cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic anatomical mapping of left atrium endocardial substrate and lesion using an optically integrated mapping catheter

Radiofrequency ablation procedures, such as pulmonary vein isolation for patients with atrial fibrillation, require detailed anatomical mapping of atrial structural substrate to identify AF substrate. Identification of structural substrates, such as scar tissue, pulmonary vein, collagen and adipose tissue can provide helpful guidance of RFA procedures. We demonstrate mapping of atrial substrates using optical spectral signatures from near-infrared spectroscopy. Using position tracking and interpolation algorithm, we assess the capability of NIRS to distinguish various tissue structures on a reconstructed 3D spatial maps of ex-vivo swine and human atriums.
The State of Asian Philanthropy

Even attempting to discuss such questions in a short article is a daunting task, especially in a region as large and diverse as the more than forty countries of Asia and the Pacific. Milner noted in his article the impossibility of doing justice to all the variants and issues in philanthropy in Europe, and of course that’s even more the case for Asia. And there are many other obstacles as well: any such attempt to summarise the state of philanthropy runs across problems in finding reliable data; difficulties in comparing across countries, sub-regions and philanthropic cultures; and a host of other data and research issues that are perhaps even more difficult in Asia than in Europe.
Validation of the Perceived Empathic and Social Self-Efficacy Scale: A Brief Report:

Perceived empathic and social self-efficacy are required to strengthen interpersonal relationships and receive social support, which are crucial for community participation, employment, and job ret...
Artificial Impedance Surfaces for Antennas

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Surface Waves High Impedance Surfaces Surface Wave Bands Reflection Phase Bandwidth Design Procedure Antenna Applications Diffraction Control Tunable Impedance Surfaces Reflective Beam Steering Leaky Wave Beam Steering Backward Bands Holographic Artificial Impedance Surfaces Summary References
Cryosurgery for benign cervicitis with follow-up of six and a half years

Abstract In 1965, one of the authors pioneered in a successful treatment of benign uterine cervicitis by cryosurgery. The first 5 year experience with this method is comprised of 526 patients, analyzed in this report, with 5 year follow-ups and over 81 patients (6½years on 38 of these), and 16 months up to 5 years on 426. Among the latest patients in the series, 135 were treated without the use of any anesthetic. The intracavitary method, with probe adapters, is deemed necessary by the authors for optimal end results in treating cervical disease, and a low-temperature freeze is mandatory for large or extensive lesions. The pregnancy rate following cryosurgery was at least 31 per cent. A variety of concomitant operations can be performed; bleeding is minimal by this method, the recurrence rate is very low (1.9 per cent), the complications are few, and healing is much faster than with more conventional methods (92 per cent were healed within 8 weeks).
Geographic accessibility to addiction, mental health, and HIV/AIDS health-care services for opioid-dependent clients

Background Access to care is an important concept in health policy and health services research, yet it is one which has not been defined precisely. To some researchers “access” refers to entry into or use of a health-care system, while to others it characterizes factors influencing entry or use. [1] This paper studied accessibility as it refers to entry into or use of a health-care system by measuring geographic accessibility from the location of clients (opioid-dependent individuals) to preventive and treatment facilities for substance use disorders (SUDs), mental health, and HIV/AIDS. Materials and methods The study population is opioid-dependent clients (N = 530) screened for an ongoing study of opioid substitution therapy (OST) in Washington, DC. There were three major methodological steps. First, the study geocoded and mapped the spatial distribution of clients’ self-reported neighborhood of residence (algorithmically moved to a nearby location to protect privacy) and health-care facilities specific to their addiction and comorbidities. The facilities included centers for prevention, OST (buprenorphine and methadone), and recovery from SUDs, mental health, STI clinics and HIV/AIDS, harm reduction sites (needle exchanges), and community support (counseling centers, AA, and NA meetings). Second, the study used geostatistical methods to measure accessibility (distance and travel time) from the location of clients to the health-care facilities. Third, the study constructed Addiction Severity Index scores using client questionnaires to measure correlations between opioid users and treatment services. Results The majority of the opioid-dependent clients were located in the south-central and southern parts of the District, with significantly higher concentration in the southeast. On the other hand, the preventive and treatment centers for SUDs and mental health issues were concentrated in the south-central region with fewer substance abuse services, OST providers (Figure 1), mental health services, and AIDS drug assistance program-affiliated pharmacies in the southeast. Furthermore, there was only one site for needle exchange in this area. The results indicate that health care services needed by opioid-dependent clients with their comorbidities are not geographically accessible to those clients.
Total Variable Cost

Total variable cost measures the total variable costs of production in the short run. Total variable costs are those costs that vary with the output level produced. Typically, as output increases, so does the need for inputs such as labor, materials, and electricity, so total variable costs are directly related to wages and prices that a firm must pay for inputs. In addition to the per unit input cost, the marginal product of inputs and the technology employed by the company influence the level of total variable cost. If input prices are constant, the curvature of a total variable cost curve is determined by the production function. Keywords: short run cost curves; production function; marginal product; marginal cost; total product; diminishing returns in production
Total Positivity in Reductive Groups

