bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moderately hard, memory-bound functions
Authors: Abadi Martin , Burrows Mike , Manasse Mark , Wobber Ted
Published: August 2005

A resource may be abused if its users incur little or no cost. For example, e-mail abuse is rampant because sending an e-mail has negligible cost for the sender. It has been suggested that such abuse may be discouraged by introducing an artificial cost in the form of a moderately expensive computation. Thus, the sender of an e-mail might be required to pay by computing for a few seconds before the e-mail is accepted. Unfortunately, because of sharp disparities across computer systems, this approach may be ineffective against malicious users with high-end systems, prohibitively slow for legitimate users with low-end systems, or both. Starting from this observation, we research moderately hard functions that most recent systems will evaluate at about the same speed. For this purpose, we rely on memory-bound computations. We describe and analyze a family of moderately hard, memory-bound functions, and we explain how to use them for protecting against abuses.
The battle for broadband
Authors: Weiss Aaron
Published: August 2005

Nobody likes it when Mommy and Daddy fight. Besides making everyone uncomfortable, it can be messy and costly, and, ultimately, everyone gets hurt. Which is exactly what may happen in the new battle over broadband. An intense, complex, and sprawling conflict is heating up between private telecommunications companies and municipalities throughout the U.S. over who can, or should, build out broadband for the Web-hungry populace.
The reel stuff
Authors: Schindler Esther
Published: August 2005

Technology- and Internet-driven improvements to the movie business may enhance your viewing experience, encourage new talent, and give you more ways to find something to watch tonight. That is, if Hollywood can figure out a business model that'll work.
Mobile Applications Get Real
Authors: Stanik John
Published: August 2005

First off, full disclosure: I don’t own a PDA. I’ve long dismissed them as expensive gadgets whose main function is to distract people from the boredom of commuting. But one need not look far to see the error in my observation. How shocked I was to discover that some of my fellow commuters are doing actual work on their PDAs! And I don’t mean just e-mail. A growing number of workers employ these devices to access company data using custom applications developed in-house and then deployed to the field. That’s part of what prompted this month’s special report on “going mobile.” Specifically, we wanted to explore with you the issues that developers and architects face when they set out to build these applications.
Mal Managerium: A Field Guide
Authors: Laplante Phillip
Published: August 2005

Please allow me the pleasure of leading you on an “office safari,” so to speak. On today’s journey we’ll travel the corridors of computerdom in search of the widespread but elusive mal managerium, or bad manager, in common parlance. They will be difficult to spot because we will be in a sense looking for that most elusive creature of all: ourselves. That is to say, it’s quite possible that many of us will share some of the qualities with the various types of bad managers we shall encounter. Qualities that we are loath to admit we possess, I might add.
Reflections on a programming Olympiad
Authors: Patterson David A.
Published: August 2005

Does ACM's programming contest give insight into the relative strengths of IT education around the world?
The locality principle
Authors: Denning Peter J.
Published: August 2005

Locality of reference is a fundamental principle of computing with many applications. Here is its story.
Designers don't hurt people; designs do
Authors: Anderson Douglas W.
Published: August 2005

How many people do you know who have physical problems they attribute to computer use? (I wear wrist braces at night myself, so that my mild carpal-tunnel syndrome doesn't bother me much during the day.) Many of us seem to have the impression that such problems arise mainly from poor hardware design... or perhaps from an overindulgence in gaming, with its incessant, repetitive arm/wrist/hand/finger movements.

But is it that simple? In this Whiteboard column, Doug Anderson points out how interaction design and usability efforts can overlook such problems, and urges us to pay more attention to them. I would add one more suggestion to his list of ideas: Even when longitudinal usability testing is not feasible, we can monitor our applications and systems in long-term use and note any physical problems that tend to appear among our users.

---Elizabeth Buie
Usability grows up
Authors: Marcus Aaron
Published: August 2005

Is usability ready for primetime? Two industry leaders go head-to-head on this issue
News 2.0
Authors: Stanik John
Published: August 2005

It’s well known that computer science education in the U.S. is in decline. From secondary schools up to graduate degree programs, the U.S. has witnessed a steady drop in enrollment in computer science courses. Many factors are responsible—in particular, the dot-com bust, outsourcing fears, and declines in federal spending on fundamental CS research. A vicious cycle is in the works, whereby fears about job prospects will drive possible CS candidates into other fields, only to provide fuel for the outsourcing fire as the pool of native IT workers shrinks.
Kode Vicious Gets Dirty
Authors: Neville-Neil George
Published: August 2005

Dear Kode Vicious, I am a new Webmaster of a (rather new) Web site in my company’s intranet. Recently I noticed that although I have implemented some user authentication (a start *.asp page linked to an SQL server, having usernames and passwords), some of the users found out that it is also possible to enter a rather longer URL to a specific page within that Web site (instead of entering the homepage), and they go directly to that page without being authenticated (and without their login being recorded in the SQL database). It makes me wonder what solution you could advise me to implement to ensure that any and all Web accesses are checked and recorded by the Web server.
Security - Problem Solved?
Authors: Viega John
Published: August 2005

