cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proposed injection locking of a long-pulse relativistic magnetron

ABSTRACTWe report results of the initial operation of a 1µs rel-ativistic magnetron system to be used in the phase lockingexperiment. Full voltage pulse length with no evidence ofdiode shorting due to plasma closure is achieved in smoothbore geometry. The operating characteristics of the 700 kV, 700 A modulator together with the computerized con-trol /acquisition system for the phase locking experiment isalso described.2. INTRODUCTION Phase locking of nonlinear oscillators is a classical ex-ample of a good old topic in physics, and has been studiedextensively over the last 40 years. A surprisingly wide rangeof natural phenomena and an even wider range of applicationsin daily life can be described by the phase locking model:from synchronization of clocks, to stellar pulsation, to radiowave reception, to pace makers in the heart, to diode laser array. In many applications involving large numbers of highpower microwave oscillators, it is desirable to synchronizethe frequency and phase of each individual oscillator relativeto some stable external reference. It is especially true whena high energy density or the pulse -to -pulse phase coherenceis required, as in the case of high field -gradient accelerators.One way of achieving phase control is by injecting powerfrom a low power reference source directly into the oscillatorsto be locked. Relativistic magnetrons1'2 have demonstratedhigh power (multi gigawatt) with high efficiency (more than30 %) started in the late 70's. Successful injection locking ofthese high power oscillators will yield even higher power den-sity and field gradient. This scenario, however, has not beenrealized yet. In this paper, we will describe an experiment'set up for phase locking a relativistic magnetron using exter-nal low power injection. Reciprocal locking of oscillators isanother possible method for achieving high power densities.
Hepatocyte growth factor induces activation of Nck and phospholipase C-γ in lung carcinoma cells

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a mesenchyme derived growth factor, promotes cell growth, cell motility, and morphogenesis in a variety of epithelial cells. The diverse responses are transduced across the cell membrane by the met/HGF receptor, a product of c-met protooncogene. The met/HGF receptor recruits a variety of second messenger molecules which relay the diverse intracellular responses of HGF. In this study, we show that HGF autophosphorylates and activates met/HGF receptor. The activated met/HGF receptor then physically associates with and activates phospholipase C-γ (PLC-γ), Furthermore, upon ligand stimulation, tyrosine-autophosphorylated met/HGF receptor also activates Nck oncogene product. Taken together, our results suggest that the receptor activation leads to formation of a complex in which PLC-γ and Nck oncogene product co-exist with the activated met/HGF receptor, and that the Nck oncogene product is an important component of HGF signaling in Calu-1 and A549 cells.
Invariant unsupervised segmentation of dismounts in depth images

This paper will describe a scene invariant method for the unsupervised segmentation of dismounts in depth images. This method can be broken into two parts: ground plane detection and spatial segmentation. The former is accomplished by using RANSAC (RANdom SAmple Consensus) to identify a ground plane in the scene. After performing contrast enhancement the Image is "sliced" into regions. Each classified region is processed by a Robert's edge detector in order to separate each object. Each output is further processed by a block of shape filters that extract the human form.
Sociolinguistics and psychopathology: The auditory hallucinations of bilinguals

Auditory hallucinations experienced by bilingual individuals and responses to such internal stimuli demonstrate the relationship between social context and individual manifestation of psychopathology. The hallucinations of twelve de‐institutionalised schizophrenics are reported in this paper. Particular attention is directed to the relationships between the manifest content of the hallucination, the language of hallucination, and the sociocultural identifications of the subjects. The role of language and language behaviour in psychopathology is a potentially rich source of data for the sociolinguist and psycholinguist alike, and bilingual individuals offer a unique opportunity to study the role of language and cognition in psychopathology. Increased knowledge of linguistic patterning in such situations will result in improved therapeutic programmes based on a better understanding of the impact of cultural, social and linguistic factors in the precipitation and manifestation of mental illness.
The surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease-associated dysplasia

Surgical management of colonic dysplasia discovered in the inflammatory bowel disease patient is controversial. Total proctocolectomy (TPC) is the most definitive treatment for the eradication of undiagnosed synchronous dysplasias and/or carcinomas and the prevention of subsequent metachronous lesions in both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). However, TPC is not always an attractive option owing to patient comorbidities and patient preference. Historically, dysplasia has been most studied in patients with UC, where the option of reconstruction without a stoma makes TPC more acceptable. Due to a relative lack of research on CD-related dysplasia, surveillance and treatment of CD dysplasia has followed paradigms based on UC data. However, due to pathophysiological differences in CD versus UC, options for surgical management in CD may be more varied than simple TPC, particularly in the less healthy surgical candidate and those who refuse end ileostomy.
Role of Growth Factors and Their Receptors in the Development and Progression of Melanoma

