cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
If EM fields do not operate on each other, how do we generate and manipulate laser pulses?

Generating or shaping a light pulse requires complete knowledge of all the parameters of the complex pulse amplitude. But they are not directly available to us. Our gathered data is only proportional to the square modulus of the EM fields as reported to us by various detectors (including non-linear processes). These detector responses are "colored" by their unique quantum "preferences". EM fields are not directly observable to us. They do not operate on (interfere with) each other either. Classical optics recognizes that light beams of different frequencies and of orthogonal polarizations do not "interfere" with each other. The success of Michelson's Fourier Transform spectrometry relies on this non-interference of different frequencies. Yet, beat signal is a result of simultaneous actions of different frequencies on a fast detector. We are promoting the hypothesis of non-interference of light beams as a generalized principle irrespective of the similarities or dissimilarities of their parameters. All superposition effects can become manifest only when the interacting medium is capable of summing all the induced stimulations simultaneously. Accordingly, an array of CW beams with multiple frequencies cannot create temporal pulses as implied by the time-frequency Fourier theorem in free space or in a medium that does not interact with the fields. Dipole undulations induced by the superposed EM fields within appropriate media are always at the root of creating laser pulses, and this brings conceptual congruence between the processes in generating pulses whether they are due to spiking or mode-locking. To illustrate our position, we present a series of experiments: (i) Simple superposition of three coherent frequencies did not generate mode locking. (ii) A series of ordinary CW He-Ne laser beams can produce mode-lock like current pulses by a high speed detector. (iii) A Q-switched ps diode laser shows 100fs train of autocorrelation spikes but it is not mode locked.
Electrophilic hydrogen-deuterium exchange of some deactivated pyrroles

The rate coefficients and partial rate factors for the hydrogen-deuterium exchange of some 1-substituted pyrroles (1-substituents = -COCH3, - COC6H5, -SO2CH3, -SO2CF3, -N(CH3)3, -NH(CH3)2, -SO2C6H5) in deuterated trifluoroacetic acid have been determined. In all cases the rate of exchange is faster at the 2-position. Similarly, the hydrogen-deuterium exchange of some pyrroles with electron withdrawing substituents in the 2-position indicate a relative reactivity of 4→ 5→ 3-position with the selectivity being greatest for the more electron withdrawing groups. A nitro group in the 3-position of pyrrole shows a relative reactivity of 5→2→4-position for the hydrogen-deuterium exchange in deuterated trifluoroacetic acid. A linear correlation is observed for the log of the rate coefficient of the hydrogen-deuterium exchange at the 4-position of some 2-substituted pyrroles and the difference in the calculated energy of formation of the pyrrole and the corresponding 4-deuterated cation.
Distribution of Bacteria in Simplified Surrogate Extremities Shot With Small Caliber Projectiles

Experiments were conducted to determine bacteria distribution trends in wound cavities of simplified surrogate extremities shot using small caliber projectiles. Two different shapes of targets, cylindrical and square, were used in this study. Cylindrical targets are more representative of an extremity but create difficulties while conducting tests due to inconsistent cavity lengths and optical distortions. Square targets, which are not as susceptible to the problems mentioned above, could be used in place of cylindrical ones if their shape does not significantly affect the distribution of bacteria within the wound cavity. Surface contamination of the targets in the experiments was represented using a circular piece of filter paper moistened with a solution with a known amount of Escherichia coli strain K-12. The projectiles used were 11.43-mm (0.45-in) caliber round nose projectiles shot from a commercially available air rifle. The permanent cavities were extracted from the targets and sliced into small, evenly spaced segments and the area surrounding the permanent cavities was removed with a biopsy punch. The radial tears that were made by the formation of the temporary cavity and surround the permanent cavity were removed using a scalpel. The permanent cavity and radial tears for each section were processed and plated on agar plates. Commercial software was used to count the number of colony forming units on each plate and the percentage of the total bacterial colony count per segment was determined. High speed video and motion analysis software was used to qualitatively and quantitatively compare the temporary cavities in the cylindrical and square targets. The data from the experiments showed that the bacteria distribution trends for the cylindrical and square targets were similar even though the maximum openings of the temporary cavity at the entrance and exit locations were higher for the cylindrical ones. For both target shapes, the bacterium was evenly distributed between the permanent cavity and the radial tears in the middle sections of the “wound tracks.” In addition, significantly higher amounts of bacterium were found in the entrance and exit segments compared with the rest of the segments in the “wound tracks”.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A Statistical Study of Main and Residual Accelerations of Coronal Mass Ejections

