cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The predissociation dynamics of ammonia: A theoretical study

A quantum mechanical model of the ammonia predissociation dynamics is presented. The effects of an excited state barrier and well, a deep conical intersection between the ground and excited states, and strong angular dependence of the potential energy surfaces are explored. The predissociation rate is sensitive to both the vibrational (v2′) and the rotational (J′,K′) level of the initially excited metastable state. The product state distribution following excitation within the v2′=0 band reflects the shape of the ground bend resonance and is broad, extending to the energetic limit. The photofragment angular distributions following excitation of magnetic–rovibronic state‐selected parent molecules depend sensitively on the photon frequency. Their structure varies markedly with the internal state of the accompanying NH2 fragment. The results are traced to the complex excitation dynamics, which prepare a frequency‐dependent superposition of rotational states, and to the strong forces exerted on the dissociati...
Guiding and control of millimeter waves by surface plasmon phenomena in semiconductors

We consider the guiding of millimeter waves as interface electromagnetic waves in moderately doped semiconductors of high material quality. Specifically, we examine the propagation characteristics and modulation of surface plasmons in n-GaAs. Our results suggest that useful guiding and control of millimeter wave signals by these excitations may be possible.
Integral equation formulation and error estimates for radial flow between two flat disks

A novel mathematical framework is developed for investigating steady, incompressible, laminar, radially accelerating or decelerating flows confined between two parallel flat disks. The mathematical description for this flow involves a nonlinear, second-order, boundary-value problem containing an unknown parameter. This equation is derivable from the cylindrical-polar coordinates form of the Navier-Stokes equations. In order to uniquely determine this parameter, the system is adjoined to an integral constraint. This paper presents a two-level resolution process involving the numerical solution of an equivalent nonlinear integral equation and a detailed error analysis based on an inverse method for developing error estimates for both the function and the unknown system parameter. First, the differential equation is converted into an equivalent Hammerstein-Fredholm equation that automatically incorporates the integral constraint and removes the explicit unknown parameter. This equation is accurately solved with the aid of the method of Kumar and Sloan using a Chebyshev basis. Second, an unusual nonlinear differential equation is constructed for the local error and resolved by an inverse method involving parameter estimation. The resulting nonlinear differential equation in the local error contains the second derivative of the error at an endpoint. Interrogation of the local error distribution overcomes the limitations associated with a posteriori error estimates based on classical functional analysis. Often the need rises for recognizing the local error character resulting from a numerical simulation. Numerical results indicate the merit of the approaches and re-iterate the need for error estimation in numerical studies.
ON BAYESIAN PREDICTIVE MOMENTS OF NEXT RECORD VALUE USING THREE-PARAMETER GAMMA PRIORS

A forecasting model of next record value proposed by Hill [1] assumes the underlying distribution F(x) is of an algebraic functional form with a shape parameter α for large x. That is, 1 − F(x) ≃Cx −α, for large x. In this article, we extend his model by incorporating a three-parameter Gamma prior of α to derive analytical solutions of the predictive distribution and moments of X given that X is a new record value. These closed-form formulas can be represented as ratios of moments of Gamma distributions. We apply the proposed model to a real-life data set that consists of the insured property losses of 33 catastrophes caused by tropical storms in the United States in 1995. The example illustrates the importance of incorporating prior experience and accounting for uncertainty in parameter estimation when forecasting record values. Both considerations are the main ingredients in the development of the proposed model.
United We Stand: Firms and Enterprise Unions in Japan

Abstract Most Japanese workers in large firms are members of firm-based enterprise unions while workers in the United States, if organized at all, tend to be members of trade or industrial unions. This paper analyzes how differences in union structure and membership can affect firm behavior in a Pareto optimal contracting framework. The findings are that oligopolistic firms with enterprise unions will tend to hire excessive amounts of labor. Furthermore, it is shown that by organizing as an enterprise union and firm, the firm and its employees can be made better off relative to not being organized at all. J. Japan. Int. Econ., March 1994, 8 (l), pp. 53–71. Department of Economics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Myths, models, and metaphors: Religion as model and the philosophy of science

Abstract Clifford Geertz's widely-used paper ‘Religion as a Cultural System’, makes the claim that ‘the importance of religion lies in its capacity to serve . as a source of general, yet distinctive conceptions of the world, the self and the relations between them .dits model of aspectdand of rooted, no less distinctive ‘‘mental’’ dispositionsdits model for aspect’. However, apart from a highly critical article by Nancy Frankenberry and Hans Penner (1999) little attempt has been made to investigate this understanding of religion as model. This paper briefly considers the validity of Frankenberry and Penner's criticism and investigates possible applications of the elaborate analysis of models and metaphors in the philosophy of science since the time of Mary Hesse to the analysis of religious phenomena.
Deployment procedure for the Tetrahedron Constellation