Tumor development and progression is initiated and propelled by the expression of oncogenes and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Karyotypic alterations in tumor cells lead to malignant properties including uncontrolled proliferation, invasive capability, and metastatic potential. Peptide growth factors and their receptors serve as the major molecular signaling system in orchestrating tumor survival, growth, and interactions with the microenvironment. Aberrant expression of these factors by tumor cells confers growth advantage and competence for metastasis either by autocrine or paracrine mechanisms. In human melanoma, tumor progression is intimately associated with increasing growth autonomy of the malignant cells, perhaps due to the constitutive production of multiple growth factors. Among these, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is consistently expressed in cultured melanoma cells, but not in normal melanocytes, and it appears to be the main factor produced for autocrine stimulation. In addition, bFGF and other growth factors not apparently involved in autocrine loops are thought to have paracrine roles in tumor development and progression for triggering an inflammatory reaction, initiating angiogenesis and fibrous stroma formation, modulating the host immune response, and activating proteolytic enzymes produced by normal cells. Studies on autocrine and paracrine roles of growth factors in melanoma development and progression will require models that can account for the complex interactions between normal and malignant cells.
Inventing engraving in Vasari's Florence

Scholars generally agree that printed images were first pulled from engraved plates during the first half of the fifteenth century, somewhere beyond the Alps in Northern Europe.1 Undoubtedly, these...
Infrared and Raman spectra of 3-butyne-2-one

Abstract Infrared spectra have been determined for 3-butyne-2-one (acetyl acetylene) in the liquid and vapor states, and Raman spectra have been obtained for the liquid. The liquid is completely associated at room temperature through hydrogen-bonding, But none of the associated form is present in the vapor. The hydrogen-bonding seems to have an appreciable effect only on the C-H stretching and bending frequencies. A vibrational assignment is proposed.
Testing Phylogenetic Methods with Tree Congruence: Phylogenetic Analysis of Polymorphic Morphological Characters in Phrynosomatid Lizards

Congruence between trees from separately analyzed data sets is a powerful approach for assessing the performance of phylogenetic methods but has been applied primarily to the analysis of molecular data. In this study, di A erent methods for treating polymorphic characters were compared using morphological data from phrynosomatid lizards. Clades were identi® ed that are both traditionally recognized and supported by recent molecular analyses, and species were sampled from these clades to make three ``known'' phylogenies of eight species each. The ability of diA erent methods to estimate these ``known'' phylogenies with a ® nite sample of characters was tested. The phylogenetic methods included eight parsimony methods for coding polymorphism, three distance approaches (UPGMA, neighbor joining, and Fitch± Margoliash) applied to two genetic distance measures (Nei's and the modi® ed Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards chord distance), andcontinuousmaximum likelihood.The e A ectsofexcluding polymorphic charactersandcharacter weighting (a priori and successive) were also tested. Among the di A erent parsimony approaches, the ® xed-only method(excluding all polymorphic characters)performedrelatively poorly, whereas the frequency method (including all polymorphic characters) performed relatively well. However, frequency-based distance methods consistently outperformed parsimony, especially with a small sample size ( n 5 1 individual per species). These results agree closely with those from recent simulation studies of polymorphic data and argue against the common practices of excluding polymorphic morphological characters, ignoring the frequencies of traits within species, and the exclusive use of parsimony to analyze morphological data. (Accuracy; congruence; distance; like- lihood; morphology; parsimony; polymorphic characters.)
Additive preconditioning in matrix computations

We combine our novel SVD-free additive preconditioning with aggregation and other relevant techniques to facilitate the solution of a linear system of equations and other fundamental matrix computations. Our analysis and experiments show the power of our algorithms, guide us in selecting most effective policies of preconditioning and aggregation, and provide some new insights into these and related subjects. Compared to the popular SVD-based multiplicative preconditioners, our additive preconditioners are generated more readily and for a much larger class of matrices. Furthermore, they better preserve matrix structure and sparseness and have a wider range of applications (e.g., they facilitate the solution of a consistent singular linear system of equations and of the eigen-problem). (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of Circuit Miniaturization in Reducing Inflammatory Response to Infant Cardiopulmonary Bypass by Elimination of Allogeneic Blood Products

Conventional neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass requires the use of large volumes of allogeneic blood to prevent unacceptable hemodilution. Evidence is accumulating to suggest that the use of blood products during cardiopulmonary bypass has a negative effect on clinical recovery through inflammatory side effects. This would suggest an advantage for eliminating blood use in infant cardiopulmonary bypass through circuit miniaturization. In this article, we review the data supporting this rationale and provide the results from studies in our laboratory that emphasize the benefits of circuit miniaturization.
A State-Level Examination of the Association Between Home and Community-Based Services and Rates of Nursing Home Residency with Special Attention to Nutrition Programs

