cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A critique of recent studies on placebo effects of antidepressants: importance of research on active placebos.

Objective: This review examines the recent literature on placebo effects in antidepressant drug research. Recent meta-analyses have suggested that antidepressants produce relatively small effects compared to placebo treatments, and that the effect sizes for placebo treatments are highly correlated with effect sizes for drug treatments across different studies. In addition, it is argued that "active placebos", i.e., drugs that are not antidepressants but do have discernible subjective or physiological effects, can also produce substantial changes on measures of depression. Thus, some researchers have called into question the "blind" nature of research using inert placebos, and also have questioned the efficacy of antidepressant drugs. Results: The studies reviewed indicate that it is premature to suggest that antidepressant drugs have little efficacy beyond their role as active placebos. In fact, there are several important methodological, conceptual and scholarly problems with some of the work that emphasizes the role of placebo effects in mediating the actions of antidepressant drugs. Conclusions: Many of the drugs listed as "active placebos" actually have some efficacy for the treatment of depression or related disorders, and several of these drugs are used clinically to augment the effects of antidepressants. It would be important for researchers to identify new active placebos as research tools in this area, and to focus on discriminating between placebo effects and the true therapeutic actions of antidepressant drugs. A new generation of well controlled experiments in this area could shed light on these important issues, and may lead to improved methods for the determination of antidepressant efficacy.
Acyl-homoserine lactone-based quorum sensing in the Roseobacter clade: complex cell-to-cell communication controls multiple physiologies.

Bacteria have been widely reported to use quorum sensing (QS) systems, which employ small diffusible metabolites to coordinate gene expression in a population density dependent manner. In Proteobacteria, the most commonly described QS signaling molecules are N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs). Recent studies suggest that members of the abundant marine Roseobacter lineage possess AHL-based QS systems and are environmentally relevant models for relating QS to ecological success. As reviewed here, these studies suggest that the roles of QS in roseobacters are varied and complex. An analysis of the 43 publically available Roseobacter genomes shows conservation of QS protein sequences and overall gene topologies, providing support for the hypothesis that quorum sensing is a conserved and widespread trait in the clade.
Lattice dynamics at zero wave vector and elastic constants of spinel in the rigid ion approximation

Abstract The long wavelength limit of the optical frequencies and of the microscopic Grueneisen parameters, the elastic constants and their first and second pressure derivatives are calculated for the spinel structure from a modified rigid ion model. The model includes Coulomb, first and second neighbor two-body central force interaction, and the three-body central force interaction of Basu and Sengupta for the tetrahedral and octahedral cation-anion units. Application to Al2MgO4 is made on the basis of (a) a rigid ion model and (b) the above modified rigid ion model with the three-body forces included for the MgO4 tetrahedra. In addition to two parameters which are determined by the equilibrium conditions the models contain three and four parameters, respectively, which are fitted to experimental values of one Raman and two i.r. frequencies and, for model (b), to one elastic constant. Good to fair agreement with experimental data of the remaining optical frequencies, elastic constants and their first pressure derivatives and the macroscopic Gruneisen parameter is obtained. Both models results in new assignments for the Raman and i.r. active modes.
Changes in diagnostic case mix in psychiatric care in general hospitals, 1980–1985

The Hospital Discharge Survey of 1980 and 1985 was used to assess changes in diagnostic case mix of psychiatric inpatient care in short-term, nonfederal general hospitals. Information regarding presence of psychiatric and chemical dependency units was added to both surveys, and information regarding exemption from Medicare's PPS system was noted for 1985. The largest increase was in ICD-9 code 296 (affective disorder), which more than doubled in frequency, along with a similar decrease in Diagnosis-Related Group 426, depressive neurosis. One explanation for this sizable shift was "gaming the system." One cannot conclusively, however, distinguish between gaming the system and the effects of changing professional views of depression during this time period. Other variables potentially contributing to the effect are described as well.
Determination of δ18O and δ15N in Nitrate

The analyses of both O and N isotopic compositions of nitrate have many potential applications in studies of nitrate sources and reactions in hydrology, oceanography, and atmospheric chemistry, but simple and precise methods for these analyses have yet to be developed. Testing of a new method involving reaction of potassium nitrate with catalyzed graphite (C + Pd + Au) at 520 °C resulted in quantitative recovery of N and O from nitrate as free CO2, K2CO3, and N2. The δ18O values of nitrate reference materials were obtained by analyzing both the CO2 and K2CO3 from catalyzed graphite combustion. Provisional values of δ18OVSMOW for the internationally distributed KNO3 reference materials IAEA-N3 and USGS-32 were both equal to +22.7 ± 0.5‰. Because the fraction of free CO2 and the isotopic fractionation factor between CO2 and K2CO3 were constant in the combustion products, the δ18O value of KNO3 could be calculated from measurements of the δ18O of free CO2. Thus, δ18OKNO3 = aδ18Ofree CO2 − b, where a and b we...
Interior radiances in optically deep absorbing media—II Rayleigh scattering

