cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ANTAGONISM BY CORTISONE OF THE LINEAR GROWTH INDUCED IN HYPOPITUITARY PATIENTS AND HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS BY HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE.

An 18-yr-old panhypopituitary male failed to grow while receiving “physiologic” doses of desiccated thyroid, cortisone and human growth hormone (HGH). A growth response began within 2 weeks of discontinuing cortisone acetate (2.5 mg tid). The second patient was an 18½-yr-old hypopituitary female who had maintained a normal growth rate during 27 months of HGH therapy. Cortisone acetate (5 mg tid) caused complete cessation of growth over the 3½-month period of administration. Growth promptly resumed when cortisone was discontinued. Studies with hypophysectomized rats treated with HGH and varying doses of cortisone confirmed these clinical observations and indicated that cortisone competitively inhibits growth hormone. It is concluded that concurrent administration of cortisone limits the beneficial growth-promoting effects of HGH in hypopituitary subjects. Furthermore, these observations probably explain in part the growth inhibition seen in treatment of normal children with pharmacologic doses of corticost...
Molecular-dynamics computer simulations of electronic absorption line shapes at liquid interfaces

Molecular dynamics computer simulations are used to study the electronic absorption line shapes of adsorbed chromophores at several liquid interfaces. Specifically considered are the liquid/vapor interface of water and the interface between water and a number of different organic liquids which are characterized by different dielectric constants, structure and polarizability. The chromophore used in the calculations is modeled after the common dye molecule DEPNA. Both non-polarizable and polarizable liquid and solute models are considered. The calculations demonstrate the effect of solvent polarity on the spectra, in agreement with recent experiments. These calculations demonstrate the effect of solvent polarity on the spectra, in agreement with recent experiments. These calculations also highlight the important effect due to the microscopic structure of the interface. A comparison of the results with predictions of continuum models is presented. Although these models can qualitatively account for the effect of interface polarity on the spectra, they must be extended to include structural aspects of the interface for better quantitative agreement.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hierarchical order of gene expression levels

With an overwhelming amount of expression data available, many interesting problems have been studied, such as identifying cancer signatures, constructing gene regulatory networks, analyzing activity of pathways, and so on. Here we show another fascinating aspect of using expression data, constructing the hierarchical order of gene expression levels. We found that there is an order of expression levels in human genes, which enables genes to be more co-expressed than genes without the order of expression levels. This hierarchical order will not only change our view of gene variations in cancers, but also revolutionize our understanding of biological systems.
On phosphorylation in brain tissue in the chick.

Der Austausch von P32 zwischen anorganischem Phosphat und ATP war grosser in der Leber als im Gehirn des Huhnchens. Dieser Unterschied in den zwei Geweben ist jedoch nach dem Ausbruten des Embryos grosser.
A Revisit of the Theoretical Model of Store Image and Its Application to Chinese Consumers

ABSTRACT This study revisits the theoretical model of store image and examines its application to both American and Chinese samples. The researchers used structural equation modeling techniques to analyze the data. Their findings indicated that in both countries consumer evaluation of store attributes or their cognitive response has a direct effect on shopping intention, as do consumers' feelings or their affective response to a store, thus supporting the cross-cultural validity of the store-image model. In China shopping intentions are more strongly affected by cognitive responses than affective responses, whereas the opposite is true in the U.S. For Americans the effect of cognitive response on affective response is stronger than it is for Chinese. The research also provides insights for retailers.
Hippocampal sclerosis in children younger than 2 years

Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is rarely considered as a diagnosis in children younger than 2 years. To describe imaging features in conjunction with clinical information in patients with hippocampal sclerosis who are younger than 2 years. We retrospectively reviewed MR brain imaging and clinical information in five children in whom the diagnosis of HS was made both clinically and by MRI prior to 2 years of age. Imaging features establishing the diagnosis of hippocampal sclerosis were bright T2 signal and volume loss, while the internal architecture of the hippocampal formation was preserved in almost all children. Clinically, all children had an infectious trigger. It is necessary for radiologists to consider HS in children with certain clinical features to plan an MRI protocol that is appropriate for detection of hippocampal pathology.
Weighted hybrid recommendation for heterogeneous networks

Social media sites accumulate a wide variety of information about users: likes and ratings, friend and follower links, annotations, posts, media uploads, just to name a few. Key challenges for recommender systems research are (a) to synthesize of all of this data into an integrated recommendation model and (b) to support a wide variety of recommendation types simultaneously (items, friends, tags, etc.) One approach that has been explored in recent research is to view this multi-faceted data as a heterogeneous network and use network-based methods of generating recommendations. However, most such approaches involve computationally-intensive model generation resulting in a single-purpose recommender system. Our approach is to create a component-based hybrid model whose components can be reused for multiple recommendation tasks. In this paper, we show how this model can be applied to heterogeneous networks.
On the accumulation of short peptides in the presence of certain inhibitors of protein synthesis.

