cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diatom flora of a kettle-hole bog in relation to hydrarch succession zones

Diatom assemblages were compared to the vegetational seres and to physical and chemical parameters of a kettle-hole bog which had distinct hydrarch successional zones and was in turn surrounded by a cattail marsh and a willow swamp. Multivariate analysis of variance showed the water parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, color, free calcium) among the zones were significantly different (p < 0.0001). Diatoms were enumerated using the first 500 valves counting method and results showed each zone had a distinct flora. Cluster analysis of the diatom data by both species and zones grouped the bog successional zones into one major group and the marsh/swamp zones into the second major group. The occurrence of well defined seral stages of vegetation and diatoms suggests microorganisms are undergoing ecological succession in kettle-hole bogs.
Confinement Model of Concrete with Externally Bonded FRP Jackets or Posttensioned FRP Shells

A design-oriented confinement model for square and rectangular columns confined with bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) jackets, and shape-modified square and rectangular sections confined with posttensioned FRP shells is developed. The proposed design model for FRP-confined concrete columns is based on the bilinear four-parameter formulation by Richard and Abbott. The axial compressive strength of FRP-confined concrete is obtained using concrete plasticity theory based on the five parameter Willam and Warnke model. The ultimate axial strain of FRP-confined concrete is obtained from a strain-based approach depending on either passive or active confinement; the ultimate axial strain is based on the concepts of secant concrete modulus and strain dependent stiffness established by Pantazopoulou and Mills. Comparisons of the proposed stress-strain model with uniaxial compression experiments for columns with bonded FRP jackets or posttensioned FRP shells, performed by the writers and other researchers, show satisfactory agreement for the entire stress-strain curve.
Fine mapping of a malting-quality QTL complex near the chromosome 4H S telomere in barley

Malting quality has long been an active objective in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) breeding programs.However, it is difficult for breeders to manipulate malting-quality traits because of inheritance complexity and difficulty in evaluation of these quantitative traits. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping provides breeders a promising basis with which to manipulate quantitative trait genes. A malting-quality QTL complex, QTL2, was mapped previously to a 30-cM interval in the short-arm telomere region of barley chromosome 4H in a "Step-toe"/"Morex" doubled haploid population by the North American Barley Genome Project, using an interval mapping method with a relatively low-resolution genetic map. The QTL2 complex has moderate effects on several malting-quality traits, including malt extract percentage(ME), a-amylase activity (AA), diastatic power (DP), malt 13-glucan content (BG), and seed dormancy, which makes it a promising candidate gene source in malting barley-cultivar development. Fine mapping QTL2 is desirable for precisely studying barley malting-quality trait inheritance and for efficiently manipulating QTL2 in breeding. A reciprocal-substitution mapping method was employed to fine map QTL2. Molecular marker-assisted backcrossing was used to facilitate the generation of isolines. Fourteen different types of "Steptoe" isolines, including regenerated "Steptoe" and 13 different types of "Morex" isolines,including regenerated "Morex", were made within a 41.5-cM interval between MWG634 and BCD265B on chromosome 4H. Duplicates were identified for 12 "Steptoe" and 12 "Morex" isoline types. The isolines together with "Steptoe" and "Morex" were grown variously at three locations in 2 years for a total of five field environments.Four malting-quality traits were measured: ME, DP, AA,and BG. Few significant differences were found between duplicate isolines for these traits. A total of 15 putative QTLs were mapped; three for ME, four for DP, six for AA,and two for BG. Background genotype seemed to make a difference in expression/detection of QTLs. Of the 15 QTLs identified, ten were from the "Morex" and only five from the "Steptoe" background. By combining the results from different years, field environments, and genetic backgrounds and taking into account overlapping QTLsegments, six QTLs can be conservatively estimated: two each for ME and AA and one each for DP and BG with chromosome segments ranging from 0.7 cM to 27.9 cM. A segment of 15.8 cM from the telomere (MWG634-CDO669) includes all or a portion of all QTLs identified. Further study and marker-assisted breeding should focus on this 15.8-cM chromosome region.
Misplaced obsession with prospectively randomized studies

Medical care should be based on best available evidence. While randomized controlled trials (RCT) are currently considered a gold standard of study design, they are not always available and do not represent the only study format that can lead to best available evidence. This communication argues that overvaluation of RCT and undervaluation of other study formats in establishing best available evidence hurts progress in reproductive medicine and in medicine in general.
Mitigation of angle tracking errors due to color dependent centroid shifts in SIM Lite

