cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Zero Surface Tension Limit of Two-Dimensional Interfacial Darcy Flow

We perform energy estimates for a sharp-interface model of two-dimensional, two-phase Darcy flow with surface tension. A proof of well-posedness of the initial value problem follows from these estimates. In general, the time of existence of these solutions will go to zero as the surface tension parameter vanishes. We then make two additional estimates, in the case that a stability condition is satisfied by the initial data: we make an additional energy estimate which is uniform in the surface tension parameter, and we make an estimate for the difference of two solutions with different values of the surface tension parameter. These additional estimates allow the zero surface tension limit to be taken, showing that solutions of the initial value problem in the absence of surface tension are the limit of solutions of the initial value problem with surface tension as surface tension vanishes.
Failure analysis considerations in designing for EOS/ESD robustness

Physical failure observation is critical in determining the root-cause of ESD and EOS failures that may be due to circuit design weaknesses, product assembly shortcomings or electrical testing methodology issues. The insight gained from various physical analysis tools is instrumental in the product or system re-design or corrective action in the electrical testing. Three case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of failure visualization coupled with a systematic analysis flow to address ESD and EOS related failures. The identification of the physical damage is shown to help in the implementation of the appropriate corrective measures for a more robust product.
Parents and teachers as raters of children's problem behaviors

ABSTRACT The present study explores the relationships between parents and teachers as raters of children's behavior using Achenbach and Edelbrock's Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL, 1983) and Teacher Report Form (TRF, 1984). Internalizing and externalizing behavior scores from these two instruments revealed a significant relationship between mothers' and teachers' reports for externalizing behaviors only, consistent with other studies in the literature (Achenbach, McConaughy, & Howell, 1987). When the sample was divided into abusive, distressed, and non-clinical groups, the correlation between mother and teacher on externalizing behavior remained significant for the non-clinical group only. It also may be the case that children with internalizing behaviors are misrated by either parents or teachers, even in the non-clinical group, again pointing to the need for multiple raters. From these results, it appears that familial dysfunction can contribute to rater bias and that both parents and teachers, as well a...
Pilot studies of thalidomide in acute myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative disorders

Abstract The management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myeloproliferative disorders remains challenging because of the inability of even the most effective treatment strategies to produce durable complete remissions. Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is one such modality with potentially curative benefit; however, its applicability generally is limited to patients of younger age with suitable donors. Therefore, novel agents and alternative therapeutic strategies need to be studied. The role of angiogenesis in hematologic malignancies has been elucidated by several investigators; hence, inhibitors of angiogenesis are being studied in these disorders. Thalidomide appears to have both antiangiogenic and immunosuppressive properties and has shown promising results in the treatment of refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia. Consequently, pilot studies of thalidomide for the treatment of other hematologic disorders, including refractory/relapsed AML, high-risk MDS, myeloproliferative disorders, and myelofibrosis are underway at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Preliminary results indicate that thalidomide has activity and is well tolerated in the treatment of these hematologic disorders, and thus warrants further evaluation.
Fractional spectral collocation methods for linear and nonlinear variable order FPDEs

While several high-order methods have been developed for fractional PDEs (FPDEs) with fixed order, there are no such methods for FPDEs with field-variable order. These equations allow multiphysics simulations seamlessly, e.g. from diffusion to sub-diffusion or from wave dynamics transitioning to diffusion, by simply varying the fractional order as a function of space or time. We develop an exponentially accurate fractional spectral collocation method for solving linear/nonlinear FPDEs with field-variable order. Following the spectral theory, developed in 1] for fractional Sturm-Liouville eigenproblems, we introduce a new family of interpolants, called left-/right-sided and central fractional Lagrange interpolants. We employ the fractional derivatives of (left-/right-sided) Riemann-Liouville and Riesz type and obtain the corresponding fractional differentiation matrices by collocating the field-variable fractional orders. We solve several FPDEs including time- and space-fractional advection-equation, time- and space-fractional advection-diffusion equation, and finally the space-fractional Burgers' equation to demonstrate the performance of the method. In addition, we develop a spectral penalty method for enforcing inhomogeneous initial conditions. Our numerical results confirm the exponential-like convergence of the proposed fractional collocation methods.
Process models and stochastic theories of simple concept formation

Abstract A class of information-processing models, stated in computer programming language, is constructed for a concept attainment experiment previously studied by Bower and Trabasso. The stochastic theory of Bower and Trabasso can be derived formally from the process models, but the process models, with fewer degrees of freedom, make more specific predictions over a wider range of experiments than the stochastic theory—hence are more universal, precise, and parsimonious in the sense of Popper. The formal process models are shown to be useful in discovering inconsistencies and unstated assumptions in informal descriptions of the psychological processes underlying the stochastic theory. The fit of the “fine-grain” statistics of the stochastic theory to the data is shown to be independent of the psychological content of the theory.
Motion planning under uncertainty for on-road autonomous driving

