cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noise correlations of one-dimensional Bose mixtures in optical lattices

We study the noise correlations of one-dimensional binary Bose mixtures, as a probe of their quantum phases. In previous work [Phys. Rev. A 80, 023619 (2009)], we found a rich structure of many-body phases in such mixtures, such as paired and counterflow superfluidity. Here we investigate the signature of these phases in the noise correlations of the atomic cloud after time-of-flight expansion, using both Luttinger liquid theory and the time-evolving block decimation (TEBD) method. We find that paired and counterflow superfluidity exhibit distinctive features in the noise spectra. We treat both extended and inhomogeneous systems, and our numerical work shows that the essential physics of the extended systems is present in the trapped-atom systems of current experimental interest. For paired and counterflow superfluid phases, we suggest methods for extracting Luttinger parameters from noise correlation spectroscopy.
Evidence of collective charge behavior in the insulating state of ultrathin films of superconducting metals

Nonlinear I-V characteristics have been observed in insulating quench-condensed films which are locally superconducting. We suggest an interpretation in terms of the enhancement of conduction by the depinning of a Cooper pair charge density wave, Cooper pair crystal, or Cooper pair glass that may characterize this insulating regime. We propose that this is a more likely description than the Coulomb blockade or charge-anticharge unbinding phenomena.
Fabrication of high-aspect-ratio hard x-ray zone plates with HSQ plating molds

Fresnel zone plates are important x-ray diffractive optics which offer a focusing resolution approaching the theoretical limit. In hard x-ray region, the refractive indices of all the materials are close to unity, which requests thick zone plate to achieve a reasonable efficiency. It makes high-resolution zone plate extremely difficult to fabricate due to its high aspect ratio. We report a LIGA-like fabrication process employing e-beam resist HSQ as the plating mold material, which is relative simply compared with traditional processes. 1-μm-thick gold zone plates with 80-nm-wide outermost zone have been fabricated with this process.
Astronomical constraints of laser-beacon adaptive optics systems I: the tracking problem

We present an analysis of the tracking error for a laser guide star adaptive optics system with a quadrant detector using the astronomical science target as the reference source. A simple formula relating the tracking error to the SNR and the image profile in the detector plane allows the tracking error for any object and system point spread function to be computed. These calculations show that many types of faint (20 magnitude) science target objects can be used to track provided a high Strehl is achieved at 2.3 micron. This eliminates the need for an off-axis guide star. As an example of a resolved target source, we calculate the tracking error for the spiral galaxy M31 placed at distances out to 100 Mpc. For a given target object spectral energy distribution, an optimal wavelength is obtained from a signal-to-noise calculation. For a given tracking wavelength, the limiting flux is determined by the adaptive optics system's Strehl ratio at the tracking wavelength.
Parental perspectives on influenza immunization of children aged 6 to 23 months.

Background For the first time, in 2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices encouraged the vaccination of healthy children 6 to 23 months against influenza, whenever feasible. Participating inner-city health centers designed interventions to introduce influenza vaccination among this group of children. The study was designed to assess parents' attitudes toward the vaccine. Methods Following the 2002–2003 influenza vaccination season, parents were surveyed to identify barriers to and facilitators of influenza vaccination. A low-literacy level, 19-question survey was mailed to parents in three waves, 4 weeks apart. A subset of children had medical record data available to confirm vaccination status. Measures of validity were calculated. This paper focused only on the children whose parent-reported vaccination status was concordant with that reported in medical records ( n =193). Associations of responses to vaccination status were calculated in 2004, using chi-square and logistic regression procedures. Results Sensitivity was 85.7% and specificity was 66% (κ=0.50), assessing the ability of parents to recall receipt or nonreceipt of influenza vaccine. The most important factors related to immunization of healthy infants were perceived doctor's recommendation (odds ratio [OR]=5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.4–12.3; p p Conclusions A clear message that the doctor recommends influenza vaccination for a child is an important factor for ensuring vaccination, and may foster the idea that vaccination is "smart."
Same-Sex Marriage Policy: Advancing Social, Political, and Economic Justice

This article serves as an informational and resource tool on the policy topic of same-sex marriage. The authors begin by distinguishing between benefit levels of marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. Chronological and global overviews of same-sex marriage history along with a review of applicable U.S. Constitution amendments that apply to marriage recognition are included. The social, political, and economic impacts of same-sex marriage exclusion are discussed relative to advancing justice for these individuals and families. The authors conclude with advocacy strategies relative to advancing the rights of same-sex families to access federal marriage.
Calcium carbonate effects on soil textural class in semiarid wildland soils

Soils from the upper Rio Puerco watershed and El Malpais wilderness study area in New Mexico were analyzed for particle‐size distribution and classified into 1 of 12 textural classes before and after calcium carbonate (CaCO3) removal. The samples selected for analysis had a CaCO3 content of ≥ 5% by volume that represented 32% of the total study samples. All of the samples having CaCO3 changed particle‐size distribution, and 60% of those samples changed textural class following the pretreatment for CaCO3 removal. The greatest changes in particle size were from sand‐ to clay‐size fractions. Therefore, we recommend that all wildland soil samples from the semiarid Southwest be pretreated for CaCO3 removal prior to particle‐size analysis and subsequent textural classification.
Measuring spatial chirp in ultrashort pulses using single-shot Frequency-Resolved Optical Gating.

