cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards an FIR filter tissue

Given a tissue of suitable size one may program the tissues cells so that it implements any FIR filter. The parameters of such a tissue program are: the number of taps, the tap values, the word sizes (input, ou tput, and internal), and the type of arithmetic (twos complement, one's complement, or sign-magnitude). The FIR tissue thus is versatile. With respect to performance, the tissue supports high-throughput applications; the filter implementation is blocked and pipelined, with a cycle time that depends on neither the word size nor the number of taps. The FIR filter tissue has many desireable anatomic features. It is homogeneous, that is the tissue is an array of structurally identical cells. Each cell is simple - roughly on the order of a latc lied one-hit full adder. The intercellular structure the orthogonal mesh is also simple. It is extensible, that is, the extent of the tissue can be increased (e.g., by adding a new row of cells) without redesigning ally of the parts. Homogeneous simple cells, cellular communication and extensibility all contribute to making this tissue especially well-suited to VLSI implementation.
Design of a fault-tolerant three-dimensional dynamic random-access memory with on-chip error-correcting circuit

Most current-generation multimegabit dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips use three-dimensional storage capacitors where the charge is stored on a vertically integrated trench-type structure and are highly vulnerable to alpha particles, which frequently create plasma shorts between two adjoining trench capacitors on the same word line, resulting in uncorrectable double-bit soft errors. The author presents a systematic study of soft-error related problems and discusses methodologies for correcting single-bit and double-bit memory-cell upsets by using on-chip error-correcting-code (ECC) circuits. By modifying the product code, an effective coding scheme has been designed that can be integrated within a DRAM chip to correct double-bit errors. It is demonstrated that the reliability of a memory chip can be improved by several million times by integrating the proposed circuit. The area and timing overhead are calculated and compared with those of memory chips without any ECC and chips with single-error-correcting (SEC) codes. The ability of the circuit to correct soft errors in the presence of multiple-bit errors is analyzed. >
Vibrational spectrum of the unordered polypeptide chain: A Raman study of feather keratin

Raman spectra of native and solubilized feather keratin have been obtained, and the amide I and amide III regions have been analyzed by band resolution techniques. The amide I region of the native form indicates that at least 64% of the protein has an antiparallel chain pleated sheet structure, the remainder being unordered. For the solubilized keratin all of the protein is in an unordered state. The amide III region is not as easily analyzed into component contributions. Normal vibration analyses on N-acetyl-L-alanine-N-methylamide support the conclusion that the amide III region is not as satisfactory as the amide I region in characterizing unordered structures. Even in the latter case caution must be used, since the observed amide I band is an average over the conformational distribution in the particular unordered system.
Gender Equality and Gendered Homicides

An important insight from the feminist literature is that a particular form of inequality—gender inequality—is likely to be associated with a distinctive type of violence—gendered violence. Previous research has demonstrated that rates of a quintessential gendered crime, rape, are related to the relative status of men and women. The article extends this earlier work by examining the effects of gender equality on the “gendering” of lethal violence. The authors examine the applicability of two feminist hypotheses, the ameliorative hypothesis and the backlash hypothesis, for lethal violence. Regression analyses for a sample of cities indicate that gender equality is positively related to rates of male killings of females and male killings of other males in southern cities. Conversely, gender equality is negatively associated with male killings of other males in cities located in other regions. These cross-sectional analyses thus offer some support for the backlash hypothesis on gender stratification and viol...
Janus kinase 3: the controller and the controlled

Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways play crucial roles in lymphopoiesis. In particular, JAK3 has unique functions in the lymphoid system such that JAK3 ablation results in phenotypes resembling severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome. This review focuses on the biochemistry, immunological functions, and clinical significance of JAK3. Compared with other members of the JAK family, the biochemical properties of JAK3 are relatively less well characterized and thus largely inferred from studies of JAK2. Furthermore, new findings concerning the cross-talks between Notch and JAK signaling pathways through ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation are discussed in more detail.
Surface pressure measurement during low speed two-dimensional blade-vortex interaction

Unsteady blade surface pressures were measured during two-dimensional blade-vortex interaction. A periodically generated vortex filament interacted with a blade model instrumented over the first 20 percent of the blade surface. Analysis of data confirm the leading edge nature of BVI and show the amplitude of the interaction to be a strong function of blade-to-vortex spacing. Lift perturbation time histories were computed and are used to examine details of the encounter process.
The effect of pulse interval statistics on the spectrum of radiation from lightning

An analysis of atmospheric radio noise originally appearing in the literature to describe the VLF structure of atmospherics is repeated here, keeping a term discarded in the previous work and extending the results to include all frequencies and some simple effects of amplitude variations. It is shown that at high frequencies, atmospheric radiation appears to be the result of incoherent sources, whereas at low frequencies the sferics appear to originate from coherent sources. These conclusions are valid with only weak restrictions, regardless of the actual statistical model assumed for the process. An implication of these results is that at high frequencies the magnitude of the spectrum of the received signal can be related to the spectrum of the source current, a means for the study of lightning current wave forms thus possibly being provided.
Stored iron and vascular reactivity.

