cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional etching of silicon for the fabrication of low-dimensional and suspended devices

In order to expand the use of nanoscaled silicon structures we present a new etching method that allows us to shape silicon with sub-10 nm precision. This top-down, CMOS compatible etching scheme allows us to fabricate silicon devices with quantum behavior without relying on difficult lateral lithography. We utilize this novel etching process to create quantum dots, quantum wires, vertical transistors and ultra-high-aspect ratio structures. We believe that this etching technique will have broad and significant impacts and applications in nano-photonics, bio-sensing, and nano-electronics.
Phosphoinositide hydrolysis is correlated with agonist-induced calcium flux and contraction in the rabbit aorta.

Abstract In the present study changes in the extent of 32 P labelling of membrane phospholipids were correlated with the α 1 -adrenoceptor-induced events of increased 45 Ca influx, 45 Ca release and contraction in the rabbit aorta. Under basal conditions 32 P incorporation into all phospholipids proceeded without saturation through 80 min of labelling. During a 5 min exposure to 10 −5 M norepinephrine (NE) after 25 min of prelabelling the incorporation of 32 P into certain phospholipids was substantially increased. Phosphatidic acid (PA) labelling was increased above basal levels by 4.1 fold, phosphatidylinositol (PI) 2.5 fold and phosphatidylcholine (PC) 1.8 fold. Half maximal stimulation of 32 P labelling of PA occurred at 2.0 μM, which was similar to the EC 50 value for stimulation of 45 Ca influx (2.5 μM) and 45 Ca release (2.1 μM) but slightly higher than the value for contractile response (0.9 μM). Antagonist sensitivity studies reinforced the α 1 receptor subtype character of the rabbit aorta. Prazosin (10 −7 M) reduced agonist-induced events by 63–82% while yohimbine (10 −7 M) was without influence. Phenoxybenzamine (10 −8 M) reduced agonist-induced events by 56–76%. A temporal comparison showed that agonist stimulation of PA labelling was slower than 45 Ca release, but similar to the time course of 45 Ca influx. Hydrolysis of 32 P-labelled phosphatidylinositol diphosphate (PIP 2 ) was more rapid and paralleled 45 Ca release. These findings suggest that PIP 2 hydrolysis may account for the rapid phase of norepinephrine-induced contraction in rabbit aorta while PA or its immediate precursor diacylglycerol may account for receptor-induced Ca 2+ influx.
Introduction: Primate Sexual Selection—Graduate Student Contributions

The first five papers in this issue highlight studies by graduate student researchers. All were invited to speak at a special graduate-student symposium on July 31, 2003, at the Twenty-sixth Annual Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists (ASP) in Calgary, Canada, the first symposium of its kind. The session focused on primate sexual selection, and included talks on prosimians, Old World monkeys, and apes. Whereas many symposia aim to clarify a particular research question, or tend to converge on one taxon or one geographical location of study, our symposium’s purpose was to gather student researchers working on a variety of projects within the broad classification of sexual selection. The symposium’s primary objective was to increase the participation and visibility of graduate students in the Society’s annual conference. It is important that we encourage students early in their graduate careers to take initiative and to become involved in professional meetings within their disciplines. Disseminating significant research findings by presenting at conferences is an important step in academic development because it allows students to interact with a wider audience than that found in their immediate vicinity at their home academic institutions.
Unleash the messenger

A new paradigm for gene control has emerged — retaining mRNA in the nucleus to prevent its translation until the gene product is urgently needed.
Characteristics of FGF-receptors expressed by stromal and epithelial cells cultured from normal and hyperplastic prostates.

AbstractThree fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), acidic FGF (FGF1), basic FGF (FGF2), and keratinocyte growth factor (FGF7) have been identified in prostate. to understand how FGFs regulate growth of the prostate, and to determine if regulation is altered in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the mitogenic potential of FGFs, receptor binding, and FGF-receptor (FGFR) gene expression of stromal (PS) and epithelial cells (PE) cultured from normal human prostate and BPH where determined. FGF1 and FGF2, but not FGF7, were mitogens for PS. FGF1 and FGF7 were potent mitogens for PE, but FGF2 was a weak mitogen for these cells. Both PS and PE exhibited high affinity binding (pM K) of iodinated-FGF2. The K was 4-fold and 12-fold higher for PS than for PE cultured from normal prostate and BPH, respectively. Northern analysis indicated that PS, but not PE, expressed FGFR typel (FGFR1) mRNA. The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate FGFR type 2 (FGFR2) expression. The size of a...
Real-time diagnostic of the defect-domain wall interaction in LiNbO/sub 3/ during domain inversion

We performed optical spectroscopy in-situ during domain inversion for real-time diagnostic purposes
HEART DISEASE IN CHILDREN

