cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Markov chain analyses of multiprogrammed computer systems

Most operating systems for large computing facilities involve service disciplines which base, to some extent, the sequencing of object program executions on the amount of running time they require. It is the object of this paper to study mathematical models of such service disciplines applicable to both batch and time-shared processing systems. In particular, Markov queueing models are defined and analyzed for round-robin and foreground-background service disciplines. With the round-robin discipline, the service facility processes each program or job for a maximum of q seconds; if the program's service is completed during this quantum, it leaves the system, otherwise it returns to the end of the waiting line to await another quantum of service. With the foreground-background discipline each new arrival joins the end of the foreground queue and awaits a single quantum of service. If it requires more it is subsequently placed at the end of the background queue which is allocated service only when the foreground queue is empty. The analysis focuses on the efficiency of the above systems by assuming a swap or set-up time (overhead cost) associated with the switching of programs on and off the processor. The analysis leads to generating functions for the equilibrium queue length probabilities, the moments of this latter distribution, and measures of mean waiting times. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results along with several examples.
Rich Data Representation: Sophisticated Visual Techniques for Ease and Clarity

Within the fields of Interaction Design and especially Information Visualization diagram-like constructions are used fairly often. I will leave it up to this community to define the exact characteristics that make a diagram, but expect that definition to include visual representations of abstract data entities and relationships; I also expect that clarity and ease of interpretation are among the goals for which many diagrams are created. I have devoted my efforts toward making clear, comfortable representations of abstract data with a concentration on supporting very constrained domains of practice. As a result I believe I have found (and developed) techniques for both structuring and rendering certain kinds of abstract data, and that such techniques are sadly underutilized.
Automatic Data Path Generation from C code for Custom Processors

The stringent performance constraints and short time to market of modern digital systems require automatic methods for design of high performance applicationspecific architectures. This paper presents a novel algorithm for automatic generation of custom pipelined data path for a given application from its C code. The data path optimization targets both resource utilization and performance. The input to this architecture generator includes application C code, operation execution frequencies obtained by the profile run and a component library consisting of functional units, busses, multiplexers etc. The output is data path specified as a net-list of resource instances and their connections. The algorithm starts with an architecture that supports maximum parallelism for implementation of the input C code and iteratively refines it until an efficient resource utilization is obtained while maintaining the performance constraint. This paper also presents an algorithm to choose the priority of application basic blocks for optimization. Our experimental results show that automatically generated data paths satisfy given performance criteria and can be obtained in a matter of minutes leading to significant productivity gains.
Representation discovery in sequential decision making

Automatically constructing novel representations of tasks from analysis of state spaces is a longstanding fundamental challenge in AI. I review recent progress on this problem for sequential decision making tasks modeled as Markov decision processes. Specifically, I discuss three classes of representation discovery problems: finding functional, state, and temporal abstractions. I describe solution techniques varying along several dimensions: diagonalization or dilation methods using approximate or exact transition models; reward-specific vs reward-invariant methods; global vs. local representation construction methods; multiscale vs. flat discovery methods; and finally, orthogonal vs. redundant representation discovery methods. I conclude by describing a number of open problems for future work.
Microbial population dynamics in laboratory-scale activated sludge reactors

As a first step in understanding nonlinear dynamics in activated sludge systems, two laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors were operated under identical conditions and changes in their microbial communities were followed through microscopic examination, macroscopic observation, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene segments from the prokaryotic community. Two experiments were performed. The first used activated sludge from a local wastewater treatment plant to start the replicate reactors. The second used the biomass from the first experiment as a source by intermixing the two and equally redistributing the biomass into the two replicate reactors. For both experiments, the two reactors behaved fairly similarly and had similar microbial communities for a period of 60 days following start-up. Beyond that, the microbial communities in the two reactors in the first experiment diverged in composition, while those in the second experiment remained fairly similar. This suggests that the degree of change occurring in replicate reactors depends upon the severity of perturbation to which they are exposed. The DGGE data showed that the bacterial communities in both experiments were highly dynamic, even though the system performance of the replicate reactors were very similar, suggesting that dynamics within the prokaryotic community is not necessarily reflected in system performance. Moreover, a significant finding from this study is that replicate activated sludge systems are not identical, although they can be very similar if started appropriately.
AUTOMOTIVE EXHAUST SENSORS USING TITANIA CERAMIC

This paper reports on the design details and operating features of an experimental TiO sub 2 sensor and its associated electronic controller. In addition, experimental results are reported for the sensor/controller combination operating in engine dynamometer tests and on vehicles with feedback-controlled, electronic fuel injected engines. These results indicate that feedback control using the TiO sub 2 sensor represents a possible means of achieving the precision A/F control required to obtain efficient performance of vehicles using NOx catalysts. /GMRL/
Condensin function at centromere chromatin facilitates proper kinetochore tension and ensures correct mitotic segregation of sister chromatids