There are plenty of security problems that have solutions. Yet, our security problems don’t seem to be going away. What’s wrong here? Are consumers being offered snake oil and rejecting it? Are they not adopting solutions they should be adopting? Or, is there something else at work, entirely? We’ll look at a few places where the world could easily be a better place, but isn’t, and build some insight as to why.
Calendar
Authors: Maurer Jim
Published: August 2005

Red Hat Summit. June 1-3, 2005. New Orleans, Louisiana
Why the software industry needs a good ghostbuster
Authors: Morgan Jeanette Nasem
Published: August 2005

Certification based on a generally accepted body of knowledge is needed for clients, as well as the general public, to trust software professionals and their work.
Does ACM support matter to conferences or journals?
Authors: Patterson David A.
Published: August 2005

ACM is one of many organizations that sponsors IT conferences and journals. So, why use ACM?
Why do people hate spyware?
Authors: Freeman Lee A. , Urbaczewski Andrew
Published: August 2005

Few people or corporations believe spyware is beneficial to the computing experience, but this issue has not been well studied [6]. This assertion is based on the trade press and countless Internet sites providing numerous articles and stories that mention slow Internet connections [5], slow computer processing [3], or privacy concerns [1], among many other reasons. To examine the reasons for this concern beyond anecdotes, a survey was conducted to empirically identify the rhetoric and the reasoning behind users' disgust of spyware.
Spyware
Authors: Schmidt Mark B. , Arnett Kirk P.
Published: August 2005

With the increased dependence on networks and the near ubiquitous availability of the Internet, there is a new paradigm in place for the proliferation of spyware, viruses, and other malware. In fact, much attention has been given to spyware in popular literature with reports from multiple sources indicating that spyware has perhaps reached 90% home user PCs [2].
PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTORS: How Their Effects on Macrophages Can Lead to the Development of a New Drug Therapy Against Atherosclerosis
Authors: Li Andrew C. , Palinski Wulf
Published: August 2005

▪ Abstract  Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) alpha (α), beta/delta (β/δ), and gamma (γ) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, which also includes the estrogen, androgen, and glucocorticoid receptors. Recent evidence suggests that PPARs regulate genes involved in lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation in various tissues; however, the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. Anti-diabetic drugs, called glitazones, can selectively activate PPARγ, and hypolipidemic drugs, called fibrates, can weakly activate PPARα. Both classes of drugs can decrease insulin resistance and dyslipidemias, which also makes them attractive for treating the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome exhibits a constellation of risk factors for atherosclerosis that include obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemias, and hypertension. Interestingly, all three PPARs are present in macrophages and can therefore have a profound effect on several disease processes, including atherosclerosis. Macrophages are key players in atherosclerotic lesion development. Currently, the first line of defense in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis is aimed at lowering low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and raising high-density lipoproteins (HDL), but a large percentage of patients on statins still succumb to coronary artery disease. However, with the development of drugs selectively activating PPARs, a new arsenal of drugs specifically targeting to the macrophage/foam cell may potentially have a profound impact on how we treat cardiovascular disease.
Mechanisms of histamine-induced relaxation in bovine small adrenal cortical arteries
Authors: Zhang David X. , Gauthier Kathryn M. , Campbell William B.
Published: August 2005

Adrenal steroidogenesis is closely correlated with increases in adrenal blood flow. Many reports have studied the regulation of adrenal blood flow in vivo and in perfused glands, but until recently few studies have been conducted on isolated adrenal arteries. The present study examined vasomotor responses of isolated bovine small adrenal cortical arteries to histamine, an endogenous vasoactive compound, and its mechanism of action. In U-46619-precontracted arteries, histamine (10−9-5 × 10−6 M) elicited concentration-dependent relaxations. The relaxations were blocked by the H1 receptor antagonists diphenhydramine (10 μM) or mepyramine (1 μM) (maximal relaxations of 18 ± 6 and 22 ± 6%, respectively, vs. 55 ± 5% of control) but only partially inhibited by the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine (10 μM) and the H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide (1 μM). Histamine-induced relaxations were also blocked by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine (l-NA, 30 μM; maximal relaxation of 13 ± 7%) and eliminated by endothelial removal or l-NA combined with the cyclooxgenase inhibitor indomethacin (10 μM). In the presence of adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells, histamine did not induce further relaxations compared with histamine alone. Histamine (10−7-10−5 M) concentration-dependently increased aldosterone production by adrenal ZG cells. Compound 48/80 (10 μg/ml), a mast cell degranulator, induced significant relaxations (93 ± 0.6%), which were blocked by l-NA plus indomethacin or endothelium removal, partially inhibited by the combination of the H1, H2, and H3 receptor antagonists, but not affected by the mast cell stabilizer sodium cromoglycate (1 mM). These results demonstrate that histamine causes direct relaxation of small adrenal cortical arteries, which is largely mediated by endothelial NO and prostaglandins via H1 receptors. The potential role of histamine in linking adrenal vascular events and steroid secretion requires further investigation.
Genetic ablation of Rhbg in the mouse does not impair renal ammonium excretion
Authors: Chambrey Régine , Goossens Dominique , Bourgeois Soline , Picard Nicolas , Bloch-Faure May , Leviel Françoise , Geoffroy Valérie , Cambillau Michele , Colin Yves , Paillard Michel , Houillier Pascal , Cartron Jean Pierre , Eladari Dominique
Published: August 2005