Federal food and nutrition programs implemented by the Administration on Aging and funded by the Older Americans Act (OAA) seek to enable older adults to remain in their homes and communities through a comprehensive, coordinated, and cost-effective array of services. We hypothesized that expenditures devoted to nutrition programs for home and community-based nutrition services were inversely related to changes in state-level rates of institutionalization for older adults from one year to the next, such that states that spend more money per capita on community-based nutrition programs would have smaller increases or greater decreases in rates of institutionalization, controlling for expenditures on other home and community-based services. We found, however, that there was not an effect of OAA Nutrition Services on the change in rates of nursing home residency. We noted, though, that states that direct a greater proportion of their long-term care expenditures to home and community-based services appear to h...
Bundling as a New Product Introduction Strategy: The Role of Brand Image and Bundle Features

Abstract Marketers can bundle an unknown brand with a strong brand as a new product introduction strategy. Drawing upon the categorization theory and the elaboration likelihood model, this study examines how a new brand can benefit from bundling with a strong brand. The results of two studies indicate that consumers’ quality perception of a new brand will be affected by the brand image of a bundle partner, and this effect is moderated by the bundle forms and the complementarity of bundle components. Academic and managerial implications of these findings are presented, along with suggestions for further research.
Nuclear Iran is Not an Option: A new negotiating strategy to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons

The negotiations between Iran and the P5+11 over Tehran's nuclear enrichment activities have not only failed to reach an agreement but have brought Iran much closer to the threshold of mastering the technology to produce nuclear weapons. There are many factors that precipitated this breakdown, including the West's inability to understand and deal with the Iranian psychological disposition, the failure to present to Iran the severity of the punitive measures that could be inflicted as a consequence of their defiance, and the US administration's misleading policy that gave Iran the room to maneuver. There is an urgent need to adopt a distinctively new strategy toward Iran consisting of three tracks of separate but interconnected negotiations: The first should focus on the current negotiations on Iran's enrichment program and the economic incentive package; the second should concentrate on regional security and the consequences of continued Iranian defiance; and the third track should address Iran's and the United States' grievances against each other. The United States must initiate all three tracks without which future talks will be as elusive as the previous negotiations, except this time the West and Israel will be facing the unsettling prospect of a nuclear Iran.
The Mixed Lineage Nature of Nitrogen Transport and Assimilation in Marine Eukaryotic Phytoplankton: A Case Study of Micromonas

The prasinophyte order Mamiellales contains several widespread marine picophytoplankton (≤ 2 μm diameter) taxa, including Micromonas and Ostreococcus. Complete genome sequences are available for two Micromonas isolates, CCMP1545 and RCC299. We performed in silico analyses of nitrogen transporters and related assimilation genes in CCMP1545 and RCC299 and compared these with other green lineage organisms as well as Chromalveolata, fungi, bacteria, and archaea. Phylogenetic reconstructions of ammonium transporter (AMT) genes revealed divergent types contained within each Mamiellales genome. Some were affiliated with plant and green algal AMT1 genes and others with bacterial AMT2 genes. Land plant AMT2 genes were phylogenetically closer to archaeal transporters than to Mamiellales AMT2 genes. The Mamiellales represent the first green algal genomes to harbor AMT2 genes, which are not found in Chlorella and Chlamydomonas or the chromalveolate algae analyzed but are present in oomycetes. Fewer nitrate transporter (NRT) than AMT genes were identified in the Mamiellales. NRT1 was found in all but CCMP1545 and showed highest similarity to Mamiellales and proteobacterial NRTs. NRT2 genes formed a bootstrap-supported clade basal to other green lineage organisms. Several nitrogen-related genes were colocated, forming a nitrogen gene cluster. Overall, RCC299 showed the most divergent suite of nitrogen transporters within the various Mamiellales genomes, and we developed TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction primer-probes targeting a subset of these, as well as housekeeping genes, in RCC299. All those investigated showed expression either under standard growth conditions or under nitrogen depletion. Like other recent publications, our findings show a higher degree of "mixed lineage gene affiliations" among eukaryotes than anticipated, and even the most phylogenetically anomalous versions appear to be functional. Nitrogen is often considered a regulating factor for phytoplankton populations. This study provides a springboard for exploring the use and functional diversification of inorganic nitrogen transporters and related genes in eukaryotic phytoplankton.
A cell surface differentiation antigen of Drosophila

Abstract A monoclonal antibody, generated by immunization with gastrula stage Drosophila melanogaster embryonic cells, recognizes a cell surface antigen which shows tissue and stage specificity. The antigen appears for the first time during cellularization of the blastoderm embryo and is present on all cells until around 12 hr of development. It becomes progressively restricted to specific tissues during the second half of embryogenesis. By the time of hatching, only the nervous system, germ cells, and imaginal cells are positive. During metamorphosis differentiating imaginal tissues become negative so that in the adult only the nervous system and undifferentiated germ cells are positive, with gonadal sheaths showing some staining. A third wave of antigen loss occurs during gametogenesis, resulting in negative staining on the mature sperm and oocyte. All positive tissues appear to contain the same 63-kDa cell surface antigen. The antigen behaves as a general differentiation marker lost by tissues as they approach their terminal differentiated state. The nervous system and possibly gonadal sheaths may be exceptions to this general behavior.
Carbon film growth on model MLM cap layer: interaction of selected hydrocarbon vapor with Ru(10-10) surface