Abstract The [3H]phenylalanine-containing peptides synthesized from l -[3H]phenylalanyl RNA in a cell-free system from Escherchia coli, containing poly (uridylic acid), elongation factors and GTP at 10 m m Mg2+, have been separated after alkaline treatment into three fractions: phenylalanylphenylalanine (Phe)2, oligophenylalanine [Oligo-(Phe)] and polyphenylalanine [poly(Phe)]. Under conditions at which in the absence of inhibitors peptide chain elongation proceeds so that (Phe)2 and oligo(Phe) constitute a substantial proportion of the total Phe-containing peptides formed, amicetin, lincomycin, spiramycin and erythromycin affect the formation of (Phe)2 to a much smaller extent than they do the formation of oligo (Phe) and poly(Phe). On the other hand, thiostrepton and siomycin A cause a decrease in (Phe)2 while affecting poly(Phe) formation to a much lesser extent; this result parallels that obtained with tetracycline in the same system [Biochim. Biophys. Acta240, 137; 247, 632 (1971)], and is compatible with the proposal that thiostrepton and siomycin A inhibit primarily the enzymic binding of aminoacyl RNA to the ribosome.
Tuberculin Sensitivity and Tuberculosis in Nursing and Medical Students

In the 25 year period from 1934 to 1959, 2,497 medical students and 1,223 nursing students have been adequately studied while in school. Tuberculin records of an additional 148 nursing students were lost, but all had adequate x-ray film study. The percentage of tuberculin reactors at matriculation and graduation has decreased greatly during this period. The lowest percentages of reactors have occurred since 1949 for nursing students, and since 1950 for medical students, indicating less risk of infection in the study of nursing and medicine than in previous years. Seventeen cases of clinically significant tuberculosis have developed in medical students while in school, 16 of them before June, 1950, and one in 1953. Nine cases have occurred in nursing students, all prior to 1949. This recent low morbidity has occurred without the use of BCG vaccination. It is the result of education, early diagnosis and treatment, improved methods of treatment, and management of tuberculosis as a contagious disease. Tuberculin testing increases in importance as the number of infected individuals decreases. Nursing and medical students still run a greater risk of tuberculous infection than other student populations and continued vigilance is still necessary.
Optimized hybrid megavoltage-kilovoltage imaging protocol for volumetric prostate arc therapy.

Purpose To develop a real-time prostate position monitoring technique for modern arc radiotherapy through novel use of cine-megavoltage (MV) imaging, together with as-needed kilovoltage (kV) imaging. Methods and Materials We divided the task of monitoring the intrafraction prostate motion into two steps for rotational deliveries: to detect potential target motion beyond a predefined threshold using MV images from different viewing angles by taking advantage of gantry rotation during arc therapy and to verify the displacement and determine whether intervention is needed using fiducial/tumor position information acquired from combined MV-kV imaging (by turning on the kV imager). A Varian Trilogy linear accelerator with an onboard kV imager was used to examine selected typical trajectories using a four-dimensional motion phantom. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated using phantom measurements and computer simulation for 536 Calypso-measured tracks from 17 patients. Results Fiducial displacement relative to the MV beam was limited to within a range of 3 mm 99.9% of the time with Conclusion By focusing the attention on detecting predefined abnormal motion ( i.e., "failure" detection) and using the inherent mechanism of gantry rotation during arc radiotherapy, the current approach provides high confidence regarding the prostate position in real time without the unwanted overhead of continuous or periodic kV imaging.
Documentation in medical records improves after a neurointensivist's appointment.

Introduction: Medical documentation is important for communication among health care professionals, research, legal defense, and reimbursement. Previous studies have indicated insufficient documentation by health care providers and resistance among physicians to comply with the new guidelines. Data in the intensive care unit (ICU) subpopulation are scarce. We examined the hypothesis that a newly appointed neurointensivist may alter documentation practices in a university hospital setting.
Chalcone synthase cosuppression phenotypes in petunia flowers: comparison of sense vs. antisense constructs and single-copy vs. complex T-DNA sequences

Flower pigmentation patterns were scored in 185 senseChalcone synthase (Chs) transgenotes and 85 antisenseChs transgenotes; upon first flowering, 139 (75%) of sense transgenotes were found to be phenotypically altered, as were 70 (82%) of the antisense transgenotes. The observed patterns document the range of phenotypic variations that occur, as well as confirm and extend the finding that senseChs constructs produce several types of morphologybased based flower pigmentation patterns that antisenseChs constructs do not. Long-term monitoring for epigenetic variations in one population of 44 senseChs transgenotes showed that 43 (98%) were capable of producing a cosuppression phenotype. The primary determinant of sense-specific patterns of cosuppression ofChs was found to be the repetitiveness and organization pattern of the transgene, not ‘position effects’ by, or ‘readthrough’ from, flanking plant DNA sequences. The degree of cosuppression observed in progeny of transgenotes carrying multiple, dispersed copies as compared to that observed with a single copy of the transgene suggests that sense cosuppression ofChs is subject to a transgene dosage effect.
COMPARATIVE COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF SOME NITRAMINE AND DIFLUORAMINE STRUCTURES, DISSOCIATION ENERGIES AND HEATS OF FORMATION

