cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Search for Meaning

IT is CHARACTERISTIC of our time and our country that words have largely lost their meaning. Subject to a degree of inflation compared with which prices look moderate, they have been over-used-in print, in type, in speech. Advertisers vying with advertisers, broadcasters with broadcasters, and each with the other, employ epithets swelling to bursting. Writers with a real regard for language attempt to make it over, each in his own way. Educators advise, "Avoid using it if you possibly can." What about us-ordinary men and women without a profession? Not only do we constantly see and hear practically without awareness, but we talk that way too. The words, the phrases, the rhythm, the slang come without thinking, and go without meaning. A kind of treadmill culture seems to compel superficial response to each and every pressure, even when, as often as not, the pressures cancel out completely, like the coinciding crest and trough of advancing waves from different centers. But rightly used, words are the single form of expression that we have in common, the channel to ourselves and our universe and each other. Time is needed to use them rightly, and also tranquility. And when we have no tranquility, neither do we have time in any sense that counts. Our culture has conspired to take both. Its tendency to make us spectators, or even less, while the work of the world is done by specialists (of whom we may even be one) and propagated by machines, gives us a thinner and thinner surface on which to skate through the motions of living. We become more and more abstractly critical of events with which we have no contact and for which we feel little or no responsibility. The large mass of us have become a kind of epiphenomenon without whom business as usual, pleasure as usual, life would go on-as usual. Or not quite. The mechanism runs faster and faster. And the word? The thought? The search for meaning? These tend to disappear as words are devalued. We begin to fear a run away machine that presently will come to grief. "Can we stop it?" we suddenly ask in consternation. First we must get back time. Time for words to have meaning, above all meaning for ourselves. It may be we know this as prayer. And it may be the ancient, far-seeing Wisdom enjoined us to pray lest thought perish
Nutritional impact on the canine colonic microstructure and function

Abstract The concept that diet may alter colonic microstructure and that subsequent structural changes may produce differences in the colonic absorptive-secretory process was investigated in mongrel dogs. Effects of two commercial dog foods, a canned, meat-base diet and a dry, cereal-base diet, were studied. Scanning electron micrographs suggested marked differences in colonic microstructure between diets. A quantitative assessment of surface area to mucosal volume ratio, by light microscopy, showed that dogs fed the meat-base diet had the higher ratio, suggesting greater absorptive area. Alterations in colonic microstructure were reflected in altered colonic electrolyte flux. Transport of sodium and organic acids were statistically different between dietary treatments. Acetate represented the largest portion of organic acids absorbed. The results suggest that, in dogs, colonic structure and function is influenced by the diet.
Service failures in online double deviation scenarios: justice theory approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify types of service failures in a double deviation scenario within the contexts of online retailing.Design/methodology/approach – Critical incident technique; customer complaints to online third parties; and four‐factor justice dimensionality.Findings – Findings of this paper show distinctive sets of service failures in two separate service failure stages of double deviation (i.e. the initial service failure and recovery failure stages) within online retailing. Initial service failures mainly reflect cognitive issues generated from an online‐specific store atmosphere and threaten distributive or procedural justice perceptions. In comparison with distributive and procedural justice perceptions still being dominant, service failures in the recovery failure stage consist of interpersonal and emotional issues generated from customer‐company interactions, threatening interpersonal justice perceptions.Originality/value – This paper contributes to broadening the cu...
Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Pancreatic Cancer–Associated Diabetes Mellitus

Background & Aims: Information on the clinical profile of pancreatic cancer (PaC) associated diabetes (DM) is limited. We compared the prevalence and clinical characteristics of DM in subjects with and without PaC. Methods: We prospectively recruited 512 newly diagnosed PaC cases and 933 controls of similar age, who completed demographic and clinical questionnaires and had fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels measured at recruitment and after pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 105). Subjects with a FBG level >126 mg/dL or who were on antidiabetic treatment were classified as having DM. Results: DM was more prevalent (47% vs 7%; P P = .002) among cases compared with controls. Among PaC cases, those with DM (n = 243) were older (68 ± 10 vs 64 ± 12 years; P 2 ; P P P = .009). Conclusions: PaC is a powerful diabetogenic state; DM associated with PaC is often new-onset, resolves following cancer resection, and appears to be associated with conventional risk factors for DM. New-onset DM in patients with PaC is likely induced by the tumor.
Efficient one-pot synthesis and loading of self-assembled amphiphilic chitosan nanoparticles for low-leaching wood preservation

a b s t r a c t A simple, one-step and one-pot method was used to synthesize amphiphilic self-assembling chitosan- g-PMMA nanoparticles (∼100 nm diameter by SEM, but ∼150-200 nm in water by DLS), containing ∼25-28 wt.% (∼82-93% capture efficiency) of the fungicide tebuconazole. The matrix composition was selected to be environmentally low impact, while the nanoparticle preparation conditions were designed to ensure the nanoparticles were sufficiently small to be able to penetrate the pit pairs of solid wood. These nanoparticles were delivered into southern pine sapwood blocks at target fungicide retentions of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 kg tebuconazole/m3wood. SEM analysis of a 19 mm × 19 mm × 455 mm nanoparticle- treated wooden stake confirmed penetration throughout the interior of the treated stake. Leaching studies confirmed that biocide introduced into sapwood via nanoparticle carriers leached only about 9% as much fungicide as solution-treated controls, while soil jar tests showed the nanoparticle-treated wood blocks effectively protected the wood from biological decay when tested against G. trabeum, a brown rot fungus.
Spectral analysis of root-mean-square processed surface electromyography data as a measure of repetitive muscular exertion

