cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-point discrimination thresholds and schizotypy: illuminating a somatosensory dysfunction.

The current study sought to determine if somatosensory deviations, assessed by determining two-point discrimination thresholds, were associated with schizotypic features in non-psychotic subjects (N=100). It was hypothesized that elevated two-point discrimination thresholds would be associated with an increased likelihood of higher levels of schizotypy features. The results of the study suggested that at the level of individual differences, higher two-point discrimination thresholds (ascending series assessments) were associated with higher levels of schizotypy as operationalized by several prominent measures of schizotypy. A deviant subgroup analysis clearly suggested that, for ascending series two-point threshold assessments, those persons requiring the greatest distance (i.e. highest thresholds) to detect two-point stimulation were substantially more schizotypic than a contrast group. Control analyses that focused on psychological state (depression, anxiety) and intellectual functioning variables revealed that these factors were, more or less, unrelated to two-point discrimination thresholds and they did not account for the observed significant relations between the schizotypy scales and two-point threshold values. The results of this study are discussed within a neuropsychological context implicating parietal cortex involvement with schizotypy and schizophrenia.
Computer-aided design and control of an activated sludge process

Abstract The activated sludge process for wastewater treatment is studied by use of steady state and dynamic process models. Process constraints fix the steady The transient analysis enables controllability to be taken into account when making a final design decision between alternatives that are equally attra
Simplified Green's functions for calculating capacitance and inductance of multiconductor transmission lines in multilayered media

Using the impedance formula and the asymptotic property of the hyperbolic tangent function, the Green's function due to a line source embedded in a general layered medium has been analytically converted into a more suitable form for numerical calculation of capacitance and inductance. The new form is designed to eliminate slow convergence when the vertical distance of the source and field points is small. Another simplified Green's function for the layered medium shielded by two rectangular outer conductors is also given. Numerical results are compared with published data. The agreement is excellent.
NEW SYNTHETIC ROUTES TO AZACARBORANE CLUSTERS : NITRILE INSERTION REACTIONS OF NIDO-5,6-C2B8H11- AND NIDO-B10H13-

A synthetic sequence involving the initial nucleophilic attack of the isoelectronic nido-5,6-C2B8H11- or nido-B10H13- anions at a nitrile carbon, followed by nitrile hydroboration and cage-insertion, has been found to yield new azacarborane clusters in good yields. Thus, the reaction of nido-5,6-C2B8H11- with refluxing acetonitrile gave the azatricarbaborane anion arachno-7-CH3-5,7,14,12-C3NB8H11- (1-) in 65% yield, while nido-B10H13- reacted with acetonitrile, benzyl cyanide, or CH313CN to give the azamonocarbaborane anions arachno-7-CH3-7,12-CNB10H13- (2a-), arachno-7-Bn-7,12-CNB10H13- (2b-), and arachno-7-CH3-7,12-13CNB10H13- (2a--13C), respectively. Single-crystal X-ray studies of the isoelectronic clusters, 1- and 2a-, showed that hydroboration of the nitrile occurred, with the resulting imino group inserting into the cage framework in a position bridging the B2 and B11 borons. Consistent with their arachno skeletal electron counts, 1- and 2a- have cage frameworks containing two six-membered open fac...
The Centralizing Role of Terminology: A Consideration of Achievement Gap, NCLB, and School Turnaround

American educational policies over the last 40 years have represented an uninterrupted movement toward centralization. This article analyzes three terms that have become critical to the centralization of American education. More specifically, this article reviews the development, language, and source of the thematic terms and associated language of achievement gap, NCLB, and school turnaround. The author contends that the level of each term's entrenchment in American education varies but that their impacts have all grown from a top-down initiative, and although the terms represent separate concepts, they have been linked in meaningful ways to drive centralization.
Brasfield and Wisconsin scoring systems have equal value as outcome assessment tools of cystic fibrosis lung disease

Background Several imaging-based scoring systems have been used as outcome measures in assessing the severity of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. It has been shown that chest radiography performs equally to computed tomography (CT). There is the opinion that of the two most commonly used chest radiograph (CXR) systems, the Brasfield system is less sensitive and reliable than the Wisconsin system.
Inertial fusion energy development beyond 2000

Ultimately, of course, a prototype power plant will be built at a power level appropriate for planned future commercial operations. This could use the same ETF/ DPP driver or a new one tailored to the plant size and with less experimental flexibility than the ETF driver. With the experience and data gained from a number of small demonstration reactors, and from the operation of the ETF/DPP driver and target factory, it is quite likely that a variety of plant sizes options will be available at that time.
Performance studies for an experimental solar open-cycle liquid desiccant air dehumidification system

