cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Media Use Among Academic Hand Surgeons

Purpose Social media has become increasingly prevalent among the general population in the past decade. We examined the current prevalence of social media use among academic orthopedic-trained and plastic surgery-trained hand surgeons in the United States. Methods All publicly available hand surgery faculty across the nation were analyzed for their public social media usage, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and personal websites. Comparisons of social media usage between orthopedic-trained and plastic surgery-trained hand surgeons, male and female academic hand surgeons, hand surgeons from different regions of the United States (East, West, Midwest, and South), and years of experience were analyzed. Results A total of 469 academic hand surgeons were included. Among academic hand surgeons in the United States, LinkedIn was the most common platform used (40.3%), followed by Facebook (15.78%), a personal website (13.86%), Twitter (12.37%), and Instagram (4.05%). Plastic surgery hand surgeons had more of a presence than orthopedic hand surgeons on Instagram (8.26% vs 2.59%, P Conclusions Despite the widely known use of social media among plastic and aesthetic surgeons, this study shows the use of web-based marketing strategies to be quite rare in the academic hand surgery setting. Clinical Relevance Our study shows that throughout the United States, academic hand surgeons use social media at low rates. We suggest that academic plastic surgery and orthopedic hand surgeons throughout the United States consider having a larger social media presence to expand advertising, improve patient education, and enhance networking among their practices. Social media can be a valuable tool and will likely only increase in popularity in the coming years.
The expression of Drosophila melanogaster Hox gene Ultrabithorax is not overtly regulated by the intronic long non-coding RNA lncRNA: PS4 in a wild type genetic background.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in a variety of processes in development, differentiation, and disease. In Drosophila melanogaster, the bithorax Hox cluster (BX-C) contains three Hox genes (Ultrabithorax (Ubx), abdominal-A (abd-A), and Abdominal-B (Abd-B)), along with a number of lncRNAs, most with unknown functions. Here, we investigated the function of a long non-coding RNA, lncRNA: PS4 that originates in the second intron of Ubx and is transcribed in the antisense orientation to Ubx. The expression pattern of lncRNA: PS4 is complementary to Ubx in the thoracic primordia, and the lncRNA: PS4 coding region overlaps the location of the large insertion that causes the dominant homeotic mutation Contrabithorax-1 (UbxCbx-1), which partially transforms Drosophila wings into halteres via ectopic activation of Ubx. This led us to investigate the potential role of this lncRNA in regulation of Ubx expression. The UbxCbx-1 mutation dramatically changes the pattern of lncRNA: PS4, eliminating the expression of most lncRNA: PS4 sequences from parasegment 4 (where Ubx protein is normally absent) and ectopically activating lncRNA: PS4 at high levels in the abdomen (where Ubx is normally expressed). These changes, however, did not lead to changes in the Ubx embryonic transcription pattern. Targeted deletion of the two promoters of lncRNA: PS4 did not result in the change of Ubx expression in the embryos. In the genetic background of a UbxCbx-1 mutation, the lncRNA: PS4 mutation does slightly enhance the ectopic activation of Ubx protein expression in wing discs and also slightly enhances the wing phenotype seen in UbxCbx-1 heterozygotes.
PET imaging of macromolecule and particle delivery to the brain through intrathecal administration in rodents and non-human primates

416 Objectives Presently, there are no effective treatments for several diseases involving CNS. The objective of this study was to investigate the delivery of prospective therapeutics and model macromolecules and nanoparticles after intrathecal lumbar (IT) administration. Methods Four recombinant human enzymes, model polymers of various molecular weights, virions and synthetic and phage particles, were labeled with 124I and administered IT to rats and cynomolgus monkeys. Dynamic imaging data (0-20 min post injection) and multiple static images were acquired over at least 48 hours after the injections. Images were analyzed to determine the rate and patterns of the label spread in CSF from the injection site and further into CNS. Results After the injection, all molecules and particles were distributed in the CSF. Deposition at the injection site did not exceed deposition elsewhere in the leptomeningeal compartment. Penetration into both white and gray matter as well as major nerves were found by 5 hours after the injection. Penetration to the systemic circulation was detected early after the injection, the data suggests non-lymphatic size-dependent direct drainage to the blood with CSF. Conclusions The data suggest that IT administration of macromolecules and nanoparticles can be beneficial for the treatment of diseases involving CNS. The mechanisms and rates of macromolecule and particle clearance from CSF and penetration to the brain parenchyma require further investigation. Research Support NIH R21CA152384. DoD USAMRMC BC100684, and grants from Shire HGT
The Ia-2β intronic miRNA, miR-153, is a negative regulator of insulin and dopamine secretion through its effect on the Cacna1c gene in mice

