cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Delayed Hematuria Following Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate

Purpose: Photoselective vaporization of the prostate has become an increasingly popular option for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, delayed bleeding has been raised as a potential issue as more cases are performed. We characterize delayed bleeding after photoselective vaporization of the prostate and identify associated risk factors.Materials and Methods: We defined delayed gross hematuria as any complaint of hematuria following hospital discharge, and further stratified it as delayed gross hematuria requiring emergency department evaluation, hospital admission, continuous bladder irrigation, transfusions or reoperation. We performed an explicit chart review of 290 patients who underwent photoselective vaporization of the prostate at a single center from 2002 through 2009. Exposures of interest included age, prostate volume, followup duration, operative factors (watts/joules), and use of oral anticoagulation therapy or 5α-reductase inhibitors.Results: Delayed gross hematuria occurre...
In situ, real-time ellipsometry of erosion in PISCES-B Mod

A fixed angle, single wavelength laser ellipsometer was tested in PISCES-B Mod as a real-time diagnostic for making in situ erosion rate measurements. Film thickness measurements were made using a wavelength of 632.8 nm and an angle of incidence of 47.5° at better than 1 nm resolution over a pathlength of several meters. Measurements were made through a deuterium plasma, which produced an ion flux to test samples of about 2 × 10 17 D /cm 2 s. Erosion rates of < I nm /s were readily detected and the measured rate for 100 eV D+at normal incidence on SiOz was found to be about 0.04 nm /s, in reasonable agreement with the calculated physical sputtering yield
Status of MEGAlib's real-time analysis tool Realta

Realta is the real-time analyzer of MEGAlib, a software tool to simulate and analyze the data from soft-to-medium-energy gamma-ray detectors in space and on the ground. Realta encompasses the complete data analysis path which ranges from coincidence determination, Compton scatter and pair creation event reconstruction, event selection, image reconstruction to spectral identification. Realta is highly multi-threaded to fully utilize today's multi-core CPUs and to enable real-time processing. Taking advantage of the versatility of MEGAlib, Realta can be applied to a wide variety of gamma-ray detectors (pixel detectors, strip detectors) and measurement scenarios (near field 2D and 3D, far field). Realta and MEGAlib are open source, freely available, written in C++, and based on ROOT.
Ethnography and the audition: Performance as ideological critique

This essay documents an experiment in the performance of ethnography based on research collected on the audition process. I used a variety of scripting and performance techniques combined with insights from cultural theory to evoke, dramatize, and critique a practice within the institution of theatre. Additionally, I describe the entry of other actors into the process, our rehearsal, the experience of performance, and the evaluation and reflection of post‐performance “aftermath.” Along the way, critiques of “objectivist” ethnography resonate with critiques of the brand of objectivism reified in the audition process. Finally, this essay argues in a more general way for performance as an alternative mode of scholarly representation.
Retention of Coded Wire Tags in Four Locations in Juvenile Paddlefish

Abstract One hundred eighty juvenile paddlefish Polyodon spathula (mean total length, 240 mm) were tagged with coded wire tags in either the midrostrum, rostrum tip, dorsal fin, or opercular flap. Mean tagging times were significantly longer (P ≤ 0.05) for the dorsal fin (19.3 s) and opercular flap (18.4 s) than for the midrostrum (5.1 s) and rostrum tip (6.6 s). Tag retention was checked monthly for 3 months. Mean tag retention for the rostrum tip (94.8%) and midrostrum (92.9%) was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than that for the opercular flap (86.1%) or dorsal fin (67.4%), and tag retention for the opercular flap was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than that for the dorsal fin. My results corroborate rostrum tagging locations recommended by the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association.
Coping and Psychological Distress in Mothers of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

The purpose of this study was to describe coping in mothers of adolescents with type 1 diabetes and to examine the association among mothers’ diabetes-related stress and coping strategies and maternal psychological distress (e.g., symptoms of anxiety and depression), adolescent adjustment (e.g., symptoms of depression, quality of life), diabetes-related family conflict, and glycemic control. One hundred and eighteen mother-adolescent dyads completed measures of diabetes-related stress, coping, symptoms of anxiety and depression, quality of life, and family conflict. Data on glycemic control were collected from adolescents’ medical charts. Single/divorced mothers and mothers of color were significantly more likely to use disengagement coping strategies (e.g., avoidance) than White and married/partnered mothers. Mothers’ use of primary control coping (e.g., problem solving) and secondary control coping (e.g., acceptance) strategies was related to fewer symptoms of anxiety (r = − .51, −.39) and depression (r = − .32, −.37) and less family conflict (r = − .22, −.30, all p < .05). Mothers’ use of disengagement coping strategies was related to greater symptoms of anxiety (r = .30) and depression (r = .27, both p < .01). Further, secondary control coping was found to mediate the relationship between diabetes-related stress and maternal symptoms of anxiety and depression. Maternal coping was not significantly associated with adolescent outcomes. The ways in which mothers of adolescents with type 1 diabetes cope with diabetes-related stress are associated with psychological distress and family conflict. By identifying and improving mothers’ coping through screening and targeted interventions, we may have the potential to improve both maternal and adolescent outcomes.
Flight Tunnel Responses of Female Grape Berry Moth ( Paralobesia viteana ) to Host Plants

