cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
System analysis of Phycomyces light-growth response with Gaussian white noise and sum-of-sinusoids test stimuli.

The sporangiophore (fruiting body) of the fungusPhycomyces modulates its elongation rate in response to changes in blue light intensity. This light-growth response of wild-type and behavioral mutant strains has been studied extensively by two methods of nonlinear system identification employing Gaussian white noise and sum-of-sinusoids test stimuli. Both methods are in the framework of the Wiener theory of nonlinear systems. The light-growth response is well described by the first-order Wiener G-functional; addition of the second-order functional improves the precision. The Wiener kernel of first-order resembles the light-growth response to a nonsaturating pulse stimulus. The second-order kernel indicates the nonlinear property of rectification. The kernels have been interpreted by system analysis methods in the frequency domain. A nonlinear dynamic model of the light-growth response has been developed from the kernels obtained by both methods. The model includes a nonlinear dynamic subsystem, including a squarer, followed by a linear dynamic subsystem (which, by itself, accounts for the first-order kernel). This parametric model has been used to evaluate light-growth response kernels under various conditions (viz. wavelength, temperature, and genetic strain). The kernels of single and double mutants have been analyzed jointly with a nonparametric model to reveal interactions among the products of eight genes that influence the light-growth response. The extent of interactions found suggests that these gene products function together in a molecular complex.
Structures of Five Antibiotics Bound at the Peptidyl Transferase Center of the Large Ribosomal Subunit

Structures of anisomycin, chloramphenicol, sparsomycin, blasticidin S, and virginiamycin M bound to the large ribosomal subunit of Haloarcula marismortui have been determined at 3.0 A resolution. Most of these antibiotics bind to sites that overlap those of either peptidyl-tRNA or aminoacyl-tRNA, consistent with their functioning as competitive inhibitors of peptide bond formation. Two hydrophobic crevices, one at the peptidyl transferase center and the other at the entrance to the peptide exit tunnel play roles in binding these antibiotics. Midway between these crevices, nucleotide A2103 of H. marismortui (2062 Escherichia coli) varies in its conformation and thereby contacts antibiotics bound at either crevice. The aromatic ring of anisomycin binds to the active-site hydrophobic crevice, as does the aromatic ring of puromycin, while the aromatic ring of chloramphenicol binds to the exit tunnel hydrophobic crevice. Sparsomycin contacts primarily a P-site bound substrate, but also extends into the active-site hydrophobic crevice. Virginiamycin M occupies portions of both the A and P-site, and induces a conformational change in the ribosome. Blasticidin S base-pairs with the P-loop and thereby mimics C74 and C75 of a P-site bound tRNA.
Speaking for the enslaved: heritage interpretation at antebellum plantation sites

Speaking for the enslaved: heritage interpretation at antebellum plantation sites, by Antoinette T. Johnson, Walnut Creek, CA, Left Coast Press Inc., 2012, 178 pp., $32.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-5...
Effects of serine protease inhibitor, tame, on IL-1β in LPS-stimulated human monocytes: Relationship between synthesis and release of a 33-kDa precursor and the 17-kDa biologically active species

LPS stimulation of human monocytes in vitro induced release of the 17-kDa mature IL-1β (mIL-1β) but did not result in release of precursor IL-1β (pIL-1β). In contrast, the presence of a serine protease inhibitor, Nα-(p-toluene sulfonyl)-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME; 10 mM) for 6 or 18 h was associated with the LPS-stimulated release of the 33-kDa pIL-1β as well. These effects were initially discerned from observations that the fraction of the total IL-1β produced (as detected by ELISA) that was released from monocytes increased in the presence of TAME, and immunoblot assays confirmed that this fraction was predominantly 33-kDa IL-1β. A global decrease in monocyte protein synthesis was also observed after prolonged (18-h) exposure to TAME and was associated with a decrease in IL-1β synthesis, predominantly affecting 31-kDa pIL-1β, and a dose-dependent inhibition of TNF-α production. Parallel examination of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release indicated thatpIL-1β release was unrelated to cell lysis. These results demonstrate that TAME-inhibitable serine proteases are probably involved in the production and eventual proteolysis of the 33-kDa pIL-1β in situ but are probably not mechanistically related to either maturation of the IL-1β molecule or signaling of IL-1β release. IL-1β release appears to be dependent on the amount of total IL-1β synthesized. Serine proteolysis may constitute a degradative pathway for excess precursor, which, if interfered with, could result in release of the higher-molecular-weight forms of IL-1β.
Interference Characteristics of Pulse-Time Modulation

The interference characteristics of pulse-time modulation are analyzed mathematically and experimentally; particular forms examined are pulse-duration and pulse-position modulation. Both two-station and two-path interference are considered. Two-station interference is found to be characterized by virtually complete predominance of the stronger signal, and by noise of random character. Two-path interference, in the case of single-channel pulse-duration modulation, generally permits fairly good reception of speech and music signals.
Optogalvanic effect in neon hollow cathode discharge