Zheng et al1 report that volunteer blood donors with a high donation frequency have significantly greater flow-mediated dilation than low frequency donors. Iron status among the frequent donors approximated a state of iron depletion by assessment of conventional iron markers. The study provides important support for the “iron hypothesis,” which suggests a protective effect of iron depletion, ie, the absence of storage iron without anemia, against ischemic heart disease.2–4 The blood donor findings suggest a new direction for the study of endothelial iron status in vivo to complement a growing body of work on iron in cultured endothelial cells. In addition, the finding of lower serum nitrotyrosine in frequent donors is consistent with the hypothesis that myeloperoxidase, a powerful emerging cardiovascular risk factor,5–8 is modifiable by manipulation of iron status. See page 1577 In cultured endothelial cells, iron status can be readily manipulated through the use of iron chelators or supplemental iron,9 or by altering the essential fatty acid composition of the culture medium.10 Use of these methods has identified several important effects of iron in endothelial activation and oxidative injury.9,11–20 But the in vitro approach does not define endothelial iron status in vivo, in particular what might represent a physiologically optimal range of endothelial iron concentrations. Iron status parameters such as serum ferritin are imperfect measures of total body iron stores and are likely to be even less adequate in assessing endothelial iron status. There is the additional uncertainty of differences in storage iron concentration in various cell types, even in situations in which total body iron status is well defined. An important premise of the study by Zheng et al1 is that body iron status within the conventionally defined normal range can influence endothelial iron status and endothelial function in vivo. …
Potential for Polychlorinated Biphenyl Biodegradation in Sediments from Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic, persistent, and bioaccumulative contaminants that pose risks to human and environmental health. In this study, we evaluated the PCB biodegradation of sediments from Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal (IHSC), a PCB-contaminated site (average PCB concentration = 12,570 ng/g dw). PCB congener profiles and bacterial community structure in a core sediment sample (4.57 m long) were characterized. Analysis of vertical PCB congener profile patterns in sediment and pore water strongly suggests that in situ dechlorination occurred in sediments. However, 16S rRNA genes from putative PCB-dechlorinating Chloroflexi were relatively more abundant in upper 2 m sediments, as were genes indicative of aerobic biodegradation potential (i.e. biphenyl dioxygenase (bphA)). Characterization of the bacterial community by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and comparison of these with sediment and pore water PCB congener profiles with the Mantel test revealed a statistical correlation (p < 0.001). Sequences classified as Acinetobacter and Acidovorax were highly abundant in deep sediments. Overall, our results suggest that PCB dechlorination has already occurred, and that IHSC sediments have the potential for further aerobic and anaerobic PCB biodegradation.
Transforming growth factor beta 1: three-dimensional structure in solution and comparison with the X-ray structure of transforming growth factor beta 2.

The three-dimensional solution structure of human transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been determined using multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a hybrid distance geometry/ simulated annealing algorithm. It represents one of the first examples of a mammalian protein structure that has been solved by isotopic labeling of the protein in a eukaryotic cell line and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The solution structure of the 25 kDa disulfide-linked TGF-beta 1 homodimer was calculated from over 3200 distance and dihedral angle restraints. The final ensemble of 33 accepted structures had no NOE or dihedral angle violations greater than 0.30 A and 5.0 degrees, respectively. The RMSD of backbone atoms for the ensemble of 33 structures relative to their mean structure was 1.1 A when all residues were used in the alignment and 0.7 A when loop regions were omitted. The solution structure of TGF-beta 1 follows two independently determined crystal structures of TGF-beta 2 (Daopin et al., 1992, 1993; Schlunegger & Grutter, 1992, 1993), providing the first opportunity to examine structural differences between the two isoforms at the molecular level. Although the structures are very similar, with an RMSD in backbone atom positions of 1.4 A when loop regions are omitted in the alignment and 1.9 A when all residues are considered, there are several notable differences in structure and flexibility which may be related to function. The clearest example of these is in the beta-turn from residues 69-72: the turn type found in the solution structure of TGF-beta 1 falls into the category of type II, whereas that present in the X-ray crystal structure of TGF-beta 2 is more consistent with a type I turn conformation. This may be of functional significance as studies using TGF-beta chimeras and deletion mutants indicate that this portion of the molecule may be important in receptor binding.
A Low-Cost Computer Vision Based Approach for Tracking Surgical Robotic Tools