The SIM-Lite astrometric interferometer will search for Earth-size planets in the habitable zones of nearby stars. In this search the interferometer will monitor the astrometric position of candidate stars relative to nearby reference stars over the course of a 5 year mission. The elemental measurement is the angle between a target star and a reference star. This is a two-step process, in which the interferometer will each time need to use its controllable optics to align the starlight in the two arms with each other and with the metrology beams. The sensor for this alignment is an angle tracking CCD camera. Various constraints in the design of the camera subject it to systematic alignment errors when observing a star of one spectrum compared with a start of a different spectrum. This effect is called a Color Dependent Centroid Shift (CDCS) and has been studied extensively with SIM-Lite's SCDU testbed. Here we describe results from the simulation and testing of this error in the SCDU testbed, as well as effective ways that it can be reduced to acceptable levels.
Optimal assignment of resources to strengthen the weakest link in an uncertain environment

The weakest link principle applies to many real-life situations where a system is as productive as its bottleneck. The purpose of this paper is to show how the efficiency of a manufacturing or service process (i.e., the strength of a chain) may be maximized by optimal allocation of resources to improve the performance of the bottleneck (i.e., strengthen the weakest link) in an uncertain environment. Specifically, we consider two different versions of the stochastic bottleneck assignment problem (SBAP), which is a variation of the classic assignment problem (AP), with respective goals of minimizing the expected longest processing time and maximizing the expected lowest production rate. It is proven that each of the two intrinsically difficult SBAPs is reducible to an efficiently solvable AP provided that the processing times or the production rates are independent random variables following some families of probability distributions.
Absorption and fluorescence spectra of euchrysine GGNX and acridine orange; effects of heparin, NaCl and a cation exchange resin.

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of two samples of dye labeled euchrysine were found to differ. One sample, labeled GGNX, had absorption and fluorescence maxima of 435 and 515 nanometers (nm) respectively. The other sample was not further labeled, but had absorption and fluorescence maxima of 492 and 535 nm. The latter values, as well as the shape of both the fluorescence and absorption curves of the second sample were superimposable on a recrystallized sample of acridine orange labeled correctly C. I. 46905. Euchrysine has two free amino groups which are fully methylated in acridine orange, therefore a nitrous acid test can differentiate the two dyes. The sample of euchrysine labeled GGNX gave a reaction, as did acridine yellow, C. I. 46025, but acridine orange, C. I. 46005, did not. Fluorescence metachromasy of euchrysine is less efficient than that of acridine orange in two ways: the shift in the spectrum is smaller by about 40 nm, making the separation of the colors more difficult both visually...
The feeding, growth, and energetics of two rocky intertidal predators (Pisaster ochraceus and Nucella canaliculata) under water temperatures simulating episodic upwelling

Although most upwelling regions are marked by strong fluctuations in water temperature, few studies have examined how episodic cold-water events affect the physiology and ecology of benthic marine invertebrates. I tested the hypothesis that upwelling-related variation in water temperature regulates the feeding, growth, and energetics of two rocky intertidal predators, the sea star Pisaster ochraceus (Brandt, 1835) and the whelk Nucella canaliculata (Duclos, 1832). Sea stars and whelks were maintained in laboratory tanks at a constant 9 °C, a constant 12 °C, and a treatment that simulated the Oregon coast upwelling regime by cycling between 14-day periods of 12 and 9 °C. Early in the experiments, sea stars and whelks held at 9 °C consumed about 30% fewer mussels (Mytilus trossulus) than those in warmer tanks. Despite lower consumption by whelks in colder tanks, 9 and 12 °C individuals attained the same final size. Similarly, sea stars in 9 °C tanks showed greater growth per gram of mussel tissue consumed than individuals held at 12 °C. These results suggest that reduced consumption under colder conditions was balanced by reduced metabolic costs. Moreover, there appeared to be an energetic advantage to living in the temperature regime characteristic of intermittent upwelling. Sea stars alternately exposed to 12 and 9 °C had a significantly higher growth rate, conversion efficiency, and storage of reserves in the pyloric caeca than individuals in the constant 12 °C tanks. Whelks maintained under fluctuating temperatures tended to grow faster than those held at constant 12 or 9 °C, although this trend was not statistically significant (p=0.069). These results suggest that benthic consumers experiencing cyclic temperatures may feed intensely during periods of warmer water while benefiting from reduced metabolic costs during cold-water intrusions. Because the fecundity of Pisaster and Nucella is a function of energy stored during the upwelling season, interannual variability in upwelling patterns could alter the reproductive output of these species.
Up-regulation of uncoupling protein-3 by fatty acid in C2C12 myotubes.

