cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High Power X-Band GaAs Field Effect Transistors

Design considerations and processing techniques related to high power X-band GaAs field effect transistors will be presented. Particular emphasis will be placed on the problems associated with common lead inductance, gate-drain breakdown voltage and thermal resistance. The microwave performance of large periphery designs (up to 10 mms) will be reported. The superior performance of via-hole source connected devices with integral plated heat sinks will be stressed.
Evolution of the pregnane X receptor: Role of cross‐species differences in biliary bile salts

Background/Aims The pregnane X receptor (PXR) regulates the metabolism and elimination of xenobiotics, bile salts, and steroids. The PXR ligand-binding domain diverges extensively between different animals, suggesting adaptation to changing endogenous ligands. We hypothesized that variation in biliary bile salts has driven PXR gene divergence during evolution. Biliary bile salts vary significantly among vertebrates and include 27-carbon (C27) bile alcohol sulfates (fish), C27 bile acids (amphibians), and C24 bile acids (birds, mammals). Methods Activation of human, mouse, rat, rabbit, chicken, and zebrafish PXRs was studied in an vitro luciferase-based assay in HepG2 liver cells. Bile salts were either obtained commercially or isolated from bile of hagfish, carp, eagle spotted ray, or alligator. Results Mammalian, chicken, and zebrafish PXRs were activated by micromolar concentrations of at least one species-appropriate bile salt, with human PXR showing the broadest specificity. Zebrafish PXR was activated only by 'primitive' bile alcohol sulfates such as cyprinol sulfate (from carp) or scymnol sulfate (from eagle spotted ray) but not by evolutionarily more 'modern' bile acids. Interestingly, all PXRs studied were activated by cyprinol sulfate, suggesting that activation by primitive bile salts is an ancestral property of PXRs. Conclusions We propose that cross-species differences in biliary bile salts have influenced PXR function across 400 million years of evolution. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P62–P62; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.129
Reactivity of monolayer V2O5 films on TiO2(110) produced via the oxidation of vapor-deposited vanadium

Abstract The growth, and reactivity of monolayer V 2 O 5 films supported on TiO 2 (1 1 0) produced via the oxidation of vapor-deposited vanadium were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Oxidation of vapor-deposited vanadium in 10 −7 Torr of O 2 at 600 K produced vanadia films that contained primarily V 3+ , while oxidation in 10 −3 Torr at 400 K produced films that contained primarily V 5+ . The reactivity of the supported vanadia layers for the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde was studied using TPD. The activity for this reaction was found to be a function of the oxidation state of the vanadium cations in the film.
Recent advances in GaAs JFETs for deep cryogenic focal plane readouts

ABSTRACT The progress of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in developing gallium arsenide junction field-effect transistors (GaAsJFETs) for application in infrared readout electronics operating below 10 Kelvin is discussed. Results on GaAs JFETsfabricated using a highly isotropic HF-based etchant have been presented previously by our group. The isotropic etchreduced the typical input leakage current at 4 K to less than 1 fA. These WETs had a low frequency noise of just under1 jVfHz112 at 1 Hz at 4 K, while dissipating less than 1 tW ofpower. Building on this work, we have fabricated small-scaleintegrated circuits based on this GaAs JFET technology. In this paper we report on the fabrication of small-scale integratedcircuit multiplexers and amplifiers. An 8x1 source-follower-per-detector multiplexer and a three-transistor differential pairhave been fabricated and are fully functional at 4 K. The input-referred noise and leakage current is consistent with that for the discrete devices. A systematic study of the device size dependence of the noise has been started, but as yet is
Filament ablation of opaque solid material

Filamentation of femtosecond laser pulses defy diffraction and exist for many meters. The filament contains the concentrated laser pulse and a plasma column in its wake. We study filament ablation of metal and polymer surfaces.
Dynamics of glass-forming liquids. XIV. A search for ultraslow dielectric relaxation in glycerol

A recent dielectric study of various polyalcohols reported on the general occurrence of an ultraslow process with Debye type character in hydrogen bonded liquids [R. Bergman, H. Jansson, and J. Swenson, J. Chem. Phys. 132, 044504 (2010)], whereas previous work suggested that such behavior is specific to monoalcohols only. Clarifying this issue is highly relevant for assessing models aimed at rationalizing these modes that are slower than the primary structural relaxation and associated with a single time constant. To this end, the dielectric relaxation of glycerol is measured at different electrode distances with high accuracy. In this manner, electrode polarization can be separated from the dielectric signals intrinsic in the supercooled liquid. In the frequency range below the loss peak frequency omega(max) of the alpha-process, only dc-conductivity is required to understand the dielectric properties of supercooled glycerol within a margin of epsilon(") approximately +/-0.1 and thus no indication of an ultraslow peak is found. More quantitatively, any dielectric Debye like mode located around 10(-5)omega(max) would need to have an amplitude smaller than 0.4% of that of the primary dielectric process to be consistent with the present findings, in contrast to previous claims of >50%.
Computer-Based Diagnostic Simulation for Medical Training.