The number of Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (RMIS) procedures has grown immensely in recent years. The number of surgeries performed with the da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) worldwide in 2005 was under 50,000. This number grew to more than 350,000 by 2011 [1]. RMIS procedures provide improved patient recovery time and reduced trauma due to smaller incisions relative to traditional open procedures. Given the rise in RMIS procedures, several organizations and companies have made efforts to develop training and certification criteria for the da Vinci robot. Mimic technologies (Mimic, Seattle, WA) and Intuitive Surgical both produce virtual reality (VR) training simulators based on the da Vinci system. The Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery (FRS) consortium has been created with the goal of developing a standardized, high-stakes certification exam for robotic surgery [1]. While still in the development stage, this exam will consist of seven tasks carried out on a small physical module with an actual RMIS system. Each task is evaluated with a certain set of criteria including completion time, total tool path length and economy of motion, which is a measurement of deviation from an ‘ideal’ path. All of these metrics can benefit greatly from an accurate, inexpensive and modular tool tracking system that requires no modification to the existing robot. While the da Vinci uses joint kinematics to calculate the tool tip position and movement internally, this data is not openly available to users. Even if this data was open to researchers, the accuracy of kinematic calculations of end effector position suffers from compliance in the joints and links of the robot as well as finite uncertainties in the sensors. In order to find an accurate, available and low-cost alternative to tool tip localization, we have developed a computer vision based design for surgical tool tracking. Vision systems have the added benefit of being low cost with typical high resolution webcams costing around $50. The stereo setup for this design cost around $120. Chmarra et al. reviewed the available non-robotic, laparoscopic tracking devices in 2007 and discussed 4 main technologies for tracking; mechanical, visual, ultrasonic, and electromagnetic [2]. From this work, it became apparent that in order to track robotic tools, only the visual or ultrasound-based methods would be feasible. The goal of our research was to develop a tracking system which could accompany the FRS module or be used separately during real procedures to gauge performance post-procedure using the da Vinci camera feed. The system was designed to use only a camera setup and a computer loaded with the computer vision software. Given the bandwidth of surgical tool motions has been experimentally determined as falling below 8 Hz [3], we adopt 16 Hz, or frames per second (FPS), as a minimal frame rate required to accurately capture surgical tool motion data. 2 Methods
Open Adoption: Adoptive Parents' Reactions Two Decades Later

Unlike in the past, most adoption agencies today offer birth parents and adoptive parents the opportunity to share identifying information and have contact with each other. To understand the impacts of different open adoption arrangements, a qualitative descriptive study using a snowball sample of 44 adoptive parents throughout New England began in 1988. Every seven years these parents who adopted infants in open adoptions have participated in tape-recorded interviews to explore their evolving reactions to their open adoption experiences. This article reports the results of in-depth interviews with these parents now that their children have reached young adulthood. This longitudinal research illuminates how open adoptions change over the course of childhood and adolescence, parents' feelings about open adoption, challenges that emerge in their relationships with their children's birth families, how those challenges are managed and viewed, and parents' advice for others living with open adoption and for clinical social work practice and policy. Findings reveal that regardless of the type of openness, these adoptive parents generally feel positive about knowing the birth parents and having contact with them, are comfortable with open adoption, and see it serving the child's best interests.
3-D Seismic Interpretation: A Primer for Geologists

3-D Seismic Interpretation: A Primer for Geologists, Bruce Hart, 2000, SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology), Tulsa, 123 p. ($56 non-members, $40 members) ISBN: 1-56576-073-5. There is a saying: “Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler,” and herein is the challenge faced by Bruce Hart in writing a “primer” on 3-D seismic interpretation. Just how much of the theoretical basis of wave propagation and the technical aspects of data processing is necessary for comprehending the essentials of this increasingly important methodology? The answer, of course, lies in the intended audience. 3-D Seismic Interpretation: A Primer for Geologists was developed as the text for a two-day short course aimed at geologists and other professionals with little or no geophysics background. As such, its content offers a brief overview of the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of 3-D seismic data. The author claims that the text fills a gap in the resources available for learning about the 3-D seismic method, and although the text is clearly biased by a petroleum industry perspective, it would be both useful and informative for professionals in academia, environmental consulting, and government. A brief look at the table of contents shows that the author has covered the essential …
Testing the Relationship Between Dissolved Salts in Aquatic Habitats and Immature Populations of the Culicoides variipennis Complex (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Abstract Biting midges of the Nearctic Culicoides variipennis complex, C. sonorensis Wirth and Jones, C. variipennis (Coquillette), and C. occidentalis Wirth and Jones, are widespread and locally abundant throughout the United States. An understanding of environmental factors associated with the distributions of respective species is of value because risk for bluetongue disease in livestock is defined by the distribution of C. sonorensis, the primary vector of bluetongue viruses in the United States. This study tested the relationship between dissolved salts and immature populations of the C. variipennis complex by examining widespread and diverse aquatic habitats with larval populations and using discriminant analysis to classify larval habitats by species on the basis of soil chemistry. Aquatic habitats with immature C. sonorensis in British Columbia, Illinois, New Mexico, and Washington were moderate-high in levels of dissolved salts, as is typical for habitats with this species. In contrast, a nearby ...
Vision Based Mobile Target Geo-localization and Target Discrimination Using Bayes Detection Theory