Over the past 18 years, advances in understanding and diagnosing neonates and fetuses with cardiovascular problems have been remarkable, shifting the focus from the young child to the neonate, and more recently, to the fetus. 23 The changing health care environment and evolving managed care era have placed greater demands on the primary care physician to manage pediatric patients with significantly more diversified and challenging medical conditions. Major improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac malformations during the past 40 years have resulted in increased survival rates and a more acutely ill pediatric patient group, who have required a more intense complexity of care during hospitalization. 23 Unlike the adult population with coronary heart disease, the pediatric cardiac age group is very heterogeneous. The age range, from newborns to adolescents, and the associated diversity of their medical conditions greatly increases the challenges of standardizing care patterns and management. 21 Single gene defects causing human cardiovascular disease have been identified. Congenital heart disease probably is caused by interactions between these genetic predispositions and environmental factors. These single gene defects also can lead to cardiomyopathy and conduction and structural defects. In addition, infections and immunologic responses can contribute to the development of other acquired heart diseases. This article explores these heterogeneous pediatric heart diseases and also discusses special pediatric populations: sports participation for children with heart disease, the pregnant teenager with heart disease, and cardiac emergencies in children. Finally, preventive cardiology and selecting a pediatric patient for heart transplantation also are discussed.
Comparisons of Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE II) and Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Instrument (SBUV/2) ozone profiles and trend estimates

[1] The ozone data sets from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II), using its version 6.2 processing code, and the second generation Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Instrument (SBUV/2) on the NOAA-11 and NOAA-16 satellites, using its version 8 processing code, are compared. We study the ozone profiles from these two experiments at near coincident points in time and space. The weighted mean percent differences between ozone profiles from the SAGE II data set and the SBUV/2 data record from the NOAA-11 and NOAA-16 satellites are less than 5% and 10%, respectively, at pressure levels from 50 mb to 0.7 mb, with some exceptions. The weighted RMS percent differences between the ozone estimates from the SAGE II experiment and the NOAA-11 and NOAA-16 SBUV/2 data records are between 5% and 14%, at pressure levels from 40 mb to 0.7 mb, with few exceptions. We examine the time dependence of the bias between the SAGE II and SBUV/2 measurements and show that the slopes of the time series of differences between the SAGE II ozone data record and the NOAA-11 and NOAA-16 SBUV/2 data sets are less than 0.5% per year and 3% per year, respectively, with few exceptions. We also analyze the differences in long-term changes of ozone, i.e., trends determined from each data set. The bias between ozone trends of SAGE II and SBUV/2 (on NOAA-11 satellite) is less than 0.5% per year in the majority of latitude bands at the pressure levels 50 mb to 0.5 mb, with some exceptions.
COMPARISON OF IGA GALACTOSYLATION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC IGA NEPHROPATHY VERSUS THOSE WITH HENOCH SCHONLEIN NEPHRITIS. 1660

Previous studies of the relationship between IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and Henoch Schonlein Nephritis (HSN) have been restricted to comparisons of the clinical and pathologic abnormalities in the two disorders. However, recent studies have reported that IgAN may result from abnormal galactosylation of the IgA molecule which results in decreased hepatic clearance and subsequent mesangial deposition of IgA. In the present study, we compared the galactosylation of IgA in 7 children with IgAN (age 15.8 yrs, r=10-20 yrs) and 7 with HSN (age 8.9 yrs, r=6-12 yrs). The serum from each patient was separated and stored at -70°C prior to shipping. The assay of IgA1 hinge region glycans was performed using biotinylated lectin Helix aspersa. IgA1 captured in the wells of microliter plates was desialyted prior to the reaction with the lectin. A moderate increase in the level of IgA1 lectin binding was found in both HSN (0.534±0.224) and IgAN(0.499±0.127) patients compared to normal adult controls(0.461±0.269), a finding compatible with decreased galactosylation of the IgA. However, previous studies of adult IgAN patients showed even higher lectin binding (0.614±0.210). We conclude from these results that some children with both HSN and IgAN have abnormal IgA galactosylation of the molecule. These data provide the first objective evidence that patients with the two disorders share a common pathogenesis. The extent to which differences exist among children, adolescents and adults remains to be clarified.
A Side Wall Burn Model for Cavity Growth in Underground Coal Gasification

A mechanistic computer model predicts 3-D cavity growth during the gasification phase of underground coal gasification. Developed for swelling bituminous coals, the model also obtains reasonable cavity widths and lengths for shrinking sub-bituminous coals, in addition to predicting cavity shape and burn-through times based on coal properties, seam thickness, water reacting, and inter-well distance. With the use of a 2-D boundary-layer model, it was found that the natural convective diffusion rate of oxygen to the reacting walls must be included in the cavity-growth model, together with: flow in the injection region; the swirling, mixing effect in the cavity; and transitions from thick to thin seam geometry.
Effect of breed of horse on muscle carnosine concentration