We present a motion planning framework for autonomous on-road driving considering both the uncertainty caused by an autonomous vehicle and other traffic participants. The future motion of traffic participants is predicted using a local planner, and the uncertainty along the predicted trajectory is computed based on Gaussian propagation. For the autonomous vehicle, the uncertainty from localization and control is estimated based on a Linear-Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) framework. Compared with other safety assessment methods, our framework allows the planner to avoid unsafe situations more efficiently, thanks to the direct uncertainty information feedback to the planner. We also demonstrate our planner’s ability to generate safer trajectories compared to planning only with a LQG framework.
Public Executions in England in the Late Middle Ages: The Indignity and Dignity of Death:

Medieval historians evaluated the deaths of individuals in moral terms and often interpreted them as divine intervention. They discerned two types of death: a good, even beautiful death in terms of...
A novel beamformer design method for medical ultrasound. Part II: Simulation results

For pt.I see ibid., vol.50, no.1, p.15 (2003). In the first part of this work, we introduced the minimum sum squared error (MSSE) technique of ultrasound beamformer design. This technique enables the optimal design of apertures to achieve arbitrary system responses. In the MSSE technique, aperture weights are calculated and applied to minimize the sum squared error (SSE) between the desired and actual system responses. In this paper, we present the results of simulations performed to illustrate the implementation and validity of the MSSE technique. Continuous wave (CW) and broadband simulations are presented to demonstrate the application of the MSSE method to obtain arbitrary system responses (within fundamental physical limitations of the system). We also describe CW and broadband simulations that implement the MSSE method for improved conventional depth of field (DOF) and for improved correlation DOF in translated aperture geometries. Using the MSSE technique, we improved the conventional DOF by more than 200% in CW simulations and more than 100% in broadband simulations. The correlation DOF in translated aperture geometries was improved by more than 700% in both CW and broadband simulations.
Designing Large Hierarchical Multiprocessor Systems under Processor, Interconnection, and Packaging Advancements

A general framework for architectural design of large hierarchical multiprocessor systems under rapidly changing packaging, processor, and interconnection technologies is presented. In recent years processor boards with larger area (A) and greater pinouts are becoming feasible. Board interconnection technology has advanced from peripheral connections O(\sqrt A ) to elastomeric surface connections 0(A). As processor and interconnection technology grows, there is a varying demand on the interconnection network of the system. The proposed framework is capable of taking into account all these changes in technologies and, depending on a given set of technological parameters, derive the most optimum topology. The framework is illustrated by considering the design problem of the currently popular class of k-ary n-cube cluster-c scalable architectures.
An analysis of bomb radiocarbon trends in the Pacific

Abstract The post-nuclear time-series curves of Δ14C from corals at different locations in the surface of the Pacific Ocean show a variation in the shape, amplitude and timing of the peak, with the subtropical records peaking first, followed by the western, and then eastern tropical records with lower maxima. This work takes an in-depth look at the processes that shape the time histories of Δ14C in surface waters at different locations in the Pacific. A one-dimensional (1-D) model is used to examine whether convection and diffusion can delay the peaking of the Δ14C time series. Using the three-dimensional (3-D) MIT general circulation model (GCM), the distribution and evolution of Δ14C is simulated “offline” from 1955 onwards at 1° resolution globally. The GCM is used to tease apart the contribution of various processes, viz. advection, air–sea flux, convection and diffusion, to altering the Δ14C content of surface waters at different locations in the Pacific. A time history of 14C column inventories from the model is constructed to examine the role of horizontal advection in supplying tropical locations with 14C much after the peak atmospheric flux. This model analysis supports the idea of 14C-rich waters from the subtropics being transported to the western tropics via the subsurface, and then being advected eastward in the equatorial undercurrent and upwelled in the east.
Advances in auditory prostheses

Purpose of the Review Auditory prostheses use electric currents on multiple electrodes to stimulate auditory neurons and recreate auditory sensations in deaf people. Cochlear implants have restored hearing in more than 200,000 deaf adults and children to a level that allows most to understand speech. Here we review the reasons underlying these results and describe new directions in restoring hearing to additional patient populations and the design of new devices.
Increase in Luteinizing Hormone Content Occurs in Cultured Human Fetal Pituitary Cells Exposed to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone*