Abstract A nominal 10.5-kW (3-ton) open-cycle liquid desiccant dehumidification system has been designed, installed, and successfully operated at the Solar Energy Applications Laboratory, Colorado State University. Packed bed units were used to dry the air in the dehumidifier and to concentrate the desiccant in the regenerator. Liquid distribution in the regenerator was studied for two systems: a gravity tray distributor, and a spray nozzle system. Higher capacities (40–50% increase) and lower pressure drop (30–40% reduction) for the air flow were observed with the spray system. Cooling capacities of 3.5–14.0 kW (1.0–4.0 refrigeration tons) were achieved for both the regenerator and dehumidifier. Functional relationships correlating the independent variables to the rate of vaporization in the regenerator and rate of condensation in the dehumidifier were obtained by statistical analysis of the experimental data. These studies thus provide data and correlations useful for design guidance and performance analysis of similar open-cycle liquid desiccant cooling systems, particularly for the liquid/vapor contact units.
Community structure and Vietnamese refugee adaptation: the significance of context.

This article examines the significance of understanding the refugee experience as a product of the relationship between individual refugees and the larger social context or environment. It suggests...
Learning biological networks via bootstrapping with optimized go-based gene similarity

Microarray gene expression data provide a unique information resource for learning biological networks using "reverse engineering" methods. However, there are a variety of cases in which we know which genes are involved in a given pathology of interest, but we do not have enough experimental evidence to support the use of fully-supervised/reverse-engineering learning methods. Moreover, corroboration of the reverse engineered networks through independent means such as evidence from the biomedical literature is always desirable. In this paper, we explore a novel semi-supervised approach in which biological networks are learned from a reference list of genes and a partial set of links for these genes extracted automatically from PubMed abstracts, using a knowledge-driven bootstrapping algorithm. We show how new relevant links between genes can be iteratively derived using a gene similarity measure based on the Gene Ontology that is optimized on the input network at each iteration. An initial evaluation indicates the viability of the approach as an alternate or complementary technique to fully supervised methods.
Hollow Hopes, Flypaper, and Metaphors

This is a good book, a fine book. It joins the ranks of three other outstanding books that have systemically explored the role of courts in effecting social change, Donald Horowitz's Courts and Social Policy, Joel Handler's Social Movements and the Legal System, and Stuart Scheingold's The Politics of Rights.1 This is a good company. Indeed, the book builds on the strengths and insights of each of these earlier volumes and, as a consequence, is both more tightly organized and systematic than they are. But the book is also wrong. It fails to make its central arguments convincingly, and it wholly fails to address the central problematics it reveals. In this essay I shall try to explain why at the same time Rosenberg's book is both important and wrong.
New biologics for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

The prevalence of psoriasis is estimated to be 2.2% in the United States, and 6-39% of patients with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis. New advances have been made in developing treatment options. A new human tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antibody, golimumab, has been shown to significantly improve symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. In addition, clinical trials of certolizumab pegol, a PEGylated Fab' fragment of an anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, show promising results for treating rheumatoid arthritis and suggest that it may be applicable for treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the future. New biologic therapies also include antibodies to interleukin-12 and interleukin-23. Phase II studies suggest that ustekinumab is effective in alleviating symptoms of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. However, longer studies with radiographic evaluation will be required before their impact on joint destruction can be assessed.
The Private Language Argument

The whole question of the meaning of words is very full of complexities and ambiguities in ordinary language. When one person uses a word, he does not mean by it the same thing as another person means by it. I have often heard it said that that is a misfortune. That is a mistake. It would be absolutely fatal if people meant the same things by their words. It would make all intercourse impossible, and language the most hopeless and useless thing imaginable because the meaning you attach to your words must depend on the nature of the objects you are acquainted with, and since different people are acquainted with different objects they would not be able to talk to each other unless they attached quite different meanings to their words. We should have to talk only about logic-a not wholly undesirable result. (Russell, 'Lectures on Logical Atomism,' p. I95, in Logic and Knozvledge.)
Determination of Solar Doppler Widths by Goldberg's Method

The so-called ‘Goldberg’ or ‘profile intercomparison’ method of determining Doppler widths from spectral line profiles was used to analyze a group of high quality solar profiles which were observed with the McMath solar telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. The observations consisted of profiles of eight lines of calcium and chromium, made at either four or five positions on the solar disk.
Zno nanostructures fabricated through a double-tube vapor-phase transport synthesis

Abstract A double-tube vapor-phase transport system has been used to synthesize ZnO nanostructures. Nanofeatures of ZnO nanocombs, nanoblades and nanowires were achieved in different temperature zones. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were employed to study the nanostructure dependence with temperature. The vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) and vapor–solid (VS) growth mechanism are applied to explain the growth processes. ZnO two-sided nanocomb formed between 950 and 980 °C is dominated by VS growth. With growth temperature decreasing (820–950 °C), Au catalyst directed ZnO one-sided nanocombs and nanoblades growths are controlled by VLS and VS mechanisms. At low growth temperature zone between 710 and 820 °C, VLS growth dominates ZnO nanowire growth. A consistent orientation relationship between Au catalysts and ZnO nanocombs, nanoblades and nanowires is observed, i.e., 〈 2 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 0 〉 ZnO / / 〈 0 1 1 〉 Au and { 0 1 1 ¯ 0 } ZnO / / { 1 1 ¯ 1 } Au . The growth mechanism has a strong relationship with growth temperature of the ZnO nanostructures. Understanding the relationship of growth mechanisms and nanostructures is very important for future controlled growth.
Towards Very High Energy Accelerators