Highly repetitive motion is associated with development of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) among industrial workers, especially when encountered concurrently with forceful exertions. Current measures of “repetitiveness” provide information about the repetitiveness of joint motion, but fail to provide complete information about the repetitiveness of muscular exertion, a more biomechanically meaningful measure of repetition. The current study introduces a novel processing technique in which surface electromyography (sEMG) data is root-mean-square processed prior to computation of the frequency spectrum. The mean power frequency of the resulting power spectrum is the proposed metric for estimation of muscular exertion frequency. The metric was compared to joint movement and applied force frequencies during a series of isometric gripping trials and an industrial simulation. Results suggest that the proposed metric has potential to be a valuable metric to estimate exposure to repetitive musc...
Valence band Landau level mixing and anisotropy in Si1−xGex investigated by resonant magnetotunneling

We report magnetotunneling measurements on strained p-Si/Si 1-x Ge x double-barrier resonant tunneling structures in fields up to 30 T. In the I(V, B∥) characteristics of the first heavy-hole peak we observe satellite resonances corresponding to tunneling with Δn=1 and Δn=2 changes in Landau index n. The relative intensity of the satellite peaks excludes scattering as a possible mechanism and we attribute the Δn=1, 2 peaks to elastic tunneling made possible by Landau level mixing. The observed strong Δn=2 mixing could arise from the large E(k⊥) anisotropy in the Si 1-x Ge x quantum well, which we probe by I(V, B⊥) measurements. From the shifts in the heavy-hole peak with in-plane B⊥ orientation we find that at large k⊥ the in-plane mass varies strongly between the (heavy) and (light) crystallographic directions
Impaired cardiorespiratory recovery after laryngeal stimulation in nicotine-exposed young lambs.

The hypothesis that postnatal nicotine exposure weakens cardiorespiratory recovery from reflex apnea and bradycardia was tested in eight lambs continuously infused with nicotine from the day of birth at a dose of 1 to 2 mg.kg(-1).d(-1). Eight age-matched lambs infused with saline served as controls. Apnea and bradycardia were elicited by laryngeal stimulation with 1 mL of water (laryngeal chemoreflex) both during air breathing [0.21 fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO(2))] and mild hypoxia (0.10 FiO(2)) at a mean postnatal age of 5 +/- 1, 14 +/- 1, and 28 +/- 1 d. Ventilation, heart rate, and blood pressure were similar in the two groups at rest. In response to laryngeal chemoreflex stimulation, nicotine-treated lambs had a more pronounced decrease in ventilation (p < 0.05), longer reflex apnea (p < 0.001 in 0.21 FiO(2); p < 0.01 in 0.10 FiO(2)), and greater reflex bradycardia (p < 0.01). During reflex apnea, sighs were less efficient in restoring heart rate to prestimulation level, and a greater decrease in heart rate was observed before sighs in nicotine-treated lambs. These effects were most apparent at 5 d of age, when nicotine-treated lambs also had lower ventilation during hypoxia (p < 0.05). The response to hyperoxia was comparable in the two groups at all ages. The ability to terminate laryngeal chemoreflex-induced apnea is attenuated in young lambs continuously exposed to nicotine. This attenuation is present both in normoxia and in hypoxia and is accompanied by reduced effects from sighing on cardiac autoresuscitation.
Decentralized learning from failure

Abstract We study decentralized learning in organizations. Decentralization is captured through Crawford and Haller's [Learning how to cooperate: optimal play in repeated coordination games, Econometrica 58 (1990) 571–595] attainability constraints on strategies. We analyze a repeated game with imperfectly observable actions. A fixed subset of action profiles are successes and all others are failures. The location of successes is unknown. The game is played until either there is a success or the time horizon is reached. We partially characterize optimal attainable strategies in the infinite horizon game by showing that after any fixed time, agents will occasionally randomize while at the same time mixing probabilities cannot be uniformly bounded away from zero.
"Caudate-Induced" Cortical Potentials: Comparison between Monkey and Cat

The segment of the internal capsule which carries axons relating to the sensorimotor cortex does not closely adjoin the caudate in the monkey as it does in the cat. Therefore, in seeking evidence for caudate-induced cortical responses, activation of the adjoining internal capsule by stimulus spread can be avoided. In the monkey, caudate stimulation never produced cortical responses, and only capsule stimulation evoked the potential complex which has been attributed to caudate stimulation in the cat.
Late gastrointestinal morbidity in patients with stage I–II testicular seminoma treated with radiotherapy