The interior radiances are calculated within an optically deep absorbing medium scattering according to the Rayleigh phase function. The accuracy of the matrix operator method is improved by many orders of magnitude through the use of accurate starting values obtained by the Runge-Kutta method rather than from the single scattering approximation. The radiance and flux are given for a range of solar zenith angles and for single scattering albedos of 1, 0.99, 0.9, 0.5 and 0.1. The development of the asymptotic angular distribution of the radiance is illustrated. It is shown that this asymptotic distribution is probably physically unobservable when ω0 < 0.8, since the flux is less than 10-8 of its original value at the beginning of the asymptotic region. The ratio of the upward to downward flux is calculated and is shown to be remarkably constant within the medium except very close to the boundaries. The heating rate within the medium is found to be very nearly proportional to the downward flux, except near the boundaries. When the single scattering albedo is small, a number of examples illustrate the significant contribution of the direct solar flux to the total flux even at great optical depths within the medium. The total downward flux decreases exponentially with optical depth away from boundaries when the single scattering albedo is greater than or equal to 0.9; when it is less than or equal to 0.5 only an approximate exponential fit can be obtained within the region accessible to experimental observation.
Exfoliation of a stack of platelets and intercalation of polymer chains: Effects of molecular weight, entanglement, and interaction with the polymer matrix

Exfoliation of a stack of sheets (a model for clay platelets) in a dynamic matrix of polymer chains is investigated by a computer simulation model. How the interplay between the thermodynamics (interaction-driven) and conformational (structural constraints) entropy affects the exfoliation of sheets is the subject of this study. A stack of four sheets with a small initial interlayer distance constitutes the layer on a discrete lattice. The layered platelets are immersed in a matrix represented by the mobile polymer chains which occupy a fraction (concentration) of the lattice sites. Both sheets and chains are modeled by the bond-fluctuation mechanism and execute their stochastic motion via Metropolis algorithm. An attractive and a repulsive interaction between the polymer matrix and platelets are considered. Exfoliation of the sheets is examined by varying the molecular weight of the polymer chains forming a dynamic network matrix with various degrees of entanglements. At low-molecular weight of the polymer, exfoliation is achieved with repulsive interaction and the exfoliation is suppressed with attractive matrix as sheets stick together via polymer mediated interaction introduced by intercalated polymer chains. Increasing the molecular weight of the polymer matrix suppresses the exfoliation of sheets primarily due to enhanced entanglement—at high-molecular weight (with the radius of gyration of polymer chains larger than the characteristic linear dimension of the platelets), the stacked (layered) morphology is arrested via entropic trapping and exfoliation ceases to occur. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2696–2710, 2008
Ras oncogenes: split personalities

Extensive research over the past 30 years has revealed the involvement of Ras not only in tumorigenesis but also in many developmental disorders. The complexity of the molecular and cell biological mechanisms of action of Ras proteins indicates that much remains to be learnt.
A Broadband Accelerator Control Network

A broadband data communications network has been implemented at BNL for control of the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) proton accelerator, using commercial CATV hardware, dual coaxial cables as the communications medium, and spanning 2.0 km. A 4 MHz bandwidth Digital Control Channel using CSMA-CA protocol is provided for digital data transmission, with 8 access nodes available over the length of the RELWAY. Each node consists of an rf modem and a microprocessor-based store-and-forward message handler which interfaces the RELWAY to a branch line implemented in GPIB. A gateway to the RELWAY control channel for the (preexisting) AGS Computerized Accelerator Operating System has been constructed using an LSI-11/23 microprocessor as a device in a GPIB branch line. A multilayer communications protocol has been defined for the Digital Control Channel, based on the ISO Open Systems Interconnect layered model, and a RELWAY Device Language defined as the required universal language for device control on this channel.
Gender, Sex Role Orientation, and Attitudes toward Animals

AbstractTo examine the relationship among gender, sex role orientation, and attitudes toward the treatment of animals, 144 male and 222 female college students were administered the Bem Sex Role Inventory, a Likert-scale questionnaire designed to assess attitudes toward animal welfare issues, and a measure of perceived comfort touching animals of a variety of species. There were significant gender differences on all of the animal-related measures with the exception of self-reported comfort touching positively perceived animals. Gender and the expressive (feminine) dimension of sex role orientation accounted for a significant proportion of the variation in attitudes toward animal welfare issues and comfort with other species. Correlations between the masculine and feminine dimensions of sex role orientation were related in opposite directions on all animal attitude measures.
A comparison of pressure induced and concentration induced smectic A–nematic–isotropic triple points

Abstract Optical microscopy in mixtures of di-octylazoxybenzene (8AB) and di-nonylazoxybenzene (9AB) reveals that a smectic A-nematic-isotropic triple point occurs at 71·5±0·5°C and 38±2wt% 8AB. Although this concentration induced triple point is different from the pressure induced triple point known to exist in pure 9AB at elevated pressure, analysis of the data from both the mixing and pressure experiments reveals that the phase transition surfaces in temperature-pressure-concentration space for this system are nearly planar.
Detection of change in nonstationary, random sequences

