characteristic, we prove a stronger result: if there is an infinite A-submodule S of the torsion submodule (over L) such that g maps S into S, or if g maps the a-torsion into itself for infinitely many a, then g is an endomorphism followed by a translation. The first of these results generalizes easily to maps between different Drinfeld modules. The second can be generalized as well, assuming a conjecture which would follow from an analogue of Serre′s theorem on the image of Galois. Analogous rigidity results are known to hold for abelian varieties. As one application, we show that the ring of semi-invariants of a Drinfeld module (defined by D. Goss) is nothing more than the ring of endomorphisms.
Early manifestations and spectrum of recipient twin cardiomyopathy in twin–twin transfusion syndrome: relation to Quintero stage

Objectives To examine cardiac structural and functional changes in twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), relative to Quintero stage, as a means of evaluating the spectrum of cardiomyopathy in TTTS. Methods This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study of 42 consecutive cases of TTTS referred to a single fetal therapy center. Quintero stages were assigned by standard criteria. Presence of ventricular hypertrophy, cardiomegaly, atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR), ventricular systolic dysfunction and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction on fetal echocardiography were noted. The Doppler myocardial performance index (MPI), an index of global ventricular function, was calculated for both ventricles in subjects with adequate Doppler data. We compared cardiac changes across Quintero stages. Results There was no cardiomyopathy observed in donor twins. The majority of subjects presented at Quintero Stage I (n = 14), II (n = 14) or III (n = 11), with fewer at Stages IV (n = 2) or V (n = 1). As early as Quintero Stages I and II, a significant proportion of recipient twins had ventricular hypertrophy (17/28, 61%), AVVR (6/28, 21%) or quantitative abnormalities in either right (12/24, 50%) or left (14/24, 58%) ventricular function. Increasing prevalence of biventricular systolic dysfunction and cardiomegaly accompanied advancing Quintero stage. Conclusions Changes in cardiac structure and function not reflected in Quintero staging occur in recipient twins early in the evolution of TTTS. Incorporation of cardiac findings into assessment of TTTS severity may prove useful in stratification of risk and treatment selection. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Juvenile psoriasis. Early interventions can reduce risks for problems later.

PREVIEWPsoriasis is a lifelong disease with genetic, systemic, and environmental roots and an unpredictable course. In more than one third of patients, onset is in the first two decades of life. Primary care physicians are in a unique position to help these young patients by providing early treatment and education.
Excitation spectra and piezospectroscopic effects of neutral and singly ionized magnesium donors in silicon

Abstract The excitation spectra for neutral and singly ionized magnesium donors in silicon are studied. The excitation lines show stress induced splittings and polarization patterns characteristics of a T d site symmetry.
Generalized procrustean image deformation for subtraction of mammograms

This project is a preliminary evaluation of two simple fully automatic nonlinear transformations which can map any mammographic image onto a reference image while guaranteeing registration of specific features. The first method automatically identifies skin lines, after which each pixel is given coordinates in the range [0,1] X [0,1], where the actual value of a coordinate is the fractional distance of the pixel between tissue boundaries in either the horizontal or vertical direction. This insures that skin lines are put in registration. The second method, which is the method of primary interest, automatically detects pectoral muscles, skin lines and nipple locations. For each image, a polar coordinate system is established with its origin at the intersection of the nipple axes line (NAL) and a line indicating the pectoral muscle. Points within a mammogram are identified by the angle of their position vector, relative to the NAL, and by their fractional distance between the origin and the skin line. This deforms mammograms in such a way that their pectoral lines, NALs and skin lines are all in registration. After images are deformed, their grayscales are adjusted by applying linear regression to pixel value pairs for corresponding tissue pixels. In a comparison of these methods to a previously reported 'translation/rotation' technique, evaluation of difference images clearly indicates that the polar coordinates method results in the most accurate registration of the transformations considered.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Exergy analysis of an operating boiling-water-reactor nuclear power station

Abstract A Second Law analysis is performed on the LaSalle County Nuclear Station of the Commonwealth Edison Company to evaluate plant and subsystem irreversibility. The results disclose that over 80% of the exergy destroyed during plant operation is result of the highly irreversible fission and heat transport processes within the reactor vessel. Plant efficiency and effectiveness are found to be 34.4%, well below the 40–45% efficiencies of typical fossil-fuel-fired power generating stations. Based on these well-known numbers, and the results of the exergy analysis, one recommendation is to reevaluate the integration of fossil-fuel-fired superheat/reheat units located downstream of the reactor vessel. This modified plant configuration would not only improve efficiency by raising the top operating temperature, but it is also anticipated to reduce the irreversibility associated with heat transfer in the steam generators.
Variability in global land surface energy budgets during 1987-1988 simulated by an off-line land surface model