Abstract Objectives To define the incidence and risk factors for late gastrointestinal (GI) morbidity in patients with testicular seminoma treated with radiotherapy (RT). Methods and materials A retrospective review was conducted of 251 patients with stage I or II testicular seminoma treated with curative-intent RT at our institution from 1974 to 2009. All patients underwent orchiectomy and postoperative external beam RT to the involved nodal basin or at-risk nodal basin or both. Potential late GI morbidities that were assessed included endoscopically confirmed peptic ulcer disease (PUD), small bowel obstruction (SBO), and biopsy-confirmed malignancy of the GI tract. The probabilities of these GI morbidities were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analyses were performed to examine for associated predictive factors using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results Median age at diagnosis was 36 years (range 18–80). Clinical stage was I ( n = 199) or II ( n = 52). Median abdominopelvic RT dose was 26 Gy (interquartile range = 25–30). Median follow-up was 15 years (range = 0.1–38). PUD risk at 10, 20, and 30 years was 4%, 7%, and 9%, respectively. Age at diagnosis (per y, HR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.00–1.09, P = 0.04) and RT dose (per Gy, HR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.09–1.31, P P P = 0.01). Conclusions In this patient population, late GI morbidity was relatively uncommon, but clinically significant. Refinements of treatment strategies may reduce this risk.
Effect of temperature variation (22°C- 44°C) on halothane and caffeine contracture testing in normal humans

BACKGROUND Malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptibility is diagnosed using halothane-caffeine contracture testing of a muscle sample maintained at 37 degrees C. However, there has not been a systematic study that examines the effect of different temperatures on the response of normal muscle to halothane and caffeine. We hypothesized that altering bath temperature would modify the contracture responses. METHODS We obtained muscle samples from 20 patients undergoing surgical procedures of the lower extremities. The samples were dissected into 245 bundles and the bundles were exposed to halothane 3% or incremental caffeine, according to the North American MH group protocol. Several bundles from each patient were simultaneously studied at four different temperatures (22 degrees C, 30 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 44 degrees C). Each bundle was studied at only one temperature, the muscle samples of 3 patients were simultaneously studied at all four temperatures for halothane and caffeine. RESULTS Maximum contracture to caffeine (32 mM) was highest at 37 degrees C; however, at lower caffeine concentrations (2-4 mM), there was no consistent effect of temperature on contracture response. Likewise, temperature did not alter contracture responses to halothane. The extremes of temperature (22 degrees C and 44 degrees C) were associated with lack of twitch in response to electrical stimulation. For the bundles exposed to halothane at 22 degrees C, the absence of a twitch was associated with the presence of a contracture, although these were never above the diagnostic threshold. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that temperature has little effect on responses of normal muscle to halothane and caffeine.
Numerical Laplace-Fourier transform inversion technique for layered soil consolidation problems. II: Gibson soil layer

The numerical Laplace–Fourier transformation technique previously presented by the authors11 is used here for solving the consolidation problem of a finite inhomogeneous soil layer whose shear modulus is increasing linearly with depth. Parametric studies are performed and the results are critically discussed.
Phosphorus Speciation in Stream Bed Sediments from an Agricultural Watershed: Solid-Phase Associations and Sorption Behavior

The sorption behavior and solid-phase associations of phosphorus (P) in fine-grained sediments (<63 μm) from two upstream tributaries and one downstream main stem site of the Spoon River in west-central Illinois were characterized to better understand phosphorus bioavailability in this agriculturally dominated watershed. The P sorption affinities, as indicated by linear distribution coefficients (Kd), of all sediments were 330–5,150 L/kg, and negatively correlated with equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPCo) values, which ranged between 0.2 and 2.2 μM. pH values measured at the conclusion of the sorption experiments varied only slightly (7.45–8.10) but were nonetheless strongly positively correlated to EPCo values, and negatively correlated to Kd values, suggesting the importance of pH to the observed sorption behavior. Kd values were generally lower and EPCo values higher at the main stem site than at the upstream tributary sites, suggesting dissolved reactive P (DRP) bioavailability (specifically orthophosphate) increased downstream. The solid phase associations of P were operationally assessed with the streamlined SEDEX (sedimentary extraction) procedure, and most sediment P (≥50%) was released during the step designed to determine iron oxide–associated P. On average, 70–90% of the total sediment P pool was potentially bioavailable, as estimated by the sum of the iron oxide-, authigenic carbonate-, and organic-associated P fractions. Considerable calcium was also extracted from some sediments during the step designed to specifically remove iron oxide–associated P. It is hypothesized that the severe drought conditions that persisted between April and October, 2005 allowed authigenic carbonates (perhaps partly amorphous) to accumulate, and that these carbonates dissolved during the iron oxide extraction step. The extensive benthic algal populations also present may have aided carbonate precipitation, which under more normal hydrologic conditions would be periodically flushed downstream and replaced by fresh sediment. This suggests antecedent hydrologic conditions played a dominant role in the P sorption and solid phase associations identified.
Redefining Assessment as a Holistic Discovery Process

