cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Doxazosin and terazosin suppress prostate growth by inducing apoptosis: clinical significance.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Doxazosin and terazosin are known to relax prostate smooth muscle through blockade of α1-adrenergic innervation to the prostate. This action alone however does not fully account for the long-term clinical responses exerted by these drugs in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Materials and Methods: Experimental and clinical studies were done to establish the induction of prostate cell apoptosis by α1-adrenoceptor antagonists as a molecular mechanism contributing to their long-term efficacy in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH and to potential suppression of prostate cancer growth.Results: The data indicate that both doxazosin and terazosin induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The apoptotic effect of doxazosin and terazosin is mediated by a mechanism independent of the α1-adrenoceptor blockade, potentially under the direction of the quinazoline nucleus, since the nonquinazoline α1-adrenoceptor antagon...
On the nature of emission-line clouds of quasars and active galactic nuclei

It is proposed that the clouds responsible for the emission lines in AGN and QSOs are stratified and not uniform in density. Specifically, it is suggested that they are winds from evolved stars, in particular red giants. This assumption appears to solve, in straightforward fashion, several problems concerning the origin, dynamics, and response of these clouds to changes in the continuum luminosity, while preserving the most successful feature of the current two-phase equilibrium photoionization models.
The Use of Telepsychology in Clinical Practice: Benefits, Effectiveness, and Issues to Consider

The use of various technologies in the practice of psychology has increased greatly in recent years in concert with increases in the use of these technologies in the lives of most individuals. E-mail, text messaging, chat rooms, and the Internet have greatly changed how many individuals communicate and maintain relationships. The psychotherapy relationship is no exception. The scope and practice of telepsychology, the use of the Internet and other technologies in the provision of psychological services, is reviewed along with relevant research that supports their use in the treatment of a wide range of conditions and disorders. Clinical, ethical, and legal issues and challenges are addressed and recommendations for the effective and appropriate use of these technologies in psychological practice are provided.
STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE MODEL FOR CONSENSUS BUILDING

The Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO), a national Indian organization concerned primarily with tribal governance issues, has sponsored numerous projects during the 1980s which suggest that better models of communication and consensus‐building are desperately needed within Indian tribal communities. Due in part to the use of forms of problem‐solving that are incongruent with tribal values and cultural patterns, many Indian communities have been paralyzed in their efforts to develop consensus on strategic plans. While many tribes have experimented with various forms of conflict management techniques, careful consideration must be given to the appropriateness of the approach employed Because the cultural traditions of Indian communities are rooted in a consensual approach to problem‐solving, dispute resolution approaches imposed by non‐Indian law and bureaucracies often conflict with tribal values. This paper reports the attempt of one tribe, the Winnebago in Nebraska, to introduce a system of planning and problem‐solving adequate for dealing with the needs of the tribal community in a culturally appropriate manner.
Magnetic resonance image restoration

We introduce a novel technique for Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) restoration, using a physical model (spin equation) and corresponding basis images. We determine the basis images (proton density and nuclear relaxation times) from the MRI data and use them to obtain excellent restorations.
Gendered images of the German nation: the Romantic painter Friedrich Kersting and the patriotic‐national discourse during the Wars of Liberation

. The article analyses the oeuvre of Friedrich Kersting (1875–1847), a now largely forgotten Romantic painter, and other gendered images of the German nation that were created among his circle of friends but also in the wider context of the patriotic-national discourse during the Prussian Wars of Liberation. The paper combines the findings of art historical research with those of history and cultural studies. In so doing, it deconstructs gendered images of the nation in the patriotic-national discourse during the Wars of Liberation and their political importance during that time. The main focus of the analysis is the interrelationship between visual imagery, discursively formed patriotic-national concepts in the topical literature, cultural practices and individual experience.
Measurement of the second-order nonlinear susceptibility of collagen using polarization modulation and phase-sensitive detection

The measurement of the second order nonlinear susceptibility of collagen in various biological tissues has potential applications in the detection of structural changes which are related to different pathological conditions. We investigate second harmonic generation in a rat-tail tendon, a highly organized collagen structure consisting of parallel fibers. Using an electro-optic modulator and a quarter-wave plate, we modulate the linear polarization of an ultra-short pulse laser beam that is used to measure second harmonic generation in a confocal microscopy setup. Phase-sensitive detection of the generated signal, coupled with a simple model of the collagen protein structures, allows us to measure a parameter (gamma) related to nonlinear susceptibility and to determine the relative orientation of the structures. Our preliminary results indicate that it may be possible to use this parameter to characterize the structure.
Vesicovaginal fistulas in childhood

Six instances of childhood vesicovaginal fistulas are reviewed. Emphasis is on avoidance of such occurrences. Management should be by careful co-optation and individual closure of layers. Success was ultimately achieved in all patients.
Clinical studies with an aldose reductase inhibitor in the autonomic and somatic neuropathies of diabetes

