cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Holographic optical beamsteering demonstration

We present experimental results for optical beamsteering using a pair of rotating holographic gratings. The approach steers two wavelengths over a ±50° field of regard and has a 50-mm diameter aperture.
Viewpoint: Military direction of academic CS research

Most computer scientists know that the Department of Defense (DOD) supplies most of the funds for academic research, but few know how profoundly the funding situation has changed over the last decade. In 1976 most basic research in academic computer science was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) [see Figure 1]. In 1985 NSF's "market share" is much less than DoD's.When applied research money is added in, as in Figure 2 (on the next page), DOD'S preeminence is even more marked. Allowing $25 million for industrial, state, institutional, and other support in 1985 (exact data are unavailable), I conclude that most academic computer science (CS) research is now directed by military agencies.
Sentinel lymph node uptake of two different technetium-labeled radiocolloids,.

Background: The study was designed to compare the uptake of technetium-99m-labeled human serum albumin ([99mTc]HSA) and99mtechnetium-labeled sulfur colloid ([99mTc]SC) in the sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Methods: Radiocolloid levels in the SLN, femoral lymph node (FLN), ischial lymph node (ILN), spleen (SP), and right rear footpad (RRF) were quantitated over a period of 240 min after injection of [99mTc]SC or [99mTc]HSA into the rear footpad of C57 BL/6 mice. Results: There was a significantly greater (p<0.001) radioactive count in SLNs after [99mTc]SC (mean cpm 211,084.8) compared to [99mTc]HSA (mean cpm 115,640.8). In contrast, the counts in the FLNs were higher after [99mTc]HSA (mean cpm 11,333.4) than after [99mTc]SC injection (mean cpm 5,065.5). The percent uptake in the SP was higher after [99mTc]HSA than after [99mTc]SC injection. Conclusions: [99mTc]SC is rapidly and efficiently taken up by lymphatics at the primary injection site, is significantly retained in the SLN, and flows slowly to the next echelon node (FLN or ILN) and to the systemic circulation (SP). [99mTc]HSA tends to accumulate less efficiently in the SLN and to disperse more rapidly to the next echelon nodes and to the systemic circulation. By extrapolation, [99mTc]SC is likely to be a better radiocolloid for the intraoperative detection of SLNs.
In vivo effects of pokeweed mitogen on mouse spleen cells.

SummaryThe intravenous injection of PWM to mice produced in vivo changes in the spleen similar to those produced by intravenous injection of PHA. These changes were a marked increase in the weight of the spleen, along with an increase in the number of nucleated cells, lymphoblasts, and mitotic figures. In addition, PWM also produced a marked increase in the total number of plasma cells. However, these cells did not appear in the peripheral blood, and the effect of PWM on it was limited to a transient leukopenia.The technical assistance of Mrs. Barbara Kartzinel is gratefully acknowledged.
A deterministic mechanism for cellular and organismic ageing.

Abstract The theory assumes that some genetic loci, encoding for enzymes, become serially repeated along the chromosome in the course of evolution. Ageing is supposed to involve a shift from a locus encoding for a functional protein to a locus which encodes for a similar but non-functional protein, or a protein with reduced or deleterious function. A shift from the appropriate aminoacyl tRNA synthetase to one which charges a species of tRNA with the wrong amino acid is particularly consistent with recent experimental results. Shifts in the expression of genetic loci encoding for similar proteins are known to occur in the early stages of mammalian development. A specific molecular mechanism for accomplishing very gradual shifts is reviewed, and a theory for the evolution of ageing, based on a supposed advantage ageing may confer on whole populations, is proposed.
Canthaxanthin as a Model for the Study of Utilization of Oxycarotenoids by Chickens

Abstract A white corn-soy diet amended with varying levels (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 ppm) of canthaxanthin, a red diketocarotenoid available by chemical synthesis, and fed to young broiler chickens for 3 weeks has the attributes of a useful experimental model for the study of absorption, transport, and deposition of oxycarotenoids. On high pressure liquid chromatography of extracts of the diet and tissues of the birds, canthaxanthin predominated over the background level of nonspecific carotenoids. The concentrations of canthaxanthin found in the contents of the jejunum and large intestine and in the serum, liver, and toe web were directly proportional to the dietary concentration. Departure from such linear relationships would signal loci of action for factors affecting pigmentation. Analysis of toe webs, an integumentary depot site for carotenoids, revealed that the concentrations of canthaxanthin and two other compounds, one more polar and the other less polar than canthaxanthin, were proportional to the dietary concentration of canthaxanthin. Saponification converted the less polar compound to the more polar compound. The behavior of these compounds in response to dietary canthaxanthin, to chromatography, and to saponification can be explained by assuming that canthaxanthin, a diketocarotenoid, was partly reduced to a ketohydroxy carotenoid (hydroxyechinenone) whose hydroxyl group is acylated to form an ester. These products represent new metabolic reactions in poultry.
Autonomic control of large coronary arteries and resistance vessels.

