cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Local Control Following Permanent Prostate Brachytherapy: Effect of High Biologically Effective Dose on Biopsy Results and Oncologic Outcomes

Purpose To determine factors that influence local control and systemic relapse in patients undergoing permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB). Methods and Materials A total of 584 patients receiving PPB alone or PPB with external beam radiation therapy (19.5%) agreed to undergo prostate biopsy (PB) at 2 years postimplantion and yearly if results were positive or if the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level increased. Short-term hormone therapy was used with 280 (47.9%) patients. Radiation doses were converted to biologically effective doses (BED) (using α/β = 2). Comparisons were made by chi-square analysis and linear regression. Survival was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The median PSA concentration was 7.1 ng/ml, and the median follow-up period was 7.1 years. PB results were positive for 48/584 (8.2%) patients. Positive biopsy results by BED group were as follows: 22/121 (18.2%) patients received a BED of ≤150 Gy; 15/244 (6.1%) patients received >150 to 200 Gy; and 6/193 (3.1%; p 200 Gy. Significant associations of positive PB results by risk group were low-risk group BED ( p = 0.019), intermediate-risk group hormone therapy ( p = 0.011) and BED ( p = 0.040), and high-risk group BED ( p = 0.004). Biochemical freedom from failure rate at 7 years was 82.7%. Biochemical freedom from failure rate by PB result was 84.7% for negative results vs. 59.2% for positive results ( p p = 0.038) and PB results ( p = 0.002) in low-risk patients, with BED ( p = 0.003) in intermediate-risk patients, and with Gleason score ( p = 0.006), PSA level ( p p = 0.038) in high-risk patients. Fifty-three (9.1%) patients died, of which eight deaths were due to prostate cancer. Cause-specific survival was 99.2% for negative PB results vs. 87.6% for positive PB results ( p Conclusions Higher radiation doses are required to achieve local control following PPB. A BED of >200 Gy with an α/β ratio of 2 yields 96.9% local control rate. Failure to establish local control impacts survival.
The neurophysiology of reminiscence.

When this stimulation of the hippocampal gyrus was carried out, the hippocampal formation and amygdaloid nucleus were still intact. But the rest of the anterior half of the temporal lobe had been removed. The fact that stimulation could still produce a flash-back of former experience would support the suggestion that comes from other evidence (Milner and Penfield, 1958) that the hippocampus of the two sides is, in fact, the repository of the ganglionic patterns that preserve the record of the stream of consciousness. If not the repository, then each hippocampus plays an important role in the mechanism of reactivation of that record (Penfield and Roberts, 1959, Speech and brain mechanisms. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press).
DIGITAL ADAPTIVE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AEROSPACE VEHICLES

The application of digital adaptive control techniques to flight control of an aerospace vehicle is presented. A digital adaptive flight control system is described which uses identification and synthesis processes to determine what changes in control parameters are required to adapt to changes in the dynamics of an aerospace vehicle as it experiences a wide range of flight conditions. Identification of vehicle dynamics is accomplished hy an improved identification technique that uses correlation of control signals caused by input fluctuations and does not require special test inputs that may disturb normal system operation. Synthesis of digital compensation to provide stabilization and desired response characteristics is accomplished by means of an analytical synthesis technique that determines the parameters of a digital compensator from information about the vehicle dynamics obtained by the identification technique and from performance criteria established by the system designer. A digital computer simulation of a digital adaptive pitch rate flight control system was performed which included identification of a fourth-order aerospace vehicle and actuation system and synthesis of a fourth-order digital compensator,
Assessment of dispersion corrections in DFT calculations on large biological systems

The performance of empirical dispersion corrections in DFT calculations has been assessed for several large, genuine biological systems that include MbAB, H64L(AB), and V68N(AB) (AB = CO, O2), where Mb stands for a wild-type myoglobin, H64L is the (histidine64 → leucine) mutated myoglobin, and V68N is the (valine68 → asparagine) mutated myoglobin. The effects of the local protein environment are accounted for by including the five nearest surrounding residues in the calculated systems and they are examined by comparing the binding energies of AB to the myoglobin and to the porphyrin (Por) without residues. Three versions of Grimme's dispersion correction methods, labeled as DFT-D1, DFT-D2, and DFT-D3, were all tested. In the first version (-D1), the dispersion correction (Edisp) is calculated only for noncovalent interactions between molecular fragments and Edisp within a covalent molecule is not calculated. For the DFT functionals, for which the calculated Por–AB binding energies are already too large, o...
Role of proteoglycans in endochondral ossification: inhibition of calcification.