The NASA Benchmark Tetrahedron Constellation is a four-satellite formation that requires a nominal separation distance at every apogee point. The deployment procedure of a tetrahedron constellation is complex and depends on the separation distance between any pair of satellites within the constellation. In this paper, the deployment procedure of the tetrahedron constellation will be divided into two stages: the deployment from a circular parking orbit to an elliptical orbit, and the correction of the separation distance between pairs of satellites within the constellation. The solution of this problem will be implemented with a combination of Hohmann transfer maneuvers and the digital linear quadratic regulator control scheme showing a minimum consumption of fuel. In summary, the combination of these two techniques will provide a different approach to the deployment procedure of the NASA benchmark tetrahedron constellation.
The ARC Project: Reasoning about Representations of Gothic Cathedrals with Artificial Intelligence

The Architecture Represented Computationally (ARC) project analyzes documents that describe Gothic cathedrals. It researches how these descriptions can be translated from a natural language into a formal logical model -- a representation that a computer can handle. Handling representations of architecture is not straightforward and requires expertise involving logical reasoning. ARC implements this expertise in Prolog. The project aims to create a system that can understand descriptions composed in a natural language and eventually in a later phase reproduce them in 3D.
Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain Protein 2 (PHD2) Mediates Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy in Neonatal Mice

Retinopathy of prematurity is a major side effect of oxygen therapy for preterm infants, and is a leading cause of blindness in children. To date, it remains unclear whether the initial microvascular obliteration is triggered by degradation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) α proteins or by other mechanisms such as oxidative stress. Here we show that prolyl hydroxylase domain protein 2 (PHD2), an enzyme mostly responsible for oxygen-induced degradation of HIF-α proteins, plays a major role in oxygen-induced retinopathy in mice. In neonatal mice expressing normal amounts of PHD2, exposure to 75% oxygen caused significant degradation of retinal HIF-α proteins, accompanied by massive losses of retinal microvessels. PHD2 deficiency significantly stabilized HIF-1α, and to some extent HIF-2α, in neonatal retinal tissues, and protected retinal microvessels from oxygen-induced obliteration. After hyperoxia-treated neonatal mice were returned to ambient room air, retinal vasculature in PHD2-deficient mice remained mostly intact and showed very little neoangiogenesis. These findings demonstrate a close association between PHD2-dependent HIF-α degradation and oxygen-induced retinal microvascular obliteration, and imply that PHD2 may be a promising therapeutic target to prevent oxygen-induced retinopathy.
Nanolayer Biomaterial Coatings of Silk Fibroin for Controlled Release

An all-aqueous, stepwise deposition process with silk fibroin protein for the assembly of nanoscale layered controlled release coatings was exploited. Model compounds, Rhodamine B, Even Blue and Azoalbumin, representing small molecule drugs and therapeutically relevant proteins were incorporated in the nanocoating process and their loading and release behavior was quantified. In addition, the structure and morphology of the coatings were characterized. Release studies in vitro showed that control of β-sheet crystal content and the multilayer structure of the silk coatings correlated with the release properties of the incorporated compounds. In particular, higher crystallinity and a thicker silk capping layer suppressed the initial burst of release and prolonged the duration of release. These novel coatings and deposition approach provide a unique option to regulate structure and morphology, and thus release kinetics. The results also suggest these systems as a promising framework for surface engineering of biomaterials and medical devices to regulate the release of drugs, when considered with the all-aqueous process involved, the conformal nature of the coatings, the robust material properties of silk fibroin, and the degradability and biocompatibility of this family of protein.
A sodium bicarbonate transporter from sea urchin spermatozoa

Abstract Bicarbonate (HCO3−) transporters play crucial roles in cell-signaling pathways and are essential for cell viability. Here we describe the first cloning and localization of a HCO3− transporter from sperm of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The deduced protein is 1214 amino acids and has a calculated molecular mass of 135 kDa. The annotated protein coding region of the transporter gene consists of 24 exons. The most similar human protein is the Na+/HCO3− cotransporter-2 (NBC2), which has 53% identity and 68% similarity to the sea urchin protein. The sea urchin protein shares the major structural features of HCO3− transporters, including 13 transmembrane segments, a DIDS (4,4-diiodothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2-disulfonic acid) binding motif and N-linked glycosylation sites. It has longer N- and C-terminal cytoplasmic domains compared to human HCO3− transporters. The sea urchin protein possesses a relatively long 3rd extracellular loop with four conserved cysteine residues. This is characteristic for Na+/HCO3− cotransporters, but not for anion exchangers, suggesting that the sea urchin protein is a Na+/HCO3− cotransporter. It is therefore designated as Sp-NBC. A neighbor-joining tree shows that Sp-NBC branches closer to the electroneutral type of HCO3− transporters. Western immunoblots and immunoflourescence show that Sp-NBC is concentrated in the flagellar plasma membrane, suggesting a role in motility regulation.
The Distancing Hypothesis: Fact or Fiction? A Response