Abstract The resistance coronary vessels as well as the large coronary arteries are regulated to a major extent by autonomic mechanisms. Neural and pharmacologic activation of α-adrenergic pathways can reduce coronary blood flow and the cross-sectional area of large coronary arteries, despite concomitant increases in coronary distending pressure. Activation of either β 1 - or β 2 -adrenergic receptors can induce potent dilation of both coronary resistance vessels and large coronary arteries, whereas blockade of these receptors can elicit profound constriction in the presence of elevated β-adrenergic tone. The regulation of the coronary circulation by parasympathetic mechanism remains the most controversial, likely because of major species differences. Parasympathetic coronary dilation is uniformly observed in the dog, but in primates, important aspects of parasympathetic-mediated coronary vasoconstriction have also been demonstrated.
Primal-dual exterior point method for convex optimization

We introduce and study the primal-dual exterior point (PDEP) method for convex optimization problems. The PDEP is based on the non-linear rescaling (NR) multipliers method with dynamic scaling parameters update. The NR method at each step alternates finding the unconstrained minimizer of the Lagrangian for the equivalent problem with both Lagrange multipliers and scaling parameters vectors update. The NR step is replaced by solving the primal-dual (PD) system of equations. The application of the Newton method to the PD system leads to the PDEP method. We show that under the standard second-order optimality condition, the PDEP method generates a PD sequence, which globally converges to the PD solution with asymptotic quadratic rate.
Spectrally narrowed external-cavity high-power stack of laser diode arrays.

We describe an effective external cavity for narrowing the spectral linewidth of a multiarray stack of laser diode arrays. For a commercially available 279-W free-running five-array laser diode array operating at 60?A, we narrow the spectral linewidth to 0.40?nm at FWHM with 115?W of cw power output. This technique leads to the possibility of higher-efficiency, lower-cost production of hyperpolarized noble gases for magnetic resonance imaging.
A SWI/SNF Chromatin-Remodeling Complex Acts in Noncoding RNA-Mediated Transcriptional Silencing

RNA-mediated transcriptional silencing prevents deleterious effects of transposon activity and controls the expression of protein-coding genes. It involves long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). In Arabidopsis thaliana, some of those lncRNAs are produced by a specialized RNA Polymerase V (Pol V). The mechanism by which lncRNAs affect chromatin structure and mRNA production remains mostly unknown. Here we identify the SWI/SNF ATP-dependent nucleosome-remodeling complex as a component of the RNA-mediated transcriptional silencing pathway. We found that SWI3B, an essential subunit of the SWI/SNF complex, physically interacts with a lncRNA-binding protein, IDN2. SWI/SNF subunits contribute to lncRNA-mediated transcriptional silencing. Moreover, Pol V mediates stabilization of nucleosomes on silenced regions. We propose that Pol V-produced lncRNAs mediate transcriptional silencing by guiding the SWI/SNF complex and establishing positioned nucleosomes on specific genomic loci. We further propose that guiding ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes may be a more general function of lncRNAs.
The Spatial Structure of Tidal and Mean Circulation over the Inner Shelf South of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

AbstractThe spatial structure of the tidal and background circulation over the inner shelf south of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, was investigated using observations from a high-resolution, high-frequency coastal radar system, paired with satellite SSTs and in situ ADCP velocities. Maximum tidal velocities for the dominant semidiurnal constituent increased from 5 to 35 cm s−1 over the 20-km-wide domain with phase variations up to 60°. A northeastward jet along the eastern edge and a recirculation region inshore dominated the annually averaged surface currents, along with a separate along-shelf jet offshore. Owing in part to this variable circulation, the spatial structure of seasonal SST anomalies had implications for the local heat balance. Cooling owing to the advective heat flux divergence was large enough to offset more than half of the seasonal heat gain owing to surface heat flux. Tidal stresses were the largest terms in the mean along- and across-shelf momentum equations in the area of the reci...
Optical switching by a dielectric-cladded nematic firm

An analysis and experimental results on optical switching from a transmission to a total reflection state, using a nematic film bounded by two prisms, are presented. This configuration provides a useful scheme for optical limiting applications with a large dynamic range. From the preliminary experiments and an analysis based on the nonlinear Fabry-Perot effect given elsewhere it is clear that this type of device can be optimized to meet practical self-limiting device applications. >
New directions in substance abuse services: programmatic innovations in the Veterans Administration.