Semiochemicals play important roles in mate and host recognition of herbivorous insects, such as moths, and flight tunnels have been an effective tool in the identification of these bioactive compounds. However, more work has been carried out on pheromones than on host plant cues, and few examples exist where flight tunnel evaluations of host cues have resulted in a lure that is attractive under field conditions. Our goal was to determine whether the flight tunnel could be used to evaluate the response of a specialist moth, grape berry moth (GBM), to its host plant (grapevines), by incorporating ecological and physiological aspects of GBM biology. We found grape shoot tips and mature leaves were more attractive to female GBM than unripe and ripe berries or flowers. Under optimized flight tunnel conditions, approximately 80% of tested females flew upwind and closely approached or landed on the most preferred target. Mating status, wind speed, the time of day, and the presence/absence of patterns that resemble grape tissues on the top of the flight tunnel all significantly affected the responses of female GBM. Consideration of these factors in flight tunnel assays will aid in the development of a synthetic lure that can be used to monitor female moths in the field.
Crystal Structure of the CaV2 IQ Domain in Complex with Ca2+/Calmodulin: High-Resolution Mechanistic Implications for Channel Regulation by Ca2+

Summary Calmodulin (CaM) regulation of Ca 2+ channels is central to Ca 2+ signaling. Ca V 1 versus Ca V 2 classes of these channels exhibit divergent forms of regulation, potentially relating to customized CaM/IQ interactions among different channels. Here we report the crystal structures for the Ca 2+ /CaM IQ domains of both Ca V 2.1 and Ca V 2.3 channels. These highly similar structures emphasize that major CaM contacts with the IQ domain extend well upstream of traditional consensus residues. Surprisingly, upstream mutations strongly diminished Ca V 2.1 regulation, whereas downstream perturbations had limited effects. Furthermore, our Ca V 2 structures closely resemble published Ca 2+ /CaM-Ca V 1.2 IQ structures, arguing against Ca V 1/2 regulatory differences based solely on contrasting CaM/IQ conformations. Instead, alanine scanning of the Ca V 2.1 IQ domain, combined with structure-based molecular simulation of corresponding CaM/IQ binding energy perturbations, suggests that the C lobe of CaM partially dislodges from the IQ element during channel regulation, allowing exposed IQ residues to trigger regulation via isoform-specific interactions with alternative channel regions.
Seismic Station Installation Orientation Errors at ANSS and IRIS/USGS Stations

Many seismological studies depend on the published orientations of sensitive axes of seismic instruments relative to north (e.g., Li et al. , 2011). For example, studies of the anisotropic structure of the Earth’s mantle through SKS‐splitting measurements (Long et al. , 2009), constraints on core–mantle electromagnetic coupling from torsional normal‐mode measurements (Dumberry and Mound, 2008), and models of three‐dimensional (3D) velocity variations from surface waves (Ekstrom et al. , 1997) rely on accurate sensor orientation. Unfortunately, numerous results indicate that this critical parameter is often subject to significant error (Laske, 1995; Laske and Masters, 1996; Yoshizawa et al. , 1999; Schulte‐Pelkum et al. , 2001; Larson and Ekstrom, 2002). For the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS; ANSS Technical Integration Committee, 2002), the Global Seismographic Network (GSN; Butler et al. , 2004), and many other networks, sensor orientation is typically determined by a field engineer during installation. Successful emplacement of a seismic instrument requires identifying true north, transferring a reference line, and measuring the orientation of the instrument relative to the reference line. Such an exercise is simple in theory, but there are many complications in practice. There are four commonly used methods for determining true north at the ANSS and GSN stations operated by the USGS Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory (ASL), including gyroscopic, astronomical, Global Positioning System (GPS), and magnetic field techniques. A particular method is selected based on site conditions (above ground, below ground, availability of astronomical observations, and so on) and in the case of gyroscopic methods, export restrictions. Once a north line has been determined, it must be translated to the sensor location. For installations in mines or deep vaults, this step can include tracking angles through the one or more turns in the access tunnel leading to the vault (e.g., GSN station WCI in Wyandotte Cave, Indiana). Finally, …
Photoemission from Cu valence bands using 50--175-eV synchrotron radiation

Photoemission spectra of the 3d valence band of polycrystalline Cu were studied using synchrotron radiation of energy 50 120 eV but failed in the region h..nu.. approx. = 90 eV. Fair agreement between experiment and theory was obtained when momentum broadening in the final state was included. The largest broadening was required around h..nu.. = 90 eV. A minimum in the photoelectron mean free path at this energy is discussed as a possible source of broadening. The observed changes in spectral shape for 50 < or = h..nu.. < or = 70 eV are attributed to direct transitions; the changes are found to arise mainly from the angular part of the transition matrix element. (AIP)
Thermochemical and Mechanical Aspects of Composite Tape Laying