Proteoglycans from bovine nasal septa and from the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma were isolated as aggregates (PGC) and as monomers (PGS). Portions of the PGC preparations were degraded with cathepsin D or chondroitinase AC. Chondroitin sulfates were isolated by differential precipitation from alkaline digests of the PGS from bovine nasal septa. The effects of these preparations at concentrations up to 2 mg/ml on the precipitation of tricalcium phosphatein vitro at pH 7.8 in 16 hours at 25°C were ascertained. To this end, the amounts of calcium and phosphate in the precipitates and in the supernates were determined. The PGC preparations were found to be very effective inhibitors; in the presence of 2 mg/ml, precipitate did not form. The PGS preparations were less effective than the PGC preparations; in the presence of 2 mg/ml, about 20% as much calcium phosphate precipitated as in their absence. The chondroitinase AC-degraded preparations at concentrations equivalent to 2 mg/ml of the PGC preparations were approximately as effective as the PGS preparations. On the other hand, the cathepsin D-degraded PGC preparations and the chondroitin sulfate chains were relatively poor inhibitors. Although the viscosity of the solutions may have influenced the rate at which the precipitates settled to the bottom of the bubes, the amounts of the tricalcium phosphate formed were related to the composition and concentration of the proteoglycan preparations.
Does social capital matter? Evidence from a five-country group lending experiment

Does social capital matter to economic decision-making? We address this broad question through an artefactual group lending experiment carried out in five countries: India, Kenya, Guatemala, Armenia, and the Philippines, obtaining data on 10,673 contribution decisions from 1,554 subjects in 259 experimental borrowing groups. We carry out treatments for social homogeneity, group monitoring, and borrowing group self-selection. Results show that societal trust positively and significantly influences group loan contribution rates, that group lending appears to create as well as harness social capital, and that peer monitoring can have perverse as well as beneficial effects. Copyright 2010 Oxford University Press 2010 All rights reserved, Oxford University Press.
Ambiguity and decision problems for local adjunct languages

Some of the formal properties of the local adjunct languages of Joshi, Kosaraju, and Yamada are developed. This class of languages is a proper subclass of the context-free languages and is related to the star languages. The first result is that a bounded context-free language is a local adjunct language iff it is regular. Next, many questions regarding local adjunct grammars and languages are shown to be unsolvable. In particular, it is not solvable if the local adjunct language generated by an arbitrary (local adjunct) grammar is regular. Finally, an inherently ambiguous local adjunct language (with respect to the class of local adjunct grammars) is demonstrated.
A negotiation model for teaching critical thinking

A negotiation model for thinking about controversial issues in psychology is presented. Based on the method described in Fisher and Ury's (1991) book, Getting to “Yes,” the model gives students a framework for managing conflicts, including conflicting positions on controversial issues. I describe how role-playing and simulations are used with the model. Relations between the negotiation model and two other models of critical thinking are examined briefly.
Molecular phylogeny of the flaA short variable region among Campylobacter jejuni isolates collected during an annual evaluation of poultry flocks in the Southeastern United States.

Production and processing samples were collected from eight commercial poultry flocks in the southeastern United States and examined for the presence of Campylobacter spp. In an effort to determine relatedness, recovered isolates were typed using flaA short variable region (SVR) DNA sequence analysis. Six of the eight production flocks tested were Campylobacter positive. In general, multiple Campylobacter flaA SVR types were present within a flock. Additionally, types found within a flock were also recovered from the final processed carcass. However, in two cases, the population of Campylobacter flaA SVR types on the processed carcass differed from those recovered from the production samples. Comparison of subtypes among flocks reared on different farms and during different seasons revealed that subtypes of Campylobacter spp. persisted throughout the year and in different locations. Environmental samples from seven of the eight farms tested were also Campylobacter positive. In one flock, a drag swab of th...
PHENOL AND ALCOHOL CHEMICAL MATRIXECTOMY IN DIABETIC VERSUS NONDIABETIC PATIENTS : A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