We show that the spatio-temporal distortion, spatial chirp, is naturally and easily measured by single-shot versions of second-harmonic generation frequency-resolved optical gating (SHG FROG) (including the extremely simple version, GRENOUILLE). While SHG FROG traces are ordinarily symmetrical, a pulse with spatial chirp yields a trace with a shear that is approximately twice the pulse spatial chirp. As a result, the trace shear unambiguously reveals both the magnitude and sign of the pulse spatial chirp. The effects of spatial chirp can then be removed from the trace and the intensity and phase vs. time also retrieved, yielding a full description of the spatially chirped pulse in space and time.
Effect of chlorpromazine pre-treatment on the inhibition of total cholinesterases and butyryl-cholinesterase in brain of rats poisoned by physostigmine or dichlorvos

Abstract Pre-treatment of rats with chlorpromazine at a dose of 15 mg/kg i.p. 60 min before they were killed in potentiation of toxicity of physostigmine (0.5 mg/kg i.p., 20 min before killing) as evidenced by about a 2-fold increase in the inhibition of total ChE and BuChE in whole-brain preparations, as measured by a radio-isotope method. Chlorpromazine also enhanced the toxicity of dichlorvos (dimethyl-2,2-dichlorovinylphosphate) at a dose of 5 mg/kg i.p. 10 min before the rats were killed, but to a lesser extent than that of physostigmine, whereas it did not enhance it all when doses of dichlorvos (8 and 10 mg/kg) alone caused an inhibition of total ChE over 65%. Regarding the neurochemical mechanisms of potentiation of physostigmine effects by chlorpromazine, a study on discrete brain regions (cerebellum, medulla oblongata + pons, hypothalamus, striatum, midbrain, hippocampus, cerebral cortex) showed a considerable quantitative similarity of effects in various regions both as concerns total ChE and BuChE; potentiation of BuChE was slightly more pronounced than that of total ChE. Potentiation did not depend on possible antiChE effects of chloropromazine in vivo since the drug alone did not produce any inhibition of total ChE in whole brain and brain regions, and it produced only a slight inhibition of BuChE in the cerebellum, medulla oblongata + pons and midbrain, which could not explain the pronounced potentiation in all regions. The results suggest that the neurochemical mechanism of potentiation is not selectively linked to brain cholinergic systems but possibly linked to more general phenomena such as alterations in membrane permeability.
A method for isolation of milk fat globules

The traditional procedure for isolating milk fat globules involves repeated cycles of centrifuging to obtain globules and redispersion of them in fresh buffer to eliminate other milk components. We have evaluated a simpler, less manipulative method whereby globules are centrifuged out of the milk and through an overlying buffer layer. Human milk samples ranging from 0.1 to 35 ml were centrifuged at 1500×g for 20 min after deposition under a suitable quantity of buffer. This yielded purified globules, in less time, which could be dispersed more satisfactorily than those by the traditional procedure. Protein, phospholipid and cholesterol contents of globules by the two methods were quite similar. A lower protein content (10.4 vs 13.2 mg/g of lipid) was characteristic of globules prepared by the multiple wash method. However, large differences could not be seen in gel electrophoresis patterns of the proteins. By using plastic centrifuge tubes, tube freezing and cleavage just below the globule layer enables clean separation of globule and nonglobule phases for analysis of milk component distributions. Macro (5 to 35 ml of sample) and micro (200 μl or less) versions of the method are described. Limited trials showed that the method can be applied satisfactorily to cow's and goat's milks, but for highly pure globules a deeper buffer column than that used with human milk is required because of their much higher casein content.
Chemical sensing of in situ extracted organics by direct detection of mode-filtered light

A novel chemical analyzer is described in which an optical fiber is inserted into a transparent capillary tube, such that the inner diameter of the tube is only a few microns larger than the outer diameter of the fiber cladding. This configuration is referred to as a torus column. When a sample volume is introduced to the torus column at a low flow rate, propagated light is mode-filtered due to a change in the critical angle at the core/clad interface, as a result of in-situ extracted chemical species. Conventionally, chemical species extracted into the cladding are sensed as a change in the transmitted light at the end of the fiber. An alternative approach, measuring this mode-filtered light directly along the side of the fiber, is reported. The new approach has a signal-to-noise advantage over the conventional approach. The result is a low volume sensor that temporally separates, as well as detects, chemical species that partition into the fiber cladding. The temporal information enhances sensor performance, providing first order information for subsequent data analysis. We have examined the modulation of the critical angle by chemical species of interest at steady-state concentrations, and as transient concentration profiles that were shifted in time. In summary, the analyzer has chemical selectivity provided by differences in the refractive index, distribution coefficient, and transient time of the concentration profile of each chemical species in a sample. The chemical analyzer should be a promising tool for process and environmental monitoring.
Synthesis and properties of epitaxial electronic oxide thin-film materials