Holistic assessment provides SLPs and other educators with information about the processes that are at work when students with special language and learning needs function successfully and unsuccessfully in contexts that require interpersonal and cognitive/academic communication. SLPs and other educators can build portfolios that present holistic pictures of students' abilities in a variety of learning contexts. This paper presents three practical strategies (reading miscue analysis, holistic scoring of written stories, and dynamic assessment)for collecting, organizing, and interpreting language data that can be incorporated into a larger portfolio assessment.
Aspects of Fatigue Failure Mechanisms in Polymer Fuel Cell Membranes

The swelling-driven fatigue behavior of polymer fuel cell membranes during relative humidity (RH) cycling is investigated. In particular, swelling-induced membrane stresses are obtained from a numerical model simulating fuel cell RH cycle tests, and compared to the lifetimes obtained experimentally from tests conducted in the absence of electrochemical effects. A strong correlation between the lifetimes of the membranes in the actual tests and model results is obtained. In general, higher RH (or swelling) amplitude results in larger stress amplitudes and shorter lifetime, that is, fewer cycles to failure. Tensile stresses are needed for forming local cavities in the membrane, which may eventually lead to craze formation. Cavitation is less likely to occur in compressed membrane at high humidities. The stress–lifetime plots for polymer fuel cell membranes exhibit similar features to those observed for other polymers. The crazing criterion for polymers suggests that craze initiation during RH cycling is more likely to occur in the low compression regions, such as under the channels, which is in agreement with experimental observations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1506–1517, 2011
Determination of Equivalent Dominant Poles and Zeros Using Industrial Specifications

A graphical method and an analytical method are presented to determine the equivalent dominant poles and zeros of a system using assigned industrial specifications. A second-order transfer function with two poles and one finite zero is used to investigate the relationships between industrial specifications and the two poles and one finite zero. Also, it is used to verify the rule of the thumb obtained from Axelby's empirical results. A frequency response data matching method is proposed for fitting a low-order transfer function using the assigned industrial specifications that are obtained from a given high-order transfer function. Thus the equivalent dominant poles and zeros of a high-order system can be determined from the identified low-order model.
Recent observations on the prolonged occlusion test

This is a reiteration of the value of the prolonged occlusion test together with a table giving the author's findings over a period of years. He discounts the adverse results obtained by Abraham and by Beisbarth on the ground of inadequate procedure.
A User Approach To Image Interpretation (II) Keys With Low Altitude, Large-Scale Reconnaissance (LALSR)

As new high-detailed imaging systems develop, new keys to interpretation must also be developed, especially when distance and perspective are changed dramatically. Low altitude, large-scale reconnaissance (LALSR) imagery is close enough to the ground to eliminate many of the traditional visual cues that exist in most aerial images. The perspective involved can be compared to looking at rust on wire bristles without seeing the whole brush. Now, individual species of plants are recorded, rather than general types of vegetation. Because of increased surface detail with LALSR, a publication covering image interpretation (II) keys would be too voluminous. For this reason, a user approach to the development of II keys for LALSR appears to be more useful and economical. The user, knowing his needs and environment, can best select and create those keys which apply. The selected keys will be based on the visual cues, perspective, and scales, peculiar to LALSR. Keys of this type can be enhanced by the system operator during flights because of his proximity in the target area. The potential of this system for on-site processing also assists the user in key definition. Example projects are outlined.
Crater formation via homoepitaxy of adatoms dislodged from reducing oxide islands on metal surfaces

The reduction of ${\text{Cu}}_{2}\text{O}$ islands on Cu(100) surfaces under vacuum annealing leads to the formation of surface craters on the substrate surface surrounding the reducing oxide islands. These craters exhibit growth instability characterized by increased slope of both the inner and outer facets of the crater rims. We suggest that the crater formation and the growth instability are related to the homoepitaxial growth of Cu adatoms dislodged from the reducing ${\text{Cu}}_{2}\text{O}$ islands. Incorporation of such atomic processes in kinetic Monte Carlo simulations reproduces the morphological features of the experimentally observed craters.
Decreased coronary flow reserve after transient myocardial ischemia in dogs.