The aim of this work is to explore the thermal and non-thermal interaction of toluene, benzene and isobutene vapor with a crystalline Ru(10-10) surface, a model surface for Ru capping layers used in EUV lithography. Our main objective is to provide insights into the basic processes that affect the reflectivity of Ru-coated Mo/Si multilayer mirrors that are exposed to EUV radiation. A low energy electron beam is employed to mimic excitations initiated by EUV radiation. Temperature programmed desorption (TPD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy ion scattering (LEIS), and electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) are used to analyze the surface reactions. Pyrolysis of a chemisorbed hydrocarbon layer on the Ru surface leads to the dehydrogenation and buildup a self-limited carbon monolayer. Carbon film growth on the Ru(10-10) crystalline surface under 100 eV electron bombardment in hydrocarbon vapor is measured over a range of pressures and temperatures near 300 K. The carbon growth rate is ~10 times higher in the presence of toluene vapor than in the presence of benzene or isobutene vapor. The estimations of the adsorption energy, the steadystate coverage of the molecules on the surface and the cross-sections for electron-stimulated dissociation are presented. A graphene-like carbon layer is probed as possible way to reduce the surface contamination rate.
Serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone in sexually stimulated intact and unilaterally castrated rams

Ten two-year-old intact (IN) and unilaterally castrated (UC) Targhee rams were exposed to an estrogenized ewe each week from June to October. Each week the rams were subjectively evaluated for libido (10 for high interest and 1 for no interest). Semen was collected from all cooperating rams and evaluated for volume, concentration, and motility. Every 2 wk, blood samples were obtained at −30 and 0 min before and 30 and 60 min after ewe access. Serum was harvested; follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone concentrations were quantified by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Week 5 of ewe access was assigned as Week 1. Libido scores rose from a low on Week 1, with eight rams ejaculating, to a high on Week 12, with all rams ejaculating (Week 1, 5.0 ± 1.0; Week 12, 10.0 ± 0.0). The product of testis length and width was significantly greater in UC compared with IN rams (88.4 ± 1.4 versus 73.2 ± 1.0 cm2, respectively). Serum FSH concentrations (ng/ml) were greater (P < 0.05) in UC than IN rams and dropped over the experimental period. Serum LH concentrations (ng/ml) were significantly greater in UC compared with IN rams. This difference was more pronounced in Weeks 1 and 3 compared with Weeks 11 and 13. Serum testosterone concentrations (ng/ml) were similar in UC and IN rams throughout the experiment. In conclusion, serum testosterone was not altered in UC rams; however, serum FSH and LH concentrations were increased in UC rams. Unilateral castration did not enhance the normal changes in semen quantity and quality in the rams from July to October.
Proteome-Wide Overexpression of Host Proteins for Identification of Factors Affecting Tombusvirus RNA Replication: an Inhibitory Role of Protein Kinase C

To identify host genes affecting replication of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a small model positive-stranded RNA virus, we overexpressed 5,500 yeast proteins individually in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which supports TBSV replication. In total, we identified 141 host proteins, and overexpression of 40 of those increased and the remainder decreased the accumulation of a TBSV replicon RNA. Interestingly, 36 yeast proteins were identified previously by various screens, greatly strengthening the relevance of these host proteins in TBSV replication. To validate the results from the screen, we studied the effect of protein kinase C1 (Pkc1), a conserved host kinase involved in many cellular processes, which inhibited TBSV replication when overexpressed. Using a temperature-sensitive mutant of Pkc1p revealed a high level of TBSV replication at a semipermissive temperature, further supporting the idea that Pkc1p is an inhibitor of TBSV RNA replication. A direct inhibitory effect of Pkc1p was shown in a cell-free yeast extract-based TBSV replication assay, in which Pkc1p likely phosphorylates viral replication proteins, decreasing their abilities to bind to the viral RNA. We also show that cercosporamide, a specific inhibitor of Pkc-like kinases, leads to increased TBSV replication in yeast, in plant single cells, and in whole plants, suggesting that Pkc-related pathways are potent inhibitors of TBSV in several hosts.
Grid Sensitivity and Aerodynamic Optimization of Generic Airfoils

An algorithm is developed to obtain the grid sensitivity with respect to design parameters for aerodynamic optimization. The procedure is advocating a novel (geometrical) parameterization using spline functions such as NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B- Splines) for defining the airfoil geometry. An interactive algebraic grid generation technique is employed to generate C-type grids around airfoils. The grid sensitivity of the domain with respect to geometric design parameters has been obtained by direct differentiation of the grid equations. A hybrid approach is proposed for more geometrically complex configurations such as a wing or fuselage. The aerodynamic sensitivity coefficients are obtained by direct differentiation of the compressible two-dimensional thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations. An optimization package has been introduced into the algorithm in order to optimize the airfoil surface. Results demonstrate a substantially improved design due to maximized lift/drag ratio of the airfoil.
COMPUTATIONAL SIMULATION UNDER PSD FATIGUE LOADING