The overall objective of this investigation was to study the manufacture of organic matrix composites by the tape laying process. Specifically, the effects of the processing conditions on the quality of composite parts were investigated. Models were developed which relate the applied heating, applied pressure, tape laying speed, and mold material to the thermochemical and mechanical response of the material. On the basis of these models, computer codes were written to generate numerical results. With these computer codes, parametric studies were performed which indicated the influence of the various processing parameters on the temperature, degree of cure (for thermosetting matrix composites), crystallinity (for thermoplastic matrix composites), viscosity, and stresses inside the composite. From the numerical results, the processing conditions required for manufacturing good quality parts were identified.
A model simulating photon transport in a finite medium

Abstract A method for computing absorbed dose due to ionizing 60 Co radiation in finite two-dimensional absorbers is presented in which only parameters describing the geometry of the source-target configuration are used as input. The solution of the model is shown to be the limit of a monotone sequence. Application to radiation dosimetry for radiotherapy treatment planning is pointed out.
The inevitable demise of the Web

There is no doubt that the fastest growing part of the Internet is the World Wide Web. From its inception in 1990, the Web has established itself as the leading packet hauler on the Internet, passing beyond FTP, Telnet, WAIS Gopher and all of the other, more established Internet client protocols. The reason for this success is that the Web has established itself as the standard unifying environment for the Internet's digital riches.However, the days of the Web are numbered. The technology behind the Web is outdated already and may not survive the decade. The c urrent growth rate, which some estimate at 15% per month, suggests that if the end of the Web is to come soon, it will likely be cataclysmal. If this seems unrealistic, consider that this fate befell Gopherspace. As Figure 1 shows, Gopher lead the Web in packet volume as late as March, 1994. In the following twelve months Gopher presence on the Internet all but disappeared. Life cycles are accelerated to frightening paces on the Internet.
Discrimination in urban housing markets: Lessons from fair housing audits

Abstract This paper examines the use of fair housing audits to study housing market discrimination and summarizes the key findings of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's two national fair housing studies—the Housing Discrimination Study and the Housing Market Practices Survey. Fair housing audits provide a uniquely effective tool for analyzing discrimination, for monitoring compliance with fair housing law, and for assembling evidence of discrimination in individual circumstances. Because of the findings from fair housing audits, there is widespread recognition that housing discrimination remains a serious problem. In order to combat discrimination more effectively in the 1990s, the audit methodology should be further refined and extended to all stages in the housing market transaction.
Major leg wound complications after saphenous vein harvest for coronary revascularization.

Abstract Background . Major leg wound complications after coronary artery bypass graft procedures are infrequent and few are reported in the literature. We present our experience in treating 23 patients with major leg wound complications after coronary revascularization procedures. Methods . A retrospective review of 3,525 bypass procedures with saphenous vein grafts performed over a 10-year period was conducted. Ten potential risk factors for those who developed major leg wound complications were analyzed and compared with the entire cohort of patients undergoing similar bypass procedures during the same period. Results . Lower extremity wound complications occurred in 145 patients (4.1%), 23 of whom (0.65%) required additional surgical interventions (62 total). There were 32 wound debridements, 8 skin grafts, 11 vascular procedures, 5 amputations, 3 fasciotomies, 2 free tissue transfers, and 1 fasciocutaneous flap. Of ten variables evaluated by multivariate analysis, female gender, peripheral vascular disease, and postoperative intraaortic balloon pump use were identified as significant independent predictors of major leg wound complications ( p Conclusions . The causes of major leg wound complications after saphenous vein harvest for coronary artery bypass graft procedures are multifactorial. To minimize these complications, we recommend vascular evaluations before saphenous vein harvest, attention to proper surgical technique, and careful harvest site selection.
Atomistic simulation on gate-recessed InAs/GaSb TFETs and performance benchmark

Fully atomistic simulations for realistically extended complex devices show the best performing SSmin. The L-shaped TFETs show best performance; however, their scaling is limited by the undercut. The ON currents in UTB TFETs are limited by source-gate coupling, which can be improved by including a doping layer. NW TFETs suffer from strong confinement effects, which reduce the ON current densities significantly. Wire diameters of more than 10 nm are required to get the broken-gap band alignment.
REOPERATION AFTER COMPLICATED TENSION-FREE VAGINAL TAPE PROCEDURES

