cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Squeezing in traveling-wave second-harmonic generation.

We have analyzed squeezing of the fundamental field by means of traveling-wave, type-II phase-matched, second-harmonic generation, taking into account depletion of the fundamental field and phase mismatch between the fundamental and the harmonic fields. For the phase-matched case we show that the generated squeezing is S = 1 − γ, where γ is the harmonic conversion efficiency. In the case of a large phase-mismatch we have identified a new mechanism that generates squeezing. It is the nonlinear phase shift of the fundamental field that is due to the cascaded χ(2) nonlinearity.
The Finnish country-of-origin effect: The quest to create a distinctive identity in a crowded and competitive international marketplace

This paper discusses the efforts made by Finnish producers to emphasise the country of origin of their products in order to convey an image of innovation, quality and prestige. Finland's efforts in this area are relatively recent, dating mainly from the early 1990s. Traditionally, a producer of resource-intensive commodities—especially wood and wood products—Finland found itself facing growing competition from producers in other countries, especially emerging nations that enjoyed substantial cost advantages over Finnish producers. In response, Finland drew upon its tradition of excellence in design as well as its long-standing policy of investing heavily in education and research. It began to produce more ‘value added’ products and complemented this change in strategy by a conscious effort to make ‘made in Finland’ synonymous with superior design, quality and innovation. To successfully differentiate their wares, Finnish producers not only made intrinsic improvements to their manufactured goods but also made their Finnish provenance an important and attractive extrinsic feature. Finnish companies have been especially successful at creating brands that have a strong Finnish flavour, conveying an image of Nordic life that is progressive, responsible and technologically advanced. In this context, branding is much more than placing a name or a logo on a product. What is important is not only how the customer views the physical product but also the broader notion of how the product was conceived and produced and the values and traditions that it is perceived to embody. This paper cites a number of examples of how Finnish producers and marketers use the country-of-origin effect to differentiate and market their products. The paper, however, is mainly conceptual rather than empirical. It examines a marketing effort—supported and encouraged by the state but carried out by individual firms—but does not seek to provide a systematic overview of the extent or impact of such efforts. These are issues for future research.
Simple Suggestions for Including Vertical Physics in Oil Spill Models

Abstract Current models of oil spills include no vertical physics. They neglect the effect of vertical water motions on the transport and concentration of floating oil. Some simple ways to introduce vertical physics are suggested here. The major suggestion is to routinely measure the density stratification of the upper ocean during oil spills in order to develop a database on the effect of stratification.
RaPTEX: Rapid prototyping tool for embedded communication systems

Advances in microprocessors, memory, and radio technology have enabled the emergence of embedded systems that rely on communication systems to exchange information and coordinate their activities in spatially distributed applications. However, developing embedded communication systems that satisfy specific application requirements is a challenge due to the many tradeoffs imposed by different choices of underlying protocols and their parameters. Furthermore, evaluating the correctness and performance of the design and implementation before deploying it is a nontrivial task due to the complexity of the resulting system. This article presents the design and implementation of RaPTEX, a rapid prototyping tool for embedded communication systems, especially well suited for wireless sensor networks (WSNs), consisting of three major subsystems: a toolbox, an analytical performance estimation framework, and an emulation environment. We use a hierarchical approach in the design of the toolbox to facilitate the composition of the network stack. For fast exploration of the tradeoff space at design time, we build an analytical performance estimation model for energy consumption, delay, and throughput. For realistic performance evaluation, we design and implement a hybrid, accurate, yet scalable, emulation environment. Through three use cases, we study the tradeoff space for different protocols and topologies, and highlight the benefits of using RaPTEX for designing and evaluating embedded communication systems for WSNs.
Local-angle Domain Illumination For Full-wave Propagators

We propose an efficient split-step local plane wave decomposition method to obtain the local-angle domain (LAD) illumination in the frequency domain for full-wave propagators. For 2D model, firstly we decompose the full waves along vertical direction using 1D decomposition to separate the downgoing and upgoing waves; then apply 1D decomposition along horizontal direction to the separated downgoing or upgoing waves to get corresponding LAD illuminations. The proposed method can obtain the illumination for turning waves, refracted and reflected waves. It can be extended to 3D case with 1D decomposition along vertical direction and 2D decomposition along horizontal coordinates. We exemplify the method with directional illumination (DI) and acquisition dip response (ADR) analysis in 2D SEG/EAGE salt model. We compare the results with those from more expensive 2D local slant stack (LSS) decomposition method. The results from the proposed method are almost the same as those by the 2D decomposition method. Further we investigate the influence of multiples on the illumination strength.
Microstructural development in advanced ferritic–martensitic steel HCM12A