This article is a response to variant views of the hypothesis that American Jews are becoming progressively more distanced from Israel. Analysts agree that Jews under 35 are less attached to Israel than older cohorts. One view is that this is a life cycle effect within the same parameters of differentials found in studies from earlier decades; the other is that there has been a move toward alienation that will persist throughout the life-cycle of those studied today. For this group the change is attributed to rising numbers of cultural Jews and of Jews married to non-Jews. The differences in interpretation arise from analyzing different segments of the Jewish community. There are four areas of concurrence among social scientists; and this concurrence provides an important starting point for further discussion and policy development.
Unimolecular and collision-induced dissociation study of CS2+2 with Ar at high collision energy

Abstract Mass-analyzed kinetic energy spectroscopy (MIKES) has been used to study the unimolecular and collision-induced dissociation (CID) of CS 2+ 2 ions in collision with argon at 6 keV ion energy. When analyzed in center-of-mass (CM) co-ordinates, MIKES spectra of CS + and S + fragment ions are shown to originate from four dynamically distinguishable reaction pathways. They may be broadly classified as electron-capture-induced dissociation (ECID) and collision-induced charge separation dissociation (CICSD). Detailed analysis of the kinetic energy lost by CS 2+ 2 ions in forming product ions shows that S + fragments originating from ECID are produced from ground state dications, whereas CS + fragments originate predominantly from an excited state, probably the first or second electronically excited state of CS 2+ 2 . Two energetically distinct CICSD processes which result in pairwise formation of CS + and S + have been characterized, with recoil kinetic energies of 3.4 eV and 4.1 eV and nearly zero energy transfer from translation into internal modes. The lowest energy set has the same energy release as the unimolecular metastable decay process for electron-impact-generated CS 2+ 2 ions, suggesting that the activation step involves mainly those ions that are internally excited near the dissociation threshold prior to collisional activation. It is proposed that the low kinetic energy release mechanism is “relaxed”, proceeding on the minimum energy pathway from reactants to products, whereas the higher kinetic energy release mechanism is a “sudden” dissociation in which decomposition occurs from a surface in which one of the bond distances is “frozen” at or near its equilibrium position and decomposition occurs very rapidly. These experimental observations are supported by ab initio quantum chemical calculations which rationalize quantitatively the energetic consequences of following relaxed and sudden reaction paths. The minor products S + 2 and C + are also formed by ECID and CICSD processes, but were in too low abundance to be fully characterized.
X‐Ray Line Broadening Study of Explosively Shocked MgO and α‐Al2O3 Powders

The present study considers the structural effects of explosive-shock treatments on MgO and α-Al2O3 powders. An X-ray line broadening analysis based on the Warren-Averbach method shows a reduction in the X-ray particle size and an increase in the microstrain as a result of the explosive treatments. The magnitude of the effect is similar to that observed in cold-worked metals with regard to dislocation density and elastic strain energy. The total stored energy resulting from the explosive-shock treatments is estimated to be about the same as the total surface energy of the powders.
Examination of issues related to the development and implementation of real-time operational safety monitoring tools in the nuclear power industry

In recent years, risk and reliability techniques have been increasingly used to optimize deterministic requirements and to improve the operational safety of nuclear power stations. This paper discusses the historical development and current status of implementation of real-time operational safety monitoring tools in the nuclear power industry worldwide. A safety monitor is defined as a PC-based risk management tool, based on a plant specific PSA, which can be used to manage plant safety during the day-to-day operation of a nuclear power plant by planning maintenance activities and providing advisory information to plant operational staff in order to avoid high risk plant configurations. As this technique has only been applied in a few plants worldwide, the technology is still evolving and there are several technical and implementation-related issues which still need to be resolved. This paper attempts to summarize all such issues and describe how they have been addressed in several different applications of this technology around the world.
Breakdown of hierarchical architecture in cellulose during dilute acid pretreatments