A 42-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with intermittent gross hematuria 1 week in duration, urinary frequency and lower abdominal pain that began 6 months after surgery. She had a history of proved stress incontinence and had been successfully treated with the tensionfree vaginal tape procedure 8 months earlier. Cystoscopy during the primary procedure had not been performed. On physical examination the bladder was mildly tender and the gynecological examination did not reveal any changes. Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound was normal. Laboratory evaluation revealed gross hematuria and urine cultures did not yield bacteria. Cystoscopy showed a proliferative lesion with calcifications on the left lateral bladder wall. The lesion was biopsied and afterwards a number of sutures were identified protruding into the lumen of the bladder. Histopathology demonstrated planocellular epithelial focal metaplasia and focal papillomatosis. Attempts to cut and remove these structures with endoscopic scissors and forceps was useless. Transabdominal exploration was performed (fig. 1). With the patient under general anesthesia a lower medial incision was made. A Foley catheter was inserted transurethrally to control urethral and bladder neck position. Following the course of the tape the bladder wall was localized and the lesion point with tape fixed to the wall was excised (fig. 2). Tape was incised bilaterally, simultaneously a U shaped sling under the mid urethra was palpated transvaginally and no changes in its position (no lowering) after cutting the tape were observed. Abdominal ends of the sling were cut, shaved and fixed bilaterally to the inguinal ligaments with 3 interrupting sutures on each side using 1-zero polydioxanone. The sling had optimal tension and the urethra was not elevated after fixation. Histopathological examination of the excised tensionfree vaginal tape with the connective tissue revealed granulomatous inflammatory infiltrate. The patient was discharged home. She was continent without the catheter and had no complications, such as hematuria, infection or voiding disturbances. The patient received a standardized Accepted for publication April 27, 2001.
Parvalbumin-Expressing Inhibitory Interneurons in Auditory Cortex Are Well-Tuned for Frequency

In the auditory cortex, synaptic inhibition is known to be involved in shaping receptive fields, enhancing temporal precision, and regulating gain. Cortical inhibition is provided by local GABAergic interneurons, which comprise 10–20% of the cortical population and can be separated into numerous subclasses. The morphological and physiological diversity of interneurons suggests that these different subclasses have unique roles in sound processing; however, these roles are yet unknown. Understanding the receptive field properties of distinct inhibitory cell types will be critical to elucidating their computational function in cortical circuits. Here we characterized the tuning and response properties of parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons, the largest inhibitory subclass. We used channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) as an optogenetic tag to identify PV+ and PV− neurons in vivo in transgenic mice. In contrast to PV+ neurons in mouse visual cortex, which are broadly tuned for orientation, we found that auditory cortical PV+ neurons were well tuned for frequency, although very tightly tuned PV+ cells were uncommon. This suggests that PV+ neurons play a minor role in shaping frequency tuning, and is consistent with the idea that PV+ neurons nonselectively pool input from the local network. PV+ interneurons had shallower response gain and were less intensity-tuned than PV− neurons, suggesting that PV+ neurons provide dynamic gain control and shape intensity tuning in auditory cortex. PV+ neurons also had markedly faster response latencies than PV− neurons, consistent with a computational role in enhancing the temporal precision of cortical responses.
Transversal reinforcement of composite materials using ultrasonic vibrations

1. Use of ultrasonic activity on microparticles in the TR process of CM makes it possible to intensify the reinforcement process significantly and simultaneously to reduce by a factor of three-four the effect of the material's resistance forces to the embedment of microparticles without reducing the quality of the CM obtained. 2. It is established that the average rate of microparticle embedment is linearly dependent on the static force and compression of the CM, and is described by a quadratic relationship between the diameter of the microparticle and the amplitude of the USV. 3. Optimal ranges of variation in the TR parameters are determined. It is shown that the 10–15-μm USV-amplitude range is optimal.
The convergent validity of MMPI and Rorschach scales: an extension using profile scores to define response and character styles on both methods and a reexamination of simple Rorschach response frequency.

Past research indicated the convergence of Rorschach and MMPI scales may be a function of (a) simple Rorschach response frequency (R) or (b) complex response-character styles on both methods. In this study, new criteria were developed for defining the second assumption using F and K from the MMPI and R and Lambda from the Rorschach. Although substantially different from the factor criteria used previously (w = .45 and .30), the new criteria still produced the expectedpattern of correlations among MMPI and Rorschach scales. Averaged across 17 constructs, the new criteria produced strong validity coefficients for patients with similar styles (M composite r = SO), though they were less effective for patients with discordant styles (M composite r = -.27). It was also demonstrated that R by itself does not moderate convergent validity. Rather, statistical modeling with two sets of 300 random samples (a) demonstrated the prior findings related to R were the result of sampling error and (b) supported the general...
Convergence of fuzzy-pyramid algorithms

Pyramid linking is an important technique for segmenting images and has many applications in image processing and computer vision. The algorithm is closely related to the ISODATA clustering algorithm and shares some of its properties. This paper investigates this relationship and presents a proof of convergence for the pyramid linking algorithm. The convergence of the hard-pyramid linking algorithm has been shown in the past; however, there has been no proof of the convergence of fuzzy-pyramid linking algorithms. The proof of convergence is based on Zangwill's theorem, which describes the convergence of an iterative algorithm in terms of a “descent function” of the algorithm. We show the existence of such a descent function of the pyramid algorithm and, further, show that all the conditions of Zangwill's theorem are met; hence the algorithm converges.
The effect of nonionic surface-active agents on the stability and coagulation of ferric hydroxide sol

