cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Four wave nonlinear optical mixing as real time holography

Abstract The phenomenon of four-wave optical mixing is an exact analog of the sequential operations of holographic recording and reconstruction. It should thus be possible to realize, in real time, holographic experiments and devices using such mixing.
Airborne chemical contamination of a chemically amplified resist

We have found that the performance of the t-BOC/onium salt resist system is severely degraded by vapor from organic bases. This effect is very pronounced and can be observed when the coated wafers stand for 15 minutes in air containing as little as 15 parts per billion (ppb) of an organic base. The observed effect, caused by this chemical contamination, depends on the tone of the resist system. For negative tone systems the UV exposure dose, required to obtain the correct linewidth, increases. While for the positive tone system, one observes the generation of a skin at the resist-air interface. Both effects are caused by the photogenerated acid being neutralized by the airborne organic base. There are a wide variety of commonly used materials which can liberate trace amounts of volatile amines and degrade resist performance. For example, fresh paint on a laboratory wall can exhibit this detrimental effect. These effects can be minimized by storing and processing the resist coated wafers in air that has passed through a specially designed, high efficiency carbon filter. The implementation of localized air filtration, to bathe the resist in chemically pure air, enabled this resist system to operate in a manufacturing environment at a rate of 100 wafers/hour.
Effect of phenobarbital on hepatic transport and excretion of 131 I-rose bengal in children with cholestasis.

Extract: The effects of phenobarbital (PB) on plasma clearance, hepatic uptake and storage, and excretion in stool and urine of 131I-rose bengal (RB) were studied in seven subjects, six with a variety of hepatobiliary disorders characterized by cholestasis, and one with normal hepatic functions. In three children with patent extrahepatic biliary passages but different degrees and types of cholestasis, plasma t1/2 for RB was shortened from 61.3 to 44.5 hr, from 44.5 to 24.8 hr, and from 155.5 to 96.9 hr before and during PB administration (10 mg/kg/day), respectively. The corresponding quantitative 72-hr fecal excretion of RB increased from 3.2% to 9.2%, from 9.9% to 71.0%, and from 0.3% to 10.0% of the injected dose; the normal subject excreted 78.6% before and 94.9% during PB treatment. Plasma t1/2 and fecal excretion of RB were unchanged in three infants with absence of extrahepatic bile ducts who were treated with PB. Hepatic uptake and storage capacity for RB and renal excretion of RB were not affected by PB. The serum bilirubin concentration (total and direct-reacting) was lowered in patients with cholestatic jaundice not caused by biliary atresia. Interruption of drug therapy was followed by increase in the serum bilirubin to pretreatment concentrations in these patients. Phenobarbital treatment increased reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-cytochrome G reductase activity 30–150% in four subjects, whereas activity remained unchanged in three others. The effect of PB on microsomal reductase activity was unrelated to its ability to stimulate hepatic excretion. Phenobarbital in therapeutic dosages enhances biliary excretion of RB and conjugated bilirubin by stimulating hepatic excretory function in patients with intact extrahepatic bile ducts. Hepatic uptake, storage capacity, and NADPH-cytochrome C reductase induction do not seem to be directly involved in the acceleration of hepatic transport. Speculation: Knowledge of the kinetics of 131I-RB distribution in human plasma, tissue, and excreta can serve as a basis for further studies of normal and hepatic excretory functions in man. Phenobarbital-stimulated biliary excretion of anions such as RB and conjugated bilirubin reflects patency of extrahepatic bile ducts. For this reason, PB in conjuction with 131I-RB may prove to be useful agents in the diagnosis and management of various cholestatic conditions.
Aberration production using a high-resolution liquid-crystal spatial light modulator.

Phase-only liquid-crystal spatial light modulators provide a powerful means of wavefront control. With high resolution and diffractive (modulo 2π) operation, they can accurately represent large-dynamic-range phase maps. As a result, they provide an excellent means of producing electrically controllable, dynamic, and repeatable aberrations. However, proper calibration is critical to achieving accurate phase maps. Several calibration methods from previous literature were considered. With simplicity and accuracy in mind, we selected one method for each type of necessary calibration. We augmented one of the selected methods with a new step that improves its accuracy. After calibrating our spatial light modulator with our preferred methods, we evaluated its ability to produce aberrations in the laboratory. We studied Zernike polynomial aberrations using interferometry and Fourier-transform-plane images, and atmospheric aberrations using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. These measurements show the closest agreement with theoretical expectations that we have seen to date.
Virtual light field projection for CT-simulation.