The purpose of this paper to describe the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) recent expansion and enhancement of its substance abuse treatment services. Several treatment innovations are considered from both clinical and administrative perspectives. These services include extended care programs for multiply impaired patients, programs for substance abuse patients with comorbid psychiatry conditions and services designed to improve continuity of care and community re-entry. Emergent themes include a broadening of services to meet the needs of a changing substance abuse population and an emphasis on providing more cost-efficient treatment.
A Method for Measuring Half-Lives

A method for measuring half-lives with Geiger counters which is independent of counting losses is described. Foils which have been irradiated for various times are counted after a lapse of time adjusted to make the counting rates of the foils the same. Saturated activities of the foils will be different if an incorrect value of the decay constant has been assumed. Equations are given for obtaining a more correct value of the decay constant. The method is illustrated by data on the 54-minute period of indium.
a Comparison of Some Dynamic, Linear and Policy Iteration Methods for Reservoir Operation

Within the past few years, a number of papers have been published in which stochastic mathematical programming models, incorporating first order Markov chains, have been used to derive alternative sequential operating policies for a multiple purpose reservoir. This paper attempts to review and compare three such mathematical modeling and solution techniques, namely dynamic programming, policy iteration, and linear programming. It is assumed that the flows into the reservoir are serially correlated stochastic quantities. The design parameters are assumed fixed, i.e., the reservoir capacity and the storage and release targets, if any, are predetermined. The models are discrete since the continuous variables of time, volume, and flow are approximated by discrete units. The problem is to derive an optimal operating policy. Such a policy defines the reservoir release as a function of the current storage volume and inflow. The form of the solution and some of the advantages, limitations and computational efficiencies of each of the models and their algorithms are compared using a simplified numerical example.
Trade‐Offs, Biases, and Uncertainty in Project Planning and Execution: A Problem‐Based Simulation Exercise

The ability to plan and execute projects is a fundamental skill required among managers and business school graduates. In the opening phase of a project, the project team makes decisions about the relative priority of project time, cost, and performance objectives, oftentimes without complete information about customer and stakeholder requirements. Existing project management curriculum assists in developing skills to decide among these priorities in the abstract through paradigms such as the time–cost–performance triangle, with limited attention to the improvement of skills required to develop solutions to these trade-offs, particularly in uncertain and ambiguous project environments. Further, there is often an underlying bias in project teams toward consideration of the project task and project deliverables and reduced attention to time and cost objectives. This study demonstrates the benefits of a balanced approach to setting project time, cost, and performance objectives using a goal-based simulation exercise entitled “The Bridge to Project Leadership.” Results for 124 project teams illustrate the tendency to ignore this balanced approach, resulting in reduced project performance, even among experienced project managers.
The Effects of a Campus Building Occupation on Attitudes and Images of the Conflict1

Surveys were conducted before and after radical students occupied a campus building at Princeton University. The occupation led to reduced support for the radicals' demands and increased support for their militant action. The increased support for the militant action occurred even though no police were used. The results were interpreted in terms of a functional theory of attitudes. It was suggested that support for the demands or actions of the radicals was necessary in order to permit many students to appear radical. A second aspect of the study examined the mirror image hypothesis. Strong support for this hypothesis was obtained when it was found that the administration and the radicals appeared as direct opposites. This effect, however, was almost entirely confined to those students who strongly supported the radicals or the administration. Those who took a moderate view did not see the two parties as direct opposites.
Modeling induction machines and core-form transformers in unbalanced distribution circuits

Three phase power distribution systems often experience voltage imbalance due to unbalanced loading of the system. The unbalanced load flow is increasingly being used in all aspects of distribution system analysis. Many three phase devices, particularly induction motors and transformers, behave differently when connected to an unbalanced supply. Advanced models can be necessary to properly account for these differences. This paper proposes models for induction motors and core-form transformers suitable for load flow simulation. The models are based on symmetrical component theory. The induction motor models involve an additional iteration loop, and are validated against EMTP time domain simulations. Case studies are presented that show the impact of using these models in unbalanced distribution system conditions.
Continuous Monitoring of Overt Human Body Movement by Radio Telemetry: A Brief Review:

The measurement of overt human movement is of interesr to researchers from many disciplines. This interest embraces such behavioral phenomena as gestures, tics, motor learning, "relevant" and "irrelevant" motion, "activity" patterns, laterality and motor skills, among others. Not surprisingly, many different measurement techniques have been developed. A recent innovation involves rhe use of radio telemetry which confers the potential advanrages of: (a) eliminating the encumbrance of direct wire connections between S and the recorder; (b) affording S increased freedom of movement; (c) not requiring the presence of an observer and, (d) in some situations, e.g., studies of children's activity, making observations without S's knowledge. The number of such applications of radio telemetry is still small, and the relevant publications are diffusely spread and apparently not well known. Cross references between the articles are almost nonexistent. The purpose of the present article is to review progress to date in this area and to suggest some further possibilities. At the outset, it might be helpful to clarify a few points about method and terminology. Radio telemetry is just one form of "telemetry," which simply means "measurement at a distance;" in this case, radio waves provide a medium for conveying information picked up by motion sensors or "transducers." In general, the radio telemetry systems under consideration here can be subdivided into two main categories: ( 1) those in which a radio rransmitter, located on or about S, is "modulated" by a transducing device attached in some fashion to S, so chat the ttansducer changes one or more of its output parameters in proportion to change, or rate of change, of position of the body or body-part in rime and space. The transmitted signal is picked up by a remote receiver; (2) those which incorporate a "transmicter-receiver pair," one of which serves as a fixed reference position, while the other varies in relation to it and causes a proportionate modulation of che recorded signal in accordance with the body move
Digitalis receptor sugar binding site characteristics: a model based upon studies of Na+, K(+)-ATPase preparations with differing digitalis sensitivities.

