cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A role for the lateral dorsal tegmentum in memory and decision neural circuitry

A role for the hippocampus in memory is clear, although the mechanism for its contribution remains a matter of debate. Converging evidence suggests that hippocampus evaluates the extent to which context-defining features of events occur as expected. The consequence of mismatches, or prediction error, signals from hippocampus is discussed in terms of its impact on neural circuitry that evaluates the significance of prediction errors: Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine cells burst fire to rewards or cues that predict rewards (Schultz, Dayan, & Montague, 1997). Although the lateral dorsal tegmentum (LDTg) importantly controls dopamine cell burst firing (Lodge & Grace, 2006) the behavioral significance of the LDTg control is not known. Therefore, we evaluated LDTg functional activity as rats performed a spatial memory task that generates task-dependent reward codes in VTA (Jo, Lee, & Mizumori, 2013; Puryear, Kim, & Mizumori, 2010) and another VTA afferent, the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPTg, Norton, Jo, Clark, Taylor, & Mizumori, 2011). Reversible inactivation of the LDTg significantly impaired choice accuracy. LDTg neurons coded primarily egocentric information in the form of movement velocity, turning behaviors, and behaviors leading up to expected reward locations. A subset of the velocity-tuned LDTg cells also showed high frequency bursts shortly before or after reward encounters, after which they showed tonic elevated firing during consumption of small, but not large, rewards. Cells that fired before reward encounters showed stronger correlations with velocity as rats moved toward, rather than away from, rewarded sites. LDTg neural activity was more strongly regulated by egocentric behaviors than that observed for PPTg or VTA cells that were recorded by Puryear et al. and Norton et al. While PPTg activity was uniquely sensitive to ongoing sensory input, all three regions encoded reward magnitude (although in different ways), reward expectation, and reward encounters. Only VTA encoded reward prediction errors. LDTg may inform VTA about learned goal-directed movement that reflects the current motivational state, and this in turn may guide VTA determination of expected subjective goal values. When combined it is clear the LDTg and PPTg provide only a portion of the information that dopamine cells need to assess the value of prediction errors, a process that is essential to future adaptive decisions and switches of cognitive (i.e. memorial) strategies and behavioral responses.
Energy and structure of interfaces in polysynthetically twinned TiAl

Experimental studies presented in this paper have demonstrated that the surface grooving technique combined with Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) observations is an excellent method for measuring interfacial energies in Ti-Al alloys. In conjunction with atomistic calculations the three lowest energy interfaces can be associated with TiAl/TiAl interfaces corresponding, in the increasing order of energies, to the twin, 120{degree} rotated twin and pseudo-twin. The measured ratios of the energies of these interfaces are in a very good agreement with the bond-counting model when results of ab initio calculations of the energies of the APB and SISF are used in this model. The TiAl/Ti{sub 3}Al interfaces generally possess higher energies than TiAl/TiAl interfaces and they split into two groups, one corresponding to interfaces without and the other with an APB; the energies of the latter group are higher. The existence of these two types of TiAl/Ti{sub 3}Al interfaces explains the observed two sub-groups of high energy interfaces. Owing to their high energy these interfaces are likely to be the lowest energy paths for crack propagation in PST crystals.
Pulsed amperometric detection based on direct and indirect anodic reactions: A review

Pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) is applicable for the quantitative detection of numerous organic compounds that adsorb at noble metal electrodes but cannot be detected satisfactorily by conventional amperometry at constant (dc) applied potential. A multistep waveform is applied in PAD with chrono-amperometric detection based on faradaic signals, which frequently are produced by surface-controlled reactions. We briefly review applications of PAD for liquid chromatography and present a unified explanation of the various modes of anodic response.
Statistical Power in Contemporary Management Research

The article discusses statistical power with respect to contemporary management studies. A study is looked at which assesses statistical power in a population of management studies. The main codete...
PRK-based scheduling for predictable link reliability in wireless networked sensing and control

Despite decades of research on interference-oriented channel access scheduling, most existing literature are either based on the physical interference model or the protocol interference model, neither of which is a good foundation for distributed interference control in the presence of uncertainties [2]. To address the issue, Che et al. [2] have identified the physical-ratio-K (PRK) interference model that integrates the protocol model's locality with the physical model's high-fidelity. Given a transmission from a node S to another node R, a concurrent transmitter C is regarded as not interfering with the reception at R in the PRK model if and only if P(C, R)
Coulomb interactions and fermion condensation.