In the design of structures subjected to acoustic fatigue, excitations are usually non-deterministic. Power Spectral Density (PSD) is used to describe the frequency content and intensity of random vibration. Random excitations can be applied in the form of accelerations, pressures or forces. Degradation of a structure is usually represented by the reduction of natural frequency during the application of PSD loading. A computational tool is developed to simulate the degradation response of composite structures under a PSD fatigue loading condition. Quantitative predictions of damage initiation, damage progression and propagation to fracture are monitored. Computational simulation is based on a step-by-step update of time during damage progression under PSD loading. For each step of equilibrium point natural frequencies of the structure are computed. The degradation of frequency is determined with the increment of time steps. The Excitation level-Time relationship is predicted from the output of several simulations at different PSD levels. A PMC test coupon is simulated on a dynamic shaker by imposing the PSD of base accelerations. Failure mechanisms and their locations are identified.
Why Do States Build Nuclear Weapons?: Three Models in Search of a Bomb

The central purpose of this article is to challenge conventional wisdom about nuclear proliferation. The author argues that the consensus view, focusing on national security considerations as the cause of proliferation, is dangerously inadequate because nuclear weapons programs also serve other, more parochial and less obvious objectives. Nuclear weapons, like other weapons, are more than tools of national security; they are political objects of considerable importance in domestic debates and internal bureaucratic struggles and can also serve as international normative symbols of modernity and identity. The body of this article examines three alternate theoretical frameworks - called {open_quotes}models{close_quotes} in the very informal sense of the term - about why states decide to build or refrain from developing nuclear weapons: {open_quotes}the security model,{close_quotes} according to which states build nuclear weapons to increase national security against foreign threats, especially nuclear threats; {open_quotes}the domestic politics model,{close_quotes} which envisions nuclear weapons as political tools used to advance parochial domestic and bureaucratic interests; and {open_quotes}the norms model,{close_quotes} under which nuclear weapons decisions are made because weapons acquisition, or restraint in weapons development, provides an important normative symbol of a state`s modernity and identity. Although many of the ideas underlying these models exist in the vastmore » case-study and proliferation-policy literatures, they have not been adequately analyzed, nor placed in a comparative theoretical framework, nor properly evaluated against empirical evidence. Models are compared to their theoretical conceptions of the causes of weapons development, present alternative interpretations of the history of some major proliferation decisions, and contrast the models` implications for nonproliferation policy. 71 refs.« less
Immigration and Economic Growth in Metropolitan Areas

This research answers the question whether immigration contributes to metropolitan areas’ productivity and economic growth, and it also quantifies the impacts of immigration on productivity and economic growth. It examines the relationships between metropolitan Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the measures of immigration in the United States from 2000-2010 and attempts to find evidence in three mechanisms through which immigration can contribute to the economic growth: the overall effects, the skill effects and the complementarity effects. In each effect’ analysis, this research uses reduced- and structural-form equations and uses fixed-effects and first-difference models. First, reduced-form analysis with the specification of GDP per worker as the dependent variable and share of immigrant workers in total workforce as the independent variable revealed that the overall immigration has a small negative impact on metropolitan productivity growth, and this potential negative impact increases with metropolitan population size. Structural-form analysis with the specification of GDP level as the dependent variable and numbers of immigrant worker as the independent variable found that immigration has a significant positive impact on economic growth. However, using instrumental variables cannot enhance this finding with reduced endogeneity. Second, neither reduced- or structural- form analysis found that high-skilled immigrants contribute to the productivity and economic growth. Interestingly, fixed-effects panel regression results pointed out that low-skilled immigrants make a substantial contribution to the productivity and economic growth. Third, this research revealed evidence that immigration contributes to the economic growth through complementing native workers and the complementarity comes from both the immigrant and native workers with the same and with different levels of education. Immigration’s impact on labor market outcomes has been extensively studied. However, previous literature seldom focuses on immigration’s effect on the aggregate economic measurement such as GDP. By providing an in-depth analysis of immigrants’ impact on metropolitan GDP, this research seeks to fill the gap in the immigration economic impact and regional economic growth literature. This research’s findings provide direct guidance in making and implementing metropolitan-specific immigration policy.
The Ethiopic Text of Acts of the Apostles