To investigate the mechanisms by which GnRH regulates LH production during intrauterine life, dispersed pituitary cells from second trimester human fetuses were cultured on extracellular matrix-coated plates for 48 h. Exposure of cells to 3 x 10(-10) mol/L GnRH for 1-48 h significantly increased cumulative LH secretion compared to that in respective controls (P less than 0.01). The rate of GnRH-stimulated LH release was accelerated during the first 6 h, after which it declined to a level similar to that of basal release. This phenomenon was associated with a decrease in the GnRH concentration of the medium. Exposure of cells to GnRH (3 x 10(-10) to 10(-6) mol/L) for 48 h induced a dose-dependent elevation of total LH which correlated with an increase in releasable, but not cellular, LH. Desensitization to GnRH (10(-7) mol/L) occurred when cells were cultured with pharmacological amounts of GnRH for 48 h. These results indicate that GnRH induces the increase in total and releasable LH in human fetal pituitary cells. These cells also appear to inactivate GnRH. Thus, GnRH may increase LH production in the human fetal pituitary and the pituitary receptor mechanism may be involved in GnRH action on LH release during intrauterine life.
‘Muy Macha’: Gender and ideology in gang‐girls’ discourse about makeup*

This article explores how notions of power, femininity, and ethnicity permeate the discourses of and around girls involved in gangs. I explore how the cholas ‐ Latina gang girls ‐ of Foxbury perform and inscribe on their bodies a specific kind of femininity that not only confounds wider community notions of how girls should act, dress, and talk, but throws into question the very gendered category that girls are expected to inhabit.
Indications and Treatment of Keratoconus Using Epikeratophakia

Nineteen patients with keratoconus underwent epikeratophakia by one of the authors (DSD) and were followed from 3 to 29 months. Patient selection criteria included contact lens failure, and minimal or no central corneal scarring. Uncorrected visual acuity improved by three or more Snellen lines in 13 of 19 patients (68%). Postoperatively, after more than 6 months follow-up, 81 % of the patients had best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. A mean flattening of 4.73 diopters (D) occurred on keratometry readings. There was a mean decrease in refractive cylinder of 2.84 D. Spherical equivalent refraction showed a mean decrease in myopia of 4.64 D. Five patients had postoperative refractive cylinder greater than 4 D requiring relaxing incision(s). With some patients having been followed for more than 2 years, no recurrences of keratoconus have been noted. In properly selected patients, epikeratophakia can effectively be used to treat keratoconus and thus avoid potential intraocular surgical complications and immunogenic phenomena.
Effects of shock loading on Young's Modulus of Copper

Abstract The effects of shock loading on the Young's Modulus of Copper are investigated at shock pressures of 2.4 Kbars, 11.6 Kbars, and 85 Kbars respectively. Also studied is the nature of recovery of Young's Modulus of shock-loaded specimens in boiling water in terms of maximum percentage recovery and the rate of recovery as a function of shock pressure.
Estimation of regional lung expansion via 3D image registration

A method is described to estimate regional lung expansion and related biomechanical parameters using multiple CT images of the lungs, acquired at different inflation levels. In this study, the lungs of two sheep were imaged utilizing a multi-detector row CT at different lung inflations in the prone and supine positions. Using the lung surfaces and the airway branch points for guidance, a 3D inverse consistent image registration procedure was used to match different lung volumes at each orientation. The registration was validated using a set of implanted metal markers. After registration, the Jacobian of the deformation field was computed to express regional expansion or contraction. The regional lung expansion at different pressures and different orientations are compared.
Algorithms in the diagnosis and management of exotic diseases. IX. Trichuriasis.

tinental United States, mainly in the rural southeast. A large-scale study in Puerto Rico revealed a 75% infection rate in six-year-old children. Trichuris trichiura has an exceedingly simple life cycle, in which ingested eggs hatch in the small bowel and the larvae pass directly down into their final habitat in the colon. The head of the worm is embedded in the mucosa, from which it appears to take up minute amounts of blood. Most individuals with trichuriasis have relatively light infections of no clinical significance. Heavy infections, which occur mainly in young children, may result in some disease manifestations. Whereas treatment in the past has been inadequate, an effective nontoxic drug has recently been developed.
Diffusion and partitioning of magnesium in quartz grain boundaries

Experiments were conducted to study Mg diffusion in quartz grain boundaries. A detector particle method was used to study grain-boundary diffusion because Mg was confined exclusively to the grain boundaries. Diffusion couples were assembled by placing a MgF2 disk against a disk of quartzite, which was placed against a disk of quartzite that contained fayalite (Fe2SiO4) ‘detector particles.’ During diffusion experiments, Mg diffused along the grain boundaries of the central quartzite toward the fayalite quartzite where it was incorporated into fayalite detector particles. The only pathway for transport from the diffusant source to fayalite detector particles was through the grain boundaries in the central quartzite. The cross-sectional area of the grain boundaries that delivered Mg to the fayalite detector particles was determined from scanning electron microscope images. The Mg contents of the fayalite detector particles were used to calculate the mass of Mg that fluxed through the grain boundaries. During the diffusion experiments, pyroxene crystallites nucleated and grew in the central quartzites from Mg and Fe that was transported along quartz grain boundaries. The Mg contents of the crystallites vary linearly throughout the quartzites, suggesting that steady-state transport conditions were rapidly established in the quartz grain boundaries. Magnesium concentrations in the pyroxene crystallites are proportional to concentration gradients in the grain boundaries of the central quartzite. Grain-boundary fluxes and linear concentration gradients were used to calculate diffusion of Mg in grain boundaries of the central quartzite component in the diffusion couples.
Impact of the Affordable Care Act on health insurance access, coverage, and cost for refugees resettled in the USA