The structure-activity relationships of the genin moieties of digitalis glycosides are commonly elucidated by determining the inhibitory potency of a variety of genins toward the plasma membrane Na+, K+-ATPase; qualitatively these relationships appear to be fairly independent of the specific Na+, K+-ATPase preparation utilized for the analysis. To determine whether this is the case with regard to the sugar moieties of glycosides, the inhibitory effects of 12 monoglycosides of digitoxigenin toward four Na+, K+-ATPase preparations of different origin were measured. It was found that while recognition of the major structural determinants of sugar activity appeared to be independent of enzyme source, recognition of the minor structural determinants of activity showed some source dependence. It was also observed that the intrinsic sensitivity to sugar potentiation may be source dependent and unrelated to intrinsic sensitivity to inhibition by digitoxigenin. These observations are compatible with a model of the Na+, K+-ATPase sugar binding site(s) in which intrinsic sensitivity to sugar attachment as well as recognition characteristics (for sugar structural features) both determine the extent to which a sugar moiety may contribute to the activity of monoglycosides. Further, in these studies one of the Na+, K+-ATPase preparations employed was obtained from rat brain, a tissue known to contain a mixture of ouabain sensitive and insensitive isoforms. We have observed that the rigorous purification techniques employed appear to have selectively removed from or denatured the less ouabain sensitive al isoform found in this enzyme preparation.
Microwave measurements of the absolute values of absorption by water vapour in the atmosphere

MEASUREMENT of the absolute value of absorption by water vapour at microwave frequencies is difficult because the effect is so small. Far in the wings of the absorption lines, in the so-called 'windows' of the spectrum, it is especially difficult to achieve high accuracy in the free atmosphere. But it is in these windows that the behaviour of the absorption is important from both applied and scientific points of view. Satellite communications, remote sensing of the atmosphere, and radioastronomy, are all influenced by this behaviour. Measurements on an Earth-space path are reported here; the results indicate a nonlinear relationship between absorption and water-vapour content.
Fourier transform faradaic admittance measurements III. Comparison of measurement efficiency for various test signal waveforms

Summary A study is presented of faradaic admittance versus frequency measurements based on Fourier analysis of the response to multiple-frequency test signal waveforms. The waveform types employed encompass both the discrete frequency and broadband categories, including stochastic and deterministic examples of the latter. More specifically, data are acquired using: (a) complex periodic signals; (b) almost periodic signals; (c) transient inputs; and (d) bandwidth-limited white noise. Data analysis is based on the highly-efficient fast Fourier transform algorithm which is implemented by an on-line minicomputer. An instrumental configuration is described which yields valid faradaic admittance data, regardless of the type of test signal waveform employed. Results are examined with regard to the effect of test signal properties on measurement efficiency, where measurement efficiency is defined in terms of the data dispersion observed after a particular number of replicate measurements. In this context the data show that a complex periodic waveform composed of a fundamental harmonic and a sufficient number of odd harmonics is superior to the others which were examined. This result, together with the overall empirical ordering of waveform types versus measurement efficiency, is rationalized in terms of the influences of extraneous noise, faradaic non-linearity, waveform frequency spectrum, and special measurement system characteristics.
Gram-negative infection and bronchiectasis in lung transplant recipients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.

Background Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after lung transplantation manifests as a gradual decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Bronchiectasis is often seen but occurs at variable rates with the underlying pathogenesis being unclear. Objective We completed a study to determine whether lower airway infection with gram-negative bacilli was associated with the development of bronchiectasis in lung transplant recipients with BOS. Methods A retrospective review of 17 lung transplant recipients (age: 28 ± 7 years, range: 13 to 40 years) in a patient population transplanted for cystic fibrosis (CF) 82% (14/17), bronchiolitis obliterans 12% (2/17), and sarcoidosis 6% (1/17) was completed. Each patient completed pulmonary function testing and underwent annual computed tomographic imaging of the chest for surveillance posttransplant at a single transplant center. Results Bronchiectasis was present in 70% (12/17) of patients whereas 94% (16/17) of patients had varying severity of BOS: 1 (n = 7), 2 (n = 3), and 3 (n = 6). All 12 patients with bronchiectasis had an allograft gram-negative rod infection and 92% (11/12) of them had BOS. Conclusions The presence of bronchiectasis in lung transplant recipients with BOS was associated with a gram-negative bacterial airway infection of the allograft in a small cohort of predominately lung transplant recipients with CF.
Relationships between positive-negative extracellular potentials and intracellular potentials in pyramidal tract neurons