The condensin complex is essential for sister chromatid segregation in eukaryotic mitosis. Nevertheless, in budding yeast, condensin mutations result in massive mis-segregation of chromosomes containing the nucleolar organizer, while other chromosomes, which also contain condensin binding sites, remain genetically stable. To investigate this phenomenon we analyzed the mechanism of the cell-cycle arrest elicited by condensin mutations. Under restrictive conditions, the majority of condensin-deficient cells arrest in metaphase. This metaphase arrest is mediated by the spindle checkpoint, particularly by the spindle-kinetochore tension-controlling pathway. Inactivation of the spindle checkpoint in condensin mutants resulted in frequent chromosome non-disjunction, eliminating the bias in chromosome mis-segregation towards rDNA-containing chromosomes. The spindle tension defect in condensin-impaired cells is likely mediated by structural defects in centromere chromatin reflected by the partial loss of the centromere histone Cse4p. These findings show that, in addition to its essential role in rDNA segregation, condensin mediates segregation of the whole genome by maintaining the centromere structure in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The effect of barrier materials on the band lineup in 1.3/spl mu/m GaAsSb QW heterostructures grown by MOCVD

We report on the growth and characterization of GaAsSb QW heterostructures with various barrier materials grown by MOCVD. Using LT cathodoluminescence, we determined the band lineups of heterostructures between GaAsSb QW and various barrier materials. We observed strong PL emission from Type-I band lineup heterostructure.
A numerical design approach for high speed, differential, resistor-loaded, CMOS amplifiers

A simple numerical procedure is introduced to allow straight-forward design of high speed, resistor loaded, differential amplifiers in modern CMOS processes whose device characteristics dramatically depart from traditional square law characteristics. The analytical form of the procedure allows for an intuitive perspective of the varying gain-bandwidth product for such amplifiers. Calculations based on the method are compared to Hspice simulated results based on a 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS process. Its application to the design of high speed, source-coupled logic (SCL) gates and latches are also discussed.
Post Merger Changes in Riskiness of Bank Loan Portfolios

The recent problems in the financial sector suggest that various types of loans present different types of risk over and above the normal charge-offs. This paper examines the risk associated with post-merger variability in the charge-off rate and the non-performing loan rate, and the implications this variability has for the institution. It develops a new measure of risk to profitability in a bank's loan portfolio based on traditional portfolio theory. This measure is used to examine the risk levels in the loan portfolios of merging bank holding companies (BHCs) and the change in risk that occurs in the years following the merger.The paper finds that the combined loan portfolios of merging BHCs have higher than average levels of charge-offs and higher than average risk in their portfolios in the year prior to the merger. Using the new measure of risk, our research finds that the level of risk is increased after the merger as the surviving banks shift their portfolios toward loans with potentially higher risk and higher returns.
Metabolism of thyroglobulin-I131 in the guinea pig in vivo and in vitro☆

Abstract Following the subcutaneous administration of a saline preparation of I 131 -labeled thyroglobulin (TG-I 131 ) to guinea pigs, plasma and tissues were found to contain iodide, monoiodotyrosine, diiodotyrosine and thyroxine. Comparisons of tissue: plasma ratios of total I 131 radioactivity revealed that the liver and kidney were the principal organs involved in the metabolism of the thyroglobulin. Four hours after the administration of thyroglobulin-I 131 , large concentrations of thyroxine-I 131 were obtained from liver and kidney, and by 24 hours the content of this hormone had increased appreciably in other organs. Incubation of thyroglobulin-I 131 with various tissue homogenates in vitro disclosed that the liver and kidney gave rise to the largest percentage of thyroxine-I 131 , while adrenal and testicle resulted in smaller but substantial yields of this hormone. Neither muscle nor plasma had any discernible effect upon the metabolism of thyroglobulin-I 131 when compared with the results obtained from the incubation of I 131 -labeled thyroglobulin in buffer alone.
AN IMPROVED MAXIMAL MATCHING ALGORITHM

In this paper we present a randomized parallel maximal matching algorithm that requires only O(n) processors on an. EREW PRAM, where n is the number of vertices in an undirected graph G = (V, E). O...
The beauty of TLR agonists for CTCL.