Clinical investigations with the aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) sorbinil in diabetic patients with neuropathy are described. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy was studied in 36 patients, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, noncrossover trial. Patients received sorbinil (250 mg qd) or placebo over 6 weeks after a one-week baseline period. Diabetic control did not change over the study period, as indicated by unchanged glycohemoglobin. Response was assessed by expiration/inspiration (E/I) ratios on EKG during 6 c/min respiration and resting minimum heart rate, both measures of vagal function. In the sorbinil group, E/I ratios improved from 1.074 +/- 0.012 to 1.096 +/- 0.020 (P less than 0.03) with a slight decrease in the placebo group from 1.112 +/- 0.023 to 1.105 +/- 0.023 (P = NS). The difference between the week 6 and week 0 changes in each group was significant (P less than 0.01). Resting minimum heart rate decreased in the sorbinil group from 76.4 +/- 2.3 to 66.8 +/- 2.4 beats/min (P less than 0.001), with a mean change of 10 +/- 2. In the placebo group, heart rate was unchanged (77.9 +/- 3.9 to 77.5 +/- 3.3). The two sample t tests of the within-group differences were likewise significant (P less than 0.001). These changes in both E/I ratio and resting minimum heart rate are consistent with a sorbinil-related improvement in cardiac parasympathetic nerve function. Several isolated cases with apparent sorbinil-related improvement in autonomic symptoms will also be described. Studies of somatic neuropathy have previously shown improvement in nerve conduction velocities with sorbinil. In a study of 11 patients with severely painful diabetic neuropathy treated with sorbinil for 3 weeks [placebo-controlled in single-blind fashion (n = 8)], pains (as assessed on a 0 to 20 rating scale) improved from a mean score of 16 down to 8, with deterioration following drug withdrawal. Objective improvements in sensation and strength were observed in some cases. In this group of patients, statistically significant improvements in nerve conduction velocity, E/I ratios, and resting minimal heart rate, similar to those previously discussed, were also documented. Somatosensory-evoked potentials studies in the 36-patient study showed significant improvements in peripheral conduction and cortical responses. Sorbinil toxicity in 106 patients was 11.3%, with sex incidence of 7/73 males (9.6%) and 5/33 females (15.2%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Incidence of HIV seroconversion in paediatric burn patients.

Abstract A retrospective review of paediatric patients treated for acute burn injuries and receiving blood/blood products between 1978 and 1985, identified 52 patients at risk for HIV infection. Over 50 per cent of the identified population had received 3 or more units of blood/blood products during their acute hospital stay. A total of 214 patients (36.8 per cent) have been tested for HIV seroconversions: five tested HIV positive by ELISA and four were confirmed by Western Blot, yielding a 1.9 per cent incidence. The four confirmed patients received 2–9 total body blood volume turnovers during their postburn period in hospital. At 4 years post-exposure, two patients show active disease, one is currently asymptomatic and one has died from AIDS-related sepsis.
E64d, a membrane-permeable cysteine protease inhibitor, attenuates the effects of parathyroid hormone on osteoblasts in vitro

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) activates calpains I and II (calcium-activated papain-like proteases) and stimulates the synthesis and secretion of cathepsin B (a lysosomal cysteine protease) in osteoblastic cells. Anabolic doses of PTH also stimulate osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and differentiation into mature, fully functional osteoblasts capable of elaborating bone matrix, whereas catabolic doses of PTH stimulate calcium mobilization and matrix turnover. Previous investigations in other cell types have demonstrated that calcium-activated calpains play a major role in regulating proliferation and differentiation by catalyzing limited regulatory proteolysis of nuclear proteins, transcription factors, and enzymes. We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of intracellular cysteine proteases such as the calpains will ablate PTH-mediated osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, two fundamental indices of bone anabolism. A brief preincubation with the membrane-permeable, irreversible cysteine protease inhibitor E64d (10 μg/mL) before short-term PTH treatment blunted PTH-induced cell proliferation in subconfluent cultures and also attenuated proliferation and inhibited differentiation in longer-term confluent cultures. This confirms the hypothesis that cysteine proteases such as the calpains are important in mediating the proliferative and prodifferentiating or anabolic effects of PTH on MC3T3-E1 cells in culture. Immunofluorescent localization demonstrated that calpain I, calpain II, and calpastatin (the endogenous calpain inhibitor) are abundant and widely distributed within actively proliferating MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts. Since the calpains are active and stable at neutral intracellular pH levels in osteoblasts, whereas cathepsins are not, our results support a role for these calcium-activated regulatory proteases in mediating the anabolic effects of PTH in bone.
Moire Methods For Contouring Displacement, Deflection, Slope And Curvature

This paper reviews a family of moire methods that are capable of generating contour fringes of in-plane displacement, out-of-plane deflection, slope, and curvature of displaced or deformed structures. The methods are real time techniques that can be applied to static and dynamic problems.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Atrioventricular nodal reverse facilitation in connexin40-deficient mice.