NH4+transport by the distal nephron and NH4+detoxification by the liver are critical for achieving regulation of acid-base balance and to avoid hyperammonemic hepatic encephalopathy, respectively. Therefore, it has been proposed that rhesus type B glycoprotein (Rhbg), a member of the Mep/Amt/Rh NH3channel superfamily, may be involved in some forms of distal tubular acidosis and congenital hyperammonemia. We have tested this hypothesis by inactivating the RHbg gene in the mouse by insertional mutagenesis. Histochemical studies analyses confirmed that RHbg knockout (KO) mice did not express Rhbg protein. Under basal conditions, the KO mice did not exhibit encephalopathy and survived well. They did not exhibit hallmarks of distal tubular acidosis because neither acid-base status, serum potassium concentration, nor bone mineral density was altered by RHbg disruption. They did not have hyperammonemia or disturbed hepatic NH3metabolism. Moreover, the KO mice adapted to a chronic acid-loading challenge by increasing urinary NH4+excretion as well as their wild-type controls. Finally, transepithelial NH3diffusive permeability, or NH3and NH4+entry across the basolateral membrane of cortical collecting duct cells, measured by in vitro microperfusion of collecting duct from KO and wild-type mice, was identical with no apparent effect of the absence of Rhbg protein. We conclude that Rhbg is not a critical determinant of NH4+excretion by the kidney and of NH4+detoxification by the liver in vivo.
Direct recruitment of CRK and GRB2 to VEGFR-3 induces proliferation, migration, and survival of endothelial cells through the activation of ERK, AKT, and JNK pathways
Authors: Salameh Ahmad , Galvagni Federico , Bardelli Monia , Bussolino Federico , Oliviero Salvatore
Published: August 2005

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) plays a key role for the remodeling of the primary capillary plexus in the embryo and contributes to angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the adult. However, VEGFR-3 signal transduction pathways remain to be elucidated. Here we investigated VEGFR-3 signaling in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by the systematic mutation of the tyrosine residues potentially involved in VEGFR-3 signaling and identified the tyrosines critical for its function. Y1068 was shown to be essential for the kinase activity of the receptor. Y1063 signals the receptor-mediated survival by recruiting CRKI/II to the activated receptor, inducing a signaling cascade that, via mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4 (MKK4), activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1/2 (JNK1/2). Inhibition of JNK1/2 function either by specific peptide inhibitor JNKI1 or by RNA interference (RNAi) demonstrated that activation of JNK1/2 is required for a VEGFR-3–dependent prosurvival signaling. Y1230/Y1231 contributes, together with Y1337, to proliferation, migration, and survival of endothelial cells. Phospho-Y1230/Y1231 directly recruits growth factor receptor–bonus protein (GRB2) to the receptor, inducing the activation of both AKT and extracellular signal–related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling. Finally, we observed that Y1063 and Y1230/Y1231 signaling converge to induce c-JUN expression, and RNAi experiments demonstrated that c-JUN is required for growth factor–induced prosurvival signaling in primary endothelial cells.
How I treat venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer
Authors: Prandoni Paolo
Published: August 2005

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in cancer patients and represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Especially in patients who have a poor life expectancy, preventing death from pulmonary embolism is the mainstay of treatment. Critically ill patients should promptly be administered thrombolytic drugs. Except for selected patients requiring aggressive therapy, the initial VTE treatment should be conducted with either adjusted-dose unfractionated heparin or fixed-dose low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). LMWHs have the potential to greatly simplify the initial treatment of VTE, making the treatment of suitable patients feasible in an outpatient setting. During anticoagulant therapy, cancer patients have a 2- to 4-fold higher risk of recurrent VTE and major bleeding complications when compared with noncancer patients. The long-term administration of LMWH should be considered as an alternative to anti-vitamin K drugs in patients with advanced disease and in those with conditions limiting the use of oral anticoagulants. Prolongation of anticoagulation should be considered for as long as the malignant disorder is active. The evidence of lowered cancer mortality in patients on LMWH has stimulated renewed interest in these agents as antineoplastic drugs and raises the distinct possibility that cancer and thrombosis share common mechanisms.
How Infants Encode Spatial Extent
Authors: Duffy Sean , Huttenlocher Janellen , Levine Susan , Duffy Renee
Published: August 2005