Abstract The effect of a transient (15 min) period of regional ischemia on coronary flow reserve in the postischemic myocardium was studied in 24 open chest dogs. Coronary flow was measured with electromagnetic flow probes, and flow reserve was determined during reactive hyperemia after 30 s coronary occlusions and during intracoronary infusions of adenosine. Measures of flow reserve after 15 min of ischemia were made after coronary flow returned to basal levels and flow reserve was then monitored for 1 h. All measures of coronary flow reserve were significantly reduced after transient ischemia: peak flows during reactive hyperemia and intracoronary adenosine infusions decreased by 20 and 24%, respectively, the peak/basal flow ratio by 16% and the repayment/debt ratio by 54%; minimal coronary vascular resistance during reactive hyperemia and intracoronary adenosine increased by 29 and 33%, respectively. Abnormal flow reserve was present for at least 1 h. No changes in flow reserve were detected in control animals over the same time period. Thus, a transient period of myocardial ischemia significantly decreases coronary flow reserve for a prolonged period of time. This “vascular stunning” must be considered when flow reserve is used to assess the functional significance of a coronary stenosis and could be the cause of variable exercise tolerance in patients with angina pectoris.
Objective measurement of allergic reactions in the eye.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Conjunctival allergen challenge has become a useful model of human ocular allergy and an accepted method for studying the effects of topical antiinflammatory medications. Conjunctival allergen challenge reactions are typically evaluated in a subjective fashion. Erythema and edema are graded by observation, using a 0 to 4 scale. Itching is graded on a 0 to 4 scale by questioning the subject. We have reviewed the recent literature on conjunctival allergen challenge, including recently developed methods aimed at objective assessment of ocular allergic reactions, such as the erythema, edema, sensation, or EES, method. RECENT FINDINGS Conjunctival erythema can be measured objectively using a spectroradiometer, or colorimeter, a device which measures the chromaticity of reflected light, and provides the x, or u', and y, or v', coordinates of any color. Edema of the eyelids and conjunctiva can be measured using a fractional millimeter reticule in the eyepiece of a slit lamp microscope. Ocular surface sensation can be evaluated using the aesthesiometer of Cochet and Bonnet, or by using a 'sensation index', a measurement that takes into account the intensity and duration of itching. SUMMARY CAC reactions can be measured objectively using the erythema, edema, sensation method, as well as subjectively by observation and questioning.
Physical activity related energy expenditure in children by doubly labeled water as compared with the Caltrac accelerometer.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the Caltrac accelerometer was a meaningful predictor of physical activity related energy expenditure (AEE) in free-living, pre-adolescent children. SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of 31 children (14 girls, 17 boys; 22 Caucasian, 9 Mohawk) with a mean age of 8.3 (±2.0) y. MEASUREMENTS: AEE was measured by subtracting postprandial resting metabolic rate (RMR), measured via indirect calorimetry, from total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), derived from the doubly labeled water (DLW) method. Average daily activity counts (AC) were measured using a Caltrac accelerometer, which was worn for three days, two weekdays and one weekend day, within the DLW dosing period. RESULTS: AEE was related to gender (r=0.42, P=0.02), fat mass (FM, r=0.32; P=0.07), and fat free mass (FFM, r=0.32; P=0.07), but not to AC (r=−0.09; P=0.63). After adjusting for gender, race, FM and FFM using multiple correlation regression analysis (R=0.53), AC did not significantly increase the amount of variation explained in AEE. An estimate of the calories expended in physical activity was derived from AC using a formula developed by Sallis et al. This estimate was significantly higher than AEE (956 kcal/d vs 469 kcal/d, respectively, t=5.9, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Caltrac was not a meaningful predictor of AEE in our sample. The caloric estimates of energy expended in physical activity derived from the Caltrac AC, were significantly higher in comparison with measured AEE in these free-living children.
Cocaine-Induced Reinstatement of a Conditioned Place Preference in Developing Rats: Involvement of the D2 Receptor

Reinstatement of conditioned place preferences have been used to investigate physiological mechanisms mediating drug-seeking behavior in adolescent and adult rodents; however, it is still unclear how psychostimulant exposure during adolescence affects neuron communication and whether these changes would elicit enhanced drug-seeking behavior later in adulthood. The present study determined whether the effects of intra-ventral tegmental area (VTA) or intra-nucleus accumbens septi (NAcc) dopamine (DA) D2 receptor antagonist infusions would block (or potentiate) cocaine-induced reinstatement of conditioned place preferences. Adolescent rats (postnatal day (PND 28-39)) were trained to express a cocaine place preference. The involvement of D2 receptors on cocaine-induced reinstatement was determined by intra-VTA or intra-NAcc infusion of the DA D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride (100 μM) during a cocaine-primed reinstatement test (10 mg/kg cocaine, i.p.). Infusion of sulpiride into the VTA but not the NAcc blocked reinstatement of conditioned place preference. These data suggest intrinsic compensatory mechanisms in the mesolimbic DA pathway mediate responsivity to cocaine-induced reinstatement of a conditioned place preference during development.
The enigma of helium and anomalous xenon

Abstract Isotopically anomalous xenon in chondrites is closely associated with low-Z noble gases, but there is no helium (or neon) in the noble gas component with normal xenon. The correlation of elemental and isotopic heterogeneities in meteoritic noble gases places stringent limits on the origin of isotopically anomalous elements in meteorites and on the formation of the solar system.
Spectroscopic and Morphological Evidence That IRAS FSC 10214+4724 Is a Gravitational Lens