1. Muscle samples from the M. gluteus medius were obtained from six Quarter Horses (QH), six Thoroughbreds (TB), and five Standardbreds (SB) to determine carnosine values and fiber type percentages. 2. Muscle biopsies were for fiber type percentages and carnosine concentration. 3. QH had a lower percentage of slow twitch oxidative fibers and a higher percentage of past twitch glycolytic fibers than SB or TB. 4. Fast twitch oxidative-glycolytic fibers were lowest in the QH. 5. The QH had mean carnosine values significantly greater (P less than 0.01) than the mean values for SB and TB. 6. Across breeds muscle carnosine concentration was positively correlated (P less than 0.05; r = 0.53) with fast twitch glycolytic fiber percentage and negatively correlated (P less than 0.05, r = -0.51) with fast twitch oxidative fiber percentage. 7. Free intramuscular carnosine is believed to function as an intracellular buffer. Since carnosine was highest in the muscle of horses with the greatest percentage of fast twitch glycolytic fibers, these data are consistent with the proposed function of this dipeptide.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to pulmonary transplantation.

Objective Acute clinical deterioration preceding death is a common observation in patients with advanced interstitial lung disease and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension refractory to medical therapy are also at risk of sudden cardiac death (cor pulmonale). The treatment of these patients remains complex, and the findings from retrospective studies have suggested that intubation and mechanical ventilation are inappropriate given the universally poor outcomes. Extracorporeal support technologies have received limited attention because of the presumed inability to either recover cardiopulmonary function in the patient with end-stage disease or the presumed inability to proceed to definitive therapy with transplantation. Methods A retrospective review was performed of 31 patients from 2 institutions placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to lung transplantation compared with similar patients without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at the same institutions and comparison groups queried from the United Network for Organ Sharing database. Results We have transplanted 31 patients with refractory lung disease from mechanical artificial lung support. Of the 31 patients, 19 were ambulatory at transplantation. Pulmonary fibrosis (42%), cystic fibrosis (20%), and pulmonary hypertension (16%) were the most common diagnostic codes and acute cor pulmonale (48%) and hypoxia (39%) were the most common indications for device deployment. The average duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was 13.7 days (range, 2-53 days), and the mean survival of all patients bridged to pulmonary transplantation was 26 months (range, 54 days to 95 months). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival was 93%, 80%, and 66%, respectively. The duration of in-house postoperative transplant care ranged from 12 to 86 days (mean, 31 days). Patients requiring an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation bridge had comparable survival to that of the high acuity patients transplanted without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database but were at a survival disadvantage compared with the high-acuity patients (lung allocation score, >50) transplanted at the same center who did not require mechanical support (P Conclusions These observations challenge current assumptions about the treatment of selected patients with end-stage lung disease and suggest that “salvage transplant” is both technically feasible and logistically viable. Widespread adoption of artificial lung technology in lung transplant will require the design of clinical trials that establish the most effective circumstances in which to use these technologies. A discussion of a clinical trial and reconsideration of current allocation policy is warranted.
HAS, a relational algebra operator or divide is not enough to conquer

The relational algebra operator division is misnamed, hard to understand and insufficient. This paper explains division and presents HAS, a generalization of division which is useful for answering questions about an M-M relationship between entities.
Selection and improvement of lignin-degrading microorganisms: potential strategy based on lignin model-amino Acid adducts.

The purpose of this investigation was to test a potential strategy for the ligninase-dependent selection of lignin-degrading microorganisms. The strategy involves covalently bonding amino acids to lignin model compounds in such a way that ligninase-catalyzed cleavage of the models releases the amino acids for growth nitrogen. Here we describe the synthesis of glycine-N-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethane-2-ol (I) and demonstrate that growth (as measured by mycelial nitrogen content) of the known lignin-degrading basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burds. with compound I as the nitrogen source depends on its production of ligninase. Ligninase is shown to catalyze the oxidative C—C cleavage of compound I, releasing glycine, formaldehyde, and veratraldehyde at a 1:1:1 stoichiometry. P. chrysosporium utilizes compound I as a nitrogen source, but only after the cultures enter secondary metabolism (day 3 of growth), at which time the ligninase and the other components of the ligninolytic system (lignin → CO2) are expressed. Compound I and related adducts have potential not only in the isolation of lignin-degrading microbes but, perhaps of equal importance, in strain improvement.
Reliability Implications of Nitrogen Contamination During Deposition of Sputtered Aluminum/Silicon Metal Films

Aluminum/Silicon (Al/Si) sputtered metal films for MOS integrated circuit metalization deposited under conditions of nitrogen contamination coupled with a subsequent silicon nitride (Si3N4) passivation can seriously impact product relialility. The reliability implications of this sputtered metallization process will be discussed. The discussion will include film characteristics and structure, description f the failure mechanism, life modeling, accelerated testing, and electromigration behavior.
Characterization of the central cell groups regulating the kidney in the rat.