Abstract Density functional methods have been used to compute the optimized geometries, dissociation energies and gas phase heats of formation of several difluoramines (in which the NF2 is attached to a nitrogen) and the corresponding nitramines. The -NF2 groups are found to be pyramidal, in contrast to the planarity of -NO2. In each instance, one N-F bond length is at least 0.1 A longer than the other, while the N-N bonds are anomalously short. For the molecules and properties studied, the effects of- NO2 and -NF2 (on nitrogen) do not differ dramatically. Replacing > N-NO2 by > N-NF2 affects the dissociation energies of other N-NO2 and C-NO2 bonds only slightly (2–3 kcal mol−1); however the N-NF2 bonds are 3–6 kcal mol−1 stronger than the N- NO2 that were replaced. The difluoramine heats of formation are less positive, by 15–17 kcal mol−1, than those of the corresponding nitramines.
A characterization theorem for unique risk neutral probability measures

Abstract Given the existence of a unique risk neutral probability measure, this paper provides a characterization theorem which utilizes prices on traded call options to infer the implied probability law over asset payoffs.
Changes in neurohypophysial proteins induced by dehydration and ingestion of saline.

Sustained dehydration or prolonged ingestion of salt solution in rats resulted in marked changes in the appearance of the posterior lobe of the pituitary and an increase in its size and weight. Also, several protein components of the posterior pituitary decreased in concentration; with rehydration or replacement of saline with water they returned to normal. Similar changes were observed in pituitaries from several other species, including the pig, dog and rabbit. Peptide II, previously identified as a lipolytic factor in porcine pituitaries and which is the principal soluble protein component of the posterior pituitary, decreased most markedly with dehydration. It is suggested that in eachspecies the homologous polypeptides which vary with the state of hydration constitute the “neurosecretory material.” In rats with congenital diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro strain) the concentration of these peptides was greatly reduced and prolonged administration of exogenous vasopressin did not restore them to normal....
Physical-chemical studies of polyhexene-1. Some dilute solution properties†

This work is a study of some dilute solution properties of polyhexene-1. Results with the following experimental measurements are reported: osmotic pressure, phase equilibrium, viscosity, light scattering, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and degree of chain extension. Three good solvents were used, cyclohexane, tetrahydrofuran, and toluene, and one poor solvent, phenetole, in order to obtain theta conditions. The properties of polyhexene-1 are compared with those of other α-olefin polymers reported in the literature.
Computing the margin of victory for various voting rules

The margin of victory of an election, defined as the smallest number k such that k voters can change the winner by voting differently, is an important measurement for robustness of the election outcome. It also plays an important role in implementing efficient post-election audits, which has been widely used in the United States to detect errors or fraud caused by malfunctions of electronic voting machines.In this paper, we investigate the computational complexity and (in)approximability of computing the margin of victory for various voting rules, including approval voting, all positional scoring rules (which include Borda, plurality, and veto), plurality with runoff, Bucklin, Copeland, maximin, STV, and ranked pairs. We also prove a dichotomy theorem, which states that for all continuous generalized scoring rules, including all voting rules studied in this paper, either with high probability the margin of victory is Θ(√n), or with high probability the margin of victory is Θ(n), where n is the number of voters. Most of our results are quite positive, suggesting that the margin of victory can be efficiently computed. This sheds some light on designing efficient post-election audits for voting rules beyond the plurality rule.
Intraperitoneal radioactive phosphorus (32P) and vaginal brachytherapy as adjuvant treatment for uterine papillary serous carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma: The Indiana University experience

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the outcomes of surgically staged patients with Stage I–IIIA uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) and clear cell carcinoma (CCC) of the uterus treated at Indiana University with intraperitoneal 32 P and vaginal brachytherapy. Methods Between 1997 and 2004, a total of 28 patients with Stage I–IIIA UPSC and CCC were treated with a standardized adjuvant therapy. All patients underwent comprehensive surgical staging with negative pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes and no gross residual disease. After a Technetium-99m distribution study, 32 P was administered intraperitoneally. Subsequently, high dose rate (HDR) vaginal cuff brachytherapy was delivered to a total dose of 2100 cGy in three fractions prescribed to 0.5 cm depth. The records of these 28 patients were reviewed, including 18 patients who were treated on Hoosier Oncology Group 97-01 (Phase II trial), and whose followup was updated. Results Intraperitoneal 32 P was administered at a median of 4 weeks from surgery, followed by vaginal brachytherapy. One patient had no available followup information and is not included in the analysis. The median followup for the 27 evaluable patients was 40.9 months. No patients had Grade 2, 3, or 4 complications related to their adjuvant treatment. There were 4 patients with recurrent disease: 2 initially relapsed intraperitoneally, 1 in the distal vagina, and 1 had a scar recurrence. Three patients have died of the disease. For all 27 patients, the 3-year overall survival, cause-specific survival, and disease-free survival were 84.2%, 90.7%, and 74.4%, respectively. Conclusions Adjuvant therapy for UPSC and CCC with intraperitoneal 32 P and vaginal brachytherapy after adequate surgical staging and maximal cytoreduction is well tolerated and appears to be effective. Further study is warranted.
Oral Antihyperglycemic Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes: Scientific Review