Computer-based clinical simulations provide a means for health care students to practice independent choice and action without the necessary constraints of patient safety. A specific diagnostic model is described along with its use in the training and evaluation of health care personnel. The educational viability of the model is examined in terms of a) the apparent reality of the simulation, b) the stability of student performance, c) the relationship of student performance on simulation to performance on more conventional testing methodologies, and d) the applicability of simulation to allied health care personnel. The implications for students, faculty and curriculum of computer-based clinical simulations are discussed.
Blocked Paths, Uncertain Futures: The Postsecondary Education and Labor Market Prospects of Undocumented Latino Youth

Over the past few decades, undocumented settlement in the United States has grown to unprecedented numbers. Among the nearly 12 million undocumented immigrants, a substantial portion of undocumented youth is growing up with legal access to public education through high school but facing legal restrictions and economic barriers to higher education and the workforce. Every year, about 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school nationwide. Like other children of immigrants, they plan to remain in the United States, but these young men and women have few means out of poverty. We provide a blueprint for assessing the future prospects of undocumented youth by offering a brief analysis of immigration and educational policies that currently affect the U.S. undocumented youth population and summarizing what is known about undocumented students' educational and occupational barriers and opportunities, particularly as they transition out of high school. We also discuss potential solutions to improve thei...
Trajectory learning for human-robot scientific data collection

We propose an integrated learning and planning framework that leverages knowledge from a human user along with prior information about the environment to generate trajectories for scientific data collection. The proposed framework combines principles from probabilistic planning with uncertainty modeling through nonparametric Bayesian methods to refine trajectories for execution by autonomous vehicles. The resulting techniques allow for trajectories specified by a user to be modified for reduced risk of collision and increased reliability. We test our approach in the underwater ocean monitoring domain, and we show that the proposed framework reduces the risk of collision with ship traffic by as much as 51% for an autonomous underwater vehicle operating in ocean currents. This work provides insight into the tools necessary for combining human-robot interaction with autonomous navigation.
The Manufacture of Low Heat Nonfat Milk Solids

Summary Presumably, the permissible heat treatment during the manufacture of low heat nonfat milk solids might vary with the use of the product. For use in cottage cheese manufacture, the ideal product would be one subjected to no more heat than is necessary to insure pasteurization. However, equipment limitations may make it difficult for manufacturers to avoid excessive heat treatment. Evidence has been presented that the cumulative heat treatment at all stages of handling the liquid systems should not exceed 160° F. for 10 minutes or the equivalent of this at other times and temperatures. Present information indicates that serum protein denaturation is the best objective index of heat treatment but has the definite limitation that the serum protein content of the raw milk must be known.
An SCF calculation of mono-substituted benzenes

A modified Mataga SCF approach is applied to aniline, phenol and toluene. The results obtained are compared with those obtained earlier for the polyacenes and the halobenzenes.
Cutting height effects on guayule latex, rubber, and resin yields

Abstract Guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) is a perennial shrub native to the Chihuahuan Desert. While guayule traditionally has been cultivated for rubber, more recently it is being cultivated for its hypoallergenic latex. Other uses including termite resistant wood products and as an energy source have also been identified. Major advances have been made since 1970 in the development of improved guayule germplasm. However, the effects of harvesting practices such as cutting height and frequency on latex concentration and yield of newly developed germplasm have not been reported. These results are needed in order to develop production schemes for successful commercialization of guayule. The objectives of this study were to determine the yield and concentration of latex, rubber, and resin of five guayule lines harvested at two cutting heights over 3 years and five harvesting schedules. Harvesting at 100% of plant height gave higher yields than harvesting at 50% of plant height independent of the harvest schedule. Harvesting at 100% after 4 years of growth gave the highest yields, but more research is needed to determine if harvesting on a 2-year schedule may be better for harvesting equipment and extraction equipment. AZ-2 and AZ101 were the largest plants, while N9-3 and 11591 were smaller with AZ-1 intermediate. As indicated in previous studies, the environment plays a large role in determining biomass, latex, rubber, and resin yields in guayule. In the future, optimum harvesting schemes at 100% of plant height may need to be developed for each line and environment.
Radiation-enhanced resistance to oxygen: A possible relationship to radiation-enhanced longevity