Cellulose is an attractive candidate as a feedstock for sustainable bioenergy because of its global abundance. Pretreatment of biomass has significant influence on the chemical availability of cellulose locked in recalcitrant microfibrils. Optimizing pretreatment depends on an understanding of its impact on the microscale and nanoscale molecular architecture. X-ray scattering experiments have been performed on native and pre-treated maize stover and models of cellulose architecture have been derived from these data. Ultra small-angle, very small-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS, VSAXS and SAXS) probe three different levels of architectural scale. USAXS and SAXS have been used to study cellulose at two distinct length scales, modeling the fibrils as ~30 A diameter rods packed into ~0.14 μm diameter bundles. VSAXS is sensitive to structural features at length scales between these two extremes. Detailed analysis of diffraction patterns from untreated and pretreated maize using cylindrical Guinier plots and the derivatives of these plots reveals the presence of substructures within the ~0.14 μm diameter bundles that correspond to grouping of cellulose approximately 30 nm in diameter. These sub-structures are resilient to dilute acid pretreatments but are sensitive to pretreatment when iron sulfate is added. These results provide evidence of the hierarchical arrangement of cellulose at three length scales and the evolution of these arrangements during pre-treatments.
Effect of 20 different yeast strains on the production of volatile components in Symphony wine

Abstract Symphony grapes were fermented with 20 different strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sonoma Native, Fermirouge, A96, S6U, L2056, A350, Fermicryo, RA17, Steinberg, D254, Fermiblanc, T73, St George, CX3079, Pdm, MI16, VL1, LY3079, A350/VL1/Fermiblanc, and BM45). Among 53 volatile compounds identified in the wines using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, the major volatile compounds found were seven alcohols, seven esters, and four acids. Isoamyl alcohol was the compound found in highest amounts with 19 yeast strains of Symphony wines. The amounts of isoamyl alcohol ranged from 6.04 mg/l (A350/VL1/Fermiblanc) to 14.33 mg/l (Fermirouge). The other major compounds were 2-phenyl ethanol, ethyl-2-hydroxy propionate, monoethyl succinate, octanoic acid, and hexanoic acid. Several esters, including ethyl-2-hydroxy propionate, may contribute to the fruity flavor of Symphony wines. Overall, 18 S. cerevisiae yeast strains (except A350/VL1/Fermiblanc and T73) used to ferment Symphony grapes produced the same major components, with certain variations in formation levels. The formation and composition of the volatiles produced by A350/VL1/Fermiblanc and T73 yeast strains were significantly different from the other strains. The different S. cerevisiae yeast strains contributed to the characteristic flavors in Symphony wines.
Fragmentation in a rotating protostar: A re-examination of comparison calculations

The self-gravitating collapse of a rotating, isothermal protostellar cloud has been recalculated with two independent fluid-dynamic computer codes, in three space dimensions, with improved spatial resolution compared to previous calculations. The results again predict fragmentation and formation of a binary protostellar system with properties similar to those obtained in the lower-resolution calculations. The results, however, are in disagreement with those obtained with a particle-dynamic code by Gingold and Monaghan (1981) for the collapse of a cloud from the same initial conditions. Possible explanations for the divergent results are discussed.
Preschoolers' Understanding of Plan and Oblique Maps: The Role of Geometric and Representational Correspondence

To study conditions that affect preschoolers' understanding of maps, we asked 4-and 5-year-olds to place stickers on classroom maps to show locations of objects currently in view. Varied were vantage point (eye level vs. raised oblique), map form (plan vs. oblique), and item type (floor vs. furniture locations). Even though they were working with maps of a familiar referent space, preschoolers evidenced difficulty. While an oblique vantage point did not enhance performance, using the oblique map first aided subsequent performance on the plan map. As predicted, performance on floor locations was worse than on furniture locations. Findings are discussed in relation to performance by adults given the mapping task and preschoolers given a nonreferential sticker placement task. Data suggest the importance of (a) iconicity and (b) studying geometric as well as representational correspondences in map research.
Fluid mechanics analysis of a two‐dimensional pultrusion die inlet

Fluid mechanics plays an important role in many manufacturing processes including the pultrusion of composite materials. The analysis of fluid mechanics problems generally involves determination of quantities such as pressure and velocity. During the pultrusion process, the short, tapered inlet region of the pultrusion die experiences a significant amount of fluid resin pressure rise. The quality of a pultruded product can be affected by the amount of pressure rise in the pultrusion die inlet. Void formation can be suppressed and good fiber “wet out” achieved by a sufficiently high pressure rise in the pultrusion die inlet region. In this study the change in fluid resin pressure rise as a function of die entrance geometry is investigated by developing a finite element model based on the assumptions of Darcy's law for flow in porous media. The momentum equations are combined with the continuity equation to save computational time and memory. A Galerkin weighted residual based finite element method is developed to solve the resulting equation. This model is capable of predicting the pressure rise in the tapered inlet region of the pultrusion die as well as the straight portion of the die. By varying the size of the preform plates the thickness of the fiber/resin matrix approaching the die inlet can be varied. The finite element model predicts the impact of changing the preform plate size on the fluid resin pressure rise in the pultrusion die. The effect of varying the wedge angle for a linearly tapered die inlet region is also studied using this model. The results in this work can be useful for designing a pultrusion die system.
Ceramic-Ceramic Bearing: Too Unpredictable to Use it Regularly