Background Facilitation is an important physiologic property of the atrioventricular (AV) node. Previous studies demonstrated abnormal AV conduction in connexin (Cx)40-deficient mice. Objectives We hypothesize that Cx40-deficient mice display altered patterns of AV nodal facilitation compared with wild-type mice. Methods Sixteen 36-week-old mice (eight Cx40 −/− mice and eight Cx40 +/+ controls) underwent in vivo closed chest electrophysiologic study. A 2Fr octapolar catheter was advanced into the right ventricle to record a His-bundle electrogram. A special facilitation stimulation protocol was performed in each mouse to evaluate facilitation. Following atrial drive pacing (S1S1) at 150 ms, a facilitating beat S2 was delivered prior to the test beat S3. S3H3 was measured for varying S1S2 values at fixed H2S3 intervals. Results Progressive shortening of S1S2 (from 150 ms to 130, 110, and 90 ms) resulted in gradual prolongation of S2H2. The prolongation was more pronounced in Cx40 −/− mice for each S1S2 compared with wild-type mice ( P −/− mouse, facilitation was seen only at S1S2 of 130 ms ( P Conclusion Facilitation is observed in wild-type mice. With similar S1S2 intervals in Cx40-deficient mice, facilitation is seen only at longer S1S2 intervals, whereas reverse facilitation is seen at shorter S1S2 intervals, suggesting that Cx40 is involved in the generation of AV nodal facilitation.
Synfuel development impacts— econometric modelling and policy analysis☆

Abstract The prospects for rapid near-term development of a synfuel industry in the USA have decreased, due to depressed world oil prices, synfuel project cost overruns, and the lukewarm support of the Reagan administration. Nonetheless, socioeconomic and environmental impact analysis studies can provide valuable information for determining the regional welfare effects of proposed projects. The author discusses the results of a regional econometric analysis of the synfuel projects planned for Western Kentucky, which focuses on environmental impacts, and reveals the inevitable trade-offs that would accompany synfuel development. Some policy issues are briefly reviewed, especially that of efficient energy pricing.
EVOCATION OF REGROWTH PHENOMENA IN ANURAN LIMBS BY ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF THE NERVE SUPPLY.

Experiments reveal that growth reactions may be evoked in amputated forelimbs of fully adult Rana pipiens and R. catesbiana by electrical stimulation of the normal limb nerve supply. The evoked growths were generally small cones, 5–10 mm in length; none developed into limbs of normal size and morphology, but some formed digits and cartilage and developed striated muscle. The combined influences of trauma, effected by salt treatment, and electrical stimulation of the nerve produced more growths than trauma or stimulation alone.
E-Screen evaluation of sugar beet feedstuffs in a case of reduced embryo transfer efficiencies in cattle: the role of phytoestrogens and zearalenone

The E-Screen assay was used to evaluate the estrogenicity of sugar beet by-products obtained from a dairy farm experiencing low success rates of embryo transfer. The beet tailings had ~3-fold the estradiol equivalents of the pelleted beet pulp (3.9 and 1.2 μg estradiol equivalents or E2Eq/kg dry matter, respectively). Whole sugar beets, sugar beet pellets, and shreds from several Midwest US locations were also evaluated by E-Screen. All pellets examined were found to have some estrogenic activity (range ~0.1–2.0 μg E2Eq/kg DM) with a mean of 0.46 μg/kg dry matter and median of 0.28 μg/kg dry matter. Relative E2Eq ranked as follows: pellets > shreds > most unprocessed roots. Using recommended feeding levels and conservative absorption estimates (10%), the estrogenic activity in the original samples could result in blood estradiol equivalents ≥ those found at estrus (10 pg/mL, cows). Chemical analyses revealed no known phytoestrogens, but the estrogenic mycotoxin, zearalenone, was found in 15 of 21 samples. Of significance to those using the E-Screen are our findings that contradict previous reports: s-sitosterol has no proliferative effect and genistein’s glucuronidated form—genistin—is equal to genistein in proliferative effect. The latter is the result of deconjugation of genistin to genistein in the presence of fetal bovine serum (determined by LC MSMS). These data show the usefulness and caveats of the E-Screen in evaluation of feedstuffs, and indicate a potential for sugar beet by-products to contain zearalenone at concentrations that may impact reproduction.
Sequential inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts with ozone and free chlorine

Abstract The rate of Cryptosporidium parvum inactivation with free chlorine decreased with increasing pH in the range of 6.0–8.5, consistent with hypochlorous acid being primarily responsible for C. parvum inactivation within this pH range. The rate of sequential inactivation of C. parvum oocysts with free chlorine after pre-ozonation was characterized by an initial rapid decline in viability followed by slower kinetics with respective rates at pH 6.0 of approximately six times and twice that for free chlorine treatment without pre-ozonation under the same conditions. The greatest level of synergy was observed at pH 6; synergy decreased as pH increased until no synergy was observed at pH 8.5. Consistent with hypochlorous acid being the free chlorine species primarily responsible for C. parvum inactivation, within the pH range of 6.0–8.5 the rate of secondary inactivation with free chlorine decreased with increasing pH. Experiments designed to assess the effect of free chlorine concentration on inactivation kinetics provided conclusive evidence for the validity of the CT concept in the case of secondary inactivation of C. parvum oocysts with hypochlorous acid after ozone pre-treatment.
Effects of temporal density variation and convergent geometry on nonlinear bubble evolution in classical Rayleigh-Taylor instability.