The authors performed a retrospective study of the safety and efficacy of toenail phenol and alcohol chemical matrixectomy in diabetic versus nondiabetic patients. Participating in the study were 66 patients, who underwent 137 nail procedures. The diabetic group consisted of 18 patients who underwent 39 procedures; the nondiabetic group consisted of 48 patients who underwent 98 procedures. The mean (+/- SD) healing time was 44 +/- 25 days for the diabetic group and 43 +/- 24 days for the nondiabetic group. The infection rate was 10.3% (4 of 39 procedures) for the diabetic group and 12.2% (12 of 98 procedures) for the nondiabetic group. In addition to validating this procedure for diabetic patients, this study showed no significant differences in the rate of postoperative complications between the two groups.
HIV‐1 tat protein induces a migratory phenotype in human fetal microglia by a CCL2 (MCP‐1)‐dependent mechanism: Possible role in NeuroAIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) encephalitis and dementia are characterized by neuronal loss, astrogliosis, and microglia activation and migration that contribute to the formation of multinucleated giant cells. Despite extensive evidence of pathological changes in the brain of infected individuals, the mechanisms of human immune deficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry, microglia migration, and viral propagation within the brain are still not completely understood. In this study, we report that the induction of a migratory phenotype in human fetal microglia by the HIV-1 transactivator protein, tat, is mediated by the chemokine, CCL2. CCL2 or tat treatment alone induced rearrangement of actin and the formation of microglial processes. The time course of cell membrane ruffling induced by CCL2 was faster (5-30 min) than that elicited by tat treatment (2-3 h). Our previous data in human fetal microglia showed that tat induces CCL2 expression. Thus, we examined whether tat-induced microglia membrane ruffling and process formation, critical components in cell migration, are mediated by the secretion of CCL2 by these cells. To test this hypothesis, we treated microglia with tat protein in the presence of neutralizing CCL2 antibodies. Co-treatment with neutralizing CCL2 antibodies resulted in the loss of tat-induced membrane ruffling. Tat treatment of microglia induced polarization of CCR2, the receptor for CCL2, to the leading edge of processes, further suggesting a CCL2-dependent mechanism of tat-induced microglia migration. Our data indicate that tat facilitates microglia migration by inducing autocrine CCL2 release. Our results suggest that tat induced CCL2 secretion may be one of the early signals during NeuroAIDS.
Psychotherapist bias with Hispanics: an analog study

This study used an innovative analog design to explore the influence of ethnicity on psychotherapists' clinical judgment. A total of 56 non-Hispanic White psychologists viewed one of two videotapes of a mock intake session that were identical exceptfor client ethnicity. The client was depicted with white skin color speaking standard English (non-Hispanic White guise) in one. In the other, the same actress appeared with dark skin color speaking English with a Hispanic accent (Hispanic guise). MANOVA indicated significantunivariate effects of ethnic guise on ratings ofprognosis with treatment, ability to empathize with the client, and blunted affect. Poor prognosis, lower empathy, and greater blunted affect were associated with the Hispanic ethnic guise.
Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) Regulate Fibrin-invasive Activity via MT1-MMP–dependent and –independent Processes

Cross-linked fibrin is deposited in tissues surrounding wounds, inflammatory sites, or tumors and serves not only as a supporting substratum for trafficking cells, but also as a structural barrier to invasion. While the plasminogen activator-plasminogen axis provides cells with a powerful fibrinolytic system, plasminogen-deleted animals use alternate proteolytic processes that allow fibrin invasion to proceed normally. Using fibroblasts recovered from wild-type or gene-deleted mice, invasion of three-dimensional fibrin gels proceeded in a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-dependent fashion. Consistent with earlier studies supporting a singular role for the membrane-anchored MMP, MT1-MMP, in fibrin-invasive events, fibroblasts from MT1-MMP–null mice displayed an early defect in invasion. However, MT1-MMP–deleted fibroblasts circumvented this early deficiency and exhibited compensatory fibrin-invasive activity. The MT1-MMP–independent process was sensitive to MMP inhibitors that target membrane-anchored MMPs, and further studies identified MT2-MMP and MT3-MMP, but not MT4-MMP, as alternate pro-invasive factors. Given the widespread distribution of MT1-, 2-, and 3-MMP in normal and neoplastic cells, these data identify a subset of membrane-anchored MMPs that operate in an autonomous fashion to drive fibrin-invasive activity.
Provisionally unique autosomal recessive chondrodysplasia punctata syndrome

Stippled epiphyses occur in several monogenie, teratogenic, or aneuploidy syndromes. We describe two sibs with a provisionally unique chondrodysplasia punctata syndrome, who have, in addition to stippled epiphyses, minor facial anomalies, short stature, and ocular colobomata. Inheritance of this condition is likely autosomal recessive. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Variability in leaf optical properties among 26 species from a broad range of habitats.

Leaves from 26 species with growth forms from annual herbs to trees were collected from open, intermediate, and shaded understory habitats in Mississippi and Kansas, USA. Leaf optical properties including reflectance, transmittance, and absorptance in visible and near infrared (NIR) wavelengths were measured along with leaf thickness and specific leaf mass (SLM). These leaf properties and internal light scattering have been reported to vary with light availability in studies that have focused on a limited number of species. Our objective was to determine whether these patterns in leaf optics and light availability were consistent when a greater number of species were evaluated. Leaf thickness and SLM varied by tenfold among species sampled, but within-habitat variance was high. Although there was a strong trend toward thicker leaves in open habitats, only SLM was significantly greater in open vs. understory habitats. In contrast, leaf optical properties were strikingly similar among habitats. Reflectance and reflectance/transmittance in the NIR were used to estimate internal light scattering and there were strong relationships (r 2 . 0.65) between these optical properties and leaf thickness. We concluded that leaf thickness, which did not vary consistently among habitats, was the best predictor of NIR reflectance and internal light scattering. However, because carbon allocation to leaves was lower in understory species (low SLM) yet gross optical properties were similar among all habitats, the energy investment by shade leaves required to achieve optical equivalence with sun leaves was lower. Differences in leaf longevity and growth form within a habitat may help explain the lack of consistent patterns in leaf optics as the number of species sampled increases.
SYMPATHETIC AND PARASYMPATHETIC EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM OF DOGS UNDER HALOTHANE ANESTHESIA