Background: Ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearings have excellent tribologic properties because of the smoothness, hardness, and wettability of the material. Therefore, their use has been proposed in younger, active patients who may wear out a traditional metal-on-polyethylene bearing. The same material properties that are beneficial to tribology may also create problems, however. For example, squeaking and fracture of the bearing materials have been reported to occur.
The adaptation of poliomyelitis virus, lansing strain, to newborn mice and the use of their central nervous tissues for preparation of complement-fixing antigen

The manner has been described in which the MEFl-Lansing type poliomyelitis virus was adapted to newborn mice which to a relative degree are naturally resistant to the virus. This adaptation is manifested by a shortening of the incubation period; uniform, regular and increased pathogenicity for the mice, and an enhanced infectivity of the central nervous tissues of the reactors. With this adapted virus which has the aspects of an induced, adaptive variant, it is possible to prepare an antigen for complement-fixation tests to detect poliomyelitis-virus infection. This test is specific and is applicable to the serum of several different species, including man, and may possibly reveal the existence of cross-reaction between two types of poliomyelitis virus, the Lansing and the Brunhilde. The range of its practical application to poliomyelitis problems remains, however, still for further study.
Hume and Descartes On Self-Acquaintance

The idea of self-knowledge divides naturally into two parts in accordance with the distinction between knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description. I know myself and I know things about myself. The latter I know partly from self-acquaintance, partly from the behavior, especially linguistic, of others, and partly from each of these. All aspects of self-knowledge are controversial, so I shall concentrate in this paper on the question of self-acquaintance. My purpose is both philosophical and historical. It is commonly believed that Hume and Descartes held diametrically opposed, or at least strongly contrasting, views regarding self-acquaintance since Hume is regularly ridiculed for his denial of ability to discover his own Self whereas it would occur to no one to ascribe that same view to the author of the Meditations. In this paper I shall argue that contrary to appearances these two philosophers either held the same position or Descartes occupied the more agnostic extreme; and also that the position usually ascribed to Hume is, when properly understood, both correct and of fundamental philosophical significance. Part of my reason for selecting Hume and Descartes for analysis and comparison is to show thereby that the thesis of this paper is true independently of the rationalist/empiricist schism in philosophy.
Education and certification of mental health administrators: The role of professional associations

Professional organizations play a role in the education of mental health administrators. Some professional associations have certification examinations for administrative psychiatry. Others include questions on administration on their examinations. Meetings sponsored by various organizations have topics aimed at enhancing the skills of their membership. Requisites for competency of health administrators is embodied in membership requirements in some organizations. Even so, the author contends that there needs to be consistency and coordination among the professional organizations regarding education and credentialing.
A revisionist view of the integrated academic health center.

Like many academic health centers that had expanded aggressively during the 1990s, the nation's first vertically integrated academic health center, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, was profoundly challenged by the dramatic and unanticipated financial impacts of the Balanced Budget Act o
Impact of online instructional game features on college students’ perceived motivational support and cognitive investment: A structural equation modeling study

Abstract Colleges and universities have begun to understand the instructional potential of digital game-based learning (DGBL) due to digital games’ immersive features. These features, however, might overload learners as excessive motivational and cognitive stimuli thus impeding intended learning. Current research, however, lacks empirical evidences to align game features with their motivational and cognitive support. Therefore, this study explored the relationship among game features, learners’ perceived motivational support, and cognitive investment based on the Theory on Motivation, Volition, and Performance (MVP). Based on 264 college students’ responses after playing an open online instructional game, the finding first revealed three converging factors of DGBL features (game appeal, game involvement, game structure). Second, a structural equation modeling identified a significant model that aligns with MVP theory's constructs. Future research should develop a consolidated design model to consider all identified empirical relationships in order to support efficient digital game-based learning.
Acute and Chronic Effects of Fire Fighting on Pulmonary Function

The acute and chronic effects of fire fighting on pulmonary function were studied in 54 fire fighters from Connecticut, 32 smokers and 22 nonsmokers. Baseline studies of maximum expiratory flow-volume curves while breathing air and a mixture of 80 percent helium and 20 percent oxygen revealed obstruction of the small airways in 35 percent (nine) of 26 smokers and 13 percent (two) of 15 nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking appears to be a major contributor to obstruction of the airways in fire fighters. In the nonsmoking group, disease of the small airways was present only in fire fighters with at least 25 years of fire fighting, and none of them had respiratory complaints. In seven fire fighters retested immediately following mild exposure to a fire in a building, no significant changes in pulmonary function were noted. One fire fighter trapped in a fire in a basement had a high level of carboxyhemoglobin (42 percent) and developed a severe obstructive ventilatory defect which persists 2 1/2 years after the fire. The significance of disease of the small airways in fire fighters with chronic exposure remains to be elucidated with long-term studies; however, acute significant exposure may be associated with irreversible pulmonary injury in fire fighters.
The calcium-sensing receptor is localized in caveolin-rich plasma membrane domains of bovine parathyroid cells.