Abstract The effect of twenty nonionic surfactants on the aggregative stability of a colloidal dispersion of ferric hydroxide was investigated. This ionically stabilized sol was chosen for the intermediate hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of its particles. The obtained results were essentially different from those of previous studies on the effect of nonionic surfactants on ionically stabilized sols with really hydrophobic colloidal particles. Many of the surfactants produced coagulation with no added electrolyte and with no reversal of electric charge of colloidal particles. A qualitative model is proposed to explain the observed results which is based on the way the surfactant is adsorbed on the surface of the ferric hydroxide particles.
Coincidences, decarboxylation, and electrostatic effects

Abstract Electrostatic effects promote the efficiency of acetoacetate decarboxylase and of mandelate racemase by reducing the p K s of their essential lysine residues by about 5 p K units.
Signal/Noise and Sensitometry Limitations in Chest Radiography: Implications of Regional Exposure Control

The field of medical imaging has experienced many significant advances in recent years with the evolution of a host of computer assisted imaging methods. This growth has also been evident in the areas of more conventional radiography through improved resolution and sensitivity in screen/film technologies. However, in spite of these improvements the fundamental principles of radiographic projection imaging have not significantly changed since its earliest demonstration. A case in point is the nature of the irradiation technique itself which routinely uses a field. of radiation of spatially uniform intensity. These uniform fields can result in large variations in transmitted exposure when used in radio graphy of the chest, head and neck. These wide exposure variations often exceed the useful exposure range of conventional radiographic film/screen combinations and result in large portions of the image being rendered with suboptimal contrast. In chest radiography this is particularly evident, resulting in images where the thick mediastinal, diaphragmatic and heart regions are rendered with negligible contrast when the thinner lung zones are properly. exposed.
MR imaging characteristics of oligodendroglial tumors with assessment of 1p/19q deletion status

Purpose Patients with oligodendrogliomas with allelic loss of chromosomal arm 1p and 19q have been shown, especially with anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, to have both a better initial and long-term response to chemotherapy as well as an improved overall survival. Effective treatment of patients with brain tumors requires accurate diagnostic techniques. MR imaging can be used to help differentiate between low- and high-grade tumors. We hypothesize that certain MR imaging characteristics can be used to differentiate between patients with and without 1p and 19q deletion.
Identification of 24-Dehydrocholesterol in Human Blood Vessels Following MER-29 Therapy.∗

Summary and ConclusionsThis report indicates that 24-dehydrocholesterol accumulated in human blood vessel walls and it seems probable that treatment with MER-29 was responsible. Although 24-dehydrocholesterol was not demonstrable in the extensive atheromatosis which covered 90% of the aorta, it accounted for 13-16% of the sterols in normal aortic wall. The magnitude of accumulation of 24-dehydrocholesterol in normal aortic wall would not have been apparent if assays had been performed on sterols extracted from the aorta as a whole because the sterols of normal wall would have been greatly diluted by atheromatosis lipid containing no 24-dehydrocholesterol. Because these vessels were examined only 79 days after onset of therapy with MER-29, the presence of 24-dehydrocholesterol in normal wall but not in atheromas seems best explained by a more rapid accumulation in normal wall. However, it is possible that 24-dehydrocholesterol may only accumulate in normal vessel walls.
Fracture prediction based on plastic stress singularity strength

Abstract The objective of this study was to predict the fracture behavior of specimens of various cracked configurations and materials based on information from standard fracture specimens of the same thickness. A three-dimensional elastic-plastic finite-element analysis was used to determine the critical value of plastic stress singularity strength and thus characterize specimen fracture behavior. Fracture instability was predicted for specimens of the following structural materials: 7075-T651 and 2024-T351 Aluminum alloys; Type 304 Stainless Steel. This study was one of many contributed by participants in a fracture-predictive round-robin conducted by ASTM Task Group E24.06.02.
Navigation by Male Crab Spiders Misumenoides formosipes (Araneae: Thomisidae): Floral Cues May Aid in Locating Potential Mates

The crab spider Misumenoides formosipes is an ambush predator whose males search for relatively sedentary females within a heterogeneous habitat. Females are receptive to mating immediately after their adult molt and a male biased adult sex ratio together with precopulatory guarding places a premium on male ability to locate females quickly. It is unknown what cues males use to find females; we report here on male movements in association with floral cues. Males in field trials moved towards inflorescences more frequently when both visual and chemical cues were available, than when chemical cues were eliminated. Males in lab trials chose an inflorescence over leaf substrates even in the absence of visual cues. These findings support the hypothesis that M. formosipes males could utilize floral chemistry as a navigational cue in mate searches.
Surface mediated control of droplet density and morphology on GaAs and AlAs surfaces