The influence of the Coulomb interaction in states containing massless and flavorless fermionantifermion pairs is studied, using a continuum formulation within the finite volume ${S}^{3}$. Several different forms for the Coulomb interaction are examined, including confining potentials as well as nonconfining potentials. The calculations show that if the interaction is strong enough, the Coulomb interaction leads to condensation of pairs, and that this condensation has a chiral character. The condensation does not depend on whether the interaction is confining. It is found that simplified variational approximations are not accurate enough for an adequate description of the states.
A POROELASTIC MODEL FOR CELL CRAWLING INCLUDING MECHANICAL COUPLING BETWEEN CYTOSKELETAL CONTRACTION AND ACTIN POLYMERIZATION

Much is known about the biophysical mechanisms involved in cell crawling, but how these processes are coordinated to produce directed motion is not well understood. Here, we propose a new hypothesis whereby local cytoskeletal contraction generates fluid flow through the lamellipodium, with the pressure at the front of the cell facilitating actin polymerization which pushes the leading edge forward. The contraction, in turn, is regulated by stress in the cytoskeleton. To test this hypothesis, finite element models for a crawling cell are presented. These models are based on nonlinear poroelasticity theory, modified to include the effects of active contraction and growth, which are regulated by mechanical feedback laws. Results from the models agree reasonably well with published experimental data for cell speed, actin flow, and cytoskeletal deformation in migrating fish epidermal keratocytes. The models also suggest that oscillations can occur for certain ranges of parameter values.
The Association of Sodium Intake and Objective and Subjective Indicators of Heart Failure Severity

Objectives/Methods: To determine whether NT-proBNP can predict hospitalization or cardiac death in patients whose first clinical manifestation was dCMP, we measured serial NT-ProBNP levels and echocardiography at the time of first manifestation of HF at OPD or at the time of admission, !1 month or pre-discharge, 3-6 months after, and annually. 279 patients whose LVESD O 45 mm or LVEDD O55 mm by echocardiography at the time of HF diagnosis were enrolled. We excluded patients with Cr O 2.0 mg/dL, ischemic CMP after AMI or OMI. The cardiac events were defined as 1) cardiovascular death, 2) Hospitalization because of HF in OPD or discharged patients. Results: Mean follow-up was 736 6 31 days. Cardiac events were occurred in 90 patients (32.3%), death in 37 and hospitalization in 53. The event free survival rates were 0.82 at 1 year and 0.46 at 5 year. The optimal cut-off value of the mid-term NT-proBNP levels (measured at 3-6 months after first manifestation of HF) was 1000 pg/ml (AUC 0.787, sensitivity 0.776, specificity 0.71) and its hazard ratio was 8.463. In conclusion, this NT proBNP level may be used as therapeutic monitoring or prognostic guideline for dCMP treatment.
An Empirical Examination of the Parsimony of Perceptual Congruence Scores

A growing body of research deals with congruence and incongruence between supervisors' and subordinates' perception and subsequent effects on outcome variables for organizations and individuals. Th...
Accurately Imagining Suicide: Imagine-Self, Imagine-Person, Observer Instructions1

To see if actor versus observer instructions influenced students' perceptions of social support during a suicidal crisis, 80 students completed social support, interpersonal reactivity, and suicidal behaviors questionnaires. In a yoked design, students who had been suicidal were matched with those who were instructed to imagine themselves being suicidal, to imagine that another person was suicidal, or to observe a person who was suicidal. Those who had been suicidal in the past (n = 20) were more suicidal than the other 3 groups (ns = 20). The suicidal group perceived high social support (belonging and appraisal), compared to the others, who perceived moderate support. Overall, nonsuicidal college students consistently underestimated their suicidal peer's social support, regardless of the instructions they were given.
Study of 11B at high excitations with the 9Be(3He, p)11B and 9Be(α, d)11B reactions

Abstract The nucleus 11B has been studied over the excitation energy range from 8.5 MeV to 21.5 MeV with the 9Be(3He, p)11B / reaction at / E3He = 38 MeV. The analogs of the parent states in 11Be have been located at 12.56, 12.92, 14.40, 16.44, 17.69, 18.0, 19.15 and 21.27 MeV. A complementary measurement with the 9Be(α, d)11B reaction at Eα = 48 MeV demonstrates that the 16.44, 17.69, 18.0 and 19.15 MeV resonances have rather pure isospin T f = 3 2 . The 14.40 MeV state is a strongly isospin-mixed analog of the 5 2 + 1.78 MeV state in 11Be. It is argued that spin S = 1 transfer is involved in the excitation of the 16.44 MeV state and its 3.887 MeV parent in 11Be in a two-step stripping process. The T f = 1 2 states and the lowest three T f = 3 2 states are compared with the predictions of DWBA utilizing shell-model form factors. It is concluded that the T f = 1 2 strength is more strongly fragmented than is implied by the calculations of Teeters and Kurath.
High-Intensity Scattering Processes of Relativistic Electrons in Vacuum and Their Relevance to High-Energy Astrophysics