Parathyroid cells have an intracellular machinery for parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion that is inversely regulated by the extracellular calcium concentration (Ca2+o). The recently characterized Ca2+o-sensing receptor (CaR) is a G protein-coupled, seven-transmembrane receptor mediating the inhibitory effects of high Ca2+o on PTH secretion. The CaR's precise cell surface localization and the signal transduction pathway(s) mediating its inhibitory effects on PTH secretion have not been characterized fully. Here, we demonstrate that the CaR resides within caveolin-rich membrane domains in bovine parathyroid cells. Chief cells within bovine parathyroid glands exhibit a similar pattern of staining for caveolin-1 and for alkaline phosphatase, a glucosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein often enriched in caveolae. Purified caveolin-enriched membrane fractions (CEMF) from bovine parathyroid cells are highly enriched in the CaR and alkaline phosphatase. Other signaling proteins, including Gq/11, eNOS, and several protein kinase C isoforms (i.e. α, δ, and ζ), are also present in CEMF. Activation of the CaR by high Ca2+o increases tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin-1 in CEMF, suggesting that CaR-mediated signal transduction potentially involved in Ca2+o-regulated processes in parathyroid cells occur in caveolae-like domains.
Timing and ecdysteroid regulation of the molt in last instar greenhouse whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum).

Abstract A system of markers has been devised to track the development of 3rd and 4th instar/pharate adult greenhouse whiteflies. Instars were identified based on measurements of body width and body length. Depending upon the host plant, the product of the two measurements was exceptionally useful in distinguishing between instars. Body depth was used to divide the 3rd instar into eight stages and body depth and color and appearance of the developing adult eye were used to divide the 4th instar/pharate adult into nine stages. Under conditions of L:D 16:8 and a temperature of 26±2°C, the body depth of 3rd instars reared on greenbean increased from 0.025 (stage 1) to 0.2 mm (stage 8) and the instar duration was approximately 3 days. The body depth of 4th instars increased from approximately 0.1±0.02 (Stage 1) to 0.3±0.03 mm (Stage 5) and then remained constant or decreased slightly during adult development. Ecdysteroid titers peaked at approximately 120 fg/μg protein during Stages 3 through 6 of the 4th instar. Based on an external examination of developing 4th instars and the fluctuations in ecdysteroid titer, it appears that adult development is initiated in Stage 4 or 5 4th instars. Results from histological studies support this view. In Stage 4 nymphs, a subtle change was observed in the corneagenous cells of the eye. However, most Stage 4 4th instars possessed wing development characteristic of earlier, immature stages. In all Stage 5 insects, wing development had been initiated and the corneagenous cells had become quite distinct. In Stage 6 whiteflies, the wing buds were deeply folded and by Stage 7, spines were observed on the new cuticle, indicating that the adult cuticle was well-formed by this stage. Our study is the first to investigate the timing and regulation of the molt, to monitor ecdysteroid titers in precisely staged 4th instar whiteflies and to examine the internal anatomical changes associated with metamorphosis in these tiny homopteran insects.
Thoughts On Teaching Geometrical Optics And Lens Design

Large modern computer programs were used to teach lens design. The effectiveness of large centralized computing facilities were compared with small desk calculators. The large programs were found to be powerful but extremely unfriendly. The input and output procedures were designed by computer people and aimed to meet the needs of a wide variety of users. Close supervision is required to reduce the volume of useless computing. To provide guide lines, a set of fundamental lens types are provided. The series of lenses are, a single lens, telescope objectives, curved field Petzval lens, telephoto, flat field triplets, four element derivative of the triplet and the double Gauss. It is suggested computers be designed to require a written review of the problem, with previous results, and reasons for additional computing.
The toad optic tectum as a recurrent on-center off-surround neural net with quenching threshold

The authors demonstrate that the toad optic tectum has memory and can implement a recurrent on-center off-sound neural net with quenching threshold. The main addition to previous tectal models is the quenching threshold, which is defined as a threshold that determines which features are transferred into memory. This implies that the memory is efferently organized, that is, that it stores prey and mate features. An alternative, afferently organized model would store all R2 and R3 input in separate memories and provide a selection mechanism to determine what information is transferred out of memory and is integrated to form efferent commands. The author's model augments the quenching threshold mechanism by demonstrating that TP inhibition can rely on the differential sensitivity of R2 and R3 cells to suppress selectively certain features from memory. In this way, it can modulate the quality as well as the quantity of features stored in memory. >
Emerging Multimedia Research and Applications