Abstract HCM12A is an advanced nominal 12Cr ferritic–martensitic steel designed for higher temperature operation and is under consideration for application in core components in Generation IV nuclear energy systems. This work provides information on the hardening and microstructural changes in HCM12A after irradiation using 2.0 MeV protons at 400 °C to 10 dpa and at 500 °C to 3 dpa, and using 5 MeV Ni-ions at 500 °C to 50 dpa. Following irradiation, changes in hardness were measured using Vickers hardness indentation, changes in microstructure and phase stability were studied using transmission electron microscopy, and changes in microchemistry were measured using scanning Auger microscopy and analytical electron microscopy. The hardness at 400 °C increases by roughly 70% and saturates by roughly 5 dpa. The microstructural changes contributing to this hardness increase are mainly the formation of precipitate phases. Hardness increases are much smaller at 500 °C. Chromium is enriched at grain boundaries prior to irradiation, likely due to grain boundary carbides, and increases further during irradiation at least partially due to radiation-induced segregation.
Southern Identity in Southern Living Magazine

Abstract A fantasy-theme analysis of the editors’ letters in Southern Living magazine shows an editorial vision of valuing the past and showcasing unique regional qualities. In addition, a content analysis of the visual representation of race in the magazine's formative years and recent past validates that inhabitants of the region were portrayed overwhelming as white and middle-class, even as affluence among nonwhites has changed. This analysis provides an example of how media products create and proliferate a specific representation of a place and its people. Suggestions for using mass media messages in the classroom to apply geography knowledge and research, as well as media literacy skills, are included.
Resummation and the gluon damping rate in hot QCD

Abstract At high temperature a consistent perturbative expansion requires the resummation of an infinite subset of loop corrections into an effective expansion. This effective expansion is used to compute the gluon damping rate at leading order.
The Swaraj parties in the central provinces and Berar, India, 1924‐26: An essay in regional politics

(1979). The Swaraj parties in the central provinces and Berar, India, 1924‐26: An essay in regional politics. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies: Vol. 2, No. 1-2, pp. 46-59.
Tulane experience with management of urinary incontinence after placement of an artificial urinary sphincter.

Persistent urinary incontinence following placement of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) presents a challenging diagnostic problem. This report reviews 30 cases (27 males and 3 females) involving urinary incontinence following AUS placement. The mean age of the patients was 64.4 years (range, 10–79 years). Physical examination demonstrated evidence or suspicion of infection or erosion in 7 patients, and subsequent cystoscopic examination revealed erosion caused by the cuff in 6 of these 7 cases. The remaining 23 patients were evaluated by videofluorourodynamics (VFUD) to ascertain the cause of incontinence. VFUD demonstrated detrusor instability in 9 patients (39%), low detrusor compliance in 3 patients (13%), and poor detrusor contractility in 1 patient (4.4%). Bladder-outlet obstruction was diagnosed in 2 patients (8.8%) — 1 with bladder-neck contracture and 1 with ureteral stricture. Altogether, 2 (8.8%) cases of tissue atrophy were diagnosed with low urethral closing pressure at the cuff. In all, 1 patient (4.4%) was diagnosed as having a vesicovaginal fistula, 1 (4.4%) had a tubing kink, and 4 (17%) had leaking devices diagnosed during VFUD by cycling of the device. Of the 23 patients, 21 (91%) demonstrably improved or became fully continent after appropriate treatment had been initiated. A review of this study suggests that the majority of incontinent patients after AUS implantation can be managed successfully, provided that a systematic diagnostic approach is followed and appropriate treatment is initiated.
Who Said, “Confucius Composed the Chunqiu”? ——The Genealogy of the “Chunqiu” Canon in the Pre-Han and Han Periods

It is often said that “Confucius composed the Chunqiu 春秋 (The Spring and Autumn Annals) to convey the way of the king.” Scholars have long noticed that before the founding of and during the Han Dynasty the phrase that served as the title of the allegedly Confucian work, “Chunqiu,” was also often used to designate history in general. In what intellectual and textual contexts did the term evolve from something general into a specific concept associated with Confucius? What works or ideas did pre-Han and Han scholars have in mind when discussing Confucius’s Chunqiu and the broader “Chunqiu” canon? Exploring these questions, the study that follows begins by systematically documenting the occurrences of this term in pre-Han and Han texts. It demonstrates that while Mencius was the first person to associate Confucius’s teachings with the Chunqiu, his statement was a solitary and surprising voice in the pre-Han era. Not until the Western Han Dynasty was Confucius widely heralded as the creator of the Chunqiu. But few scholars are aware that Western Han scholars never strictly distinguished the laconic Chunqiu from the detailed historical knowledge preserved in the Gongyang 公羊, Guliang 谷梁, and Zuo 左 commentaries. Furthermore, as the Chunqiu gained canonical status, the phrase still served as a generic term, referring to various historical narratives. Zhang Xuecheng 章学诚 is famous for claiming that “The Six Classics are all history,” and I shall show that in the minds of the people of the Han Dynasty, all historical works were classics.
Transient Response of Propionaldehyde Formation During CO/H2/C2H4 Reaction on Rh/SiO2