miR-153 is an intronic miRNA embedded in the genes that encode IA-2 (also known as PTPRN) and IA-2β (also known as PTPRN2). Islet antigen (IA)-2 and IA-2β are major autoantigens in type 1 diabetes and are important transmembrane proteins in dense core and synaptic vesicles. miR-153 and its host genes are co-regulated in pancreas and brain. The present experiments were initiated to decipher the regulatory network between miR-153 and its host gene Ia-2β (also known as Ptprn2). Insulin secretion was determined by ELISA. Identification of miRNA targets was assessed using luciferase assays and by quantitative real-time PCR and western blots in vitro and in vivo. Target protector was also employed to evaluate miRNA target function. Functional studies revealed that miR-153 mimic suppresses both glucose- and potassium-induced insulin secretion (GSIS and PSIS, respectively), whereas miR-153 inhibitor enhances both GSIS and PSIS. A similar effect on dopamine secretion also was observed. Using miRNA target prediction software, we found that miR-153 is predicted to target the 3′UTR region of the calcium channel gene, Cacna1c. Further studies confirmed that Cacna1c mRNA and protein are downregulated by miR-153 mimics and upregulated by miR-153 inhibitors in insulin-secreting freshly isolated mouse islets, in the insulin-secreting mouse cell line MIN6 and in the dopamine-secreting cell line PC12. miR-153 is a negative regulator of both insulin and dopamine secretion through its effect on Cacna1c expression, which suggests that IA-2β and miR-153 have opposite functional effects on the secretory pathway.
Harary index and some Hamiltonian properties of graphs

For a nontrivial connected graph G, its Harary index H(G) is defined as ∑ u,v ⊆V(G)1dG(u,v), where dG(u,v) is the distance between vertices u and v. Hua and Wang (2013), using Harary index, obtaine...
Demand pacemaker arrhythmias caused by intermittent incomplete electrode fracture: Diagnosis with testing magnet

This report describes how the testing magnet was used to diagnose intermittent and incomplete electrode fracture in two patients with an implanted demand pacemaker. During fixed-rate pacing the interval between two consecutive pacemaker spikes intermittently doubled in length, suggesting that the pulse generator was continuing to fire on time into a transiently disrupted circuit. Attenuated pacemaker spikes occurring at the anticipated time of pacemaker discharge also provided a diagnostic clue. Ventricular electrograms from the defective electrodes registered small false signals.
Analyzing a formal specification of Mondex using model checking

Mondex, an electronic purse, is the first pilot project of the software verification Grand Challenge to establish the correctness of software. Several research groups around the world have applied different formal methods in specifying and analyzing the Mondex since 2006. In this paper, we present a method to analyze the Sam specification of Mondex using model checking. Our specification uses Sam that integrates high level Petri nets and temporal logic. Our analysis method translates the SAM Mondex specification into a behavior preserving PROMELA program and uses SPIN to model check the resulting PROMELA program. Our results and experiences are discussed, which contributes to the world wide effort in developing a verified software repository.
Haute Finance and High Theory: Recent Scholarship on Global Financial Relations

In surveying the literature on global financial relations, this essay suggests that (1) states have not “surrendered” or “retreated” but reinterpreted their roles relative to global finance, (2) interstate cooperation is pervasive but fragile, and (3) capital mobility has not yet altered the structures of the international system. Although states have abandoned or lost a number of traditional roles with regard to global finance, they have also assumed new responsibilities. In particular, they have pursued interstate cooperation and state-to-firm “diplomacy” in the face of cross-border financial crises, the increasing power of transnational financial services firms, common regulatory objectives, and the pervasive desire for strong economic growth. Thus, even as the power and influence of private actors, institutions, and markets have grown enormously in the international system as a whole, states continue to shape outcomes.
Step of Dichlorvos Inhibition in the Pathway of Aflatoxin Biosynthesis

Dichlorvos (dimethyl 2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate) inhibits the biosynthesis of aflatoxin by Aspergillus parasiticus. Cultures treated with dichlorvos excrete an orange pigment which can be converted into aflatoxin B1 by the untreated mycelia. The orange pigment was partially identified as an acetyl derivative of versiconol-type compound. In the presence of dichlorvos, sterigmatocystin is converted into aflatoxin B1 without being interfered, but averufin is converted into the orange pigment instead of aflatoxin B1. Therefore, dichlorvos appears to block an enzymatic step in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway, which lies beyond averufin but before sterigmatocystin, at the formation of the orange pigment.
Tennessee Valley Authority's 500-ky System - Communications

Basic factors in planning communication facilities for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) new 500-kV system are discussed and descriptions given of broadband carrier coupling techniques, coupling equipment, and tests for power-line carrier measurements. Single-sideband power-line carrier equipment is evaluated in the light of its role in providing the bulk of communication services between terminals of TVA's first 500-kV line. Expectations that insulated ground wires will perform as communications circuits and the line's radio noise evaluation program are other items discussed.
Improved stability estimates and a characterization of the native space for matrix-valued RBFs