This special issue is a collaboration between the 2014 IEEE International Symposium on Multimedia (ISM 2014) and IEEE MultiMedia. For over a decade, ISM has been an internationally renowned forum for researchers and practitioners to develop solutions and exchange ideas in emerging multimedia research and applications. The articles in this issue are extended versions of the top ISM 2014 papers on multimedia research.
Vladimir abramovich rokhlin (23 august 1919 to 3 december 1984): Introductory note

The Ergodic Theory and Dynamical Systems journal pays tribute to V. A. Rokhlin, one of the founders of ergodic theory, a world-renowned topologist and geometer, and a man of tragic fate and exceptional courage. Rokhlin's mathematical heritage splits rather sharply into the ergodic theory – measure theory and topology – geometry parts. This fact has to do with a natural evolution of his interests but also with the keen sense of style in mathematics that Rokhlin possessed to an unusual degree. Naturally, we will concentrate on Rokhlin's contributions to ergodic theory and measure theory, his influence on other mathematicians working in those fields, and the development of some of his ideas. Fortunately, the topology part of Rokhlin's heritage has been superbly presented in Part I of the book ‘A la recherche de la topologie perdue’ published by Birkhauser in Progress in Mathematics series (v. 62, 1986). The same cannot be said about the work on real algebraic geometry, Rokhlin's last big achievement. The impact of that work, carried out by his students, however, is very much felt now, and is very unlikely to be forgotten or neglected. On the other hand, his work in ergodic theory and measure theory, was restricted primarily to two relatively short time periods, 1947–1950 and 1959–1964, and for the most part was not followed by Rokhlin's immediate students. Hence, it runs a certain risk of being underestimated. We hope that the articles by A. Vershik; S. Yuzvinsky and B: Weiss, published in this issue, will put Rokhlin's work and his influence in ergodic theory into the right perspective.
Multi-Way Pipelining for Power-Efficient IP Lookup

Ternary Content Addressable Memories (TCAMs) have been widely adopted for IP lookup engines in today's routers. However, due to the massive parallelism inherent in their architectures, TCAMs do not scale well in terms of power consumption. On the other hand, SRAM-based pipelined algorithmic solutions become attractive alternatives. This paper proposes a partitioning-based multi-way linear pipeline architecture for power-efficient trie-based IP lookup. We develop a hybrid partitioning scheme to map a routing table onto multiple linear pipelines, ensuring each pipeline uses equal amounts of memory. Within each pipeline, a memory-efficient fine-grained node-to-stage mapping scheme is employed to achieve evenly distributed memory across the stages. Simulation experiments using real-life traces show that our 8-way architecture, storing a backbone routing table with over 200 K prefixes, achieves a 27-fold reduction in power consumption over state-of-the-art TCAM-based solutions, while sustaining a throughput of 590 Gbps for minimum size (40 bytes) packets.
Molecular Dynamics Study of Interaction Between Corrosion Inhibitors, Nanoparticles, and Other Minerals in Hydrated Cement

How NaNO2 corrosion inhibitors and water molecules interact with nanoparticles and other minerals in hydrated cement is investigated at the nanoscale, with a focus on the dynamic behavior of inhibitors in the pore solution at different length and timescales. Representative minerals in hydrated cement (ettringite, Friedel's salt, jennite, kuzelite, portlandite, and tobermorite) and nanoparticles (Al2O3, Fe2O3, SiO2, and TiO2) are computationally studied. The parameters for potential functions of NO2 - necessary to describe interactions are evaluated from inverse parameterization. The focus is on the structure of nanoparticles, minerals, and water molecules near the solution-solid interface. Information on interactions of aqueous species with their surroundings is retrieved by molecular dynamics simulations, which provide insight into dynamic behaviors around the solution-solid interfaces. Further analysis reveals that the solid surfaces have a strong effect on the dynamic behaviors of corrosion inhibitors.
Correlation of saphenous vein bypass graft angiograms with histologic changes at necropsy.