Abstract The transient response of propionaldehyde formation during ethylene hydroformylation over Rh/SiO 2 has been studied by transient isotopic methods combined with in situ infrared spectroscopy at 0.1-0.5 MPa and 503 K. The transient methods used in this study involved pulsing 13 CO into the CO feed flow and switching from CO to 13 C flow. The C 2 H 5 13 CHO response to the 13 CO step input was found to be equivalent to the integration of the (C 2 H 5 13 CHO response to the pulse input with respect to time. The pulse method allows the economical use of costly isotope to obtain the transient information that is commonly acquired from the step method. Analysis of the transient response reveals that the propionaldehyde may be formed via (i) the insertion of CO into adsorbed ethyl species to form the acyl intermediate, (ii) hydrogenation of the acyl intermediate to produce adsorbed propionaldehyde, and (iii) desorption of adsorbed propionaldehyde. Increasing the total reaction pressure (i.e., increasing all partial pressures in the same ratios) increases the rate constant for hydrogenation of the acyl intermediate which has been identified as the rate-determining step for propionaldehyde formation at 0.1 MPa. Increasing the pressure also increases the coverage, but decreases the residence time of intermediates leading to propionaldehyde. Steady-state rate mesurements show that increasing reaction pressure decreased the overall activation energy and increased both rate and selectivity for propionaldehyde. The increase in the rate constant for hydrogenation of acyl intermediate can be related to the decrease in the overall activation energy for propionaldehyde formation. Rate constant analysis of the propionaldehyde response shows that the rate constant for propionaldehyde formation exhibits a sharp single distribution.
Self-Generated Advertisements: Testimonials and the Perils of Consumer Exaggeration

ABSTRACT Various forms of traditional promotions (e.g., free-standing inserts) as well as newer versions of viral marketing campaigns ask consumers to write personal testimonials about their brand-related experiences. In the present research we pose this question: does the act of testimonial writing simply record the consumer9s extant attitude toward the brand or does this act serve as a form of self-generated advertising with the power to positively impact that attitude? Results from three studies reveal that testimonials do in fact positively bias consumers9 evaluative judgments. However, testimonial promotions can be a double-edged sword: the positive effects induced by testimonial writing may be counteracted if testifiers feel obligated—due to the probabilistic prizes that motivate them to write testimonials—to exaggerate their testimonial statements. This research explores testimonial writing as a path to enhance brand evaluations and focuses on whether consumers9 natural tendencies to exaggerate their testimonials might mitigate these evaluations. We find that, indeed, brand evaluations suffer when consumers exaggerate their testimonial statements.
Botulinum toxin A treatment of perioral rhytides.

Background. Botulinum toxin A is well documented as a useful therapy for smoothing dynamic facial rhytides of the upper face. Most controlled studies have focused on the treatment of glabellar frown lines, horizontal forehead lines, and crow's feet. Reports of botulinum toxin A use in the lower face are few and anecdotal. Objective. We present our experience using botulinum toxin A in the lip as a treatment of vertical perioral rhytides, which resulted in the added cosmetic benefits of lip eversion and enhanced lip fullness. Methods. Eighteen patients were injected with botulinum toxin A into the vertical lip rhytides. The effect of treatment was evaluated at 2 to 3 weeks after procedure. Results. Smoothening of hyperfunctional lines and upper lip fullness/eversion is observed in patients treated with perioral botulinum toxin A injections; 72% of patients continued treatment. Conclusions. In select patients, perioral botulinum toxin A results in amelioration of perioral rhytides and enhancement of lip fullness and lip eversion.
Comparative cytogenetic studies in the order carnivora

The chromosome morphology of at least 93 species of carnivores has now been investigated. This information has been summarized and karyotypes of a number of previously unstudied species are presented. Karyotype evolution and interpretation, and the value of cytogenetic information in the study of taxonomy and phylogeny with respect to an understanding of speciation and hybridization are discussed. A complete bibliography is presented for each species.
General Subdomain Boundary Mapping Procedure for Structured Grid Implicit CFD Parallel Computation

In the present work, a general subdomain boundary mapping procedure has been developed for arbitrary topology multiblock structured grids with grid points matched on subdomain boundaries. The interface of two adjacent blocks is uniquely defined according to each local mesh index system, which is specified independently.A pack/unpack procedure basedonthedefinitionoftheinterfaceisdevelopedtoexchangethedatainaone-dimensional array to minimize data communication. A secure send/receive procedure is employed to remove the possibility of blocked communication and achieve optimum parallel computationefficiency.Twoterms,“order”and“orientation”,areintroducedasthelogicsdefiningthe relationship of adjacent blocks. The procedure is applied to parallelize a three-dimensional Navier‐Stokes code, which uses an implicit time marching scheme with line Gauss‐Seidel iteration. The partitioning of the implicit matrix is done by discarding the corner matrices, which is easily implemented and is shown to have a small negative effect on the convergence rate. The message passing interface protocol is used for communicating the data. The numerical experiments presented in this paper include two- and three-dimensional flows using Reynolds averaged Navier‐Stokes equations and a detached eddy simulation with a fifth-orderweightedessentiallynon-oscillatoryscheme.Numericalexperimentsonamessage passing interface based computer cluster show that this general mapping algorithm is robust and has high parallel computing efficiency.
Taking Surveillance Out of the Shadows