This study explores how infants encode an object's spatial extent. We habituated 6.5‐month‐old infants to a dowel inside a container and then tested whether they dishabituate to a change in absolute size when the relation between dowel and container is held constant (by altering the size of both container and dowel) and when the relation changes (by altering only the size of the container but not the dowel). Infants only dishabituated when the relation changed, suggesting that they do not encode the absolute size of either object but only the relation between them.
Requirements for endoderm and BMP signaling in sensory neurogenesis in zebrafish
Authors: Holzschuh Jochen , Wada Naoyuki , Wada Chikako , Schaffer Ashleigh , Javidan Yashar , Tallafuß Alexandra , Bally-Cuif Laure , Schilling Thomas F.
Published: August 2005

Cranial sensory neurons largely derive from neurogenic placodes(epibranchial and dorsolateral), which are ectodermal thickenings that form the sensory ganglia associated with cranial nerves, but the molecular mechanisms of placodal development are unclear. Here, we show that the pharyngeal endoderm induces epibranchial neurogenesis in zebrafish, and that BMP signaling plays a crucial role in this process. Using a her5:egfptransgenic line to follow endodermal movements in living embryos, we show that contact between pharyngeal pouches and the surface ectoderm coincides with the onset of neurogenesis in epibranchial placodes. By genetic ablation and reintroduction of endoderm by cell transplantation, we show that these contacts promote neurogenesis. Using a genetic interference approach we further identify bmp2b and bmp5 as crucial components of the endodermal signals that induce epibranchial neurogenesis. Dorsolateral placodes (trigeminal, auditory, vestibular, lateral line) develop independently of the endoderm and BMP signaling, suggesting that these two sets of placodes are under separate genetic control. Our results show that the endoderm regulates the differentiation of cranial sensory ganglia, which coordinates the cranial nerves with the segments that they innervate.
The role of regulatory domain interactions in UNC-43 CaMKII localization and trafficking
Authors: Umemura Tohru , Rapp Paris , Rongo Christopher
Published: August 2005

Calcium and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) plays a fundamental role in the synaptic plasticity events that underlie learning and memory. Regulation of CaMKII kinase activity occurs through an autoinhibitory mechanism in which a regulatory domain of the kinase occupies the catalytic site and calcium/calmodulin activates the kinase by binding to and displacing this regulatory domain. A single putative ortholog of CaMKII, encoded by unc-43, is present in the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system. Here we examined UNC-43 subcellular localization in the neurons of intact animals and show that UNC-43 is localized to clusters in ventral cord neurites, as well as to an unlocalized pool within these neurites. A mutation that mimics autophosphorylation within the regulatory domain results in an increase in the levels of UNC-43 in the unlocalized neurite pool. Multiple residues of CaMKII facilitate the interaction between the catalytic domain and the regulatory domain, thereby keeping the kinase inactive. Whereas most mutations in these residues result in an increased neurite pool of UNC-43, we have identified two residues that result in the opposite effect when mutated: a decreased neurite pool of UNC-43. The activity of UNC-2, a voltage-dependent calcium channel, is also required for UNC-43 to accumulate in the neurites, suggesting that neural activity regulates the localization of UNC-43. Our results suggest that the activation of UNC-43 by calcium/calmodulin displaces the autoinhibitory domain, thereby exposing key residues of the catalytic domain that allow for protein translocation to the neurites.
Coordination of Locomotion with Voluntary Movements in Humans
Authors: Ivanenko Yuri P. , Cappellini Germana , Dominici Nadia , Poppele Richard E. , Lacquaniti Francesco
Published: August 2005