An invertible n×n matrix with real entries is said to be totally ≥0 (resp. totally >0) if all its minors are ≥0 (resp. >0). This definition appears in Schoenberg’s 1930 paper [S] and in the 1935 note [GK] of Gantmacher and Krein. (For a recent survey of totally positive matrices, see [A].)
Learned Attention Effects in L2 Temporal Reference: The First Hour and the Next Eight Semesters

This article relates adults' difficulty acquiring foreign languages to the associative learning phenomena of cue salience, cue complexity, and the blocking of later experienced cues by earlier learned ones. It examines short- and long-term learned attention effects in adult acquisition of lexical (adverbs) and morphological cues (verbal inflections) for temporal reference in Latin (1 hr of controlled laboratory learning) and Spanish (three to eight semesters of classroom learning). Our experiments indicate that early adult learning is characterized by a general tendency to focus on lexical cues because of their physical salience in the input and their psychological salience resulting from their simplicity of form-function mapping and from learners' prior first language knowledge. Later, attention to verbal morphology is modulated by cue complexity and language experience: Acquisition is better in cases of cues of lesser complexity, speakers of morphologically rich native languages, and longer periods of study. Finally, instructional practices that emphasize morphological cues by means either of preexposure or typographical enhancement increase attention to inflections thus to block reliance on adverbial cues.
PACE in Texas: The Future of Contractual Assessment Financing for Conservation Improvements

Twenty-eight states have passed Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) enabling legislation but most – including Texas – do not have fully operational PACE programs. In some instances, this failure of PACE law to translate into concrete action may be due to drafting defects or to evolving PACE best practices that have rendered early-adopted laws obsolescent. In other instances, it may stem from the chilling effect of actions by mortgage regulators.In March 2013, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals resolved the last of a series of legal challenges against mortgage regulators, establishing a period of at least temporary regulatory stability. Meanwhile, PACE supporters have continued to trumpet the investment and environmental opportunities in commercial, industrial and multifamily real estate retrofits. Several states have tried to capture these tailwinds by adopting or amending PACE statutes in ways that facilitate non-residential PACE and incorporate lessons learned from pilot programs and recent policy debates.Texas is such a state. Bills introduced this legislative session – S.B. 385 and H.B. 1094 – would reconfigure PACE statutes first enacted in 2009 by expanding PACE to encompass water conservation and steering financing toward commercial, industrial and multifamily properties. If they pass, the bills could serve as a blueprint for other states that either have not passed PACE legislation or have PACE laws on the books that have yet to spawn actual PACE programs.
Physiological Basis of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Resistance in Seedlings of Maize Inbred Lines with Varying Levels of Silk Maysin

To assess both foliage- and ear-feeding insect resistance in the same maize inbred lines, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) resistance at the seedling stage was examined in 6 corn inbred lines, including 4 CIMMYT maize inbred lines (CML333, CML335, CML 336, and CML338) with varying levels of silk maysin that confers corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), resistance and controls (fall armyworm-resistant Mp708 and susceptible AB24E). Fall armyworm injury rating and chlorophyll content were examined under greenhouse and field conditions. Plant height, plant stem circumference, and photosynthesis-related measurements were recorded on uninfested and infested plants only under greenhouse conditions. Injury ratings on CML333, CML336, and CML338 (with a range of low to high levels of silk maysin) were the same as for the resistant control (Mp708), and were significantly lower than for the susceptible control AB24E and CML335 (without silk maysin). Plant height, plant stem circumference, and chlorophyll content varied among the 6 inbred lines, but were not consistently correlated to resistance at the seedling stage. Photosynthetic rate was negatively affected by injury in AB24E, CML333, CML335, and CML336, but not affected in CML338 and Mp708. The reduction in photosynthetic rate of fall armyworm-susceptible AB24E, and in resistant CML333 and CML336 indicated that insect resistance in CML333 and CML336 might not be related to photosynthetic rate. At the same time, the data suggest that CML338 and Mp708 were tolerant to herbivory because no difference in either photosynthetic rate or photosynthetic capacity was detected in either inbred line between uninfested and injured corn seedlings. Further examination of photosynthetic capacity based on A/Ci and light response curves supported this resistance mechanism categorization. This experiment indicated that corn earworm-resistant corn inbred lines with varying levels of silk maysin could confer resistance to foliage-feeding fall armyworm at its seedling stage.
PO2 Dependence of the Diffuse‐Phase Transition in Base Metal Capacitor Dielectrics

The diffuse-phase transition in BaTiO3-based dielectrics for capacitor applications has been studied with respect to its dependence on oxygen partial pressure during sintering. Understanding the mobility of this transition is critical in developing next generation dielectrics for ultra thin (≤1 μm) applications while maintaining the appropriate temperature stability and insulation resistance. Historically, a heterogeneous core/shell microstructure was developed to maintain temperature stability. However, in fired grains of ≤250 nm (required for layers ≤1 μm) a well-defined core/shell structure is very difficult to establish. The results from this study demonstrate that careful control of the diffuse-phase transition addresses some of these problems.
What Administrative Help in Preparing Research Proposals Do Professors Find Useful