We report a method to project a virtual light field over the patient during CT-simulations of external beam radiotherapy. It can be used to perform all the tasks associated with the physical light field of a conventional simulator. The system consists of a three-dimensional sonic digitizer interfacing with a window-based software on a personal computer. The digitizer can provide the three-dimensional coordinates of any point in space accessible by the digitizer probe. When these coordinates are transformed into the beam’s eye view, the position of the digitized point relative to the beam can readily be displayed. Thus, the system establishes a virtual light field in space, which can be “seen” only by the digitizer probe. For any digitized point, the system can immediately show, by the beam’s eye view display, whether the point is inside the field, outside of the field, or on the field border. Moreover, this virtual field projection allows one to evaluate external target coverage (or external normal tissue sparing) conveniently and interactively. By simply digitizing the concerned area and viewing its position in the beam’s eye view display, one can immediately assess the coverage and if necessary, modify the treatment field accordingly. The system also provides an efficient and essential procedure in CT-simulations for marking treatment portals on the patient. By cruising the digitizer probe on the patient’s skin surface under visual and audio guidances, one can promptly find the projection of the field center, field corners, etc., on the patient. Measurements have been performed to study the accuracy of the GP-12 sonic digitizer using rigid phantoms. Based on the measured data, the overall accuracy of the portal localization system is estimated to be ±2 mm. The system has been in clinical use for our CT simulator.
Messenger ribonucleic acid expression of platelet-derived growth factor subunits and receptors in pituitary adenomas.

Little is known about the expression of growth factors and their receptors in pituitary tumors or the relationship of growth factors to pituitary neoplasia. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a potent mitogen that has been postulated to stimulate tumor growth through autocrine and/or paracrine loops in a number of human tumors. In the present study we demonstrate messenger ribonucleic acid expression of the PDGF subunits and receptors in a variety of human pituitary adenomas and in a normal human anterior pituitary gland. Northern blot analysis performed on 34 pituitary adenomas showed that all tumors expressed the PDGF-A and PDGF-B subunits, the majority (94%) expressed the PDGF-beta receptor, and a subset (44%) expressed the PDGF-alpha receptor. The normal anterior pituitary studied expressed all of the PDGF subunits and receptor subunits. Clinically, there was no correlation between expression of the PDGF subunits or receptors and tumor size or with invasion into adjacent structures (cavernous si...
Facilitating data-intensive science with RAM disk and Hadoop on large shared-memory systems

Traditionally, Hadoop is run on parallel machines with modest processing capabilities and large amounts of disk. A large shared-memory system may not, at first blush, seem a likely host for a Hadoop cluster, but when researchers asked to run Hadoop on our 16 TB shared memory system, Blacklight, we set out to determine how effectively Hadoop could work in this non-traditional environment. We will begin by discussing the technical hurdles involved with making the Hadoop platform run efficiently on Blacklight, including configuration management and dynamic port allocation. Then we will discuss the logistics of using RAM disk on Blacklight, where a portion of the system's memory is allocated on a per-job basis to be used in place of the local disk expected by Hadoop. To conclude, we'll share some test results comparing our shared-memory system running Hadoop to a traditional parallel cluster. We expect this work to increase user productivity by making fast memory-based I/O available to solve a large set of data-intensive problems, including those already utilizing, or easily adaptable to, the ubiquitous MapReduce framework.
High Spatial Resolution Tem Study of Thin Film Metal/6H-Sic Interfaces

Thin films of titanium, platinum, and hafnium were deposited on single crystal n-type, (0001) 6H-SiC at room temperature in UHV. Microstructure and chemistry of their interfaces were analyzed by high spatial resolution TEM imaging and spectroscopy. Ti5Si3 and TiC were the two phases found in the reaction zone of Ti/SiC specimens annealed at 700°C. A carbon-containing amorphous layer formed between Pt and SiC when the annealing temperature went up to 750°C. There was no apparent reaction zone in Hf/SiC specimens annealed at 700°C for 60 min.. The change of electrical properties of metal/6H-SiC devices was attributed to these new product phases.
Atelosteogenesis type III: Long term survival, prenatal diagnosis, and evidence for dominant transmission

We describe two additional instances of atelosteogenesis, type III, in a woman and her son. Clinical and radiographic information concerning these individuals allows further definition of this rare skeletal dysplasia. This is the first documentation of survival to adulthood of an individual with this disorder, of prenatal diagnostic assessment of an affected individual, and of vertical transmission suggestive of autosomal dominant inheritance. The clinical and radiologic phenotype of atelosteogenesis, type III overlaps with that of another skeletal dysplasia, autosomal dominant Larsen syndrome; these most likely represent allelic conditions.
Big problems in industry (panel)

Software Engineering in practice deals with scale in a variety of dimensions. We build large scale systems operating on vast amount of data. We have millions of customers with billions of queries and transactions. We have distributed teams making thousands of changes, running millions of tests and releasing multiple times per day. These dimensions of scale interact to provide challenges for software development tools and processes. The panelists will describe the challenging aspects of scale in their specific problem domains and discuss which software engineering methods work and which leave room for improvement.
Stream water and soil solution responses to 5 years of nitrogen and sulfur additions at the Fernow Experimental Forest, West Virginia