In this paper, we develop a technique to discriminate ground moving targets when viewed from cameras mounted on different fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). First, we develop a extended kalman filter (EKF) technique to estimate position and velocity of ground moving targets using images taken from cameras mounted on UAVs. Next, we use Bayesian detection theory to derive a log likelihood ratio test to determine if the estimates of moving targets computed at two different UAVs belong to a same target or to two different targets. We show the efficacy of the log likelihood ratio test using several simulation results.
Is a Communist Father Still a Worthy Father? INS Discretion and Miami Asylum Politics

This paper reviews various court rulings in the well-known case of Elian Gonzalez. The opinion by the consistently conservative 11th Circuit relied on the power of administrative discretion as elaborated in the Chevron doctrine. Appparently even those who are persuaded of Cuba's "totalitarian" nature and who "may disagree" with INS choices and decisions, were compelled to defer to agency actions that were "not unreasonable, not capricious, and not arbitrary, but were reasoned and reasonable." There is little doubt that, without such insulation, the INS would have succumb to the extraordinary pressures of right-wing politics driving the case. Right wing publicists and politicians, usually adamant in defense of family and parental rights, felt it essential that a boy be taken from his Communist father and raised in America. Joined by a tremendously resilient and powerful ancient regime establishment in Miami, one dependent on such symbolic struggles to sustain its domination over an entire community, it was only a strong form of administrative discretion that prevented the unjustifiable removal of a child from his parent.
Vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers for sodium guidestar applications and improvement of current guidestar systems

To date, three types of laser sources have been used to excite mesospheric sodium atoms to use as a sodium guidestar for adaptive optics (AO). All these sources have inherent challenges and a possible fourth source is to utilize a frequencydoubled Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VECSEL). Such a VECSEL presents output efficiency above 20% with power in excess of 20 W. Modelling is also presented to validate the efficacy of developing VECSEL guidestar systems for use with current guidestar systems or as a stand-alone guidestar. The model agrees with the data collected with the 3.5 m telescope and narrowband laser guidestar at Starfire Optical Range.
Confidence ratings in continuous paired-associate learning

Confidence ratings were collected in a continuous paired-associate learning task in which items were presented three times each. Analysis of Type 2 operating characteristics showed no difference in the discriminability of correct responses from errors after one vs two reinforcements. Increasing confidence ratings across trials were attributable to a shift in criterion.
Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer disease.

Abstract Medical therapy for duodenal or gastric ulcer disease has traditionally involved gastric acid antisecretory therapy for 4 to 8 weeks to promote initial healing and indefinitely to prevent recurrences of ulcer. The discovery of Helicobacter pylori in most patients with peptic ulcer disease has led to a change in this approach. Therapy designed to eradicate H pylori may facilitate ulcer healing with acid antisecretory agents and, more important, may greatly reduce the incidence of ulcer recurrence, obviating the need for maintenance antisecretory therapy. Regimens designed to eradicate H pylori are difficult to comply with, however, and are associated with adverse effects in some patients. In this article we review the diagnosis and treatment of H pylori infection in patients with peptic ulcer disease and make recommendations regarding the use of conventional ulcer therapies and therapies designed to eradicate H pylori.
The analysis of outcome of modified Manipal tricuspid annuloplasty

Objective To analyze comparatively the outcome of modified Manipal and DeVega tricuspid annuloplaaty.Methods From Oct.2001 to Aug.2004,the consecutive 123 patients operated with modified Manipal tricuspid annuloplasty for tricuspid re- gurgitation at the time of left cardiac valve replacement(group A)were elected in this study.The other 174 patients operated with De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty at the time of left cardiac valve replacement were elected randomly for control(group B).There were no significant differences of the patient data before surgery between two groups.Results There were overall 11 early deaths(4 in group A,7 in group B),The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 3.7 %.215 of the 286 surviving patients were followed;the overall follow up was 75.2 %.Mean follow-up was(28.4±9.1)months(range from 13 to 49 months).There were ten late deaths and the late mortality rate was 4.7%.There was no significant differences in the patients with 3+～4+ tricuspid regurgitation at follow-up 18,30 and 42 months in group A;but there was an increase of the patients with 3+～4+ tricuspid regurgitation with an incremental follow up term in group B(P0.001).Two patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation failed to respond to medieal treatment in group B un- derwent tricuspid valve replacement at the 1.5-year and 3.5-year respectively in the follow-up term.Conclusion The results of fol- low-up demonstrated a more stable effect of modified Manipal tricuspid annuloplasty.
LOW TEMPERATURE EPR SPECTRA OF PSII PREPARATIONS THAT CONTAIN FRACTIONAL AMOUNTS OF MANGANESE