In this paper we present the results of a statistical study of the accelerations of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). A CME usually undergoes a multiphased kinematic evolution, with a main acceleration phase characterized by a rapid increase of CME velocity in the inner corona, followed by a relatively smooth propagation phase characterized by a constant speed or a small residual acceleration in the outer corona. We study both the main acceleration and the residual acceleration for 50 CME events based on Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) observations. We find that the magnitude of the main acceleration has a wide distribution, from 2.8 to 4464.0 m s-2, with a median (average) value of 170.1 (330.9 m s-2), and a standard deviation of 644.8 m s-2, whereas the magnitude of the residual acceleration ranges only from -131.0 to 52.0 m s-2, with a median (average) value of 3.1 (0.9 m s-2) and a standard deviation of 25.3 m s-2. The duration of the main acceleration is also widely distributed, from 6 to 1200 minutes, with a median (average) value of 54 (180 minutes) and a standard deviation of 286 minutes.We find an intriguing scaling law between the acceleration magnitude (A) and the acceleration duration (T) over the entire parameter range of almost 3 orders of magnitude, which can be expressed as A (m s-2) = 10,000T-1 (minutes). The implications of these observational results on the issues of CME classification and CME modelings are discussed.
Vibration Energy Harvesting Using Multi-Stable Two Degree-of-Freedom Nonlinear Dynamics

In this research, we studied the integrated dynamics of a coupled linear oscillator-bistable energy harvester system. The method of harmonic balance together with perturbation analysis are used to predict the existence and stability of the bistable device interwell vibration. The influences of important parameters on tailoring the coupled system response are investigated to determine principles for improved energy harvesting performance. We demonstrate analytically that for excitation frequencies in a bandwidth less than the natural frequency of the linear oscillator, the additional linear system may substantially intensify the bistable harvester power generation as compared to a single bistable device. Moreover, the linear-bistable coupled system may introduce a stable out-of-phase dynamic between the linear and bistable elements around the resonance of the linear oscillator, enhancing the performance of the harvester by providing for a second interwell response. Key analytical findings are confirmed through experiments, validating the predicted trends and demonstrating the advantages of the coupled system for energy harvesting.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The Mechanisms of Governance

Prologue PART I: OVERVIEW 2. Chester Barnard and the Incipient Science of Organization 3. Transaction Cost Economics PART II: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS 4. Comparative Economic Organization: The Analysis of Discrete Strucutural Alternatives 5. Credible Commitments: Using Hostages to Support Exchange 6. Economic Institutions: Spontaneous and Intentional Governance 7. Corporate Finance and Corporate Governance 8. The Politics and Economics of Redistribution and Inefficiency PART III: ORGANIZATIONS 9. Transaction Cost Economics and Organization Theory 10. Calculativeness, Trust, and Economic Organization PART IV: PUBLIC POLICY 11. Delimiting Antitrust 12. Strategizing, Economizing, and Economic Organization 13. The Institutions and Governance of Economic Development and Reform PART V: CONTROVERSY AND PERSPECTIVES 14. Transaction Cost Economics Meets Posnerian Law and Economics 15. Transaction Cost Economics and the Evolving Science of Organization Glossary
Temporal inhibition of calmodulin in the nucleus

Abstract Calmodulin (CaM) acts as a primary mediator of calcium signaling by interacting with target proteins. We have previously shown that nuclear CaM is critical for cell cycle progression using a transgene containing four repeats of a CaM inhibitor peptide and nuclear targeting signals (J. Wang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270 (1995) 30245–30248; Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1313 (1996) 223–228). To evaluate the role of CaM in the nucleus specifically during S phase of the cell cycle, a motif which stabilizes the mRNA only during S phase was included in the transgene. The CaM inhibitor mRNA transcript contains a self-annealing stem-loop derived from histone H2B at the 3′ end. This structure provides stability of the mRNA only during S phase, thereby restricting CaM inhibitor expression to S phase. The inhibitor accumulates in the nucleus, particularly in the nucleoli. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the CaM inhibitor is expressed in S and G2. Transfected cells show growth inhibition and a reduction in DNA synthesis. The CaM inhibitor peptide is a versatile reagent that allows spatial as well as temporal dissection of calmodulin function.
PREY ADDITION ALTERS NUTRIENT STOICHIOMETRY OF THE CARNIVOROUS PLANT SARRACENIA PURPUREA

The carnivorous pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea receives nutrients from both captured prey and atmospheric deposition, making it a good subject for the study of ecological stoichiometry and nutrient limitation. We added prey in a manipulative field experiment and measured nutrient accumulation in pitcher-plant tissue and pitcher liquid, as well as changes in plant morphology, growth, and photosynthetic rate. Prey addition had no effect on traditional measures of nutrient limitation (leaf morphology, growth, or photosynthetic rate). However, stoichiometric measures of nutrient limitation were affected, as the concentration of both N and P in the leaf tissue increased with the addition of prey. Pitcher fluid pH and nitrate concentration did not vary among treatments, although dissolved oxygen levels decreased and ammonia levels increased with prey addition. Ratios of N:P, N:K, and K:P in pitcher-plant tissues suggest that prey additions shifted these carnivorous plants from P limitation under ambient conditions to N limitation with the addition of prey.
Telomeres: no end in sight.