Wiretapping and surveillance are often covered by veils of secrecy that intelligence and law enforcement agencies reflexively apply to what they consider their most sensitive operations. Unfortunately, when the veils are lifted, we frequently discover that the technologies at the root of surveillance systems are often deeply flawed.
New neutral diterpenes from southern pine tall oil

Abstract Five new diterpene natural products isolated from southern pine ( Pinus spp.) tall oil were characterized as 8(14),15-pimaradiene-3β,18-diol, 19-hydroxy-15,16-dinorlabd-8(17)-en-13-one, 8,13β-epoxy-14-labden-6α-ol, 8,11, 13-abietatriene-15,18-diol and 9,10-secoabieta-8,11,13-trien-18,10-olide.
A Low-order Model for the Design of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Devices:

Piezoelectric energy harvesting devices are an attractive approach to providing remote wireless power sources. They operate by converting available vibration energy and storing it as electrical energy. Currently, most devices rely on mechanical excitation near their resonance frequency, so a low-order model which computes a few indicators of device performance is a critical design tool. Such a model, based on the assumed modes method, develops equations of motion to provide rapid computations of key device parameters, such as the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and electro-mechanical coupling coefficients. The model is validated with a comparison of its predictions and experimental data.
Alterations in protein expression in tree shrew sclera during development of lens-induced myopia and recovery.

Purpose. During the development of, and recovery from, negative lens-induced myopia there is regulated remodeling of the scleral extracellular matrix (ECM) that controls the extensibility of the sclera. Difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) was used to identify and categorize proteins whose levels are altered in this process.
The conditional effects of victim and offender ethnicity and victim gender on sentences for non-capital cases

An extensive body of research shows that capital sentences tend to be more likely for Blacks who kill Whites, while more recent studies point to a higher likelihood of capital sentences for killers of White females. The present research broadens these areas of scholarship by including Hispanics and considering sentences for other types of violent crimes. Supporting theory are findings that longer sentences are meted out to offenders who victimize White females, and to Hispanic and African American offenders who victimize Whites. These findings, however, are confined to homicide cases and absent from sexual assault and robbery cases. Contradicting predictions are longer sentences for offenders who victimized Hispanic females, which is observed for robbery as well as homicide. Implications for theory and future research are discussed.
Free-surface flow due to a source submerged in a fluid of infinite depth with two stagnant regions

Two-dimensional free-surface flows produced by a submerged source in a fluid of infinite depth are considered. It is assumed that the point on the free surface just above the source is a stagnation point and that the fluid outside two shear layers is at rest. The free-surface profile and the shape of the shear layers are determined numerically by using a series-truncation method. It is shown that there is a solution for each value of the Froude number F > 0. When F tends to infinity, the flow also describes a thin jet impinging in a fluid at rest.
Cyber-vulnerability of power grid monitoring and control systems

In this paper, a methodology is proposed for the evaluation of the impact of cyber attacks on the power grid. This is a systematical approach to evaluate the vulnerabilities of SCADA system at three levels, i.e., system, scenario, and access points. The impact of potential intrusion is evaluated based on the power flow solution. The cause-effect on the proposed method determines the likelihood of the consequence, which can be evaluated based on a substation outage. An IEEE 30 bus system is used to build a test case for the proposed method.
The effects of physiological concentrations of Mg++ and K+ on the temperature-absorbancy curve of DNA

Abstract The temperature-absorbancy curves of several DNA solutions previously denatured by heating in the presence of 10 −4 m Mg(II) in low ionic strength were found to be different from the initial melting curves in 10 −4 m Mg(II): the T m values were lower, and upon annealing, the curves were completely reversible. This effect was maximum at 1 Mg:2 DNA-P. Titration of the Mg(II)-annealed DNA at 37 ° with K + produced an increase in absorbancy to a maximum at K + = 10 −2 m ; a further increase in K + concentration resulted in a sharp drop in absorbancy. Density gradient centrifugation and hyperchromicity data obtained on the DNA solutions containing Mg(II) indicated that one-half to three-quarters of DNA was double stranded, before and after heating. The remaining portions had become denatured during solution in distilled water, prior to addition of Mg(II).
Ventricular tachycardia masquerading as supraventricular tachycardia: A wolf in sheep's clothing

Abstract It is generally assumed that if a wide QRS complex tachycardia has the same morphology on the 12-lead electrocardiogram as during sinus rhythm, the tachycardia is supraventricular. The author presents unique electrocardiographic data on four patients with QRS complex morphologies that are nearly identical during ventricular tachycardia and during sinus rhythm. The QRS complex duration during sinus rhythm was 140–180 msec and was the same as that of the tachycardia. The QRS complex morphology on the electrocardiogram was a right bundle branch block, left axis in three patients and right bundle branch block, normal axis in one patient. The mean ventricular tachycardia cycle length was 345 msec. The diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia was established by electro-physiologic testing in two patients and by atrial electrograms demonstrating AV dissociation in two patients. Thus, if the 12-lead electrocardiogram morphology of a wide QRS complex tachycardia is similar to that during sinus rhythm, it does not necessarily imply that the tachycardia is supraventricular. Ventricular tachycardia can occur with the same QRS complex morphology as occurs during sinus rhythm.
Hypoglycemic Activity and Immunological Half-life of Porcine Insulin and Proinsulin in Baboons and Swine