The development of a new generation of colliders beyond the LHC is central to the future of high-energy physics. As was clearly pointed out by Lykken [1], the prospects for high-energy physics may be limited by our ability to build them. This paper describes possibilities for these colliders and some of the challenges we face in building them. None of the fundamental ideas that underly the advanced accelerator work reported herein are new; they have been suggested, and studied in various levels of detail, for the last two decades. What is new, and encouraging, are the technological advances, the level of understanding and detailed modeling, and the initial experimentation. These changes are affecting a wide variety of concepts. For example, W-band structures are being tested at SLAC, a large collaboration, numberingmore than 100 individuals, is working on a neutrino factory andmuon collider, and laser-driven plasma accelerators have matured to the point where numerous groups worldwide can accelerate nC of charge to MeV energies. Such progress may lead one to wonder why none of these options offers an unimpeded path to a high-energy collider. A simplified answer is that the desired luminosity (even extrapolating our ability to produce, accelerate, and focus high quality beams) demands high average power in the colliding beams. Overall system efficiency is thus vital. Preserving the beam quality needed for focusing to very small spot sizes requires that great care be paid to critical engineering issues such as the fabrication of structures, focusing fields, and jitter. Accommodating these numerous and severe constraints requires a mature technology. Many of the beam interactions with plasma are complicated and relevant experimental studies are in an early stage. The expression for the luminosity illustrates the previous comments, and also makes clear the different approaches that the e+e− and μ+μ− colliders take. We can write the luminosity
The Korteweg-de Vries model with boundary forcing

Abstract The Korteweg-de Vries equation is considered in the semi-infinite real line with boundary condition at the origin. The numerical investigations of Chu et al. [2], are revisited and different new forms for the boundary forcing are assumed. In order to provide some qualitative description for the numerical simulations a simple model based on the IST formalism is developed. It is found that the model is also able to provide some quantitative predictions in agreement with the numerical results.
Giant coronary artery aneurysms in a Japanese octogenarian - The oldest case of Kawasaki Disease?

Summary Kawasaki disease (KD) is a leading cause of non-atherosclerotic coronary artery aneurysms and, less commonly, peripheral artery aneurysms. We report an 81-year-old Japanese man from Hawaii with a history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, bilateral iliac aneurysms, and an ambiguous right atrial cystic mass. The patient developed new-onset atrial fibrillation during lithotripsy. Angiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed giant coronary artery aneurysms of the right coronary artery (RCA) and left anterior descending artery, and a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The RCA aneurysm was greater than 2 in. in diameter at the time of operation. Although we cannot confirm whether the patient had KD during childhood, this is the most likely diagnosis in the absence of a connective tissue disorder, systemic vasculitis, or atherosclerotic risk factors. This patient may represent the oldest case of KD, predating the earliest known case by more than 20 years. This case sheds light on the historical epidemiology of KD and its clinical course, especially regarding late vascular sequelae.
An ACE inhibitor reduces Th2 cytokines and TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 isoforms in murine lupus nephritis

An ACE inhibitor reduces Th2 cytokines and TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 isoforms in murine lupus nephritis. Background Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as captopril, are used to control hypertension. In patients and animals with primary nephropathies, these agents improve renal function more than that would be expected from their control of hypertension. Here, we examine the effects of treatment with captopril on lupus nephritis and discuss the potential mechanism(s) by which this agent exerts its renoprotective effects. Methods Lupus-prone, NZB/NZW F1 and MRL- lpr/lpr , mice were treated with captopril or with a control antihypertensive agent, verapamil. Mice were monitored for nephritis, and their sera and tissues analyzed for cytokine and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression. Results Captopril treatment delayed the onset of proteinuria when administered to prenephritic mice, whereas verapamil did not. Captopril treatment also retarded disease progression when given to lupus mice that had early disease, and even reversed severe proteinuria in at least some older animals with advanced disease. It reduced chronic renal lesions, but had no effect on autoantibody production. The improvement in renal disease correlated with reduced TGF-β expression, particularly of the TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 isoforms, in the kidneys. Interestingly, in vivo or in vitro exposure to captopril reduced splenic levels of type 2 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10, suggesting a possible role of the immune system in captopril-mediated disease modulation. Conclusion Since type 2 cytokines are known to promote lupus glomerulosclerosis, decreased IL-4 and IL-10 production in captopril-treated mice may be related to this agent's renoprotective effects. We argue here that ACE inhibitors not only act as selective TGF-β inhibitors, but also as selective immunomodulators, to improve lupus nephritis.
A multiscale computational framework to understand vascular adaptation