Retrograde, transneuronal viral tracing technique combined with neurotransmitter immunohistochemistry was used to identify the type of neurons in spinal cord and brain that project to the rat's kidney. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) injections were made into the left kidney. After an incubation of 4 days postinjection, PRV-infected neurons were located immunocytochemically in the ipsilateral intermediolateral (IML) cell column of the spinal cord and several brainstem cell groups: medullary raphe nuclei, ventromedial medulla (VMM), rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), A5 cell group and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVH). In the medulla, serotonin (5-HT)-immunoreactive neurons of the caudal raphe nuclei, substance P (SP)-immunoreactive neurons of the raphe obscurus (ROb) nuclei and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons of A5 cells were infected. In the VMM and RVLM, immunoreactive phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) neurons were infected. Some PRV-infected neurons in VMM contain 5-HT immunoreactivity. In the hypothalamus, immunoreactive vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) neurons were infected with PRV. This work indicates that sympathetic outflow to kidney is regulated by different types of neurons and the bulbospinal pathways regulating sympathetic outflow to the kidney are not obviously different from those regulating the other visceral, e.g., adrenal, heart, etc.
Need to Clarify Thrombolysis In Myocardial Ischemia (TIMI) Scale Scoring Method in the Penumbra Pivotal Stroke Trial

To the Editor: We congratulate the Penumbra Investigators on the successful completion of the Penumbra Pivotal Stroke Trial.1 The addition of the Penumbra System to the therapeutic armamentarium is an important advance in acute stroke care. A major defect of the report is the investigators do not specify how they measured the primary trial outcome, angiographic revascularization. They state without further elaboration that the core laboratory used the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Ischemia (TIMI) scale to assess revascularization. However, the TIMI scale was developed for the myocardial circulation and cannot be applied in the more complex cervicocephalic arterial tree without the creation of additional operational rules. A recent review found no fewer than 7 different operationalized versions of the TIMI scale being used across different stroke trials.2 The Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) has for this reason recommended abandonment of the TIMI in future cerebral revascularization clinical trials and use of one or more of the more transparent …
Multiscale framework for behavior prediction in granular media

In this work, a predictive multiscale framework for modeling the behavior of granular materials is presented. The method is particularly attractive due to its simplicity and ability to exploit the existing finite element and computational inelasticity technologies. Furthermore, this semi-concurrent multiscale method extracts two key material parameters from the granular structure: dilatancy and frictional resistance. The evolution of these material parameters is upscaled into classical two- and three-invariant plasticity models, effectively bypassing phenomenological hardening laws. The predictiveness of the method is clearly demonstrated by comparing its performance with experimental results and direct numerical simulations under homogeneous and inhomogeneous conditions. The high-quality predictions obtained using the multiscale method highlight its potential to unravel complex material behavior where hitherto phenomenological models have failed.
Turf-banked terrace treads and risers, turf exfoliation and possible relationships with advancing treeline

Fine-scale geomorphic/pedogenic processes at alpine treeline may facilitate the initial stages of conifer invasion of alpine tundra. Turf-banked terraces and turf exfoliation associated with solifluction may provide both the topographic protection and the seedbed necessary for conifer establishment above treeline. The morphometry, stoniness and surface penetrability of turf-banked terraces were recorded. Whereas differences among sites exist due to topographic constraints, differences in soil penetrability depend on turf exfoliation. Exfoliated turf risers are significantly more penetrable than non-exfoliated solifluction risers and adjacent treads. These penetrable microsites provide favorable conditions for seed germination. The process of turf exfoliation may play a role in conifer advance into tundra during climatic change. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Reusable software requirements and architectures for families of systems

Abstract In this article, an application domain perspective is applied to software reuse. An application domain is represented by a family of systems that have some features in common and others that differentiate them. A domain model is a problem-oriented architecture that captures the similarities and variations of the family of systems that compose the application domain. Because the application domain requirements capture the composite features of the members of the family, they are categorized as kernel (required by all family members) or optional (required by some family members). It is the optional features that determine the characteristics of a given target system. The relationship between the domain requirements and the object types in the domain model are captured by means of feature/object dependencies, which define the object types and prerequisite features needed to support a given feature. Software architectures are reused by selecting those features required in a target system and then tailoring the domain model, subject to the appropriate feature/object dependency constraints, to generate the target system specification.
The Southern Aid Society and the Slavery Controversy