Separate intravenous injections of porcine single component insulin and proinsulin were administered into baboons and swine in equivalent doses based on their biological activities in mouse convulsion assays. In both species and at all doses tested, proinsulin had a more prolonged hypoglycemic effect than insulin. The immunological half-life of plasma proinsulin was 18 and 20 min and the half-life of plasma insulin was 8 and 6 min in the baboons and swine, respectively. (Endocrinology 88: 714, 1971)
Volcanology: last of the common ground

Tephra Studies. Edited by S. Self and R.S.J. Sparks. Pp.481. ISBN 90-277-1327-8. (Reidel: 1981.) DM125, $54.50.
Physiological and neuropsychological correlates of approach/withdrawal tendencies in preschool: Further examination of the behavioral inhibition system/behavioral activation system scales for young children

This study examined a parent-report version of the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales, a measure of approach-withdrawal motivation, in 170 children between the ages of 3 to 5 years attending Head Start programs. Physiological measures included assessments of baseline salivary cortisol and change in cortisol in response to the assessment session, and resting and suppression estimates of cardiac vagal tone. Cognitive self-regulation was assessed with a peg-tapping measure of inhibitory control and an item-selection measure of cognitive set-shifting ability. Results indicated that higher level of parent-reported withdrawal motivation was associated with cortisol increase and that parent-reported approach motivation tended to be associated with cortisol decrease across the assessment session. Higher level of parent-reported withdrawal also was positively related to cognitive self-regulation while parent-reported approach was negatively related to cognitive self-regulation. Person-oriented analysis indicated that children characterized by both high level of approach and high level of withdrawal tended to exhibit lower resting vagal tone, higher initial cortisol, and minimal cortisol and vagal change. Overall, findings suggest that the parent-report version of the BIS/BAS scales works well as an indicator of children's reactivity to appetitive and aversive motivational stimuli. Directions for future research and implications of findings for the longitudinal study of temperament and personality are discussed.
A continuous-vorticity panel method for lifting surfaces

A continuous-vorticity panel method is developed and utilized to predict the steady aerodynamic loads on lifting surfaces having sharp-edge separation. Triangular panels with linearly varying vorticity are used. The velocity field generated by an individual element is obtained in closed form. An optimization scheme is constructed for finding the vorticity at the nodes of the elements. The method is not restricted by aspect ratios, angles of attack, planforms, or camber. Rectangular and delta wings are presented as numerical examples. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data for incompressible flows.
Weight Loss After Diagnosis with Gestational Diabetes and Birth Weight Among Overweight and Obese Women

To determine if, among overweight or obese women with gestational diabetes (GDM), weight loss after GDM diagnosis is associated with lower infant birth weight within levels of overweight or obesity class. Overweight and obese women with singleton pregnancies managed for GDM at a large diabetes and pregnancy program located in Charlotte, NC between November 2000 and April 2010, were eligible for this retrospective cohort study. All were managed using a rigorous standardized clinical protocol. Clinical information including maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, treatment, and medical and obstetric history was abstracted from medical records. The association of weight loss after GDM diagnosis and birth weight was analyzed using linear regression stratified by maternal pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity class (I, II/III). Of the 322 women in this study 19 % lost weight between diagnosis of GDM and delivery. After adjustment for maternal age, parity, race/ethnicity, gestational week at first hemoglobin A1c (A1C), A1C at diagnosis, weight gain prior to GDM, treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, gestational age at delivery, and infant sex, weight loss was associated with 238.3 g lower mean infant birth weight among overweight women (95 % CI -393.72, -82.95 g), but was not associated with lower mean infant birth weight among obese class II/III women (95 % CI -275.61, 315.38 g). Weight loss, after diagnosis of GDM, is associated with lower infant birth weight among overweight women, but not among obese class II/III women.
Structural and functional implications of severe foveal dystopia in epiretinal membranes.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the functional and structural correlates of severe foveal dystopia in patients with epiretinal membranes. Methods For this retrospective study of 29 eyes with epiretinal membrane, we identified 7 eyes that had severe foveal dystopia (defined as fovea located >200 μm from its expected location) and followed the direction and rate of foveal movement pre- and postoperatively. Results Epiretinal membrane traction caused the fovea to move preoperatively at a rate of 275 μm/month from its anatomical location in 2 patients. The final preoperative foveal location was, on average, 1,217 ± 683 μm away from its expected location. Postoperatively, foveal movement toward its expected location was largest during the first month after surgery (mean = 547 ± 340 μm) and slowed down until the final follow-up position was achieved (mean = 301 ± 131 μm). Overall, the fovea moved a total of 848 ± 445 μm, allowing the fovea to correct only 32.8 ± 22.1% of the total displacement from its expected location. A univariate regression model confirmed a linear relationship between preoperative visual acuity and preoperative foveal distance from its expected anatomical location with an R2 of 0.759 (P = 0.0107). Conclusion The extent of tractional foveal dystopia correlates with decreased visual acuity. Although all patients experienced functional and anatomical improvements with surgery, long-standing or severe foveal dystopia may be associated with permanent structural changes that limit functional outcome. Cases with extreme degrees of foveal dystopia may benefit from early intervention to prevent irreversible structural and functional changes.
Periodic Motions in a Periodically Forced Oscillator Moving on an Oscillating Belt With Dry Friction