Abstract Shortly after γ-irradiation, flour beetles (Oklahoma strain of Tribolium confusum ) exhibited and decline in resistance to oxygen toxicity. Beginning about two weeks after irradiation, however, the LD 50 exposure time in pure oxygen was much greater than that of nonirradiated beetles, and this enhanced resistance persisted for about 6 months. The magnitude of the enhancement was a function of dose, and decreased with increasing age at irradiation. These characteristics of a radiation-enhanced resistance to a stress are comparable to the characteristics of radiation-enhanced longevity in Tribolium , in that after irradiation mortality rate is less than that of controls for about 6 months, the magnitude of the effect is dose-dependent, and older beetles are refractory to the effect. Irradiation under anoxic conditions reduced the development of oxygen resistance to the same degree that it reduced acute radiation lethality, suggesting that the amount of biological damage is the critical factor. These results are discussed in terms of the “induced repair” theory of radiation-enhanced longevity of insects.
Highlights in experimental therapeutics

The past two decades have seen a dramatic change in cancer treatment paradigms. Anticancer agents are no longer being developed based on empiricism and serendipity, but are now being aimed to inhibit a validated target that is relatively specific for tumours rather than normal cells. The vast majority of cancers arise from multiple genetic lesions; thus, sophisticated drug cocktails, or single drugs acting on multiple downstream targets will be needed for successful cancer therapy. Three emerging concepts that are addressing these therapeutic needs and that are key to blocking steps in tumourigenesis will be highlighted in this review: (a) attacking cancer cell immortality by targeting the telomere/telomerase complex; (b) targeting oncogene activation by inhibiting the molecular chaperone Hsp90; and (c) stabilizing tumour suppressor proteins by modulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide stimulates the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells

Although numerous epidemiological studies have provided convincing evidence for an increase in the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in obese individuals, the precise mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a gastrointestinal regulatory peptide whose primary physiologic role is to stimulate postprandial pancreatic insulin secretion. Like insulin, GIP has been linked to enhanced nutrient efficiency, which occurred during the course of evolution. Its expression is increased in obesity, and we thus initiated studies to examine whether GIP might contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity-related CRC. RT-PCR and Western analysis demonstrated the presence of the GIP receptor (GIPR) in several human CRC cell lines. GIP stimulated the proliferation of MC-26 cells, a mouse CRC cell line, in a concentration-dependent manner. Western analysis showed that GIP induced the activity of several downstream signaling molecules known to be involved in cellular proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. These studies indicate that the presence of GIP receptors in CRC may enable ligand binding and, in so doing, stimulate CRC cell proliferation. The overexpression of GIP, which occurs in obesity, might thereby be contributing to the enhanced rate of carcinogenesis observed in obesity.
A Geometric Perspective of Large-Margin Training of Gaussian Models [Lecture Notes]

Large-margin techniques have been studied intensively by the machine learning community to balance the empirical error rate on the training set and the generalization ability on the test set. However, they have been mostly developed together with generic discriminative models such as support vector machines (SVMs) and are often difficult to apply in parameter estimation problems for generative models such as Gaussians and hidden Markov models. The difficulties lie in both the formulation of the training criteria and the development of efficient optimization algorithms. In this article, we consider the basic problem of large margin training of Gaussian models. We take the geometric perspective of separating patterns using concentric ellipsoids, a concept that has not generally been familiar to signal processing researchers but which we will elaborate on here. We describe the approach of finding the maximum-ratio separating ellipsoids (MRSEs) and derive an extension with soft margins. We show how to formulate the soft-margin MRSE problem as a convex optimization problem, more specifically a semidefinite program (SDP). In addition, we derive its duality theory and optimality conditions and apply this method to a vowel recognition example, which is a classical problem in signal processing.
Accuracy of a Rationally Derived Method for Identifying Treatment Failure in Children and Adolescents

Psychotherapy outcome can be enhanced by early identification of potential treatment failures before they leave treatment. In adults, compelling data are emerging that provide evidence that an early warning system that identifies potential treatment failures can be developed and applied to enhance outcome. The present study reports an analysis of early warning algorithms to identify treatment failures among child/adolescent patients (ages 3–18). The progress of 300 patients who had completed treatment was analyzed to see if algorithms could identify those children who ultimately had a negative outcome. Results indicated that the rationally derived method had a 77% success rate for identifying child/adolescent patients who were reliably worse or had deteriorated by the time that therapy was terminated.
Diverse functionality among human NK cell receptors for the C1 epitope of HLA-C: KIR2DS2, KIR2DL2, and KIR2DL3

Interactions between killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their HLA-A, -B, and –C ligands diversify the functions of human natural killer cells. Consequently, combinations of KIR and HLA genotypes affect resistance to infection and autoimmunity, success of reproduction and outcome of hematopoietic cell transplantation. HLA-C, with its C1 and C2 epitopes, evolved in hominids to be specialized KIR ligands. The system’s foundation was the C1 epitope, with C2 a later addition, by several million years. The human inhibitory receptor for C1 is encoded by KIR2DL2/3, a gene having two divergent allelic lineages: KIR2DL2 a B KIR haplotype component and KIR2DL3 an A KIR haplotype component. Although KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 exhibit quantitative differences in specificity and avidity for HLA-C, they qualitatively differ in their genetics, functional effect and clinical influence. This is due to linkage disequilibrium between KIR2DL2 and KIR2DS2, a closely related activating receptor that was selected for lost recognition of HLA-C.
Absolutely Calibrated Soft X-Ray Streak Camera For Laser Fusion Applications