Effects of temporal density variation and spherical convergence on the nonlinear bubble evolution of single-mode, classical Rayleigh-Taylor instability are studied using an analytical model based on Layzer's theory [Astrophys. J. 122, 1 (1955)]. When the temporal density variation is included, the bubble amplitude in planar geometry is shown to asymptote to (bu(t))U{sub L}(t'){rho}(t')dt'/{rho}(t), where U{sub L}={radical}(g/(C{sub g}k)) is the Layzer bubble velocity, {rho} is the fluid density, and C{sub g}=3 and C{sub g}=1 for the two- and three-dimensional geometries, respectively. The asymptotic bubble amplitude in a converging spherical shell is predicted to evolve as {eta}{approx}{bar {eta}}m{sup -} |r{sub 0}|/{ell}U{sub L}{sup sp}-{bar {eta}}/r{sub 0}, where r{sub 0} is the outer shell radius, {eta}(t)=(bu(t))U{sub L}{sup sp}(t'){rho}(t')r{sub 0}{sup 2}(t')dt{sup '}/{rho}(t)r{sub 0}{sup 2}(t), U{sub L}{sup sp}={radical}(-re{sub 0}(t)r{sub 0}(t)/l), m(t)={rho}(t)r{sub 0}{sup 3}(t), and l is the mode number.
An aeroelastic model for composite rotor blades with straight and swept tips. Part I: Aeroelastic stability in hover

An analytical model for predicting the aeroelastic behavior of composite rotor blades with straight and swept tips is presented. The blade is modeled by beam type finite elements along the elastic axis. A single finite element is used to model the swept tip. The non-linear equations of motion for the finite element model are derived using Hamilton's principle and based on a moderate deflection theory and accounts for: arbitrary cross-sectional shape, pretwist, generally anisotropic material behavior, transverse shears and out-of-plane warping. Numerical results illustrating the effects of tip sweep, anhedral and composite ply orientation on blade aeroelastic behavior are presented. It is shown that composite ply orientation has a substantial effect on blade stability. At low thrust conditions, certain ply orientations can cause instability in the lag mode. The flap-torsion coupling associated with tip sweep can also induce aeroelastic instability in the blade. This instability can be removed by appropriate ply orientation in the composite construction.
Shock induced splitting of the triply degenerate Raman line in diamond

Strain-induced symmetry changes in diamond have been observed in shock compression experiments. The experimental method utilizes time-resolved Raman spectroscopy to probe the diamond structure behind the shock front. Peak longitudinal stresses up to 50 GPa were achieved by uniaxial strain loading. Strain applied along the [100] and [110] directions is predicted to partially or completely lift the triple degeneracy of the ambient Raman line. The degenerate Raman line was observed to split in accordance with the predicted behavior. The observed changes, despite the large nonhydrostatic stresses, are reversible.
Energy dependence of elastic and inelastic scattering of 32S + 32S

Abstract Excitation functions for elastic scattering and reactions of 32S + 32S at center-of-mass angles (θcm) near 90° have been measured in 200 keV steps for the range Elab = 122−138 MeV. The targets were prepared by implantation of negative 32S ions in C foils. The excitation functions are relatively featureless in contrast to previous data for 24Mg + 24Mg and 28Si + 28Si. Elastic scattering angular distributions show some evidence for enhanced cross sections near θcm = 90°.
The role of the interferon system in respiratory syncytial virus infections.

SummaryThe ability of several strains of RS virus to stimulate interferon production in vitro was studied. All RS strains studied were capable of inducing at least low titers of interferon in WI-38 and HF fibroblasts. The concentration of serum in the medium was of importance, the best yields of interferon being produced in medium with 2% fetal calf serum and little or none in 10% fetal calf serum. RS virus was shown to be sensitive to the antiviral action of interferon in WI-38 cells. It appears that the prolific multiplication of RS virus in young children is not due to lack of interferon-stimulating potential of the virus. The possibility that the interferon system is less efficient in young children than in adults was considered.
A spin-statistics theorem for composites containing both electric and magnetic charges

The present paper states and proves an asymptotic spin-statistics theorem for composites consisting of electrically and magnetically charged particles. We work in the framework of a nonrelativistic theory, taking as the classical configuration space aU(1) bundle over the space of physical configurations, and as the quantum hilbert space the homogeneous square integrable functions on that bundle. The theorems are proved using a formalism we develop here for treating “gauge spaces” —U(1) bundles with connections; in particular, two products related to tensor products of vector bundles prove to be extremely useful in displaying the structure of the gauge spaces that naturally arise in this theory.
An improved hemostatic aortic anastomotic technique for nondissected aortic aneurysms

References 1. Salvador L, Mirone S, Bianchini R, et al. A 20-year experience with mitral valve repair with artificial chordae in 608 patients. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008;135:1280-7. 2. Gilinov M, Banbury KM. Pre-measured artificial chordae for mitral valve repair. Ann Thorac Surg. 2007;84:2127-9. 3. Baufreton C, Laporte J, Langlais J, Mehreb M, Binuani P, De Brux JL. Transesophageal echocardiography-guided chordal replacement for tricuspid regurgitation. Ann Thorac Surg. 2004;77:1811-3. 4. Fattouch K, Sampognaro R, Bianco G, et al. Implantation of Gore-Tex chordae on aortic valve leaflet to treat prolapse using ‘‘the chordae technique’’: surgical aspects and clinical results. Ann Thorac Surg. 2008;85:2019-24. 5. Konings TC, Koolbergen DR, Bouma BJ, et al. Iatrogenic perforation of the posterior mitral valve leaflet: a rare complication of pacemaker lead placement. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2008;21:512.e5-e7. Brief Communications
Is the transition from chromosome to chromatid aberrations the result of the formation of single-stranded DNA?