PROPOSALS WRITTEN 59 No Proposals Written 7 Faculty Interactions 4.53 Distribution of "Seed" Money 5.00 One to Five Proposals 5 Proposal Budgeting 4.42 Info, on Institutional Costs 4.60 Six to Ten Proposals 27 Faculty Interactions 4.19 Info, in Fed. Reg. & Com. Bus. Daily 4.63 Eleven to Fifteen Proposals 16 Proposal Budgeting 4.17 Info, on Institutional Costs 4.75 Sixteen to Twenty Proposals 4 Other Services 4.47 Pre-Proposal Travel Funds 4.67
Intensive glucose control increased mortality and did not prevent CV events compared with standard glucose control in type 2 diabetes

Source Citation The ACCORD Study Group, Gerstein HC, Miller ME, et al. Long-term effects of intensive glucose lowering on cardiovascular outcomes. N Engl J Med. 2011;364:818-28. 21366473
Theory of linear dichroism of DNA and DNA-containing structures.

Abstract Analysis has been made of the relationship between the dichroic ratio of DNA polymers and the orientation of their transition dipoles. The molecules may be aligned in a mechanical shear or electric field. The effect of the shear or electric field on the orientation factor has been shown. The results of dipole moments and their dependence on the strength of the electric field have been discussed. Higher orders of coiling, flat packing and their various combinations cause the optical and electrical dichroic ratio to change characteristically, so that the electric and optical anisotropy of DNA can be utilized to study the DNA arrangement in DNA-containing structures.
Octa- and Nonamethylfluorenyl Complexes of Zr(II), Zr(IV), and Hf(IV). Investigation of Steric and Electronic Effects

The lithium salts of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octamethylfluorenyl (Flu′′) and 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-nonamethylfluorenyl (Flu*) were reacted with Zr and Hf half-sandwich complexes to generate mixed-ligand-metallocenes Cp′′Flu′′ZrCl2 (1), Cp′′Flu*ZrCl2 (2), and Cp*Flu*HfCl2 (3) (Cp′′ = 1,3-(SiMe3)2C5H3, Cp* = C5Me5). Reaction of the metallocene dichlorides with MeLi yielded the dimethyl derivatives Cp′′Flu*ZrMe2 (4) and Cp*Flu*HfMe2 (5). Reduction of the zirconocene dichlorides in the presence of CO gas yielded the dicarbonyl derivatives Cp′′Flu′′Zr(CO)2 (6) and Cp′′Flu*Zr(CO)2 (7), which represent the first examples of zirconocene dicarbonyls containing a fluorenyl ligand derivative. Structural characterization of the zirconocene dichloride 2 and the dicarbonyls 6 and 7 revealed that the methylated fluorenyl ligands adopt an η5-coordination and display a twisted tricyclic core in each case. A spectroscopic study of a small series of zirconocene dicarbonyl analogues indicates that the methylated fluorenyl ligands are st...
The effect of droplets in the air-sea transition zone on the sea brightness temperature

A model is presented which shows that, for a fully developed sea driven by the wind with speeds above 5 m/sec the air in the transition zone immediately above the air-sea interface is mixed with sea water droplets from bursting air bubbles. The absorptive droplet concentration in the zone is assumed to have a profile tapering off from the interface to zero at a certain height. The dielectric constant of the absorptive inhomogeneous droplet profile is thus both a function of the wind speed and the height above the interface. Both the inhomogeneity effect and the absorption-emission effect of the droplet concentration have been considered. Theoretical calculations show that the presence of the absorptive inhomogeneous droplet transition zone significantly increases the sea brightness temperature as wind speed rises. Combined effects of both the droplet areas and the foam areas on sea surface have also been considered.
Wavelet modeling of functional random effects with application to human vision data

In modern statistical practice, it is increasingly common to observe a set of curves or images, often measured with noise, and to use these as the basis of analysis (functional data analysis). We consider a functional data model consisting of measurement error and functional random effects motivated by data from a study of human vision. By transforming the data into the wavelet domain we are able to exploit the expected sparse representation of the underlying function and the mechanism generating the random effects. We propose simple fitting procedures and illustrate the methods on the vision data.
ACP Journal Club. Ultrasonography-guided oral anticoagulant therapy reduced recurrent venous thromboembolism.