Muscle activity occurring during human locomotion can be accounted for by five basic temporal activation patterns in a variety of locomotion conditions. Here, we examined how these activation patterns interact with muscle activity required for a voluntary movement. Subjects produced a voluntary movement during locomotion, and we examined the resulting kinematics, kinetics, and EMG activity in 16-31 ipsilateral limb and trunk muscles during the tasks. There were four voluntary tasks added to overground walking (∼5 km/h) in which subjects kicked a ball, stepped over an obstacle, or reached down and grasped an object on the floor (weight support on either the right or the left foot). Statistical analyses of EMG waveforms showed that the five basic locomotion patterns were invariantly present in each task, although they could be differently weighted across muscles, suggesting a characteristic locomotion timing of muscle activations. We also observed a separate activation that was timed to the voluntary task. The coordination of locomotion with the voluntary task was accomplished by combining activation timings that were associated separately with the voluntary task and locomotion. Activation associated with the voluntary tasks was either synchronous with the timing for locomotion or had additional activations not represented in the basic locomotion timing. We propose that this superposition of an invariant locomotion timing pattern with a voluntary activation timing may be consistent with the proposal suggesting that compound movements are produced through a superposition of motor programs.
Correlation between clinical and histopathologic diagnoses of potentially malignant oral lesions
Authors: Bokor-Bratic Marija , Vuckovic Nada , Mirkovic Sinisa
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: The serious nature of potentially malignant oral lesions (PMOL) demands that the final diagnosis be made on both clinical and histopathologic grounds. The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation between clinical and histopathologic diagnoses of PMOL using a discrepancy index (DI). METHODS: Fifty-one patients with PMOL were examined clinically, and a biopsy was taken from each one. The results of histopathologic diagnosis were compared with the clinical diagnosis. We established that the histopathologic diagnosis was incompatible when the clinical diagnosis was not confirmed. On the basis of the incompatible diagnosis, we calculated a discrepancy index between the clinical and histopathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: Clinically, the homogeneous leukoplakia was the most frequent lesion followed by erosive lichen planus and reticular lichen planus. No cases of erythroplakia were observed. Lesions were most frequently seen at the buccal mucosa, followed by the gingiva (alveolar mucosa) and tongue. The histopathologic diagnosis showed that the majority of the lesions were benign keratoses followed by lichen planus. Three cases of epithelial dysplasia were mild. The DI between clinical and histopathologic diagnosis was 17.6 %. The higher DI was found in erosive lichen planus. CONCLUSION: The obtained findings show that in 90% of leukoplakias, clinical diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination. The discrepancy between clinical and histopathologic diagnoses in 17.6 % of cases suggests that all PMOLs should be submitted to histological analysis.
Influence of IGF-I on adhesion, proliferation, and galectin-1 production in JAr and Jeg-3 choriocarcinoma cell lines
Authors: Bojic-Trbojevic Zanka , Jankovic Miroslava , Vicovac Ljiljana
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: JAr and Jeg-3 choriocarcinoma cell lines are model systems for the transformed trophoblast and allow studies of phenotype and regulatory factors for particular cell functions. Both cell lines express the receptor for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Effects of IGF-I on adhesion, proliferation and galectin-1 production in JAr and Jeg-3 cells were studied. METHODS: The effects of IGF-I on proliferation and galectin-1 production were examined by thiazolyl blue assay and cell based solid phase assay using polyclonal anti-galectin-1 antibodies. The cell adhesion assay was performed on Matrigel coated wells. Galectin-1 production and localization was examined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: IGF-I decreased adhesion of JAr cells to 70% of the control value (p<0.05). Cell treatment with 10 ?g/L of IGF-I significantly increased viable cell number: by 13.5% in JAr and 6% in Jeg-3. Gal-1 was immunolocalized intracellularly and associated with the cell membrane in both cell lines. Production of galectin-1 was significantly increased after treatment with IGF-I compared to control: by 7% in JAr cells and by 16% in Jeg-3 cells (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The data showed that IGF-I affected adhesion and proliferation of choriocarcinoma cells, depending on the cell line. Both choriocarcinoma cell lines studied here produced galectin-1. The amount of galectin-1 was moderately stimulated by IGF-I.
Binary collisions in popovici’s photogravitational model
Authors: Mioc V. , Blaga C.
Published: August 2005

The dynamics of bodies under the combined action of the gravitational attraction and the radiative repelling force has large and deep implications in astronomy. In the 1920s, the Romanian astronomer Constantin Popovici proposed a modified photogravitational law (considered by other scientists too). This paper deals with the collisions of the two-body problem associated with Popovici?s model. Resorting to McGehee-type transformations of the second kind, we obtain regular equations of motion and define the collision manifold. The flow on this boundary manifold is wholly described. This allows to point out some important qualitative features of the collisional motion: existence of the black-hole effect, gradientlikeness of the flow on the collision manifold, regularizability of collisions under certain conditions. Some questions, coming from the comparison of Levi-Civita?s regularizing transformations and McGehee?s ones, are formulated.
A multi-frequency study of the deep Pavo field
Authors: Filipovic M.D. , Anderson M. , Ekers R.D. , Danziger I.J. , Zimmermann H.U. , White G.L. , Jones P.A. , Borun B.C.P. , Payne J.L. , Dionne M. , Ganis M. , Ognjanovic M.
Published: August 2005

We test the prediction of Hamilton and Helfand (1993) that faint radio selected galaxies are a new class contributing to the diffuse X-ray background (XRB) radiation. The test is based on the correlation of X-ray optical and radio positions for sources detected in ROSAT (S0.08?2.4 keV> 6 x 10?15 erg cm?2 s?1, 69 sources) and ATCA (S1.42GHz >250 ?Jy, 93 sources) observations of the Einstein Pavo field. A total of six ATCA radio sources inside the inner ring of the ROSAT image are located within 10" of the ROSAT X-ray positions, with one associated by random chance. Hence, five of the X-ray population are radio-emitters. Four of these sources in common to radio and X-ray surveys are identified in optical frequencies from which one is a well known (ATCAJ211544-675404) quasi stellar object (QSO). Another source (ATCAJ211139-674902) can be seen at optical frequencies and therefore is very likely to be a QSO. Two more of these sources are clear Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) candidates (ATCAJ211217-674914 and ATCAJ211451-680038). Radio and X-ray source ATCAJ211420-680109= RXJ211420-680108 is a galaxy cluster candidate. The remaining source ATCAJ211414-675052, is a star-forming galaxy candidate assuming it is not associated by random chance. Even though the statistical sample is small this does not support the postulate that star-forming galaxies are significant contributors to the soft X-ray source population. This implies the contribution of radio emitting X-ray sources to the diffuse XRB at S0.08?2.4 keV > 6 x 10?15 erg cm?2 s?1 is at most a few per cent.
The relation between radio flux density and ionizing ultra-violet flux for HII regions and supernova remnants in the Large Magellanic cloud
Authors: Filipovic M.D. , Jones P.A. , Vhite G.L.
Published: August 2005