Abstract About 300 transitions have been recorded in the optogalvanic spectrum of neon in the visible wavelength region 410–670 nm by axially irradiating a hollow cathode discharge with an excimer pumped dye laser. Several weak lines have been recorded including the 632.8 nm neon laser wavelength. Temporal evolution of the optogalvanic signals was studied at several wavelengths. An explanation is given for the occasional absence of correlation in intensities observed in optogalvanic effect with those measured in emission. An explanation is also given for the voltage dependent polarity changes of optogalvanic signals. Energy transfer collisions were also detected in iron-neon discharge.
Comparison of Eupronoe Armata Claus, 1879, and Eupronoe Intermedia Stebbing, 1888 (Amphipoda, Hyperiidea ) 1)

Aufgrund eines Vergleichs zwischen zwei nahe verwandten hyperiiden Amphipoden wurde der Schlus gezogen, das Eupronoe armata und E. intermedia zwei getrennte, nicht synonymisierbare, Arten bleiben sollten. Erganzende Beschreibungen werden vorgelegt, ebenso wie differenzierende Charakteristika und Illustrationen.
Problem solving in semantically rich domains: An example from engineering thermodynamics.

Recent research on human problem solving has largely focused on laboratory tasks that do not demand from the subject much prior, task-related information. This study seeks to extend the theory of human problem solving to semantically richer domains that are characteristic of professional problem solving. We discuss the behavior of a single subject solving problems in chemical engineering thermodynamics. We use as a protocol-encoding device a computer program called SAPA which also doubles as a theory of the subject's problem-solving behavior. The subject made extensive use of means-ends analysis, similar to that observed in semantically less rich domains, supplemented by recognition mechanisms for accessing information in semantic memory.
Directly Probing the Hybrid Bonding of Styrene on Cu(111)

The interfacial electronic structure of chemisorbed styrene on Cu(111) was successfully investigated with two-photon photoemission spectroscopy. We observed unoccupied states 3.5 eV above the Fermi level and occupied states 2.0 eV below the Fermi level. Polarization results reveal that the occupied and unoccupied states arise from bonding and antibonding orbitals formed by hybridization of copper (surface state and d-band orbitals) and styrene (π1* and π2* orbitals).
Black cohosh: Coming full circle?

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.), Ranunculaceae, thrives in temperate climates east of the Mississippi River in the USA. It is economically important to the Appalachian region where it is wild harvested, but it has resisted most efforts at deliberate cultivation. Black cohosh has been used for many centuries both in Europe and in the US (by indigenous people and subsequent Caucasian medical practitioners), most notably for indications of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual pain and cramping. Aim of the study To highlight black cohosh as an example in which disregard for the ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacologic usages of a plant has perhaps hindered modern scientific attempts to understand the mechanism of action of its bioactive phytochemicals, and ascribe cause to effect. Results Research on its mode of action has historically focused on its presumed hormonal (phytoestrogenic) activity, but very recent work suggests that it may in fact be acting as an antinociceptive agent. Re-examination of some of the writings of 19th and 20th century physicians and folk literature suggests that this mode of action may have been overlooked in modern experimentalists’ in vitro and animal studies and in the very few well conducted human trials to date. Conclusions The common folk perception of this plant as a “remedy for female problems” may thus require revision, as it may possess more general analgesic properties. In the broader context, ethnopharmacologic indications for other herbal remedies must be revisited in light of the explosion in understanding of mechanisms of action of small molecule effectors of which actein and cimicifugoside (from black cohosh) are only two examples.
Design of Testable Reversible Sequential Circuits

In this paper, we propose the design of two vectors testable sequential circuits based on conservative logic gates. The proposed sequential circuits based on conservative logic gates outperform the sequential circuits implemented in classical gates in terms of testability. Any sequential circuit based on conservative logic gates can be tested for classical unidirectional stuck-at faults using only two test vectors. The two test vectors are all 1's, and all 0's. The designs of two vectors testable latches, master-slave flip-flops and double edge triggered (DET) flip-flops are presented. The importance of the proposed work lies in the fact that it provides the design of reversible sequential circuits completely testable for any stuck-at fault by only two test vectors, thereby eliminating the need for any type of scan-path access to internal memory cells. The reversible design of the DET flip-flop is proposed for the first time in the literature. We also showed the application of the proposed approach toward 100% fault coverage for single missing/additional cell defect in the quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) layout of the Fredkin gate. We are also presenting a new conservative logic gate called multiplexer conservative QCA gate (MX-cqca) that is not reversible in nature but has similar properties as the Fredkin gate of working as 2:1 multiplexer. The proposed MX-cqca gate surpasses the Fredkin gate in terms of complexity (the number of majority voters), speed, and area.
Acute laryngeal hemorrhage with laryngeal obstruction initially confused with penicillin anaphylaxis