We have obtained a 07 FWHM H image of IRAS FSC 10214+4724. This image suggests FSC 10214+4724 is an arc formed by a gravitational lens located 125 to the north. We have also obtained a coarse spectroscopic continuum of the lensing galaxy. The location and strength of a break in the continuum suggests the 4000 A break of an early type galaxy at a redshift of 0.42 ± 0.02. A galaxy 23'' south is found to have a very similar redshift of 0.429 ± 0.002. This redshift, coupled with the observed magnitude of the lensing galaxy (H = 18.45 ± 0.15, in a 2'' aperture), implies the lensing galaxy has a very plausible L* luminosity and a velocity dispersion of 210 ± 20 km s-1 (q0 = 0.5, h = 0.5). Such a lens would produce a faint counter-arc image 16 ± 02 north of the main arc. We observe such a counter-arc in our H image, indicating that FSC 10214+4724 is indeed gravitationally lensed. We find that lensing by a z = 0.42, σ ~ 210 km s-1 galaxy is a viable and probable solution to both the observed morphology and uniquely large (~1 × 1014 h-2 L☉) luminosity of FSC 10214+4724. The true (unlensed) nature of FSC 10214+4724 is likely an ultraluminous IR galaxy of ~3.7 × 1012 h-2 L☉.
Crystal Structure Prediction based on Statistical Potentials

Organic molecule crystals are becoming more and more important in applications like piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity and pigments. These properties depend on the molecule and on the crystal structure. For this reason much effort is being made to predict the crystal structure of organic molecules. We have developed a new algorithm differing mainly in three features from other approaches (simulated annealing, Monte Carlo etc.). First, we analyze just one molecule for proper symmetry operations building up the crystal; second, the program works in a discrete space; and finally the scoring function (energy function) is derived statistically from known crystal structures and tabulated. Our program computes a list of crystal structures weighted according to our scoring function. The new algorithm FlexCryst is currently implemented for the four space groups P1, Pbar1, P21, and P212121. The three latter space groups are widespread in nature. The algorithm computes structural models of acceptable quality and shows excellent time performance. During our validation we found the experimental structure among the structures proposed by the algorithm in 123 of 129 cases for P1, in 66 of 95 cases for Pbar1, in 73 of 100 cases for P21, and in 94 of 98 cases for P212121. The performance depends on the space group. In the case of P1 the run time per molecule is about two minutes and increases up to roughly one hour for the space group P21.
Three complementary definitions of polypharmacy: methods, application and comparison of findings in a large prescription database.

Purpose To develop and compare three operational definitions of polypharmacy using a large prescription database. Methods We defined Cumulative polypharmacy as all prescriptions filled during a 178 day window—which captured 95% of eventual refills as calculated from Kaplan–Meier and cumulative incidence curves. Continuous polypharmacy was all prescriptions filled in two such windows 6 months apart. Simultaneous polypharmacy was the number of prescriptions active on a particular day, as determined by fill dates and amount of medication given. We applied these definitions to the outpatient prescription files of New England veterans and compared the resulting estimates of polypharmacy using descriptive statistics. Results 118 013 patients received at least one prescription between January 1998 and July 1999. Cumulative polypharmacy averaged 3.54 (SD = 4.95) medications and continuous polypharmacy averaged 1.96 (SD = 3.23). Examination of simultaneous polypharmacy over 40 2-week intervals revealed an average of 2.63 (CI 2.61–2.65), a minimum of 1.09 (CI 1.08–1.10) and maximum of 4.94 (CI 4.92–4.96). One arbitrarily selected observation point had an average of 3.87 (SD = 3.17). Conclusions Our definitions of cumulative and continuous polypharmacy serve to set upper and lower bounds for the estimate of polypharmacy. Our method for simultaneous polypharmacy gives numbers that diverge in some respects, but it is better at showing transient changes in medications. The methods are complementary and allow exploration of various aspects of medication use, such as cumulative medication exposure over time, the influence of chronic medical problems, and the causes of rapid changes in medications. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative analysis of spherical microbubble cavity array formation in thermally cured polydimethylsiloxane for use in cell sorting applications

Microbubbles are spherical cavities formed in thermally cured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using the gas expansion molding technique. Microbubble cavity arrays are generated by casting PDMS over a silicon wafer mold containing arrays of deep etched pits. To be useful in various high throughput cell culture and sorting applications it is imperative that uniform micron-sized cavities can be formed over large areas (in(2)). This paper provides an in-depth quantitative analysis of the fabrication parameters that effect the microbubble cavity formation efficiency and size. These include (1) the hydrophobic coating of the mold, (2) the mold pit dimensions, (3) the spatial arrangement of the pit openings, (4) the curing temperature of PDMS pre-polymer, (5) PDMS thickness, and (6) the presence and composition of residual gas in the PDMS pre-polymer mixture. Results suggest that the principles of heterogeneous nucleation and gas diffusion govern microbubble cavity formation, and that surface tension prevents detachment of the vapor bubble that forms in the PDMS over the pit. Paramerters are defined that enable the fabrication of large format arrays with uniform cavity size over 6 in(2) with a coefficient-of-variation <10 %. The architecture of the microbubble cavity is uniquely advantageous for cell culture. Large format arrays provide a highly versatile system that can be adapted for use in various high-throughput cell sorting applications. Herein, we demonstrate the use of microbubble cavity arrays to dissect the cellular heterogeneity that exists in a tumorigenic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line at the single cell level.
Quasi-Resonant Nonlinear Absorption for Optical Power Limiting: solgel-Processed Er(3+)-Doped Multicomponent Silica Glass.