We present a comparison between the Parkes radio surveys (Filipovic et al 1995) and Vacuum Ultra-Violet (VUV) surveys (Smith et al. 1987) of the Large Magellanic Clouds (LMC). We have found 72 sources in common in the LMC which are known HII regions (52) and supernova remnants (SNRs) (19). Some of these radio sources are associated with two or more UV stellar associations. A comparison of the radio flux densities and ionizing UV flux for HII regions shows a very good correlation, as expected from theory. Many of the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) SNRs are embedded in HII regions, so there is also a relation between radio and UV which we attribute to the surrounding HII regions.
On the detectability of intelligent civilizations in the galaxy
Authors: Djuric N. , Field L.
Published: August 2005

In this paper we argue for the possibility that even in the event of a Galaxy teeming with extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) the probability of receiving recognizable signals from the ETIs may be very low. There are two majors factors that may limit our ability to detect other civilizations. (i) Evolutionary mismatches may cause difficulties analogous to humans attempting to communicate with lower primates. (ii) Independent evolutionary paths resulting from differing planetary/stellar environments may result in life whose cognitive processes and consequent perceptions of the universe are very different from ours. Interpreting signals from such civilizations may prove a very difficult or even futile task. Even on Earth, an example of a cognitive mismatch is that between humans and dolphins, where evolution in very different environments has led to difficulty in establishing communication between these two species. The main effect of the second factor is to limit communication while the effect of the first is to constrain what communication is possible to a "window of opportunity", a finite period of time, ??, when communication may be possible before diverging evolution makes it impossible. For example, if the number of ETIs in the Galaxy is one million and if ?? < 10 6 years, the average separation of "contactable" civilizations, (r) > 5 ? 10 3 light years so that one star in 10 10 harbors such a civilization. If the above arguments are correct we reach the following conclusions. The absence of detected signals does not translate into an absence of ETI?s. Targeting individual stars in the search for ETI has a low probability of success. The use of radio signals is of limited value because with such large separations between "contactable" civilizations interstellar scintillation strongly limits the propagation of radio signals. Similarly, optical communication would be hindered by interstellar extinction. Possible alternatives to current searches for narrow band signals include listening for modulated broadband signals searching for narrow-band signals in the microwave/FIR spectrum and searching for evidence of artificially processed environments. All such searches would need to be "all sky" to have a reasonable chance of success.
A forth-and-back implicit λ iteration in the solution of radiative transfer in spherical media
Authors: Atanackovic-Vukmanovic Olga
Published: August 2005

Forth-and-back implicit ?-iteration has been developed to solve radiative transfer (RT) problems with plane-parallel geometry in which there is a coupling of all RT equations by the scattering term included in the source function (Atanackovic-Vukmanovic, Crivellari and Simonneau 1997). Owing to the implicit representation of the source function in the computation of the mean intensities within a forth-and-back sequential treatment of the two intensities propagating in opposite directions, implicit ?-iteration (ILI) appears to be a very efficient method in the solution of linear as well as non-linear transfer problems. In this paper ILI method is generalized and applied to radiative transfer problems with spherical symmetry. The results for the monochromatic radiative transfer in a spherical atmosphere are presented and compared to those of other authors obtained by the other methods.
Earth’s rotation irregularities derived from UTIBLI by method of multi-composing of ordinates
Authors: Segan S. , Damjanov Ivana , Surlan B.
Published: August 2005

Using the method of multi-composing of ordinates we have identified in Earth?s rotation a long-periodic term with a period similar to the relaxation time of Chandler nutation. There was not enough information to assess its origin. We demonstrate that the method can be used even in the case when the data time span is comparable to the period of harmonic component.
A tool for all astro sensor recordings fusion into color composite images
Authors: Jovanovic Aleksandar , Djordjevic Zoran , Maric Filip , Maric Miroslav , Perisic Dragoljub
Published: August 2005

A method of various sensors integration into color fusions, which, although quite simple, has not been seen elsewhere, is described. The method is implemented in the user friendly visual environment packed into a single program that is running on all PC platforms starting with Win 98/NT. Basically, it is transportable to other platforms and the authors would expand it and transport it to other platforms, if the need arises.
Transition probability ratios in the Mg I 3p-4s transition
Authors: Djenize Stevan , Sreckovic Aleksandar , Bukvic Srdjan
Published: August 2005