The International Satellite Land-Surface Climatology Project (ISLSCP) Initiative-I 1-degree 1987–1988 data were used to drive a land surface model (LSM) to simulate global surface energy budgets. Simulated surface heat fluxes show remarkable spatial variability and seem to capture well their annual and interannual variability. A shift of maximum evaporation across the equator is more closely related to the seasonal shifting of precipitation pattern than to surface radiation changes. The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis did not reflect this shift, presumably due to its dominant rainfall maximum in the Southern Hemisphere. To assess the “reliability” of these fields, both Global Soil Wetness Project (GSWP) and reanalysis were verified against observations, at two sites. Monthly mean ISLSCP forcing conditions agree fairly well with observations, but its precipitation is usually lower during spring and summer. Low summer GSWP evaporation may be due to low precipitation and incorrect specification of vegetation and soil conditions. The reanalysis had larger seasonal variability than GSWP and observations, and overestimated summer heat fluxes because of its large rainfall and surface radiation. Despite uncertainty in ISLSCP data, an LSM with a modest treatment of vegetation was able to capture reasonably well the seasonal variations in surface heat fluxes at global scales. With some caution, these types of simulations can be used as “pseudo-observations” to evaluate climate-model simulations and to investigate global energy budgets. For the next phase of ISLSCP data development, higher resolution data, which can reflect local heterogeneity of vegetation and soil characteristics, include more rain gauge data are highly desirable to improve model simulations.
The L3 loop: a structural motif determining specific interactions between SMAD proteins and TGF‐β receptors

Signal transduction specificity in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) system is determined by ligand activation of a receptor complex which then recruits and phosphorylates a subset of SMAD proteins including Smads 1 and 2. These then associate with Smad4 and move into the nucleus where they regulate transcription. We have identified a discrete surface structure in Smads 1 and 2 that mediates and specifies their receptor interactions. This structure is the L3 loop, a 17 amino acid region that protrudes from the core of the conserved SMAD C-terminal domain. The L3 loop sequence is invariant among TGF-beta- and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-activated SMADS, but differs at two positions between these two groups. Swapping these two amino acids in Smads 1 and 2 induces a gain or loss, respectively, in their ability to associate with the TGF-beta receptor complex and causes a switch in the phosphorylation of Smads 1 and 2 by the BMP and TGF-beta receptors, respectively. A full switch in phosphorylation and activation of Smads 1 and 2 is obtained by swapping both these two amino acids and four amino acids near the C-terminal receptor phosphorylation sites. These studies identify the L3 loop as a determinant of specific SMAD-receptor interactions, and indicate that the L3 loop, together with the C-terminal tail, specifies SMAD activation.
Origins of prokaryotes, eukaryotes, mitochondria, and chloroplasts

A computer branching model is used to analyze cellular evolution. Attention is given to certain key amino acids and nucleotide residues (ferredoxin, 5s ribosomal RNA, and c-type cytochromes) because of their commonality over a wide variety of cell types. Each amino acid or nucleotide residue is a sequence in an inherited biological trait; and the branching method is employed to align sequences so that changes reflect substitution of one residue for another. Based on the computer analysis, the symbiotic theory of cellular evolution is considered the most probable. This theory holds that organelles, e.g., mitochondria and chloroplasts invaded larger bodies, e.g., bacteria, and combined functions to form eucaryotic cells.
Length polymorphisms in new human collagen-like loci

Two new collagen-like loci have been identified in the human genome which have sequence similarity to the triple-helical coding region of the pro-α2(I) gene. Both loci exhibit length polymorphism due to alleles that contain deletions. The deletion at one locus is 400 bp while the deletion at the second locus is 200 bp. The second locus is on chromosome 17 and its two alleles are not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. These loci are candidates for involvement in connective tissue disorders.
In Vitro Synthesis of Normal Bone (Type I) Collagen by Bones of Paget's Disease Patients

SummaryBone samples were obtained from five Paget's disease patients and one normal individual at surgery. We characterized the collagen content of bone samples chemically, using sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and cyanogen bromide peptide analysis, and also determined the type of collagen produced in vitro by these samples. Both Pagetic and normal bones make normal bone collagen with the α1 to α2 chains ratio equal to 2:1. However, Pagetic bones synthesized three to four times more protein and collagen per milligram of tissue as compared to normal bones.The authors want to thank Drs. P. D. Benya and B. Mills for their helpful suggestions and criticisms; Mr. Kris Stephenson and Ms. Sylvia Padilla for their excellent technical assistance; and Mrs. Dorothy Shrode for typing the manuscript.
Effect of Interleukin-1β on Pituitary-Adrenal Responses and Body Weight in Neonatal Rats: Interaction with Maternal Deprivation

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of the infant rat is normally hyporesponsive during postnatal days (pnd) four to fourteen. This interval is termed the stress hyporesponsive period (SHRP). The HPA axis, however, does respond to selective stimuli, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) during this period. Furthermore, maternal deprivation has been shown to alter the system so that it is responsive to mild stimuli. The present studies examined the interaction between 24 h of maternal deprivation and intraperitoneal administration of recombinant human (rh) IL-1β (4 μg/kg) at 3 ages (i.e., pnd 6, 12, 18) during or after the SHRP. The results demonstrate that maternal deprivation modifies the response of the HPA axis induced by IL-1β in an age-dependent fashion: 1) a greater response at pnd 6; 2) a quicker response at pnd 12; and 3) a suppressed response pattern at pnd 18. Moreover, these responses across ages differ as a function of maternal contact postinjection: 1) deprivation augments the ACTH and COR...