Abstract The effective splitting of chromosomes as measured by their response to radiations is known to occur in a period of very short duration at the end of G 1 or beginning of S. Previously it had been postulated that this splitting could be a result of the separation of two halves of the DNA double helix [4]. If this were true, a proportion of the cells in an asynchronous, rapidly growing population would be expected to contain all or most of their DNA in the single-stranded state. No such cells were detected, and so it is concluded that single-stranded DNA is not the unit of breakage of the chromosome. It follows that if DNA is found to be the unit of breakage, rather than protein or some other chromosomal element, the chromosome must be multistranded at interphase.
Temperature as a Limiting Factor in The Life of Subcortical Insects

The distribution of insect species within a log depends to a very large degree upon the temperature in different parts of the log. The most heat resistant groups, of which the genus Chrysobothris is representative, are found only in the warmer parts, whereas those species less resistant to heat are found only where extremely high temperatures do not occur. On the basis of temperature it is possible to divide the insect inhabitants of a log into several ecological groups.
Diagnosis of blunt cerebrovascular injuries.

Purpose of review Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) are being increasingly recognized. The optimal criteria for screening, and the best diagnostic test, remain a matter of controversy. This review analyzes the available literature to propose management guidelines for the diagnosis of BCVI. Relevant findings A number of centers are screening asymptomatic patients for BCVI. The criteria vary from center to center. The incidence of injuries diagnosed is proportional to the breadth of screening criteria. Noninvasive diagnostic modalities such as duplex ultrasonography, computed tomographic angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography have been proposed as screening tools. Although they are all capable of identifying many injuries, prospective comparisons reveal inaccuracies. Summary Screening for BCVI is appropriate. Institutions should adopt formal criteria, recognizing that more restrictive criteria are likely to miss injuries. Noninvasive modalities must be used with caution, because they have been found to be inferior to arteriography.
Selective cholinergic neurotoxin: AF64A's effects in rat striatum.

Abstract The selective neurotoxic effects of the aziridinium ion of ethylcholine (AF64A) have been examined after stereotaxic injection into the rat striatum. In a dose-response study (2–26 nmol), 8 nmol caused a 46% decrease in striatal choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity with minimal effects on the activities of glutamate decar☐ylase (GAD) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) at 7 days. Maximal CAT reductions of 78–82% occurred with doses of 16–26 nmol which also caused dose-related decreases in GAD and TH activities that paralleled the progressive decrements in CAT. A time course study with 8 nmol indicated a rapid 20% reduction of CAT activity by 12 h and an additional gradual fall of 20% over the next week; TH and GAD activities were not significantly reduced. The selective inhibition of CAT activity persisted for at least 3 months. Histological examination of Nissl stained sections revealed an area of non-specific damage at the injection site with an abrupt border surrounded by apparently normal striatal neuropil; however, neuronal perikarya staining intensely for acetylcholinesterase were not reduced. These preliminary findings strongly suggest that AF64A has selective neurotoxic effects against striatal cholinergic neurons while relatively sparing striatal GABAergic intrinsic neurons or dopaminergic afferents.
Roles of psychiatrists on multidisciplinary mental health disaster teams.

The first example is the training of community professionals. After the Great Midwestern Flood of 1993, Dr. Carol North, a psychiatrist and disaster researcher, in collaboration with the St. Louis Mental Health Association, the American Red Cross, and the Eastern Missouri Psychiatric Society, organized a crash course to train 250 local area mental health professionals in disaster work and established pro Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted
The P2P MultiRouter: a black box approach to run-time adaptivity for P2P DHTs

Peer-to-peer distributed hash tables (P2P DHTs) are individually built by their designers with specific performance goals in mind. However, no individual DHT can satisfy an application that requires a "best of all worlds" performance, viz., adaptive behavior at run-time. We propose the MultiRouter, a light-weight solution that provides adaptivity to the application using a DHT-independent approach. By merely making run-time choices to select from among multiple DHT protocols using simple cost functions, we show the MultiRouter is able to provide a best-of-all-DHTs run-time performance with respect to object access times and churn-resistance. In addition, the MultiRouter is not limited to any particular set of DHT implementations since the interaction occurs in a black box manner, i.e., through well-defined interfaces. We present microbenchmark and trace-driven experiments to show that if one fixes bandwidth at each node, the MultiRouter outperforms the component DHTs
Cascade mechanism of nonlinear interactions between modes in a turbulent plasma

A hydrodynamical model of plasma turbulence is developed. A cascade concept is utilized to solve the problem of closure, which is characteristic of any nonlinear system. The spectra of kinetic and electrostatic energies are investigated for both the collisional and collisionless cases. In the former case, the spectrum of potential energy from the electrostatic potential fluctuations, as a function of the wave number k , and denoted by G(k) , follows the laws G \sim k^{-3/2} and k^{-9/2} in the inertial and dissipative subranges, respectively. In the latter case, the dissipative law G \sim k^{-5} is derived. The solutions of the kinetic energy spectrum are also found. The anomalous diffusion, called the Bohm diffusion, is derived in the present theory, and is found to play the role of a sink of energy flux across a potential spectrum.
Queueing Analysis of Polling Based Wireless MAC Protocols with Sleep-Wake Cycles