The correlation of the extent to which Tris inactivates photosynthetic O2 evolution with the loss of 2/3 of the Mn bound to thylakoid membranes provided the first evidence that the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) contained four bound Mn (1). Due to the linear dependence of activity and bound Mn, Tris was hypothesized to cause the concerted release of all four Mn from each reaction center. Later experiments which quantitated functional Mn after the removal of adventitious Mn by washing thylakoids with 50 mM CaCl2 confirmed the ratio of 4 Mn/OEC (2). However, in these experiments the amount of Mn released during inactivation by Tris or NH2OH was variable with the conditions of the extraction. This partial extraction of Mn was interpreted to result from a loss of one to three Mn/OEC in all of the reaction centers rather than the loss of 4 Mn/OEC in 1/4 to 3/4 of the reaction centers, respectively. Tris and NH2OH are now known to remove the extrinsic membrane proteins associated with the OEC (3,4). In the absence of these proteins, the mM concentrations of Ca2+ used to remove adventitious Mn from thylakoids also activate the OEC and inhibit the loss of Mn from the enzyme (5–7).
Utility of Lung Ventilation -Perfusion SPECT/CT scan in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

1720 Objectives Ventilation Perfusion lung scan using Tc99m DTPA and Tc99m MAA ( V/Q scan) has an established role in the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism. (PTE) The role of SPECT/CT V/Q scan in PTE is evolving. PTE is recognized as an important cause of Chronic pulmonary hypertension ( CTEPH) amenable to management with anticoagulation and pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of VQ SPECT CT in identifying patients with CTEPH and guide management. Methods Patients with suspected CTEPH who were referred for VQ SPECT CT were included in the study. The results of the VQ SPECT CT scan were reviewed. The SPECT CT V/Q findings were correlated with CT angiogram (CTA ), pulmonary catheter angiogram, echocardiogram, surgical data of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy and clinical outcome. Results A total of 31 patients (age range 32-78, males 17, females 14) underwent SPECT CT V/Q for suspected CTEPH. Among these 31 patient9s, 12 had high probability SPECT V/Q (39%). Nine of the 12 patients with high probability SPECTCT V/Q also showed concordant results on CT angiogram (75% concordance) and 3 were discordant. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy was performed on 7 out of the 9 patient9s with concordant results for CTEPH on both SPECT CT V/Q and CT angiogram, and two patients were considered to be nonsurgical due to comorbidity. Six out of the 7 patients (85%) who underwent thromboendarterectomy showed significant improvement in followup clinical evaluation and pulmonary HTN on echocardiograms. One patient had recurrent pulmonary embolism as a consequence of hypercoagulable state. Conclusions SPECT CT V/Q has a useful role in identifying patient9s with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and guiding management for a successful clinical outcome.
Increased Critical Current and Improved Magnetic Field Response of BSCCO Material by Surface Diffusion of Silver

We have developed a procedure of increasing the critical current of BSCCO ceramic superconducting material, the value of the critical current is increased by 30%. Moreover the degradation of the critical current with the applied magnetic field had been decreased. The procedure consists of applying a thin layer of silver to the surface of the conductor. The details of the procedure and the improved performance are discussed. This procedure has great significance for any future application of HTSC materials where high current carrying capacity is necessary. It will therefore be important in the application of HTSC materials to SSC high current leads.
Age- And Gender-Specific Associations Between Insomnia and Falls in Boston Puerto Rican Adults

This study evaluated the age- and gender-specific associations between insomnia and falls in community-dwelling Puerto Rican adults, independently of multiple covariates. Cross-sectional data were collected from 954 Puerto Ricans, aged 46–79 years, in Boston, Massachusetts. In-person interviews were conducted to collect information on sociodemographics and lifestyle, mental status, medication use, comorbidities, sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, and falls and fractures. Blood and urine samples, and bone density measures were collected to assess C-reactive protein, serum interleukin-6, urinary cortisol, and bone mineral density. Multivariate robust Poisson regressions suggested that adults with insomnia had a 32 % increased likelihood of having falls (PR 1.32, p < 0.05), after adjustment for multiple covariates. Age and gender modified the effect of insomnia on risk of falls. Insomnia was significantly associated with higher risk of falls in adults of 60 years or older (PR 1.49, p < 0.05) and in women (PR 1.36, p < 0.05), but not in adults younger than 60 years or in men. Insomnia was not associated with recurrent falls or fractures. Age and gender need to be taken into account when considering treatment of insomnia in preventing geriatric falls. Well-designed evidence-based interventions to treat insomnia and improve sleep quality may reduce the risk of falls in this population.
Neonatal Infammatory Cytokines and Cerebral Palsy