A case of acute laryngeal obstruction was considered to be penicillin anaphylaxis because the onset followed penicillin administration. The laryngeal obstruction was found to be the result of laryngeal hemorrhage in a patient on chronic anticoagulant therapy. The hemorrhagic lesions appeared to be induced by coughing due to bronchitis for which the penicillin was given.
Fluid Flow between a Nonsinusoidal Wavy Surface and a Plane

AbstractThis paper presents an analytical solution for a steady two-dimensional planar flow of incompressible, inviscid fluid between a nonsinusoidal periodic wavy surface and a plane surface. Equations and graphs for the surface topography, the streamlines, and the resulting pressure distribution are presented. In addition to its esthetic merits, this solution furnishes a series of progressively more severe benchmark solutions for the verification of Euler solvers.
In-service wear measurement of B&WOG CRDM roller nuts ☆

Abstract The Babcock & Wilcox Owners Group (B&WOG) has performed dimensional inspections on the critical wear-related internal components inside the control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) as a part of a life extension program (LIFEX) over the past 20 years. Under this program, CRDMs at Babcock & Wilcox designed pressurized water reactors (PWRs) were disassembled and inspected. The roller nut outer race tooth thickness is the only part found to be a potential wear concern for the functional life of the CRDM. The roller nut outer race is fabricated from Haynes Alloy 25, AMS 5759D. Some of the CRDMs have logged 84,470 ft 1 (25.8 km) of travel after more than 20 years of service. Extrapolation of wear from the in-service inspections is in good agreement with the original accelerated life tests. Within the design travel limit, the wear data from the in-service inspections and the accelerated life tests are well fitted by a single logarithmic expression. However, based on the goodness of fit and observations of other wear tests, the roller nut wear is more conservatively modeled by a logarithmic function for the initial break-in period and a linear function beyond the break-in period.
Die alteration to provide adequate occlusal clearance.

Abstract A technique has been described for fabricating an acrylic resin index to accurately guide a clinical adjustment of incisal or occlusal clearance to that determined in the laboratory.
Power spectra of chaotic vibrations of a buckled beam

Abstract Many of the strange attractors associated with low dimensional differential equations are known to contain transverse homoclinic orbits. In particular, the Duffing equation with negative linear stiffness, which models the behavior of a buckled beam subject to transverse excitation, possesses such orbits. On the assumption that the chaotic time history of a single variable in such an equation can be represented by the random superposition of deterministic structures, each being a single excursion around a homoclinic orbit, the power spectrum of the variable in question is predicted. Good agreement is demonstrated among our predictions, numerical simulations of Duffing's equation and experimental spectra obtained from a cantilever beam buckled by magnetic forces.
Suppression of silicon (001) surface reactivity using a valence-mending technique

Abstract It is experimentally shown that, by terminating dangling bonds on Si(001) with a monatomic layer of selenium, the chemical reactivity of the surface is suppressed. In the case of nickel silicidation, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal that Se passivation suppresses Ni silicidation by over 100 °C as compared to the bare Si(001) surface. The formation of Ni subsilicide (Ni 2 Si) is not observed on Se-passivated Si(001). This interfacial silicidation appears to be linked with changes in electrical behavior of the interface between titanium and Se-passivated Si(001), which we reported previously.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTHERING IN INFANCY, CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH

This longitudinal study has followed seventy-six individuals from birth to age 30 using films of the mother-child interaction, psychoanalytically informed interviews of parents and children, and psycho diagnostic testing to assess how the quality of mothering a child receives in the first year of life contributes to his/her subsequent emotional well-being. The thirty-year follow-up of the now adult participants found that those who had received more effective care in infancy in terms of maternal empathy, consistency, control, thoughtfulness, affection and management of aggression had higher-level psychological defence mechanisms as adults than children receiving less effective nurturing-suggesting a process in which the children internalised their mothers' own defence mechanisms. Other measures at 30 years (Global Functioning, Erikson psychosocial attainment, mental representation of security of attachment to parents and presence or absence of a psychiatric diagnosis) did not achieve statistical significance. On the other hand, trauma after infancy and before age 18 provided the strongest correlation with adult outcome: consistent with the theory of the effect of cumulative trauma on psychic functioning, children experiencing two or more adverse circumstances had significantly lower levels of global functioning as adults than those spared multiple traumas. With case examples, the findings illustrate how the effect of pre-verbal experience attenuates over time, and how later influences overlie early life in the course of psychological structuralisation.
Complex polarization ordering in PbTiO 3 nanowires: A first-principles computational study

Based on parameter-free density-functional-theory calculations, we demonstrate the possibility of nonrectilinear curling vortex electric dipole configurations in ${\text{PbTiO}}_{3}$ nanowires. We predict that the critical size for the genesis of the vortex polarization instability (with an axial toroidal moment) is $16\text{ }\text{\AA{}}$. We also report previously unknown phase transitions between the nonrectilinear vortex and conventional rectilinear axial polarization configurations mediated by strain and surface terminations. The ability to switch reversibly between the vortex (clockwise/counterclockwise) and axial (positive/negative) polarization states may open up transformative technological possibilities.
Through the PRISM Darkly