While decentralized medium access control (MAC) protocols are more popular in wireless environments, cluster based sensor networks are particularly amenable to centralized, polling based protocols. In this paper we present an analytic model to evaluate the performance of polling based MAC protocols for wireless networks in terms of the packet delay, buffer overflow rates and energy consumption. We show that polling based protocols can outperform popular decentralized MAC protocols. Simulation results are presented to validate our model and conclusions.
An investigation of potential Holocaust-related secondary trauma in the third generation.

The study assessed for the presence of Holocaust-related trauma characteristics in ultra-Orthodox grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. Measures included the Secondary Trauma Scale (STS; Motta, Hafeez, Sciancalepore, & Diaz, 2001), the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (EIS-R; Weiss & Marmar, 1997), the A-Trait Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg, & Jacobs, 1983), and the Modified Stroop procedure. Participants included ultra-Orthodox grandchildren of two or more Holocaust survivors (n = 58), ultra-Orthodox grandchildren of non-Holocaust survivors (n = 51), and non-Jewish grandchildren of non-Holocaust survivors (n = 41). RESULTS indicated that ultra-Orthodox participants, regardless of their grandparents' Holocaust survivorship status, showed response latencies for color-naming Holocaust-related stimuli on the Modified Stroop procedure. The findings suggest that the transfer of Holocaust trauma is not generated by the experience of being a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, but rather from the experience of being a member of the ultra-Orthodox community. Language: en
AlN films deposited by LP-MOCVD atomic layer deposition at lower temperatures using DMEAA and ammonia

We have investigated the deposition of AlN thin films on Si(100), Al2O3(0001), and Al2O3(0112) substrates at lower temperatures (523–723 K) using a novel aluminum source, dimethylethylamine:alane (DMEAA), with ammonia as a nitrogen source in a low-pressure MOCVD atomic layer growth process. At reactor pressures of 25 and 50 Torr a four-step sequence of reactant flow steps separated by flush steps was cycled. We observed a tendency toward a self-limiting growth rate as the DMEAA step flow time was increased. The deposition uniformity was observed to be dependent on temperature and non-uniform deposition occurred at higher temperatures. The microstructure and crystalline orientation were examined using x-ray diffraction and crystalline A1N films were deposited at temperatures as low as 573 K. Crystallite size decreased with substrate temperature and at 523 K. amorphous films were deposited. At T > 650 K preferentially oriented crystalline films were deposited with orientations of Si(100)//AIN(0001), Al2O3(0001)//AIN(0001), Al2O3(0112)//AIN(11 20).
Packing Summer Fallow in the Pacific Northwest: Agronomic Benefits and Environmental Concerns

Winter wheat (TriTcum aestivum L.) is sown as deep as 20 cm below the summer fallow soil surface in dry years in the semiarid Pacific Northwest (PNW). Many growers pack the summer fallow mulch in late August before seeding winter wheat to improve stand establishment. But packing may increase blowing dust, which is a major soil loss and air quality concern. A 2-yr study was conducted on two silt loam soil types in 280 mm and 230 mm average annual precipitation zones in eastern Whington to determine the agronomic benefits and potential wind erosion hazards associated with packing. Igcking a loose, thick surface mulch increased soil bulk density (RD) between the 5- to 12-cm depth. This significantly benefited wheat seedling emergence and stand establishment, which subsequently increased grain yield 9% over nonpacked plots. But packing a soil with a thin mulch layer overlying a high BD tillage pan had no effect on soil BD, wheat seedling emergence, or grain yield. Packing rendered the soil more vulnerable to wind erosion at both locations by reducing soil clod mass 55% and surface residue 38% compared with not packing. There are agronomic benefits from packing summer fallow mulch before seeding, but packing should be practiced judiciously, and not considered when surface midue or soil clods are lacking. This is especially true for poorly aggregated coarse-textured soils where soil structure is diflBcult to maintain.
Cooperative and independent functions of FGF and Wnt signaling during early inner ear development