The recent advent of ultra-short pulse, high-intensity lasers, together with advances in other novel technologies, such as high-gradient radiofrequency photoinjectors, have afforded researchers the possibility to simulate astrophysical conditions in the laboratory. Laser-produced plasmas have been successfully used to simulate astrophysical plasmas and supernovae in the laboratory for several years. Now, femtosecond laser systems operating in the terawatt to petawatt range are available, as are synchronized relativistic electron bunches with subpicosecond durations and terahertz bandwidths. With these tools, experiments have been conducted to study phenomena related to supernova explosions, stellar winds, solar coronae, cosmic rays, planetary and celestial matter, and interstellar plasmas. Other experiments have been proposed to investigate Unruh radiation, as well as ponderomotive scattering, which can accelerate electrons in vacuum to relativistic energies using the extremely high gradients in a three-dimensional laser focus. The nonlinear Doppler shift induced by ultrarelativistic radiation pressure is shown to yield complex nonlinear Compton backscattered spectra. Finally, strong radiative corrections are expected when the Doppler-upshifted laser wavelength approaches the Compton scale. These are discussed within the context of high-field classical electrodynamics, a new discipline borne out of the aforementioned innovations.
Analysis of MTI data over coastal Massachusetts

VNIR-SWIR data from DOE MTI satellite are used to demonstrate the retrieval of aerosol and cloud properties. MTI data offer high spatial resolution and high SNR data. Furthermore, collection from both nadir and off-nadir views offer a unique opportunity to assess atmospheric path length effects both through clear and cloud conditions. Data sets were acquired to investigate cloud and aerosol properties: 29 July and 22 August 2000 over the coastal region of Massachusetts near Plymouth. Two topics are investigated: (1) retrieval of aerosol optical properties, and (2) characterization of water and ice clouds at nadir and off-nadir views. Data collection on 22 August 2000 represents a relatively clear atmospheric condition in the vicinity of Pilgrim Power Plant, Plymouth. Data over both vegetated land and ocean are analyzed. Two algorithms for aerosol retrieval over land are compared: the conventional dense-dark vegetation (DDV) algorithm and a generalized VIS-SWIR reflectance correlation and scatter-plot analysis (VSP) algorithm. Optical depths at multiple wavelengths and aerosol type were derived and compared with ground based AERONET data. It is demonstrated that the VSP algorithm captures the spectral variability in aerosol extinction, and thus performs better. Data collection from 29 July 2000 over the same area was investigated for cloud characteristics at different viewing geometries. Top-of-the-Atmosphere (TOA) reflectance statistics is computed for a common cloudy region. It is observed that in cloud free regions, nadir TOA reflectance is lower than that from off-nadir observations. This is due to the increased atmospheric scattering effect from the longer paths. On the other hand, TOA reflectance over cloud area depends on the scattering phase function and the look angle. Here we use simple expressions to illustrate that the effects for water and ice particles can be quite different resulting in very different viewing geometry effects between cumulus and cirrus clouds.
Characterizing probe performance in the aberration corrected STEM.

Abstract Sub-Angstrom imaging using the 120 kV IBM STEM is now routine if the probe optics is carefully controlled and fully characterized. However, multislice simulation using at least a frozen phonon approximation is required to understand the Annular Dark Field image contrast. Analysis of silicon dumbbell structures in the [1 1 0] and [2 1 1] projections illustrate this finding. Using fast image acquisition, atomic movement appears ubiquitous under the electron beam, and may be useful to illuminate atomic level processes.
Robust performance in hybrid-memory cooperative caches

Our object placement policy (RaCC) manages cooperative caches based on DRAM+PCM.RaCC ranks/migrates/replaces objects in DRAM+PCM to improve the cache's performance.We model and evaluate PRESS and Memcached in hybrid and non-hybrid memory systems.Storage device; memory performance; row-buffer+cache hit ratios affect performance.RaCC presents the most robust performance without increasing energy consumption. Modern servers require large main memories, which so far have been enabled by increasing DRAM's density. With DRAM's scalability nearing its limit, Phase-Change Memory (PCM) is being considered as an alternative technology. PCM is denser, more scalable, and consumes lower idle power than DRAM, while exhibiting byte-addressability and access times in the nanosecond range. Still, PCM is slower than DRAM and has limited endurance. These characteristics prompted the study of hybrid memory systems, combining a small amount of DRAM and a large amount of PCM. In this paper, we leverage hybrid memories to improve the performance of cooperative memory caches in server clusters. Our approach entails a novel policy that exploits popularity information in placing objects across servers and memory technologies. Our results show that (1) DRAM-only and PCM-only memory systems do not perform well in all cases; and (2) when managed properly, hybrid memories always exhibit the best or close-to-best performance, with significant gains in many cases, without increasing energy consumption.
Control of respiration by the hypothalamus and by feedback from contracting muscles in cats

Central command and feedback from contracting muscles are two mechanisms which are thought to control the respiratory and cardiovascular systems during exercise. In this study, we compared the individual and combined responses to activation of central command and to muscular contraction in anesthetized cats. Continuous electrical stimulation of the subthalamic locomotor region (STLR) was used to simulate central command (Eldridge et al., 1985). Static (tetanic) contraction of hindlimb muscles was produced by stimulating the cut peripheral ends of the L7-S1 ventral roots. Despite similar increases in arterial pressure, STLR stimulation caused larger increases in cardiac frequency and respiration than that evoked by muscular contraction. When performed during muscular contraction, STLR still caused large increases in respiration, arterial pressure and cardiac frequency. In contrast, muscular contraction when induced during STLR stimulation caused only small increases in respiration and modest changes in arterial pressure and cardiac frequency. These results suggest that central command and feedback from contracting muscles exert different respiratory and cardiovascular effects when activated simultaneously than when activated individually. In addition, central command, as activated by STLR stimulation, predominates over the responses caused by muscular contraction.
Behavioral responses of a larval crustacean to hydrostatic pressure: Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Brachyura: Xanthidae)