ContextCare of patients with type 2 diabetes has been revolutionized throughout the past several years—first, by the realization of the importance of tight glycemic control in forestalling complications, and second, by the availability of several unique classes of oral antidiabetic agents. Deciphering which agent to use in certain clinical situations is a new dilemma facing the primary care physician.ObjectiveTo systematically review available data from the literature regarding the efficacy of oral antidiabetic agents, both as monotherapy and in combination.Data SourcesA MEDLINE search was performed to identify all English-language reports of unique, randomized controlled clinical trials involving recently available oral agents for type 2 diabetes. Bibliographies were also reviewed to find additional reports not otherwise identified.Study Selection and Data ExtractionStudies (63) were included in the analysis if they had a study period of at least 3 months; if each group contained at least 10 subjects at the study's conclusion; and if hemoglobin A1c was reported. When multiple dosages of a drug were tested, the results of the highest approved dosage were used. In placebo-controlled trials, hemoglobin A1c data are presented as the difference between the change in treated vs placebo subjects.Data SynthesisFive distinct oral drug classes are now available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Compared with placebo treatment, most of these agents lower hemoglobin A1c levels approximately 1% to 2%. Equivalent efficacy is usually demonstrated when different agents are compared with one another in the same study population. When they are used in combination, there are additional glycemic benefits. Long-term vascular risk reduction has been demonstrated only with sulfonylureas and metformin.ConclusionsWith few exceptions, the available oral antidiabetic agents are equally effective at lowering glucose concentrations. Their mechanisms of action are different, however, and as a result they appear to have distinct metabolic effects. These are reflected in their adverse effect profiles and their effect on cardiovascular risk, which may influence drug choice.
Linear facility location — Solving extensions of the basic problem

Abstract The basic problem is to locate a linear facility to minimize the sume of weighted shortest Euclidean distances from demand points to the facility. We extend the analysis to locating a constrained linear facility, a radial facility, a linear facility where distances are rectangular and a linear facility under the minimax criterion. Each case is shown to admit a simple solution technique.
Thermodynamic Modeling of Phase and Tension Behavior of CO2/Hydrocarbon Systems

The gradient theory of inhomogeneous fluid is used to predict phase splits and compositions, interfacial composition profiles, and interfacial tension (IFT) of liquid-liquid, liquid-vapor, and liquid-liquid-vapor equilibria in binary and ternary mixtures of CO/sub 2/ with propane and decane. The theory's input are the equation of state (EOS) of homogeneous fluid and the influence parameters of inhomogenous fluid. An efficient computational algorithm is presented for simultaneously generating phase behavior, critical points, interfacial composition profiles, and tension between the phases. Most calculations are made with the Peng-Robinson EOS and the geometric mixing rule for the influence parameters. Use of other EOS and alternative schemes for choosing the influence parameters is explored.
SU-GG-I-116: Modulation Transfer Function Above Nyquist Frequency: A Robust Algorithm for the Edge Image Method

Purpose: We present a simple and robust numerical algorithm for the MTF calculation from an edge image, accurate up to frequencies (much) higher than the Nyquist frequency, even in the presence of noise.Method and Materials: The oversampling of the edge image is obtained, as usual, by positioning the edge at a small angle with respect to the detector grid. The angle does not have to be adjusted manually; its value is very accurately calculated using a numeric algorithm, which does not involve recording the Edge Spread Function (ESF) on a sub‐sampling grid, and the Fourier coefficients are subsequently calculated numerically. The quality of the MTF calculation is investigated on a simulated ESF, in the presence of the noise due to the quantum nature of the radiation. Results: The numerical algorithm proposed is able to recover the angle between the edge and the detector grid with a relative error of the order of 10−5, even for noise‐affected data. The center of the Line Spread Function is also detected with an accuracy of the order of 10−3 pixels. For low levels of noise, the MTF was accurately calculated up to about 10 Nyquist frequencies; for high noise levels, an algorithm that avoids the numerical differentiation, by employing integration by parts, has been suggested. The latter algorithm was shown to provide a good estimation of the MTF up to frequencies much higher than Nyquist frequency. Conclusion: The MTF can be accurately calculated from an edge image, when the edge is slanted with respect to the detector grid. The choice of the best algorithm for calculating the MTF depends on the level of noise; even for relatively large levels of noise the MTF can be accurately calculated up to and above the Nyquist frequency.
In vitro inhibition of anaerobic glycolysis by phenothiazine ataractic drugs