In this paper, periodic motion in an oscillator moving on a periodically oscillating belt with dry friction is investigated. The conditions of stick and nonstick motions for such an oscillator are obtained in the relative motion frame, and the grazing and stick (or sliding) bifurcations are presented as well. The periodic motions are predicted analytically and numerically, and the analytical prediction is based on the appropriate mapping structures. The eigenvalue analysis of such periodic motions is carried out. The periodic motions are illustrated through the displacement, velocity, and force responses in the absolute and relative frames. This investigation provides an efficient method to predict periodic motions of such an oscillator involving dry friction. The significance of this investigation lies in controlling motion of such a friction-induced oscillator in industry.
Watch this space

The Detection of Gravitational Waves. Edited by David G. Blair. Cambridge University Press: 1991. Pp.481. £95, $125.
Reduction in microbial activity in Birch litter due to drying and rewetting event

Abstract Birch leaf litter was dried to two different moisture contents for 5 varying lengths of time. Litter was remoistened, and microbial respiration was measured. An initial flush in respiration rate was followed by several days of oscillations in respiration rate after the rewetting event. After 60 days, the respiration rate of the treated litter was significantly lower than the control litter kept moist. The control litter respired significantly more C throughout the incubation than litter exposed to even a 1-day drying event. This may have resulted from the loss of critical litter decomposing organisms or enzymes during drying.
Real-time reference A-line subtraction and saturation artifact removal using graphics processing unit for high-frame-rate Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography video imaging

Variations in the spectral shape and the amplitude of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) signal and reference cause fixed-pattern noise and light reflected from a highly specular surface might cause saturation artifacts. In real-time video-rate OCT imaging, these effects make the OCT video image appear unstable and difficult to view. To elim- inate these problems, we implemented real-time reference A-line subtrac- tion and saturation detection and correction on standard Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) video imaging frame-by-frame. This real-time OCT data processing method eliminates the need for the physical reference measurement procedure and automatically detects and corrects saturated A-scans if there is any within one frame. This tech- nique is also robust to the reference and signal amplitude variations, and provides higher signal-to-noise ratio compared to the normal fixed- reference subtraction method. To implement an effective interventional OCT imaging system, the technique was integrated along with other graphics processing unit-based OCT processing techniques (resampling, dispersion compensation, fast Fourier transform, log-scaling, and soft- thresholding). The real-time fixed-pattern artifact-free FD-OCT imaging was achieved at 70 frames∕s for a frame size of 1000 (lateral) by 1024 (axial) pixels. The theoretical maximum processing and rendering rate was measured to be 266;000 A-scans∕s. © 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instru-
Small-scale variations in the galactic magnetic field - The rotation measure structure function and birefringence in interstellar scintillations

The structure function of rotation measures of extragalactic sources and birefringence in interstellar scintillations are used to investigate variations in the interstellar magnetic field on length scales of about 0.01-100 pc and 10 to the 11th cm, respectively. Model structure functions are derived for the case of a power-law power spectrum of irregularities in the quantity (n(e)B), and an estimate for the structure function is computed for several regions of the sky using data on extragalactic sources. The results indicate an outer angular scale for rotation measure (RM) variations of not less than about 5 deg (a linear scale of about 9-90 pc at a distance of 0.1-1 kpc). There is also evidence for RM variations on angular scales as small as 1 arcmin, but it cannot be determined whether these are intrinsic to the source or caused by the interstellar medium. The effect of a random, Faraday-active medium on the diffraction of radio waves is derived, and an upper limit to the variations in n(e)B on a length scale of 10 to the 11th cm is obtained from available observations.
Lithium Polyniobates. A Lindqvist-Supported Lithium−Water Adamantane Cluster and Conversion of Hexaniobate to a Discrete Keggin Complex