Abstract In each of two experiments, subjects were presented with randomly generated sequences of binary information. At some point during each sequence, a change in the probabilities of the events occurred; the task was to detect this change. Late detections resulted in a loss proportional to the number of events between the occurrence of the change and detection, while false alarms were penalized a constant amount. Experiment I used two levels of task difficulty and two payoff conditions; Experiment II employed a single level of task difficulty and five payoff conditions. Subjects' detections were affected by payoffs in the appropriate direction, but not to as great a degree as was the optimal Bayesian model. Two parameter-free descriptive models of behavior were examined: a fixed sample size model, which postulated that subjects observe a predetermined number of items, was rejected; a critical odds model, assuming that subjects use as a criterion the probability that change has occurred, received some support, except for a slight tendency for subjects to relax their criterion as sample size increased. A simple heuristic model of performance in the task was examined, and implications of alternative utility assumptions were explored.
Structural studies on a starfish trypsin.

Abstract 1. 1. Structural studies have been carried out on a protease isolated from the starfish Dermasterias imbricata in order to determine whether the enzyme is homologous with vertebrate trypsins. The amino acid composition of the starfish enzyme was found to be similar to other tryptic enzymes. 2. 2. A labeled peptide was isolated from a pepsin digest of the D. imbricata protease after treatment with diisopropyl phosphofluoridate. The composition of this peptide corresponded to residues 178–189 in bovine trypsin except that the starfish peptide contained an additional alanine residue and lacked one valine. Pronase digests of the labeled peptide suggest that alanine occupies a position corresponding to either residue 187 or 189 of the bovine enzyme. 3. 3. A trypsin digest of the unlabeled starfish protease was also performed and the amino acid composition of the peptides determined. A tryptic peptide was isolated which, from compositional data, appears to be homologous to residues 177–192 in the bovine enzyme.
Application of Gibbs Sampler for Clock Synchronization in Rbs-Protocol

Starting from a well-known fact that long-lived time-synchronization is very important for efficient use of energy in wireless sensor networks (WSN) and is possible by not only estimating clock phase offsets but also clock skews and drifts, we proposed the Gibbs Sampler as a joint-estimator under exponential noise model for reference broadcast synchronization (RBS) protocol. The performance of the Gibbs Sampler is compared to the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE), and it is shown to be superior to the BLUE.
Micro-machinable polymer-derived ceramic sensors for high-temperature applications

Micro-sensors are highly desired for on-line temperature/pressure monitoring in turbine engines to improve their efficiency and reduce pollution. The biggest challenge for developing this type of sensors is that the sensors have to sustain at extreme environments in turbine engine environments, such as high-temperatures (>800 °C), fluctuated pressure and oxidation/corrosion surroundings. In this paper, we describe a class of sensors made of polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) for such applications. PDCs have the following advantages over conventional ceramics, making them particularly suitable for these applications: (i) micromachining capability, (ii) tunable electric properties, and (iii) hightemperature capability. Here, we will discuss the materials and their properties in terms of their applications for hightemperature micro-sensors, and microfabrication technologies. In addition, we will also discuss the design of a heat-flux sensor based on polymer-derived ceramics.
Observations of nucleation-mode particle events and size distributions at a rural New England site

Abstract Particle number (PN) concentrations, size distributions, and composition were measured continuously at the University of New Hampshire atmospheric observatory at Thompson Farm from 9 February to 4 April, 2007. A total of thirteen PN events, identified by PN concentration statistics, were observed during this two-month period. Events were subdivided into five different event types based on event duration and secondary measurements. Four of the five event types were observed, with the majority of events consisting of long-lived episodes, greater than 5 h in duration, associated with air mass backward trajectories from the clean northwest. Particle size distributions indicated increased number concentrations of nucleation-mode particles during event periods and particle growth of the nucleation-mode fraction. Particle diameter growth rates, determined from the geometric mean diameter of the 6–60 nm particle fraction, ranged between 0.9 and 5.5 nm h−1. All events displayed steady particle growth rates, indicating the regional nature of PN events. An Aerodyne quadrupole Aerosol Mass Spectrometer indicated that pre-existing aerosol concentrations were decreased on PN event days (compared to non-event days), as were temperature and absolute humidity; in contrast, solar radiation was increased on event days. Finally, theoretical particle growth rates from oxidation products of SO2, toluene, isoprene, and α-pinene were calculated and compared to measured growth rates. These species were able to account for up to 42.4% of the observed growth.
A loopless Gray code for rooted trees

Beyer and Hedetniemi [1980] gave the first constant average-time algorithm for the generation of all rooted trees with n nodes. This article presents the first combinatorial Gray code for these trees and a loopless algorithm for its generation.
Executive functioning in depressed patients with suicidal ideation