Abstract Background Refugees arriving in the USA are a vulnerable population with limited access to health insurance. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been heralded as an opportunity to reduce health-care disparities by improving access to health insurance. However there is substantial between-state variation with respect to enactment of Medicaid expansion and implementation of health-care insurance exchanges. We sought to describe the relation between 2012 refugee resettlement patterns and health-care insurance improvements created by the ACA. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2012 refugee resettlement data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We obtained data from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the US Government health insurance website healthcare.gov. We compared resettlement data for states that have expanded Medicaid and implemented Health Insurance Exchange schemes and those that have not. We used the Wilcoxon rank sum test to investigate whether there was a relation between the price of insurance policies in each state and refugee resettlement rates there. Findings In 2012, 58 238 refugees from 85 countries were resettled in the USA. 32 389 refugees were resettled to 27 states that expanded Medicaid coverage under the ACA (median 555, range 0–5173 refugees per state). This rate did not differ from that for the 25 849 refugees who were resettled to 24 states not expanding Medicaid coverage (median 775 [0–5293]; p=0·7341). The median number of refugees resettled to the 17 states creating health insurance exchanges was 817 (1–5173), which was no higher than the median number of refugees resettled to the 34 states using the federal insurance exchange (601 [0–5923]; p=0·4906). The median monthly premium for a bronze health insurance plan did not differ between states with insurance exchanges ($232) and states with only the federal exchange ($264; p=0·1365). Interpretation In 2012, more refugees were resettled to states that have not expanded Medicaid or created state health insurance exchanges. Because many states have small or no refugee resettlement programmes, the difference in distribution of resettlement based on state insurance policies does not reach statistical significance. Future research should explore the effect of these differences in state policies on refugee health outcomes. Policymakers should consider between-state variation in access to insurance when devising refugee resettlement strategies. Funding None.
QUASIPARTICLES IN THE VORTEX STATE OF DIRTY d-WAVE SUPERCONDUCTORS

Abstract We consider the problem of the vortex contribution to thermal properties of dirty d -wave superconductors. In the clean limit, Volovik has argued that the main contribution to the density of states in a d -wave superconductor arises from extended quasiparticle states which may be treated semiclassically, giving rise to a specific heat contribution δC ( H )≤ H 1/2 . We show that the extended states continue to dominate the dirty limit, but lead to a H log H behavior at the lowest fields, H c 1 ≪ H ≪ H c 2 . The crossover may explain recent discrepancies in specific heat measurements at low temperatures and fields in the cuprate superconductors. We further discuss the field dependence of transport properties within the same model.
Myopic shift after intraocular lens implantation during childhood

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the myopic shift that occurs in children 3 to 9 years of age who undergo cataract extraction with primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods: A review of 18 children (mean, 6.3 ± 0.5 year; range, 3–9 years) who had undergone primary IOL implantation was undertaken. Patients were observed for an average of 3.2 years. The initial and last postoperative refractive errors were compared. Results: The mean myopic shift was −0.99 ± 0.22 diopter (D) (median, 1.0 D) with a range of −3.25 to +0.38 D. The difference in the myopic shift of the children 3 to 5 years of age (-0.94 ± 0.30 D) was not significantly different from the myopic shift occurring in the children 6 to 9 years of age (−1.07 ± 0.35 D). The myopic shift was less than 1.5 D in 70% of the eyes and only 3 eyes had a myopic shift greater than 2 D. Ninety percent of the children achieved a visual acuity of 20/40 or better in their pseudophakic eye or eyes. Conclusions: Although each patient should be evaluated on an individual basis, the authors recommend undercorrecting most children 3 to 9 years of age by 1 D from the IOL power predicted to achieve emmetropia.
Developmental expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in ovine placenta and fetal membranes