A Li7K salt of [Nb6O19]8- and a Li13K salt of [SiNb12(OH)2O38]14- have been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and 6Li MAS NMR. The structure of Li7K[Nb6O19]·15H2O (a = 9.859(10) A, b = 17.500(17) A, c = 17.384(17) A, β = 91.609(16)°, monoclinic, P21/c, R1 = 4.94% based on 5343 reflections) consists of a super-octahedron of six edge-sharing NbO6 octahedra capped by a Li4O10 adamantane-like structure. The 6Li MAS NMR data are consistent with five tetrahedral Li+ sites (δ = 0.20 ppm) and two octahedral Li+ sites (δ = −1.38 ppm). The reaction of Li7K[Nb6O19]·15H2O and Si(OC2H5)4 yields Li13K[SiNb12(OH)2O38]·17H2O (a = 20.341(4) A, b = 10.735(2) A, c = 21.438(4) A, β = 105.41(3)°, monoclinic, P21/c, R1 = 6.49% based on 6161 reflections), an α-Keggin ion ([SiNb12(OH)2O38]14-) linked by Li+ cations and a single K+ cation. Interpretation of structural data suggests that Li+ has weaker ion pairing to [Nb6O19]8- in the solid state than do Na+, K+, Rb+, or Cs+ (i.e., ion pairing increase...
Differential drain resistance of field-effect transistors beyond pinch-off: A comparison between theory and experiment

The theoretical computation of the drain characteristics of junction field-effect transistors reported by Kim and Yang has been compared with the experimental measurements in terms of the differential drain resistance. Good agreement between the theory and experiment has been found.
Diagnostic monitoring and sensitivity analysis of contact dynamics in jointed structures

A time series based minitoring and diagnosis system has been formulated. The system incorporates a cross entropy minimization method, based on the nearest neighbor classification rule, and a cross entropy dissimilarity measure to classify a new observation of vibration states into one of a set of prestudied standard vibration patterns.
Intravesical instillation of Formalin for hemorrhagic cystitis secondary to radiation for gynecologic malignancies

Our experience with the use of Formalin instillation in interactable gross hematuria secondary to radiation cystitis in patients with gynecological malignancies is reported. This study indicates coagulative effect of low concentration of Formalin with minimal side effects as a method to control hemorrhage.
Non-Parametric estimation of an acceleration parameter

Let X1,… Xm be a random sample of m failure times under normal conditions with the underlying distribution F(x) and Y1,…,Yn a random sample of n failure times under accelerated condititons with underlying distribution G(x);G(x)=1−[1−F(x)]θ with θ being the unknown parameter under study.Define:Uij=1 otherwise.The joint distribution of ijdoes not involve the distribution F and thus can be used to estimate the acceleration parameter θ.The second approach for estimating θ is to use the ranks of the Y-observations in the combined X- and Y-samples.In this paper we establish that the rank of the Y-observations in the pooled sample form a sufficient statistic for the information contained in the Uii 's about the parameter θ and that there does not exist an unbiassed estimator for the parameter θ.We also construct several estimators and confidence interavals for the parameter θ.
Toxic fungi isolated from tall fescue

Extracts of cold-grown common molds isolated from tall fescue forage produce toxic effects on rabbit skin and hemorrhagic death in mice. A mixture ofCladosporium cladosporioides andFusarium nivale produced ruminal atony in a sheep. The clinical findings in the sheep show some similarity to those of cattle on toxic fescue pastures. Further work to determine the role of fungal toxins in the etiology of fescue foot in cattle is underway.
Hyaluronan receptor expression increases in fetal excisional skin wounds and correlates with fibroplasia

Abstract Background/Purpose: The midgestation fetus heals incisional skin wounds scarlessly, whereas large excisional wounds scar. High concentrations of hyaluronan (HA) are associated with scarless fetal as opposed to scar-forming adult wound repair. Because expression of the HA receptors, CD44 and RHAMM (Receptor for HA-Mediated Motility), has been associated with adult wound fibroplasia, the authors postulated that fetal excisional wounds would show increased expression of CD44 and RHAMM as compared with incisional wounds. Methods: Two models of fetal wound healing were examined. Fetal skin from human abortuses was heterotrans-planted subcutaneously into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Fourteen days after grafting, incisional or 2-mm excisional wounds were created (n = 6 per time-point). In addition, incisional and excisional (6 to 10 mm) wounds (n = 5 per time-point) were created on the backs of 70- to 75-day fetal lambs (term, 145 days). Tissue from both models was harvested at sequential time-points after injury. Wounds were studied histologically for fibroplasia and assayed for their HA content. CD44 and RHAMM expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Results: As expected, in both models, incisional wounds healed scarlessly, whereas excisional wounds showed fibroplasia. Incisional wounds of fetal lambs maintained a significantly higher HA content than excisional wounds 3 days after injury. Between 1 and 7 days in either human or sheep fetal wounds, immunostaining for CD44 and RHAMM markedly increased along the margins of excisional wounds as compared with incisional wounds and unwounded skin. Immunoblot analysis confirmed this increased HA receptor expression in both models. Conclusions: HA receptor expression increased in both human and sheep fetal excisional wounds and correlated with fibroplasia and a reduced HA content. The authors speculate that strategies to limit the expression or function of HA receptors during postnatal wound repair may modify the development of scar.
Evidence for a GTP-dependent increase in membrane permeability for calcium in NG108-15 microsomes.