It is barely more than a decade since Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were linked to the innate immune response.[1][1] Yet substantial data are now emerging that indicate that TLR agonists may have a significant role in the therapy of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome.[2][2],[3][3] ![Figure][4]</img
Recent advances in multivalent self adjuvanting glycolipopeptide vaccine strategies against breast cancer

Breast cancer (BrCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women worldwide. Evidence from both patients and mouse cancer models suggests that the simultaneous induction of BrCa-specific CD4+ T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, and antibodies is crucial for providing immune resistance. However, almost all current vaccines address only a single arm of the immune system, which may explain their lack of efficacy. We believe that the correct response to monovalent vaccines’ “failure” is to increase our knowledge about antitumor protective immunity and to develop a multivalent vaccine molecule that can simultaneously induce multiple arms of the immune system. We highlight here recent advances in anti-BrCa peptide-based vaccine strategies with an emphasis on the self adjuvanting multivalent glycolipopeptide vaccine strategy recently developed in our laboratory and which showed promising results in both immunotherapeutic and immunoprophylactic settings.
Liver receptor homolog 1 transcriptionally regulates human bile salt export pump expression

The metabolic conversion of cholesterol into bile acids in liver is initiated by the rate-limiting cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), whereas the bile salt export pump (BSEP) is responsible for the canalicular secretion of bile acids. Liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1) is a key transcriptional factor required for the hepatic expression of CYP7A1. We hypothesized that LRH-1 was also involved in the transcriptional regulation of BSEP. In support of our hypothesis, we found that overexpression of LRH-1 induced, whereas knockdown of LRH-1 decreased, BSEP expression. Consistent with its role in transcriptional regulation, LRH-1 dose-dependently transactivated the BSEP promoter. In addition, such transactivation by LRH-1 was required for maximal induction of BSEP expression through the bile acid/farnesoid X receptor (FXR) activation pathway. Bioinformatic and mutational analysis led to the identification of a functional liver receptor homolog 1-responsive element (LRHRE) in the BSEP promoter. Specific binding of LRH-1 to the LRHRE and recruitment of LRH-1 to the BSEP promoter were demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, respectively. In conclusion, LRH-1 transcriptionally activated the BSEP promoter and functioned as a modulator in bile acid/FXR-mediated BSEP regulation. These results suggest that LRH-1 plays a supporting role to FXR in maintaining hepatic bile acid levels by coordinately regulating CYP7A1 and BSEP for bile acid synthesis and elimination, respectively.
A panel assessment of glaucoma management: modification of existing RAND-like methodology for consensus in ophthalmology. Part II: Results and interpretation.

Purpose To present the results of a panel consensus assessment of evaluation and therapy relating to primary open-angle glaucoma based on available evidence and expert opinion. Design A panel consensus assessment of glaucoma diagnosis and therapy using a modified RAND-like appropriateness methodology. Methods One hundred and forty-eight questions, most of which related to glaucoma therapy, were created by a core nonvoting executive committee based on common clinical questions. An evidence-based review of the literature pertaining to these questions was provided to 10 voting panelists. These panelists, who did not participate in either the creation of the questions or the conduct of the literature review, then were polled using a modified technique derived from existing methodology. Results Consensus agreement or disagreement was reached for 55.4% and 74.3% of the polling statements before and after the panel meeting, respectively. This represents a consensus agreement or disagreement on a majority of polling statements both before and after a meeting of all panelists and the two co-chairs of the program. There was an increase in the proportion of statements where consensus agreement was reached after the panel meeting. Conclusions Given the paucity of high-quality evidence relating to many of the issues addressed in this assessment and the variability of practice patterns among ophthalmologists, consensus agreement or disagreement was reached for a high proportion of polling statements.
Megavoltage external beam irradiation of craniopharyngiomas: analysis of tumor control and morbidity.

From 1971 to 1985, 21 patients received megavoltage external beam radiation therapy at the University of Pittsburgh for control of craniopharyngioma. Minimum tumor doses prescribed to the 95% isodose volume ranged between 51.3 to 70.0 Gy. Median total dose was 60.00 Gy and median dose per fraction was 1.83 Gy. Three deaths occurred from intercurrent disease and no deaths from tumor progression. Actuarial overall survival was 89% and 82% at 5 and 10 years. Actuarial local control was 95% at 5 and 10 years. Radiation related complications included one patient with optic neuropathy, one with brain necrosis, and one that developed optic neuropathy followed by brain necrosis. The high dose group of patients who received a NSD or Neuret equivalent of greater than 60 Gy at 1.8 Gy per fraction had a significantly greater risk of radiation complications (p = .024). The actuarial risk at 5 years for optic neuropathy was 30% and brain necrosis was 12.5% in the high dose group. Tumor control in the high dose group was not shown to be significantly better. Any possible benefit in tumor control in treating patients with craniopharyngioma with doses above 60 Gy at 1.8 Gy per fraction appears to be offset by the increased risk of radiation injury.
Long-term psychological and neurological complications of lindane poisoning.