Source Citation Prandoni P, Prins MH, Lensing AW, et al. Residual thrombosis on ultrasonography to guide the duration of anticoagulation in patients with deep venous thrombosis: a randomized trial....
Optimal Reserve Site Selection with Multiple Levels of Protection

Most prior decision models for nature reserve-site selection have considered just two options for candidate sites: protected or not protected. In many reserve planning contexts this is an artificia...
Pregnancy outcomes after the Fontan repair

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to determine risks and outcome of pregnancy and delivery after the modified Fontan operation. Background. Increasingly, female Fontan patients reaching child-bearing years are interested in having children. To date, the number of reported pregnancies is small, and pregnancy has therefore been discouraged. Methods. One hundred ten of 126 female patients from the Fontan registries of the Mayo Clinic and University of California Los Angeles Medical Center responded to a mailed questionnaire. An additional six patients with a reported pregnancy from other centers were identified and reviewed to assess pregnancy outcomes. Results. Among the participating centers, a total of 33 pregnancies after Fontan operation for various types of univentricular heart disease were reported. There were 15 (45%) live births from 14 mothers, with 13 spontaneous abortions and 5 elective terminations. In the 14 women with live births, the median number of years between operation and pregnancy was 4 (range 2 to 14). Reported prepregnancy problems in these gravidas included atrial flutter in one patient and ventricular dysfunction, aortic regurgitation and atrioventricular valve regurgitation in another. One patient developed supraventricular tachycardia during pregnancy and had conversion to sinus rhythm. No maternal cardiac complications were reported during labor, delivery or the immediate puerperium. There were six female and nine male infants (mean gestational age 36.5 weeks; median weight 2,344 g). One infant had an atrial septal defect. At follow-up, mothers and infants were alive and well. Conclusions. Pregnancy after the Fontan operation appears to have been well tolerated in 13 of 14 gravidas. There does appear to be an increased risk of miscarriage. The tendency to routinely discourage pregnancy may need to be reconsidered.
On the Taxonomic Status of Trapezia Areolata Dana and Trapezia Septa Ta Dana (Decapoda, Brachyura)

[Trapezia areolata et Trapezia septata ont ete decrites par Dana (1852a, b). Leur caracterisation etait plutot breve et les specimens eux-memes ont malheureusement ete perdus. La distinction entre ces deux especes a ete ignoree par les auteurs suivants et toutes les Trapezia reticulees ont ete identifiees a T. areolata. Les auteurs retablissent les identites et donnent des descriptions pour les deux taxa., Trapezia areolata et Trapezia septata ont ete decrites par Dana (1852a, b). Leur caracterisation etait plutot breve et les specimens eux-memes ont malheureusement ete perdus. La distinction entre ces deux especes a ete ignoree par les auteurs suivants et toutes les Trapezia reticulees ont ete identifiees a T. areolata. Les auteurs retablissent les identites et donnent des descriptions pour les deux taxa.]
Impact of the Nutrition for Life Program on Junior High Students in New York State

: School-based nutrition education represents an important component in a national strategy for health promotion. This study evaluated the impact of a school-based nutrition teaching program, Nutrition For Life, on the nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behavior of seventh and eighth grade students from New York State. Some 1,863 students in 103 randomly selected classes completed a paper and pencil test covering nutrition attitudes, behavior, and knowledge. Modest use of the teaching program (median use = 3 hours) was associated with modest but significant differences in nutrition attitude, behavior, and knowledge scores. Interactions among teacher assignment, nutrition teaching, and Nutrition For Life use explained significant variations in nutrition test scores. Additional exposure to the program was associated with significantly higher nutrition attitude and behavior scores in schools with a higher proportion of low-income students.
Metabolic correlates of the hypolipemic response of hypophysectomized rats to growth hormone

The administration of 3 mg. of bovine growth hormone (GH) to hypophysectomized rats, tissues of which were labeled by the prior administration of palmitate-I-14C, elicited a 30 minute plasma free fatty acid (FFA) diminution which was accompanied by a disproportionately slower decline in plasma FFA-14C. At 30 minutes GH also evoked a decline in liver lipid concentration. Liver slices prepared from similar rats 30 minutes after GH produced in vitro 14CO2 which was 56 per cent more radioactive than that of hepatic control tissues. These results indicate that among the acute metabolic effects of GH is the suppression of lipid mobilization from the periphery and enhancement of fatty acid utilization in the liver.
Percutaneous transhepatic choiedochoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy (PTCS-EHL) of common bile duct stones

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy was first developed in the Soviet Union about 35 years ago as an industrial technique to fragment rocks. In 1968, Reuter! first applied this method for the treatment of urinary bladder stones. Successful treatment of bladder stones via a transurethral route was achieved in 45 patients the next year. The application of this new device in the biliary tract was first introduced by Burhenne to fragment a large retained stone through aT-tube tract under fluroscopic guidance. Koch et a1. combined a lithotripsy probe with a Dormia basket and successfully treated three patients with large common bile duct (CBD) stones after endoscopic papillotomy. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy had also been used to fragment CBD stones through a percutaneous route with a 4.5 F electrode in a few cases.,6 Both methods require accurate fluroscopic guidance and the stones must be captured in a Dormia basket to avoid bile duct injury. To date, little data are available concerning the in vivo efficacy of electrohydraulic lithotripsy, and no clinical report has appeared about electrohydraulic lithotripsy under direct endoscopic vision. We describe our clinical experience with percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy (PTCS-EHL) in the treatment of CBD stones.
Peak growth hormone-releasing hormone-arginine-stimulated growth hormone is inversely associated with intramyocellular and intrahepatic lipid content in premenopausal women with obesity.