Responses of the four zoeal stages of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) to step and continuous changes in hydrostatic pressure were analyzed with a video system. Crabs were collected from the Neuse River estuary (North Carolina, USA) from June to August, 1987. The lower thresholds for step increases and decreases in pressure were 3 and 8 to 10 mbar, respectively. There was little change in sensitivity with zoeal development. Tests of larval responses in a light field that simulated the underwater angular light distribution indicated positive phototaxis does not occur upon pressure changes. In darkness, rates of pressure increase at and above 0.175 mbar s-1 induced high barokinesis and negative geotaxis in all but Stage IV zoeae, which had a threshold of 1.19 mbar s-1. Since larval sinking and descent swimming speeds exceed these threshold rates, larvae can move rapidly enough to produce suprathreshold changes in pressure which evoke behavioral responses. Slow rates of pressure decrease induced passive sinking while rapid rates caused an active ascent. This ascent response upon a pressure decrease is unreported among crustaceans, and is hypothesized to function for avoidance of feeding and respiratory currents of benthic invertebrates. The descent response occurs in all zoeal stages, except IV, at rates of pressure decrease (0.4 to 0.71 mbar s-1) that are within the range of ascent swimming speeds. These results support Sulkin's negative feedback depth regulation model. The absolute distances moved before corrective vertical responses to threshold rates of pressure change are initated delimit the depth regulatory window. In darkness, the asymmetry of the window would lead to an ascent. It is hypothesized that light is an additional component in depth regulation, and that the limits and symmetry of the depth regulatory window may be controlled by the level of light adaptation.
Employment after liver transplantation: a review.

Abstract Background Return to productive employment is often an important milestone in the recovery and rehabilitation process after liver transplantation (OLT). This literature review identifies factors associated with employment in patients who underwent OLT. Methods We searched PubMed for articles that addressed the various factors affecting employment after OLT. Results The studies demonstrated improvement in the quality of life and examined factors that predicted whether patients would return to work after OLT. Demographic variable associated with posttransplant employment included young age, male sex, college degree, Caucasian race, and pretransplant employment. Patients with alcohol-related liver disease had a significantly lower rate of employment than did those with other etiologies of liver disease. Recipients who were employed after transplantation had a significantly better posttransplant functional status than did those who were not employed. Conclusion Economic pressures are increasing the expectation that patients who undergo successful OLT will return to work. Thus, transplant teams need to have a better understanding of posttransplant work outcomes for this vulnerable population, and greater attention must be paid to the full social rehabilitation of transplant recipients. Specific interventions for OLT recipients should be designed to evaluate and change their health perceptions and encourage their return to work.
Tracing the invasion history of mealy plum aphid, Hyalopterus pruni (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in North America: a population genetics approach

Biological invasions are typically the outcome of complex patterns of introduction, establishment, and spread, and genetic methods are excellent tools to resolve such histories for non-native organisms. The mealy plum aphid, Hyalopterus pruni, is an invasive pest of dried plum in California. We examined nine microsatellite loci and DNA sequences from three mitochondrial genes (1,148 bp) in populations throughout the native and invaded ranges of H. pruni to assess key invasion parameters, including geographic origins of invasive populations, number of introductions, and levels of genetic diversity and gene flow. Our results provide evidence for multiple invasions of H. pruni into North America, suggesting that aphids in California may have been introduced from Spain, and aphids in the eastern United States and Vancouver, Canada were likely introduced from central or northern Europe. H. pruni populations in California were characterized by low genetic diversity relative to native populations, while the two other North American populations were less genetically impoverished. Gene flow among introduced populations was low, but does appear to occur with some regularity. These findings provide a framework for more detailed studies of H. pruni, but also represent a model for how population genetics approaches can be used to study invasion biology and aid the development of optimized management methods for agricultural pests.
Facilitation based on inhibition

Three experiments were conducted using an autoshaping procedure in pigeons to examine the conditions under which facilitation develops toB in anA− IBA+ paradigm. WhenB is a diffuse stimulus and A is a localized keylight, this paradigm results in B’s facilitating pecking at A. Prior inhibitory conditioning ofA promoted the development of this facilitation more successfully than did prior excitatory or control treatment of A. These results suggest that facilitation develops especially well when an inhibitory stimulus is reinforced in the presence of the diffuseB. That outcome is consistent with the view that facilitation involves the removal of inhibition.
A potential role for resistant starch fermentation in modulating colonic bacterial metabolism and colon cancer risk

Correspondence to: Resistant Starch Prevents Colonic DNA Damage Induced by High Dietary Cooked Red Meat or Casein in RatsShusuke Toden, Anthony R. Bird, David L. Topping and Michael A. Conlon
A novel method to predict laser-induced, non-linear thermal effects in semiconductors

We have developed novel analytical methods to predict laser-induced, non-linear thermal effects in semiconductors. Equations based on energy balance considerations were used for the estimation of melt depths, surface temperatures and maximum solidification velocities of semiconductors exposed to nanosecond laser pulses. The effect of laser pulse duration and fluence on these parameters was displayed graphically. Analytical results were compared with detailed numerical solutions and experimental values where available. Good agreement between analytical and numerical calculations was observed, thus suggesting the universal application of this method to the estimation of non-linear thermal effects of laser-irradiated materials.
Transitional cell carcinoma recurrence in the nephrostomy tract after percutaneous resection.