A thin, healthy, partial-vegetarian, white female, who was exposed to three doses of lindane (through the application of Kwell), developed a severe case of long-term lindane poisoning. Review of the literature suggests that her toxicity was so severe because of the repetitive nature of her exposure and the fact that she was partly protein restricted when first exposed. She developed profound central nervous system toxicity, as well as skin and gastrointestinal changes, that persisted for 20 months. She was treated with high doses of Valium. It was noted that every time her Valium was diminished below a critical level, her symptoms tended to recur until she had adequately cleared the lindane from her system. We believe this is the longest term of poisoning reported following exposure to an organochloride insecticide. Her symptoms are well explained by the physiology of these compounds as described in the literature. The case is important, for it represents the longest persistence of symptoms clearly associated with poisoning by the potent gamma isomer of BHC-lindane. Language: en
Effect of window function on noise power spectrum measurements in digital x-ray imaging

Noise power spectrum (NPS) is an important parameter of x- ray imaging systems. Accurate and precise measurement of NPS is crucial in the system characterization. One method to improve the accuracy of the NPS measurement is to implement window functions, which fall off gradually at the edge of the images, before the Fourier transform of the noise intensity. Such window functions can reduce frequency leakage caused by sharp intensity change at the edge of an image. Three window functions, Bartlett, Hann, and Welch, were studied for their effects on the NPS measurement using two different digital x-ray imaging systems. The noise power spectra masked by window functions were also compared with that of no window (or square window) masking. Our results showed that the window functions reduced the high-frequency contribution to the noise power spectrum, hence improving the accuracy of its measurement. The relative errors of NPS using different window functions relative to NPS using Welch window function showed that the square window had the most fluctuation.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fabrication and Strength-Based Design of a Meso Forceps

A novel fabrication process and design optimization method for a mesoscale forceps is presented. This work is part of a larger research effort to design and fabricate nanoparticulate enabled surgical instruments using an iterative fabrication-design technique. The current paper focuses on the fabrication of thick (∼hundreds of microns) two dimensional parts with large aspect ratios (length/width > 20). The paper also describes an optimization method that accounts for manufacturing requirements and material strength. The process begins with the fabrication of an array of molds on refractory substrates using a modified UV lithography technique. In parallel, engineered ceramic nanocolloidal slurries are prepared for gel-casting into the molds. Mold infiltration takes place via a squeegee technique adapted from screen printing with excess slurry removed using an ethanol bath. Finally, the photoresist molds are removed via pyrolysis, and ceramic parts sintered to full density. Employing this manufacturing technique for the compliant micro forceps design is advantageous because a large number of parts can be produced with large aspect ratios, sharp edges (∼ 1 μm), and a resolution of 2 μm. An optimization algorithm, using ANSYS optimization module, is formulated to determine the effect of dimensional parameters and material strength on the optimal design and predicted performance of the compliant meso forceps. Three ultimate strength values are separately implemented as a stress constraint in our optimization problem. Results conclude that our manufacturing process is capable of producing meso scale forceps considering the anticipated ultimate strength at this scale.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Technical performance requirements of CCGT plants

Restructuring of the UK electricity supply industry in 1990 has had a fundamental impact upon the traditional methods of planning and operation of the power system. Technical specifications favoured by the vertically integrated industry have been replaced through a progressive move to functional performance based specifications. The paper essentially concentrate on performance requirements for combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) generating plant of output greater than 50 MW which by virtue of their Generation Licence and Master Connection and Use of System Agreement (MCUSA) are required to meet the functional specification contained in the Grid Code. However, it is important to note that all generators, irrespective of size, should be aware of the general system performance characteristics contained in the Grid Code and should take appropriate account of these factors in the plant design. Engineering Recommendations define requirements for smaller power plants. (6 pages)
Maneuver sequence design for the post-Jupiter leg of Pioneer Saturn

After passing the planet Jupiter in December 1974, Pioneer 11 is on a flight path on which it will encounter Saturn in late 1979. Following an uncorrected trajectory, the spacecraft would pass 2 million km behind Saturn. A sequence of midcourse maneuvers for modifying the Pioneer trajectory is discussed. The corrected flight path is to bring the spacecraft within 500,000 km of Saturn's satellite Titan. Attention is given to maneuver capabilities and constraints, the maneuver design concept, questions related to the selection of an interim aimpoint, and aspects of maneuver implementation.
Practical Aspects of Aligning Asymmetric Top Molecules via Single-Photon Excitation: An Application to S1 ← S0 Excitation of Glyoxal

The practical aspects of aligning glyoxal (CHO−CHO) via S1 ← S0 photoexcitation with a linearly polarized laser are considered, with an emphasis on preparing the aligned molecules to probe for steric effects in crossed beam energy transfer. The degree to which “broadside” and “edge-on” collision geometries can be obtained for the planar glyoxal molecule is quantified. For a pump laser polarization parallel to the relative collision velocity, an aligned distribution is predicted in which a broadside collision is 2.3 times more likely than an edge-on collision. For the perpendicular laser polarization, an edge-on collision is 1.6 times more likely than a broadside collision. Implementation of alignment via photoexcitation in an actual experiment is described. Concerns when aligning molecules via this method are discussed, including saturation effects and nuclear spin depolarization. The laser-induced fluorescence formalism of Greene and Zare [J. Chem. Phys. 1983, 78, 6741] is used to demonstrate that glyoxa...
Free Energy Calculation And Decomposition Of Hiv-1 Protease-Darunavir Binding By MM-PB/GBSA And Thermodynamic Integration Method