The growth and properties of electronic oxide thin films are reviewed. In particular, the synthesis and properties of superconducting, insulating, conducting, magnetic, and semiconducting epitaxial oxide structures are discussed. Crystal structures and functional properties common to many oxide materials are briefly reviewed. A description of film-growth techniques follows. Finally, an extensive overview of the epitaxial growth for specific oxide material systems is given. This includes the epitaxial growth of electronic oxide thin films on oxide and non-oxide substrates.
A bubble in ideal fluid with gravity

Abstract Consider an air bubble Ω 0 surrounded by ideal fluid subject to a gravity field. The bubble will evolve in time t to occupy a set Ω t ; both ωt and the velocity field of the fluid outside Ω t are to be determined. The mathematical formulation of this classical free boundary problem is well known, but there do not seem to be any existence theorems in the literature. In this paper we consider the problem in two dimensions and for axially symmetric data in three dimensions, under a simplified “quasi-stationary” assumptions in both cases. We prove existence, uniqueness, and regularity of the solution (including regularity of the free boundary ∂Ω t ) for a small time interval.
Cellular strain amplifies LPS-induced stress signaling in immature enterocytes: potential implications for preterm infant NCPAP

Cellular strain amplifies LPS-induced stress signaling in immature enterocytes: potential implications for preterm infant NCPAP
Checking for comprehension: mastering teach-back techniques.

UNLABELLED Patients frequently misunderstand or cannot apply health information they receive from health professionals. Certain populations-particularly individuals with limited English skills or limited education-pose an additional challenge. The average American only reads and speaks at an eighth- or ninth-grade level, yet we assume patients understand basic health care vocabulary. Those with limited health literacy skills may have a poor understanding of their chronic diseases, manage their health poorly, have lower health status, and have a greater probability of hospitalization. Checking for comprehension is critical. The "teach-back" technique is akin to having someone repeat back road directions so you can confirm they will reach their destination using your directions. Teach-back is a three-part process: 1) assess comprehension, 2) offer feedback, and 3) re-evaluate comprehension. Several videos and Web sites are available to walk professionals through this process. PROBLEM When I talk to patients and their families, I often feel like the information I give them goes in one ear and out the other. Recently, our administrators talk about "teach-back." What is this, and how is it best used?
On a refinement of the theory of the moon's physical librations

The standard formulation of the dynamics of physical librations of the Moon is re-examined in the light of currently accepted reduced estimates of the mechanical ellipticity of the lunar equator. It is seen that a more complete mathematical model is required which accounts for centrifugal couples and in which the sum of inclinations of lunar orbit (5°9′) and equator (1°30′) is not regarded as an infinitesimal quantity. Although it remains doubtful whether linearized differential equations can be expected to yield a quantitatively useful theory, a preliminary to more accurate calculation consists in analyzing the motion with fewer restrictions than has been customary. The main features of such a treatment are given which unify the classical analysis by showing how the afore-mentioned inclinations can be used to estimate the two principal mass parameters that affect physical librations. When accurate short-period libration data become available, the constants in question can be evaluated without recourse to orbital data used in the past.
Toward a Culturally Competent Restorative Justice Practice Framework: A Focus on Asian Americans

This article suggests a culturally competent restorative justice practice framework for Asian Americans. In developing the framework, the historical development and contemporary issues of restorative justice in the West are explored, and the salient cultural traits and core elements of cultural competence with Asians and Asian Americans are examined. Tentative principles are advanced and recommendations are made for developing a culturally competent restorative justice practice framework for this cultural group, who now constitute 4.4% of the American populace, and for whom harmony in interpersonal relationships and the power of shaming are key considerations.
HRI 2010 late-breaking reports chairs' welcome

This year's Human Robot Interaction Conference (HRI 2010) welcomed contributions from the research community in the form of late-breaking reports. The LBR track invites broad participation and provides researchers with a peer-reviewed, archival medium to present preliminary, ongoing research and discuss research-related, social, and organizational issues concerning human-robot interaction.
Ethanol induction of complete heart block in swine.