DR. ROPES in his encyclopaedic treatment of "The Text of Acts," in The Beginnings of Christianity, vol. iii, 1926, omitted treatment of the Ethiopic versions for lack of reliable critical material. In the section calling attention to the Ethiopic texts (pp. cxlvi seq.), along with the expression of opinion that an investigation of that field for Acts "would produce interesting and valuable results," he notes the Ethiopic manuscripts recorded for Acts in Gregory's list, of which "one (Paris, Bibl. Nat., aeth. 26 [Zotenberg 492]) is of the fifteenth century." Subsequently to the completion of his volume Dr. Ropes was able to secure a photographic copy of that Ms. of Acts; and he did the present writer the honor of asking him to make a critical study of what appeared to be the oldest known witness to Acts in that version.
The mismeasure of punishment: Alternative measures of punitiveness and their (substantial) consequences

Over the past few decades, scholars of punishment and social control have increasingly lamented the punitive turn in criminal justice policy. The perpetually growing size of prison populations has ...
Economic evaluation of aromatase inhibitors for the treatment of breast cancer

Breast cancer affects 1 million women a year. Hormonal therapy has been a mainstay of treatment for women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer. The newer class of aromatase inhibitors has challenged the use of the previous standard agent, tamoxifen, in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. This article will provide a thorough review of the literature on the newer generation aromatase inhibitors and examine their role in metastatic, adjuvant, neoadjuvant and prevention settings. An in-depth review of the cost-efficiency analyses is also performed. Recent studies on the newer, third-generation aromatase inhibitors have challenged the previous gold standard (tamoxifen) in the prevention and management of hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. These studies have supported the use of aromatase inhibitors as first-line therapy in both early (adjuvant) and advanced breast cancer management. Whether aromatase inhibitors should replace tamoxifen in these settings is still a matter of deb...
What Is a Savitzky-Golay Filter? [Lecture Notes]

This article has attempted to answer the question "What is a Savitky-Golay filter?" in terms that will be familiar to the DSP community and readers of IEEE Signal Processing Magazine. This article reviewed the definition and properties of S-G filters and showed how they can be designed easily using polynomial approximation of an impulse sequence. In contrast to most discussions of S-G filters, they focused on the frequency domain properties, and offered an approximate formula for the 3-dB cutoff frequency as a function of polynomial order N and impulse response half length M. Engineers with a frequency domain mindset may find this useful if they choose to use S-G filters in their application.
Reciprocal In Vivo Regulation of Myocardial G Protein–Coupled Receptor Kinase Expression by β-Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation and Blockade

Background —Impaired myocardial β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) signaling, including desensitization and functional uncoupling, is a characteristic of congestive heart failure. A contributing mechanism for this impairment may involve enhanced myocardial β-adrenergic receptor kinase (βARK1) activity because levels of this βAR-desensitizing G protein–coupled receptor kinase (GRK) are increased in heart failure. An hypothesis has emerged that increased sympathetic nervous system activity associated with heart failure might be the initial stimulus for βAR signaling alterations, including desensitization. We have chronically treated mice with drugs that either activate or antagonize βARs to study the dynamic relationship between βAR activation and myocardial levels of βARK1. Methods and Results —Long-term in vivo stimulation of βARs results in the impairment of cardiac βAR signaling and increases the level of expression (mRNA and protein) and activity of βARK1 but not that of GRK5, a second GRK abundantly expressed in the myocardium. Long-term β-blocker treatment, including the use of carvedilol, improves myocardial βAR signaling and reduces βARK1 levels in a specific and dose-dependent manner. Identical results were obtained in vitro in cultured cells, demonstrating that the regulation of GRK expression is directly linked to βAR signaling. Conclusions —This report demonstrates, for the first time, that βAR stimulation can significantly increase the expression of βARK1, whereas β-blockade decreases expression. This reciprocal regulation of βARK1 documents a novel mechanism of ligand-induced βAR regulation and provides important insights into the potential mechanisms responsible for the effectiveness of β-blockers, such as carvedilol, in the treatment of heart failure.
Two-dimensional infinite-system density-matrix renormalization-group algorithm

It has proved difficult to extend the density-matrix renormalization-group technique to large two-dimensional systems. I here present an approach where the calculation is done directly in two dimensions. This makes it possible to use an infinite-system method, and the fixed point in two dimensions is studied. By applying several related blocking schemes to the two-dimensional Heisenberg model I find that there exists an algorithm for which the energy per site decreases monotonically as the system size increases, thereby showing the potential feasibility of this method.
Suggested Capacities for Minister's Success: An Empirical Approach Based on Saaty's AHP

Abstract The roles of ministers are complicated, multiple, and demanding. They need to perform both as a leader of public organization and as a political actor in the Cabinet as appointed by the president or prime minister. This research empirically examines which capacities and types of ministers account for their success. It concludes that a policy capacity is the most desirable ministerial capacity. In addition, this study concludes that a political type minister is the most appropriate ministerial type for ministerial success. However, there is not one best ministerial model, or one required capacity for ministerial success. That is, this study intends to better understand the virtue and the responsibility of ministers.
Differences in arterial compliance among normotensive adolescent groups: Collins arterial compliance in adolescents.