Why do eukaryotic chromosomes end the way they do? One basic function of teiomeres, the ends of chromosomes, is to preserve themselves; they allow replenishment of the chromosomai DNA termini by an independent mechanism of DNA synthesis, to make up for the incomplete replication of the 5’ end of each chromosomal DNA strand by the primary cellular DNA replication machinery. But why is a special DNA sequence needed at teiomeres? Obsetvations of teiomere behavior indicate that teiomeres play multiple roles, some new and surprising. This minireview highlights recent work that throws into sharp relief the question of why a specific DNA sequence is required to stabilize chromosomes. The Correct Telomeric DNA Sequence Is Necessary to Stabilize Chromosomes In a great phyiogenetic variety of eukaryotes, teiomeric DNA consists of a terminal stretch of tandem, speciesspecific repeats of very short (typically 5-8 bp) simple sequences, characterized by clusters of G residues on the strand that forms the 3’ end of each chromosomai DNA strand. This strand is synthesized by the ribonucieoprotein enzyme telomerase (reviewed by Blackburn, 1992) an essential cellular reverse transcriptase that uses a short sequence within its RNA moiety as the template for addition of the G-cluster teiomeric DNA strand to chromosome ends. Without replenishment of telomeric sequences, which normally requires telomerase to make up for losses caused by incomplete replication, the chromosome ends gradually recede (Figure 1). Usually, chromosomes with broken ends lacking their species-specific teiomeric DNA sequences or that fail to maintain preexisting teiomeric DNA on the end of chromosomes are not stably maintained (reviewed by Blackburn, 1991). This instability has been emphasized by recent studies in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sandeil and Zakian (1993) removed a telomere in a controlled way from a dispensable chromosome and watched the fate of the chromosome immediately thereafter. The short-term response of the ceil was very similar to that elicited by introducing a single break into a circular, nonessential plasmid, producing two teiomereiess ends; this response included temporary arrest of the ceil cycle (Bennett et al., 1993; Sandeii and Zakian, 1993). Subsequently, the linear chromosome lacking one teiomere was lost, although sometimes only after several ceil divisions, unless it was stabilized by acquiring ateiomere by some means (Sandeii and Zakian, 1993). Another line of evidence highlighting the need for the telomeric DNA sequence itself to maintain chromosomes stably in yeast has come from asking how cells can survive Minireview
Receipt of tetanus-containing vaccinations among adolescents aged 13 to 17 years in the United States: National Immunization Survey-Teen 2007.

Abstract Background: Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) was licensed in the United States in 2005 to be given in place of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) for single use in adolescents. Objectives: This analysis was conducted to determine vaccination coverage with Td and Tdap among adolescents in the United States aged 13 to 17 years and to characterize adolescents who had not received a tetanus-containing booster vaccine. Methods: Data were analyzed from the National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) 2007, a random-digit-dialing telephone survey that is weighted to be nationally representative of adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. Parents gave verbal consent so that vaccination providers could be contacted to obtain the adolescents' immunization histories. Weighted coverage of Td and Tdap vaccines was estimated with bivariate analysis from returned vaccination data from the providers' records. A multivariable analysis was conducted to determine factors independently associated with nonreceipt of tetanus-containing vaccines. Missed opportunities for vaccination with Td or Tdap were determined from documented vaccination visits for other vaccines. Results: Out of 69,289 households screened, 6572 had an eligible adolescent aged 13 to 17 years and 5486 (83.5%) completed the household interview. Among 5474 adolescents who met the age criterion and completed a household interview, consent to contact providers was obtained for 4114 (75.2%). A total of 2947 adolescents (53.7% of those with completed household interviews) had immunization histories returned from providers for verification. In 2007, a total of 2149 adolescents (weighted percentage, 72.3%) aged 13 to 17 years had received at least one tetanus booster since age 10 years; Tdap coverage was 30.4%. The mean (SE) age at Td or Tdap receipt was 13.04 (0.04) years (range, 10.00–17.84 years); the median age was 12.86 years. More than half (59.4%) of sampled adolescents had received their booster dose on or after January 1, 2005; among those vaccinated in 2007, 89.1% received Tdap as their booster dose. Factors associated with nonreceipt of Td or Tdap included geographic location and not having a provider-reported well-child visit at ages 11 to 12 years. Conclusions: Almost three quarters of adolescents aged 13 to 17 years included in the NIS-Teen 2007 received a tetanus-containing vaccine, and almost one third received Tdap. Among adolescents who received a tetanus-containing vaccine in 2007, a total of 89.1% received the new Tdap vaccine in place of Td, as recommended. Adolescents not receiving Td or Tdap may face barriers to accessing health care. Research is needed to identify evidence-based strategies to improve vaccination coverage among adolescents.
Superparasitism of Lygus hesperus Knight Eggs by Anaphes iole Girault in the Laboratory