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has an approval rate of 99.93 percent of all surveillance requests. While this might not meet the strict definition of a kangaroo court, it seems to fall within the marsupial family.
Two-Dimensional Modeling of Nanomechanical Strains in Healthy and Diseased Single-Cells During Microfluidic Stress Applications

Investigations in cellular and molecular engineering have explored the impact of nanotechnology and the potential for monitoring and control of human diseases. In a recent analysis, the dynamic fluid-induced stresses were characterized during microfluidic applications of an instrument with nanometer and picoNewton resolution as developed for single-cell biomechanics (Kohles, S. S., Neve, N., Zimmerman, J. D., and Tretheway, D. C., 2009, "Stress Analysis of Microfluidic Environments Designed for Isolated Biological Cell Investigations," ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 131(12), p. 121006). The results described the limited stress levels available in laminar, creeping-flow environments, as well as the qualitative cellular strain response to such stress applications. In this study, we present a two-dimensional computational model exploring the physical application of normal and shear stress profiles (with 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 Pa peak amplitudes) potentially available within uniform and extensional flow states. The corresponding cellular strains and strain patterns were determined within cells modeled with healthy and diseased mechanical properties (5.0-0.1 kPa moduli, respectively). Strain energy density results integrated over the volume of the planar section indicated a strong mechanical sensitivity involving cells with disease-like properties. In addition, ex vivo microfluidic environments creating in vivo stress states would require freestream flow velocities of 2-7 mm/s. Knowledge of the nanomechanical stresses-strains necessary to illicit a biologic response in the cytoskeleton and cellular membrane will ultimately lead to refined mechanotransduction relationships.
Precoder design via approximate joint diagonalization for ricean correlated MIMO channels in STBC systems

We present a novel linear precoder design based on the minimum pair-wise error probability (PEP) criterion for general space-time block coded (STBC) MIMO systems. The channel state information at the transmitter consists of the channel mean and transmit antenna correlation matrices. Approximate joint diagonalization reveals the "average eigenstructure" shared by the mean and correlation matrices. These average eigenvectors turn out to be the left singular vectors of the precoder matrix. The right singular vectors of the precoder matrix depend on the space-time code. The singular values correspond to the power allocated to each mode, which depends on the channel statistics and the space-time code. Precoder design examples for a non-orthogonal STBCs and simulation results are provided to illustrate the achieved performance gain.
Electron-impact fragmentations of 1,3- and 1,4-bis-(cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl)tetrafluorobenzenes

Although 1,4-bis(cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl)-tetrafluorobenzene fragments under electron-impact, losing four CO groups stepwise prior to other observed fragmentations, the corresponding 1,3-derivative eliminate HF after loss of only two CO groups.
Is there a best shape for nature reserves

Abstract It has been hypothesized that nature reserves should be as circular as possible to maximize the total number of species conserved. Using multiple regression, we examined the relationship between species richness on oceanic islands and island shape for 33 data sets. After accounting for the effect of island area, island shape does not explain a significant amount of the residual variation in species number in more data sets than expected due to chance alone. We conclude that if the mechanisms controlling species richness on oceanic islands and isolated patches of terrestrial habitat are the same, then shape is not of major concern in the design of nature reserves.
Analysis of Thermal Variation of Length and Refractive Index of Lead Fluoride to Study its Optical Properties

Linear thermal expansion and refractive index variation have been measured in lead fluoride with a laser interferometer as a function of temperature. Data has been analyzed using the Lorentz-Lorenz relation. Molecular polarizability, band gap, variation of refractive index with density, and strain-polarizability parameter have been studied as a function of temperature. They exhibit a small variation with temperature except near the superionic phase transition where the variation appears to be more pronounced. The results are in good agreement with the published data near room temperature.
Cellular automata complexity trade-offs*

The general theory of cellular automata is investigated with special attention to structural complexity. In particular, simulation of cellular automata by cellular automata is used to make explicit trade-off relationships between neighborhood size and state-set cardinality. A minimum neighborhood template with d + 1 elements is established for the class of d -dimensional cellular automata. The minimum state set for this class is shown to be the binary state set. The temporal costs, if any, of structural complexity trade-offs are also studied. It is demonstrated that any linear time cost can be eliminated and, in fact, a speed-up by arbitrary positive integer factor k can be attained at an increased structural cost.
A modified rapid access heuristic for flowshop scheduling problem