Abstract Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial membrane proton transporters that uncouple oxidative phosphorylation by dissipating the proton gradient across the membrane. We have investigated regulation of the UCP3 gene in skeletal muscle and C2C12 muscle cells. UCP3 mRNA in mouse skeletal muscle is markedly increased by fasting and rapidly (within 4 h) decreased by re-feeding. Methyl palmoxirate, which inhibits fatty acid uptake by mitochondria and increases blood free fatty acids, prevents the fall in UCP3 message level induced by re-feeding. These findings suggest that fatty acid or a metabolite thereof, activates the UCP3 gene. Proof that fatty acid per se up-regulates UCP3 mRNA was obtained with C2C12 muscle cells in culture. Thus, oleic acid activated expression of UCP3 mRNA in differentiated C2C12 myotubes in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, BRL49653, a ligand for the nuclear hormone receptor PPARγ induces expression of UCP3 mRNA suggesting that PPARγ may regulate transcription of the UCP3 gene.
HEART RATE AND SOMATIC CHANGES DURING AVERSIVE CONDITIONING AND A SIMPLE REACTION TIME TASK

Four experiments are reported, all of which are concerned with evaluating in human Ss the relationship between the deceleration of heart rate, observed to anticipate both aversive and non-aversive stimuli, and several aspects of somatic-motor activity. In a simple reaction time task, a decrease in spontaneous bursts of EMG activity and both respiration amplitude and frequency were found to be concomitant with the deceleration of heart rate during the foreperiod and to be directly correlated with reaction time. The decrease in anticipatory somatic activity to an aversive stimulus was found in a second experiment to extend to spontaneous eye movements and blinks, which also had a marked concomitance with the anticipatory deceleration of heart rate. However, experimentally imposed somatic activity, i.e. continuous finger tapping, increased in intensity around the time the UCS was expected. A third experiment provided additional evidence that the anticipatory cardiac deceleration to aversive stimuli was not mediated significantly by respiratory maneuvers. Finally, evidence was provided that the basis for the spontaneous EMG bursts may be related to somatic responses elsewhere in the body, such as postural adjustments.
Increasing Returns, Trade and the Regional Structure of Wages

Trade theories based on increasing returns have two predictions for regional economies: employment concentrates in industry centers and regional nominal wages are decreasing in transport costs to industry centers. The author tests these hypotheses using data on regional manufacturing in Mexico before and after trade liberalization. Employment and wage patterns are consistent with the idea that market access matters for industry locations. Under the closed economy, industry concentrated in Mexico City. Since trade reform, industry has relocated to the United States-Mexico border. Estimation results show that regional manufacturing wages are decreasing in distance from Mexico City and from the border. Copyright 1997 by Royal Economic Society.
A Critical Analysis of Resource Programs

Resource programs, sometimes called pull-out programs, have been widely criticized recently. Several professionals have asserted that programs that pull students out of general classrooms for special instruction have for the most part failed to meet the needs of these students. As an alternative to pull-out programs, many professionals recommend that students who have problems be educated full-time in general classrooms. This article provides a critical inspection of resource programs. The resource program model is first described. This is followed by a critical analysis of these programs and some suggestions for future directions.
Chromatin containing CENP-A and α-satellite DNA is a major component of the inner kinetochore plate

The pathway of molecular interactions leading to kinetochore assembly on mammalian chromosomes is unknown. Kinetochores could be specified by structural features of centromeric satellite DNA [1-3] or by specific DNA sequences, analogous to budding yeast centromeres, interspersed in centromeric satellite DNA arrays [4,5]. Alternatively, kinetochores could be epigenetic structures that replicate without strict dependence on DNA sequence [6-8]. We purified kinetochore-associated chromatin from human chromosomes by immunoprecipitation of CENP-A, a centromere-specific histone H3 homologue located in the inner plate of the kinetochore [6,9,10]. Hybridization and DNA sequence analyses of cloned kinetochore DNA fragments revealed alpha-satellite as the predominant sequence associated with CENP-A. A major site of micrococcal nuclease digestion was identified by mapping the termini of alpha-satellite clones, suggesting that the inner kinetochore plate contains phased arrays of CENP-A-alpha-satellite nucleosomes. These experiments demonstrate for the first time that complex satellite DNA is a structural component of the kinetochore. Further, because complex satellite DNA is evolutionarily unconserved, these results suggest that molecular recognition events necessary for kinetochore formation take place at the level of DNA conformation or epigenetic mechanisms rather than DNA sequence per se.
Some evolutionary aspects of human gender.

Biological sex is differentiated from societally assigned human gender. The variety of reproductive behavior patterns in contemporary animal species is noted, as are the problems posed by technologically-based changes in human work patterns and reproduction. Concepts from evolutionary biology cannot justify either retaining human societal gender traditions or changing them.
Protein reactivity of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde, a toxic dopamine metabolite, is dependent on both the aldehyde and the catechol.