The failure rate for vascular interventions (vein bypass grafting, arterial angioplasty/stenting) remains unacceptably high. Over the past two decades, researchers have applied a wide variety of approaches to investigate the primary failure mechanisms, neointimal hyperplasia and aberrant remodeling of the wall, in an effort to identify novel therapeutic strategies. Despite incremental progress, specific cause/effect linkages among the primary drivers of the pathology, (hemodynamic factors, inflammatory biochemical mediators, cellular effectors) and vascular occlusive phenotype remain lacking. We propose a multiscale computational framework of vascular adaptation to develop a bridge between theory and experimental observation and to provide a method for the systematic testing of relevant clinical hypotheses. Cornerstone to our model is a feedback mechanism between environmental conditions and dynamic tissue plasticity described at the cellular level with an agent based model. Our implementation (i) is modular, (ii) starts from basic mechano-biology principle at the cell level and (iii) facilitates the agile development of the model.
Quantitative studies of auditory hair cells and nerves in lizards

Because the lizard cochlear duct is anatomically accessible as well as relatively simple in structure it is an excellent model in which to study auditory hair cells, nerve fibers, and innervational patterns. The objectives of this study were to determine the intra- and interspecific variations of auditory hair cell and nerve fiber numbers, nerve fiber/hair cell ratios, and nerve fiber sizes in a variety of lizard species and to relate these to auditory function and phylogeny. Hair cell numbers were determined by SEM and serial frontal sections of the papilla basilaris and nerve fiber numbers and diameters by use of a Zeiss TGZ3 particle counter. The coefficient of variation of hair cell numbers varied from 3.2 to 16.6 (171 specimens, 15 species) and of nerve fiber numbers from 1.2 to 14.4 (381 specimens, 35 species). There was no correlation between hair cell or nerve fiber number and age or sex. The nerve fiber number/hair cell number ratio was 3.5–11.1/1 in small papillae basilares of the iguanid-agamid-anguid type, 2.4–3.2/1 in the teiid type, and 0.6–1.5/1 in the larger specialized papillae of the scincid and gekkonid types. Nerve fibers varied in diameter from 0.8 to 6.0 μm (largest percentage were 2–4 μm) and were unimodally distributed. Larger nerve fibers usually supplied the unidirectionally oriented hair cells of the papilla basilaris. Variations in hair cell and nerve fiber numbers in other vertebrate classes and the functional and phylogenetic aspects of lizard papilla basilaris structure and innervation are discussed.
The effects of nonuniform oxide thickness on MOSFET performance

Device characteristics, calculated using a novel MOSFET model with nonuniform gate thickness, are presented. The results show that nonuniform structures have some advantages over traditional uniform MOSFETs. Tapered-gate MOSFETs have higher output differential saturation resistance and lower electric field near the drain end than uniform MOSFETs. >
Segmental analysis in kinesiological measurements

Biomechanical analysis of motion is based on the approximation of skeletal segments as rigid links moving through space, interconnected through a series of low-friction joints. Measurement systems that are aimed at capturing the spatial trajectories of body segments usually involve a camera system that tracks a series of body-fixed markers. Using stereophotogramxnetric cameras, the planar projections of markers at each camera are used to reconstruct the spatial coordinates of each marker. The derivation of segmental kinematics (i.e. linear translation and angular orientation) necessary to document the motion of the body segments has been done in most cases by attaching the markers to anatomic landmarks, and using geometric assumptions to characterize the spatial motion of given limbs. For example, by tagging the hip, knee and ankle statements have been made about the motion of the knee joint, and therefore the shank and thigh segments. This approach suffers from serious shortcomings, including the approximation of body segments as lines (as opposed to rigid bodies), the underlying assumption that axes of rotation remain constant throughout the motion, and that joint centers can be tagged by skin-mounted markers.
Cytochrome c on Silica Nanoparticles: Influence of Nanoparticle Size on Protein Structure, Stability, and Activity

The structure, thermodynamic and kinetic stability, and activity of cytochrome c (cyt c) on silica nanoparticles (SNPs) of different sizes have been studied. Adsorption of cyt c onto larger SNPs results in both greater disruption of the cyt c global structure and more significant changes of the local heme microenvironment than upon adsorption onto smaller SNPs. The disruption of the heme microenvironment leads to a more solvent-accessible protein active site, as suggested by Soret circular dichroism spectroscopy and through an increase in peroxidase activity as a function of increased SNP size. Similarly, the stability of cyt c decreases more dramatically upon adsorption onto larger SNPs. These results are consistent with changes in protein-nanoparticle interactions that depend on the size or surface curvature of the supporting nanostructure. This study provides further fundamental insights into the effects of nanoscale surfaces on adsorbed protein structure and function.
Tumor progression in Apc 1638N mice with Exo1 and Fen1 deficiencies