We have calibrated, the intensity output of a soft x ray streak camera (SXRSC) in order to make absolute flux measurements of x rays emitted from laser-produced plasmas. The SXRSC developed at LLNL is used to time-resolve x-ray pulses to better than 20 ps. The SXRSC uses a Au photocathode on a thin carbon substrate which is sensitive to x rays from 100 eV to greater than 10 keV. Calibrations are done in the dynamic mode using a small laser-produced x-ray source. The SXRSC is calibrated by comparing its integrated signal to the output of calibrated x-ray diodes monitoring the source strength. The measured SXRSC response is linear over greater than two orders of magnitude. Using these calibrations, absolute intensities can be measured to an accuracy of +30%."© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ultra-low temperature OMVPE of InAs and InAsBi

InAs and InAsBi have been grown by atmospheric pressure organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) over a broad temperature range from 600 to as low as 275° C. This is the lowest growth temperature ever reported for conventional OMVPE. It is demonstrated that lowering the growth temperature is the most effective approach for increasing the maximum Bi content in InAsBi alloys where the Bi solubility limit is 0.025 at.%. For example, InAsBi samples with Bi concentrations as high as 6.1 at.% have been successfully grown at a temperature of 275° C. Trimethylindium, arsine, and trimethylbismuth were used as precursors for most experiments. The growth efficiency is a constant for temperatures above 400° C, indicating that the growth rate is diffusion limited. For lower temperatures, it decreases exponentially with decreasing temperature with an activation energy of 24 kcal/mol. Incomplete pyrolysis of TMIn limits the growth rate in this temperature regime. By substituting ethyldimethylindium for TMIn the growth rate can be increased at lower temperatures. Hall effect measurements show that then-type background concentration increases from approximately 2.3 × 1016 to 1019 cm−3 as the growth temperature decreases from 600 to 325° C. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy results show that the dominant impurity is carbon. Thus, carbon is mainly a donor in these materials. The integrated photoluminescence intensity drops rapidly with decreasing growth temperature.
IMMUNOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CELLULAR SLIME MOLD DICTYOSTELIUM MUCOROIDES.

Abstract Hyperimmune sera were produced in rabbits against the spores of D. mucoroides. The heated antisera agglutinated spores as well as vegetative and interphase amebas, with no significant differences in titers. Precipitin ring tests of the antisera with extracts of cells at various stages of development indicated a marked increase in reactivity at the migrating pseudoplasmodium stage and a further increase at the spore stage. Two kinds of absorption studies were conducted and the results indicated that (1) antigenic substance(s) which are different from the surface antigens are present inside spores, and that they begin to increase in amount at the migrating pseudo-plasmodium stage; (2) new combining groups are synthesized during the process of aggregation. In order to study localization of antigens and combining groups at various stages of development, immunohistochemical studies were made by using fluorescein-conjugated antispore sera, both absorbed and unabsorbed. The staining of the cell surfaces indicated that there is a change in the surface in the interphase, this taking place some time after the amebas have finished feeding. Thereafter the cell surface remains unchanged until the time of spore formation. This latter change is characteristic only of the spores and does not occur in the stalk cells. Antibody-stained cytoplasmic granules were observed at all stages except the vegetative stage. During interphase, cells begin to synthesize new combining group(s) in or on certain granules in the cytoplasm. However, since the extent of the synthesis varies considerably from one cell to another, the cell population becomes considerably heterogeneous with respect to the amount of the combining groups they contain. After these various cells are collected randomly by the process of aggregation, the cell variation already present is further accentuated by the synthesis of new combining groups in some of the cells in the aggregation center. The cell variation in the aggregation center seems to provide a basis for the sorting out of cells in the formation of the migrating pseudoplasmodium. After the cells are rearranged, differentiation takes place according to their location within the migrating pseudoplasmodium. Cells in the anterior region lose combining groups, while they increase in the cells of the posterior region. The significance of the cell sorting in the normal development of the cellular slime molds was discussed and compared with the development of animal embryos.
Treatment of a 12-Hour Shift of Sleep Schedule with Benzodiazepines