This paper presents a modified rapid access (MRA) heuristic to solve the flowshop scheduling problems. This new heuristic follows the fundamental idea of the original rapid access approach by forming a two-machine subproblem, but the processing times are determined by using an exponential weighting modifier for the original linear weighting scheme without additional computational effort, then the subproblem is solved by using Johnson’s two-machine algorithm. The performance of MRA is tested using instances from the literature and compared with the performance of the original rapid access (RA). Results show that the MRA outperforms the original RA in large size problems by using specific value of parameter alpha. Factorial experiment and response surface methodology are applied to determine the best alpha value which is the main factor that impacts the performance of MRA and produce the best performance of the MRA heuristic.
Modeling Convective Boiling in Single Diverging Channel With In-Situ Vapor Extraction

The present work shows the potential of using a diverging channel with in-situ vapor extraction as a means to reduce flow instability in microscale flow boiling. It has been shown that diverging channel helps stabilize convective boiling flow. In-situ vapor extraction is proposed as an alternative method that helps further stabilize flow boiling. The main concept of in-situ vapor extraction is to reduce the vapor available inside the channel where it forms by locally extracting vapor through a hydrophobic porous membrane that forms a wall of the channel to stabilize the flow and reduce pressure drop along the channel. In-situ vapor extraction of boiling flow in a microchannel also has the potential to reduce the required pressure to drive the flow through the channel without losing the benefit of convective boiling heat transfer. In this study, four microchannels, each with a range extraction pressures, are evaluated using a one-dimensional predictive model. Each channel is 50 mm and has a mid-channel width of 500 microns and height of 500 microns. The half angle of divergence of the channels varies: 0, 0.11, 0.23, and 0.34 degrees. Wall heat flux values range from 13.3 to 133 W/cm2. Extracted mass flow rates, global pressure drop across the channels, and quality at the channel outlet are presented as a function of heat flux and extraction pressure. Local variations of pressure, quality and bulk fluid temperature are also presented. Stability is predicted by a newly proposed criterion applicable for a diverging channel with in-situ vapor extraction. The results show that in-situ vapor extraction significantly reduces pressure drop for all channel configurations. Although the drop in pressure across the diverging channels is less influenced by vapor extraction than the non-diverging channel, the coupling of diverging channels and vapor extraction considerably improves the predicted stability of the flow.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A Conditional Knockout Mouse Line of the Oxytocin Receptor

Oxytocin plays important roles in reproductive physiology and various behaviors, including maternal behavior and social memory. Its receptor (Oxtr) is present in peripheral tissues and brain, so a conditional knockout (KO, -/-) would be useful to allow elimination of the receptor in specific sites at defined times. We created a line of mice in which loxP sites flank Oxtr coding sequence (floxed) enable Cre recombinase-mediated inactivation of the receptor. We expressed Cre recombinase in these mice either in all tissues (Oxtr(-/-)) or the forebrain (Oxtr(FB/FB)) using the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIalpha promoter. The latter KO has reduced Oxtr binding beginning 21-28 d postnatally, leading to prominent reductions in the lateral septum, hippocampus, and ventral pallidum. The medial amygdala is spared, and there is significant retention of binding within the olfactory bulb and nucleus and neocortex. We did not observe any deficits in the general health, sensorimotor functions, anxiety-like behaviors, or sucrose intake in either Oxtr(-/-) or Oxtr(FB/FB) mice. Females of both KO types deliver pups, but only the Oxtr(FB/FB) mice are able to eject milk. Oxtr(-/-) males show impaired social memory for familiar females, whereas the Oxtr(FB/FB) males appear to recognize their species but not individuals. Our results confirm the importance of oxytocin in social recognition and demonstrate that spatial and temporal inactivation of the Oxtr will enable finer understanding of the physiological, behavioral, and developmental roles of the receptor.
ACIDITY AND CONDUCTIVITY OF PRECIPITATION ON CENTRAL LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK IN RELATION TO METEOROLOGICAL VARIABLES

Three years of hourly sequential precipitation samples from central Long Island, New York were analyzed to determine the relationships between acidity and conductivity and concentrations of sulfate, nitrate plus nitrite, nitrogen in ammonium, sodium, and chloride ions. Relationships between precipitation acidity and meteorological conditions were also studied. Hydrogen ion concentrations are similar to those elsewhere in the northeastern United States. They are best correlated with sulfate concentrations but also correlate with concentrations of nitrogen in nitrate plus nitrite and nitrogen in ammonium ion. Concentrations are highest in the summer, with cold front and squall line precipitation and with rain showers and thundershowers. All ions measured contributed to sample conductivity but hydrogen ion contributed the most with sulfate ion second. Conductivity calculated from concentrations of the separate ions agreed well with measured conductivity. Conductivity showed relationships to meteorological conditions similar to those of hydrogen ion concentration except when sodium and chloride ions predominated in the sample.
Out of Silence: Writing Interactive Women's Life Histories in Africa