The endourological management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCCa) has been proposed in select clinical circumstances. 1 A major concern regarding this approach relates to extraluminal seeding, particularly along the nephrostomy tract. Despite this concern, few cases of access tract seeding have been reported. 1, 2 We provide definitive evidence that access tract seeding can occur. CASE REPORT A 63-year-old male underwent cystoprostatectomy and continent cutaneous urinary diversion for bacillus CalmetteGuerin refractory superficial transitional cell carcinoma in October 2000. Final pathological evaluation revealed T2N0M0 TCCa. The ureteral margins were negative for TCCa. The patient underwent computerized tomographic urography every 4 months to assess for upper tract and metastatic recurrence. There was no evidence of disease recurrence until gross painless hematuria developed in January 2002. Computerized tomographic urography identified a 0.7 cm filling defect within the right renal pelvis. The precontrast images ruled out nephrolithiasis. Urine cytology remained negative. The patient elected to undergo percutaneous nephroscopic biopsy with possible resection as primary treatment. Percutaneous renal access was established less than 24 hours before the endoscopic procedure. At nephroscopy a papillary tumor was identified, biopsied and resected. Pathological examination confirmed grade 2, stage T1 TCCa. The contralateral kidney was disease-free, and the patient elected right nephroureterectomy. Pathological evaluation demonstrated T2N1M0 disease. Adjuvant gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy was initiated. Within 4 months postoperatively an erythematous papule developed at the nephrostomy tract (fig. 1). The lesion progressed and was excised. Recurrent TCCa along the nephrostomy tract was confirmed (fig. 2). External beam radiotherapy was adminis
The association of protein synthesis with protochlorophyllide holochrome regeneration in dark-grown barley leaves☆

Abstract A light-stimulated increase in incorporation of radioactive amino acids into protein associated with protochlorophyllide holochrome occurs concomitantly with the regeneration of phototransformable protochlorophyllide in dark-grown barley leaves. This increase in radioactivity and the protochlorophyllide regeneration process are both abolished by incubation of the leaves with inhibitors of cytoplasmic protein synthesis. Prelimiary data implicate protein in the molecular weight range of 45,000–60,000 daltons in this process.
Surface instabilities in type II superconductors

Abstract In response to a small low-frequency a.c. field superimposed upon a large d.c. field, small flux jumps are observed to occur only during the half cycle corresponding to flux flowing out of a type II superconductor when in the mixed state. An explanation is proposed based on the thermal effects of the flow, creation and annihilation of flux vortices.
The vacancy dislocation loop microstructure formed during heavy-particle bombardment

Abstract The magnitude of the steady-state vacancy loop dislocation density resulting from the partial collapse of collision cascades, and the irradiation dose necessary to attain this state, are estimated by means of rate theory. The effects of dislocations of other than vacancy-loop type, of voids, and of the simultaneous injection of self-ions (such as occurs in a simulation experiment) are incorporated within the model. Analytical approximations for the vacancy loop dislocation density and time to steady are presented for various limiting cases of dose rate and temperature. The implications of the results for the void growth rate are presented in a companion paper.
New Rollover Index for the Detection of Tripped and Untripped Rollovers

Accurate detection of the danger of an impending rollover is necessary in order to effectively use active vehicle rollover prevention. A real-time rollover index is an indicator used for this purpose. A traditional rollover index utilizes lateral acceleration measurements and can detect only untripped rollovers that happen due to high lateral acceleration from a sharp turn. It fails to detect tripped rollovers that happen due to tripping from external inputs such as forces when a vehicle strikes a curb or a road bump. Therefore, this paper develops a new rollover index that can detect both tripped and untripped rollovers. The new rollover index utilizes vertical accelerometers in addition to a lateral accelerometer and is able to predict rollover in spite of unknown external inputs acting on the system. The accuracy of the developed rollover index is evaluated through simulations with industry-standard software CARSIM and experimental tests on a one-eighth-scaled vehicle. In order to show that the scaled vehicle experiments can represent a full-sized vehicle, the Buckingham π theorem is used to show dynamic similarity. The simulation and experimental results show that the new rollover index can reliably detect both tripped and untripped rollovers.
Foster-type criteria for Markov chains on general spaces