Normal sleepers underwent sleep recordings and daytime tests of sleep tendency, performance, and mood while being shifted 180 degrees in their sleep-wake schedule. After two baseline 24-hour periods, subjects postponed sleep until noon. For the next three 24-hour periods, they were in bed from 1200 to 2000 and received triazolam, flurazepam, or placebo at bedtime in parallel groups. Placebo subjects showed significant sleep loss after the shift. Active medication reversed this sleep loss. Despite good sleep, flurazepam subjects appeared most impaired of the three groups on objective assessments of waking function; triazolam subjects were least impaired.
Competition as a mechanism of submersed macrophyte community structure

Abstract This paper explores the various ways in which studies of interspecific competition relate to the concept of the community. While it is not intended to be a definitive or exhaustive literature search, this article nonetheless uses specific examples from the literature to exemplify different approaches to the study of submersed macrophyte competition, approaches that inherently rely upon a specific community concept. Considered herein are results from manipulative experiments of a variety of types, as well as results from observational studies examining resource use allocation, architectural variation among community members, and spatial patterns within the community. The paper concludes with a synthesis of the relative value of multiple scientific approaches to the complex community-level phenomenon of interspecific competition.
Effects of Angiogenic Growth Factor Combinations on Retinal Endothelial Cells

Abstract The aim of this paper was to determine if growth factors, known to be upregulated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, exerted combined effects on retinal endothelial cells. The authors explored the individual and collective actions of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and placenta growth factor (PlGF) on several parameters that reflect the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells. The effect of growth factors on cell migration and survival/proliferation was examined using primary cultures of bovine retinal endothelial cells (BREC). The authors also determined the growth factor action on capillary-like tube formation on a reconstituted basement membrane matrix and on the newly described phenomenon of secondary sprouting, in which endothelial cell colonies spontaneously survive, proliferate, migrate and invade the matrix after the original capillary-like tubes have collapsed. Sprouting cells were positive for von Willebrand factor and could aggregate into larger tubes with lumens. Incubation with VEGF+IGF-I or PlGF+FGF-2 enhanced tube stability by 40–50%, more than each growth factor alone or other combinations (5–20%). The concurrent addition of four growth factors did not improve the response seen with growth factor pairs. Surprisingly, PDGF-BB induced tube collapse. IGF-I and FGF-2 mildly enhanced BREC proliferation/survival (5–15%). However, VEGF+IGF-I or PlGF+FGF-2 increased BREC proliferation/survival by 25% under low serum conditions, whereas combinations of all four growth factors exerted a clearly synergistic effect (250% increase). PDGF-BB or FGF-2 stimulated secondary sprouting and were the only factors capable of exerting this effect alone. Even though VEGF, IGF-I or PlGF were not effective, if administered in pairs, they demonstrated increased responses. PDGF-BB was also able to enhance the effect of FGF-2+IGF-I+VEGF on BREC secondary sprouting, but not of any of them individually. No other growth factor tested was able to significantly improve the action of combinations of three other growth factors. VEGF increased cell migration in a wounded monolayer assay two-fold and PDGF-BB, 2.5 times, but other individual growth factors were ineffective. PlGF+FGF-2 enhanced cell migration more than each factor alone. VEGF+IGF-I+PlGF+FGF-2, however, increased cell migration four-fold. In summary, this study indicates that growth factors, overexpressed in diabetic retinopathy eyes, enhance the angiogenic characteristics of cultured cells (tube formation, proliferation, secondary sprouting and migration). Their effects, however, can be greatly augmented by other growth factors that alone exert little or no action. Therefore, diabetic retinal neovascularization may result from the additive or synergistic action of several growth factors.
Variant alleles of the D2 dopamine receptor gene and obesity

Abstract The mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic reward pathways have a role in the neuromodulation of appetite. There are data supporting a role of allelic variants of the D2 dopamine receptor ( DRD 2) gene and the number of receptor binding sites in vulnerability to substance abuse and obesity. We recently demonstrated that the A1 and B1 genotypes are in linkage disequilibrium and predictive of smoking status. Previous studies have evaluated the relationship between obesity and A1 but not B1 genotypes. Our objective was to assess the relationships between obesity and DRD 2 Taq I A and Taq I B genotypes in healthy individuals. Subjects were 139 Caucasian average weight and 37 obese individuals (body mass index ⩾30) identified as comparison subjects for ongoing case-control studies. Among the obese group, only 41.7% exhibited the A2 genotypes and 58.3% the A1 genotypes compared with 68.8% and 31.2% respectively for the average weight subjects (P=0.002). There was a similar pattern for B2 genotypes (51.4% compared with 78.9% respectively, P=0.003). The risk of obesity associated with the DRD 2 A1 genotypes was 3.48 (95% confidence intervals=1.55, 7.80), compared with 4.55 (1.94, 10.69) for the DRD 2 B1 genotypes. Individuals who had the A1 or B1 genotypes had higher BMI than those with the wildtype genotypes (P=0.086 and 0.05 respectively). The prevalence of the A1 genotypes was 2 of 5 (40%) obese individuals who never smoked, 12 of 22 (54.6%) for obese former smokers, and 7 of 9 (77.9%) for obese current smokers. The comparable percentages for the B1 genotypes were 0%, 56.5% and 55.6%. Further emphasis needs to be placed on identifying the genetic basis for obesity in order to develop targeted weight reduction interventions, that may improve potential for success.
Occurrence and persistence of fungicides in bed sediments and suspended solids from three targeted use areas in the United States