To examine the effects of elevated N and S inputs on a central hardwood forest, a whole-watershed acidification experiment was initiated in 1989 on the Fernow Experimental Forest, West Virginia. Annual experimental additions of 40 kg S ha−1 year−1 and 35 kg N ha−1 year−1 as ammonium sulfate fertilizer were applied to a 34 ha watershed with a 25-year-old stand of central Appalachian hardwoods. An adjacent watershed served as the control. After 5 years of treatment (total additions of 275 kg S ha−1 and 220 kg N ha−1), stream water NO3−, Ca2+, Mg2+ concentrations and export increased. Soil solution concentrations provide evidence that the treatment watershed is nitrogen-saturated, which was unexpected for such a young stand. No statistically significant changes in annual SO42− export were observed, but peak stream water concentrations of SO42− did increase during the treatment period. Changes in soil solution chemistry suggest that the treated watershed also may be approaching SO42− saturation.
Producing Whiteness: An exploration of working-class white men in two contexts1

In this essay we enter the terrain of 'whiteness' studies, drawing upon data gathered in two ethnographic investigations conducted in a large northeastern city in the United States. In the first study we focus on the ways in which whiteness among working-class men emerges in relation to a constructed 'other', in this case a black/Latino other who is held to have unpleasant characteristics. In the second, we problematize the idea that the white European self emerges necessarily in relation to that of a constructed 'dark other' by focusing on white working-class Irish adults who frequent an Irish community centre in the same city. We explore the ways in which the presence of particular spaces within which ethnic identities can flourish may blunt the effects of possible intergroup violence based on the production of a white identity and at the same time potentially encourage a multi-racial set of political coalitions.
In Situ Variable-Temperature High-Resolution 1H NMR Studies of Molecular Dynamics and Structure in Coal

We have carried out the first systematic in situ variable-temperature high-resolution 1H NMR study of coal samples between 25 and 230 °C based on the CRAMPS (combined rotation and multiple-pulse spectroscopy) technique. The coal samples studied include two high-volatile and one low-volatile bituminous coals from the Argonne premium coal bank. We found unexpectedly that there are no dramatic changes of 1H CRAMPS resolution over this temperature range. Slight deterioration of resolution at high temperature suggests interference of thermally promoted molecular motion with coherent averaging by the multiple-pulse sequence. Based on a “time-suspension” experiment using the CMG-48 pulse sequence and proton dipolar-dephasing experiments, we estimated the correlation time of the thermally promoted molecular motion as being about 10 μs, which is several orders of magnitude slower than the molecular motion induced with pyridine saturation of coal at room temperature. This result suggests that thermal treatment alon...
The Real Dangers to the American Middle Class

Typically, the standard of living is measured by incomes and wealth. But this political scientist believes a core benefit of a middle class is economic security. He says that what is truly harming ...
The “probability of a fit choice”

This paper attempts to model elections by incorporating voter judgments about candidate and leader competence. The proposed model can be linked to Madison’s understanding of the nature of the choice of Chief Magistrate (Madison, James Madison: writings. The Library of America, New York, 1999 [1787]) and Condorcet’s work on the so-called “Jury Theorem” (Condorcet 1994 [1785]). Electoral models use the notion of a Nash Equilibrium. This notion generally depends on a fixed point argument. For deterministic electoral models, there will typically be no equilibrium. Instead we introduce the idea of a preference field, $$H,$$ for the society. A condition called half-openess of $$H$$ is sufficient to guarantee existence of a local direction gradient, $$d,$$ Even when $$d$$ is not well-defined we can use the idea of the heart for the society. This is an attractor of the set of social moves that can occur. As an application, a stochastic model of elections is considered, and applied to the 2008 presidential election in the United States. In such a stochastic model the electoral origin will satisfy the first order condition for a local Nash equilibrium. We then show how to compute the Hessian of each candidate’s vote share function, and obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for convergence to the electoral origin, suggesting that there will be a social direction gradient. The origin maximizes aggregrate voter utility and can be interpreted as a fit choice for the polity.
On the Constituents of Aqueous Polyselenide Electrolytes: A Combined Theoretical and Raman Spectroscopic Study

The speciation of aqueous polyselenide solutions at high pH values has been investigated by Raman and UV/vis absorption spectroscopy. Complementary, ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the HF/6-31+G* level of theory have been carried out on the vibrational frequencies of polyselenide dianions Sex2- (x = 2−4), polyselenide radical anions Sex- (x = 2, 3), and protonated polyselenides HSex- (x = 1−3) in order to substantiate the assignment of the experimental Raman spectra. Although the optical spectra suggest the successive formation of Se22-, Se32-, and Se42- with progressive oxidation of the solutions, only two characteristic Raman bands are observed at 269 and 324 cm-1. A sequence of overtones of the 269 cm-1 band is observed after excitation with blue light. Likewise strong overtones of the 324 cm-1 band appear after excitation with green light. The 269 cm-1 feature is assigned to Se42- while the 324 cm-1 band is attributed to the radical anion Se2-. The occurrence of polyselenide radicals in aq...
Quantum Fact and Fiction