Summary Evidence of sympathetic or parasympathetic stimulation of the cardiovascular system has been obtained in dogs under halothane anesthesia following acupuncture. Acupuncture at Jen Chung (Go-26), which is located on the phithrum, results in sympathetic input and an increase in cardiac output, heart rate and mean arterial pressure. These effects can be inhibited by the beta adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol. Acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36), which is located distal to the lateral condyle of the tibia, results in parasympathetic input and decrease in cardiac output. This effect is inhibited by atropine.
Dysbiosis and Immune Dysregulation in Outer Space

In space, the lifestyle, relative sterility of spaceship and extreme environmental stresses, such as microgravity and cosmic radiation, can compromise the balance between human body and human microbiome. An astronaut's body during spaceflight encounters increased risk for microbial infections and conditions because of immune dysregulation and altered microbiome, i.e. dysbiosis. This risk is further heightened by increase in virulence of pathogens in microgravity. Health status of astronauts might potentially benefit from maintaining a healthy microbiome by specifically managing their diet on space in addition to probiotic therapies. This review focuses on the current knowledge/understanding of how spaceflight affects human immunity and microbiome.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vpr-Dependent Cell Cycle Arrest through a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signal Transduction Pathway

ABSTRACT The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpr protein has important functions in advancing HIV pathogenesis via several effects on the host cell. Vpr mediates nuclear import of the preintegration complex, induces host cell apoptosis, and inhibits cell cycle progression at G2, which increases HIV gene expression. Some of Vpr9s activities have been well described, but some functions, such as cell cycle arrest, are not yet completely characterized, although components of the ATR DNA damage repair pathway and the Cdc25C and Cdc2 cell cycle control mechanisms clearly play important roles. We investigated the mechanisms underlying Vpr-mediated cell cycle arrest by examining global cellular gene expression profiles in cell lines that inducibly express wild-type and mutant Vpr proteins. We found that Vpr expression is associated with the down-regulation of genes in the MEK2-ERK pathway and with decreased phosphorylation of the MEK2 effector protein ERK. Exogenous provision of excess MEK2 reverses the cell cycle arrest associated with Vpr, confirming the involvement of the MEK2-ERK pathway in Vpr-mediated cell cycle arrest. Vpr therefore appears to arrest the cell cycle at G2/M through two different mechanisms, the ATR mechanism and a newly described MEK2 mechanism. This redundancy suggests that Vpr-mediated cell cycle arrest is important for HIV replication and pathogenesis. Our findings additionally reinforce the idea that HIV can optimize the host cell environment for viral replication.
Understanding the building blocks of dynamic systems

We report three empirical studies intended to clarify why individuals misperceive the relationships between stocks and flows. We tested whether familiarity with the problem type, motivation to solve the problem, or the graphical presentation of the problem affected participants’ understanding of stock and flow relationships. We conclude that the misperceptions of stocks and flows are a pervasive and important problem in human reasoning. Neither the domain familiarity nor increased motivation helped individuals improve their perception of stock and flow relationships; but it seems that the graphical representation directs attention to flows and not stocks, setting the stage for subsequent mistakes. Individuals attend to the most salient points of a graph rather than comprehending the overall accumulation over time. Future research needs to investigate several aspects of the problem representations, such as the use of physical or textual rather than graphical representations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The topologies of communication protocol of distributed-process systems

For improving the performance of dis tributed processor systems (DPS), the communication protocol among processors is very important and has much room to improve. In this paper, we issue the novel protocol and algorithms of communication, and data-receive and data send, respectively, to implement high-speed data transmission between processors of the DPS to archive and application the distance learning systems, respectively.
Obesity and the Obesity Paradox in Heart Failure