Anaphes iole Girault is a solitary egg parasitoid which attacks Lygus spp. In a low-parasitoid-density experiment (parasitoid:host ratio = 1:40) 10.0% of available Lygus hesperus Knight eggs were superparasitized by A. iole. However, in experiments with a high parasitoid density (parasitoid:host ratio = 1:9), superparasitism of L. hesperus eggs was 33.3, 66.7, and 82.2% after exposure for 2, 6, and 24 h, respectively. Anaphes iole females were likely to superparasitize hosts previously parasitized by conspecific females, as 81.2% of such hosts were accepted for parasitization. High superparasitism rates resulted from a weak tendancy to discriminate against host eggs parasitized by a conspecific and a high rate of encountering such hosts at a high parasitoid density. Female parasitoids demonstrated an ability to discriminate against host eggs that they had recently parasitized, but it was not sufficient to prevent superparasitism from occurring at a high parasitoid density. Mean numbers of ovipositor piercing scars/host egg and parasitoid eggs/host egg increased with, but not in proportion, to the exposure period. The frequency of ovipositor penetrations, without egg deposition, also increased as the exposure period increased at the high parasitoid density. These data suggest that parasitoids are sensitive to some chemical and/or physical changes that occur both on the exterior and interior of the host egg, which causes the host egg to become less acceptable once it has been parasitized. The implications of superparasitization for mass rearing of these parasitoids are discussed.
A study of regression and budding in Perophora viridis.

1. A method has been devised for studying the regression of the zooid of Perophora into a stolon and the subsequent differentiation of a new zooid from this stolon. 2. Circulatory cells of the stolon resulting from regression will aggregate into masses larger than the minimal size necessary for differentiation of a zooid, but fail to differentiate into a zooid. 3. The cells of a zooid after staining with neutral red appear in the stolon during regression and finally come to lie in the newly formed zooid. 4. During the cycle of adult zooid to stolon to newly formed zooid, there is no evidence for cell division from studies with tritiated thymidine. 5. It is concluded that under conditions of starvation, an adult zooid furnishes all the cells for the formation of a stolon and the subsequent zooids without cell division.
Core-electron binding-energy shifts at surfaces

A first-principles calculation of a surface-binding-energy shift has been done for the $3s$ orbital of Cu(100). Both initial- and final-state effects are found to be important to the binding-energy shift. Surface and bulk screening lengths around the core holes are small relative to the near-neighbor distance. The surface-binding-energy shift is 0.36 eV, which is consistent with experimental data on noble metals. The relaxation shift is -0.30 eV.
New findings in transgenic, gene knockout and mutant mice

Mice with experimentally induced or spontaneous genetic alterations continue to provide new and often unexpected information on the mechanisms of mammalian aging. Papers published during the last year (July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006) contain many exciting findings, including development and characterization of a new animal model for the study of aging. Highlights of these recent developments will be briefly discussed in this Review.
Reversible vestibular dysfunction secondary to sotalol use

Cellular responses to stimuli in multiple areas of the human body are dependent on maintenance of normal transmembrane electrical gradients, largely mediated by channels that control intraand extra-cellular sodium, potassium, and calcium concentrations. Thus, dysfunction of the channels responsible for electrolyte influx and efflux may cause an array of symptoms in otherwise disparate organ systems. For example, patients with cardiac channelopathies such as long QT syndrome have been reported to develop dysfunction of the auditory/vestibular apparatus (Jervell and LangeNielsen Syndrome) [1] as well as gastrointestinal symptoms [2]. Thus, it is possible that antiarrhythmics, whose therapeutic effects are realized by direct effects on the function of sodium and potassium channels, may have secondary effects on normal function in other organs. In particular, the potassium channel plays a prominent role in maintaining normal auditory and vestibular function [3]. While sotalol is known to cause lightheadedness in as many as 12%, dizziness in as many as 20% of patients [4], and has been rarely (<1/10,000) associated with vertigo as well [5, 6], pathologic effects on vestibular function have not been reported. We report a case of reversible vestibular dysfunction secondary to sotalol use that, to our knowledge, has not previously been recognized.
Prediction of flux through polydimethylsiloxane membranes using atomic charge calculations

Abstract A quantitative structure-transportability relationship (QSTR) for the prediction of flux of aromatic compounds through a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane was developed using molecular modeling, A total of 103 compounds in 15 ring classes, including benzene, quinoline, naphthalene, pyridine, naphthyridine, furan, benzofuran, imidazole, benzimidazole, indole, thiophene, pyrrole, pyrazole, pyridazine and pyrazine, was studied. Maximum steady state flux was measured using isopropyl alcohol as solvent. Atomic charges in each molecule were computed using the Huckel-Gasteiger method. Flux was found to be significantly affected by atomic charge. Partial charge calculations combined with solubility and molecular weight provided a universal QSTR model for the estimation of flux for all 15 classes of compounds. The flux of the imidazoles was found to be systematically slower than expected while that of aliphatic amines was faster. An indicator variable for each of these two types of compounds was included in order to achieve the best predictive model. Crossvalidation, in which half of the data set is predicted by the other half, demonstrates that the model is robust and highly applicable.
Crystal Structure of 9 : 10-Dimethyl-1 : 2-benzanthracene