Abstract Positive-negative extracellular potentials were recorded to within 1 to 5 μ of the point where succesful punctures of pyramidal tract cells occurred. These punctures were followed by recordings of intracellular spikes. It was possible to obtain sequential recordings of extracellular and intracellular activity from the same pyramidal tract cells as well as to obtain simultaneous recordings of intra- and extra-cellular activity from the same cells with double-barreled micro-electrodes. Timing of positive-negative potentials relative to intracellular spikes at different distances from the cells in the extracellular field indicated that these potentials were not conducted. Evidence was presented that the positive-negative potential pattern occurred more or less simultaneously in a wide area extending over 200 μ around the pyramidal tract cells. In view of the prominence of positive-negative extracellular potential patterns near presumed soma-dendritic membrane areas and the lack of evidence for propagation, it was suggested that a major part of the pyramidal tract cell soma and adjacent dendritic regions were inexcitable.
Effects of information framing on human papillomavirus vaccination.

Abstract Background: In June 2006, the first vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission was approved for use in females in the United States. Because the vaccine was approved for females as young as 9, its success depends on parents' and individuals' willingness to accept vaccination. Little is known about how attitudes toward this vaccine will be influenced by the way the vaccine is portrayed in the media or in public debate. Methods: To assess the effects of information framing on intentions to vaccinate self or female children, if appropriate, 635 adults read one of three short descriptive paragraphs about the vaccine, each of which emphasized a different aspect of the vaccine. Participants were then asked about their intentions to vaccinate under cost or no-cost conditions. Results: Women who read that the vaccine protects only against cervical cancer had significantly higher intentions to vaccinate themselves when the vaccine was available at little or no cost compared with women who ...
Personal drug use and attitudes toward prevention among youth living in a high risk environment.

Non-users, users of alcohol, and users of both alcohol and marijuana were identified coexisting in the same neighborhoods. (Sample selection also included a procedure which guaranteed that at least part of each group saw themselves “at risk.”) Separate subcultures for each of the three populations were strongly indicated. Differences were found in terms of behavior, attitudes, peer groups (including a distinct rejection of hard drug users), and significant adults in the environment; especially those felt to possess accurate information about drugs and to whom they would go for help with a drug problem. Almost any activity was seen as appropriate for a drug abuse prevention program, although there were strong differences in terms of desirability. How users can be differentiated from non-users in the same population is discussed along with additional implications for prevention programming.
Metal ion transporters in mammals: structure, function and pathological implications.

Despite the importance of metal ions in several catalytic functions, there has been, until recently, little molecular information available on the mechanisms whereby metal ions are actively taken up by mammalian cells. The classical concept for iron uptake into mammalian cells has been the endocytosis of transferrin-bound Fe3+ by the transferrin receptor. Studies with hypotransferrinaemic mice revealed that in the intestine mucosal transferrin is derived from the plasma and that its presence is not required in the intestinal lumen for dietary iron absorption. This suggests that, at least in the intestine, other non-receptor-mediated uptake systems exist. The molecular identification of metal ion transporters is of great importance, in particular since an increasing number of human diseases are thought to be related to disturbances in metal ion homeostasis, including metal ion overload and deficiency disorders (i.e. anaemia, haemochromatosis, Menkes disease, Wilson's disease), and neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Alzheimer's, Friedreich's ataxia and Parkinson's diseases). Furthermore, susceptibilities to mycobacterial infections are caused by metal ion transporter defects. The pathological implications of disturbed metal ion homeostasis confirm the vital roles these metal ions play in the catalytic function of many enzymes, in gene regulation (zinc-finger proteins), and in free radical homeostasis. Recent insights have significantly advanced our knowledge of how metal ions are taken up or released by mammalian cells. The purpose of this review is to summarize these advances and to give an overview on the growing number of mammalian metal ion transporters.
Reversed magnetic anisotropy of (100) Pd/Ni/Pd and Pd/NiPd/Pd structures : effects of changing lattice mismatch

Abstract (100) oriented Pd/Ni/Pd and Pd/NiPd(80/20)/Pd films have been deposited on (100) Si using epitaxial Cu and Pd seed layers. Keeping the two Pd layers at 1000 A each and varying the Ni and NiPd layer thickness, a completely reversed magnetic anisotropy is observed for the 25 A Ni layer and 50 A NiPd layer. A squared hysteresis loop is seen for the normal-to-plane magnetization curves of these structures, with a little loop for the in-plane curves. A partially reversed anisotropy is seen for the Pd/Ni/Pd structure with a 50 A Ni layer. For the structures with thicker Ni layers, a much easier magnetization is seen for the in-plane curves. The reversed anisotropy is attributed to the stress on the thin Ni and NiPd layers by the cladding Pd layers. Identical Pd/Ni/Pd and Pd/NiPd/Pd structures with an (111) orientation, deposited on (111) Si with (111) Cu seed layers, show no sign of changing magnetic anisotropy. Comparison with the results on the (100) Cu/Ni/Cu structures provides evidence of the effect of changing lattice mismatch on the thickness of Ni and NiPd needed for the occurrence of a reversed magnetic anisotropy.
Optical diffraction properties of multimicrogratings