Objectives Vascularity of the surface of the placenta in humans and of the placenta and fetal membranes in several species including sheep is an important determinant of intramembranous absorption of amniotic fluid. Our previous studies have shown that the total blood vessel surface area in ovine amnion and chorion increases with advancing gestation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic and permeability factor and is found to be expressed in the ovine placenta and fetal membranes. To investigate the role of VEGF in maintaining the absorptive function of the intramembranous microvessels, the present study was undertaken to determine the gestational change in gene expression of VEGF and its receptors, kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) and fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt-1), in ovine placenta, chorion, and amnion. Methods Total RNA was extracted from placental cotyledon, chorion, and amnion of ovine fetuses at 60-140 days of gestation. The relative abundance of VEGF, KDR, and Flt-1 mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis, and VEGF molecular forms expressed were identified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The gestational changes in mRNA levels of VEGF and its receptors were analyzed by regression analysis. Results In ovine placenta, chorion, and amnion, VEGF mRNA levels increased significantly from 60 to 140 days. The major VEGF molecular form expressed in these tissues was VEGF164, whereas VEGF120, VEGF144, and VEGF188 were present at lower levels. In the placenta, KDR was the primary VEGF receptor expressed, although Flt-1 was also detected at very low levels. In the amnion and chorion, KDR was the only receptor expressed. A gestational-dependent change in VEGF receptor expression was not observed in the placenta and membranes. Conclusions The increase in VEGF gene expression with advancing gestation in the amnion and chorion where KDR is expressed suggests that VEGF and its receptor are important determinants of vascularity and permeability, and thus exchange capacity, of the intramembranous pathway.
Numerical simulation of shock wave propagation in spatially-resolved particle systems

The shock compression of spatially-resolved particle systems is studied at the mesoscale through a series of finite element simulations. The simulations involve propagating shock waves through aluminium–iron oxide thermite systems (Al+Fe2O3) composed of micron-size particles suspended in a polymer binder. Shock-induced chemical reactions are not considered in this work; the particle systems are modelled as inert mixtures. Eulerian formulations are used to accommodate the highly dynamic nature of particulate shock compression. The stress–strain responses of the constituent phases are modelled explicitly at high strain rates and elevated temperatures. Dynamic behaviour of the model system is computed for a set of mixtures (20% and 50% epoxy content by weight) subjected to a range of loading conditions (particle velocities that span 0.300–1.700 km s−1). Spatial profiles of pressure and temperature obtained from the numerical simulations provide insight into thermomechanical responses at the particle level; such resolution is not available in experiments. Finally, Hugoniot data are calculated for the particle mixtures. Stationary pressure calculations are in excellent agreement with experiments, while shock velocity calculations exhibit larger deviations due to the 2D approximation of the microstructure.
On quadratic adaptive routing algorithms

Two analytic models of a store-and-forward communications network are constructed, one to find the optimal message routing and the other to illustrate the equilibrium (stationary state) maintained by an adaptive routing algorithm. These models show that adaptive routing does not satisfy the necessary conditions for an optimal routing. Adaptive routing tends to overuse the direct path and underuse alternate routes because it does not consider the impact of its current routing decision on the future state of the network. The form of the optimality conditions suggests that a modification of the adaptive algorithm will result in optimality. The modification requires the substitution of a quadratic bias term instead of a linear one in the routing table maintained at each network node. Simulation results are presented which confirm the theoretical analysis for a simple network.
Nodal Based Mappings Between Finite Element Meshes

Due to the demands on mathematical models that simulate physical properties and behaviors of automotive components, different finite element meshes often partition the same component for each disparate simulation. Commercial packages that transfer mesh dependent results from one finite element analysis to initialize another typically use a variation of a specific nodal based mapping. The simplicity and ease of implementation make this mapping very attractive. In its simplest form, the mapping first assigns a node in the analyzed model the average value of the elements that share the node. A node in the unanalyzed mesh receives its value from the closest node in the analyzed mesh. Nodal based interpolants on the new element initialize elemental values. When an element in the unanalyzed mesh requires a constant value such as its thickness, the element receives the average value at the nodes that define the element. This brief paper documents some undesirable characteristics of this nodal based transfer of material properties from one mesh to another.
Application of the Triad Training Model in a Multicultural Counseling Course

The authors investigated the effectiveness of the Triad Training Model (P. Pedersen, 1994a, 1994b, 2000a, 2000b) on influencing counselor empathy, intolerance for ambiguity, and multicultural competency by using a quasi-experimental treatment group comparison design. No significant differences among the triad training group and two comparison groups were found. However, the changes in multicultural competency scores within the treatment group were found to be significant. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Extended Photocurrent Modeling with Application to Latchup Analysis

Nonlinear departure from low injection and bipolar device modeling are introduced into TRISPICE. These features and other advanced aspects of TRISPICE photocurrent representation are found to be significant for study of latchup.
Activation of galanin pathways across puberty in the male rat: Assessment of regional densities of galanin binding sites