Flap endonuclease 1 (Fen1) and exonuclease 1 (Exo1) have sequence homology and similar nuclease capabilities. Both function in multiple pathways of DNA metabolism, but appear to have distinct in vivo nucleic acid substrates, and therefore distinct metabolic roles. When combined with Apc1638N, Fen1 promotes tumor progression. Because of functional similarity to Fen1, and because Exo1 is involved in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) by interaction with Msh2 and Mlh1, genes that cause hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), we investigated the possibility that Exo1 might also act as a modifier to Apc1638N. We present evidence that mice with combined mutations in Apc1638N and Exo1 and Apc1638N, Exo1 and Fen1 genes show moderate increased tumor incidence and multiplicity in comparison to Apc1638N siblings, implying a low penetrance role for Exo1 in early gastrointestinal (GI) tumorigenesis. Despite a decrease in median survival (10 months) in Apc1638N Exo1 mice, their tumors do not progress any more rapidly than those of Apc1638N. Instead these animals die from infections that are the result of impaired immune response. Apc1638N Exo1 Fen1 mice survive longer (18 months), and therefore appear relatively immune competent. They die of invasive GI tumors that display microsatellite instability (MSI). Our results show that Exo1 has a modest tumor suppressor function.
6.1. Energy and economic modeling on the microcomputer

Abstract The introduction of microcomputers has had a major impact on energy and economic modeling. Microcomputer technology has improved so that even relatively large and complex mainframe models can be run on modern microcomputers with reasonable running times. Energy and economic models implemented on microcomputers often result in more widespread use among analysts because of the ease of accessibility and model transferability. Also, microcomputer models often have increased emphasis on convenient user/model interfaces. It is likely that microcomputer applications of energy and economic models will increase in importance as more analysts have access to the models and to continually improving hardware. This is especially true in developing countries.
Partial characterization of the protein components of eosinophil granules isolated from guinea pig exudates.

Abstract Peritoneal exudates enriched in eosinophils were induced in guinea pigs by serial intraperitoneal injections of Trichinella antigen. A method is described whereby highly purified eosinophil granules were obtained in good yield from these exudates. The granules were shown by electron microscopy to be intact and comparable to those of the mature eosinophil. The proteins of the purified granules were completely extracted with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CETAB) and were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Four major and several minor proteins, all of them basic, were resolved. One of the major proteins was identified as eosinophil peroxidase. Acid phosphatase, β-glucuronidase, and arylsulfatase activities were also present as minor components.
Analysis and Modeling of Decontamination Experiments of Depleted Uranium Dioxide in RF Plasma

: Analysis was performed of the results of UO2 etching experiments, which used NF3 RF glow discharge. In the experiments, the gas pressure was varied from ∼10 - 40 Pa and the absorbed power was varied from 24 - 210 W. The UO2 etch reactions to form volatile UF6 were strongly dependent on the absorbed power and, to a lesser extent, on pressure. At and below 50 W absorbed power, UO2 etching increased with pressure up to ∼ 23 Pa, then decreased with further increase in pressure. At higher power, however, UO2 etching increased monotonically with pressure. The UO2 etching process was self-limiting, due to the formation of non-volatile products UF2–5, UO2F, and UO2F2. The accumulation of UF6 and O2 in the plasma sheath also reduced the diffusion coefficient of atomic fluorine radicals to the UO2 surface thereby contributing to the decrease in etch rate with immersion time.
Expansion of the analytical window for oil spill characterization by ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry: beyond gas chromatography.

Traditional tools for routine environmental analysis and forensic chemistry of petroleum have relied almost exclusively on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), although many compounds in crude oil (and its transformation products) are not chromatographically separated or amenable to GC-MS due to volatility. To enhance current and future studies on the fate, transport, and fingerprinting of the Macondo well oil released from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, we created an extensive molecular library of the unadulterated petroleum to compare to a tar ball collected on the beach of Louisiana. We apply ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry to identify compositional changes at the molecular level between native and weathered crude oil samples and reveal enrichment in polar compounds inaccessible by GC-based characterization. The outlined approach provides unprecedented detail with the potential to enhance insight into the environmental fate of spi...
WE-E-204B-01: Development of an X-Ray/Optical Luminescence Imager for Improved X-Ray Contrast Sensitivity