Abstract Previous studies of saphenous vein (SV) bypass grafts have been either angiographic or morphologic, and few have correlated angiograms with histology. Nine necropsy patients who had received 21 SV implants 12 to 120 months (mean 67 ± 42) before death were studied. All patients had severe coronary artery disease. Three types of histologic changes were found: atherosclerosis in 9 grafts, fibrointimal proliferation in 8 and total occlusion with fibrosis in 4. All patients had premortem angiograms 0 to 3 months (mean 0.7 ± 1.1) before death. In 14 of 21 grafts, premortem angiograms accurately reflected the postmortem findings. In 7 grafts, the premortem angiograms either overestimated (4 grafts) or underestimated (3 grafts) the extent of luminal narrowing. Six of the 7 SV implants incorrectly assessed by angiography had fibrointimal proliferation and 1 had atherosclerosis. The presence of smooth muscle in SV implants with fibrointimal proliferation may be a mechanism of spasm or relaxation during angiography, which could cause errors in estimating the degree of stenosis. Nitrates or calcium antagonists may be useful in both assessing the degree of underlying vasomotion in SV grafts and as a therapeutic modality.
The American public library during the Great Depression

This paper investigates the broad outline of the growth of the public library in the USA during the Great Depression. Despite economic hard times public libraries were founded in 48 of the 50 states and territories. Nine states contributed the greatest portion of that growth. Geographic variation in library growth is discussed. The role of two federal agencies is briefly described and their influence in public library expansion largely discounted. Brief case studies of two libraries founded during the Great Depression are presented. The conclusion is that the US public library was a social institution important to local communities that provided funding, long before the advent of state or federal funding.
FlatWorld: combining Hollywood set-design techniques with VR

Despite notable advances over the past decade, current virtual reality systems have numerous drawbacks. The FlatWorld project at the University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies seeks to overcome these limitations by exploring a new approach to virtual environments (VEs) inspired by Hollywood set-design techniques. Since the dawn of the film industry, movie sets have been constructed using modular panels called flats. Set designers use flats to create physical structures to represent various places and activities. The paper considers how FlatWorld is developing a reconfigurable system of digital flats. Using large-screen displays and real-time computer graphics technology, a single digital flat can appear as an interior room wall or an exterior building face.
Immune enhancement of pulmonary clearance of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae.

BALB/c mice systemically immunized by intraperitoneal injection with whole, viable cells of two different strains of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) exhibited a markedly enhanced ability to clear the homologous strain of NTHI from the lower respiratory tract. Immunization did not influence the number of phagocytic cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage from mice before or after intrapulmonary challenge with NTHI. Immunization also induced the synthesis of relatively large quantities of NTHI-directed antibodies which were detectable in both the bloodstream and the alveolar spaces of the lung. Radioimmunoprecipitation and Western blot (immunoblot) analyses indicated that these antibodies were directed against both the proteins and lipooligosaccharide (LOS) in the NTHI outer membrane. Bactericidal and opsonophagocytic assays determined that the NTHI-directed antibodies in the serum were functional and able to kill or opsonize the homologous NTHI strain. Mice immunized with an NTHI major outer membrane protein-LOS complex also had an increased ability to effect pulmonary clearance of NTHI. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from these animals immunized with the outer membrane protein-LOS complex contained relatively high levels of antibodies to both of these antigens. The serum from these animals also possessed bactericidal and opsonic activity against the homologous NTHI strain. These results indicate that systemic immunization can enhance the ability of experimental animals to clear NTHI from the lower respiratory tract and suggest that immunoprophylaxis of NTHI pulmonary disease may be feasible. Images
New method of studying joint kinematics from three-dimensional reconstructions of MRI data

A new method of measuring the kinematic parameters of joints has been developed. This article describes the procedure, using tarsal joints as examples. The method uses the technique of computerized three-dimensional reconstruction from magnetic resonance images, taken at regular intervals throughout a foot's range of motion. From these reconstructions, various kinematic information, such as orientation of instantaneous axes, amounts of rotation, amounts and direction of translation, and bony contact areas, is derived. The method is noninvasive and can be applied to individual subjects or patients.
Numerically well conditioned implementations of the PDA and PMA filters

New implementations of the standard Kalman filter have been developed by a number of researchers in order to minimize the undesirable effects of using finite-wordlength arithmetic. A number of extensions to the Kalman filter have also been developed for handling estimation problems with measurement and input uncertainty. It has therefore become necessary to develop implementations of these filters which are less susceptible to finite-wordlength effects. The authors introduce implementations of filters that deal with measurement and input uncertainty that are less susceptible to the effects of using finite-wordlength arithmetic than the original filters. >
Efficient content-based retrieval: experimental results

Extensive testing has shown that the bare-bones triangle inequality algorithm could be used to sharply reduce the number of images needed to be directly compared to a query image for a given distance measure, and that adding the triangle-trie for a two-stage algorithm can be used to search for matches faster than even the bare-bones triangle inequality algorithm. We have developed a method for using the triangle inequality algorithm for combinations of distance measures, thus allowing for database systems which combine flexibility and speed. There are a number of open problems concerning the various data structures and algorithms we describe: key selection, number of keys, trie depth and bin size. More generally, the statistical behavior of distance measures over different sets of images influences the behavior of all the algorithms, and this needs to be explored.