Dopamine (DA) has been implicated as an endogenous neurotoxin to explain selective neurodegeneration, as observed for Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, previous work demonstrated that 3,4-dihydrox...
Demand for public education: Evidence from a rural school district

Abstract This study examines the question of how much households are willing to pay for improvements in the quality of local public education in two areas of a rural school district in Pennsylvania. The study uses the contingent valuation technique to obtain micro-data by personal interview on demand for improved public school quality. Estimates of willingness to pay are computed and probit/Tobit analyses are used to determine what household characteristics are associated with household willingness to pay. The results of this analysis indicate that the majority of respondents do value improved public school quality and that residents would pay up to approximately an additional 25% of current educational budgets for a 10% improvement in school quality as measured by achievement test performance. However, lower income households and those with fewer connections to the local public school are less likely to be supportive of increased expenditures.
Trends (1986 to 1999) in the incidence and outcomes of in-hospital stroke complicating acute myocardial infarction (The Worcester Heart Attack Study)

Although stroke is an infrequent hospital complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), limited contemporary data are available about the incidence and death rates associated with this serious complication. The objective of this population-based study was to examine temporal trends (1986 to 1999) in the risk of stroke and associated hospital outcomes in patients hospitalized with AMI. This was an observational study of 6,325 metropolitan Worcester, Massachusetts, residents hospitalized with validated AMI and without prior stroke at all greater Worcester hospitals during 8 one-year periods between 1986 and 1999. Overall, 1.5% of patients (n = 92) with confirmed AMI developed an acute stroke during their index hospitalization. Decreases, followed by increases, in the risk of acute stroke were observed between 1986 and 1999. The highest risk for stroke was observed in the most recent study year of 1999 (3.0%). Several demographic, medical history, and clinical characteristics were associated with an increased risk of stroke overall and separately in younger and older patients hospitalized with AMI. Patients developing an acute stroke had a significantly increased risk of dying during hospitalization even after controlling for other factors of prognostic importance (adjusted odds ratio 4.26, 95% confidence interval 2.49 to 7.31). The results of this community-wide study provide insights into recent trends in the development of acute stroke after AMI and into the profile of high-risk patients.
Poly r-U directed ambiguous amino acid incorporation in the rabbit reticulocyte system.

Abstract In a cell-free protein synthesizing system obtained from rabbit reticulocytes, poly r-U stimulated ambiguous incorporation of radioactively labelled leucine, serine, and valine only when unlabelled phenylalanine was added to the incubation mixture.
Drift versus retention: an alternative perspective to Wilde and Urbanczyk's ‘relationship between river fragment length and persistence of two imperiled great plains cyprinids’

Wilde and Urbanczyk (2013) supplemented a growing body of evidence that pelagic-broadcast spawning minnows (i.e., small-bodied cyprinids that produce non-adhesive, semi-buoyant eggs) require river ...
Tumor-localizing radionuclides in heterotransplanted human tumors in nude mice

Abstract These data show that the tumor-localizing radionuclides 57 Co-bleomycin and 67 Ga-citrate have preferential uptakes when compared in different heterotransplanted human tumors in nude mice. The uptake appears to be related to intrinsic tumor characteristics rather than tumor size. Of the tumors tested, such preferential uptake was lacking for 131 I-norcholesterol. In nude mice bearing two different tumor types, greater uptake was noted in the faster growing and more vascularized lymphoma than the slower malignant Schwannoma. It is concluded that nude mice can be used successfully for screening new an potentially useful tumor-localizing radiopharmaceuticals.
Echocardiographic diagnosis of discontinuous left pulmonary artery as an isolated lesion

The diagnosis of a discontinuous left pulmonary artery arising from a left ductus arteriosus was made by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in an infant with recurrent pneumonia. The diagnosis was later confirmed at cardiac catheterization and surgery. The suprasternal notch views were especially useful for the identification of the left pulmonary artery. In this patient with a right aortic arch, the left pulmonary artery was supplied by a left ductus arteriosus that arose from the innominate artery. This case report describes the echocardiographic diagnosis of discontinuous left pulmonary artery as an isolated lesion, an unusual lesion that can easily be missed. It emphasizes the necessity of a careful and complete examination with particular emphasis on pulmonary artery continuity in patients suspected of having congenital heart disease or respiratory compromise as a result of a cardiovascular cause.
Putative anxiety-linked effects of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME in three murine exploratory behavior models

The aim of the current study was to extend investigation into possible linkage between nitric oxide (NO) and anxiety-linked behavior using a battery of tests. Effects of the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) were investigated in three murine models of anxiety-the light-dark, hole-board and elevated plus-maze-in between-groups designs. Treatment groups included L-NAME (0 [vehicle, or Veh], 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) and 50 mg/kg of the inactive isomer N(G)-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME) injected subcutaneously. Mice exhibited a robust anxiogenic-like response profile reflected by dose-related decreases in both light-dark (transitions and time in lighted area) and hole-board (head dips and time spent head dipping) test measures, reaching statistical significance at 25 and 50 mg/kg L-NAME when compared to Veh controls (P<.05 or.01; Dunnett's t test), while distance traveled and rearing showed no significant differential pattern in either model. In both models, there was a strong dissociation between nonspecific locomotion and putative exploratory behaviors. D-NAME was not significantly different from Veh condition in either model, indicating a stereospecific action and supporting NO involvement. A dose-related decrease was also observed for several traditional and ethological measures in the plus-maze; however, the effect was limited and relatively weak or absent; with the exception of open-arm and percent open-arm entries, putative anxiety-sensitive measures reached statistical significance only at the highest dose. Reductions in motor activity compromised ability to dissociate an anxiety linkage from a nonspecific motor effect in most measures. It is concluded that the hole-board and light-dark tests provide indication of anxiogenic-like action of NOS inhibition, suggesting that NO has an anxiolytic action. Data from the plus-maze are unclear, owing to a confounding motor influence in most measures.
Oxygen complexes of polyalkylenepolyamine chelates of cobalt(II)