Objectives A method for the induction of complete heart block (CHB) by ethanol injection and its success rate in a pig model of acute right ventricular failure is reported. Additionally, a review of the literature for the induction of CHB in laboratory animals is detailed. The literature review was undertaken to both compare our rate of success with other methods and provide insight into our technique and refine its implementation. Background Animal models of CHB have facilitated the understanding of therapeutics for various cardiac pathologies in humans. In our laboratory, CHB in pigs is used for complete control of heart rhythm in studies of biventricular pacing. Materials and methods Experiments carried out on pigs in our laboratory that required the induction of CHB were reviewed retrospectively. In addition, review of the literature for creating CHB in animals was undertaken. Our success rate was compared to that of other groups. Results Our success rate (93%) is similar to other models of CHB, in general, and to those models that used the injection of caustic substances with thoracotomy. Conclusions Review of the literature indicates that our success rate is comparable to other groups and that, although many approaches have been described in both open- and closed-chest models, success is likely dependent on the practice and skill of the experimenter. In addition, review of the literature has afforded us new perspectives on the experimental induction of CHB.
On the Distributions of Certain Spacings

A characterization of the uniform distribution based on distributions of spacings is presented which extends the existing result in this direction. Also, a result on the distribution of spacings for distributions close to the uniform one is discussed.
Thermal conductivity of superconducting lead-indium alloys near the upper critical field

Abstract The thermal conductivity of a series of lead/indium alloys was measured in the normal, superconducting and mixed states. The electronic part of the thermal conductivity near the upper critical field was compared with the theory of Caroli and Cyrot. There is good agreement in the dirty limit but large deviations are observed as the indium concentration is reduced.
Crystals, inflammation, and osteoarthritis.

Purpose of review Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) and basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals are common components of osteoarthritic joint fluids and tissues. Why these crystals form and how they contribute to joint damage in osteoarthritis remain unclear. With renewed interest in inflammation as a key component of osteoarthritis the role of calcium-containing crystals in this common disease warrants re-examination. Recent findings There is ample evidence supporting a pathogenic role for inflammation in osteoarthritis, and the innate immune system likely participates in this inflammatory process. Recent work reinforces the almost universal existence of calcium-containing crystals in tissues from patients with end-stage osteoarthritis. Calcium-containing crystals may contribute to inflammation in osteoarthritis tissues through their direct interactions with components of the innate immune system, as well as by inducing or amplifying other inflammatory signals. Summary There is increasing evidence that calcium-containing crystals contribute to osteoarthritis and their inflammatory properties may mediate detrimental effects through innate immunity signals. Calcium-containing crystals may thus represent important therapeutic targets in osteoarthritis.
The influence of preschool teacher's beliefs on young children's conceptions of reading and writing

Directors of two preschool programs were interviewed regarding their orientations toward reading and writing instruction. Ten children from each program were interviewed regarding their conceptions of reading and writing. One school was found to have a “mastery of specific skills/text-based” orientation, and the other was found to have a “holistic/reader-based” orientation. A relationship was found between preschool program's orientations toward reading and writing instruction and children's ideas about reading and writing. The relationships between preschool practices and children's conceptions are examined. Implications for the influence of preschool teacher's beliefs and instructional decisions on children's conceptions of reading and writing are discussed.
Dominance of the spin-wave contribution to the magnetic phase transition in FeRh

Density functional calculations are performed to investigate the phase transition in FeRh alloy. The effective exchange coupling, the critical temperature of magnetic phase transition, and the adiabatic spin wave spectrum have been obtained. Different contributions to the free energy of different phases are estimated. It has been found that the antiferro-ferromagnetic transition in FeRh occurs mostly due to the spin wave excitations.
An Evolutionary Approach to Product Growth Theory

The continuing controversy about the product life cycle (PLC) concept may indicate that the concept, while useful, is inadequate to explain the entire phenomenon of product growth and proliferation...
Migraine pain, meningeal inflammation, and mast cells.

Migraine pain has been attributed to an episode of local sterile meningeal inflammation and the subsequent activation of trigeminal primary afferent nociceptive neurons that supply the intracranial meninges and their related large blood vessels. However, the origin of this inflammatory insult and the endogenous factors that contribute to the activation of meningeal nociceptors remain largely speculative. A particular class of inflammatory cells residing within the intracranial milieu, known as meningeal mast cells, was suggested to play a role in migraine pathophysiology more than five decades ago, but until recently the exact nature of their involvement remained largely unexplored. This review examines the evidence linking meningeal mast cells to migraine and highlights current experimental data implicating these immune cells as potent modulators of meningeal nociceptors’ activity and the genesis of migraine pain.
Photocurrents of cone photoreceptors of the golden‐mantled ground squirrel.