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the general population and is associated with an increased risk for the development of new-onset heart failure (HF). However, in acute and chronic HF, overweight and mild to moderate obesity is associated with substantially improved survival compared with normal weight. This phenomenon has been termed the "obesity paradox" in HF. The majority of data pertaining to the obesity paradox identifies obesity with body mass index; however, the reliability of this method has been questioned. Newer studies have explored the use of other measures of body fat and body composition, including waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, skinfold thickness, and bioelectrical impedance analysis of body composition. The relationship between the obesity paradox and cardiorespiratory fitness in HF is also discussed in this review, and we explore the various potential explanations for the obesity paradox and summarize the current evidence and guidelines for intentional weight loss treatments for HF in the obese population.
SIR3P DOMAINS INVOLVED IN THE INITIATION OF TELOMERIC SILENCING IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that tethering of Sir3p at the subtelomeric/telomeric junction restores silencing in strains containing Rap1-17p, a mutant protein unable to recruit Sir3p. This tethered silencing assay serves as a model system for the early events that follow recruitment of silencing factors, a process we term initiation. A series of LexA fusion proteins in-frame with various Sir3p fragments were constructed and tested for their ability to support tethered silencing. Interestingly, a region comprising only the C-terminal 144 amino acids, termed the C-terminal domain (CTD), is both necessary and sufficient for restoration of silencing. Curiously, the LexA-Sir3(N205) mutant protein overcomes the requirement for the CTD, possibly by unmasking a cryptic initiation site. A second domain spanning amino acids 481-835, termed the nonessential for initiation domain (NID), is dispensable for the Sir3p function in initiation, but is required for the recruitment of the Sir4p C terminus. In addition, in the absence of the N-terminal 481 amino acids, the NID negatively influences CTD activity. This suggests the presence of a third region, consisting of the N-terminal half (1-481) of Sir3p, termed the positive regulatory domain (PRD), which is required to initiate silencing in the presence of the NID. These data suggest that the CTD "active" site is under both positive and negative control mediated by multiple Sir3p domains.
Symbolic animals and the developing self

This study examined developmental changes in animal symbols of the self, as revealed by identification with six animals (lion, eagle, bear, rabbit, lamb and cow) by children aged from 4 to 5 years ...
Rho-Kinase Mediates Hypoxia-Induced Downregulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase

Background— Hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Hypoxia induces pulmonary vasoconstriction, in part, by decreasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. The mechanism by which hypoxia decreases eNOS expression is not known but may involve Rho-kinase–induced actin cytoskeletal changes in vascular endothelial cells. Methods and Results— To determine whether hypoxia regulates eNOS expression through Rho-kinase, we exposed human saphenous and pulmonary artery endothelial cells to hypoxia (3% O2) with and without a Rho-kinase inhibitor, hydroxyfasudil (0.1 to 100 μmol/L), for various durations (0 to 48 hours). Hypoxia increased Rho-kinase expression and activity by 50% and 74%, decreased eNOS mRNA and protein expression by 66±3% and 57±5%, and inhibited eNOS activity by 48±9%. All of these effects of hypoxia on eNOS were reversed by cotreatment with hydroxyfasudil. Furthermore, inhibition of Rho by Clostridium botulinum C3 transferase or Rho-kinase...
Performance of 40 Gbps signals in a folded-path optical delay buffer

The feasibility of storing 40 Gbps RZ-OOK and RZ-DPSK signals in dynamically reconfigurable, folded-path optical delay buffers is demonstrated for the first time. For RZ-DPSK signals, the power penalty due to the buffer is negligible.
Protein Interactions Two Methods for Assessment of the Reliability of High Throughput Observations

High throughput methods for detecting protein interactions require assessment of their accuracy. We present two forms of computational assessment. The first method is the expression profile reliability (EPR) index. The EPR index estimates the biologically relevant fraction of protein interactions detected in a high throughput screen. It does so by comparing the RNA expression profiles for the proteins whose interactions are found in the screen with expression profiles for known interacting and non-interacting pairs of proteins. The second form of assessment is the paralogous verification method (PVM). This method judges an interaction likely if the putatively interacting pair has paralogs that also interact. In contrast to the EPR index, which evaluates datasets of interactions, PVM scores individual interactions. On a test set, PVM identifies correctly 40% of true interactions with a false positive rate of ∼1%. EPR and PVM were applied to the Database of Interacting Proteins (DIP), a large and diverse collection of protein-protein interactions that contains over 8000 Saccharomyces cerevisiae pairwise protein interactions. Using these two methods, we estimate that ∼50% of them are reliable, and with the aid of PVM we identify confidently 3003 of them. Web servers for both the PVM and EPR methods are available on the DIP website (dip.doe-mbi.ucla.edu/Services.cgi).
Improving Approximate Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