Using the relative line intensity I ratios of the astrophysically important 518.360 nm, 517.268 nm and 516.732 nm neutral magnesium (Mg I) lines in the 3p 3Po 0,1,2 - 4s 3S1 transition we have obtained the ratios of corresponding transition probability values (Einstein's A values). They represent the first experimental data based on the analysis of the emission spectral lines. The linear, low-pressure, pulsed arc was used as a plasma source operated in the helium with magnesium atoms introduced as impurities from discharge electrodes, providing there is no self-absorption within the investigated range of Mg I spectrum. We have found excellent agreement with theoretical transition probability ratios tabulated by NIST (2003).
Orientations of orbital planes of binaries
Authors: Popovic Georgije , Pavlovic Rade , Ninkovic Slobodan
Published: August 2005

Orientations of orbital planes of binaries are analyzed by using a complete sample of known orbital systems. The use of a so large sample is possible due to the application of a new procedure enabling to include the binaries for which the ascending nodes do not certain. It is concluded that generally, the distribution of observed orientations of the orbital planes does not differ from simulated random orientations. In both cases the same star positions are retained.
Determination of activation energy of sintering of ThO2-U3O8 pellets using the master sintering curve approach
Authors: Kutty T.R.G. , Khan K.B. , Hegde P.V. , Sengupta A.K. , Majumdar S. , Kamath H.S.
Published: August 2005

ThO2 containing around 2 to 3 % U233O2 is considered as fuel for the forthcoming Indian Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR). High-density ThO2-UO2 pellets have been fabricated by powder metallurgy route using ThO2 and U3O8 powders as the starting materials. U3O8 decomposes to UO2 during high temperature sintering and forms a solid solution with ThO2. The densification behaviour and sintering kinetics of the above were evaluated using a high temperature dilatometer using constant heating rate experiments. To evaluate the activation energy of sintering, a master sintering curve approach has been used. The activation energy for sintering for the above composition in air was found to be 500 kJ/mol.
Phenomenological theory of sintering and its application to swelling
Authors: Kornyushin Y.
Published: August 2005

The general phenomenological theory of sintering, formulated by the author in 1998 is applied to the problem of swelling. Driving forces, caused by the presence of the evolution of heat in the volume of a sample (electric contact, hf, inductive heating or penetrating radiation, e.g., neutrons could be the sources of the heat in the bulk of a sample) are considered. The influence of these driving forces on sintering, structure and properties is discussed. The role of mobile and immobile dislocations, grain boundaries, and pores is considered. Cycling and pulsing regimes of sintering are investigated.
The synthesis: Structure relationship in the ZnO-Cr2O3 system
Authors: Mancic Lidija , Marinkovic Zorica , Vulic P. , Milosevic Olivera
Published: August 2005

In this work the development of the spinel phase in the ZnO-Cr2O3 system was discussed from the viewpoint of the synthesis-structure relationship. The nanostructure evolution in particles obtained either via solution-based (spray pyrolysis) or solid-state (mechanical activation) synthesis procedures were investigated by XRD analysis. A detailed structural analysis of the spinel phase lattice parameters, average primary crystallite sizes and micro strains were performed in accordance with a procedure based on the Koalariet-Xfit program. Due to the importance of spinel-phase cat ion distribution for chemical and physical properties, a study of the site occupation factors, i.e. changes in the stoichiometric, of ZnCr2O4 spinals was undertaken. The calculation based on atomistic methods for the description of both perfect and defect spinel ZnCr2O4 crystal lattices has been applied and the presence of individual structural defects was determined.
Vision Impairment and Psychosocial Function in US Adults
Authors: Almidani Louay , Miller Rhonda , Varadaraj Varshini , Mihailovic Aleksandra , Swenor Bonnielin K. , Ramulu Pradeep Y.
Published: February 2024

Importance

Vision impairment and psychosocial function, including symptoms of depression and anxiety and social isolation, are a major cause of morbidity in the US. However, there is a lack of nationally representative studies assessing associations between both objective and subjective vision impairment with psychosocial function following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

To provide updated national estimates on the associations of vision impairment with depressive and anxiety symptoms and social isolation in US adults 65 years and older.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Aging Trends Study round 9 (2019) and 11 (2021), a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. Binocular distance visual acuity, near visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity were tested. Objectively measured vision impairment was defined as having vision impairment in either distance visual acuity (worse than 20/40), near visual acuity (worse than 20/40), or contrast sensitivity (worse than 1.55 logCS). Self-reported vision impairment was defined based on participants’ report on their vision status. Data were analyzed in May 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Depressive and anxiety symptoms assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire. Social isolation was defined based on living arrangement, communication frequency, and activity participation responses.