Objective: Suicidal thinking has been associated with cognitive rigidity, however, not all depressed patients contemplate suicide. Therefore, we hypothesized that compared with depressed subjects without suicidal ideation, depressed individuals with suicidal ideation would display poorer performance on measures of executive functioning that involve mental flexibility. Method: In-patients with a current major depressive episode who had no current suicidal ideation (n = 28) were compared with those who had current suicidal ideation (n = 25) on measures of executive functioning and two neurocognitive tests that predominantly assess non-frontal regions. Results: Compared with non-suicidal depressed patients, depressed suicidal patients performed significantly worse on several measures of executive functioning after controlling for age, IQ, severity of depression and prior suicide attempts. The two groups performed similarly on tests that predominantly assess non-frontal regions. Conclusion: Depressed individuals contemplating suicide have cognitive rigidity, which does not appear to be a global brain dysfunction. Suicidal mental states may result from dysfunctional executive decision-making that is associated with the frontal lobe.
Investigation of G protein-initiated, Ca2+-dependent release of ATP from endothelial cells

We investigated G protein-stimulated release of ATP from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) using the G protein stimulant compound 48/80. Application of compound 48/80 resulted in dose-dependent ATP evolution from cultured HUVECs. This release was not cytotoxic as demonstrated by a lactate dehydrogenase assay and the ability of the cells to load and retain the viability dye calcein following stimulation. Mastoparan also stimulated release of ATP, further suggesting the process was G-protein initiated. This G protein was insensitive to pertussis toxin and appeared to be of the Gq-subtype. The ATP efflux was completely abolished in the presence of EGTA and thapsigargin signifying a strict Ca2+ dependence. Furthermore, compound 48/80-induced release was significantly decreased in cells pretreated with the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122. Thus, the release pathway appears to proceed through an increase in intracellular Ca2+ via PLC activation. Additionally, the G protein-initiated release was attenuated by pretreatment of the cells with either phorbol ester or indolactam V, both activators of protein kinase C. Finally, ATP release was not affected by treating HUVECs with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors or glybenclamide.
Attention, Vigilance, and Cortical Evoked-Potentials in Humans

Computer-averaged potentials evoked from the cortex were recorded to nonsignal stimuli and to randomly interspersed signal stimuli requiring detection and response during prolonged visual vigilance. As detection efficiency diminished over time, the amplitude of evoked responses to nonsignal stimuli decreased and latency increased. Fluctuations in vigilance (attentiveness) during the course of the task also were accompanied by corresponding changes in evoked-potentials to nonsignal stimuli. More specific lapses of attention, revealed by detection failures, resulted in average evoked-responses of lower amplitude to missed as compared with detected signals.
Residual fragments after percutaneous nephrolithotomy: cost comparison of immediate second look flexible nephroscopy versus expectant management.

Purpose: We performed a cost comparison of immediate second look flexible nephroscopy vs expectant management for post-percutaneous nephrostolithotomy residual fragments.Materials and Methods: We used a decision analysis model to compare the cost of managing residual fragments by second look flexible nephroscopy vs observation. Outcomes of residual fragments after percutaneous nephrostolithotomy were determined from institutional experience and published shock wave lithotripsy series. Cost data were obtained from billing records. One-way sensitivity analysis was done to evaluate incurred costs of second look flexible nephroscopy while varying the likelihood of a stone event, the probability of surgery and the cost of surgical intervention. Two-way sensitivity analysis was done to assess the model across a range of scenarios.Results: Based on data in the literature and our institutional experience 40% of patients with residual fragments 4 mm or less had a stone event, of whom 57% required surgical interven...
Comparative Growth ofEscherichia coli 0157:H7, Spoilage Organisms and Shelf-Life of Shredded Iceberg Lettuce Stored under Modified Atmospheres

The objective of this work was to compare organoleptic and microbiological spoilage with the survival of Escherichia coli 0157 :H7 in modified atmosphere (MA) stored shredded lettuce. The rates of growth of E coli 0157 : H7, increase in aerobic plate counts (APC g -1 ), and rates of visual spoilage of shredded lettuce held under air or MA at 13 and 22°C were compared. Samples were inoculated with nalidixic acid-resistant E coli 0157 :H7 (ATCC 35150) and placed in a chamber which was continuously flushed with gas mixtures of 0/10/90, 3/0/97, 5/30/65, 20/0/80 (O 2 /CO 2 /N 2 , v/v) and held at 13 or 22°C. APC growth was inhibited in 5/30/65 (O 2 /CO 2 /N 2 ) at 13°C compared to all other atmospheres which were not significantly different from each other. The growth rates for both E coli 0157 :H7 and APC were greatest in air at 22°C. Carbon dioxide concentration had no significant effect on the growth of E coli 0157 :H7 at either temperature. The shelf-life of shredded lettuce, as judged by appearance, was extended in atmospheres containing 30% CO 2 by approximately 300% compared to air. The APC were similar at the time when the shredded lettuce samples were judged unacceptable regardless of shelf-life. However, the extended shelf-life provided by the MA allowed E coli 0157 :H7 to grow to higher numbers compared to air-held shredded lettuce.
Energy dependence of massive-fragment multiplicity.