Purpose: A dual‐modality X‐ray/optical imagingsystem is being developed to enable the imaging of ultra‐low concentrations of contrast agents under X‐ray excitation. This imagingsystem uses nano‐sized inorganic phosphors to convert X‐ray photons into optical photons, which are then imaged with an optical camera. This work presents initial data on the performance capabilities of this system, and demonstrates a significant improvement in contrast agent sensitivity over X‐ray fluoroscopy.Method and Materials: Nano‐sized phosphors were fabricated from Gadolinium Oxysulfide and doped with Terbium (a green‐emitting dopant) or Europium, (a red emitting dopant). A 2.5×4cm cylindrical optical/X‐ray phantom was constructed from l%Agar:99%Distilled water, india ink (for optical absorption), and titanium oxide (for optical scatter) to match biological tissue optical properties. Phosphors were homogeneously mixed at a concentration of 10mg/ml, and poured into a 1cm plug‐shaped inclusion in the phantom. An X‐ray fluoroscopy scanner was positioned vertically above the setup, with the tube voltage/current at 100keV/10mA. Light output was imaged on a lead‐shielded CCD camera, placed 15cm from the phantom, during sample irradiation. An X‐ray fluoroscopyimage was collected for comparison. Images acquired via the optical camera and the X‐ray fluoroscopysystem were compared to measure the Weber contrast between the phosphor‐filled inclusion and the background. Results: Analysis performed on the X‐ray fluoroscopyimage showed a 0.6% contrast between the inclusion and the background. This slight contrast difference is due to the fact that Gadolinium has relatively high X‐ray stopping power compared to water. In contrast, the X‐ray/optical luminescenceimage showed a 260% difference. Conclusion: The potential of a hybrid X‐ray/optical imagingsystem was shown in a tissue‐simulating phantom. This technique showed improved contrast to background; this contrast is expected to increase with the addition of Diffuse Optical Tomographic methods, which take into account photon scatter into the background.
Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor thin-film transistor circuits from a high-temperature polycrystalline silicon process on steel foil substrates

We fabricated CMOS circuits from polycrystalline silicon films on steel foil substrates at process temperatures up to 950/spl deg/C. The substrates were 0.2-mm thick steel foil coated with 0.5-/spl mu/m thick SiO/sub 2/. We employed silicon crystallization times ranging from 6 h (600/spl deg/C) to 20 s (950/spl deg/C). Thin-film transistors (TFTs) were made in either self-aligned or nonself-aligned geometries. The gate dielectric was SiO/sub 2/ made by thermal oxidation or from deposited SiO/sub 2/. The field-effect mobilities reach 64 cm/sup 2//Vs for electrons and 22 cm/sup 2//Vs for holes. Complementary metal-oxide-silicon (CMOS) circuits were fabricated with self-aligned TFT geometries, and exhibit ring oscillator frequencies of 1 MHz. These results lay the groundwork for polycrystalline silicon circuitry on flexible substrates for large-area electronic backplanes.
PhyloSort: a user-friendly phylogenetic sorting tool and its application to estimating the cyanobacterial contribution to the nuclear genome of Chlamydomonas.

Phylogenomic pipelines generate a large collection of phylogenetic trees that require manual inspection to answer questions about gene or genome evolution. A notable application of phylogenomics is to photosynthetic organelle (plastid) endosymbiosis. In the case of primary endosymbiosis, a heterotrophic protist engulfed a cyanobacterium, giving rise to the first photosynthetic eukaryote. Plastid establishment precipitated extensive gene transfer from the endosymbiont to the nuclear genome of the 'host'. Estimating the magnitude of this endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT) and determining the functions of the prokaryotic genes remain controversial issues. We used phylogenomics to study EGT in the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. To facilitate this procedure, we developed PhyloSort to rapidly search large collection of trees for monophyletic relationships. Here we present PhyloSort and its application to estimating EGT in Chlamydomonas. PhyloSort is an open-source tool to sort phylogenetic trees by searching for user specified subtrees that contain a monophyletic group of interest defined by operational taxonomic units in a phylogenomic context. Using PhyloSort, we identified 897 Chlamydomonas genes of putative cyanobacterial origin, of which 531 had bootstrap support values ≥ 50% for the grouping of the algal and cyanobacterial homologs. PhyloSort can be applied to quantify the number of genes that support different evolutionary hypotheses such as a taxonomic classification or endosymbiotic or horizontal gene transfer events. In our application, we demonstrate that cyanobacteria account for 3.5–6% of the protein-coding genes in the nuclear genome of Chlamydomonas.
Prefabricated design experience for CMOS op amps

In courses that teach analog integrated circuit design, it is difficult to provide an opportunity to practice what is taught because of time required to design and fabricate an integrated circuit. This paper introduces a design approach to CMOS op amps which uses a prefabricated integrated circuit and yet maintains the flexibility of building almost 90% of the existing op amps. Building blocks that are repeated used in op amp design are identified that allow different architectures to be implemented. The performance is designed through the combination of building blocks and the current selected. The W/L values are not a variable in this approach. Examples are given with simulation results of using the building blocks to design various types of CMOS op amps.
C-Axis Oriented MOCVD YMnO3 Thin Film and Its Electrical Characteristics in MFIS FeTRAM