Abstract Studies of the interaction of molecular oxygen with cobalt(II)-polyamine chelates show that the oxygenated chelates form μ-hydroxo bridges if the chelating agent does not have sufficient donor groups, or if the ligand is not present in sufficient amount, to combine with all the available coordination sites of the central metal ion. The stabilities of the oxygenated species are found to be dependent upon the number of nitrogen groups coordinated to the metal ion, and the magnitude of the formation constants of the oxygenated species indicate that the complexes are best considered to be cobalt(III) peroxo-bridged complexes. The catalysis of autooxidizable materials by the Co(II)-polyamine-oxygen complexes are interepreted as occurring via a mixed-ligand oxygenated chelate. The formation constants of the bis-ethylenediaminecobalt(II), diethylenetriaminecobalt(II), and the tetraethylenepentaaminecobalt(II) chelates and their respective oxygen complexes are reported, and the probable arrangements of coordinate bonds in the aqueous oxygenated chelates are inferred.
Simulated temperature dependence of exchange bias field in exchange coupled FeRh/FePt bilayer: relevance in magnetic recording media

AbstractWe describe in the present study the results of simulations of the effect of temperature on the exchange bias field of a ferromagnetic FePt and antiferromagnetic FeRh bilayer structure, which is of practical significance in heat assisted magnetic recording media. The exchange bias field of the examined bilayer system did not exhibit a monotonic dependence on temperature, instead a crossover from negative to positive exchange bias at 110 K and another crossover from positive to negative exchange bias at 330 K were observed. This intriguing behaviour is explained on the basis of interface exchange coupling between ferromagnetic FePt and the spin glass-like FeRh.
Adsorption of biochemically significant phosphates on silica

Abstract Adsorption of the sodium salts of adenosine 5′-mono-, di- and triphosphates (AMP, ADP, ATP), fructose monophosphate (FMP), and glycerophosphoric acid (GPA) on silica have been studied using a solid state LaPO 4 membrane electrode measured at pH 7.0. All phosphates show maximum adsorption at pH 4.0 with the exception of AMP at pH 5.0. Adsorption isotherms for all the phosphates have been recorded. The adsorption mechanism of organic phosphates on silica is attributed to electrostatic attraction-based interaction. Organic phosphates decompose at temperatures higher than room temperature.
Automatic detection of regions of interest in mammographic images

This work is a part of our ongoing study aimed at comparing the topology of anatomical branching structures with the underlying image texture. Detection of regions of interest (ROIs) in clinical breast images serves as the first step in development of an automated system for image analysis and breast cancer diagnosis. In this paper, we have investigated machine learning approaches for the task of identifying ROIs with visible breast ductal trees in a given galactographic image. Specifically, we have developed boosting based framework using the AdaBoost algorithm in combination with Haar wavelet features for the ROI detection. Twenty-eight clinical galactograms with expert annotated ROIs were used for training. Positive samples were generated by resampling near the annotated ROIs, and negative samples were generated randomly by image decomposition. Each detected ROI candidate was given a confidences core. Candidate ROIs with spatial overlap were merged and their confidence scores combined. We have compared three strategies for elimination of false positives. The strategies differed in their approach to combining confidence scores by summation, averaging, or selecting the maximum score.. The strategies were compared based upon the spatial overlap with annotated ROIs. Using a 4-fold cross-validation with the annotated clinical galactographic images, the summation strategy showed the best performance with 75% detection rate. When combining the top two candidates, the selection of maximum score showed the best performance with 96% detection rate.
DMSO normalizes collagen synthesis in MAV-2(O)-infected chick embryo cells

Abstract 1. Net synthesis of hydroxylated collagen and noncollagen protein is increased 4.2- and 1.5-fold respectively in MAV-2(O)-infected chick embryo cells compared to synthesis in normal counterparts. 2. Relative collagen synthesis is also increased in infected cells. 3. The augmentation of collagen synthesis can be reduced by growth of cells in medium containing 1% dimethylsulfoxide.
A fast photoacoustic imaging system based on a curved ultrasound transducer array