During the 1830s American society was swept by a reform movement that had as its goal the improvement and uplift of humanity and human institutions in all facets of personal and associated conduct. The antislavery cause was one of the most dynamic areas of reform, and by the 1840s the movement against human bondage became almost entirely a campaign of the northern advocates against the peculiar institution of the South. One of the basic sources of this antislavery sentiment was religious in its orientation, and the crusade against slavery secured its enduring strength from the revivalism of the Presbyterian, Congregational and Baptist churches, from the perfectionism which reinforced it among the Methodist and independent Congregationalists, and from the radicalism of the Unitarians and Quakers.1 After the Mexican War, the questions revolving around the sectional controversy became the all-absorbing preoccupation of a concerned nation, but while the slavery controversy was only one of the questions involved in the political arena, the morality of slavery was the total issue within religious circles and the churches. The northern churches were in accord in their view of the institution of slavery as a positive hindrance to the expansion of the gospel, and they looked upon slavery as an evil in the abstract; but there was disagreement within the churches as to how the problem should be met. Many who became committed to organized abolition felt the church should forthwith separate itself from slavery by breaking off communion and fellowship with all churches which admitted slaveholders. The slaveholder should be condemned, denounced, excommunicated and damned until he repented and cleansed himself from the sin of slavery. The more conservative viewed the institution as anathema in the social structure, with deep historical roots, and the slaveholder as a victim to whom sympathy and pity were due. The slaveholder should not be banished and left with his problem, but should be guided and helped until a solution was found to the grave moral contradiction in the social structure. The conservatives rejected the withdrawal of fellowship as a desertion of the slave as well as the slaveholder, leaving them to the evils of the system. They held that the only solution was to continue bringing the gospel to bear upon slavery until the influence of Christianity would in time work its way on the institution.2
Evidence for a localized magnetic moment in paramagnetic α-Mn from multiplet splitting

Abstract High resolution X-ray photoemission spectra of paramagnetic α-Mn are reported. The 3 s and 2 s levels show considerable multiplet splitting. Analysis of the 3 s splitting yields a spin S ∼ 1.25, implying a magnetic moment of 2.5 μ B , in excellent agreement with a recent susceptibility value, but larger than the neutron scattering result.
Evaluation of Right Ventricular Contraction by Myocardial Strain in Children Using a Two-Dimensional Tissue Tracking Method

Two-dimensional tissue tracking makes it possible to detect myocardial strain in any direction. Consequently, this method is applicable for evaluation of myocardial dyssynchrony. This study enrolled 22 healthy volunteers (11 boys and 11 girls) ages 1.6 to 10.8 years (mean, 6.8 years). Echocardiography (subxiphoid right anterior oblique view) of the right ventricle was examined. Three tracking points were put on the right ventricle, and time-strain curves of the inflow tract (strain at the inlet) and the outflow tract (strain at the outlet) as well as time-strain curve of the pulmonary annulus diameter were made. The strain at the inlet was larger than the strain at the outlet (0.31 vs 0.15; p = 0.0003). The time to peak negative strain at the inlet was longer than at the outlet (0.48 vs 0.42 s; p = 0.001). The diameter of the pulmonary annulus shortened in systole, and the time to peak negative strain of the pulmonary annulus was longer than that of the outlet (0.48 vs 0.42; p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the times between the pulmonary annulus and the inlet (0.48 vs 0.48; p = 0.78). Two-dimensional tissue tracking allows assessment for quantification of myocardial performance and timing of the right ventricle.
A memory and decision model for eyewitness identification

A computer simulation model of eyewitness identification called WITNESS is proposed and fit to data from three experiments: Juslin et al. (1996), Tunnicliff and Clark (2000), and Wells et al. (1993). These three experiments directly compared two procedures for selecting foils for lineups: by selecting foils that either match the photograph of the suspect or match the description of the perpetrator given by the witness. The model assumes that (a) memory of a perpetrator is incomplete and error-prone, (b) lineup alternatives are matched to this error-prone memory trace, (c) identification decisions are based on a combination of relative and absolute match information, and (d) lineup rejections are based solely on absolute match information. The model provided good fits to data, although with important deviations between the model and data. Implications and limitations of the model, as well as future development of the model, are discussed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EFFICIENT STATE-SAVING ARCHITECTURES FOR POWER-MODE SWITCHING

Time and energy is expended in switching between power modes (e.g., active, hibernate, sleep, etc.). Powering off cache is one major reason for this. When there is a switch in the power-mode involving cache power-off, the system spends time and energy in filling the cache with new data (inherent cache misses). In our technique, before powering off the cache, we save its state in Embedded DRAM and bring it back when the previous power mode is restored. Our experiments have showed that in a majority of cases the cache contents are too valuable to be erased. By saving the contents we can reduce switching speed and energy. We present a heuristic to save the most relevant cache contents so that power and delay overheads are minimized. To measure the area overhead a synthesizable VHDL model was designed.
Design of a CMOS buffered switch for a Gigabit ATM switching network

This paper presents the implementation and design of a gigabit ATM Switch element used in a broadcast ATM switching network supporting 600 Mb/s link rates. The system is designed to operate at the clock speed of 100 MHz. The design of the switch element is developed to fabricate prototype chips using 1.2 /spl mu/ CMOS VLSI technology. The network is constructed with a 256-port Benes topology and the switch element consists of nine identical data slices, and a global controller. Each data slice uses 48 shared buffers. The controller determines which buffer cells are to be sent to the outputs based on its internal contention resolution process. This process is carried out by an arbitration circuit and the decision is made by a buffer control circuit. The controller also generates grant flow control through the network. >
Lightweight Attacks against Channel Assignment Protocols in MIMC Wireless Networks