The effect of GTP on Ca2+ uptake and release was studied in a microsomal fraction isolated from neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells. GTP did not alter the ATP-dependent initial uptake of Ca2+ but markedly enhanced the efflux of Ca2+ from microsomes. GTP-dependent Ca2+ release requires the presence of millimolar concentration of Mg2+. The effect of GTP was not mimicked by other nucleotides and was competitively blocked by the thiophosphate analogue of GTP, GTPγS but not by the non-hydrolyzable nucleotide GMP-PNP. Addition of an inhibiting concentration of GTPγS after completion of GTP-induced calcium release did not result in a re-uptake of Ca2+, showing the irreversibility of the releasing effect of GTP. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis of Ca2+-dependent GTP-induced opening of a channel responsible for vectorial transport of Ca2+ ions from one intracellular compartment to another. A model is proposed suggesting that the GTP-binding protein is a GTP-specific diacylglycerol kinase.
Internal-External Control, Interpersonal Attraction, and Empathy:

It was predicted that internal Ss would show greater interpersonal attraction scores for an internal stranger than for an external stranger while external Ss would show a greater preference for an external stranger. Similar results were expected from an empathy measure. Results suggested that 30 internals were more attracted to an internal stranger than to an external stranger and that internals showed a greater preference for the internal stranger than did external Ss. Contrary to prediction, 30 external Ss did not show a greater attraction toward an external stranger. Data in the empathy area were in general agreement. Various implications of these results were discussed.
Wnt signalling regulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis

Neural stem/progenitor cells in the adult brain are able to generate both the brain's major cell types: glial cells, which are non-neuronal, and the active nerve cells or neurons. Neurons are produced in just two regions of the brain. Lie et al. have now identified a protein family that instructs the adult neural stem cells to produce neurons, rather than glial cells. The signal molecule Wnt3 is shown to be crucial for the production of neurons in the adult hippocampus, a region believed to be involved in learning and memory formation. Ultimately these studies may help develop therapies to repair brain damage caused by disease or trauma. The generation of new neurons from neural stem cells is restricted to two regions of the adult mammalian central nervous system: the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle, and the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus1. In both regions, signals provided by the microenvironment regulate the maintenance, proliferation and neuronal fate commitment of the local stem cell population1. The identity of these signals is largely unknown. Here we show that adult hippocampal stem/progenitor cells (AHPs) express receptors and signalling components for Wnt proteins, which are key regulators of neural stem cell behaviour in embryonic development2. We also show that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is active and that Wnt3 is expressed in the hippocampal neurogenic niche. Overexpression of Wnt3 is sufficient to increase neurogenesis from AHPs in vitro and in vivo. By contrast, blockade of Wnt signalling reduces neurogenesis from AHPs in vitro and abolishes neurogenesis almost completely in vivo. Our data show that Wnt signalling is a principal regulator of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and provide evidence that Wnt proteins have a role in adult hippocampal function.
Project ASSIST Institute: An Orton-Gillingham/Spalding Based Curriculum for Teachers and Volunteers.

In spite of our best efforts, our son Andrew did not learn to read until he attended the Jemicy School at the age of 12. Our search for help and eventual success led me to take the Orton-Gillingham approach into the public schools of Delaware, first with volunteers and then with teachers. In 1991-92, the Milford School District did a Pre-Post Design pilot using the Woodcock Johnson Reading Mastery Test for decoding and comprehension and the WRAT Revised for spelling. The results are included. Another pilot with a control group from another school district is being done in 1992-93 and a third pilot is being planned for New Castle County, Delaware in 1993-94. Training for teachers in the juvenile justice system is also planned for 1993-94.
Histologic effect of a variable pulsed Er:YAG laser.

Background.Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers used for laser resurfacing produce significant thermal damage. Short-pulsed Er:YAG lasers provide significant control over depth of ablation with minimal thermal damage. Newer combined short-pulsed/long-pulsed Er:YAG lasers offer the potential for both precise
Mutant epidermal growth factor receptor displays increased signaling through the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT pathway and promotes radioresistance in cells of astrocytic origin

Amplification and mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are common features of malignant gliomas. The most frequent mutation seen in these tumors involves deletion of exon 2-7 resulting in a constitutively active form of the receptor (EGFRvIII, or deltaEGFR). Since EGFRvIII is found primarily in gliomas and has not been reported in sarcomas, we compared the effects of this altered receptor in immortalized primary astrocytes and fibroblasts. While EGFRvIII displayed ligand-independent autophosphorylation in both cell types, downstream signaling differed. While EGFRvIII increased the proliferative capacity of both astrocytes and fibroblasts consistent with activation of ERK in these cells, EGFRvIII activated AKT only in the immortalized astrocytes. EGFRvIII expression in astrocytes also led to increased radioresistance in that cell type. Furthermore, specific inhibition of phosphotidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K) with LY294002 reverted the radioresistant phenotype in the immortalized astrocytes. Thus, selective activation of PI-3K/AKT in astrocytes expressing EGFRvIII appears to be responsible for the observed increase in radioresistance. EGFRvIII's differential ability to activate the PI-3K downstream signal may explain why this mutant receptor is such a prominent lesion in malignant gliomas but less often seen in other tumor types, even those where EGFR signaling has a prominent role.