In multiple vertebrate organisms, including chick, Xenopus, and zebrafish, Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Wnt signaling cooperate during formation of the otic placode. However, in the mouse, although FGF signaling induces Wnt8a expression during induction of the otic placode, it is unclear whether these two signaling pathways functionally cooperate. Sprouty (Spry) genes encode intracellular antagonists of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, including FGF signaling. We previously demonstrated that the Sprouty1 (Spry1) and Sprouty2 (Spry2) genes antagonize FGF signaling during induction of the otic placode. Here, we investigate cross talk between FGF/SPRY and Wnt signaling during otic placode induction and assess whether these two signaling pathways functionally cooperate during early inner ear development in the mouse. Embryos were generated carrying combinations of a Spry1 null allele, Spry2 null allele, β-catenin null allele, or a Wnt reporter transgene. Otic phenotypes were assessed by in situ hybridization, semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, immunohistochemistry, and morphometric analysis of sectioned tissue. Comparison of Spry1, Spry2, and Wnt reporter expression in pre-otic and otic placode cells indicates that FGF signaling precedes and is active in more cells than Wnt signaling. We provide in vivo evidence that FGF signaling activates the Wnt signaling pathway upstream of TCF/Lef transcriptional activation. FGF regulation of Wnt signaling is functional, since early inner ear defects in Spry1 and Spry2 compound mutant embryos can be genetically rescued by reducing the activity of the Wnt signaling pathway. Interestingly, we find that although the entire otic placode increases in size in Spry1 and Spry2 compound mutant embryos, the size of the Wnt-reporter-positive domain does not increase to the same extent as the Wnt-reporter-negative domain. This study provides genetic evidence that FGF and Wnt signaling cooperate during early inner ear development in the mouse. Furthermore, our data suggest that although specification of the otic placode may be globally regulated by FGF signaling, otic specification of cells in which both FGF and Wnt signaling are active may be more tightly regulated.
Microstructures of The Electron-Beam Evaporated InSb Thin Films

Polycrystalline InSb thin films have been prepared by the two-source electron-beam evaporation method. The InSb films have been grown on both pure Si (100) substrate and on Si (100) substrate which has been thermally oxidized to form a thin amorphous SiOx overlayer. The as-grown thin films have been heat treated under N2 atmosphere which is slightly mixed with air. A thin InOx layer is formed on the top surface of the thin film. After heat treatment, the InSb films grown on the oxidized Si substrate shows a preferred (111) orientation. While the films grown on Si substrate do not show such preferred orientation as evidenced by the X-ray diffraction patterns. The TEM cross sectional morphologies of the InSb film grown on oxidized Si substrate shows an ordered arrangement of the grains. While the film grown on the pure Si substrate shows a random arrangement of the grains. The film grown on the oxidized Si substrate also shows the existence of the twin boundary and an ordered arrangement of the precipitation of the second phase.
Tetramethylphosphonium- and Tetramethylammonium-Smectites as Adsorbents of Aromatic and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons: Effect of Water on Adsorption Efficiency

Tetramethylphosphonium-smectite (TMP-clay) and tetramethylammonium-smectite (TMA-clay), were prepared and characterized as adsorbents for a series of aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The sorption of benzene, alkylbenzenes, and carbon tetrachloride as vapors and as solutes from water was studied to evaluate the effect of water on adsorption efficiency. Adsorption of organic vapors depended on the N2 BET surface area. TMA-clay was a slightly better adsorbent than TMP-clay, due to its somewhat higher surface area. The Langumir isotherms obtained indicated that adsorption occurred predominantly in the interlayer micropores, apparently on mineral surfaces between onium ions. Adsorption efficiency of both organo-clays decreased, compared to vapor sorptions, in presence of water. Lower sorption was apparently due to shrinkage of the interlayer pore or cavity sizes by hydration of interlayer TMA and TMP cations. Although sorption efficiencies of both organo-clays was reduced in presence of bulk water, the extent of reduction was much less for TMP-clay. Thus, TMP-clay was a better adsorbent than TMA-clay in presence of water, despite its lower surface area, in direct contrast to vapor sorption. The Langumir isotherms indicated interlayer sorption of benzene, alkylbenzenes and carbon tetrachloride from water by TMP-clay. The absence of Langumir isotherms for toluene, ethylbenzene and p-xylene uptake from water by TMA-clay indicated that these bulkier solutes were not adsorbed in the interlayers. These results indicate that hydration of TMA cations causes shrinkage of the interlayer pores to dimensions that exclude these solutes. The lower degree of hydration of TMP cations enables TMP-clay to maintain interlayer pores large enough to accommodate the bulkier alkylbenzenes.
Transformational Mentorship Models for Nurse Educators

A consistent supply of competent and confident faculty is essential to meeting the growing demand for nurses. One way to ensure continuity among nurse educators is through faculty mentorship. There is very little literature about nurse educator mentorship models and no research was found that tested mentoring frameworks or strategies with nurse educators. The matriculation and retention of nursing faculty requires diligence in the areas of practice, teaching, and scholarship. The authors of this article discuss current nursing mentorship models and propose a new one for consideration.
Boundary heat flux estimation in quasi-static thermoelastic systems

The paper treats a heat flux estimation problem for a system that models the temperature evolution in a thermoelastic rod, which is allowed to come into contact with a rigid obstacle. The dynamics of the process are described by a nonlinear nonlocal PDE of parabolic type. Sensor configurations, which can provide measurements guaranteeing the problem to be uniquely solvable, and relevant identification and adaptive estimation procedures are discussed.
Dependence of Flow Stress on Nonstoichiometry in Oxygen‐Rich Uranium Dioxide at High Temperatures