Im Gegensatz zu Feststellungen anderer Forscher hemmten Chlorpromazin und zwei strukturell verwandte ataraktisch wirkende Phenothiazinderivate die anaerobe Glykolyse von homogenisiertem Rattenhirn. Der Nachweis dieser Hemmung bedarf einer langeren Inkubation, was auf die Mitwirkung eines zeitbedingten Vorgangs, wie metabolische Umwandlung der Phenothiazine in Hemmstoffe, deutet.
Characterization of Porous Silicon by Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to characterize porous silicon (PS) surfaces. On freshly prepared samples, the range of hydrogen content measured by 1H NMR was equivalent to 0.5−3 monolayers, while fluorine concentrations were below the 19F NMR detection limit. The 1H nuclei were used to selectively cross-polarize (CP) 29Si near the hydrogen passivation. This method was used to study the passivation of an as-prepared, thick (116 μm), high surface area (893 m2/g), photoluminescent (700 nm) PS sample. CP followed by polarization inversion (CPPI) provided some spectral editing. Changes resulting from low-temperature annealing in air and an HF soak were followed by both NMR and infrared spectroscopy. The features of the 29Si NMR spectra are assigned as (O)2(Si)Si−H (−50 ppm), (O)3Si−H (−84 ppm), (Si)3Si−H (−91 ppm), (Si)2Si−H2 (−102 ppm), and (O)4Si (−109 ppm). These assignments are discussed in relationship to experimental measurements and correlations of 29Si NMR chemical shifts for ot...
Live speaker identification in conversations

The following article describes our technical demonstration of an online speaker identification system for conversations. A laptop with an internal microphone is centrally placed in the table of a meeting room. The system is able to identify the current speaker independent of spoken text or language with a latency of about 1.5 seconds and an accuracy of about 85% (as evaluated against the NIST RT benchmark). A Java GUI shows the image of the current speaker along with a timeline containing past speakers. Speakers are added to the system's database using a one-minute training procedure.
Analysis of deuterium effects on the rate of multiphonon relaxation in hydrated cesium chloromanganate crystals (CsMnCl3-2H2O, -2D2O)

Abstract The assumption that OH (OD) stretch vibrations in CsMnCl 3 -2H 2 O and -2D 2 O govern the rate of the 4 T 1 → 6 A 1 multiphonon transitions in Mn 2+ is shown to account quantitatively for the observed 16-fold increase in the 4 T 1 lifetime upon replacing H 2 O by D 2 O. The argument is generalized to include other coordination compounds.
Turmoil in Assam

Abstract Thousands of Assamese have perished in ethnic, religious, and linguistic clashes. The native population has been outnumbered by Bengali‐speaking immigrant Hindus and Muslims, reducing the Assamese to a minority status in their home state. This human onslaught and the failure of the state and central governments to formulate a viable solution have given rise to an upheaval in the form of militant activities, largely headed by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). Two military operations have been conducted in the last 18 months to rout the separatist Maoist militants. In December 1991, ULFA declared a unilateral indefinite ceasefire. Negotiations for a permanent solution to the turmoil are currently underway. This article traces the origin, nature, and content of these developments.
Simultaneous determination of mono- and poly(ADP-ribose) in vivo by tritium labelling and direct high-performance liquid chromatographic separation

Abstract A microanalytical method for the determination of cellular mono-, oligo- and poly(ADP-ribose) has been developed that does not involve enzymatic degradation of oligomers to ribosyladenosine. The method consists of separation of protein-bound mono-, oligo- and poly(ADP-ribose) adducts from soluble nucleotides, followed by hydrolysis and quantitative isolation of AMP [derived from mono-(ADP-ribose)proteins], oligo- and poly(ADP-ribose) by boronate affinity chromatography and subsequent isolation of these nucleotides by HPLC. cis-Diols in AMP, oligo- and poly(ADP-ribose) are selectively oxidized by periodate, then reduced by [3H]borohydride. Conditions for the oxidation—reduction steps were optimized, and tritiated AMP, oligo- and poly(ADP-ribose) were quantitatively determined by radiochemical analysis of these components that were isolated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (18). A 1-pmol ADP-ribose unit under standard conditions yields 2 · 103–2.2 · 103 cpm 3H and this sensitivity can be amplified by increasing the specific radioactivity of [3H]borohydride.
A microfabricated amperometric moisture sensor.