1. Visual transduction in photoreceptors of the ground squirrel, Citellus lateralis, was studied by recording membrane current from individual cones in small pieces of retina. 2. Brief flashes of light produced transient reductions of the dark current; saturating response amplitudes were up to 67 pA. A flash strength of about 11,000 photons microns-2 at lambda max was required to give a half-saturating response. The stimulus-response relation was well fitted by an exponential saturation curve. Responses below 20% of maximum behaved linearly. 3. The response to a dim flash in most cells had a time to peak of 20-30 ms and resembled the impulse response of a series of five low-pass filters. 4. The variance of the dim-flash response amplitude put an upper limit of 80 fA on the size of the single photon response. Estimates based on the effective collecting area suggest the single photon response to be of the order of 10 fA. 5. Flash responses of squirrel cones usually lacked the undershoot observed in primate cones, although in about 1/3 of the cells a small undershoot developed during recording. 6. Background lights slightly shortened the time to peak of the flash response and reduced the integration time. 7. Spectral sensitivity measurements showed two classes of cones with peak sensitivities at about 520 and 435 nm. Rod sensitivity peaked near 500 nm. Spectral univariance was obeyed by all three classes of cells. 8. The shapes of the spectral sensitivity curves of the rod and both types of cones were similar to each other when plotted on a log wave number scale, but differed significantly from similar plots of monkey and human cone spectra. 9. The kinetics and sensitivity of flash responses of the blue- and green-sensitive cones were indistinguishable.
Scaling theory of pore growth in a reactive solid.

Pores in a reactive solid are modeled as a randomly selected fraction p of the bonds of a lattice. Solid bonds adjacent to the open porosity are consumed, leading to the opening of previously closed pores. Just above the pore percolation threshold ${p}_{c}$, exact analysis of the Bethe lattice indicates that the solid is consumed in a time ${t}_{0}$\ensuremath{\sim}ln[ln(1/\ensuremath{\epsilon})], where \ensuremath{\epsilon}=p-${p}_{c}$. A scaling argument, supported by computational results, gives ${t}_{0}$\ensuremath{\sim}ln(1/\ensuremath{\epsilon}) for finite-dimensional lattices. Aspects of the time-varying morphology of the solid are examined analytically and computationally.
Relaxation Effects in Para - and Ferromagnetic Resonance

Magnetic resonance experiments have been carried out at 3-cm wavelength in para-magnetic and ferromagnetic samples at very high microwave power levels, in a temperature range between 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and 700\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Changes in the microwave susceptibility and the dc magnetization have been observed for microwave amplitudes between 1 and 50 oersted.For a para-magnetic salt, MnS${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}4${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O, these changes are readily interpreted in terms of a spin-lattice relaxation mechanism. The value for the spin-lattice relaxation time is derived in three different ways and agrees well with that obtained by Gorter's nonresonant method.When a large exchange interaction occurs between the spins, the situation above the Curie point can be described in terms of a conversion of magnetic into exchange energy. The magnetic and the spin-exchange systems are not always in thermal equilibrium. The characteristic time for the transfer of energy between these systems is equal to the inverse of the line width, which is given by the Van Vleck-Anderson formula for exchange narrowing. Experimental results for an organic free radical and some ferrites confirm this point of view.Below the Curie temperature the situation is more complicated. The experimental data for several ferrites and supermalloy show qualitatively the same behavior.The absorbed magnetic energy is again converted into exchange energy with a characteristic time which is always shorter than 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec. At high temperatures this time is equal to the inverse line width and the transition to the para-magnetic region is continuous. At low temperatures the relaxation time increases roughly inversely proportional to the temperature although the width remains constant. The microwave susceptibility has an anomalous decrease at high power levels. No satisfactory explanation has been found for these effects in existing theories.
Implications of Three-Step Swimming Patterns in Bacterial Chemotaxis

We recently found that marine bacteria Vibrio alginolyticus execute a cyclic three-step (run-reverse-flick) motility pattern that is distinctively different from the two-step (run-tumble) pattern of Escherichia coli. How this novel, to our knowledge, swimming pattern is regulated by cells of V. alginolyticus is not currently known, but its significance for bacterial chemotaxis is self-evident and will be delineated herein. Using a statistical approach, we calculated the migration speed of a cell executing the three-step pattern in a linear chemical gradient, and found that a biphasic chemotactic response arises naturally. The implication of such a response for the cells to adapt to ocean environments and its possible connection to E. coli's response are also discussed.
Investigation of Grinding Fluid Supply Parameters on Workpiece Surface Integrity

The grinding heat directly affected workpiece surface in the grinding process and it might produce some defects such as crack and burn. Meanwhile wear debris generated in the grinding process could easily embed grinding wheel blowhole and caused clogging and passivation. So it was particular important to avoid defects and improve the grinding workpiece surface integrity effectively. This paper established an incompressible turbulent fluid spray model based on the study of the existing airflow and the grinding fluid distribution in the grinding zone. Then according to different grinding fluid supply parameters established the two-phase gas liquid spray flow model by using CFD(computational fluid dynamics), simulated and calculated the model, compared the mass flow rate of the grinding fluid flow field with different spray distances, heights, speeds and spray angles in the grinding zone and determined the most reasonable spraying jet position. At the last, through researching on the workpiece surface integrity experiment, it provided an experimental basis to determine the most suitable spray jet position and verify the rationality of supply parameters selection.
A simple test for detecting non‐linear trend