Non-invasive laser-induced photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is a promising imaging modality for the biological imaging field due to the intrinsic optical contrast of tissue and the high resolution of ultrasound. In contrast to common experimental setups that employ a single ultrasound transducer rotating around the target, we present a fast PAT system employing a 128-element curved ultrasound transducer array, parallel signal amplifier circuitry, and multi-channel data acquisition. Two-dimensional photoacoustic images of various phantoms and blood tubing were reconstructed based on the delay-and-sum algorithm. The reconstructed images agreed well with the original samples. The spatial resolution of the system reaches 0.2 mm, which matches the theoretical calculation. The device and methodology provide a rapid and reliable approach to imaging biological tissues and may have potential applications in noninvasive imaging and clinical diagnosis.
UHF RFID Systems; Their Susceptibility to Backscattered Signals Induced by Electronic Ballast Driven Fluorescent Lamps

It was demonstrated that high speed switching of electronic ballast driven fluorescent lamp (EBFL) reflects and modulates the incident UHF RFID forward link reader- tag signal in a manner similar to that of modulated reverse link backscattered tag-reader signal. Qualitative analysis of EBFL's backscattered radiation properties indicated it has a half dipole pattern similar to that of the UHF RFID tag. Its backscatter signal spectrum falls within the spectral band of the tag signal with power levels exceeding that of a tag-reader signal power when located at distances over 5 meters from the reader antenna. Performance analyses results of an operating UHF RFID system, in close proximity to a set of active EBFLs, indicated without any doubt that the EBFL's modulated backscattered signal is a source of strong interference. It can compromise the reverse link and significantly affect the reception of modulated backscattered UHF RFID tag signals. The effects of this interference must be taken into consideration when developing an RFID system operating in an environment abundant with EBFLs.
Optimization of fully coupled electrostatic-fluid-structure interaction problems

A formal methodology is presented for high fidelity analysis and design optimization of structures undergoing electrostatic-fluid-structure interaction. The optimization problem is solved by gradient-based algorithms. A five-field formulation of the fully coupled electrostatic-fluid-structure system is presented. Based on this formulation, the coupled global sensitivity equations are derived. The analysis and sensitivity analysis are both solved by staggered procedures. The presented methodology is applied to two problems involving the electrostatic actuation of fluidic devices. The accuracy of the analytical sensitivity analysis is verified by finite difference computations. The example problems illustrate the importance of accounting for the interaction of all three physical systems.
Endocranial anatomy of a new fossil porpoise (Odontoceti, Phocoenidae) from the Pliocene San Diego Formation of California

The Pliocene fossil porpoise SDSNH 65276 has extremely elongate mandibular morphology, unlike that of any marine amniote, and is superficially most similar to the living bird species known as skimmers (Rynchops sp.). Endocasts of the pterygoid sinuses and endocranial cavity were digitally segmented from high-resolution X-ray CT scans of the specimen to explore internal anatomy of functionally and phylogenetically important anatomical features of this specimen and odontocetes in general. The sinuses are similar in volume and shape to extant porpoise species, but the dorsal extension of the preorbital lobes are particularly elongate as in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). The cranial endocast also shows similarities with extant porpoises, but has much deeper interhemispheric fissures, which are filled by ossified meninges, particularly a deep falx cerebri and shallower tentorium cerebelli. Ossifications of these parts of the meninges may reflect faster angular accelerations of the head, deeper diving ability, or both. Penetrations of the endocranial cavity for cranial nerves and blood vessels are like those of extant porpoises. The internal skull morphology of this unique delphinoid sheds additional light both on its phylogenetic affinities and novel odontocete adaptations.
An AT/sup 2/ lower bound for wavelet transforms in VLSI

The lower bounds on the area and time complexity of computing the wavelet transforms in VLSI are derived. The discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is shown to have a lower bound that matches the lower bound for the DFT, while it is seen that the discrete short time Fourier transform (DSTFT) is, in general, more difficult to compute. It is shown that for the DWT, AT/sup 2/= Omega (N/sup 2/ log/sup 2/(N)) and for the DSTFT, AT/sup 2/= Omega (N/sup 2/M/sup 2/log/sup 2/(N/sub w/+N)). >
Mass memory in computer systems

Mass memory has three distinct uses in a computer system. Each places distinct requirements on the technology. This paper gives a personal estimate of the requirements for each use in the next five years. 1) A mass memory may be used as a cheaper extension of main memory. For this use, cycle time must be \leq 10 \mu s, capacity 1-8 million bytes, addressed to the word, read-write, and cost per bit must be less than 1/4 that of main memory. 2) A mass memory may be used for residence of the control program and compilers. For this use, cycle time must be \leq 10 \mu s, block transfer rate ≥ 1 million byte/s, capacity 8-32 million bytes. It may be read-only (if easily changeable) and addressed only in blocks. Cost per bit must be less than 1/10 that of main memory. 3) A mass memory may be used for storage of an on-line data base. Such a memory must have >500 million bytes capacity, a cycle time <100 ms, may be block addressed, may be read-only for some uses but not most. Cost must be <0.004 cent/bit to compete with today's technologies. Special memory properties, such as content-addressing, distributed logic, etc., will not redeem a memory that is not competitive on cycle time, capacity, block transfer rate, and cost.
Using Probability Density Functions to Derive Consistent Closure Relationships among Higher-Order Moments