Context: Visceral adiposity is a strong determinant of GH secretion, and low endogenous GH secretion is associated with increased insulin resistance, a key component of the metabolic syndrome. Increased fat accumulation in skeletal muscle and liver may play an etiological role in the development of insulin resistance and other complications of the metabolic syndrome. Little is known about the role of decreased endogenous GH secretion in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in obesity. Objective: To investigate the relationship between intramyocellular lipids (IMCL), intrahepatic lipids, and peak-stimulated GH in premenopausal women with obesity. Design and Setting: We conducted a cross-sectional study at a clinical translational research center. Patients: Patients included 21 premenopausal women with obesity (mean body mass index, 34.0 ± 4.5 kg/m2) and 17 normal-weight controls (mean body mass index, 21.9 ± 2.0 kg/m2) of comparable mean age. Main Outcomes Measures: IMCL and intrahepatic lipids were measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Body composition was measured with magnetic resonance imaging. Peak GH was measured after stimulation with GHRH-arginine. Results: Obese subjects had higher IMCL, intrahepatic lipids, abdominal and thigh fat, and thigh muscle mass compared with normal-weight controls. There were strong inverse associations between peak GH and both IMCL and intrahepatic lipids independent of age and visceral adiposity. There were positive associations between IMCL and intrahepatic lipids with measures of insulin resistance and serum triglycerides. Conclusion: In premenopausal women with obesity, peak GH is inversely associated with IMCL and intrahepatic lipids independent of age and visceral adiposity. This suggests that low GH may contribute to insulin resistance in obesity through effects on muscle and intrahepatic lipids.
Revascularization of the Heart Histologic Changes after Arterialization of the Coronary Sinus

This report on revascularization of the heart is based on work done in this laboratory in the period from Sept. 1, 1949 to Sept. 1, 1951. A brief description of the operation is given. After the operation was done an attempt was made to shift the inflow from the coronary arteries to the graft from the aorta. An attempt was made to occlude all coronary arteries. Four hundred operations were done on 100 dogs. Data on mortality and infarcts are given in this paper.
Robot-assisted transaxillary thyroid surgery in the United States: is it comparable to open thyroid lobectomy?

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of robot-assisted transaxillary thyroid surgery (RATS) to the standard open technique for thyroid lobectomy in the U.S. population.
The Effect of Tungsten on the Nucleation and Growth of thin Aluminum Alloy Films

A variety of alloying elements are currently being investigated for their effects on the mechanical properties and reliability of thin aluminum films. In the present study, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy are used to study the nucleation and growth of Al-1.5wt%Cu and Al-1.5wt% Cu-0.2wt% W films. Differences in microstructure, nucleation and growth behavior are observed and are explained in terms of changes in surface energies and atomic mobilities.
Social-motivational development in first grade

Abstract Social-motivational changes during first grade were studied longitudinally on a population of 89 Caucasian middle- and lower-socioeconomic status (SES) children. Results revealed that children, on the average, had a more internal locus of control, were more optimistic, and scored higher on an effectance motivation measure at the end of first grade than at the beginning. Attitudes toward school and self-esteem did not change from the beginning to the end of first grade. Changes on some social-motivational dimensions appeared to be affected by children's SES and by their academic success in first grade.
Primary antifungal prophylaxis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: clinical implications of recent studies.

Purpose of reviewInfectious complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplant, especially those caused by fungi, contribute to poor outcomes. Availability of new antifungal drugs has led to creative attempts to prevent infections caused by both yeasts and molds with new antifungal prophylaxis s
Development of a sandwich module prototype for Space Solar Power

Space Solar Power (SSP) is broadly defined to be the collection of solar energy in space and its wireless transmission for use on earth. It has been observed that the implementation of such a system could offer energy security, environmental, and technological advantages to those who would undertake its development. Among recent implementations commonly proposed for SSP, the Modular Symmetrical Concentrator (MSC) concept has received considerable attention. It employs an array of modules for performing conversion of concentrated sunlight into microwaves for transmission to earth. While prototypes of such modules have been designed and developed previously by several groups, none have been subjected to the challenging conditions inherent to the space environment and possible solar concentration levels in which an array of modules would be required to operate. The research described herein details our team's efforts to resolve trade studies associated with the development of a “sandwich” module and its planned implementation and testing under realistic operating conditions.
Application of dOTF wavefront sensing to 3D aberration measurement in an optical system

A new method to estimate the complex pupil-plane field from a functional derivative of the optical transfer function (OTF) has been described by Codona.1 It is in principle a diversity technique that uses two focal-plane images with a spatially localized difference introduced in the pupil. The difference can be in phase, amplitude, or both, and need not be well known provided that its spatial extent is small compared to the required resolution of the field. Unlike other diversity methods, however, the dOTF wavefront estimation algorithm is non-iterative and very fast. The technique may be exploited in a straightforward way for tomographic wavefront sensing from a random scene of unresolved sources whose angular extent exceeds the isoplanatic limit. A single camera is arranged to capture the whole scene. An exposure is recorded, a modification is made to the pupil, and a second exposure recorded. These two images are then sufficient to derive the 3D information to characterize the non-shift-invariant point-spread function over the full field. While offering nothing revolutionary in tomography, the technique is a simple way to characterize the aberrations in an optical system and localize them along the optical axis.
Quadratic programming is in NP