Yttrium manganate (YMO) thin films were prepared on SiO2 buffered silicon as a candidate for ferroelectric transistor random access memory (FeTRAM). The films were deposited by flash evaporated MOCVD at low temperature and post annealed to crystallize the c-axis oriented hexagonal YMO phase. It is found that oxygen content and substrate temperature are major parameters determining c-axis orientation. For the electrical characteristics, Pr (remnant polarization) ∼2 μ C/cm2 and ϵ (dielectric constant) ∼ 20 are obtained in Pt/YMO/Pt structures. It is also found that a top buffer layer of 30 nm ZrO2 helps to reduce the leakage current of Pt/top buffer/YMO/SiO2/Si stack to 10− 7 A/cm2 and improves the C-V memory window from 0.2 V to 2 V.
The influence of hydrogen ion concentration on calcium binding and release by skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Calcium release and binding produced by alterations in pH were investigated in isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) from skeletal muscle. When the pH was abruptly increased from 6.46 to 7.82, after calcium loading for 30 sec, 80–90 nanomoles (nmole) of calcium/mg protein were released. When the pH was abruptly decreased from 7.56 to 6.46, after calcium loading for 30 sec, 25–30 nmole of calcium/mg protein were rebound. The calcium release process was shown to be a function of pH change: 57 nmole of calcium were released per 1 pH unit change per mg protein. The amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bound to the SR was not altered by the pH changes. The release phenomenon was not due to alteration of ATP concentration by the increased pH. Native actomyosin was combined with SR in order to study the effectiveness of calcium release from the SR by pH change in inducing super-precipitation of actomyosin. It was found that SR, in an amount high enough to inhibit superprecipitation at pH 6.5, did not prevent the process when the pH was suddenly increased to 7.3, indicating that the affinity of SR for calcium depends specifically on pH. These data suggest the possible participation of hydrogen ion concentration in excitation-contraction coupling.
Analysis of architectures for fault-tolerant computation

The paper develops computational models to examine the relative viability of von Neumann, Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW), and dataflow architectures for fault-tolerant applications requiring modular redundancy. Analytic machine execution cycle equations are developed for each class of machine with respect to varying amounts of voting overhead and granularity. Shared memory access as a function of memory bandwidth and program decomposition of the application's algorithm are attributes that are varied for each architecture. Cycle time and technology considerations are then integrated to reflect the actual task execution time. The models and analysis provide a framework for evaluating candidate architectures for fault-tolerant voting applications. >
Gender and health control beliefs among middle-aged and older adults

Objective: Internal health locus of control (HLOC) reflects individuals’ beliefs that their own behavior influences their health. This study explores the gender difference in internal HLOC among middle-aged and older adults. Method: Using data from two waves of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS; N = 1,748), I estimate two-level random-intercept models predicting internal HLOC. Results: Women report higher levels of health control beliefs than men, especially in older cohorts born in the 1920s and 1930s. Adjustment for health, socioeconomic status, generalized control, and masculinity increases this gender gap, whereas adjustment for femininity and religiosity significantly reduces this difference. Women’s higher religiosity and more feminine traits, such as warmth, nurturance, and care, partly explain their higher internal HLOC relative to men. Discussion: Because femininity and religiosity are positively associated with other-orientation, interventions to increase com...
Myogenic bladder decompensation in boys with a history of posterior urethral valves is caused by secondary bladder neck obstruction

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether myogenic bladder decompensation in patients treated for congenital posterior urethral valves (PUV, the most serious cause of infravesical obstruction in male neonates and infants) may be secondary to bladder neck obstruction, as despite prompt ablation of PUV these patients can have dysfunctional voiding during later childhood or adolescence, the so-called ‘valve bladder syndrome’. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study comprised 18 boys (mean age 14 years, range 6.2–18.5) who had had successful transurethral ablation of PUV between 1982 and 1996, and had completed a follow-up which included serial assessment of serum creatinine, completion of a standard voiding diary, ultrasonography with measurement of urine before and after voiding, a urodynamic examination with simultaneous multichannel recording of pressure, volume and flow relationships during the filling and voiding phases, coupled with video-cystoscopy at least twice. The mean (range) follow-up was 9.3 (6–17) years. RESULTS Urodynamic investigation showed myogenic failure with inadequate bladder emptying in 10 patients; five with myogenic failure also had unstable bladder contractions. On video-cystoscopy the posterior bladder neck lip appeared elevated in all patients but in those with myogenic failure it was strongly suggestive of hypertrophy, with evidence of obstruction. At the last follow-up one patient with myogenic failure who had had bladder neck incision and four others who were being treated with α-adrenergic antagonists had a significant reduction of their postvoid residual urine. CONCLUSION Despite early valve ablation, a large proportion of boys treated for PUV have gradual detrusor decompensation, which may be caused by secondary bladder neck obstruction leading to obstructive voiding and finally detrusor failure. Surgical or pharmacological intervention to improve bladder neck obstruction may possibly avert this course, but further studies are needed to validate this hypothesis.
Abstract C65: Mechanisms to maintain extra centrosomes in cancer cells