In this paper we derive several new results involving matrix-valued radial basis functions (RBFs). We begin by introducing a class of matrix-valued RBFs which can be used to construct interpolants that are curl-free. Next, we offer a characterization of the native space for divergence-free and curl-free kernels based on the Fourier transform. Finally, we investigate the stability of the interpolation matrix for both the divergence-free and curl-free cases, and when the kernel has finite smoothness we obtain sharp estimates.
A penetration of the technological forecasting jungle

Abstract This article examines some of the difficulties facing technological forecasters today. “Straw man” definitions are proposed and “straw man” classifications of technological forecasting methodologies are proposed. The objective of these efforts is the simplification of the study of technological forecasting methods and their application. This article requests comment and suggestions from interested readers to help achieve the stated objectives. Meaningful comments received from questionnaire respondents are included.
Covariance-invariant digital filtering

When discretizing continuous-time filters, one is often interested in preserving a property termed covariance-invariance. Techniques are outlined for synthesizing discrete-time filters which are covariance-invariant with corresponding continuous-time filters. The synthesis techniques involve straightforward matrix decompositions or polynomial root-finding algorithms that can easily be programmed on a digital computer. Applications of the technique to digital filter synthesis are outlined, with example designs presented for covariance-invariant Butterworth and Chebyshev digital filters. Based on the frequency response of these designs it is argued that the method of covariance-invariance is superior to the methods of impulse-invariance and bilinear-z as a response matching design technique for the synthesis of digital filters. This superiority is especially apparent at sampling rates that are marginal with respect to filter critical frequencies. Moreover, the covariance-invariant designs are stably invertible solutions to a so-called spectral factorization problem. This property may be important in inverse filtering applications.
Current views on colour blindness.

Current views of colour blindness are varied. There is agreement, however, that forms of vision should be classified on the basis of what stimuli the observer will find to be equivalent. Primary theoretical interest has so far centred around the so-called reduction forms of normal vision, forms in which the observer not only makes colour confusions but also fails to detect any difference between stimuli found to be equivalent by the normal observer except the difference ascribable to a variation in ocular pigmentation. Such observers are classed as dichromats or monochromats depending on whether they experience a two-fold of colours or simply experience colours varying in one dimension only. The equivalent colour stimuli, or metamers, of the normal and reduction forms of vision are well-known and can be expressed in terms of any one of a triple infinity of sets of primary colours. For any of these sets the tristimulus values of the spectrum can be calculated from those of the standard observer by a linear homogeneous transformation from the standard co-ordinate system (X, Y, Z). Theories of vision have been concerned with the identification of physiological processes functionally distinct within the visual mechanism, and the diverse postulates that have received serious attention so far have the common property that they yield correctly not only the normal metamers, but also those characterizing the reduction forms.
Incorporation of biological pathway knowledge in the construction of priors for optimal Bayesian classification

Small samples are commonplace in genomic/proteomic classification, the result being inadequate classifier design and poor error estimation. The problem has recently been addressed by utilizing prior knowledge in the form of a prior distribution on an uncertainty class of feature-label distributions. A critical issue remains: how to incorporate biological knowledge into the prior distribution. For genomics/proteomics, the most common kind of knowledge is in the form of signaling pathways. Thus, it behooves us to find methods of transforming pathway knowledge into knowledge of the feature-label distribution governing the classification problem. In this paper, we address the problem of prior probability construction by proposing a series of optimization paradigms that utilize the incomplete prior information contained in pathways (both topological and regulatory). The optimization paradigms employ the marginal log-likelihood, established using a small number of feature-label realizations (sample points) regularized with the prior pathway information about the variables. In the special case of a Normal-Wishart prior distribution on the mean and inverse covariance matrix (precision matrix) of a Gaussian distribution, these optimization problems become convex. Companion website: gsp.tamu.edu/ Publications/supplementary/shahrokh13a.
High-frequency electric-field-modulated ferroelectric single crystal fibers in optical frequency shift

Optical wavelength shifting is studied using ferroelectric single crystal electrooptic fibers subjected to electric field of microwave frequencies. Sr 1-x Ba x Nb 2 O 6 single crystals grown by the laser heated pedestal growth technique were tested and compared. The design and verification of the photon acceleration process and the exploration of the materials properties corresponding to growth, orientation and doping condition are presented.
Improved beam angle arrangement in intensity modulated proton therapy treatment planning for localized prostate cancer.