As part of an investigation into Daudel and Pullman's theory1 of the connexion between the carcinogenic activity of benzanthracene derivatives and their structure, we have made an accurate determination of the crystal structure of 9 : 10-dimethyl-1 : 2-benzanthracene. It is a potent carcinogen, unlike its parent, 1 : 2-benzanthracene, the structure of which we have reported previously2.
New Method for Calculating the Absolute Free Energy of Binding: The Effect of a Mobile Loop on the Avidin/Biotin Complex

Hypothetical scanning molecular dynamics (HSMD) is a relatively new method for calculating the absolute free energy and entropy. HSMD is extended here for the first time for calculating the absolute free energy of binding, ∆A 0 , as applied to the avidin-biotin complex. With HSMD the ligand is built (more accurately reconstructed) from nothing in solvent and in the protein, in contrast to the commonly used methods where the ligand is annihilated (by thermodynamic integration) in these environments. Therefore, the end-point problem encountered with the latter methods does not exist with HSMD and the need for restraints is avoided. Also, the entropy of the ligand and water in both environments is obtained directly as a byproduct of the simulation. The binding mechanism of biotin to avidin involves a mobile loop that is expected to be in an open conformation in unbound avidin, which is changed to a closed one upon binding, that is, the loop moves to cover biotin in the active site. The contribution of the loop’s conformational change to the total free energy of binding is calculated here for the first time. Our result, ∆A 0 )- 24.9 ( 7 covers the experimental value -20.7 kcal/mol within the error bars. I. Introduction The noncovalent association of molecules is central to many biological processes, such as the action of hormones, the recognition of antigens by the immune system, the catalysis of chemical reactions by enzymes, and the action of drugs. Therefore, development of simulation methods for calculating the affinity (free energy) of molecular binding is important for both academic and practical reasons as they will help in elucidating the mechanisms of complex biological processes, which might be used in rational drug design and might lead to other therapeutic means. In addition to the available simplified and fast scoring functions that enable one to screen large databases of ligands in drug design, it is imperative to also devise highly accurate methods for calculating the free energy of binding based on detailed molecular interactions and rigorous statistical mechanics; such methods are required in the refinement stage of the screening procedure. Of special interest in this category are methods for calculating the absolute (standard) free energy of
Oxygen equilibrium of coelomic cell hemoglobin from the bloodworm Glyceradibranchiata

1. 1. Molecular weight of light and heavy hemoglobins extracted from coelomic cells of the annelid bloodworm Glycera dibranchiata has been estimated from their elution on calibrated gel columns. Light hemoglobin appears to be a monomer of about 18,000 daltons, and heavy hemoglobin is a polymer which is larger than the vertebrate tetramer. 2. 2. Coelomic cells respire at a rate twice as great at 20°C as that of mammalian erythrocytes at 37°C. 3. 3. Oxygen equilibrium constants for suspensions of coelomic cells at pH 6·8–7·4 do not differ significantly from those of mixtures of light and heavy hemoglobins in solution. 4. 4. Total oxygen content of coelomic fluid in intact animals equilibrated to various pO2's supports our earlier idea of a dual function for bloodworm hemoglobin, viz. oxygen transport at higher external oxygen levels and oxygen storage at lower levels.
The origin and diversification of the merozoite surface protein 3 (msp3) multi-gene family in Plasmodium vivax and related parasites.

The genus Plasmodium is a diversified group of parasites with more than 200 known species that includes those causing malaria in humans. These parasites use numerous proteins in a complex process that allows them to invade the red blood cells of their vertebrate hosts. Many of those proteins are part of multi-gene families; one of which is the merozoite surface protein-3 (msp3) family. The msp3 multi-gene family is considered important in the two main human parasites, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, as its paralogs are simultaneously expressed in the blood stage (merozoite) and are immunogenic. There are large differences among Plasmodium species in the number of paralogs in this family. Such differences have been previously explained, in part, as adaptations that allow the different Plasmodium species to invade their hosts. To investigate this, we characterized the array containing msp3 genes among several Plasmodium species, including P. falciparum and P. vivax. We first found no evidence indicating that the msp3 family of P. falciparum was homologous to that of P. vivax. Subsequently, by focusing on the diverse clade of nonhuman primate parasites to which P. vivax is closely related, where homology was evident, we found no evidence indicating that the interspecies variation in the number of paralogs was an adaptation related to changes in host range or host switches. Overall, we hypothesize that the evolution of the msp3 family in P. vivax is consistent with a model of multi-allelic diversifying selection where the paralogs may have functionally redundant roles in terms of increasing antigenic diversity. Thus, we suggest that the expressed MSP3 proteins could serve as “decoys”, via antigenic diversity, during the critical process of invading the host red blood cells.
Approaches to Evaluation of Development Interventions: The Importance of World and Life Views

Abstract Differences in approaches to evaluation have been prevalent in the literature since social cost-benefit methods fell from favor in many circles in the early 1970s. Such differences are especially evident when the US AID approach is compared with the approaches of many organizations in the growing private voluntary community. This paper argues that differing approaches to evaluation often reflect basic disagreements in alternative world and life views. To support this claim, it examines the world and life view and associated notion of the good embedded in the US AID approach (as evidenced in AID's current evaluation program) and compares this approach both with a “humanist” alternative and with the approach of Church World Service, an influential Christian private voluntary organization.
Experimental demonstration of diffusive emission tomography