Abstract Quadratic programming is an important example of optimization with applications to engineering design, combinatorial optimization, game theory, and economics. Garey and Johnson state that quadratic programming is NP-hard. In this paper we show that it lies in NP, thereby proving that it is NP-complete.
Single-photon double ionization of He and Ne

The photoionization branching ratio for double ionization has been measured from threshold to 800 eV for Ne and from threshold to 560 eV for He. Both sets of data have an initial rise from threshold, in general agreement with other published results, but the Ne data reach a plateau value above threshold in contrast to some of the other measurements and to the He data. The Ne data reach a value of approximately 13%, while the He data approach a value of approximately 4% before decreasing. A plateau in the He data was not reached in our measurements but may exist at higher energies. The photoionization cross section for double ionization has been extracted from the branching-ratio data.
The rovibronic structure of Ni2+ via resonant two-color photodissociation

Abstract Rotationally resolved photodissociation spectra of mass-selected internally cold 58Ni2+ have been observed for twenty bands in four different electronic transitions of the isolated ion. The rotational analysis provides rotational constants as well as the total angular momentum (spin + orbit) along the internuclear axis for both states in each transition. The rotation-vibration constant, αe, and the equilibrium bond length re were also determined for three electronic states. An estimate of the excited state lifetime is also presented.
Large-Scale Modal Analysis on Multi-Core Architectures

We propose here a subspace augmented Rayleigh-Ritz conjugate gradient method (SaRCG) for solving large-scale eigen-value problems. The method is highly scalable and well suited for multi-core architectures since it only requires sparse matrix-vector multiplications (SpMV).As a specific application, we consider the modal analysis of geometrically complex structures that are discretized via non-conforming voxels. The voxelization process is robust and relatively insensitive to geometric complexity, but it leads to large eigen-value problems, that are difficult to solve via standard eigen-solvers such as block-Lanczos.Such problems are easily solved via the proposed SaRCG, where one can, in addition, exploit the voxelization structure to render the SpMV assembly-free. As the numerical experiments indicate, the resulting implementation on multi-core CPUs, and graphics-programmable-units is a practical solution to automated eigen-value estimation during early stages of design.© 2012 ASME
SOFT X‐RAY SCANNING MICROSCOPY: ITS PRACTICAL USE FOR ELEMENTAL MAPPING AT THE NSLS U15 BEAMLINE

Scanning soft X-ray microscopy offers several advantages over other forms of X-ray microscopy. It subjects the specimen to the lower doses of radiation and by digitally recording the image, gives direct quantitative information on the absorption of the specimen as a function of position. Elemental maps can be produced easily by comparing images taken at different wavelengths, chosen to exploit X-ray absorption edges or resonances. This technique was used to explore the distribution of calcium in 0.2 μm-thick bone specimens, detecting concentrations of 5% by weight, with a spatial resolution of 0.2 μm. Progress in X-ray sources in the form of undulators and in X-ray optics indicates that soon the range of elements that can be mapped will be extended and the spatial resolution and elemental sensitivity will be improved by an order of magnitude.
Overcoming the pharmacy residency capacity challenge as 2020 draws near

Abstract The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) share a common vision that all pharmacists involved with direct patient care will be required to complete a postgraduate residency prior to entering practice by 2020. This requirement will impact most pharmacy school graduates. The number of residency programs available will have to grow significantly; however, the current rate of growth is not nearly sufficient to create enough residency training programs by 2020. Barriers to increasing the number of residency positions include the cost of creating residency positions, the pharmacy residency teaching model, and the need for qualified preceptors. Solutions to overcome these barriers include the following: utilizing residents to provide needed services, coverage, and scholarship activity; converting to a residency model similar to the medical model, which allows for a 1:6 preceptor to resident ratio; developing preceptor training programs and standardizing teaching certificates, which could be accomplished by establishing relationships with colleges of pharmacy; and encouraging smaller community hospitals to develop residency programs, which could be accomplished by partnering with nearby academic medical centers or other community hospitals. Now is the time to embrace this opportunity for change and improvement in the pharmacy education system. Pharmacy professionals need to come together to overcome this challenge.
THE URBANIZATION OF THE CLASSICAL WORLD

ABSTRACT An attempt is made to examine the number, size, and function of the urban places in classical times. On the basis of epigraphic and literary evidence it is shown that the poleis of classical Greece were very numerous, that most were also very small, and that, in terms of function, many were only large villages. Nevertheless, they tended to invest a large part of their income in their public buildings, so that these, rather than economic function, tended to become the criterion of a polis. As defined in these terms, the polis spread through the classical world, and was finally carried to its farthest geographical extent in ancient times as the Roman civitas as part of imperial policy. An aesthetically developed city was regarded by the Romans as an instrument of civilization. An approximate order of size of urban places is obtained from tax lists and the extent of the built-up area for 1) the Aegean region in the fifth century B.C., 2) Gaul under the Roman Empire, and 3) Britain. The ranking shows...
Self-Generated Interval Subdivision Reduces Variability of Synchronization with a Very Slow Metronome