A numerical method is described for improving estimates for eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a wide class of operators, including those which arise in structural applications. The method, a modification of the Newton-Raphson technique, is applied to the solution of linear eigenvalue problems for systems with a finite number of degrees-of-freedom as well as for continuous systems. In addition, the extensions to cases of multiple eigenvalues and to problems involving nonlinear structural response are developed. Numerical results are presented for three examples. A fourth case dealing with nonlinear structural response is described briefly.
Resistivity soundings and VLF profiles for siting groundwater wells in a fractured basement aquifer in the Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Seasonal shortages of groundwater are common in parts of the Arabian Shield, where complex basement hydrogeology can make siting of water wells difficult. To identify optimal production well locations, six 200-400 m-long Very Low Frequency (VLF) electromagnetic traverses and ten Vertical Electrical Soundings (VESes) were run at the western edge of the Arabian Shield near At-Taif town, Saudi Arabia. Here wadi sediments overlie fractured Precambrian basement, which in turn overlies unfractured basement. The fractured basement forms the water supply aquifer. Both VLF and VES data indicate significant lateral heterogeneity in the electrical conductivity of both wadi and basement deposits over lengths scales as small as ∼100 m. VES results correlate closely with data from two wells in the study area. The change in resistivity at the wadi-to-fractured basement contact is relatively subtle, but the transition from low resistivity fractured basement to high resistivity unfractured basement is well resolved. Inferred wadi thicknesses range from 0 to 14 m; the electrically conductive fractured basement extends from wadi down to 12–32 m depth. VES data indicate the fractured basement aquifer thickens progressively to the south in this area. A production well, sited on the basis of the VES analysis, successfully yielded 70m 3 /day. The relationship between VLF and VES data is complex, suggesting that the terrain is heterogeneous on the scale of the different effective sampling volumes of the two methods, and/or that fracture azimuth is locally heterogeneous. Overall resistivities in this study are similar to those observed at other locations in Saudi Arabia, suggesting these methods may be widely applicable for siting of groundwater wells in the complex basement of the Arabian Shield.
Deducing behaviors from primitive movement attributes

The research reported here anticipates the future of smart buildings by developing algorithms that categorize the movements of individuals based on such characteristics as motion vectors, velocity vectors, head orientation vectors and predetermined positions. The intended applications include detecting intrusions, helping lost visitors, and changing the artwork on virtual posters to reflect an individual's presumed interests. The vectors we capture represent trajectories in a multi-dimensional space. To make sense out of these, we first segment a trajectory into sub-trajectories, typically based on time. To describe each sub-trajectory, we use primitive patterns of body movement and additional information, e.g., average speed during this interval, head movement and place or object nearby. That is, for each sub-trajectory, we use a tuple of the following form: (interval_ID, body_movement, avg_speed, head_movement, places_passed). Since trajectories may have many outliers introduced by sensor failures or uneven human movement, we have developed a neural network-based pattern extraction subsystem that can handle intervals with noisy data. The choice of these attributes and our current classification of behaviors do not imply that these are the only or best ways to categorize behaviors. However, we do not see that as the focus of the research reported here. Rather, our goal is to show that the use of primitive attributes (low level), neural networks to identify categories of recognizable simple behaviors (middle level) and a regular expression-based means of describing intent (high level) is sufficient to provide a means to convert observable low-level attributes into the recognition of potential intents.
Current Status of Digital Radiography

Digital Imaging performance is limited primarily by the components constituting the imaging chain and by fundamental physical constraints implicit with x-ray transmission imaging. Undue attention too often is focused on the image processing gymnastics of which a particular system is capable. No amount of image processing, however, could do more to recover information degraded by a faulty or improperly applied imaging component than would improving that component’s performance. It is unfortunate that the weakest link in the imaging chain always has the greatest impact on ultimate imaging performance, but if one component is unacceptably poor, then the entire chain will be inferior despite the quality of other components, including the image processor. The greatest improvements in digital imaging performance will be affected either by improvements in the imaging chain or by a fundamentally different imaging approach.
Personal Income Tax Revenue Rebounds as Sales Tax Falters

The authors say that in the first quarter of 2007, personal income tax revenue increased, ending a two-quarter decline, but still lagged behind the growth for the first quarter of 2006. Sales tax collections grew 2.8 percent, the lowest increase in four years.
American Exceptionalism: Implications for Strategic Communication

All nations seem exceptional to themselves, some perhaps more than others, but the United States of America, having achieved the status of sole superpower, wins the gold. Yet America’s Exceptionalism does not refer to its unique success; this imprecise and wildly misunderstood term has come to imply a spectrum of alleged and imagined motivating factors, ranging from unparalleled acquisitiveness fueling messianic militarism to a kind of ideological colonialism on steroids, euphemistically camouflaged as spreading democracy. What most irks those who accuse America of Exceptionalism is what they take to be an air of blatant self-righteousness as it assumes the role of self-appointed global savior, when in fact, they charge, the US is merely pursuing its own grubby self-interest just like everybody else—only more so. If there is anything really “Exceptional” about Americans, charge its critics, it is the sanctification of greed by any other name.
Approximate game theoretic analysis for large simulation-based games