Purpose: This study investigates potential gains of an improved beam angle arrangement compared to a conventional fixed gantry setup in intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) treatment for localized prostate cancer patients based on a proof of principle study. Materials and Methods: Three patients with localized prostate cancer retrospectively selected from our institution were studied. For each patient, IMPT plans were designed using two, three and four beam angles, respectively, obtained from a beam angle optimization algorithm. Those plans were then compared with ones using two lateral parallel-opposed beams according to the conventional planning protocol for localized prostate cancer adopted at our institution. Results: IMPT plans with two optimized angles achieved significant improvements in rectum sparing and moderate improvements in bladder sparing against those with two lateral angles. Plans with three optimized angles further improved rectum sparing significantly over those two-angle plans, whereas four-angle plans found no advantage over three-angle plans. A possible three-beam class solution for localized prostate patients was suggested and demonstrated with preserved dosimetric benefits because individually optimized three-angle solutions were found sharing a very similar pattern. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated the potential of using an improved beam angle arrangement to better exploit the theoretical dosimetric benefits of proton therapy and provided insights of selecting quality beam angles for localized prostate cancer treatment.
Studies on the survival of the rotifer philodina after freezing and thawing

Summary The survival of the rotifer Philodina after freezing and thawing has been examined under a variety of experimental conditions. Particular emphasis was placed on obtaining maximum survival by employing the most advantageous combination of protective additive concentration and cooling rate. Glycerol is an effective cryoprotective agent in this system at concentrations as low as 1% and exerts a maximum protective influence at a concentration of 2 to 3%. Glycerol solutions in the range of 5 to 10% result in somewhat anomalous survival curves as a function of cooling rate, although survival at these concentrations is moderately high at the extremes of the “slow cooling” range. Treatment of rotifers with a 20% glycerol solution results in death; thus, it is possible that sublethal toxic effects play a role at lower glycerol concentrations. Cooling rate optima appear in the region of 3 to 5°C per min with deviations occurring at high levels of glycerolation. Survivals of the order of 50 to 60% can be routinely achieved by employing the most suitable pretreatment and cooling rate. Animals frozen in this manner have been stored up to 20 days at liquid nitrogen temperatures without a noticeable decline in viability. In addition to manifesting normal swimming and feeding habits, survivors of freezing appear to enjoy a normal life span and reproductive capacity.
Wavelength-dispersion analysis of pixe spectra

Abstract The use of a curved crystal spectrometer to observe X-ray spectra generated by proton induced X-ray emission from environmental samples is presented. Line widths (fwhm) of about 2 eV and 30 eV are observed respectively for Si(K α ) and Ca(K α ) radiation from the NBS standard reference material of orchard leaf. A comparison is made to a spectrum generated with PIXE on the same sample but observed with a Si(Li) energy-dispersive system which typically gives fwhm values greater than 165 eV.
Watershed-Scale Responses to Ozone Events in a Pinus Strobus L. Plantation

High O3 levels during the 1984 growing season in the southern Appalachian Mountains caused extensive damage to a 28 yr old white pine plantation on a 13.4 ha watershed at the Coweeta Hydrologie Laboratory. Ozone stress effects included premature senescence and loss of foliage, stimulation of pine seedling germination, reduced basal area increment, and small but measurable increases in NO3 − −N and K+ concentrations in stream water. There were no observable effects of O3 damage on nutrient concentrations of stemwood and foliage but net nutrient accumulation was reduced due to lower stemwood production. Ozone injury did not predispose trees to root pathogens or bark beetle infestations.
Nanoarchitectonics and nanoelectronics

The paper discusses the mission and findings of our MARCO Focus Center on Functional Engineered Nano Architectonics (FENA) and the Western Institute of Nanoelectronics (WIN). In the Center and the Institute funded by SIA, we explore different logic state variables, such as the use of particle spin, molecular conformation and others in addition to today's charge based electronics, for resolving the most critical bottleneck - power dissipation towards to ultimate scaled CMOS and beyond. We investigate many different functional nanomaterials as building blocks and self assembly techniques as alternate fabrication methods for nanostructures and their integration. Examples of fabricating molecular structures, carbon nanotubes (CNT), and nano polymer wires, and their assembly using, for example, DNA and PNA conjugation are discussed for device and circuit applications. Likewise, oxide spintronic wires and dilute magnetic nanostructures for potential new power efficient devices are also highlighted. The work suggests the possibility of integrating a variety of these nano building blocks on a common platform, and further constructing future heterogeneous integrated nanosystems with potential new manufacturing methods. Towards these nanoelectronics systems, variability issues in device characteristics and in manufacturing tolerance demand the development of "nanometrology" and control tools sensitive to single atoms and molecules. An example of using a single wall CNT FET to study single interface defect and a single molecule in terms of fluctuation, or more specifically random telegraph signal are demonstrated
An investigation of the effects of microstructure and stress ratio on fatigue crack growth in Ti–6Al–4V with colony α/β microstructures

Abstract This article examines the combined effects of colony microstructure and stress ratio on long fatigue crack growth in Ti–6Al–4V. The fatigue crack growth rates are compared in lamellar microstructures with fine and coarse lath dimensions produced by controlled cooling (rate) from the β phase field. The effects of β volume fraction are also investigated at stress ratios, R=Kmin/Kmax, between 0.1 and 0.8. The combined effects of the different variables are then modeled using multiparameter concepts. The coarser lamellar microstructures are shown to have better fatigue crack growth resistance than finer lamellar structures. However, β volume fraction is shown to have only a limited effect on fatigue crack growth resistance. Finally, the implications of the results are discussed for microstructural design and fatigue crack growth prediction.
Photoemission from Core States of Cs and Rb