Decreased arterial compliance is an important predictor of cardiovascular risk. Pulse wave velocity correlates well with arterial compliance. Gender and ethnic differences in adult populations have been described. However, few data are available evaluating arterial compliance in adolescent subjects. Using a simple noninvasive oscillometric technique, brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an index of arterial stiffness. Measurements were performed on a cross-sectional (65% African American, 52% female) sample of 205 normotensive (blood pressure <95% for gender, height, and age) adolescents with a mean age of 15.9 years (range, 12–21 years). The 205 adolescent subjects include 106 females and 99 males. In these adolescents, the mean baPWV was higher for males (1,096 cm/s) than for females (1,039 cm/s; p < 0.0024; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2051–0.9349), and for African Americans (1,080 cm/s) than for whites (1,040 cm/s; p < 0.0438; 95% CI, 0.0112–0.7888). Multiple regression analyses found a three-way interaction among gender, ethnicity, and age. The effect of age on baPWV was greater among African Americans (slope = 18.1 cm/s/year) and males (slope = 21.6) than among whites (slope = 11.0) and females (slope = 11.3), although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Differences in arterial compliance are already present and detectable in normotensive adolescent subjects. Decreased arterial compliance among adolescent groups correlates with the known adult risk for cardiovascular events among the same ethnic and gender groups.
Using the Dynamic Model of Affect (DMA) to Examine Leisure Time as a Stress-Coping Resource: Taking into Account Stress Severity and Gender Difference

Affective complexity (AC) is a marker of psychological well-being. According to the Dynamic Model of Affect (DMA), stressful experiences reduce AC while positive events increase AC. One type of positive events is leisure, which was also identified as a coping resource. This study extended the DMA and leisure coping research by assessing gender difference in how daily stress severity and leisure time influence AC. Analyzing eight-day diary data, we found that females, compared to males, experienced greater decrease in AC with increase in stress severity but also bigger increase in AC with increase in leisure time. The finding highlights gender difference in affective reactivity to and coping with daily stress, the value of the DMA, and the importance of severity appraisal.
A Preliminary Study of the Clastogenic Effects of Diesel Exhaust Fumes Using the Tradescantia Micronucleus Bioassay

Automobile engine emissions are one of the major urban air pollutants in the industrialized nations. The direct and indirect effects of these complex agents on human health are crucial problems for modern society. Epidemiological studies carried out in Europe (Barth and Blacker, 1978; Blumer et al., 1977a, b) and Japan (Shimizu et al., 1977) found that cancer mortality rates were higher in populations near heavily travelled highways than in those away from them. The increasing popularity of diesel-engine-powered vehicles, especially passenger cars, demands a better understanding of the health effects of diesel emissions.
Abstract 277: Diminazene Aceturate, an ACE2 Activator, Decreases AngII-Induced Atherosclerosis in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor--Deficient Mice

Objectives: Diminazene aceturate (DIZE) activates angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) both in vitro and in vivo. ACE2 limits angiotensin II (AngII)/angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) signaling through cleavage of AngII to form angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)). Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that whole body ACE2 deficiency increased diet-induced atherosclerosis in low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) deficient mice. The purpose of this study was to determine if administration of DIZE to LDLr-/- mice activates ACE2 to decrease AngII-induced atherosclerosis. Materials and Methods: Initial dose ranging studies determined the effects of 7.5, 15, or 30 mg/kg/day of DIZE infused subcutaneously by osmotic minipump for 7 days into male LDLr-/- mice. DIZE dose-dependently increased plasma Ang-(1-7) concentrations with significant elevations at 30 mg/kg/day (vehicle, 5.9 ± 0.6; DIZE, 7.9 ± 0.5 ng/mL, p<0.05). Moreover, kidney ACE2 activity increased in mice administered DIZE (30 mg/kg/day) compared to vehicle-injected controls (vehicle, 208 ± 87; DIZE, 1716 ± 424 fmol/mg/min, p<0.05). For optimal dosing, ACE2 wildtype (Ace2+/y) and deficient (Ace2-/y) LDLr-/- mice were administered either vehicle or DIZE by intramuscular injection for a total of 5 weeks. Seven days after initiation of DIZE administration, mice were infused with AngII (1,000 ng/kg/min for 28 days) to induce atherosclerosis. Compared to vehicle, administration of DIZE resulted in significant reductions in atherosclerotic lesion formation in aortic arches of AngII-infused Ace2+/y , but not Ace2-/y mice (vehicle Ace2+/y, 9.8 ± 1.2; DIZE Ace2+/y, 5.8 ± 1.2; DIZE Ace2-/y, 9.2 ± 1.8, p<0.05). Interestingly, compared to vehicle, DIZE lowered serum cholesterol concentrations in Ace2+/y but not Ace2-/y mice (vehicle Ace2+/y, 837 ± 69; DIZE Ace2+/y, 571 ± 41; DIZE Ace2-/y, 774 ± 113 mg/dl, p<0.05). Conclusions: These studies demonstrate that DIZE decreased AngII-induced atherosclerosis through an ACE2-dependent mechanism. Mechanisms for DIZE-induced reductions in AngII-induced atherosclerosis may include reductions in serum cholesterol concentrations.
An Electrical Characterization of Sol Films Using Devices Formed by Oxygen Implant and Rapid Thermal Processing