The fact is that, beside the two quantum rules for energy and angular momentum, there is a third analogous rule for the linear momentum, established by W. Duane in 1923. Though this rule is generally accepted, there is no trace of recognition in the literature that it yields a consistent unitary particle explanation of all those phenomena of diffraction and coherence, e.g., of the two-slit experiment, which allegedly can be accounted for only by the fution of a dual nature of matter, with transmutation of particles into waves and back into particles again. The usual method of solving this dilemma has admittedly been that of “refining the language of physics,” beginning with replacing the physical idea of a forth and back transformation by the term “dual manifestation,” thereby shunning any “real” constitution of matter, which then requires a specially adjusted philosophy of knowledge. In contrast, the quantum rule for the linear momentum solves the apparent contradictions in a physical manner without alternating manifestations. It introduces a great simplification which should also influence the method of teaching the theory. The purpose of the present article is to give due credit to the American pioneer of quantum mechanics, W. Duane, whose contribution to solving the duality paradox is a shining example of the scientific method, in contrast to the purely semantic approach in vogue for more than a generation.
Naturally chiral surfaces

Chiral surfaces are of growing importance as a result of their potential for use in enantioselective chemical processes. By far, the most widely used and commonly studied chiral surfaces are those prepared by templating of an achiral surface with chiral organic ligands. It is possible, however, to prepare naturally chiral surfaces by a number of means. This paper describes the various types of chiral surfaces. In addition, data are presented to suggest that naturally chiral surfaces of metals can be prepared by a process of imprinting in which chiral adsorbates induce reconstructions that create chiral kinks on metal surfaces.
Ice binding, recrystallization inhibition, and cryoprotective properties of ice-active substances associated with Antarctic sea ice diatoms.

Abstract Extracellular macromolecules associated with Antarctic sea ice diatoms were previously shown to have ice-binding activities. The function of these ice-active substances (IASs) has not been identified. Here we show that two of the IASs have a strong ability to inhibit the recrystallization of ice, possibly signifying a cryoprotectant function. To test this possibility, two species of marine diatom (one Antarctic and one temperate) were subjected to a single freeze–thaw cycle (approximately 20 h at −4 or −5 °C) in the presence or absence of IAS. Viability, based on a double staining technique, was 15–29% higher in the presence of IAS. Etching of single crystal ice hemispheres grown from dilute IAS solutions indicated that the IASs bind to specific faces of ice and are incorporated into the ice lattice. Together, these results suggest that the IASs acts as a cryoprotectant, probably through some ice-binding mechanism.
Portrait of a Greek Imagination: An Ethnographic Biography of Andreas Nenedakis

Portrait of a Greek Imagination: An Ethnographic Biography of Andreas Nenedakis. MICHAEL HERZFELD. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997. viii + 333 pp., figures, notes, references, index.
Mixed Metal Oxide Interfaces: An Experimental and Theoretical Assessment of Secondary Metal Influences in Metal Impregnated Aluminas

Studies of the mixed-metal interface in metal impregnated alumina have indicated the possibility of much metal-metal and metal-substrate interaction. Studies were carried out on NiCu/Al 2 O 3 system which was evaluated to develop a better understanding of the forces that drive modification of the catalytic selectivity of Ni in the presence of Cu. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Powder X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and theoretical calculations were carried out on this bimetallic system, using Ni,Ag/Al 2 O 3 as a reference as Ni shows negligible electron perturbation on co-adsorbance with Ag onto alumina. XRD results indicate that gross modification of the electronic fields of Ni and Cu are due to direct coupling and intercalation into the alumina matrix. As a result of this phenomena, these materials may form a good base for the development of novel ceramics based on mixed-metal interactions where the intermetallic perturbations are driven by the substrate effects.
A Molecular Model for Adsorption of Water on Activated Carbon: Comparison of Simulation and Experiment

Experimental and molecular simulation results are presented for the adsorption of water onto activated carbons. The pore size distribution for the carbon studied was determined from nitrogen adsorption data using density functional theory, and the density of acidic and basic surface sites was found using Boehm and potentiometric titration. The total surface site density was 0.675 site/nm2. Water adsorption was measured for relative pressures P/P0 down to 10-3. A new molecular model for the water/activated carbon system is presented, which we term the effective single group model, and grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations are reported for the range of pressures covered in the experiments. A comparison of these simulations with the experiments show generally good agreement, although some discrepancies are noted at very low pressures and also at high relative pressures. The differences at low pressure are attributed to the simplification of using a single surface group species, while those at high pressure...
O2 and H2O are each the source of one O in NO−2 produced from NH3 by Nitrosomonas: 15N-NMR evidence

Abstract The exchange of 18O between H218O and exogeneously added 15N16O−2 which occurs during oxidation of ammonia by Nitrosomonas is shown to occur one oxygen at a time. Conditions in which the exchange is diminished (notably the presence of 14NO–2 and CCCP) allowed demonstration that water and dioxygen are each the source of one oxygen in nitrite produced from 15NH3. The nitrate produced in the presence of 18O2 consisted of 67 and 0% 15N18O16O− and 15N18O18O−, respectively. Analysis was made using the 18O-isotope shift in 15N-NMR.
The cnidoblast-musculoepithelial cell complex in the tentacles of hydra.