The compressive flow stresses of UO2+x polycrystals and single crystals were measured between 900° and 16000°C. The stoichiometry was controlled by CO2/CO gas mixtures during the tests. The functional dependence of strength on stoichiometry was: where C and m are constant at a constant temperature and 0.001 ≤ x ≤ 0.25. In stoichiometry crystals there was a marked anistrophy in strength. The {100} (110) systems were much softer than the {110} (110) systems, and the latter seemed to determine the strength of polycrystals. The harder systems {110} (110) displayed a softer ones. Nonstoichiometry largely removed the anisotrophy in strength and temperature dependence. It is suggested that the rate-controlling deformation mechanism for polycrystals may be the thermally activated surmounting of the peierls barrier.
Velvetleaf: A Plant with Adverse Impacts on Insect Natural Enemies

We investigated the effect of velvetleaf, Abutilon threophrasti L., leaf age and glandular trichome exudate on Eretmocerus eremicus n. sp. Rose & Zolnerowich parasitism of silverleaf whiteflies, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, in the greenhouse. The impact of glandular trichome exudate on entrapment of natural enemies in the field also was examined. Parasitism of whiteflies in the greenhouse was minimal and 31% of the parasitoids released to attack whiteflies were found entrapped in exudate of glandular trichomes and died. In the field, velvetleaf is a source of mortality to natural enemies and significantly more natural enemies were entrapped in glandular trichomes of control plants than on plants that were wiped to remove glandular exudate. Behavioral observations revealed that Eretmocerus in small arenas located fewer whitefly hosts on leaf disk of velvetleaf compared with the number of hosts located on glabrous or pubescent melons, Cucurbita melo L. Parasitoids accessing velvetleaf spent much of their time off the leaf disk, grooming, presumably to remove the exudate that was encountered on the leaf. As such, less overall time was spent searching velvetleaf for hosts compared with time spent searching melons.
The role of spatial frequency channels in letter identification

Abstract How we see is today explained by physical optics and retinal transduction, followed by feature detection, in the cortex, by a bank of parallel independent spatial-frequency-selective channels. It is assumed that the observer uses whichever channels are best for the task at hand. Our current results demand a revision of this framework: Observers are not free to choose which channels they use. We used critical-band masking to characterize the channels mediating identification of broadband signals: letters in a wide range of fonts (Sloan, Bookman, Kunstler, Yung), alphabets (Roman and Chinese), and sizes (0.1–55°). We also tested sinewave and squarewave gratings. Masking always revealed a single channel, 1.6±0.7 octaves wide, with a center frequency that depends on letter size and alphabet. We define an alphabet's stroke frequency as the average number of lines crossed by a slice through a letter, divided by the letter width. For sharp-edged (i.e. broadband) signals, we find that stroke frequency completely determines channel frequency, independent of alphabet, font, and size. Moreover, even though observers have multiple channels, they always use the same channel for the same signals, even after hundreds of trials, regardless of whether the noise is low-pass, high-pass, or all-pass. This shows that observers identify letters through a single channel that is selected bottom-up, by the signal, not top-down by the observer. We thought shape would be processed similarly at all sizes. Bandlimited signals conform more to this expectation than do broadband signals. Here, we characterize processing by channel frequency. For sinewave gratings, as expected, channel frequency equals sinewave frequency fchannel=f. For bandpass-filtered letters, channel frequency is proportional to center frequency fchannel∝fcenter (log–log slope 1) when size is varied and the band (c/letter) is fixed, but channel frequency is less than proportional to center frequency fchannel∝fcenter2/3 (log–log slope 2/3) when the band is varied and size is fixed. Finally, our main result, for sharp-edged (i.e. broadband) letters and squarewaves, channel frequency depends solely on stroke frequency, f channel /10 c/deg = f stroke /10 c/deg 2/3 , with a log–log slope of 2/3. Thus, large letters (and coarse squarewaves) are identified by their edges; small letters (and fine squarewaves) are identified by their gross strokes.
A hi-density C4/CBGA interconnect technology for a CMOS microprocessor

The application of a controlled-collapse chip connection (C4), ceramic-ball-grid array (CBGA) single-chip package to the Motorola 88110 RISC CMOS microprocessor is presented. Also presented are the zero-level to second-level interconnection technologies and the various design considerations: from the on-chip redistribution metal to the printed-circuit board definition. In addition to an overview of the interconnect technology, we discuss the: (1) printed-circuit board design, (2) first-level and second-level assembly, (3) electrical modeling and characterization, (4) thermal management, and (5) controlled-collapse chip connection (C4) and ceramic-ball-grid array (CBGA) interconnection reliability and solder-fatigue life estimates. For this study four discipline-specific technology test vehicles were used to evaluate the assembly, electrical, thermal, and reliability aspects of this C4/CBGA interconnect technology. The design and use of each test vehicle is presented. In contrast to a 51 mm, wirebond pin-grid array package (PGA), the C4/CBGA package offers several technological improvements for high-performance RISC microprocessors, which are: (1) a much smaller use of printed-circuit board area, for example, the 361 I/O 25 mm package reduces the original package footprint by approximately 75%, (2) a surface mountable package, (3) the package-to-board assembly is possible with industry-standard surface-mount equipment, (4) the use of C4 and CBGA technology reduce the electrical parasitics, (5) the junction-to-cap thermal resistance was less than 1.5/spl deg/C/W, and (6) the CBGA solder joints are predicted to exceed 3,500 on/off cycles, of 25/spl deg/C to 55/spl deg/C cycling, with a failure rate of 100 parts per million (ppm) per package.