In this paper, measurements were made on silicon wafers implanted with a high current oxygen beam implanter. Gated diodes and guarded capacitors were fabricated using RTP. Reverse voltage diode data suggest that surface currents are controlled by the gate around the diode edge, while currents generated below the surface are not. SRP data on the implanted wafers show a decrease in dopant concentration near the buried oxide layer. We infer that oxygen compensation is occurring, depleting the region above the buried oxide layer and controlling the currents below the surface. Wafer measurements of avalanche breakdown showed a tight correlation to the currents below the surface. It also showed a radial pattern that was an effect of either the implantation and/or the rapid thermal anneal. Oxide breakdown measurements using the large area guarded capacitors showed a large percentage of high field strength oxides. The implication here is that neither the RTP anneal of the gate oxide or the high density of dislocations in the silicon overlayer were sufficient to cause low field strength breakdowns. The remaining oxide breakdown measurements had lower field strength and were attributed to random defects. This paper also illustrates how a quick throughput processing cycle using RTP can be used to make a faster electrical evaluation of a material. RTP can allow for easier processing and good experimental control, when examining new materials.
Help-Seeking Among Airmen in Distressed Relationships: Promoting Relationship Well-Being

Although a substantial proportion of service members returning from a combat deployment report individual emotional and behavioral disorders as well as intimate relationship difficulties, previous studies indicate that only a minority actually seek mental health services. Little is known about factors that predict help-seeking in this population. We first review key findings from the literature on help-seeking in military and veteran populations, including mixed findings regarding the role of perceived stigma and attitudes toward mental health treatment. We then present data from a longitudinal study of United States Air Force Security Forces following a year-long high-risk deployment to Iraq-including findings regarding who seeks help, for what problems, and from which providers. We also examine whether these findings differ for Airmen in a married or committed relationship versus nonpartnered Airmen and, for the former group, whether findings differ for those in a distressed versus nondistressed relationship. Finally, we discuss implications of these findings for extending couple-based interventions to service members and veterans, and describe a multitiered "stepped" approach for promoting relationship resiliency.
Tidal hydrodynamics under future sea level rise and coastal morphology in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

This study examines the integrated influence of sea level rise (SLR) and future morphology on tidal hydrodynamics along the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) coast including seven embayments and three ecologically and economically significant estuaries. A large-domain hydrodynamic model was used to simulate astronomic tides for present and future conditions (circa 2050 and 2100). Future conditions were simulated by imposing four SLR scenarios to alter hydrodynamic boundary conditions and updating shoreline position and dune heights using a probabilistic model that is coupled to SLR. Under the highest SLR scenario, tidal amplitudes within the bays increased as much as 67% (10.0 cm) because of increases in the inlet cross-sectional area. Changes in harmonic constituent phases indicated that tidal propagation was faster in the future scenarios within most of the bays. Maximum tidal velocities increased in all of the bays, especially in Grand Bay where velocities doubled under the highest SLR scenario. In addition, the ratio of the maximum flood to maximum ebb velocity decreased in the future scenarios (i.e., currents became more ebb dominant) by as much as 26% and 39% in Weeks Bay and Apalachicola, respectively. In Grand Bay, the flood-ebb ratio increased (i.e., currents became more flood dominant) by 25% under the lower SLR scenarios, but decreased by 16% under the higher SLR as a result of the offshore barrier islands being overtopped, which altered the tidal prism. Results from this study can inform future storm surge and ecological assessments of SLR, and improve monitoring and management decisions within the NGOM.
Synthesis and energy transfer within carbon-based fluorescent rare earth nanoparticles and nanocomposites (Conference Presentation)

Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in fluorescent and upconverting rare earth-based nanoparticles for biomedical imaging and photodynamic therapy applications. While many of the widely explored upconverting contrast agents are comprised of fluoride or oxide crystal structures, very little work has been done to investigate the up- and downconversion emission in rare earth-doped carbon nanocomposites. Of particular interest, graphene-UCNP nanocomposites and sesquicarbide nanoparticles may offer a wide range of new applications when coupled with the extraordinary optical properties of rare earth-doped systems, such as potential use as nano-transducers. Carbon-based nanocomposites and sesquicarbides doped with rare earth elements were synthesized using the microwave and solvothermal methods with additional brief high temperature heat treatments. They were then characterized by XRD, visible and NIR excitation and emission spectroscopy, as well as Raman spectrsocopy. Tuning of the emission manifold ratios was explored through different compositions and size. Also, energy transfer between the emitting ions and the electronic states of the host structure was explored. Finally, cytotoxicity was tested, and cellular uptake of these nanomaterials was performed with confocal microscopy.