Abstract To document the environmental occurrence and persistence of fungicides, a robust and sensitive analytical method was used to measure 34 fungicides and an additional 57 current-use pesticides in bed sediments and suspended solids collected from areas of intense fungicide use within three geographic areas across the United States. Sampling sites were selected near or within agricultural research farms using prophylactic fungicides at rates and types typical of their geographic location. At least two fungicides were detected in 55% of the bed and 83% of the suspended solid samples and were detected in conjunction with herbicides and insecticides. Six fungicides were detected in all samples including pyraclostrobin (75%), boscalid (53%), chlorothalonil (41%) and zoxamide (22%). Pyraclostrobin, a strobilurin fungicide, used frequently in the United States on a variety of crops, was detected more frequently than p , p ′-DDE, the primary degradate of p , p ′-DDT, which is typically one of the most frequently occurring pesticides in sediments collected within highly agricultural areas. Maximum fungicide concentrations in bed sediments and suspended solids were 198 and 56.7 μg/kg dry weight, respectively. There is limited information on the occurrence, fate, and persistence of many fungicides in sediment and the environmental impacts are largely unknown. The results of this study indicate the importance of documenting the persistence of fungicides in the environment and the need for a better understanding of off-site transport mechanisms, particularly in areas where crops are grown that require frequent treatments to prevent fungal diseases.
Memory for pure and verb-derived nouns: implications for hemispheric specialization.

Abstract Memory for pure and verb-derived nouns was assessed in two long-term memory experiments. The two types of nouns were matched for word frequency and number of syllables. The results of both experiments indicated that pure and verb-derived nouns do not differ in their demands on the information processing capacities of normal subjects when confounding factors are controlled. The implications of these findings for studies of hemispheric specialization for language are discussed.
Collaborative Localization for Fleets of Underwater Drifters

A crucial goal for ocean-sensing systems is to obtain spatially-rich data that allows us to understand the correlations between ocean processes. To achieve this, we consider a system consisting of swarms of underwater drifters that float freely with currents and therefore achieve high spatial sampling of the ocean. Our goal is to ensure that this system is self-organizing and autonomous which is key for practical large-scale deployments in remote regions. We consider a crucial aspect of data collection, namely, determining the locations at which data was sensed. Given our overall design goal, we propose a localization strategy where nodes collaborate to determine their positions autonomously without using long range transponders on surface buoys or ships. This in turn significantly impacts the cost and ease of deployment of such systems. Further, we determine optimum configurations for the swarm so that their position estimation error is minimized.
Holland's theory: Stability of avocational interests☆

Abstract The generality and stability of Holland's vocational choice model was tested by examining preference for avocational (leisure) activity. Based on their responses to the Strong Vocational Interest Blank, college students were placed into one of the six Holland groups. They also indicated preferred leisure activities on questionnaires that were administered at a 9-year interval. Six hypotheses were developed relating Holland groups to particular types of avocational behavior. For example, it was predicted that the Artistic group would be more active in cultural affairs and that the Enterprising group would prefer reading political and economic magazines. The initial test of these hypotheses during late adolescence confirmed five of the six predictions. A follow-up 9 years later confirmed all six hypotheses. These results provide some support for the notion that individuals self-select a variety of situations. Also, the relationships between Holland scales and leisure activity and possible implications for the vocational choice model are discussed.
Design of a Mars Airplane Propulsion System for the Aerial Regional-Scale Environmental Survey (Ares) Mission Concept

The Aerial Regional-Scale Environmental Survey (ARES) is a Mars exploration mission concept with the goal of taking scientific measurements of the atmosphere, surface, and subsurface of Mars by using an airplane as the payload platform. ARES team first conducted a Phase-A study for a 2007 launch opportunity, which was completed in May 2003. Following this study, significant efforts were undertaken to reduce the risk of the atmospheric flight system, under the NASA Langley Planetary Airplane Risk Reduction Project. The concept was then proposed to the Mars Scout program in 2006 for a 2011 launch opportunity. This paper summarizes the design and development of the ARES airplane propulsion subsystem beginning with the inception of the ARES project in 2002 through the submittal of the Mars Scout proposal in July 2006.
Impaired Visual-Motor Ability of Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

14 of 21 boys from 6 to 13 yr. of age with a medical diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy obtained impaired scores on the Bender-Gestalt test indicative of mild to severe visual-motor disability. The Bender-Gestalt scores were associated with WISC Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQ scores at the .01 level.
An epoxy coating technique for edge preservation of metallographic specimens