The production of several massive fragments in the decay of a very excited compound nucleus is studied using simultaneous and sequential mechanisms of fragment production. The calculated massive-fragment multiplicities exhibit remarkably similar behaviors as functions of the excitation energy, thus ruling out using this observable as an experimental signature of the dominant fragmentation mechanism.
Film Cooling Measurements on Cylindrical Models with Simulated Thermal Barrier Coating Spallation

Detailed heat transfer coefficient and film effectiveness distributions are presented on a cylindrical leading-edge model with simulated thermal barrier coating spallation using a transient liquid crystal technique. Tests were performed in a low-speed wind tunnel on a cylindrical model in a crossflow with two rows of injection holes. Mainstream Reynolds number based on the cylinder diameter was 1.009 x 10 5 . The two rows of injection holes were ±15 deg from stagnation. The film holes were spaced four hole diameters apart and were angled 30 and 90 deg to the surface in the spanwise and streamwise directions, respectively. The simulated spallation cavities were rectangular in shape and had rounded edges. The simulated spallation was placed at two locations, 20-40 deg (S3) and 35-55 deg (S4), respectively. The cylinder surface was coated with thermochromic liquid crystals, and a transient test was run to obtain the heat transfer coefficients and film effectiveness. The effect of coolant blowing ratio was studied for blowing ratios of 0.4 and 0.8. Results show that the Nusselt numbers increase and film effectiveness values decrease with an increasing blowing ratio
SOLUBLE CONSTITUENTS AND BUFFER PROPERTIES OF ORANGE JUICE.

Orange fruits undergo certain definite and progressive changes in chemical composition during growth and maturation. The rates at which these changes occur depend chiefly upon climatic and soil conditions, but they are also somewhat affected by the rootstock, as shown by Hodgson and Eggers (15), Sinclair and Bartholomew (17), and others. While studying the influence of rootstocks on the composition of citrus fruits, it seemed important to the authors to investigate the changes that occur in the soluble constituents of the juice during growth and maturity of the fruit, and, especially, to correlate the concentration of one soluble constituent with that of another for the purpose of determining their physiological and biochemical characteristics. The present studies were therefore undertaken. It is well known that differences in the composition of citrus fruits are due not only to variety and similar factors, but also to the influence of the geographical location in which the fruits are grown, and to seasonal changes affecting the rate of the ripening processes. A study of the effects of these environmental factors on the composition and quality of the fruit has clearly demonstrated that, without actual investigation, it is not safe to conclude that the characteristics of the citrus fruits in one locality are the same as those of the fruits in another locality. For this reason it is of extreme importance to know the changes in soluble solids, total and reducing sugars, acids, and pH that occur during the growth and maturity of citrus fruits in the different citrus-growing areas of southern California. A knowledge of the interrelation of these particular constituents has served as a foundation upon which a more extended and specialized program of research on citrus fruits has been initiated.
The Federal Interagency Radiological Emergency Response Planning Program in Support of Fixed Nuclear Facilities

This paper discusses the existing Federal Interagency Radiological Emergency Response Planning Program in Support of Fixed Nuclear Facilities. The program is designed to assist States and local governments in developing and improving their Radiological Emergency Response Plans that are supportive of nuclear facility emergency plans required by regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Alkene oxidation by a platinum oxo complex and isolation of a platinaoxetane.

Oxo complex [(1,5-COD)4Pt4(μ3-O)2Cl2](BF4)2 (1) reacts readily with ethylene and norbornylene. The ethylene reaction yields acetaldehyde and a 1:1 mixture of (1,5-COD)Pt(Cl)(CH2CH3) (2) and [(1,5-COD)Pt4(η3-CH2CHCH(CH3))](BF4) (3), while the norbornylene reaction yields a platinaoxetane complex, the first metallaoxetane to be obtained from the reaction of an oxo complex and an alkene.
Reconnection of nonidentical flux tubes

[1] An investigation of the three-dimensional reconnection of flux tubes at low twist and of flux tubes with nonequal axial fluxes is presented. This is a generalization of the earlier investigation of highly twisted, identical flux tubes in the work of Linton et al. (2001). This generalization is important for determining how robust the three types of reconnection found in that study are and therefore how applicable they are to common space and laboratory magnetic field interactions. It is found that the merge reconnection of low twist tubes of nonequal flux occurs much as it does for the high twist, identical flux tubes. The slingshot of low twist, identical tubes is also much the same as for high twist, identical tubes. The slingshot of tubes of unequal flux is, however, different than that of identical tubes: the smaller tube reconnects with only the outer shell of the larger tube, and so it is left hanging off the unreconnected, core flux of the larger flux tube. Finally, it is found, surprisingly, that the tunnel occurs as easily for tubes of nonequal flux as it does for identical tubes.
Meniscal allograft technique