The association of inflammatory, autoimmune and coagulation factors with cerebral palsy (CP) was examined at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, and the Immunochemistry Laboratory, George Washington University Medical Center, using dried, preserved neonatal blood spot specimens of 31 children enrolled in the California Birth Defects case-controlled study of spastic CP and compared to 65 control children.
Gastric Polyps and Gastric Carcinoma

Polyps are nodular lesions which project above the mucosal surface. Depending on the location of the bulk of the lesion the polyps can be divided into intraluminal and intramural types. The latter is usually produced by a submucosal lesion whereas the former is a mucosal lesion. We are concerned here with the intraluminal polyp in terms of its relationship with gastric carcinoma. This kind of polyp has prominent epithelial components in which malignant transformation may occur. The mucosae surrounding such lesions are often abnormal and may also become the site of carcinoma development.
The demand weighted vehicle routing problem

Abstract In this paper, we present an exact method for the demand weighted vehicle routing problem. This problem arises when the objective is to minimize the distance traveled by the vehicles weighted by the number of passengers on the routes. The resulting model is a non-convex, mixed-integer quadratic program and we show how to reformulate this problem as a linear integer program with auxiliary variables. The reformulation provides very tight lower bounds on the optimal solution value and little enumeration is required. However, the reformulated model is very large and therefore, it is solved with a branch, price and cut algorithm. Using COIN-OR software, we provide computational results with actual data from a large urban university.
Random-coil chemical shifts of phosphorylated amino acids.

The 1H, 13C, 15N and 31 P random-coil chemical shifts and phosphate pKa values of the phosphorylated amino acids pSer, pThr and pTyr in the protected peptide Ac-Gly-Gly-X-Gly-Gly-NH2 have been obtained in water at 25 °C over the pH range 2 to 9. Analysis of ROESY spectra indicates that the peptides are unstructured. Phosphorylation induces changes in random-coil chemical shifts, some of which are comparable to those caused by secondary structure formation, and are therefore significant in structural analyses based on the chemical shift.
Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Resistivity of Eight Selected AISI Stainless Steels

The thermal conductivity and the electrical resistivity of eight technologically and commercially important AISI stainless steels were studied. The eight selected stainless steels were AISI 303, 304 (including 304L), 316, 317, 321, 347, 410, and 430. Experimental data on these properties of the stainless steels were exhaustively searched, systematically compiled, and critically evaluated. The evaluated data were further analyzed with regard to factors that affect the properties such as the amount and nature of the various alloying elements, the metallurgical structure of the steels, heat treatment, cold working, etc. As a result, recommended values were generated for both the solid and molten states covering the temperature range from 1 K to above the melting point. Estimated values were synthesized for those stainless steels and temperature ranges for which no data were available. As an aid to the data analysis and synthesis, the properties of other non-AISI designated stainless steels with similar compositions and structures were also studied. These included British, German, and Russian stainless steels and other American stainless steels.
Maximum delay bounds of linear systems under delay independent truncated predictor feedback

Abstract In a predictor feedback law for a linear system with input delay, the future state is predicted as the state solution of the linear system. The zero input solution contains the transition matrix. The zero state solution gives rise to the distributed nature of the feedback law. In a 2007 IEEE TAC paper, it is established that, when the system is not exponentially unstable, low gain feedback can be designed such that the predictor feedback law, with the distributed term truncated, still achieves stabilization for an arbitrarily large delay. Furthermore, in the absence of purely imaginary poles, the transition matrix in the truncated predictor feedback (TPF) can be safely dropped, resulting in a delay independent TPF law, which is simply a delay independent linear state feedback. In this paper, we first construct an example to show that, in the presence of purely imaginary poles, the linear delay independent TPF in general cannot stabilize the system for an arbitrarily large delay. By using the Lyapunov–Krasovskii Stability Theorem, we derive a bound on the delay under which the delay independent truncated predictor feedback law achieves stabilization for a general system that may be exponentially unstable.
Gemcitabine associated pseudocellulitis: A missed diagnosis.