We consider the problem of emission tomography in a highly- scattering medium probed by diffusing waves. Experimental validation of an algorithm that gives a direct solution to the image reconstruction problem is reported.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
N-glycosylation bidirectionally extends the boundaries of thymocyte positive selection by decoupling Lck from Ca2+ signaling

Thymocytes are positively selected upon recognition of self peptide–MHC complexes. Demetriou and colleagues show that N-glycosylation of TCR and coreceptor molecules increases the number of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes that are positively selected.
Explosive breeding reduces egg and tadpole cannibalism in the wood frog, Rana sylvatica.

Abstract Cannibalism of anuran eggs and hatchlings by larger tadpoles has been documented in many species that inhabit seasonally ephemeral habitats and has been hypothesized to play an important role in favouring synchronized breeding. Using the wood frog, this hypothesis was tested by determining whether offspring of non-synchronized breeders were more vulnerable to cannibalism than offspring of synchronized breeders. In a laboratory experiment, small tadpoles of similar size did not cannibalize each other. However, large tadpoles preyed heavily on the eggs and hatchlings of conspecifics, and the incidence of predation increased with cannibal size. In natural populations, over 80% of adults bred explosively during a 3-day period, and their offspring were not cannibalized because hatching was synchronized and tadpoles varied only slightly in size. About 5% of adults oviposited late in the breeding season, and the resulting embryos hatched when tadpoles of synchronized breeders averaged 0·6–1·3 g. Larger tadpoles in the ponds cannibalized the eggs and hatchlings of these late late breeders. In a field experiment conducted at a natural breeding site, eggs that were added 7 days after embryos of late breeders hatched suffered complete mortality within 19 h. Similarly, more than 50% of hatchlings were cannibalized within 15 min after they were placed in the pond. These results are consistent with the view that synchronized breeding is an adaptation that reduces cannibalism in anurans that breed in temporary ponds.
Effects of dopamine and dopamine-active compounds on oxytocin and vasopressin production in rat neurohypophyseal tissue cultures.

Abstract The effects of dopamine (DA) or DA-active drugs on the synthesis of neurohypophyseal (NH) hormones were studied in 13–14 day cultures of isolated NH tissue from rats. The following DA-active compounds were used (10 −6 M in each medium): DA, apomorphine (APM), Pro-Lys-Gly (PLG), butaclamol (B), haloperidol (HP), chlorpromazine (CPZ) and sulpiride (SP). The oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) contents of the condensed media were determined by RIA after a 1 or 2 h incubation. Significantly increased contents of OT and VP were detected in the tissue culture media following DA, APM or PLG administration. This elevation of NH hormone production could be blocked by previous administration of B or the DA receptor antagonists HP, CPZ or SP. The application of B after DA agonists proved ineffective. The results indicate that NH hormone production can be directly influenced by the DA-ergic system. The DA-ergic control of NH hormone secretion in rats can occur independently of the hypothalamus, at the level of the posterior pituitary.
Er:YAG laser drilling of cataractous lens: predicting the ablation rate with a simple model

We present measurements of the Er:YAG laser drilling rate in human cataractous lens and describe a simple model for mid-infrared laser thermoablation. Lens slabs were immersed in saline and subjected to the output of a free-running Er:YAG laser (2.94 micrometers ). The laser output was directed through a fiberoptic to a 400 micrometers quartz tip. With a radiant exposure of 10 J/cm2, and a repetition rate of 10 Hz, we measure an ablation rate of approximately 7 micrometers per pulse and an ablation threshold of 0.6 J/cm2. The thermoablation rate varies linearly with radiant exposure. Our model divides the laser pulse into a series of sequential, identical micropulses, (2) solves for the ablation depth for each micropulse, (3) sums the contributions from all micropulses, and (4) specifies that the ablation depth be maximized as a function of the number of micropulses. Predictions of ablation depth and the threshold for tissue ablation are generated. The model yields a linear dependence of penetration depth on radiant exposure and a much larger single pulse penetration depth when compared with the more superficial ablation and logarithmic dependence predicted by Beer's law. Improved correlation of our model with measurements in lens tissue and available experimental data is demonstrated.
Health physics procedures and experience on Princeton tokamaks