It is not surprising that no distinct line demarks Mrs. Zenani's creative stories and the events of her own life. The plotting of fictional imagery sometimes gives way to the detailed depiction of, for example, a rite of passage distilled from her history. If the oral tale provides insights into history, such real life descriptions as are found in this autobiography are frequently framed by the imaginative tradition. During the summer of 1982 I lived in the predominantly Muslim city of Kano, in northern Nigeria, to study the Hausa language and to learn about women's lives—their activities, interests, and identities. Residence in Kano challenged the questions and theoretical assumptions of my research. The ‘silences’ I encountered in the field now inform questions for a methodology for the study of women's lives that acknowledges the connections between researcher, subject/s of life history research, and the eventual written analysis of their narrative histories. An underlying theme—and persistent question—is the extent to which such writing tells us more about the researcher or the narratives' subject/s. Feminist theory and methodology inform this consideration of women's life histories. Feminist scholars have focused on the inscription of meaning in women's interests in writing about women. They have assigned a central role to “women's conscious perceptions” of their lived social experience in theory construction. The specific inclusion of women's, and other groups' perceptions contributes to historians' formulation of research models and methodology. I will discuss several methodological issues before returning to the ‘silences’ of my own fieldwork.
Light and Electron Microscopic Study of Early Lesions in Angiomatosis Retinae

Multiple early untreated lesions of angiomatosis retinae in the peripheral retina and optic disk were discovered after death in both eyes of a patient with von Hippel-Lindau disease. Each of the four peripheral angiomas was studied by a different technique: routine light microscopy of serial histologic sections, electron microscopy, flat mount and trypsin digestion, and frozen section with special stains for lipid. The large capillaries comprising the core of each angioma displayed normal endothelium, basement membrane, and pericytes. Thus, capillary hemangioma of the retina is a more correct histopathologic designation for the von Hippel angioma than terms such as hemangioblastoma or hemangioendothelioma. Interstitial cells separating the vascular channels of the angioma were identified as astrocytes that contain large lipid-filled cacuoles. Serial histologic sections demonstrated that both retinal and choroidal vessels communicate with vascular channels of the juxtapapillary capillary hemangiomas.
Comparation of linear and nonlinear adaptive control of pH-process

Physical inspection leads to the modelling of a pH-reactor by a linear, dynamic flow and mixing process followed by a static nonlinearity. A pH-process very difficult to control is simulated for testing different kinds of adaptive algorithms. In one algorithm, the flow and mixing model is considered known. The nonlinear adaptive controller is constructed based on a combination of a pole placement design method with a piecewise-polynomial approximation of a titration function, the coefficients of which are estimated from pH measurements. The other algorithm uses an inverse overall process model obtained by combination of the flow and mixing model with a piecewise-polynomial approximation of the titration curve. This model is applied to the development of a nonlinear controller based on the model reference adaptive technique. Both methods are applied for tracking a given pH-variable and for regulation. The effectiveness of linear and nonlinear adaptive controllers, obtained using the linear or nonlinear approximation of the titration curve, respectively, are examined and compared for different process solutions and different applications.
Cross-Contamination Control at MIT's Microsystems Technology Labs

The mission of the Microsystems Technology Labs (MTL) is to provide facilities for education and research in micro and nano technology and innovative devices. MTL's research program is interdisciplinary, including students and faculty from most of the academic departments and research centers in MIT's Schools of Engineering and Science. In addition, MTL welcomes scientists and engineers from its sponsoring companies and, through its fabrication Facilities Access Program (FFA) includes engineers from companies who wish to make use of the MTL fabs for prototype development. Through its Outreach Program, MTL welcomes researchers from other universities and government labs. The research topics at MTL span the areas of micro and nanofabrication and systems, as well as low power electronics and related circuits and systems. MTL fabrication-intensive projects include microfluidics, MEMS and bioMEMS, as well as optoelectronic, photonic and carbon-based devices. These projects take full advantage of the fabrication and modeling facilities of MTL. Such a variety of processes requires careful monitoring of cross-contamination in the fab tools. We accomplish this through the Process Technology Committee (PTC), which reviews every process that will be carried out in our Class 10 and Class 100 cleanrooms. We have several levels of cleanliness and materials acceptable in each machine; we have generated a Machine/Wafer-Attribute Matrix (the PTC Matrix, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 1) that indicates which machines can be used after what steps and what materials are acceptable in each tool, as well as appropriate and necessary cleaning steps. The key concept behind the PTC Matrix is that each wafer (or sample) carries with it certain attributes during processing. Some of them (like having photoresist) can be removed, others (like having been exposed to gold) are permanent. Figure 1. Partial view of PTC Matrix My talk will describe in detail the PTC Matrix and the role of the PTC in the successful operation of our shared fabs. As applications of micro and nano fabrication technology continue to diversify, with a greater variety of materials involved, cross- contamination control becomes ever more important and difficult. Therefore, fab operation instruments, such as the PTC Matrix, that enable diversity without sacrificing cleanliness are critical.
Electrophysiologic basis by which epinephrine facilitates defibrillation after prolonged episodes of ventricular fibrillation