Darunavir (DRV) is a novel HIV-1 protease inhibitor which has very high binding affinity with the enzyme (Kd=4.5 X 10-12 M, ΔG=-15.2Kcal/M). Two drug-resistant protease variants MD4 (L10I, G48V, I54V, V82A) and MD2 (V82T, I84V) have been found to decrease the binding affinity with DRV by 1.0kcal/M and 1.5kcal/M respectively. In this study the absolute binding energy of DRV with wild-type protease, MD4 and MD2 is calculated by MM-PB/GBSA method. Relative binding energy of wild-type protease and MD2 with DRV is also calculated by thermodynamic integration method. Free energy decomposition is performed to investigate the mutations’ influence on the protease-DRV binding and how the DRV responses to these mutations. The results suggest that the mutations have distorted the binding pocket of the protease so that the protease residues contributing to the loss of binding energy is not limited to the sites of mutations. The bis-tetrahydrofuranylurethane moiety of DRV is found to maintain its very favorable interaction with the protease atoms even for the MD4 and MD2 variants. On the contrast the amino-benzyl group of DRV has sampled larger conformational space in MD4 and MD2 than in the Wild-type protease that could be the source of the loss of binding energy. Free energy calculations can therefore be an effective way of evaluating relative binding affinities of similar complexes.
Behavioral contrast in a two-option analogue task of financial decision making.

The effects of an alternative course of action on sustained escalation and persistence in the face of failure was investigated using a computerized stock investment task. Subjects invested in “stock” in two “markets” that yielded returns according to two-component multiple variable-interval schedules. Both markets yielded equal but intermittent return rates during the first phase. In the second phase, one market ceased to yield returns, while the return rate for the other market was unchanged. During the second phase, behavioral contrast effects were evident. Investing in the market that ceased to yield returns dropped precipitously, and investing in the unchanged market increased significantly. Although the behavior may be economically “irrational,” it is predictable from the matching law and shows that interactions among a history of intermittent returns in a course of action, current return rate, and currently available alternative courses of action are important determinants of persisting in, or withdrawing from, a failing course of action.
Sorbitol Dehydrogenase of Rat Testis: Changes of Activity during Development, after Hypophysectomy and following Gonadotrophic Hormone Administration

Sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) was examined as a possible marker protein of testicular development and following gonadotrophic stimulation of immature or mature hypophysectomized rats. This enzyme which is localized in a 105,000 supernatant fluid was determined to exhibit a Km for sorbitol of 2.5 X 10-3M. Levels of SDH were correlated with the morphological state of maturation of the germinal epithelium of testicular tubules. SA of SDH increased during testicular development from 0.45 nmoles NAD/min/mg protein at 10 days to maximal activity of 3.2 nmoles NAD/min/mg protein at 60 days. Hypophysectomy of 60–day—old animals initiated a marked and progressive decrease in enzymatic activity between 12 and 39 days postoperatively. Loss of SDH activity paralleled the disappearance of advanced germ cells from the tubules. Daily injections of FSH or LH for 14 days (between 24 and 39 days postoperatively) maintained SDH activity at the level present in 24–day hypophysectomized animals. FSH only maintained the state o...
Theory of index and a generalized nyquist criterion

Abstract The Nyquist criterion on zeros of polynomials is first examined in relation to Poincare's theory of index. Approached in that spirit and utilizing a generalized theory of index for vector fields of higher dimensions, a generalization of a special form of Nyquist criterion is proposed for simultaneous zeros of a set of functions of several complex variables.
Review of Pierre Grelot, The Language of Symbolism

George Aichele reviews Pierre Grelot’s The Language of Symbolism: Biblical Theology, Semantics, and Exegesis . Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006. Pp. x + 238. $19.95 (paper)
An architecture for region boundary extraction in raster scan images suitable for VLSI implementation

A novel hardware architecture for extracting region boundaries in two raster scan passes through a binary image is presented. The first pass gathers statistics regarding the size of each object contour. This information is used by the hardware to allocate dynamically off-chip memory for storage of boundary codes. In the second raster pass the same architecture constructs lists of grid-joint codes to represent the perimeter pixels of each object. These codes, referred to variously as “crack” codes or “raster-chain” codes in the literature, are later decoded by the hardware to reproduce the ordered sequence of coordinates surrounding each object. This list of coordinates is useful for a variety of shape recognition and manipulation algorithms that utilize boundary information. We present results of software simulations of the VLSI architecture, along with measurements on the coding efficiency of the basic algorithm, and estimates of the overall complexity of a proposed VLSI chip.
Development of the College Student Reasons for Living Inventory with African Americans