Although multi-interface multi-channel (MIMC) wireless networks have drawn much attention, they are susceptible to various attacks. This paper describes three new types of attacks against a variety of channel assignment protocols: utilization-based conflict attack, link break attack, and denial-of-data attack. These attacks exploit the vulnerabilities arising from the inherent properties of channel assignment protocols in MIMC wireless networks. Analysis and simulation show that the identified attacks are not only very lightweight in attacking but also devastating to the connectivity, throughput, and availability of the MIMC wireless networks.
Tribology of confined Fomblin-Z perfluoropolyalkylethers: Molecular weight dependence and comparison between unfunctionalized and telechelic chains

The dynamic shear properties of molecularly-thin films of unfunctionalized and end-functionalized (telechelic) Fomblin-Z perfluoropolyalkylether (PFPAE) melts with number-average molecular weight Mn 3000 4000 g mol 1 have been studied at shear rates of 10 2 10 5 s 1 at normal pressures of 1 and 3 MPa. The shear responses are compared to measurements on end-functionalized polymers of the same chemical composition but lower molecular weight, Mn 2000 g mol 1 . The predominantly elastic response and high shear moduli of the confined film of unfunctionalized polymer, Fomblin Z03, suggest that it forms a structure likely to solidify already at low pressure. Its lubricating properties are less favorable than the ones found for hydroxyl- (DOL) and piperonyl-terminated Fomblin-Z (AM2001, AM3001), where associated molecules form a structure less prone to solidification under confinement. The thickness of the compressed films of the end-functionalized polymers increased more strongly with molecular weight than asM 0:5 n . The shear moduli were found to be larger, the higher the molecular weight, indicating slower relaxations. At a normal pressure of 3 MPa, these films solidified and displayed stick‐slip as seen already at 1 MPa in the Z03 film. The limiting shear stress of the unfunctionalized Z03, >3 MPa, exceeded by an order of magnitude the limiting shear stress of all of the end-functionalized polymers. The limiting shear stress of the hydroxyl-terminated polymer was larger than that of the piperonyl-terminated polymer.
Neuroimaging of Phakomatoses

The phakomatoses are congenital disorders manifesting with central nervous system and cutaneous abnormalities. The structures predominantly affected are those of ectodermal origin, including the skin, nervous system, and eyes. The 4 most common phakomatoses are neurofibromatosis (types 1 and 2), tuberous sclerosis, Sturge-Weber disease, and von Hippel-Lindau disease. Imaging of the brain and spine in these disorders plays an important role in diagnosis, as well as determining the extent of involvement and guiding surgical interventions. This article reviews the application of x-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to these disorders, as well as that of newer, "functional" imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance perfusion imaging, and spectroscopy.
Circularly polarized microstrip antenna with a single feed

A novel circularly polarized (CP) microstrip antenna with a single coaxial feed is introduced. The antenna consists of two layers, each radiating fields which at the zenith are perpendicular to each other with 90/spl deg/ phase difference. The CP bandwidth is substantially higher than that of the previously reported CP microstrip antennas with two nearly degenerate modes. In principle, a perfect CP radiation is feasible without the input impedance mismatch. The CP design procedure is independent of the feed location.
On nuclear spin statistics in rotational transition intensities in tetrahedral AB4 molecules

A general expression is derived for the integrated intensity of rotational transitions in the vibronic ground state of tetrahedral molecules, taking into account the nuclear spin statistics. It is ...
Is forgetting reprehensible? Holocaust remembrance and the task of oblivion

“Forgetting” plays an important role in the lives of individuals and communities. Although a few Holocaust scholars have begun to take forgetting more seriously in relation to the task of remembering—in popular parlance as well as in academic discourse on the Holocaust—forgetting is usually perceived as a negative force. In the decades following 1945, the terms remembering and forgetting have often been used antithetically, with the communities of victims insisting on the duty to remember and a society of perpetrators desiring to forget. Thus, the discourse on Holocaust memory has become entrenched on this issue. This essay counters the swift rejection of forgetting and its labeling as a reprehensible act. It calls attention to two issues: first, it offers a critical argument for different forms of forgetting; second, it concludes with suggestions of how deliberate performative practices of forgetting might benefit communities affected by a genocidal past. Is it possible to conceive of forgetting not as the ugly twin of remembering but as its necessary companion?
Cactus Fruits May Facilitate Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) Breeding in Atypical Habitat on Hispaniola

The Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) usually is found in moist areas, breeding near water during the rainy season. On Hispaniola I observed the Village Weaver breeding in the desert, despite a lack of rain, and consuming the fruits of a columnar cactus (Stenocereus hystrix). I propose that the carbohydrate and, especially, water content of these fruits is a substitute for rainfall, facilitating Village Weaver breeding in an arid environment. Weavers also may disperse the cactus seeds.
Specification of cell fates at the dorsal margin of the zebrafish gastrula