The problem of preserving thin layers or other edge phenomenon on metallography specimens has been solved. The causes of edge rounding and the importance of maintaining specimen flatness will not be discussed because these topics have been explored in detail in numerous reports (see, for example, references 1 and 2). Our specific problem of edge retention was somewhat unusual, as our interest centered on several layers of various hardness and thickness which formed a major diffusion zone along the specimen surface. These nonuniform layers varied in composition, from what appeared to be an outer layer consisting of hard oxide adjacent to a much softer layer of unknown composition. Standard edge preservation methods such as electro-nickel deposition, electroless nickel, and sample encapsulation in "adhering" epoxies were tried but proved ineffectual. In addition, in order to utilize our polishing and testing equipment, standard pressure mounting materials and mold size had to be employed. For these reasons it was necessary to develop a protective coating with a hardness compatible to both the soft and hard constituents forming the outer layer and with good adhering properties. Once cured, this coating must be unaffected by the pressure and heat for subsequent setting in a conventional mounting press. Several commercial epoxies setting at room temperature were tested, and Shell Epon 828 a proved to be the most versatile and adaptable for our application. The following procedure was utilized to successfully prepare and preserve the area of interest along the specimen edge. The sample (about 1⁄2 × ~ inch) was cut with extreme caution and cleansed with acetone or petroleum ether. A resin containing 100 parts by weight of Shell Epon 828 and 15 parts by weight of Shell Epon Curing Agent U (catalyst) was prepared and allowed to stand at room temperature for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before application. During this time the resin developed a slight increase in temperature (100°F to 105°F),
N-terminal helix reorients in recombinant C-fragment of Clostridium botulinum type B.

Abstract Botulinum neurotoxins comprise seven distinct serotypes (A–G) produced by Clostridium botulinum. The crystal structure of the binding domain of the botulinum neurotoxin type B (BBHc) has been determined to 2 A resolution. The overall structure of BBHc is well ordered and similar to that of the binding domain of the holotoxin. However, significant structural changes occur at what would be the interface of translocation and binding domains of the holotoxin. The loop 911–924 shows a maximum displacement of 14.8 A at the farthest point. The N-terminal helix reorients and moves by 19.5 A from its original position. BBHc is compared with the binding domain of the holotoxin of botulinum type A and B, and the tetanus C-fragment to characterize the heavy chain-carbohydrate interactions. The probable reasons for different binding affinity of botulinum and tetanus toxins are discussed.
A computational model of the human thyroid

The thyroid, the largest gland in the endocrine system, secretes hormones that help promote bodily growth and development. This gland regulates hormonal secretion rate in spite of changes in dietary iodine which is a key ingredient in the hormone's biosynthesis. The thyroid relies on several feedback mechanisms for this regulation, and in this paper we use recent molecular-level and clinical observations to engineer a computational thyroid model. We use simulation and analysis to show that this models captures known aspects of thyroid physiology. We identify features in the model that are responsible for hormonal regulation, and use the model to identify and evaluate competing hypotheses associated with Wolff-Chaikoff escape.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Late Life Depression: Current Status and New Applications

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is an empirically-supported treatment for depression and other mental disorders. This article discusses the structure of IPT, its use with older adults, and research that supports its efficacy with depressed older people. Depressed older persons with significant health problems or cognitive impairment present special challenges for those conducting IPT and other psychotherapies. Promising new psychotherapies developed for depressed older adults with cognitive impairment and those living in nursing homes are reviewed. Recommendations are made for use of IPT with older adults in nursing homes.
Delays caused by a queue at a freeway exit ramp

Abstract We consider here what happens to traffic on a freeway when a queue from an exit ramp backs onto the freeway causing a partial blockage of the right lane. Exiting vehicles are confined to the right lane but through vehicles can travel in any lane. The two vehicle types interact but their queues must be treated separately. This illustrates a special case of a model of “freeways with special lanes” formulated by Daganzo (1997) . Whereas Daganzo presented a numerical scheme of calculating flows, the emphasis here is on graphical evaluation of the complete evolution of the queues. The graphical solution more clearly illustrates the practical issues, at least in this special situation.
Humerus Nonunion after Intramedullary Rod Fixation: Locking Compression Plating Without Removing the Nail

Summary The results of operative treatment of humeral nonunion after intramedullary rod fixation have not been as good as treatment for nonunion after nonoperative treatment or plate fixation. This could be in part the result of the shoulder damage that occurs when removing a well-buried anterograde intramedullary fixation device. Our treatment of patients with humerus nonunion after intramedullary fixation has evolved so that we now treat them without removing the rod. The newer locking compression plates provide additional features that facilitate fixation over an intramedullary device.
The Effects of Music and Movement Opportunity on the Analogical Reasoning Performance of African American and White School Children: A Preliminary Study