This paper presents the results of optical diffraction properties of multimicrograting structures fabricated by e-beam lithography. Multimicrograting consist of arrays of hexagonally shaped cells containing periodic one-dimensional (1D) grating lines in different orientations and arrayed to form large area patterns. We analyzed the optical diffraction properties of multimicrogratings by studying the individual effects of the several periodic elements of multimicrogratings. The observed optical diffraction pattern is shown to be the combined effect of the periodic and non-periodic elements that define the multimicrogratings and the interaction between different elements. We measured the total transverse electric (TE) diffraction efficiency of multimicrogratings and found it to be 32.1%, which is closely related to the diffraction efficiency of 1D periodic grating lines of the same characteristics, measured to be 33.7%. Beam profiles of the optical diffraction patterns from multimicrogratings are captured with a CCD sensor technique. Interference fringes were observed under certain conditions formed by multimicrograting beams interfering with each other. These diffraction structures may find applications in sensing, nanometrology, and optical interconnects.
Densitometric determination of bile pigments on thin-layer chromatograms

Abstract Densitometric quantification of bile pigments diretly on the scored TLC silica gel and polyamide plates is described. Calibration curves are given for mesobiliviolin, stercobilin, mesobilirubin and also for dimethyl esters of stercobilin and biliverdin.
NO reburning in ultrarich filtration combustion of methane

Abstract Reburning of nitrogen oxide in combustion waves formed under filtration of methane/air mixtures in a packed bed of randomly arranged inert alumina pellets is studied experimentally and numerically. Due to effective heat regeneration, the studied range of equivalence ratios spans from 0.15 to 3 covering the ultralean, lean, rich, and ultrarich regions. The data suggest strong influence of equivalence ratio on NOx emissions for pure methane/air waves due to the essential variation of the combustion chemistry. Nitrogen oxide reburning studies were performed with input concentrations of NO from 10 to 1000 ppm. Destruction and removal efficiencies above 60% were observed in ultrarich combustion waves.
Seasonal and geographical variation of organochlorine residues in birds from Northwest Mexico

Eight species of birds (129 individuals) were collected from three agricultural areas with long histories of pesticide use in northwestern Mexico. Plucked carcasses were analyzed for organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs). DDE was found in all of the samples and at higher levels than other OCs. Mean (geometric) DDE concentrations varied from 0.04 (μg/g) ppm in mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) to 5.05 ppm in double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) was detected in 95% of the samples, but at lower levels than DDE. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) residues were detected more frequently in birds from Mexicali (62%, p < 0.05) than in those from Yaqui and Culiacan. HCH and HCB concentrations were significantly higher in birds from Mexicali during the winter than in the summer (p < 0.05), indicating accumulation of these compounds during that period. Other OCs such as DDT, DDD, dieldrin, oxychlordane, heptachlor epoxide, endosulfan, and endrin were found at lower levels and less frequently. PCBs (quantitated as Aroclor® 1260) were found mostly in cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) and cormorants at the three locations. Overall, concentrations of OCs were higher for Mexicali than for Yaqui and Culiacan (p < 0.01). In a few cases, DDE levels were above those that might adversely affect birds.
Physical activity and health: epidemiologic and clinical evidence and policy implications.

Abstract Epidemiologic and clinical studies conducted during the last 25 years have shown that regular physical exercise appears to offer some degree of protection against coronary heart disease, hypertension, and obesity and to favorably affect a number of risk factors—hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension. Exercise has also proved to be an effective therapeutic measure in arteriosclerosis obliterans, angina pectoris, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, chronic obstructive lung disease, and asthma. Regular physical activity often enhances the quality of life and encourages health consciousness, often resulting in a reduction in cigarette smoking and a change in diet. Based on this evidence and the strong and growing public interest in exercise, the promotion of exercise is an attractive policy option in the development of a comprehensive preventive strategy involving a continuum of effort by government (federal, state, and local), business and industry, and the health care community. A three-pronged strategy consisting of a major mass-media campaign to stimulate interest in exercise, programs to reinforce that interest, and development of exercise facilities is proposed.
Assessments of Motor Function Post Stroke

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review assessments of motor function after stroke.Method: Eleven assessments were reviewed for what aspects of motor function are measured; tools needed...
Fenestrated sheen macular dystrophy.