Parameterizations of turbulence often predict several lower-order moments and make closure assumptions for higher-order moments. In principle, the low- and high-order moments share the same probability density function (PDF). One closure assumption, then, is the shape of this family of PDFs. When the higher-order moments involve both velocity and thermodynamic scalars, often the PDF shape has been assumed to be a double or triple delta function. This is equivalent to assuming a mass-flux model with no subplume variability. However, PDF families other than delta functions can be assumed. This is because the assumed PDF methodology is fairly general. This paper proposes closures for several third- and fourth-order moments. To derive the closures, the moments are assumed to be consistent with a particular PDF family, namely, a mixture of two trivariate Gaussians. (This PDF is also called a double Gaussian or binormal PDF by some authors.) Separately from the PDF assumption, the paper also proposes a simplified relationship between scalar and velocity skewnesses. This PDF family and skewness relationship are simple enough to yield simple, analytic closure formulas relating the moments. If certain conditions hold, this set of moments is specifically realizable. By this it is meant that the set of moments corresponds to a real Gaussian-mixture PDF, one that is normalized and nonnegative everywhere. This paper compares the new closure formulas with both large eddy simulations (LESs) and closures based on double and triple delta PDFs. This paper does not implement the closures in a single-column model and test them interactively. Rather, the comparisons are diagnostic; that is, low-order moments are extracted from the LES and treated as givens that are input into the closures. This isolates errors in the closures from errors in a single-column model. The test cases are three atmospheric boundary layers: a trade wind cumulus layer, a stratocumulus layer, and a clear convective case. The new closures have shortcomings, but nevertheless are superior to the double or triple delta closures in most of the cases tested.
Testing under weak identification with conditional moment restrictions

We propose a semiparametric test for the value of coefficients in models with conditional moment restrictions that has correct size regardless of identification strength. The test is in essence an Anderson-Rubin (AR) test using nonparametrically estimated instruments to which we apply a standard error correction. We show that the test is (1) always size-correct, (2) consistent when identification is not too weak, and (3) asymptotically equivalent to an infeasible AR test when identification is sufficiently strong. We moreover prove that under homoskedasticity and strong identification our test has a limiting noncentral chi-square distribution under a sequence of local alternatives, where the noncentrality parameter is given by a quadratic form of the inverse of the semiparametric efficiency bound.
HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Counseling With Younger Adolescents: Implications for Primary Care

PURPOSE Primary care clinicians will continue to play an important role in cervi- cal cancer prevention, particularly with regard to administration of the newly licensed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and continued administration of Papanicolaou tests. Little is known about the factors that infl uence cervical cancer prevention counseling, particularly in the adolescent encounter. We conducted a qualitative study to better understand the implications for counseling about cer- vical cancer prevention by primary care clinicians who care for adolescents. METHODS We conducted in-depth interviews with 37 primary care clinicians in New Mexico to understand the context in which they provide anticipatory guid- ance about sexual health risks as well as their attitudes about counseling for the forthcoming HPV vaccine.
Curable metastatic colorectal cancer: recommended paradigms.

“Cure” for patients with stage IV colorectal cancer remains elusive, but for a growing subset of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLMs), cure (ie, > 10-year survival without evidence of disease) is achieved in at least 17% of resected patients. Candidates for resection include those with limited and in some cases extensive hepatic disease, and in highly selected cases, patients with extrahepatic disease. Number, size, and bilaterality of CLMs no longer stand as absolute contraindications to surgery. Chemotherapy has further advanced the field of surgery for CLMs, enabling an additional group of patients who present with unresectable disease to undergo surgery after downsizing with chemotherapy. Modern surgical techniques and liver preparation allow resection after chemotherapy, with excellent results. This article summarizes the current multidisciplinary approach to treatment of CLMs. The definition of resectability, conversion of unresectable CLMs to resectable ones, advances in surgical techniques, advances in chemotherapy, and predictors of outcome are detailed
Modeling with the FDTD method for microwave breast cancer detection

This paper addresses important issues related to finite-difference time-domain modeling for microwave breast cancer detection. We present a simple and efficient way of modeling dispersion for various types of biological tissue, in the range of 30 MHz-20 GHz. Propagation and absorbing boundary conditions are modified accordingly. Results from three-dimensional simulations of a semiellipsoid geometric representation of the breast terminated by a planar chest wall illustrate the effect of certain important aspects of the detection problem including: 1) the pulse distorting effects of propagation in frequency-dependent tissue; 2) the choice of the surrounding medium; and 3) the transmitter location relative to the breast and chest wall. In particular, it is shown that the presence of the chest wall can affect greatly the system's detection abilities, even for tumors that are not located in the proximity of the chest wall.
Multimetallic Electrocatalysts of Pt, Ru, and Ir Supported on Anatase and Rutile TiO2 for Oxygen Evolution in an Acid Environment