Abstract Eighty African American college students completed the College Student Reasons for Living Inventory (CSRLI) and reported on their self-perceived level of suicidal risk. Results indicate that the CSRLI holds promise for predicting suicidal risk among African American college students. These data are contrasted with a pre-existing Caucasian study of college students, and the implications are discussed.
Auditory steady state and transient gamma band activity in bipolar disorder

Abstract Gamma band activity has been implicated in cortical information processing. Separate studies have found deficits in MEG/EEG gamma power from various sensory modalities in various mental disorders, most notably in psychoses such as schizophrenia. In this study, various components of the auditory gamma band were examined from subjects with no psychiatric disorders and those with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BPD). Forty-two subjects, which included 21 controls and 21 BPD patients, were studied. Auditory evoked transient and steady state fields were recorded using MEG in response to contralateral 500 ms 40 Hz pulse trains. Transient gamma band response (tGBR) and auditory steady state response (ASSR) power was calculated on the averaged waveforms using wavelet decomposition. Consistency of phase locking between trials was also examined by calculating the absolute value of the mean complex instantaneous phase over trials as a function of time. The bipolar group showed reduced power and inter-trial phase locking factor during the tGBR as compared to controls. There were also reduced ASSR gamma power and a trend towards reduced ASSR phase locking within the gamma frequencies in the bipolar group. These results support the hypothesis of gamma band disruptions in BPD which may result in cognitive processing dysfunctions.
DETERMINATION OF YOUNG'S MODULUS AND POISSON'S RATIO OF COATINGS WITH NON-DESTRUCTIVE INDENTATION

Coatings are now extensively used in engineering practice to modify the surfaces of mechanical components for enhanced load-bearing ability, lubricity, and service endurance. Designing thin-film coatings to meet particular engineering needs requires the knowledge of accurate mechanical properties of the coatings. Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio are two basic mechanical properties of materials, which should be conveniently measured. However, the measurement of Young’s modulus of a thin film is hindered by the inevitable substrate effect when the conventional methods for a bulk material are used to obtain so called “reduced modulus”. This paper presents a direct and non-destructive method for the measurement of Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of a thin-film coating and its substrate, based on the extended-Hertz theory developed for coated bodies in contact. The theory is used to analyze load-displacement data from a spherical indentation in the elastic range, where the substrate effect is intrinsically modeled. Two sets of validation experiments are shown for coatings of a few microns thick. This new method does not need any assumption on pressure distribution and Poisson’s ratio and can be easily incorporated into current indentation analysis systems.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Aqueous equilibria of pyrazole complexes

Abstract Association equilibria of pyrazole with H + , Cu 2+ , and Ni 2+ were studied as a function of ionic strength. Glass electrode potentiometry was the principal technique employed. Graphical analyses of the data yielded acid dissociation constants for quaternized pyrazole of 2·69 × 10 −3 , 2·49 × 10 −3 , and 1·65 × 10 −3 at molar ionic strenghts 0·08, 0·20 and 1·00, respectively. The first stability constants of Ni(II) and Cu(II) pyrazole complexes were accurately determined by a graphical analysis method. The results were K 1 = 213, 221 and 260 for copper and K 1 = 72, 76 and 82 for nickel at ionic strengths 0·08, 0·20 and 1·00. A two parameter approximation method gave approximate higher order stepwise stability constants of K 2 = 77, K 3 = 27, K 4 = 9 for copper-pyrazole at ionic strength 0·2, and K 2 = 25, K 3 = 8, K 4 = 2·7, K 5 = 0·9 and K 6 = 0·3 for the nickel-pyrazole system at ionic strength 0·20.
Increase of c-fos and ras oncoproteins in the denervated neuropil of the rat dentate gyrus.