SUBDIVISION BY COUNTING HAS BEEN SHOWN TO improve interval discrimination for durations exceeding 1.2 s (Grondin,Meilleur-Wells, & Lachance, 1999). The present study examined whether simple interval subdivision (bisection) reduces variability of synchronization with a slow metronome. Interval durations ranged from 1 s to 3.25 s.Musically trained participants tapped in synchrony with the metronome while: (1) refraining from any subdivision, (2) mentally bisecting each interval, (3) making additional taps at the bisection points (double tempo tapping), or (4) tapping only at the bisection points (anti-phase tapping). In each task, the standard deviation of asynchronies and intertap intervals was found to increase almost linearly with interval duration, but the slope decreased from condition 1 to condition 4. Differences among conditions were nearly absent with intervals of 1 s (roughly consistent with Grondin et al., 1999), but emerged and increased steadily as interval duration increased. In double tempo tapping, anti-phase taps were less variable than in-phase taps and depended less on the immediately preceding taps. The findings are interpreted in terms of multiple temporal references in synchronization, and their potential relevance to musical ensemble playing is pointed out.
The effect of dimethylsulfoxide and other hydroxyl radical scavengers on the oxidation of ethanol by rat liver microsomes.

Abstract The NADPH-dependent oxidation of ethanol by rat liver microsome preparations was studied in the presence of azide to inhibit the peroxidatic activity of catalase. Dimethylsulfoxide, benzoate, mannitol and thiourea, four compounds that react rapidly with hydroxyl radicals, each inhibited the oxidation rate of ethanol. Inhibition was competitive with respect to ethanol. In contrast, urea, a compound that reacts poorly with hydroxyl radicals, was essentially without effect. Dimethylsulfoxide at concentrations that inhibited the oxidation of ethanol had no effect on the xanthine oxidase-mediated oxidation of ethanol or on aniline hydroxylase or aminopyrine demethylase activity of microsomes. These results suggest that ethanol oxidation by microsomes can be dissociated from drug metabolism and that the mechanism of ethanol oxidation may involve, in part, the interaction of ethanol with hydroxyl radicals that are generated by microsomes during the oxidation of NADPH.
Time-dependent variations in amino acid metabolism: mechanism of the tyrosine transaminase rhythm in rat liver

Abstract Daily rhythms in tissue enzyme activity might result from oscillating signals originating (a) within the cells that contain the enzyme; (b) endogenously but elsewhere in the body (e.g., in the brain); or (c) exogenously, as a direct result of environmental cycles. The activity of tyrosine transaminase in the rat liver shows marked time-dependent variations that appear to be generated by the interaction of an endogenous factor (the tendency of the animal to eat cyclically) and an exogenous factor (the presence of protein in the diet). Late in the daylight period, the animal begins to increase its rate of food consumption; as a result, the liver is perfused cyclically with relatively large amounts of tryptophan and other amino acids via the portal circulation. These amino acids act as a signal which instructs the hepatic cells to increase the activity of the transaminase. The concentrations of tyrosine and other amino acids in human plasma also show regular diurnal fluctuations. These rhythms appear to be generated by other mechanisms in addition to the enzyme rhythms inasmuch as they involve all the amino acids and persist in subjects fed only minimal amounts of protein. A recognition of the fact that “normal” levels of enzyme activity may vary markedly as a function of time of day is essential to the interpretation of the effects of experimental manipulations on enzyme activity.
Tetrahedrons, edges and nodes in 3-D finite-element meshes

The letter presents a formula expressing the number of tetrahedrons in 3-D finite-element mesh, in terms of the numbers of edges, vertices and boundary vertices, for use in the allocation of space for data structure and determination of the condition for uniqueness of solution, attaching to the formulation of field problems.
Chyloperitoneum with collateral lymphatic drainage involving abdominal skin.

A 58-year-old man with poorly differentiated lymphoma and chyloperitoneum, who developed periumbilical white vesicular skin lesions, is presented. These skin lesions represent collateral lymphatic drainage pathways for the chyloperitonium as evidenced by drainage of chylous fluid from these lesions and communication with the peritoneum as demonstrated by intraperitoneal99mTc sulfur colloid injection.
Hydrolysis and photolysis of hexachlorocyclopentadiene