This paper establishes new Foster-type criteria for a Markov chain on a general state space to be Harris recurrent, positive Harris recurrent, or geometrically ergodic. The criteria are based on drift conditions involving stopping times rather than deterministic steps. Meyn and Tweedie (1994) developed similar criteria involving random-sized steps, independent of the Markov chain under study. They also posed an open problem of finding criteria involving stopping times. Our results essentially solve that problem. We also show that the assumption of ψ-irreducibility is not needed when stating our drift conditions for positive Harris recurrence or geometric ergodicity.
Effects of salinity and temperature on the growth, survival, whole body osmolality, and expression of Na+/K+ ATPase mRNA in red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) larvae

Abstract Atlantic red porgy, Pagrus pagrus, is an important reef fish species in the Mediterranean and the snapper–grouper complex off the southeastern United States. Red porgy is a viable candidate for aquaculture with high market value and the ability to spawn freely in captivity. The objective of this study was to examine the combined effects of temperature and salinity on eggs, yolk-sac larvae, and early feeding-stage larvae of red porgy to day 16 post-hatching (d16ph). To determine the optimal temperature and salinity conditions for culture, embryos were reared under four temperatures (17, 19, 21, and 23 °C) and two salinities (24 and 34 g/L) in a 4 × 2 factorial design. Significant effects of temperature and salinity on growth (notochord length, wet and dry weight), survival, whole body osmolality, and expression of Na+/K+ ATPase were observed with minimal interactive effects. Under both salinities, growth increased with increasing temperature. On d16ph, wet weights at 21 and 23 °C (2.03 and 2.91 mg, respectively) were significantly higher than at 17 and 19 °C (0.20 and 0.69 mg). Salinity had no effect on growth at any temperature, but had a significant effect on survival to d16ph, with greater survival at 24 g/L (18.4%) than at 34 g/L (6.77%). Salinity significantly affected whole body osmolality on d2ph and d11ph, with 24 g/L having lower whole body osmolality than 34 g/L on both days. Temperature significantly affected whole body osmolality on d6ph, with no clear trends and on d17ph, with 17 °C (534 mOsm/kg) higher than all the higher temperatures (396–411 mOsm/kg). After increasing each tank to 44 g/L to create a sublethal salinity challenge on d16ph, larvae from 34 g/L treatments did not show an increase in levels of Na+/K+ ATPase mRNA after 24 or 48 h post transfer. However, fish in the 24 g/L treatments showed a significant increase in expression of Na+/K+ ATPase mRNA after 24 h followed by a decrease after 48 h. Within the ranges tested, a temperature of 23 °C and a salinity of 24 g/L appear to be optimal for culture of red porgy embryos, yolk-sac, and first-feeding stage larvae to d16ph.
Aggregate solar variability

Under future high solar power penetration, variability in the solar `fuel' for solar power plants is often thought to cause large short-term voltage fluctuations on distribution feeders and intra-hour load following requirements in balancing areas. Solar power output from 86 photovoltaic (PV) systems in San Diego Gas & Electric territory, the 48 MW Sempra Generation Copper Mountain, and six pyranometers on the UC San Diego microgrid are analyzed to quantify actual variability. The correlation in power output between sites at various distances, aggregate power output variability, and worst-case variability occurrences are analyzed. The variability reduction factor was shown to depend on the ratio of distance between sites and timescale of interest. Consequently, given the size of typical distribution feeders, power output variability on time scales less than 10 minutes is independent, and aggregate variability only grows with the square root of the number of sites. A wavelet variability model (WVM) for simulating solar PV powerplant output given a single irradiance point sensor timeseries was calibrated using the data. The WVM allows studying scenarios for aggregate variability using different feeder and PV configurations. Variability at longer (hourly) time scales is more correlated and can lead to large changes in aggregate power output over one hour. The effects of specific meteorological conditions, such as coastal marine layer clouds on occurrence of large ramps are investigated for coastal Southern California.
Normative Beliefs in Fund-Raising Organizations Linking Culture to Organizational Performance and Individual Responses

Normative beliefs are investigated in 32 units of a nationwide voluntary service organization. Staff members (n = 263) completed the Organizational Culture Inventory (Cooke & Lafferty, 1989). Performance data on community fund-raising success were obtained archivally. Security-oriented normative beliefs are negatively related to both fund-raising success and to staff job attitudes. Team-work-oriented norms are positively related to staff attitudes.
Synthesis, structure, and reactions of stable oxametallacycles from styrene oxide on Ag(111).