We present a comparative study of gallium (Ga) and aluminium (Al) droplets fabricated on GaAs (100) and AlAs (100) surfaces. Higher density of Ga droplets is achieved on AlAs surface compared with GaAs surface. Similarly, the density of Al nanostructures is higher on AlAs surface than on GaAs surface, even though different morphologies are obtained on each surface. Further, while uniform Ga droplets are formed on both GaAs and AlAs surfaces, Al rings and dots, with big inhomogeneity, are observed on GaAs and AlAs surface, respectively. This investigation suggests that size and shape of nanostructures grown by the droplet epitaxy method can be designed by employing different surfaces. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The ARF-like 2 (ARL2)-binding Protein, BART: PURIFICATION, CLONING, AND INITIAL CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract ARF-like proteins (ARLs) comprise a functionally distinct group of incompletely characterized members in the ARF family of RAS-related GTPases. We took advantage of the GTP binding characteristics of human ARL2 to develop a specific, high affinity binding assay that allowed the purification of a novel ARL2-binding protein. A 19-kDa protein (BART, Binder of ArlTwo) was identified and purified from bovine brain homogenate. BART binding is specific to ARL2·GTP with high affinity but does not interact with ARL2·GDP or activated ARF or RHO proteins. Based on peptide sequences of purified bovine BART, the human cDNA sequence was determined. The 489-base pair BART open reading frame encodes a novel 163-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 18,822 Da. Recombinant BART was found to bind ARL2·GTP in a manner indistinguishable from native BART. Northern and Western analyses indicated BART is expressed in all tissues sampled. The lack of detectable membrane association of ARL2 or BART upon activation of ARL2 is suggestive of actions quite distinct from those of the ARFs. The lack of ARL2 GTPase-activating protein activity in BART led us to conclude that the specific interaction with ARL2·GTP is most consistent with BART being the first identified ARL2-specific effector.
Carbon Dioxide Field Flooding Minimizes Residual Intracardiac Air After Open Heart Operations

Transesophageal echocardiographic studies were used to monitor the presence of air bubbles in the heart after open heart operations. After cardiac valvular procedures all 22 patients managed with careful deairing procedures had persistence of air bubbles for at least 30 minutes and usually for 45 minutes. In 56 patients with CO2 field flooding, all foam disappeared in less than 1 minute in 48 patients and the remaining 8 had complete disappearance in 1 to 24 minutes. These observations demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the usual deairing maneuvers and the effectiveness of CO2 field flooding in displacing air.
Encoding in the perceptual (visual) serial position effect

On the basis of the verbal loop hypothesis, specific changes in the shape of the perceptual serial position curve were predicted as a function of encoding, or verbalization length of the stimulus, and stimulus exposure time. The effects of post-stimulus delay, both with and without an interpolated task, were also explored. With eight-place binary numbers as stimuli, a group of 12 Ss was tested to evaluate the effect of these four variables—verbalization length, exposure time, delay time, and interpolated task during the delay. It was demonstrated that, as predicted, increasing the verbalization length and shortening the exposure time have similar effects. They tilt the serial position curve up on the right. The presence of an interpolated task produces an overall increase without, however, any effect on the shape of the serial position curve. Poststimulus delay, within the range used in this study, produces no clear or systematic effect.
A face recognition system using holistic regional feature extraction

Two new face recognition systems are proposed using auto-associative backpropagation neural network feature extractors on facial regions in conjunction with key facial structure measurements. A third proposed system combines the first two systems using confidence measurements to select a best match. A Cottrell/Fleming face recognition network and a structural face data network are also implemented and evaluated. A training set of 60 images and a test set of 12 images, acquired under uncontrolled conditions, were used to evaluate system performances. The first two proposed systems correctly selected 67 percent of the training images when presented with the test image set. The third proposed system achieved a recognition rate of 75 percent. By comparison, the Cottrell/Fleming network and the structural data network achieved recognition rates of 25 percent and 8 percent, respectively.
SPICE macro model of a sprytron with MOSFETs in the avalanche mode

A SPICE macro model for a triggered vacuum gap, a sprytron, intended for use in rapid discharge circuits such as Exploding Bridge Wire (EBW) applications, is presented. Power MOSFETs in the avalanche mode are utilized as the active switching elements in the model. The macro model is compared for accuracy in predicting the time dependent switching current, switch resistance and voltage drop across the switch using several test circuits. Techniques for extracting model parameters are discussed.
Dirac fields in loop quantum gravity and big bang nucleosynthesis

Big bang nucleosynthesis requires a fine balance between equations of state for photons and relativistic fermions. Several corrections to equation of state parameters arise from classical and quantum physics, which are derived here from a canonical perspective. In particular, loop quantum gravity allows one to compute quantum gravity corrections for Maxwell and Dirac fields. Although the classical actions are very different, quantum corrections to the equation of state are remarkably similar. To lowest order, these corrections take the form of an overall expansion-dependent multiplicative factor in the total density. We use these results, along with the predictions of big bang nucleosynthesis, to place bounds on these corrections and especially the patch size of discrete quantum gravity states.
The Semantic Tableaux Version of the Second Incompleteness Theorem Extends Almost to Robinson's Arithmetic Q