1. SIMULATION-BASED GAME THEORY Multi-agent systems research raises many interesting questions about the actions of autonomous, interacting decisionmakers. Game theory helps to answer some of those questions by providing a mathematical language for representing and reasoning about the incentives of self-interested autonomous agents. As is often the case with mathematical modeling, creating tractable game-theoretic models frequently requires abstracting away many aspects of the system under investigation. Simulation-based game theory constructs richer game models using agent-based simulation, but still suers from tradeos between tractability and accuracy. My research agenda focuses rst on improving this tradeo by developing techniques for simulation-based game theory to conduct better analysis with limited simulation data and second on applying these techniques to understand complex interactions. My thesis will present novel methods that improve the tools available for simulation-based game theory and demonstrate the application of these tools to uncover new results in multi-agent systems of interest. The fundamental building block of a simulation-based game model is the environment simulator. The simulator takes as input a strategy for each agent, simulates those strategies interacting, and outputs a payo
Preparation of Electropolished Transverse Sections of Thin Aluminum Sheet for Transmission Electron Microscopy

The preparation of transverse section TEM foils from thin (0.2 mm to 1.5 mm) aluminum sheet would usually be accomplished by a combination of dimpling and ion milling. Both of these techniques are time consuming. A technique has been developed which allows these transverse section foils to be prepared by electropolishing, which greatly reduces the time required for specimen preparation. This technique also produces far more thin area for examination than a comparable foil which has been dimpled and ion milled, and eliminates artifacts produced by ion milling.
Recognizing the Enemy: Combining Reinforcement Learning with Strategy Selection Using Case-Based Reasoning

This paper presents CBRetaliate , an agent that combines Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) and Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithms. Unlike most previous work where RL is used to improve accuracy in the action selection process, CBRetaliate uses CBR to allow RL to respond more quickly to changing conditions. CBRetaliate combines two key features: it uses a time window to compute similarity and stores and reuses complete Q-tables for continuous problem solving. We demonstrate CBRetaliate on a team-based first-person shooter game, where our combined CBR+RL approach adapts quicker to changing tactics by an opponent than standalone RL.
What is the Future of Healthcare in the United States

Reports of rising costs, aging populations, budget cuts, and physician burnout can be distressing for medical professionals. Politicians tout polarizing viewpoints about how to address healthcare inequalities and improve outcomes. Litigation and insurance companies seem to have an increasing-and for some-unwelcome presence in patient care. However, it is also exciting that our society today so highly values healthcare that it is a topic of heated debate. When many news outlets focus on trivial pop culture news, it is refreshing that our peers and politicians spend their time seeking to improve a system that so deeply affects our lives. It is comforting to know that issues of life and death-as well as quality of life-are not lost. There is passion in the discussion of the future of healthcare and for that, we can be grateful.
Prefrontal Cortex: Structure and Anatomy

The prefrontal cortex in primates occupies the anterior part of the frontal lobe on the lateral, medial, and basal surfaces of the brain. Most prefrontal areas have six layers, including a granular layer IV, except for posterior orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal areas, which have fewer than six layers and belong to the cortical limbic system. Prefrontal cortices receive projections from a large variety of sensory association and polymodal cortices, have strong connections with the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, and have direct access to cortical and subcortical motor control systems. Lateral prefrontal cortices are connected with temporal and parietal areas associated with cognitive functions, while orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate areas have robust connections with the amygdala and medial temporal structures associated with emotions and memory. Connections between distinct prefrontal areas suggest that they collaborate in behavior.
Prolonged patient emergence time among clinical anesthesia resident trainees

Background and Aims: Emergence time, or the duration between incision closure and extubation, is costly nonoperative time. Efforts to improve operating room efficiency and identify trainee progress make such time intervals of interest. We sought to calculate the incidence of prolonged emergence (i.e., >15 min) for patients under the care of clinical anesthesia (CA) residents. We also sought to identify factors from resident training, medical history, anesthetic use, and anesthesia staffing, which affect emergence. Material and Methods: In this single-center, historical cohort study, perioperative information management systems provided data for surgical cases under resident care at a tertiary care center in the United States from 2006 to 2008. Using multiple logistic regression, the effects of variables on emergence was analyzed. Results: Of 7687 cases under the care of 27 residents, the incidence of prolonged emergence was 13.9%. Emergence prolongation decreased by month in training for 1st-year (CA-1) residents (r2 = 0.7, P II, emergency surgical case, operative duration ≥2 h, and paralytic agent use were associated with higher frequency of prolonged emergence, while sevoflurane or desflurane use was associated with lower frequency. Attending anesthesiologist handoff was not associated with longer emergence. Conclusion: Incidence of prolonged emergence from general anesthesia differed significantly among trainees, by resident training duration, and for patients with ASA >II.
Investigation of low-voltage solid-state DC breaker configurations for DC microgrid applications