Results

Among 2822 community-dwelling adults sampled from a population of 26 182 090, the mean (SD) age was 78.5 (5.6) years; 1605 individuals (54.7%) were female; 1077 (32.3%) had objectively measured vision impairment, and 203 (6.4%) had self-reported vision impairment. In adjusted models, all outcomes were significantly associated with objectively measured vision impairment, including depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 1.81; 95% CI, 1.26-2.58), anxiety symptoms (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.13-2.67), and severe social isolation (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.05-3.87). Similarly, depressive symptoms (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.44-3.88) and anxiety symptoms (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.09-4.05) but not severe social isolation symptoms (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 0.78-5.49) were significantly associated with self-reported vision impairment.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, vision impairment was associated with several psychosocial outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety and social isolation. These findings provide evidence to support prioritizing research aimed at enhancing the health and inclusion of people with vision impairment.
Ultrasonic‐Assisted Processing Combined with Gas Quenching for Fabricating High‐Performance and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Jiujiang , Liu Jian , Li Yifei , Xu Peng , Xie Lisha , Meng Yuanyuan , Wu Haodong , Shang Xiaofeng , Zhao Su , Pan Jun , Xiao Chuanxiao , Yang Mengjin , Ge Ziyi
Published: February 2024

In recent years, perovskite solar cells have attained unprecedented advancements in power conversion efficiency, yet their commercialization remains a formidable challenge. Addressing this challenge relies on developing an affordable and scalable method for manufacturing top‐notch perovskite films. This study presents an innovative strategy, employing both gas quenching technology and ultrasonic‐assisted processing (UAP), to fabricate high‐caliber perovskite thin films. The UAP process enhances the grain size of the perovskite film, reduces grain boundary defects, improves carrier extraction and transport, and suppresses carrier nonradiative recombination. Furthermore, it effectively reduces residual stress and mitigates lattice distortion in the perovskite crystals. Ultimately, efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells using FA0.87Cs0.13PbI2.7Br0.3 and FA0.85MA0.1Cs0.05PbI3 perovskite are successfully prepared. The target device achieved a power conversion efficiency of 22.32% and 24.51%, respectively. Moreover, the target devices exhibited enhanced photostability. This work provides a cost‐effective and scalable method for producing high‐quality perovskite films, paving the way for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells.
Amphoteric Polymer Strategy with Buffer‐Adsorption Mechanism for Long‐Life Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Chenyue , Mao Jiale , Li Siyuan , Zhang Weidong , Wang Xinyang , Shen Zeyu , Zhang Shichao , Guo Junze , Xu Yunkai , Lu Yingying , Lu Jun
Published: February 2024

Water‐based secondary batteries with multivalent metals anode provide a promising option for energy storage with low cost and high security. However, the electrochemical performance of aqueous Zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) is mainly restricted by problems such as poor reversibility and hydrogen evolution. Herein, an “amphoteric polymer strategy” with buffer‐adsorption mechanism for AZIBs is proposed by introducing poly‐L‐Glutamic Acid (PGA) into the electrolyte. Amphoteric polymer enriched functional carboxyl and amino groups confer high compatibility of the Zn metal anodes as well as the relative stability of the bulk electrolyte pH simultaneously. Partial PGA molecules distributed in bulk electrolyte dynamically dissociate to stabilize pH and correspondingly slow down the generation of inert components, while others specifically adsorbed on zinc foil can relieve electrochemical corrosion and induce dendrite‐free uniform Zn deposition. Consequently, long‐term cycling stability (>1650 h) and high levels of reversibility (Coulombic efficiency>99.5%) of Zn anode are harvested in 2 m ZnSO4 electrolyte with only 0.5 wt% of PGA. In addition, when coupled with Zn0.25V2O5(ZVO) cathode, the full cell exhibits higher capacity retention and less pH fluctuation. This work reveals a novel buffer‐adsorption mechanism offered by amphoteric functional polymer, and provides a new additive design principle for rechargeable AZIBs.
Interfacial Solar Evaporation: From Fundamental Research to Applications
Authors: Wu Xuan , Lu Yi , Ren Xiaohu , Wu Pan , Chu Dewei , Yang Xiaofei , Xu Haolan
Published: February 2024

In the last decade, interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG), powered by natural sunlight garnered significant attention due to its great potential for low‐cost and environmentally friendly clean water production in alignment with the global decarbonization efforts. This review aims to share the knowledge and engage with a broader readership about the current progress of ISSG technology and the facing challenges to promote further advancements toward practical applications. The first part of this review assesses the current strategies for enhancing the energy efficiency of ISSG systems, including optimizing light absorption, reducing energy losses, harvesting additional energy, and lowering evaporation enthalpy. Subsequently, the current challenges faced by ISSG technologies, notably salt accumulation and bio‐fouling issues in practical applications, are elucidated and contemporary methods are discussed to overcome these challenges. In the end, potential applications of ISSG, ranging from initial seawater desalination and industrial wastewater purification to power generation, sterilization, soil remediation, and innovative concept of solar sea farm, are introduced, highlighting the promising potential of ISSG technology in contributing to sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. Based on the review and in‐depth understanding of these aspects, the future research focuses are proposed to address potential issues in both fundamental research and practical applications.