This study sought tofurther establish that contextualfactors informed by cultural experiences could influence performance on a learning task. Low-income African American and middle-income White children listened to stories read under two contexts thatdiffered in the degree to which movement and music were integrated with the presentation of the stories. The high-movement expressive (HME) context allowedfor children to coordinate movement with a musical accompaniment while listening to the stories, and the low-movement expressive (LME) context allowed for little movement opportunity and no music was played. Performance was measured via a multiple-choice test designed to assess the amount of information the children processed about the stories. Results revealed that whereas African American children perform better under the HME than the LME context, White children perform better under the LME than the HME context. The results are discussed in relation to future research.
Generational analysis of variety in data structures: impact on automatic data integration and on the semantic web

We examine data definition languages (DDLs) from various computing era spanning almost 50 years to date. We prove that contemporary DDLs are indistinguishable from older ones using Zipf distribution of words, Zipf distributions of meanings, and information theory. None addresses the Law of Requisite Variety, which is necessary for enabling automatic data integration from autonomous heterogeneous data sources and for the realization of the Semantic Web. The growth of the entire computing industry is hampered by the lack of progress in the development of DDLs suitable for these two goals. Our findings set the stage for the future development of a mathematically sound DDL better suited for the aforementioned purposes.
Bioethics and the Culture Wars

The term ‘culture wars’ has been used to describe deep, apparently intractable, disagreements between groups for many years. In contemporary discourse, it refers to disputes regarding significant moral matters carried out in the public square and for which there appears to be no way to achieve consensus or compromise. One set of battle lines is drawn between those who hold traditional Christian commitments and those who do not. Christian bioethics is nested in a set of moral and metaphysical understandings that collide with those of the dominant secular culture. The result is a gulf between a moral life and an approach to bioethics framed in the face of a transcendent God and a final judgment versus a moral life and an approach to bioethics framed as if the world were without ultimate meaning and as if death were the end of personal existence. These approaches are separated by a moral and metaphysical gulf that sustains incompatible life worlds and incompatible understandings of bioethics. Attempts to bridge the gulf with secular reason are ineffective because there is no shared conception of reason or standard of evidence. Efforts to use the state to enforce a particular set of metaphysical and moral commitments, whether secular or religious, lead to public disputes with a war-like character.
Use of Control Charts for Identifying Worsening Postoperative Mortality or Serious Morbidity Performance After Colectomy

Control charts are increasingly being used by hospitals as a tool for monitoring and improving health care quality. Our objective was to determine whether control charts of mortality or serious morbidity (M&M) rates after colectomy predict changes in outlier status for risk-adjusted M&M rates using data from a surgical registry, the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Control charts of monthly M&M rates for 95 hospitals were analyzed for indicators of a performance change in 2009 (vs 2008) using standard rules. Hospitals were also classified as having better, worse, or no change in outlier status for risk-adjusted M&M rates in 2009 (vs 2008). Agreement between these methods was fair (weighted κ = 0.379). There were no hospitals labeled as improving by one method and worsening by the other. Control charts predicted nonworsening performance well (specificity 0.866), but failed to identify 38.5% of hospitals with worsened outlier status. Although we did not demonstrate perfect agreement, our results suggest that these methods are measuring similar constructs of quality and are likely complementary uses of the same clinical data source.
Gene Expression Signature of Fibroblast Serum Response Predicts Human Cancer Progression: Similarities between Tumors and Wounds

Cancer invasion and metastasis have been likened to wound healing gone awry. Despite parallels in cellular behavior between cancer progression and wound healing, the molecular relationships between these two processes and their prognostic implications are unclear. In this study, based on gene expression profiles of fibroblasts from ten anatomic sites, we identify a stereotyped gene expression program in response to serum exposure that appears to reflect the multifaceted role of fibroblasts in wound healing. The genes comprising this fibroblast common serum response are coordinately regulated in many human tumors, allowing us to identify tumors with gene expression signatures suggestive of active wounds. Genes induced in the fibroblast serum-response program are expressed in tumors by the tumor cells themselves, by tumor-associated fibroblasts, or both. The molecular features that define this wound-like phenotype are evident at an early clinical stage, persist during treatment, and predict increased risk of metastasis and death in breast, lung, and gastric carcinomas. Thus, the transcriptional signature of the response of fibroblasts to serum provides a possible link between cancer progression and wound healing, as well as a powerful predictor of the clinical course in several common carcinomas.
Neural network control of distillation: an industrial application

The use of models to improve control of chemical processes has been an active area for academic research for the past two decades. Neural networks is one such topic; research has shown neural networks possess the potential to model complicated process systems, and how these models could be used to improve control and operation of such processes. The paper discusses an application of a neural network model-based controller to an industrial distillation column.