Princeton tokamaks have produced radiation levels of interest to health physicists since 1977. However, increases in the neutron flux and associated tritium production from deuterium-deuterium (DD) reactions have heightened the level of health physics requirements around machines such as Princeton's Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR). The graphite tiles used within the vessel have retained tritium produced by DD operations and thereby created contamination control challenges during vessel openings. From January to July 1987, approximately 3 × 1018 DD fusion neutrons were produced in TFTR operations. For each DD neutron produced, one would expect to see the production of one triton since the cross-sections for the D-D fusion reactions are approximately equal. This would imply 5.4 GBq (145 mCi) of tritium produced from DD reactions in 1987. Procedures for vessel entry, contamination control, removal of activated hardware from the test cell and exposure control have been upgraded to meet the changes resulting from the success of producing higher neutron fluxes. Measurements continue to be made of bremsstrahlung profiles within the test cell, general radiation levels in potentially occupied areas, and environmental baselines in preparation for the introduction of tritium as a fuel. However, the tritium produced from DD reactions already produces measurable tritium levels in vacuum pump oils, neutral beam injector boxes, the vessel itself, and within the test cell when the vessel is opened and vented to the test cell. This paper describes the increased activities of the health physics staff in providing measurement techniques, contamination control, written procedural requirements, and the radiation training instituted for ensuring the safety of the employees.
More on deep glacial erosion by continental ice sheets and their tongues of distributary ice

High latitude intracontinental seaways occupy great troughs carved by broad tongues of inland ice as it debouched to deep marine water. Such troughs occur in glaciated coasts, but not in stable, nonglaciated ones. Where ice flowed along the walls of troughs whose adjacent uplands held local glaciers, the walls simulate alpine troughs with faceted spurs and submarine hanging tributary valleys. Where uplands were not glaciated, trough walls are unbreached. Where ice flowed across them, coasts are digitate in low relief. In the northeastern sector of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, large glacial grooves converge toward the Gulf of Boothia-Prince Regent Inlet-Lancaster Sound avenue of egress to open sea, suggesting that it was an exit for inland ice which shaped it to its present form. The subduction Pacific coast of the Americas is mostly harborless in nonglaciated latitudes, but in southern Chile and British Columbia it is dissected. A circular gravity high 2800 km across is concentric with the area covered by the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Abyssal glacial silts are voluminous enough to account for an average of 100–150 m of erosion over the area covered by the Laurentide Ice Sheet.
A new tight binding total energy method for ferroelectric oxides

We have developed a tight-binding electronic structure framework, which includes explicit treatment of Coulombic interactions (with ion-size effects), charge transfer effects and an overlap matrix, and has total energy capabilities. This method is applied to the study of structural phase transitions in ferroelectric oxides, with emphasis on KNbO3, and, to a lesser degree, on KTaO3. In this framework the energy is composed of four parts; 1) a sum over the band energies, 2) ion-ion interaction, 3) an electron-electron double counting term, and 4) Coulombic interactions with ion size effects for near neighbors and point ion interactions for the rest. The self-energies are assumed to be different from the atomic term values due to charge transfer effects. The off site Hamiltonian matrix elements include interactions up to 3rd near-neighbors. The overlap matrix was taken to be proportional to the Hamiltonian matrix. The electrostatic interactions were calculated using the Ewald method, where for near-neighbors...
Stratigraphy and environmental reconstruction at the middle Wisconsinan Gilman Canyon formation type locality, Buzzard's Roost, southwestern Nebraska, USA

The middle Wisconsinan Gilman Canyon Formation at the Buzzard's Roost type locality in southwestern Nebraska was investigated to document the stratigraphy and to reconstruct the environmental and climate record. The Gilman Canyon Formation was subdivided into three loess units and three soils, with radiocarbon ages constraining it between about 40 ka and 25 ka. Stable carbon isotope ratios, magnetic susceptibility, and carbon content were used to define and characterize soils within both the Gilman Canyon Formation and underlying Illinoian Loveland Loess. At the height of soil development within the Gilman Canyon Formation, climate was supporting C4-dominated grassland, with July temperatures equal to or exceeding those of today. Soil-forming intervals within the Loveland Loess, including the Sangamon Soil, also exhibited relative increases in C4 biomass. Climate, as recorded in the Gilman Canyon Formation, is corroborated by regional proxy data. The formation accumulated during MIS 3, and concurrent soil formation coincided with a summer insolation maximum.
Development of a Cognitive Ability Test for 2-Year-Olds with Motor or Speech Delays

Items proposed for estimating intelligence of children 2 years of age were studied and found ready for experimental use as a downward extension of the Pictorial Test of Intelligence (French, 1964). The items require neither speech nor manipulation of objects by the child. Each child responded to the experimental items and the Mental portion of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). Biserial correlations for each new item with the BSID were determined, as were difficulty indices, and estimates of internal consistency. Items then were rearranged in order of difficulty or eliminated based on the difficulty and/or biserial correlations. A high correlation of the experimental items and BSID-Mental Scale scores suggests that cognitive development between 21 and 29 months can be determined for children without speech and/or fine motor skill, but who have near-normal hearing and visual acuity and who understand English.
Intramuscular fat and inflammation differ in older adults: the impact of frailty and inactivity.