We will generalize the Second Incompleteness Theorem almost to the level of Robinson’s System Q. We will prove there exists a Π1 sentence V, such that if α is any finite consistent extension of Q +V then α will be unable to prove its Semantic Tableaux consistency.
Geometric blur for template matching

We address the problem of finding point correspondences in images by way of an approach to template matching that is robust under affine distortions. This is achieved by applying "geometric blur" to both the template and the image, resulting in a fall-off in similarity that is close to linear in the norm of the distortion between the template and the image. Results in wide baseline stereo correspondence, face detection, and feature correspondence are included.
Application of DC transfer characteristics in the elimination of redundant vectors for transient noise characterization of static CMOS circuits

Static noise analysis (SNA) has become the most adopted method for crosstalk noise analysis on multi-million gate designs. Since SNA is vectorless, there exists a need to determine the correct (worst) input vector (the combination of the states of other input pins) for every signal arc in the cell library, to perform noise immunity and noise propagation analysis. In case of tools with transistor level analysis capability, in situ identification of the worst vector is needed. In the case of gate level SNA, library data needs to be modeled appropriately. Noise data characterization amounts to more than 50% of the entire library characterization time, and hence it becomes a bottleneck to on-time library delivery and time to market. Most of the runtime is due to the large number of vectors that need to be characterized for each arc. In this paper, we present a novel method to eliminate redundant vectors and identify the worst vector for noise characterization. For each arc, we use the DC transfer characteristics to identify the worst case vector. The method has been incorporated in the cell library characterization system. From testing on 130nm, 90nm and 65nm libraries, we see that our method reduces the noise characterization effort by three times.
Isabel the Queen: Life and Times

List of Illustrations Preface to the Revised Edition The Royal Relationships of Isabel of Castile Maps Prologue: An Embassy to Egypt: 1502 PART I. PRINCESS 1. Walls and Gates: Castile, 1451 2. The Wrong King: 1461-1467 3. The Right Marriage: 1467-1469 4. To the Crown: 1469-1474 5. A Royal Heritage: Perception and Reality PART II. LA REINA 6. Contests: 1475 7. Resolutions: 1475-1477 8. To the Sea: 1477-1478 9. Signs and Revelations: 1478 10. Inquisition: 1478-1485 11. Readying: 1478-1481 12. The Queen's War I: 1482-1485 13. The Queen's War II: 1486-1492 PART III. TOWARD EMPIRE 14. The View from Granada: The Grand Design,1492 15. The Expulsion of the Jews: 1492 16. Christopher Columbus and the Queen: To 1492 17. Isabel and the Indies: 1492-1504 18. The Catholic Kings: 1492-1499 19. The Queen and Her Daughter: 1499-1504 Epilogue: "A Queen Has Disappeared ..." Notes Index
Effects of gut passage on seed germination: do experiments answer the questions they ask?

Summary 1Frugivorous vertebrates may affect plant fitness by dispersing seeds to sites favourable for establishment and by passing seeds through their gut, thereby altering germination patterns. Although gut passage can inhibit germination, most studies have found that it improves germination rate and/or success. 2However, studies that compare seeds passed through a gut to seeds directly removed from a fruit cannot quantify the overall effect of gut passage on seed germination. They address the ecologically narrow question of whether mechanical and/or chemical action in the gut affects germination. They do not address the germination potential of seeds in unconsumed fruits and therefore ignore a common seed fate, deposition in a fruit. 3We surveyed 99 studies that included the effect of vertebrate gut passage on germination and found that only 22 included germination from intact fruits. We suggest that the strongest experimental design to evaluate the impact of gut passage should include intact fruits, since release from germination inhibitors and high osmotic pressure are mechanisms that can alter germination.
Sociological Testimony in Alcohol- and Other Drug-Associated Litigation

Sociologists provide assistance in different aspects of criminal and civil litigation related to alcohol and other drugs. Historically, sociologists have studied the causes, prevalence, incidence, and consequences of alcohol and other drug use, abuse, and dependence or addiction and participated in substance abuse-related policy development. Their research has focused on areas such as the cause of alcohol and other drug use, incidence and risk factors, impact of alcohol and other drugs on social, family, educational, and occupational functioning, and the effectiveness of substance use and abuse prevention policies and procedures. In this chapter, the author presents research in the above areas and offers several case composite studies to demonstrate the ways in which sociologists can serve as expert witnesses and consultants in litigation involving alcohol and other drugs.
GonadSAGE: a comprehensive SAGE database for transcript discovery on male embryonic gonad development.