Using fate mapping techniques, we have analyzed development of cells of the dorsal marginal region in wild-type and mutant zebrafish. We define a domain in the early gastrula that is located just at the margin and centered on the dorsal midline, in which most cells generate clones that develop exclusively as notochord. The borders of the notochord domain are sharp at the level of single cells, and coincide almost exactly with the border of the expression domain of the homeobox gene floating head (flh; zebrafish homologue of Xnot), a gene essential for notochord development. In flh mutants, cells in the notochord domain generate clones of muscle cells. In contrast, notochord domain cells form mesenchyme in embryos mutant for no tail (ntl; zebrafish homologue of Brachyury). A minority of cells in the notochord domain in wild-type embryos develop as unrestricted mesoderm, invariably located in the tail, suggesting that early gastrula expression of flh does not restrict cellular potential to the notochord fate. The unrestricted tail mesodermal fate is also expressed by the forerunner cells, a cluster of cells located outside the blastoderm, adjacent to the notochord domain. We show that cells can leave the dorsal blastoderm to join the forerunners, suggesting that relocation between fate map domains might respecify notochord domain cells to the tail mesodermal fate. An intermediate fate of the forerunners is to form the epithelial lining of Kupffer9s vesicle, a transient structure of the teleost tailbud. The forerunners appear to generate the entire structure of Kupffer9s vesicle, which also develops in most flh mutants. Although forerunner cells are present in ntl mutants, Kupffer9s vesicle never appears, which is correlated with the later severe disruption of tail development.
Exercise improves host response to influenza viral infection in obese and non-obese mice through different mechanisms

Obesity has been associated with greater severity of influenza virus infection and impaired host defense. Exercise may confer health benefits even when weight loss is not achieved, but it has not been determined if regular exercise improves immune defense against influenza A virus (IAV) in the obese condition. In this study, diet-induced obese mice and lean control mice exercised for eight weeks followed by influenza viral infection. Exercise reduced disease severity in both obese and non-obese mice, but the mechanisms differed. Exercise reversed the obesity-associated delay in bronchoalveolar-lavage (BAL) cell infiltration, restored BAL cytokine and chemokine production, and increased ciliary beat frequency and IFNα-related gene expression. In non-obese mice, exercise treatment reduced lung viral load, increased Type-I-IFN-related gene expression early during infection, but reduced BAL inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In both obese and non-obese mice, exercise increased serum anti-influenza virus specific IgG2c antibody, increased CD8+ T cell percentage in BAL, and reduced TNFα by influenza viral NP-peptide-responding CD8+ T cells. Overall, the results suggest that exercise “restores” the immune response of obese mice to a phenotype similar to non-obese mice by improving the delay in immune activation. In contrast, in non-obese mice exercise treatment results in an early reduction in lung viral load and limited inflammatory response.
Regional Competitiveness of the Gulf South for History-Related Occupations

Development of the U.S. Gulf South region is dependent upon a vibrant cadre of regional historians dedicated to discovery, dissemination, and preservation of the region’s history, but is the Gulf South region successfully competing for such highly qualified professionals? This paper examines the five U.S. states bordering the Gulf of Mexico to determine the region’s competitiveness for various history-related occupations using shift-share analysis. This method of analysis decomposes employment change into national, occupational, and regional components. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics database, the study found the Gulf South region competitive for post-secondary history teachers and archivists from 2004-14, but lacked competitiveness for curators, museum technicians and conservators, and librarians. On a 5-year basis (2009-14), the region lacked competitiveness in all history-related occupations studied.
Taxpayers Rights And IRS Obligations Before And After The 1988 Taxpayers Bill Of Rights

Greater protection for taxpayers is an idea whose time has finally arrived. The greater protection provided by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, included in the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 (TAMRA) is a good start in consumerism but it does have significant limitations. Surprisingly, along with the greater protection taxpayers have under the new law comes even more accountability by taxpayers to the Internal Revenue Service. This article addresses these new protections, their limitations and the new accountabilities by taxpayers to the IRS.
Anisotropic Scale Selection, Robust Gaussian Fitting, and Pulmonary Nodule Segmentation in Chest CT Scans