Styrene oxide undergoes an activated ring opening on Ag(111) at temperatures above 200 K. The product of this reaction is a stable oxametallacycle intermediate. The structure of this species has been obtained by density functional theory calculations and the computed vibrational spectrum is consistent with the experimental spectrum obtained using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. The oxametallacycle formed by ring-opening styrene oxide is structurally analogous to that previously observed for ring opening of epoxybutene on Ag(110) and represents the largest member of this adsorbate structure class yet isolated. In both cases, the epoxide ring opens at the carbon bearing the pendant unsaturated group, and the pendant group (phenyl in styrene oxide) is oriented nearly parallel to the surface plane. The oxametallacycle formed from styrene oxide reacts at 485 K to regenerate styrene oxide plus small amounts of phenylacetaldehyde. This peak temperature is similar to that previously reported fo...
LATTICE FLUID HYDROGEN BONDING MODEL WITH A LOCAL SEGMENT DENSITY

Abstract A new version of a lattice fluid hydrogen bonding (LFHB) model is presented to improve the predictions of the thermodynamic properties of associating fluids. The model utilizes the physical contribution to the free energy in the statistical association fluid theory (SAFT). The association term is described by the local density instead of the bulk density, which was used in the original versions of the theory. With these two modifications, predictions are improved significantly for hard sphere molecules with association sites and for real molecules. Results are presented for the densities and vapor pressures of pure water and 1-alkanols, and for the phase equilibria and association of a mixture of benzophenone and water. The predicted degree of hydrogen bonding for pure supercritical water compares quite favorably with molecular dynamics simulation data. Unlike the case for the SAFT model, association depends upon pressure in the new model because of the volume change upon hydrogen bond formation.
Comment on ‘increased frequency of combined methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C mutated alleles in spontaneously aborted embryos’

Comment on ‘increased frequency of combined methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C mutated alleles in spontaneously aborted embryos’
Jellium-model calculation for monomer and dimer decays of some potassium clusters

We have studied several decay processes of potassium clusters and found that a dimer-decay mechanism can explain the observed lowest abundance of K10 in the K n mass spectra. Total-energy curves for decay processes are calculated using a jellium-background model for positive-ion cores and the local-spin-density-functional approximation for valence electrons. The energy-barrier height for a dimer decay of K10 from the energy-minimum point is found to be 0.18 eV, which is a reasonable magnitude for the decay to take place thermally in the experiment. The monomer decay of K9, and the dimer decay of K11, which are expected to be the most favorable decays of K9 and K11, are found to have high barriers. Monomer and dimer decays of K8 are also studied and the monomer decay is found to be more favorable, in accord with the high-nozzle-temperature mass spectrum.
A computer based approach to energy conservation in semiconductor manufacturing

Semiconductor industry accounts for 1.3% - 2% of the total US electricity consumption in the manufacturing sector. Energy in the form of electricity is required to operate the process tools, maintain the clean room conditions, operate Heating Ventilation and Air conditioning units, and Chillers, etc. The process tools account for 40% of the operating costs in a semiconductor fabrication unit. Since a significant amount of energy is used by the process tools, it becomes necessary to determine process parameters which govern energy. A model is built in this study to estimate the energy requirement of any particular process in semiconductor manufacturing based on the input variables. It is intended to enable the estimation of process energy beforehand by analysis of process parameters governing energy. This paper also reports a sensitivity analysis of process variables with respect to energy. Often physical energy measurement in semiconductor fabrication unit is time consuming as well as uneconomical. A research in this area will help the production managers in the Semiconductor fabrication facilities to effectively select the production parameters and use the process tools based on the results obtained from the analysis.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cysteinyl leukotriene antagonism inhibits bronchoconstriction in response to hypertonic saline inhalation in asthma.

Summary Background In asthma, cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) play varying roles in the bronchomotor response to multiple provocative stimuli. The contribution of CysLTs on the airway's response to hypertonic saline (HS) inhalation in asthma is unknown. Whether polymorphisms in the leukotriene biosynthetic pathway affect the contribution of CysLTs to this response is also unknown. Methods In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study, mild and moderate asymptomatic asthmatics underwent inhaled 3% HS challenge by doubling the duration of nebulization (0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 min) 2 h after one dose of montelukast (a CysLT receptor 1 [CysLTR1] antagonist) or placebo, and after three-week courses. We examined the effect of the leukotriene C 4 synthase (LTC 4 S) polymorphism (A-444C) on the efficacy of montelukast against HS inhalation in an exploratory manner. Results In 37 subjects, 2 h after administration of montelukast, the mean provocative dose of HS required to cause a 20% drop in FEV 1 (HS-PD 20 ) increased by 59% (9.17 ml after placebo vs. 14.55 ml after montelukast, p = 0.0154). Three weeks of cysLTR1 antagonism increased the HS-PD 20 by 84% (10.97 vs. 20.21 ml, p = 0.0002). Three weeks of CysLTR1 antagonism appeared to produce greater effects on blocking bronchial hyper-responsiveness (2 h vs. three-week HS-PD 20 values 14.55 vs. 20.21 ml respectively, p = 0.0898). We did not observe an effect of the LTC 4 S polymorphism on the response to CysLTR1 antagonism in this cohort. Conclusions A significant proportion of HS-induced bronchoconstriction is mediated by release of leukotrienes as evidenced by substantial acute inhibition with a CysLTR1 antagonist. There was a trend toward greater inhibition of bronchial responsiveness with three weeks of therapy as opposed to acute CysLTR1 antagonism. Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT00116324.
The Elementary Proof of the Prime Number Theorem