The cnidoblast of hydra is known to be both a receptor and an effector cell. This paper describes a specialized cell complex in the tentacles of hydra in which the cnidoblast is shown to have a peculiar relationship to the musculoepithelial cell of the ectoderm. The musculoepithelial cell, which is shown for the first time to have myofilaments of two dimensions, also has a highly specialized area of attenuated cytoplasm, the plasmalemma of which makes a peculiar contact with numerous cnidoblasts on one side and with the acellular mesogloea on the other. It is proposed that the musculoepithelial cell serves an integrative function for the activation of its associated cnidoblasts and perhaps for those of other batteries. Intimately associated with this cell complex are numerous neuronal processes and neurosecretory fibers. The receptor element of the cnidoblast, the cnidocil, is described in detail and shown to bear a striking resemblance to the specialized apical surfaces of hair cells in the lateral line organ, organ of Corti and semicircular canals of vertebrates. Speculations as to the mode of action of the various elements of this complex are offered.
A proposed production tracking system for manufacturing concerns

In many manufacturing concerns the systems used to track production data are as numberous as the departments listed on the organization chart. The records of this multi-system technique seldom agree throughout the various departments. Generally, the root of this problem is (a) the disinterest on the part of non-data processing personnel in using a computerized tracking system themselves, and (b) the view that they cannot rely on a department outside their direct control (i.e. data processing) to do so for them.The implementation of one interactive system which uses a relational data base can transcend both. Use of the system would be uncomplicated enough that personnel in the various departments would feel at ease with it.The term "manufacturing" covers a large domain. The purpose of this paper is not to give one system that "as is" will cover all production phases of the entire spectrum of manufacturing concerns. The intent is to give a general enough approach that, if adapted to most areas and applied with enthusiasm, the result will be a unified and accurate set of data from which relevant information can be derived and sound decisions can be made.
Does kindling model anything clinically relevant

In this theoretical review, the value of the kindling phenomenon in enhancing our understanding of clinical disorders associated with epilepsy is evaluated. The kindling phenomenon is first described. Kindling is suggested to be a viable model of complex partial seizure (CPS) disorders with secondary generalization. Moreover, it is shown how kindling has been used as a conceptual tool which suggests novel psychiatric therapies. Finally, the value of kindling as a model of psychopathology associated with limbic epilepsy is discussed. It is concluded that studies of the effects of kindling on emotional behavior may offer a model of how limbic seizures in humans increase the vulnerability of patients to external precipitants of psychopathology, including anxiety and depression. Studies of the effects of kindling on dopaminergic function are also reviewed. This line of investigation holds promise for enhancing our understanding of hyperdopaminergic consequences of limbic epilepsy. Furthermore, these studies have created testable hypotheses that may explain the complex relationship between epilepsy and psychosis.
Repair of hydantoins, one electron oxidation product of 8-oxoguanine, by DNA glycosylases of Escherichia coli

8-Oxoguanine (8-oxoG), induced by reactive oxygen species and arguably one of the most important mutagenic DNA lesions, is prone to further oxidation. Its one-electron oxidation products include potentially mutagenic guanidinohydantoin (Gh) and spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) because of their mispairing with A or G. All three oxidized base-specific DNA glycosylases of Escherichia coli, namely endonuclease III (Nth), 8-oxoG-DNA glycosylase (MutM) and endonuclease VIII (Nei), excise Gh and Sp, when paired with C or G in DNA, although Nth is less active than the other two. MutM prefers Sp and Gh paired with C (kcat/Km of 0.24–0.26 min–1 nM–1), while Nei prefers G over C as the complementary base (kcat/Km – 0.15–0.17 min–1 nM–1). However, only Nei efficiently excises these paired with A. MutY, a 8-oxoG·A(G)-specific A(G)-DNA glycosylase, is inactive with Gh(Sp)·A/G-containing duplex oligonucleotide, in spite of specific affinity. It inhibits excision of lesions by MutM from the Gh·G or Sp·G pair, but not from Gh·C and Sp·C pairs. In contrast, MutY does not significantly inhibit Nei for any Gh(Sp) base pair. These results suggest a protective function for MutY in preventing mutation as a result of A (G) incorporation opposite Gh(Sp) during DNA replication.
Effects of Blood Contamination of Cerebrospinal Fluid on Results of Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Tests for Detection of Antibodies against Sarcocystis Neurona and Neospora Hughesi