Abstract Study Objective: Even though epinephrine has been shown to decrease the electrical stability of the heart, it is used extensively in cardiac resuscitation. The objective of this study is to document electrophysiologic parameters of epinephrine, which would facilitate defibrillation. Methods: In 20 swine, electrically induced ventricular fibrillation was allowed to continue for 10 minutes. Animals were then randomly assigned to receive either intracardiac injection of 1 mg of epinephrine or 10 mL of normal saline solution. Synchronization and dispersion of the repolarization of fibrillatory waves and cycle length were measured. Results: As the ventricular fibrillation continued, cycle length was prolonged, and synchronization and dispersion deteriorated. With epinephrine, cycle length shortened from 416±21 to 204±23 ms ( P .005), synchronization improved from 114±13 to 61±10 ms ( P .05), and dispersion narrowed from 84±10 to 49±8 ms ( P .005). Normal saline solution had no effect. Successful resuscitation was achieved in all 10 animals administered epinephrine and only 1 animal in the saline solution group. Conclusion: Epinephrine's effect on cycle length, synchronization, and dispersion of repolarization of fibrillatory waves may be the mechanism with which it facilitates defibrillation. [Suddath WO, Deychak Y, Varghese PJ. Electrophysiologic basis by which epinephrine facilitates defibrillation after prolonged episodes of ventricular fibrillation. Ann Emerg Med. September 2001;38:201-206.]
Brainstem inputs to the ferret medial geniculate nucleus and the effect of early deafferentation on novel retinal projections to the auditory thalamus

Following specific neonatal brain lesions in rodents and ferrets, retinal axons have been induced to innervate the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN). Previous studies have suggested that reduction of normal retinal targets along with deafferentation of the MGN are two concurrent factors required for the induction of novel retino-MGN projections. We have examined, in ferrets, the relative influence of these two factors on the extent of the novel retinal projection. We first characterized the inputs to the normal MGN, and the most effective combination of neonatal lesions to deafferent this nucleus, by injecting retrograde tracers into the MGN of normal and neonatally operated adult ferrets, respectively. In a second group of experiments, newborn ferrets received different combinations of lesions of normal retinal targets and MGN afferents. The resulting extent of retino-MGN projections was estimated for each case at adulthood, by using intraocular injections of anterograde tracers. We found that the extent of retino-MGN projections correlates well with the extent of MGN deafferentation, but not with extent of removal of normal retinal targets. Indeed, the presence of at least some normal retinal targets seems necessary for the formation of retino-MGN connections. The diameters of retino-MGN axons suggest that more than one type of retinal ganglion cells innervate the MGN under a lesion paradigm that spares the visual cortex and lateral geniculate nucleus. We also found that, after extensive deafferentation of MGN, other axonal systems in addition to retinal axons project ectopically to the MGN. These data are consistent with the idea that ectopic retino-MGN projections develop by sprouting of axon collaterals in response to signals arising from the deafferented nucleus, and that these axons compete with other sets of axons for terminal space in the MGN. J. Comp.
Hearts and minds and nanotechnology

New research by social scientists is presenting a clearer picture of the factors that influence the public perception of nanotechnology and, as Chris Toumey reports, the results present challenges for those working to increase public acceptance of nanoscience and technology. See focus on public perceptions of nanotechnology .
Transplant Tourism in China: A Tale of Two Transplants

The use of organs obtained from executed prisoners in China has recently been condemned by every major transplant organization. The government of the People's Republic of China has also recently made it illegal to provide transplant organs from executed prisoners to foreigners transplant tourists. Nevertheless, the extreme shortage of transplant organs in the U.S. continues to make organ transplantation in China an appealing option for some patients with end-stage disease. Their choice of traveling to China for an organ leaves U.S. transplant programs with decisions about how to respond to the needs of patients who return after transplantation. By discussing two cases that raised this dilemma, we argue for upholding medicine's commitments to traditional principles of beneficence and nonjudgmental regard in sorting out the policies that a transplant program should adopt. We also explain how position statements that aim for the high ground of moral purity fail to give appropriate weight to the needs and suffering of present and future patients in the U.S. and in China.
Complementary video and audio analysis for broadcast news archives

Abstract The Informedia Digital Video Library system extracts information from digitized video sources and allows full content search and retrieval over all extracted data. This extracted 'metadata' enables users to rapidly find interesting news stories and to quickly identify whether a retrieved TV news story is indeed relevant to their query. This article highlights two unique features: named faces and location analysis . Named faces automatically associate a name with a face, while location analysis allows the user to visually follow the action in the news story on a map and also allows queries for news stories by graphically selecting a region on the map. 1 The Informedia Digital Video Library Project The Informedia Digital Video Library project [1], initiated in 1994, uniquely utilizes integrated speech, image and natural language understanding to process broadcast video. The project’s goal is to allow search and retrieval in the video medium, similar to what is available today for text only. To enable this access to video, fast, high-accuracy automatic transcriptions of broadcast news stories are generated through Carnegie Mellon’s Sphinx speech recognition system and closed captions are incorporated where available. Image processing determines scene boundaries, recognizes faces and allows for image similarity comparisons. Text visible on the screen is recognized through video OCR and can be searched. Everything is indexed into a searchable digital video library [2], where users can ask queries and retrieve relevant news stories as results. The
Monoclonal antibodies against Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58