Abstract Galanin-like immunoreactivity and galanin messenger RNA levels increase across puberty in neurons of gonadal steroid-dependent brain nuclei. We hypothesized that this activation and the associated increase in endogenous galanin release would result in changes across puberty in both galanin binding density and the level of receptor occupancy. Here we have assessed the density of galanin binding sites in several brain regions of prepubertal and adult male rats with or without GTP to induce dissociation of endogenous galanin from its binding sites. The developmental changes in the level of receptor occupancy were used as an indirect measure of changes in neuropeptide release from galanin expressing neurons. In standard binding conditions (buffer preincubation),125I-labeled galanin binding showed a generalized decline in adult brains (34–68%) compared with prepubertal levels in most regions of the telencephalon and diencephalon. Following preincubation with 10−5 M GTP, galanin binding showed a dramatic increase in most regions of the adult (152–504%) and several regions of the prepubertal brain (132–245%) over their standard binding levels. However, this increase was greatest in adult animals. Finally, although preincubation of brain slices with GTP eliminated most of the apparent age-related differences observed in standard binding conditions, several brain regions of the adult brain continued to show a significant reduction (38–76%) in125I-labeled galanin binding compared with prepubertal animals. Only one region, the lateral preoptic area, exhibited enhanced125I-labeled galanin binding in adult (160%) compared with prepubertal brain after GTP preincubation. The results support our hypothesis that pubertal activation of galanin pathways is associated with increased galanin release and enhanced galanin receptor occupancy by endogenous ligand in the adult brain. However, the persistent age-associated differences in125I-labeled galanin binding sites density found in several brain regions after unmasking of binding sites suggest that, in addition to a higher level of receptor occupancy by endogenous ligand, an actual change in galanin binding sites number and/or affinity occurs in certain brain regions across puberty in the male rat.
A better copyright system? comparing welfare of indefinitely renewable copyright versus fixed-length copyright

This study models and simulates fixed-length copyright (FLC) and indefinitely renewable copyright (IRC) and compares their social welfare. Evidence is found suggesting that IRC has lower maximal social welfare than FLC does. This difference can be explained by the way copyright duration is determined. Copyright duration represents the balance between encouraging creation and reducing restrictions on the consumption of information products. Under FLC, copyright duration is chosen directly by legislation; under IRC, it is induced indirectly through a copyright fee. However, the imposition of a copyright fee distorts the behavior of creators and thus decreases social welfare.
Nicotine place preference using the biased method of conditioning

1. The objective of the experimentation was to determine whether nicotine (NIC, 0.8 mg/kg subcutaneously administered) would produce a conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats confined for thirty min to their less-preferred side in a three compartment apparatus, or an aversion when another group of rats were confined to their more preferred side. 2. On the non-drugged test day following eight conditioning trials, the rats spent more time in the compartment paired with NIC that was initially less-preferred, whereas animals that were conditioned with NIC in their preferred compartment had no significant change in time spent in that side. 3. Subsequently, locomotor activity was measured during a 30 min test session following the injection of NIC at the dose tested in CPP (0.8 mg/kg). A possible common mechanism on NIC-induced CPP and locomotor stimulation, as they may be regulated by mesolimbic dopamine neurons is discussed.
Revised screening scale to predict survival after insertion of a left ventricular assist device

Abstract Background: We previously calculated a risk factor summation score that successfully predicted survival after insertion of a left ventricular assist device. We sought to validate our previous score by using a single center's clinical experience and to determine emerging risk factors for mortality after device insertion. Methods: The clinical records of 130 consecutive patients who received the HeartMate VE left ventricular assist device (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, Calif) at our institution between June 1996 and March 2001 as a bridge to transplantation were reviewed. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the predictors of operative mortality after device insertion. Using the relative risks for each identified variable, we devised a new risk factor summation score. The new and old scores were then compared by using linear regression analyses to determine whether the revised score improved statistical accuracy. Results: Overall operative mortality was 25% (n = 33). The old score successfully predicted operative mortality in the current patient population (operative mortality of 38% for score >5 vs 13% for score ≤5). However, the revised score improved risk discrimination (operative mortality of 46% for a score >5 vs 12% for a score ≤ to 5). Statistical accuracy was comparable between scores, but the relationship between observed and predicted outcomes was improved with the revised score. Conclusions: The changing demographic profile and management of patients presenting for mechanical circulatory support has led to a change in the predictors of mortality after device insertion. Periodic remodeling and recalibration of risk indices helps to accurately predict outcomes in high-risk patient groups and identifies emerging risk factors for mortality. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003;125:855-62
Contrast and pragmatics in figurative language: Anything understatement can do, irony can do better

Abstract Verbal irony (e.g., ‘Oh fantastic, there is no queue at all’) and understatement (e.g., “There seems to be a bit of a queue”) perform similar pragmatic functions because they both make use of a potential contrast between expected and experienced events. Since verbal irony and understatement both refer to the expected event (e.g., no queue or a relatively short queue at a theater), they create a contrast with the experienced event (e.g., a long queue at the theater). This makes verbal irony and understatement generally funnier, more criticizing, more expressive of a difference between expected and ensuing events and more protective of the speaker than literal remarks (e.g., ‘This queue is very long’). Verbal irony, however, creates a stronger contrast effect than understatement. This makes verbal irony perform the first three of these functions to a greater extent than understatement and it makes understatement perform the latter function to a greater extent than verbal irony. These results are used to argue that theories of figurative language comprehension need to better account for contrast and similar kinds of effects caused by the language structures used by speakers.
Social body comparison and internalization: Mediators of social influences on men's muscularity-oriented body dissatisfaction☆