Meniscal allograft transplantation has become a beneficial and established surgical procedure when performed with meticulous attention to detail. This article describes the detail involved in the arthroscopic surgical technique of the meniscal allograft transplant (MAT) for both medial and lateral compartments of the knee joint.
Modeling the effects of pupil-manipulated spherical aberration in optical nanolithography

An aerial image model is used to study the effects of spherical aberration applied in the lens pupil domain of a lithography projection scanner. These effects include the illumination dependency of focus exposure matrix tilt and the linear relationship between primary and higher order spherical coefficients on best focus (BF). Experimental data trends of BF through pitch and orientation have been replicated by an analytical expression. This computationally efficient formulation has the capability to provide corrective spherical aberration coefficients, which decrease the pitch-dependent BF and increase process latitude.
For our valued customers only: Examining consumer responses to preferential treatment practices

Abstract Preferential treatment is a prevalent relationship marketing practice of companies treating some customers better than others. Using two studies, the authors explore the practice of preferential treatment and show that preferential treatment influences both consumers who receive it and those who do not. Two underlying mechanisms for this effect are identified. When treated unfavorably, fairness concerns arise, negatively affecting consumers' subsequent behavioral response toward the firm. On the other hand, when treated favorably, consumers experience feelings of gratitude, which positively influence their purchase behaviors and word-of-mouth. However, a presence of others who do not get the same treatment leads to feeling of embarrassment, consequently reducing fairness perceptions. As a result, receiving preferential treatment does not always lead to positive attitudinal and behavioral consequences. Overall, fairness and gratitude represent two mechanisms underlying the effect of preferential treatment on consumer subsequent behaviors and each has its distinct antecedents.
Family Members' Expenditures for Clothing Categories

This article examines household expenditure patterns for categories of clothing; identifies major factors that influence household expenditures for different categories of clothing for men, women, boys, and girls; and analyzes income elasticities by clothing category. A sample of 1,364 husband-wife families with at least one child aged 3 to 15 was selected from the 1984-1985 Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. Results of tobit analysis indicate that after-tax income was the most important determinant of clothing expenditures in concert with family characteristics. Some parents' preference-related variables had a stronger effect on their own clothing expenditures than on children's. Although all clothing categories examined had income elasticities below 1, those categories that are thought to have a stronger function in conveying social psychological meanings tended to have higher income elasticities than the categories that have less of such a function.
Terahertz generation in optical amplifiers

We describe a fiber-optics based system for the generation of optical frequency comb using amplified spontaneous emissions from a semiconductor optical amplifier as signal source. The continuous wave spectrum from the semiconductor optical amplifier range from 1480nm to 1680nm. A Solc-Sagnac birefringent interferometer filtered the continuous wave into a comb of descrete spectral lines with line spacing of 600GHz, producing comb signals than span 182 to 230 terahertz.
Preservation of retinotopic map in retinal degeneration

Retinal degenerations trigger the loss of photoreceptors and cause the remaining de-afferented neural retina to undergo remodeling. Concerns over this potential retinal synaptic reorganization following visual loss have raised questions regarding the usefulness of visual restoration via retinal electrical stimulation. We have used quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) and 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG) to objectively evaluate the connection between the retina and the primary visual cortex under both light and transcorneal electrical stimulation (TcES) in five subjects with retinal degeneration (RD) who have had more than ten years of light-perception-only best visual acuity and five age-matched normal-sighted controls. All subjects underwent quantitative PET with FDG as the metabolic tracer during stimulation of the right eye under both light stimulation condition and transcorneal electrical stimulation (TcES) using ERG-Jet contact lens electrode. Cortical activation maps from each stimulation condition were obtained using statistical parametric mapping. TcES phosphene threshold current and qualitative visual cortex activation from both stimulation conditions were compared between the two subject groups. Average phosphene threshold current was 0.72 ± 0.18 mA for the five normal-sighted controls and 3.08 ± 2.01 mA for the retinal degenerative subjects. Phosphene threshold current was significantly higher in retinal degenerative subjects compared to normal-sighted controls (p < 0.05). We found both light stimulation and TcES resulted in retinotopically mapped primary visual cortex activation in both groups. In addition, the patterns of early visual area activation between the two subject groups are more similar during TcES than light stimulation. Our findings suggest primary visual cortex continues to maintain its retinotopy in RD subjects despite prolonged visual loss.
Core-Confined Beam Propagation Method for Guiding and Leaky Structures

We propose a beam propagation method variant, which only requires the computational grid to span the core region of a waveguiding structure. Optical fields outside are accounted for through semitransparent boundary conditions. The method is fast, simple to implement, and accurate over a wide range of wavelengths. It is applicable to both guiding and leaky structures, with sufficiently strong contrast between refractive indices in the core, substrate, and cladding.
TEM studies of microtwins in the Ll0 phase in 63.1 at.% NiAl