A test statistic for detecting the presence of a non-linear trend in a sequence of independent observations is proposed. The test is useful for determining when the use of the non-parametric slope estimator as a summary of the trend is appropriate. The asymptotic normality of the test is established and simulation results indicate its accuracy for practical applications. An example is used to illustrate the test.
The structure of singular spaces of dimension 2

In this paper, we study the structure of locally compact metric spaces of Hausdorff dimension 2. If such a space has non-positive curvautre and a local cone structure, then every simple closed curve bounds a conformal disk. On a surface (a topological manifold of dimension 2), a distance function with non-positive curvature and whose metric topology is equivalent to the surface topology gives a structure of a Riemann surface. The construction of conformal disks in these spaces uses minimal surface theory; in particular, the solution of the Plateau Problem in metric spaces of non-positive curvature.
Polymer chain collapse near the lower critical solution temperature

Abstract We report for the first time by computer simulations, evidence of polymer chain collapse near a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Continuous space, Monte Carlo simulations have been performed on freely jointed, Lennard-Jones chains in a LJ monomeric solvent with symmetric energetics. The LCST phase boundary and associated chain collapse in the supercritical solvent region has been established for chains of size 20. This Letter focuses on why the chain collapses near a LCST.
Phosphomannose isomerase/GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase from Pyrococcus furiosus: a thermostable biocatalyst for the synthesis of guanidinediphosphate-activated and mannose-containing sugar nucleotides

Herein we present an analysis of the chemical function of a recombinant bifunctional phosphomannose isomerase/GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (manC) from Pyrococcus furiosusDSM 3638 and its use in the synthesis of guanidinediphospho-hexoses and a range of nucleotidediphospho-mannoses. This enzyme is unusually promiscuous in both its nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) and sugar-1-phosphate acceptance. It accepts all five naturally occurring NTPs (ATP, CTP, GTP, dTTP and UTP) and a range of sugar-1-phosphates (glucose-, mannose-, galactose-, glucosamine-, N-acetylglucosamine- and fucose-1-phosphate). A truncated GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase domain of the whole length enzyme showed almost 100-fold less sugar nucleotidyltransferase activity with only GTP and mannose 1-phosphate as substrates. The temperature stability and inherently broad substrate tolerance of this archaeal enzyme make it an effective reagent for the rapid chemoenzymatic synthesis of a range of natural and unnatural sugar nucleotides that are challenging to make by chemical means alone.
Grating diffraction of blends involving NLO random copolymers

Dielectrophoresis can be employed to create a grating-like microstructure in phase-separated polymer blends. Typically, this process produces a morphology of pearl chain-like and/or elongated column-like entities spaced rather regularly throughout a matrix. In addition, these microstructures are generally waving and not uniform in terms of column size, shape, and spacing; i.e., they lack periodicity. Our recent work shows that it is possible to obtain an improved quality of elongated column-like entities in field-modified blend films. In this study, a nonlinear optically active (NLO) random copolymer, with hyperpolarizable chromophores as side groups, is mixed with a linear optical (LO) polymer. Important blend parameters, such as blend composition, polymer concentration, molecular weights of dispersed phase and matrix phase, and electric field strength, are carefully controlled to optimize the periodicity of the field-modified microstructure. The resulting unique morphology is capable of creating a grating diffraction pattern from light at 632.8 nm.
The use of natural plant volatile compounds for the control of the potato postharvest diseases, black dot, silver scurf and soft rot

Abstract Many naturally occurring plant volatile compounds are known for their anti-fungal properties. In this study, acetaldehyde and 2 E -hexenal were chosen as prototype volatiles in order to investigate the use of volatile compounds for control of blemish pathogens in fresh-pack potato packaging. Pure cultures of the three main potato blemish pathogens, Pectobacterium atrosepticum (bacterial soft rot), Colletotrichum coccodes (black dot), and Helminthosporium solani (silver scurf), were used in the study. Pathogen cultures were exposed to the pure volatiles that were injected into the atmosphere of sealed jars for 4–8 days at 23 °C. Results showed that 2 E -hexenal was the most effective of the two volatiles with 5 μL/L providing complete inhibition of growth for all three pathogens in vitro . Cytological studies showed that a concentration of 2.5 μL/L of 2 E -hexenal was capable of inhibiting germination in both fungal pathogens. These results suggest that the primary mode of action of 2 E -hexenal was inhibiting germination for fungi and suppressing bacterial growth. The quantities required to achieve pathogen inhibition are extremely low. This study suggests that these volatiles may be used to effectively manage potato postharvest blemish diseases in storage.
Bone targeted drugs: 2. Synthesis of estrogens with hydroxyapatite affinity

Abstract The utility of the bone targeting 4-carboxy-3-hydroxy-1,2-pyrazole heterocycle was tested by the synthesis of hybrids with the non-steroidal estrogen hexestrol. Compounds 1 and 2 demonstrated significant hydroxyapatite affinity, while maintaining weak estrogenic activity in whole cell assays.
The E. coli ffh gene is necessary for viability and efficient protein export