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of blood contamination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the results of indirect fluorescent antibody tests (IFATs) for Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi. The in vitro study used antibody-negative CSF collected from non-neurologic horses immediately after euthanasia and blood samples from 40 healthy horses that had a range of IFAT antibody titers against S. neurona and N. hughesi. Serial dilutions of whole blood were made in seronegative CSF to generate blood-contaminated CSF with red blood cell (RBC) concentrations ranging from 10 to 100,000 RBCs/microl. The blood-contaminated CSF samples were then tested for antibodies against both pathogens using IFAT. Blood contamination of CSF had no detectable effect on IFAT results for S. neurona or N. hughesi at any serologic titer when the RBC concentration in CSF was or=5) for S. neurona and N. hughesi were detected only when the corresponding serum titers were >or=160 and >or=80, respectively. The IFAT performed on CSF is reliable for testing horses for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis caused by S. neurona or N. hughesi, even when blood contamination causes the RBC concentration in CSF to be up to 10,000 RBCs/microl.
Mapping Apparent Stress and Energy Radiation over Fault Zones of Major Earthquakes

Using published slip models for five major earthquakes, 1979 Imperial Valley, 1989 Loma Prieta, 1992 Landers, 1994 Northridge, and 1995 Kobe, we produce maps of apparent stress and radiated seismic energy over their fault surfaces. The slip models, obtained by inverting seismic and geodetic data, entail the division of the fault surfaces into many subfaults for which the time histories of seismic slip are determined. To estimate the seismic energy radiated by each subfault, we measure the near-fault seismic-energy flux from the time-dependent slip there and then multiply by a function of rupture velocity to obtain the corresponding energy that propagates into the far-field. This function, the ratio of far-field to near-fault energy, is typically less than 1/3, inasmuch as most of the near-fault energy remains near the fault and is associated with permanent earthquake deformation. Adding the energy contributions from all of the subfaults yields an estimate of the total seismic energy, which can be compared with independent energy estimates based on seismic-energy flux measured in the far-field, often at teleseismic distances. Estimates of seismic energy based on slip models are robust, in that different models, for a given earthquake, yield energy estimates that are in close agreement. Moreover, the slip-model estimates of energy are generally in good accord with independent estimates by others, based on regional or teleseismic data. Apparent stress is estimated for each subfault by dividing the corresponding seismic moment into the radiated energy. Distributions of apparent stress over an earthquake fault zone show considerable heterogeneity, with peak values that are typically about double the whole-earthquake values (based on the ratio of seismic energy to seismic moment). The range of apparent stresses estimated for subfaults of the events studied here is similar to the range of apparent stresses for earthquakes in continental settings, with peak values of about 8 MPa in each case. For earthquakes in compressional tectonic settings, peak apparent stresses at a given depth are substantially greater than corresponding peak values from events in extensional settings; this suggests that crustal strength, inferred from laboratory measurements, may be a limiting factor. Lower bounds on shear stresses inferred from the apparent stress distribution of the 1995 Kobe earthquake are consistent with tectonic-stress estimates reported by Spudich et al. (1998), based partly on slip-vector rake changes. Manuscript received 21 February 2001.
Capacity as a consideration for providing aeronautical mobile satellite air traffic services in the US domestic airspace

International standards are being developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization for an aeronautical mobile-satellite service (AMSS). Moreover, the American Mobile Satellite Corporation (AMSC) is constructing a satellite communications that could provide this service in US domestic airspace. The author describes a preliminary analysis of the capacity (number of aircraft) that could be handled by the first-generation AMSC system in the early part of the 21st century. The analysis is based on assumptions for the service demand, the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN), the communications scheme, the satellite channel, and the aircraft earth station (AES). Capacity is examined in terms of spectral bandwidth required and satellite power limitations. Service demand is for data link messages for the air traffic services functions of the AMSS. Sensitivity of the results is examined with regard to variations in service demand, spectral efficiencies of different modulation techniques, aircraft antenna equipage, high-gain or low-gain, and the amount of overhead associated with the ATN. >
The pulmonary matrix, glycosaminoglycans and pulmonary emphysema.

This paper reviews recent evidence of the effect of intratracheal hyaluronan (HA) to limit the induction of experimental emphysema in hamsters. Experimental emphysema was induced by both neutrophil and pancreatic elastase instilled intratracheally. Emphysema was quantified anatomically by measurement of alveolar mean linear intercept. Hyaluronidase, instilled intratracheally, enhanced the induction of experimental emphysema. Air-space size measured one week after intratracheal instillation of elastase showed that administration of 1 mg HA immediately following elastase administration resulted in a marked reduction in air-space enlargement (82 μM vs 122 μM, p < 0.01). Similarly, animals given either 1 or 2 mg HA 2 h before elastase or 2 mg HA 1 h after elastase showed a significant decrease in air-space enlargement compared to controls (96μM, 88μM vs 120 μM and 66 μM vs 104μM, respectively; p < 0.05. Experimental emphysema induced by neutrophil elastase was also limited by the administration of 1 or 4 mg o...
Using evolutionary Expectation Maximization to estimate indel rates