We report a case of a 51-year-old male with past medical history significant for cholangiocarcinoma presented with two weeks of worsening bilateral lower extremity swelling and erythema. Patient has been on active chemotherapy for his cholangiocarcinoma with Gemcitabine weekly infusions. Physical exam was significant for bilaterally petechial rash coalescing into ecchymoses over the dorsum of the feet, sparing soles and toes, which dissipated into thinning petechiae more proximally. On labs he did not have any leukocytosis, his platelet count was 50 × 103/µL and basic metabolic panel was benign. Patient was started on Vancomycin for presumed cellulitis. Lower extremity ultrasound Doppler ruled out deep venous thrombosis. Patient did have biopsies bilaterally on his legs, which showed hypersensitivity reaction consistent with the diagnosis of pseudocellulitis. His Vancomycin was discontinued and his symptoms improved. Our case further supports that pseudocellulitis is underrecognized and underreported, potentially leading to unnecessary antibiotic exposure and unnecessary diagnostic work-up as seen unfortunately in our patient. Unnecessary antibiotic exposure is increasing the risk for clostridium difficile and or antibiotic resistance, therefore awareness of this reaction is critical, as to avoid unnecessary antibiotics, and costly diagnostic workups.
Simulating OPEC Pricing Behavior in the World Energy Market

Interest in OPEC pricing behavior and its effect on world energy markets surged dramatically in 1979. Oil prices doubled, abruptly reversing their decline in the years since the first big price increases of 1973–1974. The effects of these 1979 increases have been dramatic, and could have a long-lasting impact on world energy markets. In 1977, an analysis was done on OPEC pricing behavior using a simulation model and various rule-of-thumb pricing strategies for OPEC. This chapter describes the revised model briefly and presents the results of an illustrative rule-of-thumb pricing strategy. It discusses the sensitivity of the results to changes in the underlying parameter assumptions about non-OPEC supply, in particular its long-run price elasticity and the threshold price-level of backstop technologies. The chapter also discusses the dynamic effects of the changes in the energy demand growth rate on OPEC price, and on world energy demand, non-OPEC supply, and the demand facing OPEC.
Abstract 19694: Adjunct Intracardiac Echocardiography is Associated With Reduced Fluoroscopy and Procedural Time in the Ablation of Cavotricuspid Isthmus-Dependent Atrial Flutter

Introduction: With the routine use of contact force-sensing ablation catheters, the additional utility of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in the ablation of typical right atrial flutter (AFL) i...
Implementation of a nationwide health economic consultation service to assist substance use researchers: Lessons learned.

Background Health economic evaluation findings assist stakeholders in improving the quality, availability, scalability, and sustainability of evidence-based services, and in maximizing the efficiency of service delivery. The Center for Health Economics of Treatment Interventions for Substance Use Disorders, HCV, and HIV (CHERISH) is a NIDA-funded multi-institutional center of excellence whose mission is to develop and disseminate health-economic research on healthcare utilization, health outcomes, and health-related behaviors that informs substance use disorder treatment policy, and HCV and HIV care of people who use substances. Methods We designed a consultation service that is free to researchers whose work aligns with CHERISH's mission. The service includes up to six hours of consulting time. After prospective consultees submit their request online, they receive a screening call from the consultation service director, who connects them with a consultant with relevant expertise. Consultees and consultants complete web-based evaluations following the consultation; consultees also complete a six-month follow-up. We report on the status of the service from its inception in July 2015 through June 2017. Results We have received 28 consultation requests (54% Early Stage Investigators, 57% MD or equivalent, 28% PhD, 61% women) on projects typically related to planning a study or grant application (93%); 71% were HIV/AIDS-related. Leading topics included cost-effectiveness (43%), statistical-analysis/econometrics (36%), cost (32%), cost-benefit (21%), and quality-of-life (18%). All consultees were satisfied with their overall experience, and felt that consultation expectations and objectives were clearly defined and the consultant's expertise was matched appropriately with their needs. Results were similar for consultants, who spent a median of 3 hours on consultations. Conclusions There is a need for health-economic methodological guidance among substance use, HCV, and HIV researchers. Lessons learned pertain to the feasibility of service provision, the need to implement systems to measure and improve service value, and strategies for service promotion.
Symmetry and density-functional exchange and correlation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses how symmetry can be used to advantage in practical electronic density-functional calculations. The Born-Oppenheimer approximation is assumed in order to separate the nuclear and electronic densities. Under that approximation, the electronic density can be viewed as a fluid that responds to external fields such as those provided by the individual nuclei. The electron density as a whole has kinetic energy and potential energy, at least in the adiabatic limit. In that limit the potential energy can be subdivided into the potential energy of the density due to the applied fields, the electrostatic energy of the density itself, and the remainder, which is now called the exchange-correlation energy. The electronic Coulomb energy and the electronic potential due to the applied field are treated exactly in practical density-functional calculations. The kinetic energy can be divided into two parts. They are the kinetic energy of a non-interacting electron gas having the same density as the original system and the remainder, which is relegated to the catchall exchange-correlation energy. The practical appeal of this approach is that the exchange-correlation energy is always considerably smaller than any of these other energies; thus, approximations made to it would be expected to affect the accuracy of the results less than approximations made in evaluating the larger terms. There are tremendous computational advantages to requiring that exchange-correlation energy be a functional of the density alone.
Input shaping to achieve service level objectives in cloud computing environments