HOMOLOGUES of the gene encoding the 54K (Mr 54,000) subunit of the mammalian signal recognition particle have been identified in different organisms1–5. The Escherichia coli homologue, termed ffh (for fifty-four homologue), specifies a protein (Ffh) that shares many properties with its eukaryotic counterpart, including association with mammalian 7S RNA6 and the ability to bind signal sequences specifically7,8. Ffh also associates with E. coli 4.5S RNA, showing that it can form a ribonucleoprotein complex in prokaryotes6,9,10. These results are intriguing because extensive genetic and biochemical characterization of E. coli failed to identify a signal recognition particle-like mechanism for protein export11. Here we address this issue directly by construction of a strain in which ffh expression is arabinose-dependent. Results of depletion experiments indicate that Ffh is important in protein translocation.
Adult life span as a function of age at maturity

Abstract A regression analysis was made of age at first reproduction in female mammals, as a function of body weight, using the data of Wootton. Data on maximal life span, also expressed as a function of body weight, were used to calculate “adult” life span, wherever possible, by subtracting the cognate value for age at first reproduction. Then a regression analysis of adult life span as a function of age at first reproduction was made. In both cases global regression lines (i.e., for whole data sets) were computed by standard least squares and by a robust method, as well as local regression lines for subgroups classified by taxonomic and ecological criteria. The slopes of the various regression lines were found to vary widely as a function of the method of classification. This result argues against the notion that the ratio of life history variables is a constant, or that one life history variable is likely to be a simple function of another. The results for bats are anomalous, in that age at first reproduction appears to be independent of body weight (over about two orders of magnitude). It is concluded that a full understanding of life history variables, such as maximal life span and age at maturity, is likely to depend on combined physiological, ecological, and evolutionary insights.
Reburning for Cyclone Boiler N0x Control

Recent pilot-scale testing cosponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Gas Research Institute (GRI) indicates that reburning can reduce NOx emissions by 40-60 percent in cyclone boilers when pulverized coal (PC), oil, or natural gas is used as the reburn fuel. The pilot tests, performed at the Babcock and Wilcox (B&W) Alliance Research Center using a six million Btu/h cyclone-fired pilot-scale furnace, were designed to confirm and expand upon the conclusions of an earlier B&W feasibility study. That study predicted reburning could reduce NOx by 50 percent in most cyclone boilers now in operation.
Higher-order functional programming and wildcards in java

Despite the absence of first-class functions in Java, it is possible to program in the style of functional languages like ML or Haskell using the new capabilities in Java 1.5. We show how to use generic classes to program higher-order functions and how this interacts with object-oriented programming. We also show the necessity of the wildcard construct in Java and reveal several pitfalls. We conclude that the constructs in Java do not permit a functional framework that is completely compatible with object-oriented programming.
The sizes of particulate trace elements in the atmosphere--a review.

Size distributions of 38 trace elements reported in the literature over the past two decades have been summarized. Those elements with aerodynamic mass median diameter less than 2 μm generally have bimodal distributions: the dominant peak occurs in the range 0.5-1 μm, with a smaller peak at about 3-5 μm. Elements with larger mass median diameter have a single peak, with relatively little mass below 1 μm. Overall, the individual distributions of many of the elements are surprisingly consistent, despite different sampling locations, time periods, and experimental methods.
Non-Pharmacologic Interventions to Improve the Sleep of Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES Despite the known adverse effects of sleep deprivation on recovery from illness, studies have shown that sleep deprivation remains an incompletely addressed problem among acutely ill inpatients. Behavioral interventions are recommended as first-line therapy prior to using pharmacologic therapy due to the side effects of sedative hypnotics. The objective of this systematic review was to identify non-pharmacologic interventions that have been used to improve sleep quality and quantity of non-intensive care unit (ICU) inpatients.
The nucleation-release model of actin filament dynamics in cell motility

The actin cytoskeleton is intimately involved in the motile behaviour of animal cells. The structure and dynamic behaviour of actin and its binding proteins have been intensively studied in vitro over the past several decades, culminating in achievements such as an atomic model of the actin filament. Despite this progress, it is not yet clear how the behaviour of these purified proteins in vitro relates to the dynamic behaviour of actin inside living, moving cells. Here we discuss a new model that relates the known dynamic parameters for pure actin to the observed behaviour of actin filaments inside motile cells.
An unexpected copper catalyzed ‘reduction’ of an arylazide to amine through the formation of a nitrene intermediate

Azido nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) was observed to undergo a ‘reduction’ reaction in the absence of an obvious reducing agent, leading to amine formation. In the presence of an excess amount of DMSO, a sulfoxide conjugate was also formed. The ratio of these two products was both temperature- and solvent-dependent, with the addition of water significantly enhancing the ratio of the ‘reduction’ product. Two intermediates of the azido-NBD reaction in DMSO were trapped and characterized by low-temperature EPR spectroscopy. One was an organic free radical (S=1/2) and another was a triplet nitrene (S=1) species. A mechanism was proposed based on the characterized free radical and triplet intermediates.
Canola and sunflower meal in beef cattle diets.