Anatase and rutile TiO2 were investigated as stable supports for different multimetallic nanoparticles i.e., Pt:Ru, Pt:Ir, Pt:Ru:Ir, and Ir:Ru and tested for activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction OER. Overall, Ir:Ru had the highest activity toward OER i.e., current per gram of metal compared to the other multimetallic combinations studied. This bimetallic supported on anatase TiO2 had a 53% higher current per gram of metal than an unsupported electrocatalyst of the same composition. The higher catalyst utilization of the supported electrocatalysts for OER is consistent with small, well-dispersed nanoparticles, which were observed
Acquired Post-Traumatic Aortic Coarctation Presenting as New-Onset Congestive Heart Failure: Treatment with Endovascular Repair

Acquired coarctation of the thoracic aorta is a rare phenomenon in adults. The etiology is often idiopathic, but severe stenosis can develop from prior surgery, blunt thoracic aortic injuries, or severe atherosclerotic/atheroembolic disease. Common symptomatic presentations include refractory upper extremity hypertension and new-onset congestive heart failure. We present the case of a 52-year-old man who developed acquired thoracic aortic coarctation 30 years after a blunt trauma and deceleration injuries to the aorta requiring open surgical aortic repair. He presented with poorly controlled hypertension and new-onset heart failure and was treated surgically with endovascular repair.
The Dignity of Honest Toil: A Review Article

The renewed study of post-Columbian New World slavery could be conveniently dated from C. L. R. James' The Black Jacobins,I Eric Williams' Capitalism and Slavery,2 or perhaps Frank Tannenbaum's Slave and Citizen.3 Some time later, the reception accorded Stanley Elkins' Slavery4 made plain that a new era had begun; the trickle of articles and books on the subject soon became a flood.5 Though many different forces probably, contributed to this seemingly rather sudden fascination with slavery and with Afro-America generally, the reviewer has suggested the obvious elsewhere:6 the civil rights struggle in the United States, and the emergence of sovereign polities in Africa probably did most for the reawakening.
Bax phosphorylation association with nucleus and oligomerization after neonatal Hypoxia–ischemia

Neonatal hypoxia–ischemia (HI) is a common occurrence in preterm and low-birth-weight infants, and the incidence of low-birth-weight and preterm births is increasing. Characterization of brain injury after HI is of critical importance in developing new treatments that more accurately target the injury. After severe HI, neuronal cells undergo necrosis and secondary apoptosis of the surrounding cells as a result of neuroinflammation. We sought to characterize the biochemical pathways associated with cell death after HI. Bax, a cell death signaling protein, is activated after HI and translocates to the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. The translocation patterns of Bax affect the resultant cell death phenotype (necrotic or apoptotic) observed. Although Bax is known to oligomerize once it is activated, less is known about the factors that control its translocation and oligomerization. We hypothesize that Bax kinase-specific phosphorylation determines its oligomerization and intracellular localization. Using well-established in vivo and in vitro models of neonatal HI, we characterized Bax oligomerization and multiorganelle translocation. We found that HI-dependent phosphorylation of Bax determines its oligomerization status and multiorganelle localization, and, ultimately, the cell death phenotype observed. Understanding the mechanisms of Bax translocation will aid in the rational design of therapeutic strategies that decrease the trauma resulting from HI-associated inflammation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Depth measurements and histopathological characterization of photodynamic therapy generated normal brain necrosis as a function of incident optical energy dose.

The response of normal brain to photodynamic therapy (PDT) was investigated in 62 Fisher rats. The animals were injected i.p. with Photofrin II (12.5 mg/kg). Forty-eight hours following injection, an area of dura 5 mm in diameter over the frontal cortex was photoactivated with red light (632 +/- 2 nm) at 100 mW cm-2, with no contributing thermal increases, at optical energy doses ranging from 1-140 J cm-2 from an argon-pumped dye laser. Appropriate controls were also prepared. Brain tissue samples for histological analysis were taken 24 h following PDT treatment. Maximum lesion depth perpendicular to the pial brain surface, was measured using an eyepiece micrometer. Lesions of increasing depth were generated as the incident optical energy dose was increased. Fitting the depth of necrosis to a natural log dependence of incident optical dose yielded a slope of 0.83 mm/ln J cm-2 (r2 = 0.99). The intercept of 1.47 J cm-2 indicated the energy dose below which no normal tissue damage would occur at the incident laser intensity of 100 mW cm-2. The smallest lesions consisted almost exclusively of isolated neuronal injury and neuropil vacuolation, suggestive of an early ischemic lesion. Damage at the upper energy levels (35-140 J cm-2) consisted of complete coagulative necrosis identical to that induced by an arterial occlusion. The existence of viable tissue alongside neurons in various stages of necrosis at low energy levels (less than 35 J cm-2) is suggestive of reversible injury and possibly clinically relevant treatment levels.