P rime numbers are the atoms of our mathematical universe. Euclid showed that there are infinitely many primes, but the subtleties of their distribution continue to fascinate mathematicians. Letting p(n) denote the number of primes p B n, Gauss conjectured in the early nineteenth century that pðnÞ n=lnðnÞ. In 1896, this conjecture was proven independently by Jacques Hadamard and Charles de la Vallee-Poussin. Their proofs both used complex analysis. The search was then on for an ‘‘elementary proof’’ of this result. G. H. Hardy was doubtful that such a proof could be found, saying if one was found ‘‘that it is time for the books to be cast aside and for the theory to be rewritten.’’ But in the Spring of 1948 such a proof was found. Almost immediately there was controversy. Was the proof attributable to Atle Selberg or was the proof attributable to Atle Selberg and Paul Erd} os? For decades there seemed to be two mathematical camps with wildly different viewpoints. In the twenty-first century the controversy has finally subsided. Among previous discussions of the controversy, we mention particularly Goldfeld [1] (from which the previously mentioned quotation by Hardy is taken) and the book [3] of Paul Hoffman. Ernst Straus was in a unique position to observe the beginnings of the controversy. He then held a position at the Institute for Advanced Study as a special assistant to Albert Einstein. (We believe Straus is the only person to have joint papers with Einstein and Erd} os.) Straus had already worked a great deal with Erd} os, and this work would continue throughout his life. Sometime in the early 1970s (we aren’t sure of the exact dates), Straus wrote the account we present here. He did not want the notes to be published while the participants were still alive. Ernst Straus was, for us and for many of his friends, a man of great wisdom. He certainly attempted in these notes to give as faithful an account of the events as he could. Whether he succeeded is a judgment for the reader to make. Certainly, he was far closer to Erd} os than to Selberg. Let us be clear that we two authors both have an Erd} os number of one, and our own associations with Erd} os were long and profound. We feel that the Straus recollections are an important historic contribution. We also believe that the controversy itself sheds considerable light on the changing nature of mathematical research. In November 2005, Atle Selberg was interviewed by Nils A. Baas and Christian F. Skau [4]. He recalled the events of 1948 with remarkable precision. We quote extensively from that account. Selberg had first shown that X
The effects of in-elastic processes on electron temperature in electron beam generated plasmas

Electron beam generated plasmas have a variety of unique features that make them distinctive plasma sources for materials processing. In these plasmas the electron beam rather than an applied electric field is the energy source that drives ionization resulting in inherently low electron temperatures (0.2–1 eV). This work will focus on the role that trace ad-mixtures of molecular gas play in controlling kT e in electron beam generated plasmas. Mixtures of Ar/N 2 and Ar/SF 6 are examined with attention paid to changes in the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) resulting from vibrational cooling (Ar/N 2 ) and electron attachment (Ar/SF 6 ) and how those changes in the EEDF influence plasma characteristics.
Weight and Hypertension

Abstract Both excess weight and hypertension may contribute independently to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Weight and blood pressure have been found to be associated in most studies in ...
Light in Strongly Anisotropic Media: Towards Left-Handed Materials at Optical Frequencies

We present a new approach to systems with negative index of refraction. The proposed system is intrinsically nonmagnetic and relies on an anisotropic dielectric constant to provide a left-handed response in a planar waveguide geometry. We describe the optical properties of the proposed design, and its realizations at different frequencies from GHz to the optical range.
On the carbon and nitrogen isotope abundance ratios in comet Halley

Abstract Emission lines attributable to 13 C 14 N have been resolved for the first time in ground-based spectra of comet Halley. An analysis of the spectrum using six 13 C 14 N lines results in a carbon isotope abundance ratio, 12 C / 13 C = 63 −7 +9 , and a lower limit 14 N / 15 N > 200. The carbon isotope ratio is nearly 3σ less than the bulk solar system ratio, 89. The limit on the nitrogen isotope ratio is consistent with the bulk solar system ratio, 250. The carbon isotope ratio in the comet may be explained by selective fractionation enhancement of 13 C in the parent of the CN molecule, or by a depletion of 12 C relative to 13 C.
A high‐sensitivity CCD system for parallel electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (CCD for EELS)

Summary A cooled frame transfer CCD camera system was developed and tested as a parallel detector in an electron energy-loss spectrometer mounted on a transmission electron microscope. The use of a shutterless camera with a frame transfer CCD collected virtually 100% of the photon signal with a reasonably fast acquisition time. The system detective quantum efficiency was over 90% under normal experimental conditions. Because of the low channel to channel gain variations in the CCD, the signal-to-noise ratio and the detection limit were substantially better than that obtained with a silicon intensified target (SIT) camera, and direct fitting to the standard data was feasible. Quantitation at the phosphorus L edge generated from a phosphoprotein, Phosvitin, showed that, under identical experimental conditions, direct fitting of spectra obtained with this CCD system gave better sensitivity than that given by the SIT camera system. Because of its larger pixel charge well, the CCD system can also operate at a much higher beam current, resulting in a significant reduction in the time required for elemental mapping at a given sensitivity.