It is apparent from the limited research that sunflower meal is a biologically and economically useful protein source for growing and finishing cattle. Similarly, beef cows can be provided supplemental protein effectivelywith sunflower meal. Sunflower meal may be especially useful in diets where degradable protein is required, such as lower quality forage or high corn finishing rations. The increased bulk of this relatively high fiber meal may affect logistics, but ruminants are positioned to be more tolerant of high fiber levels than other species. Additional research is warranted to evaluate practical and economic aspects of using sunflower meal in beef cattle diets. Canola meal appears to be a good source of supplemental protein for beef cattle. The ruminal escape value is similar to soybean meal with some variation due to processing plant, canola variety, and other conditions. Canola meal is an effective supplement for nursing calves, growing and finishing cattle, and beef cows. Decisions on the use of canola meal in beef cattle operations should be based on cost and availability of competing protein supplements.
Embryonic morphogenesis signaling pathway mediated by JNK targets the transcription factor JUN and the TGF‐β homologue decapentaplegic

The dorsal surface of the Drosophila embryo is formed by the migration of the lateral epithelial cells to cover the amnioserosa. The Drosophila cJun-N-terminal kinase (DJNK) is essential for this process. Mutations in DJNK or the DJNK activator hemipterous (HEP) lead to incomplete dorsal closure, resulting in a hole in the dorsal cuticle. The molecules downstream of DJNK in this signaling pathway have not been established. Here we demonstrate that the basket1 (bsk1) mutation of DJNK causes decreased interaction with DJUN. Expression of decapentaplegic (DPP), a TGF-β homologue, in the leading edge of the dorsal epithelium, is identified as a genetic target of the JNK pathway. A constitutive allele of JUN is able to rescue the dorsal closure defect of bsk1 and restores DPP expression. Furthermore, ectopic DPP rescues the defects in dorsal closure caused by bsk1. These data indicate that the interaction of DJNK with DJUN contributes to the dorsal closure signaling pathway and targets DPP expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 67:1–12, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dedicated operating room for trauma: a costly recommendation.

Background: A dedicated operating room (OR) for urgent trauma cases is suggested by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma as a necessary component of a Level I or II trauma center. We describe a cost analysis of this recommendation. Methods: Two models for staffing urgent trauma cases were constructed. Urgent trauma cases were defined as those taken to the OR within 30 minutes of arrival. In one model the OR was available 24 hours a day with in-hospital personnel. The second model used an out-of-hospital call schedule, assuming a patient-ready OR in 30 minutes. Costs and revenue per urgent case were calculated. A break-even analysis shows the number of cases required for costs to equal revenue. Results: In the 24-hour model, the cost/urgent case is $14,288; in the call-schedule model $3,243. The number of cases to break even in the 24-hour model is 1210; in the call-schedule model 375. Conclusions: A call-schedule model is the least costly way to staff an OR for urgent trauma cases.
Transcription of Dinucleosomal Templates

Nucleosomes and the chromatin structures they assemble provide the architectural foundation for the transcription process. We describe the use of reconstituted chromatin templates assembled using purified histones and HMGs to investigate the significance of chromatin structure for transcription. Our structural assays include sucrose gradient fractionation, nucleoprotein gel analysis, micrococcal nuclease digestion, DNase I and hydroxyl radical cleavage mapping of nucleosome position, and determination of nucleosome mobility. We determine the consequences of incorporation of linker histones or HMG1 on the properties of the nucleosome and the transcription process. Our results indicate that linker histones and HMG1 can direct the positioning of core histone-DNA interactions, restrict nucleosome mobility, and repress transcription.
Passive Towed Array Shape Estimation Using Heading and Acoustic Data

This paper addresses the problem of array shape estimation for passive towed sonar systems during platform maneuvers. Directional noise fields due to distant shipping lanes can be exploited as sources of opportunity for online array shape calibration. In this paper, a nonparametric noise field model is used to form field directionality maps for time-varying array shapes to exploit point and spatially spread sources. This formulation requires neither the number nor location of sources in the field to be known or estimated. Using acoustic data, a maximum-likelihood array shape estimate is derived where the shape is modeled as a polynomial in heading. Additionally, a method for fusing the shape estimate with heading sensor data is introduced. Heading sensors may permanently fail or suffer from high levels of noise during turns; thus acoustic data can be used to compensate for malfunctioning heading sensors during turns. The combined estimate is filtered using a dynamical model that is valid for sharp turns and accounts for motion of the array perpendicular to tow heading. Multisource simulations are used to demonstrate the performance of the acoustic-based estimate and robustness of the combined estimate.