Photoemission yields and electron energy distributions of Rb and Cs for photon energies of 12-22 eV are reported. Over most of this energy range, photoexcitation from $n{p}^{5}(^{2}P_{\frac{3}{2}})$ $(n+1)s$ and $n{p}^{5}(^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}})$ $(n+1)s$ core levels is observed to be at least two orders of magnitude larger than excitation from the conduction band [$n=4 (\mathrm{Rb})$, $n=5 (\mathrm{Cs})$]. Two peaks in the energy distributions which move to higher energy with increasing photon energy result from electrons being directly excited from the shallow core levels. A third peak, which remains stationary in energy position for all photon energies, results from Auger processes which refill the core levels. From the positions and shapes of the peaks, we have obtained values of the spin-orbit splitting of the core levels, the position of the core levels relative to the Fermi (or vacuum) level, and an estimate of the widths of the conduction band. Measurements of spectral yield show a threshold at the core-level-to-Fermi-level spacing that is consistent with this interpretation of structure in the energy distributions. Additional structure in the distributions results when an electron initially excited into one of the above peaks loses energy in exciting a surface plasmon as it escapes through the surface.
Korean putting verbs do not categorize space contrastively in terms of “tightness of fit”

Abstract The present study refutes Choi and Bowerman's (e.g. 1991) analysis of Korean putting verbs as showing a crosslinguistically unusual pattern of categorizing space in terms of “tightness of fit.” It shows that, in adult Korean, the differences between the “tight-fit” verb kki-ta (‘slide the Figure, which is surrounded by or surrounds the Ground, along the inner or outer side surface(s) of the Ground with friction produced between the side surfaces of the two objects’) and two “loose-fit” verbs, neh-ta (‘move the Figure to a locus where it is surrounded by the Ground’) and noh-ta (‘deposit the Figure by releasing one's hold of it and leave it the way it exists’), cannot be reduced to “tightness of fit”; in addition, they even show different syntactic behavior. First, the two types of verbs refer to different components and phases of a motion event. Neh-ta and noh-ta are path verbs that refer to the endpoint of a path, whereas kki-ta is a manner + path verb that focuses on an earlier phase; in particular, kki-ta normally requires the Figure and the Ground to produce friction in the course of the motion. Because of this difference, in a verb compound with the connective -e /- a , in which manner/cause verbs must precede path verbs, kki-ta occupies the manner/cause-verb slot, whereas neh-ta fills the path verb slot; noh-ta is usually used as an aspectual marker in the verb compound and goes into the final slot, after the above two slots. Despite Choi and Bowerman's argument for young children's acquisition of language-specific principles of categorization of the input language, their child subjects’ errors on their production of kki-ta show deviations from adult usage toward a much simpler pattern of categorizing putting events in terms of whether or not the Figure can easily be separated from the Ground at the endpoint of the path. The present study points out that the experimental studies conducted in recent years, which seem to show that preverbal infants respond categorically to putting events that appear to contrast in terms of “tightness of fit,” allow different interpretations, because the categorization principle that the infants used may not be based on “tightness of fit.”
Mozart or metallica, who makes you more attractive? A mediated moderation test of music, gender, personality, and attractiveness in cyberspace

Computer-mediated communication environments such as personal websites enable users to use multimedia to construct their self-identities. How these multimedia elements in the cyberspace such as audios influence interpersonal impressions is somewhat unclear in the literature. Based on Brunswik's lens model, this research aims to examine the impact of audio information on impression formation by testing: (a) how the background music of a personal website affects perceived attractiveness of the website owner and how gender moderates this effect, and (b) whether such an effect is mediated by perceived personality. A 2x2 full factorial experiment was conducted where participants (N=122) were randomly assigned to view a cross-gender personal website with either classical or heavy metal background music. The experimental findings suggested a significant mediated moderation effect: gender moderated the relationship between music type and perceived attractiveness of the website owner such that male participants perceived the female website owner with classical background music as more attractive while female participants considered the male website owner with heavy metal background music to be more attractive, and this moderation was mediated by the website owner's perceived agreeableness.
Load Combination Reduction Methodology for the US EPR™ Standard Nuclear Power Plant