Research suggests that body dissatisfaction (BD) is prevalent among males and associated with unhealthy outcomes. Consistent with the well-validated Tripartite Influence Model, internalization of an ideal body figure and social body comparison have received support as predictors of men's dissatisfaction with their muscularity. However, empirical investigations with males that include both constructs are lacking. The current study examined the associations of both constructs with muscularity-oriented BD in a sample of college men (n=204). Results from hierarchical regression analyses revealed that internalization and social body comparisons had unique relations with men's muscularity-oriented BD. A structural equation model indicated that both constructs mediated the relationship between social influences and muscularity BD. Preliminary data on targets of male body comparisons also were presented. These findings provide evidence for extension of the Tripartite Influence Model to males, particularly when constructs are assessed in ways that are reliable and valid for this population.
Industrial applications of computerized dispersive infrared spectroscopy for analysis in solution

Abstract Today, with the relatively low cost of data processing equipment, it is possible to interface a dedicated minicomputer to a computer-compatible scientific instrument to give a total system that is ideal for routine operation. This article describes some basic chemical applications of a commercial system for computerized infrared spectroscopy that are relevant to analytical problems encountered in industrial laboratories. In the initial stages of the article some examples are given of the different experimental procedures that are available to handle infrared data from solutions. The remaining sections illustrate the direct application of data handling to specific applications in both organic and aqueous media.
Formation of Irreversible Nearly Transparent Physical Polymeric Hydrogels during a Modified Microemulsion Polymerization

Introduction. Microemulsion polymerization has been widely studied since the first studies by Stoffer1 and Atik2, in the early 1980s. Microemulsion polymerization is effective in producing polymer latexes in the size range of 10-50 nm.3,4 But, two major drawbacks have limited its broad applications, i.e., (1) low monomer/ surfactant weight ratios, usually 95% conversion of monomer. High solids-content nanosize polymeric microemulsions for other recipes in Table 1 could be prepared similarly. Some of them turned into nearly transparent or semitransparent hydrogels during polymerization or after a period of storage. Results and Discussion. In Table 1 are shown polymerization recipes for various monomers, some of which resulted in polymeric hydrogels while others did not. It was found when MMA or EMA amount was increased high enough (PEMA-980217, PMMA-970306, and PMMA-980216) at a certain reaction temperature (40 or 25 °C), translucent (for PEMA) or semitransparent (for PMMA) hydrogels formed. Hydrogel formation may occur during the polymerization or after a period of storage. Reaction temperature affected the polymer content in hydrogels: at 25 °C, the polymer content in PMMA hydrogel was 27.3%, but at 40 °C, hydrogel formed as the polymer content reached 16%. On the other hand, no hydrogel resulted at higher reaction temperatures (e.g., 65 °C, PMMA-980113 in Table 1). However, for BMA, whose water solubility is much lower than MMA and EMA, no hydrogel formed even at the polymer content of 40% (PBMA-980218 in Table 1), and * Corresponding author. † Fudan University. ‡ Eastern Michigan University. § Current address: Eindhoven University of Technology, Polymer Chemistry & Coatings Technology, Den Dolech 2, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands. 528 Macromolecules 1999, 32, 528-530
DT-diaphorase activity in NSCLC and SCLC cell lines: a role for fos/jun regulation

To assess the potential differential lung tumour expression of NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (NQO1), the human (h) NQO1 promoter was characterized in gene transfer studies. A deletion panel of 5′ flanking hNQO1 promoter constructs was made and tested in transient transfection assays in NSCLC and SCLC cell lines. The largest hNQO1 construct (–1539/+115) containing the antioxidant response element (ARE), exhibited robust levels of reporter activity in the NSCLC (H460, H520, and A549) cell lines and expression was over 12 to 77-fold higher than the minimal (–259/+115) promoter construct. In contrast, there was little difference in promoter activity between the largest and minimal promoter construct in the SCLC (H146, H82 and H187) cell lines. Deletion of the sites for NFκB and AP-2 and the XRE did not significantly affect hNQO1 promoter activity in either the NSCLC or SCLC cell lines. Robust promoter activity in NSCLC lines was mediated by a 359 bp segment of the proximal promoter that contained a canonical AP-1 binding site, TGACTCAG, within the ARE. Gel supershift assays with various specific Fos/Jun antibodies identified Fra1, Fra2 and Jun B binding activity in NSCLC cells to a promoter fragment (–477 to –438) spanning the AP-1 site, whereas SCLC do not appear to express functional Fra or Jun B. These results suggest a possible role for AP-1 activity in the differential expression of hNQO1 in NSCLC. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign
Effects of surface perturbations on the asymmetric vortex flow over a slender body