Abstract We describe a microfabricated moisture sensor with interdigitated Au or Pt electrodes on a silicon substrate. The sensor active area is covered with a spin-coated, baked-on layer of Nafion® perfluorosulfonate ionomer of submicron thickness. The sensor responds to moisture with a 10–90% rise time of 50–100 ms and a 90–10% fall time of 20–30 ms, faster than any other presently available sensor. The logarithm of the sensor current is related to the cube root of the moisture level at a given temperature. At 23 °C, the sensor easily measures relative humidities as low as 10%. The sensor response at a given absolute humidity level decreases exponentially with increasing temperature. The film is stable up to a temperature of 150 °C, permitting elevated temperature moisture measurement. Since sorbed water is actively decomposed electrolytically, the sensors exhibit negligible hysteresis. Response reproducibility of an individual sensor is
Wheatear molt and assignment tests: ongoing lessons in using stable isotopes to infer origins

In an earlier paper (Rocque et al. 2006), we attempted to assign two generations of feathers in three species of intercontinental migrants to their respective breeding and wintering areas using stable isotopes. We found that while two species of Pluvialis plovers that breed in Alaska and winter on different sides of the Pacific Ocean (South America versus Asia and the South Pacific) showed significant differences between summerand winter-grown feathers, we could not statistically separate feathers grown on the two continentally different wintering areas. Nor could we assign summer-grown feathers to within thousands of kilometers of their actual origin using the common approach of a North American isotope (dD) isocline map. In Alaska-breeding Northern Wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe), which winter in Africa, we found no significant differences between summerand (presumed) wintergrown feathers. Larson and Hobson (2009) helpfully point out a molt-related problem with our study, specifically with respect to where our presumed winter-grown Northern Wheatear feathers were actually grown. We welcome the opportunity to draw attention to wheatear molt, in which we made an error: the body plumage color changes in O. oenanthe between autumn and spring must be one of the most dramatic to occur in highlatitude birds due to feather wear and not to molt (Fig. 1). Measurements of 10 back feathers from five males in fresh basic plumage showed that approximately one-third (average 36.5%) of the feather length is worn off to achieve this color change. Thus, most if not all of our presumed winter-grown back feathers from adult Northern Wheatears were grown in Alaska, not Africa. This is mea culpa for DAR and KW. We overestimated the extent of the prealternate molt and appreciate the input from other colleagues and now Larson and Hobson (2009) that provides us the opportunity to correct this error. This recognition helps us understand why this group of feathers did not differ significantly from secondaries known to have grown during the previous breeding season in Alaska on these same birds. We hope this prevents others from committing a similar error, for such mistakes only add to the pitfalls associated with using stable isotope analysis to infer origins and movement patterns of animals. However, the presumed winter-grown wheatear back feathers represented only one of six datasets in our study, and we consider that the other conclusions remain robust. In addressing our Pluvialis data, Larson and Hobson (2009) do not dispute the spatial location of feather growth (in the tropics on different sides of the Pacific Ocean in the respective species). Instead, they provide a series of reasons why winter-grown feathers might have high variance in dD (as we did also). They suggest that we should have excluded samples for which dC was less negative than -20% because these samples represent feeding in the Communicated by F. Bairlein.
Novel approaches in conventional mechanical ventilation for paediatric acute lung injury.

Abstract Acute lung injury remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in paediatric intensive care units. Research over the past decade has altered our understanding of the pathophysiology of acute lung injury and the effects of mechanical ventilation on the lung. As a result, approaches to conventional mechanical ventilation of the injured lung are now largely centred around preservation of adequate gas exchange while protecting the lung from further ventilator-induced lung injury. Current techniques for accomplishing these goals include adjusting the ventilator based on the measurement and interpretation of pressure–volume curves, limitation of inspiratory tidal volumes, use of elevated levels of positive end-expiratory pressure, recruiting manoeuvres and prone positioning. The currently available data regarding the efficacy and appropriate use of these techniques are reviewed.
Genotoxicant induced DNA damage and repair in early and late developmental stages of the grass shrimp Paleomonetes pugio embryo as measured by the comet assay.

In this study, data are presented which link frequency of DNA strand breaks and repair capability to developmental stage. Stages 4 and 7 embryos of the grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) were exposed to various concentrations of benzo[α]pyrene (BαP), Cr(VI) and hydrogen peroxide. Following exposure, responses were measured as changes in hatching rates and DNA strand breaks (using the comet assay). The comet assay was modified by treatment of isolated nuclei with endonucleases which cleave DNA at oxidative lesions in DNA prior to electrophoresis. DNA repair was followed by transfer of toxicant exposed embryos to clean water and periodic determination of strand breaks. DNA strand breaks were higher in stage 7 embryos than in stage 4 embryos after exposure to the same concentration of different genotoxicants. However, when samples were treated with endonucleases to measure oxidative lesions, the total amount of DNA damage between stages 4 and 7 were similar. After toxicant exposure and transfer to clean water, DNA strand breaks in stage 7 embryos returned to background levels more rapidly than in stage 4 embryos. Similarly, samples treated with endonucleases during DNA repair studies showed that oxidative lesions were repaired more rapidly in stage 7 than in stage 4. These findings suggest that because of rapid DNA repair in late embryo stages that early embryo stages are more likely to have developmental effects after genotoxicant exposure.
A Model for Trivalent Actinides in Media Containing High Carbonate Concentrations − Structural Characterization of the Lanthanide Tetracarbonate [Co(NH3)6][Na(μ-H2O)(H2O)4]2[Ho(CO3)4]·4H2O