This chapter presents the theory and design principles used to derive semiautomatic algorithms for pulmonary nodule segmentation toward realizing a reliable and reproducible clinical application for nodule volumetry. The proposed algorithms are designed to be robust against the variabilities due to (1) user-interactions for algorithm initialization, (2) attached or adjacent nontarget structures, and (3) nonstandard shape and appearance. The proposed theory offers an elegant framework to introduce the robust data analysis techniques into a solution for nodule segmentation in chest X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans. The theory combines two distinct concepts for generic data analysis: automatic scale selection and robust Gaussian model fitting. The unification is achieved by (1) relating Lindeberg’s scale selection theory in Gaussian scale-space (Int J Comput Vis 30(2):79–116, 1998; Scale-space theory in computer vision Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1994) to Comaniciu’s robust feature space analyses with mean shift in Gaussian kernel density estimation (KDE) (IEEE Trans Pattern Anal Mach Intell 25(2):281–288, 2003; IEEE Trans Pattern Anal Mach Intell 24(5):603–619, 2002) and (2) extending both approaches to consider anisotropic scale from their original isotropic formulations. This chapter demonstrates how the resulting novel concept of anisotropic scale selection gives a useful and robust solution to the Gaussian fitting problem used as a part of our robust nodule segmentation solutions.
Increasing Incidence of Herpes Zoster Over a 60-year Period From a Population-based Study

Background Temporal increases in the incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) have been reported but studies have examined short study periods, and the cause of the increase remains unknown. We examined the long-term trend of HZ. Methods A population-based cohort study was conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota, using data from 1945-1960 and 1980-2007. Medical records review of possible cases was performed to confirm incident cases of HZ, the patient's immune status, and prescribing of antivirals for HZ. We examined the relative change in the temporal trend in the incidence rates before and after the introduction of the varicella vaccination program. Results Of the 8017 patients with HZ, 58.7% were females and 6.6% were immunocompromised. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence rate of HZ increased from 0.76 per 1000 person-years (PY) (95% confidence interval [CI], .63-.89) in 1945-1949 to 3.15 per 1000 PY (95% CI, 3.04-3.26) in 2000-2007. The rate of increase across the time period was 2.5% per year after adjusting for age and sex (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.025 [95% CI, 1.023-1.026]; P Conclusions The incidence of HZ has increased >4-fold over the last 6 decades. This increase is unlikely to be due to the introduction of varicella vaccination, antiviral therapy, or change in the prevalence of immunocompromised individuals.
In vitro and in vivo quantification of adhesion between leukocytes and vascular endothelium.

When a leukocyte enters a blood vessel, it may continue to move with flowing blood, collide with the vessel wall, adhere transiently or stably, and finally extravasate (1). These interactions are governed by both local hydrodynamic and adhesive forces. The former are determined by the vessel diameter, fluid velocity, viscosity, and hematocrit, and the latter by the number, strength and kinetics of bond formation between adhesion molecules, and by surface area of contact (1-6). Cellular deformability affects both types of forces (7-9). Two families of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are involved in leukocyte rolling and stable adhesion. In general, the selectins (P, L, and E) mediate rolling, while the IgG superfamily members (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) on endothelial cells, with their cognate receptors (β(2) and β(1) integrin receptors) on the leukocytes, mediate firm adhesion, with some overlap in these functions (10-12). The expression of CAMs on the endothelial cells and leukocytes can be modulated by cytokines secreted by a variety of cells (e.g., cancer cells, fibroblasts, macrophages) (13,14). Cellular deformability can be modulated by altering the cytoskeleton, membrane, or cytoplasm, with the cytoskeleton playing the dominant role (7,15,16). In this chapter, we describe methods to quantitate cellular deformability in vitro, CAM expression in vitro, leukocyte-endothelial interaction (LEI) in vitro, and LEI in vivo.
Autonomy and the Authority of Law

Thus far, we have examined individual autonomy and how it is effected by external considerations. In doing so, we have seen that autonomy is not only compatible with a variety of external influences on the determination of action, but is even compatible with certain forms of authority (the implication being that it is the model of authority which is compatible with autonomy that we should recognize). We shall now turn our attention to a specific form of authority — that which society exercises over its citizens. This form of authority has interested man for centuries in the form of questions concerning the relation of the individual to society, of freedom and authority, and of individual vs. social goods.
Diet Quality of Breast Cancer Survivors after a Six-Month Weight Management Intervention: Improvements and Association with Weight Loss

Purpose: Obesity and diet quality are two distinct lifestyle factors associated with morbidity and mortality among breast cancer survivors. The purposes of this study were to examine diet quality c...
Self-regulation of teenaged pianists during at-home practice:

Professional musicians employ self-regulation and deliberate practice strategies when learning music. Although self-regulation is difficult for beginners, presumably students practice deliberately as music becomes more difficult and they develop musical skills. It is not clear to what extent intermediate piano students self-regulate during learning. This study explored practice strategies used during at-home practice of nine intermediate-level teenaged piano students. Over a two-month period, piano students recorded three videos of themselves practicing. Data were triangulated from coded video, teacher interviews, and student questionnaires regarding practice habits, strategy use, and perceived challenges. Students regularly practiced under less-than-ideal circumstances and had limited attention spans, but skill level was not an indicator of self-regulation. Nine practice strategies were observed and reportedly employed. While six of the students mostly played through repertoire, three participants were m...