• Fenestrated sheen macular dystrophy is an autosomal dominant macular disorder characterized by the presence in the central macular zone of a golden sheen with tiny red fenestrations. Even in the later stages, only a mild functional disturbance has been observed. There were five patients manifesting this dystrophy in two generations of a family. They represent the third family so described.
MODELING THE MOVEMENTS OF COWBIRDS: APPLICATION TOWARDS MANAGEMENT AT THE LANDSCAPE SCALE

. Brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) reduces the reproductive success of two endangered bird species at Fort Hood, Texas. A successful management program has focused on trapping cowbirds at feeding locations, grassland areas almost always associated with the presence of cattle. To enhance the efficacy of this effort, we developed an individual-based model that predicted visitation rates by cowbirds to all potential feeding locations at Fort Hood and the surrounding landscape. Utilizing GRASS-GIS and SWARM, the model incorporated the spatial arrangement of habitats, daily movements of cattle, and daily movements of cowbirds from their breeding sites to feeding locations. We simulated four types of movements by cow-birds as they searched for cattle: 1) random walk, 2) direct return to previous locations (i.e., memory), 3) return to previous locations with en route assessment (i.e., memory with limited perception of the current state of the system), and 4) omniscience. Straight-line distances between breeding and feeding locations for cowbirds that used the memory-with-perception rule were similar to independent telemetry results, and total search distances for this movement type approached those of omniscience. Both movement distance measures were inversely related to perception distance. Maps of cowbird visits to feeding areas differed among movement rules but were not strongly affected by the density of breeding cow-birds. Maps also identified locations where trapping efforts could reduce parasitism within specific areas known to support endangered species. While it seems plausible that cowbirds are able to remember foraging locations and to perceive their surroundings as they travel, additional studies are needed to document their cognitive abilities. By simulating movements of individual cowbirds across a dynamic landscape, model results may help to strengthen ongoing cowbird control efforts.
Think like a sociopath, act like a saint

Crisis‐prepared organizations employ a number of distinct and creative strategies to cope with crises: they conduct internal assassin team exercises where they attempt to destroy their organizations given their privileged inside knowledge; they attempt to think like paranoids in order to come up with unpalatable and unthinkable scenarios; they imagine themselves in totally different industries in order to think about how crises that are not endemic to them can happen nonetheless. While no organization can fully prevent major crises, it can recover faster and with substantially less costs by being prepared.
Trends in the incidence of endometrial cancer in the United States

Abstract The incidence of endometrial carcinoma is examined in national surveys from 1947 and 1970 and the Connecticut Registry operating since 1935. Cases coded "uterus unspecified" present a classification problem but evidence from several lines suggest they belong with endometrial carcinoma, at least for the white females. Rates corrected for these cases indicate no significant increase in the absolute incidence of endometrial carcinoma in either whites or blacks, although the current incidence of endometrial carcinoma is greater than that of invasive cervical cancer in white females over 50. Thus, the incidence of endometrial cancer in whites has increased relative to invasive cervical cancer due to the declining incidence of the latter. In black women, invasive cancers of the cervix are still occurring more frequently than cancers of the endometrium at all ages. An additional finding in blacks is that one-fourth of the cancers of the corpus are myometrial sarcomas, which suggests that rates for cancer of the corpus should not be considered equivalent to rates for endometrial cancer in blacks. Finally, several factors which might influence the incidence of endometrial carcinoma were discussed.
GABA-dependent modulation of the Cl− ionophore by steroids in rat brain

Abstract Steroids inhibit the binding of [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) to the GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor (GBR) linked Cl− ionophore in a GABA dependent manner but not through the GABAA receptor. The most potent steroid evaluated is a naturally occuring metabolite of progesterone, 3 α-hydroxy,5 α-dihydroprogesterone with an IC50 of ≈ 17 nM. Structural requirements necessary for inhibitory activity coincide with those reported for anticonvulsant and anesthetic actions. Coupled with earlier evidence that these steroids do not act directly at the benzodiazepine receptor nor the [35S]TBPS labeled site to modulate the Cl− ionophore, the possibility is proposed that a distinct membrane-bound ‘steroid site’ coupled to the GBR-Cl− ionophore complex exists.
NMR reveals anomalous copper(II) binding to the amyloid Aβ peptide of Alzheimer's disease

The Abeta peptide is the major protein component of amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Age-related microenvironmental changes in the AD brain promote amyloid formation that leads to cell injury and death. Altered levels of metals (such as Cu and Zn) exist in the AD brain, and because Cu and Zn can be bound to the Abeta in the amyloid plaques, it is thought that these binding events in vivo may trigger or prevent Abeta amyloid formation in the AD brain. Although several structural models have been proposed, all of these are undefined due to the lack of definitive structural data. The present NMR studies utilized uniformly 15N-labeled Abeta(1-40) peptide and 1H-15N HSQC experiments and demonstrate for the first time that the Abeta binds Cu and Zn in a distinct manner. The binding promotes NH signal disappearance of E3-V18, which was not due to the paramagnetic effect of Cu2+, as identical NMR studies were seen with Zn2+, which is diamagnetic. NMR titration experiments showed that the amide NH peak intensities of R5-L17 showed the most pronounced intensity reduction, and that the 1H signals for the side chain aromatic signals of the three histidines shift upfield (H6, H13, and H14). We propose that initially Cu2+ is anchored to the Abeta monomer (fast exchange rate) and is followed by deprotonation and/or severe line broadening of the backbone amide NH for E3-V18 (intermediate exchange rate). By contrast, Cu2+ binding to soluble Abeta aggregates leads to rapid aggregation and nonfibrillar amorphous structures, and without metal, the Abeta can undergo the normal time-dependent aggregation, eventually producing more ordered, late-stage parallel beta-sheet structures. These anomalous (rare) binding events may account for some of the unique properties associated with the Abeta, such as its proposed "dual role", where sequestration of metal ions by the monomer is neuroprotective, while that by beta-aggregates generates oxygen radicals and causes neuronal death.
Gratitude: Prompting behaviours that build relationships