Abstract When the entorhinal cortical input to the rat dentate gyrus is destroyed, the process of sprouting and synaptogenesis begins within the denervated dendritic laminae. The present study used immuno-histochemical methods to determine whether there was an increase in the oncoproteins c-fos and ras within the denervated neuropil of the dentate gyrus during this period of terminal growth and synapse formation. Animals were prepared for immunolabeling one, three, six and 30 days after unilateral lesion of the entorhinal cortex. Rats were perfused with paraformaldehyde fixative and brain sections were incubated with antibodies to either c-fos or ras oncoprotein. Qualitative light microscopic analysis showed a marked increase in both c-fos and ras proteins over the denervated zone at three days postlesion when compared to both the intact contralateral control and the naive control. At one- and six-day postlesion intervals there was also an increase in labeling over the denervated neuropil with each oncoprotein; however, the intensity of label was reduced relative to that of the three-day time interval. No increase in labeling over the denervated zone was visible for either antibody at 30 days postlesion. The high level of both c-fos and ras labeling in the denervated molecular layer was confirmed with Western blot analysis of dissected molecular layers from lesioned and contralateral control hippocampi. Controls for antibody and method specificity showed that the labeling was specific for c-fos and ras proteins. The high level of c-fos labeling over the denervated molecular layer was uniform, with scattered punctate sites of reaction product interspersed in the neuropil. Glial cell bodies in the neuropil contained the highest levels of c-fos oncoprotein. The granule cell nuclei showed an apparent reduction in the level of c-fos labeling at one, three and six days postlesion when compared with the nuclear staining of naive control cases. At 30 days postlesion, high levels of labeling over the denervated zone were not visible and c-fos localization had returned to the typical predominant nuclear sites seen in controls. Ras oncoprotein localization was diffuse in the cell processes of the molecular layer, with intermittent glial labeling within the denervated zone. No cell nuclei labeling was observed with antibodies to ras protein. These results show that both c-fos and ras oncoproteins are increased within the denervated neuropil of the dentate gyrus during sprouting and synapse formation. Our study suggests that neuropil alterations in gene expression through c-fos, and membrane signal transduction by ras may be part of the cellular mechanisms invoked during lesion-induced synaptogenesis.
Detection of ischemic myocardium in vivo through the chest wall by quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization.

Quantitative analysis of ultrasound offers a potentially valuable method for noninvasive differentiation of specific types of cardiac disease and for assessment of their severity. Clinical application necessitates quantitative measurement of the ultrasonic properties of myocardium through the chest wall. This study was designed to determine whether such measurements could be made noninvasively with the aid of conventional M mode echocardiographic guidance and to characterize the quantitative effects of intervening tissue (chest wall) on the ultrasonic signals backscattered by ischemic and normal myocardium. Frequency-dependent ultrasonic backscatter (2 to 7 MHz) from normal myocardium was measured in dogs in vivo through the closed chest with the use of M mode guidance and with the chest open, directly from the myocardium. Closed-chest and open-chest measurements were repeated after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in the same animals. Closed-chest data were compensated by correcting for the average value for the slope of the attenuation-frequency function of chest wall, which was determined from measurements obtained by analysis on excised tissue. Compensated closed-chest measurements correlated with measurements obtained from the epicardial surface of the heart. The differentiation of normal from ischemic myocardium with both the closed- and open-chest measurements was consistent (p < 0.005). The successful differentiation of normal from ischemic myocardium by determination of quantitative backscatter through the intervening chest wall supports the concept that tissue characterization by quantitative analysis of backscattered ultrasound is a potentially useful, clinically applicable approach to noninvasive detection and differentiation of intrinsic properties of normal and diseased myocardium.
Predictions of Hydration Free Energies from All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulations†

Here, we computed the aqueous solvation (hydration) free energies of 52 small drug-like molecules using an all-atom force field in explicit water. This differs from previous studies in that (1) this was a blind test (in an event called SAMPL sponsored by OpenEye Software) and (2) the test compounds were considerably more challenging than have been used in the past in typical solvation tests of all-atom models. Overall, we found good correlations with experimental values which were subsequently made available, but the variances are large compared to those in previous tests. We tested several different charge models and found that several standard charge models performed relatively well. We found that hypervalent sulfur and phosphorus compounds are not well handled using current force field parameters and suggest several other possible systematic errors. Overall, blind tests like these appear to provide significant opportunities for improving force fields and solvent models.
Galactokinase: Evidence for a New Racial Polymorphism

Activities of galactokinase and galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase in red cells were assayed in a mixed racial population of 645 pregnant women. The distribution of individual transferase activities for black subjects was the same as that for whites. In contrast, the distributions of individual galactokinase activities differed significantly in blacks and whites, the mean for the black population being 30 percent lower than the mean for the white population. The same racial difference was found when red cell galactokinase activity was examined in males and in newborns. Because low-, intermediate-, and high-galactokinase activities appear to segregate within several black families, this observed difference suggests a new, racially determined enzyme polymorphism.
Promise of low-density lipoprotein-lowering therapy for primary and secondary prevention.