The identity of the limiting HoIII species in aqueous solutions with high carbonate concentrations has been determined to be Ho(CO3)45−. Single crystals of [Co(NH3)6][Na(μ−H2O)(H2O)4]2[Ho(CO3)4]·4H2O were obtained by the addition of [Co(NH3)6]3+ to an aqueous 0.04 M solution of HoIII in 2.1 M Na2CO3. The asymmetric unit contains the anion, [Ho(CO3)4]5−, a [Co(NH3)6]3+ cation and two Na+ cations, which are bound to H2O molecules in an edge-sharing bioctahedral geometry. The [Ho(CO3)4]5− anion is eight coordinate with four bidentate carbonate ligands bound to the Ho atom. The molecule has essentially C2v symmetry with two coplanar carbonates making a vane, which is perpendicular to a similar vane produced by the other two carbonate ligands. An alternative way to this view molecule is through the geometry of the C atoms, which are found in a distorted tetrahedron. The average Ho−O distance was determined to be 2.361(5) A, while the average Ho−C distance was 2.784(6) A. The IR and Raman spectra were determined in both the solid state and solution in order to confirm the solution speciation. The Raman data show a single CO32− stretch for the solid at 1062 cm−1. The solution data show multiple peaks with the most prominent being at 1048 cm−1, which is consistent with the literature reports of an equilibrium mixture. The IR data for the solids confirm the X-ray results showing bidentate carbonate ligands by the splitting of the ν3 band of the CO32−. The crystal data for [Co(NH3)6][Na(μ-H2O)(H2O)4]2[Ho(CO3)4]·4H2O are as follows: monoclinic space group P2/n, a = 8.7091(5) A, b = 10.8744(6) A, c = 15.7971(9) A, β = 93.117(1)°, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0307, wR2 = 0.0756.
Pulse Oximetry in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Pulse oximetry has become ubiquitous and is used routinely during neonatal care. Emerging evidence highlights the continued uncertainty regarding definition of the optimal range to target pulse oximetry oxygen saturation levels in very low birth weight infants. Furthermore, maintaining optimal oxygen saturation targets is a demanding and tedious task because of the frequency with which oxygenation changes, especially in these small infants receiving prolonged respiratory support. This article addresses the historical perspective, basic physiologic principles behind pulse oximetry operation, and the use of pulse oximetry in targeting different oxygen ranges at various time-points throughout the neonatal period.
Preface to the special issue on ambient noise seismology

Not too long ago, seismic imaging of the Earth’s interior relied almost exclusively on the illumination from energetic sources, such as earthquakes or artificial sources. However, recent theoretical and laboratory studies have shown that the impulse response (Green’s function) of a structure between two receivers can be obtained from the cross-correlation of “random” noise wavefields recorded at the two receivers. The basic idea is that a random field contains coherent signals traveling between the receivers, which can be stacked and amplified while all other arrivals are canceled out in the cross-correlation. The idea has now found rapid applications in seismology. In particular, surface waves have been found to be most easily retrievable from the cross-correlations of the ambient seismic noise in the Earth. The new area of research is expanding rapidly and has quickly become an important branch of seismological research. This field, which I use a general term ambient noise seismology here, is known as Green’s function retrieval and is often called seismic interferometry in the exploration geophysics community (because of the cross-correlation involved). Major developments include new theories, new data processing techniques, imaging of Earth structures from ambient noise tomography, monitoring of subsurface processes, and characteristics of ambient noise sources. The special issue contains 13 papers on this timely topic from researchers from China, France, Germany, and the U.S.. We hope that the collection can serve as a small window into this exciting field for the vast readership of the Chinese seismological community, while promoting scientific exchanges and communication between researchers in China and western countries. For readers who are interested in learning more about the ∗ Received 22 September 2010; accepted in revised form 23 September 2010;
A Hybrid Shared-Nothing/Shared-Data Storage Architecture for Large Scale Databases