The Safety-Related structures of the U.S. EPR™ Standard Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) predominantly consist of reinforced concrete shear walls and slabs; thus they are typically modeled using shell finite elements and analyzed and designed for a large number of applicable load combinations. This paper presents a load combination reduction methodology that has been specifically developed for and applied to these types of structural elements in order to methodically reduce the full set of applicable load combinations to a manageable sub-set of load combinations, termed “controlling load combinations” for structural design purposes. Load combination reduction criteria involve code-specified section capacities (i.e., allowables), structural demands (i.e., forces and moments), and demand-to-capacity ratios (DCR) as complemented by reinforcing ratios. For a particular Safety-Related structure or portions thereof, the controlling load combination produces the most demanding forces and moments relative to design allowables in accordance with applicable codes and standards for reinforced concrete design, resulting in the highest DCR among all applicable load combinations. To facilitate the load combination reduction process, portions or segments of a particular Safety-Related structure that are in close proximity and thereby most likely to be designed for a common reinforcement pattern are identified and grouped as a single design component and termed an “evaluation level component.” It is demonstrated that the load combination reduction methodology developed herein is instrumental in narrowing down numerous applicable load combinations to a sub-set of controlling load combinations for the U.S. EPR™ Nuclear Island Safety-Related structures.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Elasticity of MgO to 11 GPa with an independent absolute pressure scale: Implications for pressure calibration

[1] P and S wave velocities and unit cell parameters (density) of MgO are measured simultaneously up to 11 GPa using combined ultrasonic interferometry and in situ X-ray diffraction techniques. The elastic bulk and shear moduli as well as their pressure derivatives are obtained by fitting the measured velocity and density data to the third-order finite strain equations, yielding K0S = 163.5(11) GPa, K′0S = 4.20(10), G0 = 129.8(6) GPa, and G′0 = 2.42(6), independent of pressure. These properties are subsequently used in a Birch-Murnaghan equation of state to determine the sample pressures at the observed strains. Comparison of the 300K isothermal compression of MgO indicates that current pressure scales from recent studies are in better than 1.5% agreement. We find that pressures derived from secondary pressure standards (NaCl, ruby fluorescence) at 300K are lower than those from current MgO scales by 5–8% (∼6% on average) in the entire pressure range of the current experiment. If this is taken into account, discrepancy in previous static compression studies on MgO at 300K can be reconciled, and a better agreement with the present study can be achieved.
Inferencing Processes After Right Hemisphere Brain Damage: Maintenance of Inferences

Purpose This study was designed to replicate and extend a previous study of inferencing in which some adults with right hemisphere damage (RHD) generated but did not maintain predictive inferences ...
Slicing it thin: New methods for brief sampling analysis using RIAS-coded medical dialogue

Abstract Objective To explore the relationship between one-minute slices and full-session interaction and the predictive validity of the slices to ratings of affect and rapport. Methods Third-year medical students ( n = 253) were videotaped during an OSCE. All interaction was coded using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) and samples were drawn at minutes 1, 5, and 9 and extracted from the coded database. The slices were related in multivariate analysis to full-session interaction, corrected for slice content, and correlated with affect ratings of participants and independently rated judgments of rapport. Results One-minute slices explained 33% of full-session variance in student interaction and 30% of variance in standardized patient interaction. Slices were significantly correlated with affective ratings of participants and independent judgments of rapport in a similar pattern as full-session interaction analysis. Conclusions One-minute slices of interaction can provide a meaningful degree of insight into OSCE session communication with both concurrent and predictive validity to ratings of session affect and rapport. Practice implications Evidence of concurrent and predictive validity further supports use of this approach as a research tool that provides an efficient means of analyzing processes of care, examining variation in communication throughout a visit and predicting visit outcomes.
A Quantitative Theory of Neural Computation

We show how a general quantitative theory of neural computation can be used to explain two recent experimental findings in neuroscience. The first of these findings is that in human medial temporal lobe there exist neurons that correspond to identifiable concepts, such as a particular actress. Further, even when such concepts are preselected by the experimenter, such neurons can be found with paradoxical ease, after examining relatively few neurons. We offer a quantitative computational explanation of this phenomenon, where apparently none existed before. Second, for the locust olfactory system estimates of the four parameters of neuron numbers, synapse numbers, synapse strengths, and the numbers of neurons that represent an odor are now available. We show here that these numbers are related as predicted by the general theory. More generally, we identify two useful regimes for neural computation with distinct ranges of these quantitative parameters.
Prestack processing of land data with complex topography

A new wave‐equation–based prestack seismic processing system is proposed. This system has only two essential elements; velocity analysis and depth migration. This approach applies truly surface‐consistent statics corrections, regardless of the amount of elevation, change or of near‐surface velocity variation. It uses tomography for estimating the details of shallow velocities and a finite‐difference solution of the two‐way wave‐equation both for computation of image times and for data extrapolation in migration. A field data set that violates most of the assumptions in conventional common midpoint (CMP) processing, because of severe elevation changes and near‐surface velocity variations, is successfully processed. The final depth section reveals a complicated fold‐thrust geometry that was not visible after CMP processing.
Energy levels of 37K from 36Ar(p, p)36Ar and 36Ar(p, p′γ)36Ar