Abstract The high resolution electron microscopy and optical diffraction studies on regions of Ll0 phase containing high density twins in 63.1 at.% NiAl have shown the presence of stacked structures of varying stacking periodicities. These stacked structures, which may be considered as periodically microtwinned Ll0, are observed to be present in regions of Ll0 phase that exhibited profuse streaking, sharp satellites, or both, along (1 1 1)Ll0 reflection. A stacking periodicity of 7, which corresponds to the 7R structure, is, however, observed to be the most predominant.
The response of MOS sensors with ultrathin palladium gates to carbon monoxide and methane

MOS sensors were made on a p-type silicon substrate using ultrathin gates of palladium (25 and 40 A) and platinum over palladium (5 A or 15 A) with an oxide thickness of 100 A. The resistance across the gate, as well as the gate to substrate capacitance, showed sensitivity to CO at 150 °C. For the 25 A device, 5000 ppm of CO in air shifted the CV curve by −200 mV and decreased the impedance across the gate film by 40 ohm or 10%. The impedance and capacitance shifts were observed to track each other approximately in time as the ambient was changed. Neither the gate impedance nor the capacitance in the 40 D device shifted as significantly when exposed to 10 000 ppm CO in air or argon. The 25 A device also showed sensitivity to methane in argon, while the 40 A device did not. The difference in response for the two film thicknesses is thought to be due to the difference in morphology of the two films: the 25 A film has an island structure, which allows the CO to alter the potential at the PdSiO2 interface; the 40 A film is more nearly continuous and inhibits the CO from affecting the potential at the interface.
An Immunologically Cryptic Epitope of Plasmodium falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein Facilitates Liver Cell Recognition and Induces Protective Antibodies That Block Liver Cell Invasion

Circumsporozoite, a predominant surface protein, is involved in invasion of liver cells by Plasmodium sporozoites, which leads to malaria. We have previously reported that the amino terminus region (amino acids 27–117) of P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein plays a critical role in the invasion of liver cells by the parasite. Here we show that invasion-blocking antibodies are induced by a polypeptide encoding these 91 amino acids, only when it is presented in the absence of the rest of the protein. This suggests that when present in the whole protein, the amino terminus remains immunologically cryptic. A single reactive epitope was identified and mapped to a stretch of 21 amino acids from position 93 to 113. The epitope is configurational in nature, since its recognition was affected by deleting as little as 3 amino acids from either end of the 21-residue peptide. Lysine 104, the only known polymorphic position in the epitope, affected its recognition by the antibodies, and its conversion to leucine in the protein led to a substantial loss of binding activity of the protein to the hepatocytes. This indicated that in the protein, the epitope serves as a binding ligand and facilitates the interaction between sporozoite and hepatic cells. When considered along with the observation that in its native state this motif is immunologically unresponsive, we suggest that hiding functional moieties of the protein from the immune system is an evasion strategy to preserve liver cell binding function and may be of importance in designing anti-sporozoite vaccines.
The ‘Restored’ Shīʿī muṣḥaf as Divine Guide? The Practice of fāl-i Qurʾān in the Ṣafavid Period

This study argues that the exponential growth of divinatory texts variously attributed to ʿAlī and Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq included at the end of Qur'ans produced during the Ṣafavid period provides further evidence for the widespread interest in divination during the tenth/sixteenth and eleventh/seventeenth centuries in Iran. Treatises on ‘divination by the Qur'an’ (fāl-i Qurʾān) indicate that it was considered permissible to seek guidance by means of holy scripture at this time. On a more symbolic level, fāl-i Qurʾāns can be understood as a kind of restoration of the ‘defective’ ʿUthmānic codex by re-Shīʿifying it – if not by reinserting supposedly dropped verses on the ahl al-bayt, then at the very least by adding terminal divinations attributed to the figureheads of Shīʿī Islam. This particular practice therefore follows general ‘Shīʿification’ trends found in a number of cultural and artistic practices of the Ṣafavid period, which also are potentially discernible within the domain of Qur'an production.
Interferometric Observations of RS Ophiuchi and the Origin of the Near-Infrared Emission

We report observations of the recurrent nova RS Oph using long-baseline near-IR interferometry. We are able to resolve emission from the nova for several weeks after the 2006 February outburst. The near-IR source initially expands to a size of ~5 mas. However, beginning around day 10, the IR source appears to begin to shrink, reaching ~2 mas by day 100. We combine our measured angular diameters with previously available interferometric and photometric data to derive an emission measure for the source, and hence are able to determine the mass-loss rate of the nova in the days following the outburst.
Intracellular sorting and polarized cell surface delivery of (Na+,K+)ATPase, an endogenous component of MDCK cell basolateral plasma membranes

Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells grown on polycarbonate filters in a two-chamber culture system were used to study the postsynthetic sorting of the alpha-subunit of the (Na+,K+)ATPase, an important native protein of the MDCK cell basolateral plasmalemmal domains. The N-azidobenzoyl derivative of ouabain (NAB-ouabain) and anti-ouabain antibodies were used in pulse labeling experiments to monitor the arrival of newly synthesized molecules of (Na+,K+)ATPase at the apical and basolateral cell surfaces. The results show that newly synthesized alpha-subunits bind NAB-ouabain and become substrates for immunoprecipitation only when this compound is present in the basolateral chamber. No more than 10% of the (Na+,K+)ATPase synthesized during the pulse period could appear at the apical surface without being detected by our assay. Thus, sorting of this native protein is effected intracellularly prior to its direct insertion into the basolateral plasmalemmal domain. Passage through an acidic compartment is not required for proper sorting.
Growth of Rh on Au(111): surface intermixing of immiscible metals

Abstract The growth of Rh on Au(111) was studied using UHV-STM and Auger electron spectroscopy. At room temperature, Volmer-Weber cluster growth was observed as expected from the surface energies and the immiscibility of Rh and Au below 650°C. After annealing to 400°C, the Rh Auger intensity decreased and STM revealed the formation of Au islands on the surface. Atomic-resolution images obtained after annealing showed a high density of defects due to Rh incorporation within the Au terraces and beneath the Au islands. The results demonstrate surface intermixing and growth by surface atom displacement and formation of substrate islands even for these immiscible systems.
Health Status and Hospital Utilization of Recent Immigrants to New York City

Abstract Background. This paper examines hospital utilization, estimated hospital costs, and mortality rates for U.S.-born, foreign-born, and Puerto Rican-born persons residing in New York City. Methods. We conducted a multivariate regression analysis using New York City neighborhoods as the unit of analysis. We utilized data from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System data set and from the 1997 Housing and Vacancy Survey. We also examined mortality rates using 1990 death certificate data and decennial census data. Results. The foreign-born are much less likely to be hospitalized for most major categories of illness and have lower mortality rates than either U.S.-born or Puerto Rican-born New Yorkers. The life expectancy at 1 year of age of the foreign-born is 4 years longer than for U.S.-born persons and 6 years longer than Puerto Rican-born persons. We estimate that the overall cost of providing hospital-based care to the foreign-born was $611 million dollars less than the cost of providing hospital-based care to an equivalent number of U.S.-born persons in 1996. Conclusion. The foreign-born in New York City appear to be healthier and consume fewer hospital resources than U.S.-born populations. It is possible that the cost of hospital utilization would be lower still if the foreign-born population had better access to ambulatory and preventive services.
Patterns of peritoneal spread of tumor in the abdomen and pelvis

The spread of tumor in the peritoneum can be understood, although it is a complex organ. A study of its embryology, anatomy and function is of clear benefit. It is formed from a network of folds, reflections, and potential spaces produced by the visceral and parietal peritoneum. These folds and reflections begin as a dorsal and ventral mesentery, supporting the primitive gut in early embryologic development. The dorsal mesentery connects the stomach and other organs to the posterior abdominal wall, while the ventral mesentery connects the stomach to the ventral abdominal wall. As the embryo develops, there is further organ growth, elongation, cavitation and rotation. The dorsal and ventral mesentery also develops along with the viscera, forming ligaments, mesenteries, omenta and potential spaces from the resulting reflections and folds. These ligaments, mesenteries, and omenta, support and nurture the organs of the peritoneum, providing a highway for arteries, veins, nerves and lymphatics. The potential spaces created from these folds and reflections of the visceral and parietal peritoneum are also important to realize. For example, the transverse mesocolon divides the peritoneal cavity into a supramesocolic and inframesocolic space in the abdomen and paravesicular spaces within the pelvis. The falciform ligament is well known in the supramesocolic space, dividing it further into a left and right compartment. Knowledge of the peritoneal vascular anatomy is beneficial in locating the spaces and ligaments about the peritoneum. For example, identifying the left gastric artery or vein will lead to the gastrohepatic ligament, which is part of the supramesocolic space. Besides serving a life sustaining role, the multiple compartments, ligaments, mesenteries and omenta within the peritoneum can also facilitate the spread of disease. Tumors can spread directly from one organ to another, seed metastatic deposits in the peritoneal cavity, and travel through the lymphatic or hematogenous route to invade other organs in the peritoneum.
Imaginary-Case Optical-Design Modules*

An analysis is made of a class of two-surface optical systems referred to as imaginary-case modules, which depend on a new parameter ϕ. Critical values ϕ0, ϕ∞ and, ϕ*, which correspond to those for real-case modules, are defined, and the conditions for their existence in the domain of ϕ are derived. These critical values, whose counterparts in the real case exist for both refracting and reflecting systems, do not exist for refracting imaginary-case modules when the indices of refraction are restricted to commonly available optical glasses. The critical values of ϕ exist and have fixed values for all reflecting-module systems. We propose here a method for classifying imaginary-case modules that would permit comparison for coupling purposes.