Among current research issues of dc microgrids, short-circuit protection is very challenging because of the high rate of rise for the fault currents. Slow-acting electromechanical circuit breakers lead to system overdimensioning resulting in additional costs. Circuit breakers based on power semiconductor devices have the potential of fast interruption of fault currents. Unfortunately, the energy stored in parasitic inductors or system inductive components have the potential of resulting in overvoltage across the solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB). Metal oxide varistor (MOV), snubber circuits and freewheeling diodes are used to protect the semiconductor devices against overvoltage. Six configurations for a voltage clamp for a SSCB are analyzed in this paper when inductive components are present on the load sides. Finally, the experimental results verified that series connected diode and MOV clamping provides better overvoltage protection for the SSCB.
Ultra-low-leakage, Robust FinFET SRAM Design Using Multiparameter Asymmetric FinFETs

Memory arrays consisting of Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cells occupy the largest area on chip and are responsible for significant leakage power consumption in modern microprocessors. With the transition from planar Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) technology to FinFETs, FinFET SRAM design has become important. However, increasing leakage power consumption of FinFETs due to aggressive scaling, width quantization, read-write conflict, and process variations make FinFET SRAM design challenging. In this article, we show how Multiparameter Asymmetric (MPA) FinFETs can be used to design ultra-low-leakage and robust 6T SRAM cells. We combine multiple asymmetries, namely, asymmetry in gate work function, source/drain doping concentration, and gate underlap, to address various SRAM design issues all at once. We propose five novel MPA FinFET SRAM cell designs and compare them with symmetric and Single-Parameter Asymmetric (SPA) FinFET SRAM cells using dc and transient metrics. We show that the leakage current of MPA FinFET SRAM cells can be reduced by up to 58 × while ensuring reasonable read/write stability metric values. In addition, high stability metric values can be achieved with 22 × leakage current reduction compared to the traditional symmetric FinFET SRAM cell. There is no area overhead associated with MPA FinFET SRAM cells.
Cellular Layouts and Networks

Many layout and network problems can be formulated as a single-row layout problem, a network that has only one layer of adjacent nodes (either physically or conceptually) in which each node can be connected to its two adjacent nodes. Single-row layouts are easy to monitor, maintain, and utilize. Also, the independence of separate cells improves the work flow and reliability of the system. However, to reduce the movement of parts among different cells, sometimes duplication of certain equipment in different cells may become necessary. Some applications of cellular systems are presented below.
Novel Method for the Optimal Control of Batch Processes

Abstract The problem of determining the optimal strategy for complex batch processes is a difficult one. We have developed a method which exploits accumulated knowledge regarding the process. Our approach involves the use of local optimization criteria, derived at present from the known heuristics, or in the future, automatically through a pattern recognition algorithm. The problem can be cast in a more tractable form and the global optimum is obtained by determining the values of the few physical parameters which enter into the definition of the local criteria, employing any one of the available traditional methods. The local criteria employed in our case is an evaluation of the process characteristics for different control scenarios projected forward from that point in time. Results from the application of this methodology are presented for two examples. The first is the well known brachistochrone problem, which serves as a control problem, since the solution is known. The second is an autoclave molding process applied to the manufacture of thick composite laminates.
Civilized Urbanity. Modernismo and the Urban Landscape

In this essay, I examine the inclusion of the civilization/barbarism binary in the literature of modernistas writers. To this end, I will briefly analyze the historic contexts after the independence of the colonies and the new neo-imperialist order that settled in the city and demanded social, economic and urban changes that affected the entire social strata. At the same time, I will explain how the formation of a new citizen was undertaken, as it had to follow certain behavioral guidelines to isolate itself from barbarism and savagery of places far away from the metropolis. With it I will justify the importance of the so-called ciudad letrada ( city of letters ) in the formation of new modern nations and describe the birth of the modernist writer, self-defined by its individuality and the contradictions involved in its writing. I will explain my arguments with the texts that, born in the process of modernity, claim the tradition of denying the capitalist utilitarian society into which they are inserted.
Association of microRNAs with Argonaute proteins in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae after blood ingestion

Drastic changes in gene expression occur after adult female mosquitoes take a blood meal and use the nutrients for egg maturation. A growing body of evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to this tightly controlled tissue- and stage-specific gene expression. To investigate the role of miRNAs, we monitored miRNA expression in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae during the 72-h period immediately after blood feeding. We also measured the association of miRNAs with Argonaute 1 (Ago1) and Argonaute 2 (Ago2) to assess the functional status of individual miRNA species. Overall, 173 mature miRNAs were precipitated with Ago1 and Ago2, including 12 new miRNAs, the orthologs of which are found thus far only in other Anopheles species. Ago1 is the predominant carrier of miRNAs in Anopheles gambiae. The abundance and Ago loading of most of the mature miRNAs were relatively stable after blood ingestion. However, miRNAs of the miR-309/286/2944 cluster were considerably upregulated after blood feeding. Injection of the specific antagomir for miR-309 resulted in smaller developing oocytes and ultimately fewer eggs. In addition, the Ago association of some miRNAs was not proportional to their cellular abundance, suggesting that integration of miRNAs into the Ago complexes is regulated by additional mechanisms.