The emotion gratitude is argued to play a pivotal role in building and maintaining social relationships. Evidence is accumulating that links gratitude to increases in relationship satisfaction. Yet, there is currently little evidence for how gratitude does this. The present paper provides experimental evidence of gratitude facilitating relationship-building behaviours. Study 1 provides evidence that gratitude promotes social affiliation, leading one to choose to spend time with a benefactor. Study 2 offers further evidence of gratitude's ability to strengthen relationships by showing that gratitude facilitates socially inclusive behaviours, preferentially towards one's benefactor, even when those actions come at a cost to oneself.
Semantics of the reFLect language

reFLect is a new functional language, developed at Intel for use in hardware design and verification. It contains features intended to facilitate the construction, analysis, and manipulation of the language's own programs. It is also intended to be the executable subset of the term language of a theorem prover based on higher order logic.In this paper, we consider core reFLect---a language that extends a polymorphically typed λ-calculus with a datatype for programs and with constructs for splicing programs into programs and for defining functions that inspect and modify programs. We prove that the reduction semantics for this language is strongly normalizing and confluent. We also give a set-theoretical denotational semantics for the language and prove that the reduction semantics is sound with respect to the denotational semantics. These results provide the basis for developing the semantics of reFLect's extension of higher order logic and proving its soundness.
Cuticular penetration of abscisic acid

Penetration of 2-14C abscisic acid (ABA) through enzymatically isolated cuticles from tomato fruit and from the upper epidermis of apricot, pear and orange leaves was assessed. Penetration was linear with time, greater as the undissociated than the dissociated ion, and greater through dewaxed than non-dewaxed cuticles. Significantly less (3–6 times) (2-14C)ABA penetrated the tomato fruit cuticle than NAA or 2,4-D. The leaf cuticles were less permeable than the tomato fruit cuticle. There was no evidence that the ABA was altered during transfer across the cuticle.
Calculations of three-pion correlations from a final-state rescattering model: comparisons with experiment.

Abstract A simple rescattering model is used to predict three-pion correlation functions in CERN SPS-energy S+Pb and Pb+Pb collisions. Gaussian pion source parameters are extracted from these calculations as well as the three-pion phase factor, cosφ. The three-pion phase factor is found to be close to unity for both systems and for all regions of rapidity and transverse momentum investigated. Comparisons are made with recent experimental results from NA44.
Effect of surface coating composition on quantum dot mobility in porous media

Quantum dots (QDs) have received considerable attention due to their unique optical and electrical properties. Although substantial research has focused on the potential applications and toxicological impacts of QDs, far less effort has been directed toward understanding their fate and transport in the environment. In this work, the effect of four coatings, polyethylene glycol functionalized polymer (PEGP), carboxyl derivatized polymer (COOHP), linoleic acid (LA), and polyacrylic acid-octylamine (PAA-OA), on the transport and retention of QDs in porous media were evaluated under environmentally relevant conditions. Aqueous QD suspensions (ca. 10 nM) were introduced into water-saturated columns packed with 40–50 mesh Ottawa sand at a pore-water velocity of 7.6 m/day. At an ionic strength (IS) of 3 mM and pH of 7, PEGP-coated QDs were completely retained within the column, while more than 60 % of COOHP-coated QDs were transported through a column run under identical conditions. When PAA-OA and LA were used as coatings, effluent QD recoveries increased to more than 65 and 89 % of the injected mass, respectively. Additionally, a decrease in pH from 9.5 to 5.0, or an increase of IS from 0 to 30 mM reduced the eluted mass of PAA-OA-coated QDs by more than 2 and 15 times, respectively. The relative mobility of coated QDs (LA > PAA-OA > COOHP > PEGP) was consistent with total interaction energy profiles between QDs and sand surfaces calculated based on Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory. At an IS of 3 mM (NaCl) and pH 7, a linear correlation was obtained between the fraction of eluted QDs and the magnitude of the primary interaction energy barrier. These findings demonstrate the strong dependence of QD transport on coating type and indicate that interaction energies based on DLVO theory can be used to predict the relative mobility of QDs in porous media.