Objectives Intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) is recognized as a negative predictor of both muscle and mobility function in older adults, however the mechanism by which IMAT may negatively influence muscle and mobility function is currently unknown. The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from IMAT provides a potential reason for these negative associations. To explore this hypothesis we compared IMAT and muscular inflammation in age-and BMI-matched older non-obese frail and non-frail adults. We also sought to examine the relationship between IMAT and inflammation, and muscle and mobility function in this group of older adults.
Proto-object based visual saliency model with a motion-sensitive channel

The human visual system has the inherent capability of using selective attention to rapidly process visual information across visual scenes. Early models of visual saliency are purely feature-based and compute visual attention for static scenes. However, to model the human visual system, it is important to also consider temporal change that may exist within the scene when computing visual saliency. We present a biologically-plausible model of dynamic visual attention that computes saliency as a function of proto-objects modulated by an independent motion-sensitive channel. This motion-sensitive channel extracts motion information via biologically plausible temporal filters modeling simple cell receptive fields. By using KL divergence measurements, we show that this model performs significantly better than chance in predicting eye fixations. Furthermore, in our experiments, this model outperforms the Itti, 2005 dynamic saliency model and insignificantly differs from the graph-based visual dynamic saliency model in performance.
MONOID OBJECTS OVER SEMIGROUPS, AND THEIR ACTIONS

ABSTRACT This article studies semigroup objects and monoid objects, and their actions, in the category of all semigroups (all commutative semigroups, all monoids, all commutative monoids) over a given semigroup or monoid.
Cultural variation in savannah sparrow,Passerculus sandwichensis, songs: an analysis using the meme concept☆

Abstract I used the meme concept to investigate patterns of cultural variation among the songs of eight, geographically distinct populations of savannah sparrows. Memes composed of only one syllable were geographically widespread and randomly distributed among populations, but memes of two-, three- and four-syllables became progressively more restricted in their geographical distribution. Thus, the populations were memetically more similar with respect to one-syllable memes and more divergent with respect to larger memes. These results suggest that differences in memetic mutation rates and susceptibility to loss by memetic drift could be sufficient to create the observed pattern of greater divergence among populations for large memes.
Experiments on the Emission of Neutrinos from P 32

These experiments study energy and momentum conservation in beta-decay. The apparatus, improved over earlier experiments, permits increased accuracy in the measurement of the neutrino-electron angular correlation. It is concluded that the correlation is approximately ($1+cos\ensuremath{\theta}$). Determination of the nature of the dominant interaction in the beta-decay of ${\mathrm{P}}^{32}$ awaits measurement of the nuclear spin. If the spin is one, the tensor interaction is uniquely selected. If the spin is zero, the axial vector dominates. Spin 2 or higher is ruled out by the shape of the beta-spectrum.It is also demonstrated that in beta-decay the missing energy and the missing momentum obey the relation $p=\frac{E}{c}$ to an accuracy of better than 10 percent.
Nerve growth factor as a potential treatment in Alzheimer's disease

An adequate rationale for considering the use of NGF in the treatment of AD exists. Much basic work needs to be done prior to any clinical trials in order to design an ethically and scientifically sound study. The potential use of NGF in patients with AD is a very exciting possibility; enthusiasm should not, however, lead to poorly designed premature clinical trials which are unlikely to provide definitive answers as to the effectiveness of such treatment.
Analysis of In Vitro Migration Patterns of Human Spermatozoa by a Petri Dish-Based Horizontal Column

Spermatozoa are required to travel a considerable distance in vivo to meet the oocyte at the fertilization site. However, none of the existing in vitro tests critically evaluates migration of sperm to assess their potential of reaching the oocyte. On the other hand, an in vivo model is not suitable for this type of study because of ethical and technical constraints. In the present study we utilized a horizontal column technique to analyze sperm migration. Migratory characteristics of fresh, unwashed semen sperm and sperm undergoing various treatments were examined in vitro using a Petri dish-based horizontal fluid column. The procedure involved loading a sperm sample into the column and determining sperm concentration, motility, and viability at different column segments for different migration durations (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h). All sperm samples produced an exponential migration pattern in all durations of migration. Propagation along the column edge, tendency to exit from the column, and hiding in the blind pouches were some of the important characteristic features exhibited by the migratory sperm. Variations in migration patterns were documented among semen donors, between fresh and frozen semen, and between washed and unwashed sperm. Prolonged postejaculation time diminished migratory potential. The recovery of sperm in the column end was independent of seminal variables with the exception of oligozoospermia. These observations suggest that the Petri dish-based horizontal column is effective for analyzing sperm migration characteristics for prolonged periods. The potential of this migration assay in predicting the in vivo potential of spermatozoa to reach the fertilization site will be worth exploring.
Adaptive IIR constrained LMS algorithm for multiple narrowband interference rejection

One of the common problems in digital signal processing is the filtering of signals in the presence of a narrow-band interference. Adaptive IIR digital multiple hand-rejection filters use pole-zero placement on the unit circle method, which is designed by a unique second-order filter structure. With unconstrained LMS algorithm, zeroes may converge to their optimum positions in certain cases, where the poles do not converge without a forcing condition. In this paper, a new design of adaptive digital band-rejection filter, constrained least-mean-squares (CLMS), is applied by adapting both poles and zeroes for the elimination of a narrow-band white Gaussian noise.