Abstract The elastic and inelastic scattering of protons from 36 Ar has been investigated from 2.1 to 5.3 MeV using a gas target. Experimental energy resolution varied from 11 keV to 5 keV over this range. The results are interpreted in terms of 56 states in 37 K between the energies of 4.0 and 7.0 MeV excitation with the aid of single-level dispersion theory. The width and spin and parity or proton l -value are determined for the 38 states seen in the elastic scattering. Upper limits are placed on the total widths of levels seen only in the inelastic scattering.
THE 1997 MOYER AWARD Cytokine Production in Patients with Hypertrophic Burn Scars

To clarify the significance of the role of the immune system in the formation of proliferative burn scars, this study attempted to identify differential production of cytokines between patients with burn injuries with and without hypertrophic scars. Mononuclear cell fractions were isolated from the peripheral blood (PBMC) of each patient and incubated with and without antigenic or mitogenic stimulation. The resultant supernatants were then assayed by ELISA techniques for production of various cytokines. The production of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β 2 by unstimulated PBMC was elevated significantly in patients with proliferative scar compared to control patients. Production of TGF-β 2 by stimulated PBMC also was elevated significantly in patients with proliferative scar. This study suggests that an increase in the production of TGF-β and of proinflammatory cytokines by mononuclear cells may play a significant role in the processes that lead to excessive scar formation after burn injury.
Leucokinin and diuretic hormone immunoreactivity of neurons in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, and co-localization of this immunoreactivity in lateral neurosecretory cells of abdominal ganglia.

Because leucokinins stimulate diuresis in some insects, we wished to identify the neurosecretory cells in Manduca sexta that might be a source of leucokinin-like neurohormones. Immunostaining was done at various stages of development, using an antiserum to leucokinin IV. Bilateral pairs of neurosecretory cells in abdominal ganglia 3–7 of larvae and adults are immunoreactive; these cells project via the ipsilateral ventral nerves to the neurohemal transverse nerves. The immunoreactivity and size of these lateral cells greatly increases in the pharate adult, and this change appears to be related to a period of intensive diuresis occurring a few days before adult eclosion. Relationships of these neurons to cells that are immunoreactive to a M. sexta diuretic hormone were also investigated. Diuretic hormone and leucokinin immunoreactivity are co-localized in the lateral neurosecretory cells and their neurohemal projections. A median pair of leucokinin-immunoreactive, and a lateral pair of diuretic hormone-immunoreactive neurons in the larval terminal abdominal ganglion project to neurohemal release sites within the cryptonephridium. The immunoreactivity of these cells is lost as the cryptonephridium is eliminated during metamorphosis. This loss appears to be related to the change from the larval to adult pattern of diuresis.
Modified state observer based adaptation of a general aviation aircraft - simulation and flight test

This paper presents some issues encountered while flight testing a Model Reference Adaptive dynamic inverse controller (MRAC), on a General Aviation (GA) fly-by-wire test bed. Adaptation was replaced with a Modified State Observer (MSO) method which shows promising results in simulation. The flight test results of the MRAC summarized in this paper show PLA surging issues due to adaptation during the commanded flight path angle and airspeed. To overcome this problem, MSO based adaptation methodology is adopted to control the longitudinal dynamics of a typical general aviation aircraft. The advantage of MSO is that it adapts to estimation error, not modeling or tracking error. The controller performance is evaluated for elevator and engine dynamics along with the thrust saturation limits. The elevator model considered in this study deals with a very large delay (200 msec) in the elevator servo. The thrust saturation depends on engine shaft horse power limits that simulate the flight test condition. A controlled flight simulation is carried out including the turbulence effects observed during flight. Controller design using the saturated thrust is used in flight test conditions, where the thrust generated by the engine is not an observable state. The simulation results showing the controller adaptability to flight path angle and airspeed commands are promising. The random PLA surge seen during the simulation and flight test of the baseline MRAC controller is not observed in the simulation results of MSO adaptation controller. Hardware-In-Loop (HIL) Ground Tests and Flight test of MSO based controller is scheduled in the near future.
Placement optimization using data context collected during garbage collection

We present a study on data context for object-oriented programs. We first introduce several data structures related to data context that can properly organize object fields, object types and the access sequence in a compact manner. Our approach combines the collection of data context with commonly used garbage collectors in a virtual machine environment. The garbage collector maintains extra runtime data for the building of data contexts with minimal overhead. To save memory space and also the time spent on retrieving data, a shorter representation is proposed which sacrifices a small amount of accuracy. To further demonstrate the usefulness of data context for dynamic optimizations, we implemented a placement optimization that captures data accesses that frequently miss, and places relevant objects to reduce data cache misses and improve performance.The proposed scheme was measured with several benchmarks and in various experimental setups. We demonstrate that building the data context for program understanding and optimization is valuable in a virtual machine environment by using a garbage collector, while adding less than 1% extra overhead.
Investigation of dopamine receptor (DRD4) and dopamine transporter (DAT) polymorphisms for genetic linkage or association to panic disorder.