Motivation: The Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm, in the form of the Baum--Welch algorithm (for hidden Markov models) or the Inside-Outside algorithm (for stochastic context-free grammars), is a powerful way to estimate the parameters of stochastic grammars for biological sequence analysis. To use this algorithm for multiple-sequence evolutionary modelling, it would be useful to apply the EM algorithm to estimate not only the probability parameters of the stochastic grammar, but also the instantaneous mutation rates of the underlying evolutionary model (to facilitate the development of stochastic grammars based on phylogenetic trees, also known as Statistical Alignment). Recently, we showed how to do this for the point substitution component of the evolutionary process; here, we extend these results to the indel process. Results: We present an algorithm for maximum-likelihood estimation of insertion and deletion rates from multiple sequence alignments, using EM, under the single-residue indel model owing to Thorne, Kishino and Felsenstein (the 'TKF91' model). The algorithm converges extremely rapidly, gives accurate results on simulated data that are an improvement over parsimonious estimates (which are shown to underestimate the true indel rate), and gives plausible results on experimental data (coronavirus envelope domains). Owing to the algorithm's close similarity to the Baum--Welch algorithm for training hidden Markov models, it can be used in an 'unsupervised' fashion to estimate rates for unaligned sequences, or estimate several sets of rates for sequences with heterogenous rates. Availability: Software implementing the algorithm and the benchmark is available under GPL from http://www.biowiki.org/ Contact: ihh@berkeley.edu
Defensive Marketing Strategies

This paper analyzes how a firm should adjust its marketing expenditures and its price to defend its position in an existing market from attack by a competitive new product. Our focus is to provide usable managerial recommendations on the strategy of response. In particular we show that if products can be represented by their position in a multiattribute space, consumers are heterogeneous and maximize utility, and awareness advertising and distribution can be summarized by response functions, then for the profit maximizing firm: it is optimal to decrease awareness advertising, it is optimal to decrease the distribution budget unless the new product can be kept out of the market, a price increase may be optimal, and even under the optimal strategy, profits decrease as a result of the competitive new product. Furthermore, if the consumer tastes are uniformly distributed across the spectrum a price decrease increases defensive profits, it is optimal (at the margin) to improve product quality in the direction of the defending product's strength and it is optimal (at the margin) to reposition by advertising in the same direction. In addition we provide practical procedures to estimate (1) the distribution of consumer tastes and (2) the position of the new product in perceptual space from sales data and knowledge of the percent of consumers who are aware of the new product and find it available. Competitive diagnostics, such as the angle of attack, are introduced to help the defending manager. This article was originally published in Marketing Science, Volume 2, Issue 4, pages 319--360, in 1983.
Smoking and health-related quality of life among U.S. Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE Smoking continues to be a public health problem among youth. Developmentally, adolescence is a period marked by the vulnerability to initiate risk behaviors such as smoking. While studies have documented associations between smoking and poor health related quality of life (HRQOL) among adults, little is known about the association among adolescents. METHODS Data on smoking and HRQOL from a sample of 4,848 adolescents aged 12-17 years from the 2001-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed. Smoking status (current, not current, and never) was determined using self-report data and serum cotinine levels. HRQOL was assessed based on self-reported physical and mental health in the last 30 days, activity limitations in the last 30 days, and general self-rated health. RESULTS Compared with never smokers, adolescents who ever smoked reported more recent physically unhealthy days (p < .001), mentally unhealthy days (p < .0001), and activity limitation days (p < .01). Compared with never smokers, adolescents who ever smoked or who were current smokers were more likely to report ≥ 14 physically unhealthy days, ≥ 14 mentally unhealthy, ≥ 14 activity limitation days, and fair or poor health; not current smokers were also more likely than never smokers to report ≥ 14 days for being both physically unhealthy and mentally unhealthy. CONCLUSIONS Among a nationally representative sample of adolescents, this study found strong associations between smoking and HRQOL measures. The relationship of smoking to self-reported activity limitations warrants attention and further research. The findings underscore the importance of addressing smoking and subjective well-being early in the lifespan.
Clinical Trials and Tribulations: Lessons Learned from Recruiting Pregnant Ex-Smokers for Relapse Prevention

The development of smoking cessation and relapse prevention interventions for pregnant and postpartum women is a public health priority. However, researchers have consistently reported substantial difficulty in recruiting this population into clinical trials. The problem is particularly acute for relapse prevention studies, which must recruit women who have already quit smoking because of their pregnancy. Although these individuals are an important target for tobacco control efforts, they represent an extremely small subgroup of the general population. This paper describes multiple recruitment strategies used for a clinical trial of a self-help relapse prevention program for pregnant women. The effectiveness of the strategies and the direct expense per participant recruited are provided. A proactive recruitment strategy (telephoning women whose phone numbers were purchased from a marketing firm) was ultimately much more successful than a variety of reactive strategies (advertisements, press releases, direct mail, Web placement, health care provider outreach). We found few differences between proactively and reactively recruited participants on baseline variables. The primary difference was that the former had smoked fewer cigarettes per day and reported lower nicotine dependence prior to quitting. Strengths and limitations of the recruitment strategies are discussed.
Muscle activation and force production in Parkinson's patients during sit to stand transfers.