Multiple centrosomes in tumor cells create the potential for multipolar divisions that can lead to aneuploidy and cell death. Nevertheless, many cancer cells successfully divide because of mechanisms that suppress multipolar mitoses. Using a genome‐wide RNAi screen in Drosophila S2 cells, we defined several mechanisms that suppress multipolar mitoses. We also found that HSET, a normally non‐essential kinesin motor was essential for the viability of cancer cells containing extra centrosomes. Interestingly, using fibronectin micropatterns, we found that interphase cell shape and adhesion pattern can determine the success of the subsequent mitosis in cells with extra centrosomes. Thus, cell adhesion is an important morphological feature that contributes to centrosome clustering. Importantly, during tumor progression, changes in cell architecture and adhesion patterns, such as loss of E‐cadherin and acquisition of an elongated cell shape, are often observed. This is referred to as the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). The presence of extra centrosomes is often correlated with more malignant tumors, which lost their epithelial phenotype most likely through EMT. Thus, we hypothesized that the ability of cells to cluster extra centrosomes varies between epithelial cells and non‐epithelial cells. To test this idea we used a panel of non‐transformed mammalian epithelial and non‐epithelial cell lines and quantified their ability to cluster extra centrosomes. We treated cells with DCB to generate tetraploid cells containing extra centrosomes and followed them by live‐cell imaging. We found that non‐epithelial cells cluster their extra centrosomes much more efficiently than epithelial cells. This finding suggests that loss of cell‐cell adhesion might facilitate centrosome clustering. Consistent with this idea, our preliminary data indicate that induction of EMT in the epithelial cell lines MCF10A and MDCK increases the number of tetraploid cells that undergo a bipolar mitosis. We propose that changes that take place during tumor progression, such as loss of cell‐cell adhesion, might facilitate centrosome clustering and therefore increase the ability of cancer cells to maintain extra centrosomes. We are currently investigating the nature of the changes that occur during EMT that facilitate centrosome clustering. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):C65.
Psychometric Properties of the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale in a Referred Population

Objective s To determine the psychometric properties of the Vanderbilt Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Parent Rating Scale (VADPRS), which utilizes information based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Ed. (DSM-IV). The VADPRS was created to collect uniform patient data and minimize the time burden of lengthy interviews. Methods Participant data (N = 243) was used from the first 2 years of a longitudinal study on communication among physicians, teachers, and parents in diagnosing, treating, and managing children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The reliability, factor structure, and concurrent validity of the VADPRS were evaluated and compared with ratings of children in clinical and nonclinical samples on the Vanderbilt ADHD Teacher Rating Scale and the Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV, Parent version. Results The internal consistency and factor structure of the VADPRS are acceptable and consistent with DSM-IV and other accepted measures of ADHD. Conclusion The VADPRS is a reliable, cost-effective assessment for ADHD in clinical and research settings.
Effects of Radial Appendage Flexibility on Shaft Whirl Stability

Introduction T move to lighter, more flexible gas turbine engine components has initiated several recent investigations into the effects of component flexibility on shaft whirl. Based on a study of a flexible shaft-disk model, Chivens and Nelson concluded that critical speeds are not affected significantly by disk flexibility. Some limitations concerning this conclusion have been discussed by Klompas. The object of this Note is to show that, provided that a sufficiently wide range of parameters is considered, the effects of an appendage's flexibility on critical speeds can become significant. Critical speed stability boundaries are shown to reduce to the expected limiting cases of a shaft containing rigid appendages as the appendage's stiffness increases, and to an elastic shaft with a concentrated mass at the point of appendage attachment when the appendage's stiffness decreases. Stability boundaries are obtained by a Liapunov analysis in which the system's dynamic potential serves as a Liapunov testing function.
EXTENDED PREFERENCES AND INTERPERSONAL COMPARISONS: A NEW ACCOUNT

This paper builds upon, but substantially revises, John Harsanyi’s concept of ‘extended preferences’. An individual ‘history’ is a possible life that some person (a subject) might lead. Harsanyi supposes that a given spectator, formulating her ethical preferences, can rank histories by empathetic projection: putting herself ‘in the shoes’ of various subjects. Harsanyi then suggests that interpersonal comparisons be derived from the utility function representing spectators’ (supposedly common) ranking of history lotteries. Unfortunately, Harsanyi’s proposal has various flaws, including some that have hitherto escaped scholarly attention. In particular, it ignores the limits of personal identity. If the subject has welfare-relevant attributes that the spectator cannot acquire without changing who she is, full empathetic identification of the latter with the former becomes impossible. This paper proposes instead to use sympathy as the attitude on a spectator’s part that allows us to make sense of her extended preferences. Sympathy – an attitude of care and concern – is a psychological state quite different from empathy. We should also allow for hetereogeneity in spectators’ extended preferences. Interpersonal comparisons emerge from a plurality of sympathetic spectators, not (as per Harsanyi) from a common empathetic ranking.