An experimental investigation of the effects of surface perturbations on the asymmetric flow past a slender body has been conducted for laminar flow conditions. Beads with diameters ranging from 3/32 to 12/32 in. were attached near the apex of a cone/cylinder model having a base diameter of 3.5 in. and a cone semiapex angle of 9 deg at an angle of attack of 40 deg in an attempt to alter the sense of the asymmetric vortex flow pattern. Circumferential position as well as longitudinal location were varied to determine the most effective bead position. Whether or not the beads were effective in controlling the magnitude and direction of the vortex asymmetries was determined by 3 circumferential rows of pressure taps and by a helium-bubble flow visualization technique. The most effective circumferential position was found to be approximately 140 deg from the windward ray. While holding this circumferential position constant, the effect of bead size at three stations further along the body was also investigated. It was found that the size of the bead necessary to reverse the asymmetry increased more rapidly than the growth in cylinder radius. In general, these results indicate that discrete geometric imperfections on a body's surface can force asymmetry in a given direction if they are sufficiently large relative to the local radius.
Sensitivity Considerations in Specific Optimum Controls

ABSTRACT This paper considers the problem of sensitivity of the specific optimum control law to changes in the initial conditions and duration of optimization of a linear dynamic system. Examples are included to illustrate the method.
Progress in understanding oral health and HIV/AIDS

Over the last 30 years, there have been significant advances in our scientific knowledge of HIV disease, including prevention, detection, medical management, and attempts at cure. Investigations and observations of the oral cavity in individuals with HIV disease have contributed substantially to scientific discovery and innovation. Challenges remain for managing existing and emerging oral diseases associated with HIV and understanding the contribution of latent oral mucosal reservoirs to HIV eradication.
SU-FF-T-262: Advanced Irradiator for the Small Animal Conformal Treatment

Purpose: Conformal irradiation of small animals represents an emerging research tool in the field of radiationoncology. Our institution is developing a treatment system for the small animal RT based on the 192Ir radioactive source. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations were performed for the simple irradiator geometries with a single radioactive source and simple collimator apertures. In order to compensate for the severe inverse square law effects a series of simulations were performed involving 256 192Ir sources arranged in 16×16 planar matrix. Method and Materials: Simulations were performed using customized BEAMnrc code. The simulated geometry consisted of the source matrix positioned at the entrance of a meshed collimator. The collimator was a 2 cm thick tungsten slab with 256 (1×1 mm2) square holes arranged to match the source matrix. The wall thickness between the adjacent holes was 1 mm. The final collimation element was a set of 2 cm thick tungsten leafs effectively enabling the choice of matrix elements included in the output beam. Dose distributions were scored in a 5×5×5 cm3 water phantom with 1 mm3 voxel‐size. Results: The obtained dose distributions exhibit significantly less dose fall off vs. depth when compared to the single source geometry. The radial dose distribution and the size of the penumbra are comparable with the single source geometry but the angle of divergence is much smaller particularly for the higher irradiation field sizes. Conclusion: The novel design of the Ir192 irradiator has been tested via Monte Carlo simulations and exhibits significant improvements over simple geometries. Achievable depth dose curves and the small divergence of the beam promise much better conformal delivery. The design allows for IMRT‐like treatment planning and is a strong candidate for an actual experimental realization.
Multistage bandit problems

Abstract Consider two or more treatments with dichotomous responses. The total number N of experimental units are to be allocated in a fixed number r of stages. The problem is to decide how many units to assign to each treatment in each stage. Responses from selections in previous stages are available and can be considered but responses in the current stage are not available until the next group of selections is made. Information is updated via the Bayes theorem after each stage. The goal is to maximize the overall expected number of successes in the N units. Two forms of prior information are considered: (i) All arms have beta priors, and (ii) prior distributions have continuous densities. Various characteristics of optimal decisions are presented. For example, in most cases of (i) and (ii), the rate of the optimal size of the first stage cannot be greater than √N when r = 2.
The measurement of optical anisotropies of molecules in aqueous solutions by light scattering at 6328 Å

Abstract Molecular optical anisotropies of phenol, pyrazine, pyridine, pyrazole, collidine and quinoline have been determined in pure water and in sodium chloride solutions at 20°C using a 6328 A laser source. Values show no measurable dependence upon salt or solute concentrations and are systematically lower than those obtained previously for similar aqueous solutions at 5461 A. Isotropic, or nearly isotropic ions such as perchlorate phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, sulfate, hydrogen sulfate and molybdate also have been studied in aqueous solution and have been found to exhibit extremely low depolarized scattering intensities.