One of the foremost medical advances of the past 2 decades has been proof that elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and that lowering of LDL levels will reduce risk for ASCVD.1,2 The application of this knowledge in clinical and public health arenas offers the opportunity to greatly reduce morbidity and mortality from ASCVD. This article outlines the rationale underlying this opportunity. Response by Superko and King p 573 Although several major risk factors for ASCVD exist, the realization that elevated plasma LDL is the driving force of atherogenesis highlights the possibilities for prevention. Many studies in laboratory animals have shown that high serum cholesterol levels induce atherosclerotic lesions resembling those found in humans.1 Similarly, humans with severe forms of hypercholesterolemia commonly exhibit premature atherosclerotic disease. Epidemiological studies reveal a strong association between serum cholesterol levels and ASCVD prevalence3; moreover, in populations in which cholesterol levels are low, ASCVD is correspondingly low even when other risk factors are common.4 The latter observation has recently been confirmed through genetic epidemiology; in those persons who carry a mutation causing low cholesterol levels over a lifetime, ASCVD is virtually absent even in the presence of other risk factors.5 Finally, many recent clinical trials have documented that LDL-lowering therapy reduces risk for ASCVD.6 All told, these several lines of evidence indicate that a lifetime of low LDL levels lowers risk for ASCVD by up to 80% to 90% compared with the general population of the United States,5 whereas intensive LDL-lowering therapy even in the presence of advanced atherosclerotic disease reduces risk for major ASCVD events by 40% to 50%.6–8 However, the latter response leaves 50% to 60% of risk untouched; this has called been residual risk. Because of the …
Cross-lingual geo-parsing for non-structured data

A geo-parser automatically identifies location words in a text. We have generated a geo-parser specifically to find locations in unstructured Spanish text. Our novel geo-parser architecture combines the results of four parsers: a lexico-semantic Named Location Parser, a rules-based building parser, a rules-based street parser, and a trained Named Entity Parser. Each parser has different strengths: the Named Location Parser is strong in recall, and the Named Entity Parser is strong in precision, and building and street parser finds buildings and streets that the others are not designed to do. To test our Spanish geo-parser performance, we compared the output of Spanish text through our Spanish geo-parser, with that same Spanish text translated into English and run through our English geo-parser. The results were that the Spanish geo-parser identified toponyms with an F1 of .796, and the English geo-parser identified toponyms with an F1 of .861 (and this is despite errors introduced by translation from Spanish to English), compared to an F1 of .114 from a commercial off-the-shelf Spanish geo-parser. Results suggest (1) geo-parsers should be built specifically for unstructured text, as have our Spanish and English geo-parsers, and (2) location entities in Spanish that have been machine translated to English are robust to geo-parsing in English.
Hot-wire Coil Probe for High-speed Flows

Small-diameter-wire coil probes developed for use in a hypersonic helium tunnel are discussed. The springlike properties of the coil minimize strain-gauge effects, and allow to use a higher length-to-diameter ratio for a given flow. In addition, the coil is more rugged for sudden flow changes, and since it can be mounted straight across the support tips, there is less support interference in cross flows. In addition to measuring fluctuating quantities in a boundary layer, the probes were used with a constant temperature anemometer for measuring mean mass flow profiles, and with a constant current anemometer for measuring mean total temperature profiles.
The influence of a self-consistent model space on the folded diagram expansion of nuclear effective interactions

Abstract The modification of the convergence properties of the folded diagram (FD) expansion of the effective interaction is studied in a self-consistent and in an oscillator sd shell model space. The Reid soft-core potential is used as the free N-N interaction. The self-consistent sd shell model space is defined by the Brueckner-Hartree-Fock approach without and with the inclusion of rearrangement terms. The main results are the following : (i) The FD expansion of the effective interaction converges considerably faster for a self-consistent model space, (ii) The core-polarization diagram is reduced by self-consistency, (iii) Shell-model calculations with the effective interaction defined in a self-consistent model space yield too little binding energy relative to 16 O and the spectra are too compressed. This may indicate that the agreement found here and elsewhere employing an oscillator model space is accidental. It is argued that contributions as yet not included can improve the situation.
Sources of Quantum Protection in High-Tc Superconductivity

The layer-structure cuprates with high superconducting transition temperatures T(c) exhibit a number of anomalous electronic properties in both superconducting and normal states. These anomalies are ascribed to the existence of independent spectra of excitations for charge and for spin, signaling a collective state, a "quantum protectorate."
Design and Control of the Styrene Process

A recent paper by Vasudevan et al. (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2009, 48, 10941−10961) presented a flowsheet of the styrene process, which has several interesting design and control features. Their study concentrated on a comparison of three plantwide control methodologies. The economic optimum design of the process was given, but no quantitative details were given of how the optimum was obtained. The chemistry of styrene process involves the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene. The reaction is endothermic, nonequimolar and reversible, so high temperatures and low pressures are conducive to high conversion in the adiabatic vapor-phase reactors. Steam is mixed with the ethylbenzene (EB) fed to the reactors to lower the partial pressure of ethylbenzene and increase conversion. There are also several other side reactions that produce undesirable byproducts (benzene, toluene, ethylene and carbon dioxide), whose reaction rates increase with temperature and partial pressures. The main design optimization variables in this...