We demonstrate optical power limiting by what we believe to be a new mechanism of nonlinear absorption, which involves a quasi-resonant ground-state absorption that is either phonon assisted or assisted by the presence of defect sites (tail absorption). Such a mechanism provides high transmittance at low intensity yet optical limiting under cw conditions. The sample used was a novel solgel-processed Er3+-doped multicomponent silica glass. In this system the nonlinear absorption process is achieved because the resonant excited-state (4I13/2 → 4S3/2) absorption cross section is larger than the quasi-resonant ground-state (4I15/2 → 4I9/2) absorption cross section.
Full-frame programmable spectral filters based on micromirror arrays

Rapidly programmable micromirror arrays, such as the Texas Instruments Digital Light Processor (DLP®) digital micromirror device (DMD), have opened an exciting new arena in spectral imaging: rapidly reprogrammable, high spectral resolution, multiband spectral filters that perform spectral processing directly in the optical hardware. Such a device is created by placing a DMD at the spectral plane of an imaging spectrometer and by using it as a spectral selector that passes some wavelengths down the optical train to the final image and rejects others. Although simple in concept, realizing a truly practical DMD-based spectral filter has proved challenging. Versions described to date have been limited by the intertwining of image position and spectral propagation direction common to most imaging spectrometers, reducing these instruments to line-by-line scanning imagers rather than true spectral cameras that collect entire two-dimensional (2-D) images at once. Here, we report several optical innovations that overcome this limitation and allow us to construct full-frame programmable filters that spectrally manipulate every pixel, simultaneously and without spectral shifts, across a full 2-D image. So far, our prototype, which can be programmed either as a matched-filter imager for specific target materials or as a fully hyperspectral multiplexing Hadamard transform imager, has demonstrated over 100 programmable spectral bands while maintaining good spatial image quality. We discuss how diffraction-mediated trades between spatial and spectral resolution determine achievable performance. Finally, we describe methods for dealing with the DLP’s 2-D diffractive effects and suggest a simple modification to the DLPs that would eliminate their impact for this application.
Advances in process technology & IBM collaborative ecosystem for leadership power performance SOC designs

This talk will describe the recent advances in Semiconductor process technology at IBM, the open collaborative innovation ecosystem and implications to Power aware SOC designs across the entire computing space from pervasive hand held to networking & high performance platforms.
Attachment Style and the “Wicked Stepmother” Spiral

Abstract While some researchers have found that stepmothers have more difficulty than stepfathers in establishing positive relationships with their stepchildren, others have found stepmothers can, and do, have positive relationships. Stepmothers (N = 154) were surveyed to determine if adult attachment style is related to becoming a wicked stepmother. The findings indicate that attachment style does impact the likelihood to follow a downward spiral into negative relations between stepmothers and stepchildren. Particularly, stepmothers with secure and anxious attachment styles were more likely to feel inadequate in their relationships with stepchildren, while those with an avoidant style were more likely to perceive that they treat their stepchildren unfairly.
The density of low metal content rubidium, cesium, silver, and thallium borate glasses related to atomic arrangements

Reported densities from rubidium, cesium, silver, and thallium borate glasses were used in a quantitative model involving atomic arrangements. The analysis yielded the volumes of the two basic structural units present in all the glasses: three- and four-coordinated borons. The volume of a four-coordinated boron enlarges as the radius of the metal ion increases while the volumes of the three-coordinated borons for different metals are constant. Packing fractions which compare the volumes calculated from ionic radii to the values found from the density model were obtained.
Retrograde Transcatheter Coil Embolization of Congenital Coronary Artery Fistulas in Infants and Young Children

We report the success of transcatheter coil embolization of congenital coronary artery fistulas in infants and young children, primarily using a retrograde coaxial delivery system. Transcatheter coil embolization of coronary artery fistulas has been used successfully in the adult population with limited reports in the pediatric population, especially in infants. Ten patients underwent transcatheter coil embolization of congenital coronary artery fistulas between January 1993 and August 1999. The median age was 4.5 years (ranging from 5 weeks to 9.8 years). Coils were delivered exclusively using a retrograde arterial approach in 8 of 10 patients. A coaxial system was used in 8 patients. Angiography immediately after placement of coils revealed no residual shunt in any patient. Recent follow-up evaluation is available for 9 patients (median duration of follow-up, 7.9 months). Echocardiographic and clinical evaluations show complete occlusion in 8 of 9 patients. All patients are asymptomatic with normalization of chamber dimensions and coronary artery caliber. Transcatheter coil embolization of congenital coronary artery fistulas can be performed safely and successfully in infants and young children. The use of a retrograde approach and coaxial system is safe and effective and may provide better accuracy, stability and precision for placement of coils.
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