Hybridoma cell lines were derived from the fusion of mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from a mouse that had been immunized withAgrobacterium tumefaciens strain A759, a flagella-less mutant of strain C58 containing the Ti plasmid of strain B6. All of the 20 antibodies produced by the cloned hybridomas reacted with strain C58 and with other strains derived from C58. The antibodies did not react with 34 other strains ofA. tumefaciens, representing the three biovars, or with strains ofA. radiobacter, A. rubi, Rhizobium leguminosarum, R. meliloti, or other plant-associated bacteria such asErwinia herbicola andPseudomonas syringae. In addition to reacting with whole cells of strain A759, the antibodies reacted with phenol-water extracts of A759, indicating that they may recognize the lipopolysaccharide. These antibodies may be useful for ecological and epidemiological studies ofA. tumefaciens strain C58 in the agroecosystem.
Analysis and interpretation of anomalous conductivity and magnetic permeability effects in time domain electromagnetic data. Part I: Numerical modeling

Time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) response is usually associated with eddy currents in conductive bodies, since this is the dominant effect. However, other effects, such as displacement currents from dielectric processes and magnetic fields associated with rock magnetization, can contribute to TDEM response. In this paper we analyze the effect of magnetization on TDEM data. We use a 3-D code based on finite-difference method, developed by Wang and Hohmann [Geophysics 58 (1993) 797], to study transient electromagnetic field propagation through a medium containing bodies with both anomalous conductivity and anomalous magnetic permeability. The remarkable result is that the combination of anomalous conductivity and permeability within the same body could increase significantly the anomalous TDEM response in comparison with purely conductive or purely magnetic anomalies. This effect has to be taken into account in interpretation of TDEM data over electrical inhomogeneous structures with potentially anomalous magnetic permeability.
Remote sensing of penetrable objects buried beneath two-dimensional random rough surfaces by use of the Mueller matrix elements.

The modified Mueller matrix elements for electromagnetic scattering from penetrable objects buried under two-dimensional random rough surfaces are investigated. This matrix relates the incident to the scattered waves, and it contains different combinations of the fully polarimetric scattering matrix elements. The statistical average of each Mueller matrix element is computed on the basis of the Monte Carlo simulations by exploiting the speed of the three-dimensional steepest-descent fast multipole method. The numerical results clearly show that relying only on the co-polarized or the cross-polarized intensities or both (i.e., vv, hh, vh, and hv) is not sufficient for sensing the buried objects. However, examining all 16 Mueller matrix elements significantly increases the possibility of detecting these objects. This technique can be used in remote sensing of scatterers buried beneath the rough ground.
Carbon-deuterium vibrational probes of the protonation state of histidine in the gas-phase and in aqueous solution.

The protonation state of ionizable residues is an important contributor to protein stability and function. Histidine is of particular importance because its side chain pKa is near physiological pH. The sensitivity of carbon deuterium (C−D) vibrational frequencies to the protonation state of histidine dipeptide (Hdp) was investigated in the gas-phase using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and in aqueous solution using two-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics (ONIOM) calculations. All three C−D vibrational probes on the side chain (Cβ−D2, Cδ−D, and Ce−D) independently exhibited a striking sensitivity to the gas-phase histidine protonation state, with calculated shifts of up to 40 cm−1 upon deprotonation of the histidine residue. Simultaneously including all three C−D vibrational probes on the Hdp side chain produced significant shifts of 28 to 43 cm−1 between the neutral and charged states. The calculated intensities also dropped precipitously upon deprotonation, which i...
Effect of deviatoric nonassociativity on the failure prediction for elastic–plastic materials

Abstract This paper presents a theoretical study of the effect of nonassociativity of the plastic flow rule on the critical plastic modulus for discontinuous bifurcation in an elastic–plastic material. Nonassociativity in both the spherical and the deviatoric spaces are considered, with an emphasis on the effect of nonassociativity in the deviatoric space. A particular form of nonassociativity in the deviatoric space is introduced, where the projections of the plastic flow direction and the normal to the yield surface are assumed to have the same length but the projection of plastic flow direction is allowed to lag that of the normal by an angle. It is shown that even for the simple yield surface of von Mises, nonassociativity in the deviatoric space can lead to a bifurcation for a load parameter significantly lower than the value predicted with an associated flow rule.
Scattering Functions for Spherical Particles of Refractive Index of 1.46–4.30i*

Mie scattering functions for spherical particles of index of refraction of 1.46–4.30i for 23 values of α from 0.4 to 5.0 are presented.