Abstract Objective . The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics, muscle activation, and force production between Parkinson's patients and healthy, age-matched participants during sit-to-stand transfers. Design . This cross-sectional study employed a 2 × 2 × 3 multivariate analysis of variance to test for significant differences between and within groups. Background . The underlying mechanisms that predispose an individual to lose strength during the clinical progression of Parkinson's disease have proved to be elusive, especially during performance of functional tasks such as the sit to stand transfer. Methods . Twenty-four men (mean age: 71.5 years) categorized as Parkinson's patients ( n =13) and healthy adults ( n =11) participated in this study. Two force platforms measured antero-posterior and vertical force components as well as peak torque. Muscle activation was measured by a six channel, bilateral electromyography system. A lower-body kinematic assessment was conducted utilizing a highspeed motion analysis system. Results . No statistically significant differences were found between groups for the outcome variables measured. However, Parkinson's patients did exhibit significant within -group bilateral differences for the variables of knee angle at seat-off, peak vertical force and peak torque. Conclusion . Data from this study reveal that persons with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease exhibit moderately altered bilateral mechanics when performing a sit to stand transfer compared to their healthy peers. Relevance The inability to produce constant equilateral force when performing functional tasks could be an indicator for the increased propensity of falls or other instabilities in this population.
Torricelli and the Ocean of Air: The First Measurement of Barometric Pressure

The recognition of barometric pressure was a critical step in the development of environmental physiology. In 1644, Evangelista Torricelli described the first mercury barometer in a remarkable letter that contained the phrase, “We live submerged at the bottom of an ocean of the element air, which by unquestioned experiments is known to have weight.” This extraordinary insight seems to have come right out of the blue. Less than 10 years before, the great Galileo had given an erroneous explanation for the related problem of pumping water from a deep well. Previously, Gasparo Berti had filled a very long lead vertical tube with water and showed that a vacuum formed at the top. However, Torricelli was the first to make a mercury barometer and understand that the mercury was supported by the pressure of the air. Aristotle stated that the air has weight, although this was controversial for some time. Galileo described a method of measuring the weight of the air in detail, but for reasons that are not clear his result was in error by a factor of about two. Torricelli surmised that the pressure of the air might be less on mountains, but the first demonstration of this was by Blaise Pascal. The first air pump was built by Otto von Guericke, and this influenced Robert Boyle to carry out his classical experiments of the physiological effects of reduced barometric pressure. These were turning points in the early history of high-altitude physiology.
An implicit finite-difference formulation of the elastic wave equation

The problem with existing finite‐difference formulations of the elastic wave equation is that they have a limited stability range, and the necessity of taking small time steps can result in excessively high computation costs. It is possible to formulate a finite‐difference scheme which is stable for arbitrarily large time steps. However, the solutions obtained by the unconditionally stable scheme are unacceptably inaccurate for time steps outside the stability range of finite‐difference schemes currently in use.
Analysis of carrier transport in dye sensitized solar cells using temperature dependent dark I–V measurements

This paper presents carrier transport in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using dark current-voltage-temperature (I-V-T) measurements. Dark I–V measurements were performed in 30°C to 85°C range and the dark saturation current of the DSSC was extracted. The measurements revealed that the activation energy of the dark current lies in 1.18–1.27 eV range. This suggests that the charge injection from TiO 2 into liquid electrolyte is dominated by electron capture process from TiO 2 conduction band into the surface states with energy levels close to the electrolytes redox potential.
Development of antibody to Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in soldiers in Malaysia.

Malaysian, British and New Zealand soldiers were tested for evidence of infection with Rickettsia tsutsugamushi after several weeks' exposure to the infection during field exercises in Malaysia. 39 (5·0%) of 787 British and New Zealand soldiers developed immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) to R. tsutsugamushi to a titre of 1:50 and two (0·3%) to a titre of 1:100. 11 (1·5%) of 751 Malaysian soldiers also developed low titres ≤1:100. These low antibody levels were not correlated with clinical disease, and their significance is unknown. Seven (0·9%) of the Malaysians showed an IFA rise to ≥1:200, and three of these experienced febrile illnesses, one lasting two weeks. An additional eight Malaysian soldiers had an IFA titre of ≥1:400 when first tested and six of these also had a Proteus OXK agglutinin titre of ≤1:160, indicating infection shortly before the study.
Some information theory aspects of propagation through time varying media

The channel capacity of a communications system which utilizes wave propagation through a time varying medium such as the ionosphere or troposphere is evaluated in terms of the statistical properties of the medium and of the noise. The signal fading in such a system reduces the capacity. Information theory concepts are broadened to include the possibility of multiple reception at spaced receiving sites, and the consequent increase in theoretical channel capacity is computed as a function of the number of such sites. Current practices in the use of diversity reception and directional antennas are examined in the light of these results.