In this thesis we propose a cloud Input Shaper and Dynamic Resource Controller to provide application-level quality of service guarantees in cloud computing environments. The Input Shaper splits the cloud into two areas: one for shaped traffic that achieves quality of service targets, and one for overflow traffic that may not achieve the targets. The Dynamic Resource Controller profiles customers' applications, then calculates and allocates the resources required by the applications to achieve given quality of service targets. The Input Shaper then shapes the rate of incoming requests to ensure that the applications achieve their quality of service targets based on the amount of allocated resources. To evaluate our system we create a new benchmark application that is suitable for use in cloud computing environments. It is designed to reflect the current design of cloud based applications and can dynamically scale each application tier to handle large and varying workload levels. In addition, the client emulator that drives the benchmark also mimics realistic user behaviors such as browsing from multiple tabs, using JavaScript, and has variable thinking and typing speeds. We show that a cloud management system evaluated using previous benchmarks could violate its estimated quality of service achievement rate by over 20%. The Input Shaper and Dynamic Resource Controller system consist of an application performance modeler, a resource allocator, decision engine, and an Apache HTTP server module to reshape the rate of incoming web requests. By dynamically allocating resources to applications, we show that their response times can be improved by as much as 30%. Also, the amount of resources required to host applications can be decreased by 20% while achieving quality of service objectives. The Input Shaper can reduce VMS' resource utilization variances by 88%, and reduce the number of servers by 45%.
Probability Theory (ii): Many Random Variables

In almost every application of statistical methods we deal with the analysis of many observations. For example, if we wish to test whether a certain die is fair, we would roll it many times before making our assessment. Perhaps the most basic issue concerning many random variables is that of independence. The numbers appearing on the various rolls of a die are taken as independent random variables, as discussed below in Section 2.1.1. On the other hand, the random variables Y i , i = 1, ..., 6, giving the respective numbers of times that i appears in a fixed number of rolls, comprise a dependent set of six random variables, since knowing the value of any five of them determines the sixth.
Simulation of Near Atomic Scale Sputter Induced Morphology

On a length scale of ion penetration range Rp(E), the prediction of a surfaces topographical development due to atom and ion bombardment as a result of erosion by sputtering and diffusional processes, that can be radiation enhanced, depends on parameters that are instantaneous contour dependent. On this length scale an analytic treatment results in an intractable mathematical description of the temporal topographic growth requiring computer simulation for detailed prediction. A recursive computer simulation, that advances points on a contour a short distance along the surf ace normal direction to form a new and slightly modified contour, is compared to TEM micrographs that show this contour development on the length scale where these second order effects first become important. Simulation results qualitatively confirm the experimental findings that topography development is influenced on this length scale by the spatial distribution of sputtering as well as curvature dependent migrational processes.
Effect of Pentoxifylline on Tumor Suppressor and Proto-Oncogene Apoptosis in Sperm

Purpose: Pentoxifylline (PTX), a methylxanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitor reduces superoxide anions responsible for DNA apoptosis. The null hypothesis was that PTX was equally effective in reducing damage to specific cell genes. The objective was to determine the DNA integrity of the BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene and the c-myc proto-oncogene after PTX. Methods: Sperm (64 samples, 4 patients) were preincubated in either 0 (control) or 3.6 mM PTX (30 min), washed and incubated for 4 h at either 37 or 40°C heat shock activation. Single primer polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were carried out on lysed sperm targeting either BRCA1 exon 11 or c-myc exon 1. Control single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) were stained with 9 μM Hoechst 33342 (blue) while PTX-treated ssDNA were stained with SYBR Gold (green). Nytran membrane discs with control ssDNA were hybridized to PTX-derived ssDNA. Fluorescent images stored in a microarray design were analyzed using ANOVA and Students' t-test for (P < 0.05) significance. Results:BRCA1 integrity was higher with PTX pretreatment (93.3 + 10.4 vs. control 50.5 + 9.2; mean + SEM). In contrast, there was no difference in c-myc integrity (56.8 + 9.0 vs. 41.7 + 6.4). Sense or antisense primers gave similar DNA fragmentation results. Conclusions: The data showed PTX pretreatment protected BRCA1 but not c-myc suggesting that PTX did not equally protect different cell genes. A possible explanation was that proto-oncogenes had more fragile sites. The study involved the DNA disc chip assay to assess separate PCR-amplified sense and antisense strands. The results suggested that both strands were equally affected by PTX pretreatment.