The radioactivity on adding 14C-Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (Hex) to water (7 7gmg/L) decreased by 18% on Day 2 and by 31 to 55% by Day 42. On Day 42, the radioactivity remaining in water consisted of apolar (petroleum ether-extractable), polar (ethyl acetate-extractable), and hydrophilic hydrolysis products with Hex amounting to only 8% of the total radioactivity. The time for Hex to reach 50, 10, and 5% of its initial concentration was estimated to be about 4, 27, and 40 days, respectively. The hydrolysis rate constant compared to 4×103 hr−1 as reported in literature. The apolar radioactivity (25% of total) consisted of Hex and a major product as judged by gas chromatography (GC). The polar products resolved into 10 and hydrophilics into 14 different compounds as examined by thinlayer chromatography. The photolysis of Hex in acetone occurred very rapidly (t1/2=<1 day) with no trace of Hex after 15 days. Most of these products were more polar than Hex as examined by GC. These products on thin-layer chromatography (TLC) separated into two major zones. Further TLC of each of these zones showed products of one zone to resemble those of aqueous hydrolysis. The other zone represented apolar products which resolved into three peaks by HPLC, the major one of these appeared to have an empirical formula of C6Cl7O (m/e=408) as analyzed by GCMS. The 8-h photolysis products' mixture had an LT50 to goldfish Carassius auratus of 22 h compared to 15 h for Hex. The 96-h LT50 value of the 15-day photolysis products' mixture was 2,300 compared with 119 μg/L for Hex. Thus, Hex in water as well as on exposure to light breaks down to less toxic products.
Contribution of Sp1 to initiation of transcription of angiotensinogen.

Several genetic polymorphisms have been identified in the proximal promoter of angiotensinogen (AGT). Gene titration experiments in transgenic animals have demonstrated that small increases in the basal expression of AGT can lead to elevated blood pressure. The direct proof that promoter variants of AGT can lead to elevated blood pressure will ultimately require the development of specific animal models. Before such work can be contemplated, however, a formal understanding of the mechanisms controlling transcriptional activation of AGT needs to be developed. Analysis of DNA–protein interactions in vitro and transactivation experiments in cultured cells reveal the critical role of an Sp1 binding site immediately upstream of the TATA box of AGT in both mouse and human. Both sites are required for transcription initiation in the mouse. By contrast, a minimal human AGT promoter can initiate transcription in the absence of either this Sp1 site or the TATA box, albeit at a lower level. Further analysis and consideration of these interspecific differences will be essential for the development of meaningful animal models to probe the mechanism by which AGT may predispose to human essential hypertension.
Technique and pitfalls of facial nerve monitoring

The routine use of facial nerve monitoring is controversial. Several investigators advocate the routine use of facial nerve monitoring devices; however, there are no studies to date that prove their effectiveness. There is little in the literature discussing the proper technique and the pitfalls of monitoring. This discussion is critical in making the techniques of facial nerve monitoring safe and effective. Only when more standardized techniques are adopted can the question of usefulness be answered.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of zidovudine and its toxic catabolite 3′-amino-3′-deoxythymidine in HIV-infected patients

ABSTRACT The plasma pharmacokinetics of zidovudine (ZDV, 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine) and its toxic catabolite 3′-amino-3′-deoxythymidine (AMT) was investigated in six HIV-infected patients receivin...
RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS POLYMERIC IgA IN THE SERUM OF INFANTS

Three molecular forms of IgA, monomeric (mIgA), polymeric (pIgA), and secretory (sIgA) make up approximately 85,15, and 1% of the IgA in adult serum. IgA concentration in secretions (sIgA) increases with age more rapidly than serum IgA. To evaluate the development of the IgA system, we measured total IgA, pIgA, and sIgA in the serum of infants 3-54 weeks of age. PIgA was measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay based on the binding of pIgA to solid phase free secretory component. Total IgA and sIgA were measured by immunofluorescent assays. PIgA measurements in 10 normal adults sera (13±4mg/dl or 7%±2 of the total IgA) were similar to those reported using assays based on prior separation of the IgA forms. The pIgA concentration in infants' sera ranged from 3.2 to 27.9mg/dl. They increased from ½ to full adult levels over the first year of life. The pIgA was 10 to 75% of the total IgA in the infants' sera. The proportion of pIgA decreased with age due to an increase in mIgA. SIgA concentration ranged from 0 to 5.3mg/dl (0 to 28.9% of the total IgA) and did not correlate with age. These studies suggest that the various forms of serum IgA develop from pathway which mature at different rates. This is in keeping with the predominance of pIgA in the serum of many lower animal species. Alternatively, the relative predominance of high molecular forms of IgA in infants' sera may be due to immaturity of the mechanisms for removal of these forms of IgA.
Galileo´s Paradox.

The paradox is a wonderful teaching tool. The sleepy student in the back row is surprised and wakes up, and the student with the instantly memorized answer is forced into the analytical mode. The diagram in Fig. 1 has the following paradox: A body sliding freely down a chord from the edge of the circle reaches the lowest point on the circle at the same time as a body released simultaneously from the top. This result was first mentioned in a 1602 letter from Galileo Galilei to Guidobaldo dal Monte.1
How to design dynamic programming algorithms sans recursion

We describe a method, which we call the Pruning Method, for designing dynamic programming algorithms that does not require the algorithm designer to be comfortable with recursion.