Clinical and animal studies suggest a role for the neurotransmitter dopamine in anxiety states. In humans, one such condition is panic disorder, which is typified by recurrent panic attacks accompanied by anticipatory anxiety. Family, segregation, and twin studies imply a genetic component to the pathophysiology of panic disorder. In this study, we examined the genes for the D4 dopamine receptor (DRD4) and the dopamine transporter (DAT) using three common sequence polymorphisms. Two of these polymorphisms were in DRD4, a 12 base-pair insertion/deletion in exon 1 and a 48 base-pair repeat in exon 3, and the third was a 40 base-pair repeat in the 3′ untranslated region of DAT. We employed a family-based design, using 622 individuals in 70 families, as well as 82 haplotype relative risk “trios”. Subjects were genotyped at the polymorphic loci, and the data were analyzed for genetic association and linkage. There were no significant differences in allele frequencies or occurrence of genotypes within the triads for any of the three polymorphisms. No significant linkage between the DRD4 or DAT polymorphisms and panic disorder was observed in the multiplex families, using a variety of simulations for dominant and recessive models of inheritance. However, LOD scores of ∼1.1 and 1.05 were observed for the DAT and DRD4 exon 1 loci, respectively. The results reported here provide little support for the role of these polymorphisms in panic disorder. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 96:324–330, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Error latency measurements in symbolic architectures

Error latency, the time that elapses between the occurrence of an error and its detection, has a significant effect on reliability. In computer systems, failure rates can be elevated during a burst of system activity due to increased detection of latent errors. A hybrid monitoring environment is developed to measure the error latency distribution of errors occurring in main memory. The objective of this study is to develop a methodology for gauging the dependability of individual data categories within a real-time application. The hybrid monitoring technique is novel in that it selects and categorizes a specific subset of the available blocks of memory to monitor. The precise times of reads and writes are collected, so no actual faults need be injected. Unlike previous monitoring studies that rely on a periodic sampling approach or on statistical approximation, this new approach permits continuous monitoring of referencing activity and precise measurement of error latency.
Detecting deep seismic reflectors aboard the R/V atlantis II

Multiple reflections in the water column often make the detection of deep seismic reflectors in oceanographic exploration very difficult. A novel method of modelling the unwanted feedback generating these multiples is introduced. This model formulates the removal of the multiples as a system identification problem, and the maximum likelihood method of statistics is used to derive an algorithm for estimating the model parameters. This algorithm can be implemented on a small on board computer and yields an enhanced performance over comparable methods previously used. Experimental results of applying the algorithm using data taken aboard the R/V Atlantis II of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute's IDOE cruise to the Southwest African coast are presented.
Proton magnetic resonance investigation of the association of adenine and uracil derivatives in chloroform solution.

Abstract The hydrogen-bonded associations of adenine and uracil derivatives in chloroform solutions have been investigated using high-resolution proton magnetic resonance. The adenine-uracil chemical-shift mixing curves for various derivatives confirm that the equilibrium constants for the hydrogen-bonding interaction are directly reflected in the magnitudes of the observed association shifts. Halogenated uracil derivatives interact more strongly with adenine than does uracil. When the nucleoside solutions are concentrated, the data for the association of adenine and uracil is consistent with the formation of 1:2 triplets. Adenine derivatives which can only form pairs with uracil due to steric hinderance or to reduction of the number of hydrogen-bonding groups, have about half the equilibrium constant of association found for adenine itself. A deshielding effect on ring protons of base-pair formation is reported. Hydrogen-bond formation results in down-field shifts of the protons in the planes of the rings. These shifts are greatest for the C(8)-purine protons and are very small for pyrimidine protons.
Polyphase Ceramic and Glass-Ceramic forms for Immobilizing ICPP High-Level Nuclear Waste

Polyphase ceramic and glass-ceramic forms have been consolidated from simulated Idaho Chemical Processing Plant wastes by hot isostatic pressing calcined waste and chemical additives at 1000°C or less. The ceramic forms can contain over 70 wt% waste with densities ranging from 3.5 to 3.85 g/cm3, depending upon the formulation. Major phases are CaF2, CaZrTi2O7, CaTiO3, monoclinic ZrO2, and amorphous intergranular material. The relative fraction of the phases is a function of the chemical additives (TiO2, CaO, and Si02) and consolidation temperature. Zirconolite, the major actinide host, makes the ceramic forms extremely leach resistant for the actinide simulant U238. The amorphous phase controls the leach performance for Sr and Cs which is improved by the addition of SiO2. Glass-ceramic forms were also consolidated by HIP at waste loadings of 30 to 70 wt% with densities of 2.73 to 3.1 g/cm3 using Exxon 127 borosilicate glass frit. The glass-ceramic forms contain crystalline CaF2, Al2O3, and ZrSiO4 (zircon) in a glass matrix. Natural mineral zircon is a stable host for 4+ valent actinides.