Summary: Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) provides an alternative, with additional advantages, to microarray gene expression studies. GonadSAGE is the first publicly available web-based SAGE database on male gonad development that covers six male mouse embryonic gonad stages, including E10.5, E11.5, E12.5, E13.5, E15.5 and E17.5. The sequence coverage of each SAGE library is beyond 150K, ‘which is the most extensive sequence-based male gonadal transcriptome to date’. An interactive web interface with customizable parameters is provided for analyzing male gonad transcriptome information. Furthermore, the data can be visualized and analyzed with the other genomic features in the UCSC genome browser. It represents an integrated platform that leads to a better understanding of male gonad development, and allows discovery of related novel targets and regulatory pathways. Availability: GonadSAGE is at http://gonadsage.nichd.nih.gov. Contact: vog.hin.liam@lteel
Systems of Systems (SoSE) Engineering for the 21 st Century Healthcare Enterprise

This paper describes multiple important opportunities for applying system of system engineering (SoSE) concepts in the 21st Century healthcare enterprise. Throughout the world, populations are aging rapidly, which is creating unprecedented economic, social, political, and technical challenges that cannot be solved using past approaches. Healthcare today is terribly wasteful of labor, material, computer, and capital resources, and its high fatigue and error rates cause unacceptable human suffering daily. SoSE methodologies, including incremental modeling, simulation, verification, and validation can help create new healthcare enterprises that are not only more efficient and more humane, but are also more readily adapted to the endless evolution of science, society, and technology, and the equally endless and unpredictable emergent behaviors that all systems inevitably provoke.
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) dependent cytoskeletal tension during lung organogenesis

There is growing evidence for the role of CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) in lung development and differentiation. The mechanism by which the chloride channel could affect lung organogenesis, however, is unknown. In utero CFTR gene transfer in the fetal lungs of mice, rats, and non-human primates was shown previously to alter lung structure and function. A study of the genes altered in the fetal rat lung following CFTR overexpression was initiated in an effort to determine the molecular mechanism for CFTR-dependent differentiation. In utero gene transfer with recombinant adenoviruses carrying either a reporter gene or CFTR resulted in the increased expression of a number of genes upon microarray analysis. The majority of the genes overexpressed in the CFTR-treated lungs were primarily associated with muscle structure and function. Histological and biochemical characterization of these proteins including myosin heavy chain, heat shock protein 27, and isoforms of myosin light chain showed that CFTR overexpression had a profound effect on smooth muscle contraction-related proteins. The CFTR-dependent regulation of smooth muscle contraction related proteins was shown to be related to chloride and extracellular ATP and was dependent upon the PI3 Kinase and Phospholipase C pathways. The changes in smooth muscle proteins were consistent with CFTR-dependent contractions of the embryonic airway smooth muscle. An assay was developed using fluorescent polystyrene beads to show that CFTR did indeed increase amniotic fluid flow into the fetal lung. Increased amniotic fluid pressure was shown previously to be associated with stretch-induced differentiation of the lung. Evaluation of neonatal respiratory function showed that CFTR-dependent muscle contractions and increased amniotic fluid pressure resulted in accelerated maturation of the neonatal rat lung. In addition, these CFTR-dependent changes were shown to be sufficient to reverse the lung phenotype of the CFTR knockout mouse. Mechanical forces influence lung development through pulmonary distension. CFTR overexpression in the fetal lung altered differentiation and development in the lung. These results are consistent with CFTR influencing lung development by regulating the muscle contractions associated with cytoskeletal tension and stretch induced differentiation. Deficiency of CFTR altering lung development would contribute significantly to the Cystic Fibrosis disease phenotype.
Recursive nonlinear filter for a continuous discrete-time model: separation of parameters and observations

A new nonlinear filtering algorithm is proposed for the model where the state is a randomly perturbed nonlinear dynamical system and the measurements are made at discrete-time moments in Gaussian noise. It is shown that the approximate scheme based on the algorithm converges to the optimal filter, and the error of the approximation is computed. The algorithm makes it possible to shift offline the most time-consuming operations related to solving the Fokker-Planck equations and computing the integrals with respect to the filtering density.
Properties and application of immobilized β‐D‐glucosidase coentrapped with Zymomonas mobilis in calcium alginate

The enzyme ..beta..-D-glucosidase has been immobilized on concanavalin A-Sepharose to give a maximum loading of 2050 units/g dry weight of support material. The immobilized ..beta..-D-glucosidase was also entrapped within calcium alginate gel spheres with apparently only 35% retention of activity when assayed with 10mM cellobiose. However, it was discovered that, unlike the immobilized enzyme, the entrapped immobilized enzyme was not subject to substrate inhibition up to 100mM cellobiose, suggesting that a concentration gradient of cellobiose existed between the bulk solution and the interior of the gel sphere. Thus, the activity of the entrapped immobilized enzyme was almost twice as high as that of the immobilized enzyme when assayed with 100mM cellobiose. Concanavalin A-Sepharose-immobilized ..beta..-D-glucosidase and the bacterium Zymomonas mobilis coimmobilized in calcium alginate gel spheres converted cellobiose to ethanol in both batch and continuous-flow fermentation systems. (Refs. 20).
Molecular mechanics of photopolymerization of 2,5‐distyrylpyrazine in solid state

Caracterisation du monomere, de l'oligomere et du polymere. Processus d'oligomerisation; processus de polymerisation; etudes spectroscopiques electroniques