We have investigated the role of recombinant human interleukin-1β (rIL-1β) and recombinant human tumor necrosis factorα (rTNF-α) on PLA2 activity, protein synthesis and eicosanoid production in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Cellular PLA2 activity increased 4-fold and production of PGE2 increased 3-fold at 1–2 hrs in the presence of 10 units/ml rIL-1β. PLA2 activity increased 3-fold at 30 min and PGE2 production increased 2-fold with 5×10−9M rTNF-α. The data show that endothelial cells respond more rapidly to rIL-1β (2–6 hr) and rTNF-α (30 min) than do chondrocytes and synovial cells (6–16 hrs), suggesting endothelial cells may play a primary role in initiating the inflammatory response.
Dangling references in multi-configuration and dynamic PHP-based web applications

PHP is a dynamic language popularly used in Web development for writing server-side code to dynamically create multiple versions of client-side pages at run time for different configurations. A PHP program contains code to be executed or produced for multiple configurations/versions. That dynamism and multi-configuration nature leads to dangling references. Specifically, in the execution for a configuration, a reference to a variable or a call to a function is dangling if its corresponding declaration cannot be found. We conducted an exploratory study to confirm the existence of such dangling reference errors including dangling cross-language and embedded references in the client-side HTML/JavaScript code and in data-accessing SQL code that are embedded in scattered PHP code. Dangling references have caused run-time fatal failures and security vulnerabilities. We developed DRC, a static analysis method to detect such dangling references. DRC uses symbolic execution to collect PHP declarations/references and to approximate all versions of the generated output, and then extracts embedded declarations/references. It associates each detected declaration/reference with a conditional constraint that represents the execution paths (i.e. configurations/versions) containing that declaration/reference. It then validates references against declarations via a novel dangling reference detection algorithm. Our empirical evaluation shows that DRC detects dangling references with high accuracy. It revealed 83 yet undiscovered defects caused by dangling references.
Increasing hypothalamic arcuate nucleus glial peroxidase activity in aging female rats is reduced by an antiestrogen and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

AbstractProgressive arcuate glial peroxidase activity is associated with reproductive aging of the female rat. We tested the hypothesis that age-related increase of glial peroxidase activity within the arcuate nucleus and posterior periventricular area is due to endogenous estrogen and could be redu
Preventing neural tube defects: The importance of periconceptional folic acid supplements

Abstract Objective: To inform the obstetrician-gynecologist of recent scientific evidence regarding the use of supplemental folic acid for prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). Data Sources: We selected English language articles via MEDLINE published from January 1990 through February 1997, using the search terms “folic acid” and “neural tube defect.” Additional sources were identified through cross-referencing and through searching selected journals published from March through October 1997. Methods of Study Selection: Articles were selected on the basis of their relevance to the relationship between folate intake and NTD incidence, mechanisms of folate responsive NTD formation, and folate provision strategy. We referenced 55 papers in total. Tabulation, Integration, and Results: The majority of evidence demonstrates a decreased incidence of NTDs with increased folic acid consumption. The most convincing trials were performed in Europe among women who were planning pregnancy by using multivitamin or folic acid supplements. Some studies suggest that the protective effect of folate is explained, in many cases, not through correction of dietary deficiencies, but through correction of metabolic defects. Other evidence implies that it reduces NTDs by causing abortion of affected conceptuses. Supplemental folic acid tablets are the most proven means of improving an individual’s folate status, but ensuring compliance with a strategy using vitamin tablets is problematic. Conclusion: Women of reproductive age should be advised to take multivitamin supplements containing 0.4 mg folic acid daily. Women with previously affected offspring who intend to become pregnant should take daily supplementation containing 4 mg of folic acid in the periconceptional period to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Population Density and the Economics of Territorial Defense in a Coral Reef Fish

We propose that in some species, local population density can strongly affect the economic defendability of a mating territory. This is so because the numbers of females and potentially interfering males determine allocations of time and energy to reproduction and defense. At low densities, allocations to defense should be small and territorial mating success should initially rise with local density, reflecting the supply of females. If defense takes priority over mating, higher population densities can create a situation in which the time or energy devoted to defense against other males detracts from allocations to reproduction. Thus a point is reached where territorial mating success declines with increasing density, as a function of the number of nonterritorial males. We investigated these hypotheses by recording changes in the daily mating success of territorial males of the bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum) following experimental manipulations of local population size and composition. On large reefs, where mating population densities are already high, territorial mating success varied inversely with changes in overall population density and with changes in nonterritorial male numbers only; changes in female numbers had little effect. Thus at higher densities the demands of defense appear to be more important in determining mating success than the supply of available mates. Territorial mating success varied directly with population density changes only on the smallest experimental reef, where there were few nonterritorial males. The reduction of mating success at higher densities was correlated with a decrease in both the time spent in courtship and the efficiency of courtship itself. The effect of population density should be partic- ularly important in species with short breeding periods and where the male contributes relatively little time or energy to each mating.