Shared-nothing and shared-disk are two widely-used storage architectures in current parallel database systems, and each of them has its own merits for different query patterns. However, there is no much effort in investigating the integration of these two architectures and exploiting their merits together. In this study, we propose a novel hybrid shared-nothing/shared-data storage scheme for large-scale databases, to leverage the benefits of both shared-nothing and shared-disk architectures. We adopt a shared-nothing architecture as the hardware layer and leverage a parallel file system as the storage layer. The proposed hybrid storage scheme can provide a high degree of parallelism in both I/O and computing, like that in a shared-nothing system. In the meantime, it can achieve convenient and high-speed data sharing across multiple database nodes, like that in a shared-disk system. The hybrid scheme is more appropriate for large-scale and data-intensive applications than each of the two individual types of systems.
On the strategic use of border tax adjustments as a second-best climate policy measure

We investigate the interaction between a developed country that imports a carbon-intensive product, such as electricity, and a transitioning economy that exports the product. Production of the good generates a transboundary externality related to climate change; if this externality is priced improperly, the application of a feed-in tariff or border tax adjustment can provide an indirect policy instrument. We analyze the application of such a measure in a stark model where the importing country cares about climate-related damages while the exporting country does not; this can be viewed as reflecting a scenario where the (developed) importing country is more concerned about climate change than is the (transitioning) exporting economy. Because climate change will occur over a long time frame, the problem is dynamic. In this modeling context, we describe the manner in which the (second-best) tariff-cum-border tax adjustment relates to the carbon stock.
Real-time door detection in cluttered environments

A mobile robot, called a ranger, equipped with a ring of sonars and a color camera is at the center of this research effort. The ranger is part of a fleet of heterogenous robots. Its task is to quickly deploy multiple smaller robots with specialized sensing capabilities, called scouts, into different rooms. In order to achieve the goal, the ranger must be able to safely navigate through potentially unknown urban environments as well as autonomously detect areas into which the scouts should be released. This paper presents the ranger's sensing and control algorithms and reports results from several different environments.
An integrated 500-V power DMOSFET/antiparallel rectifier device with improved diode reverse recovery characteristics

We propose and demonstrate an integrated power MOSFET structure where a fast-switching antiparallel rectifier with improved reverse recovery is integrated within the conventional DMOSFET structure. In this device, the source metal electrode of the DMOSFET is extended to the n-drift region, and a thin p-layer is implanted under the metal forming a junction diode antiparallel to the DMOSFET. Analysis of the experimental switching performance of the integral diode in 500-V integrated power DMOSFET/antiparallel rectifier devices indicates at least 30% decrease in peak reverse current and minority carrier stored charge at 100/spl deg/C.
When are two elements of GL(2,Z) similar?

We give an algorithm which determines conjugacy in GL(2,Z), thus determining the topological conjugacy of the corresponding toral automorphisms.
Changes in the surface energy budget after fire in boreal ecosystems of interior Alaska: An annual perspective

[1] Understanding links between the disturbance regime and regional climate in boreal regions requires observations of the surface energy budget from ecosystems in various stages of secondary succession. While several studies have characterized fire-induced differences in surface energy fluxes from boreal ecosystems during summer months, much less is known about these differences over the full annual cycle. Here we measured components of the surface energy budget (including both radiative and turbulent fluxes) at three sites from a fire chronosequence in interior Alaska for a 1-year period. Our sites consisted of large burn scars resulting from fires in 1999, 1987, and � 1920 (hereinafter referred to as the 3-, 15-, and 80-year sites, respectively). Vegetation cover consisted primarily of bunch grasses at the 3-year site, aspen and willow at the 15-year site, and black spruce at the 80-year site. Annual net radiation declined by 31% (17 W m � 2 )f or both the 3- and the 15-year sites as compared with the 80-year site (which had an annual mean of 55 W m � 2 ). Annual sensible heat fluxes were reduced by an even greater amount, by 55% at the 3-year site and by 52% at the 15-year site as compared with the 80-year site (which had an annual mean of 21 W m � 2 ). Absolute differences between the postfire ecosystems and the mature black spruce forest for both net radiation and sensible heat fluxes were greatest during spring (because of differences in snow cover and surface albedo), substantial during summer and winter, and relatively small during fall. Fire-induced disturbance also initially reduced annual evapotranspiration (ET). Annual ET decreased by 33% (99 mm yr � 1 ) at the 3-year site as compared with the 80-year site (which had an annual flux of 301 mm yr � 1 ). Annual ET at the 15-year site (283 mm yr � 1 ) was approximately the same as that from the 80-year site, even though the 15-year site had substantially higher ET during July. Our study suggests that differences in annual ET between deciduous and conifer stands may be smaller than that inferred solely from summer observations. This study provides a direct means to validate land surface processes in global climate models attempting to capture vegetation-climate feedbacks in northern terrestrial regions.
Some Aspects of Multivariate Analysis

Classical multivariate methods for analyzing data tableaux do not explicitly incorporate spatial correlation. In contrast geostatistical techniques such as kriging, dual kriging and cokriging are primarily estimation methods. The multivariate formations of dual kriging and disjunctive kriging, dual cokriging and co-disjunctive kriging, provide methods which bridge the gap between the two approaches. Basic properties of both are presented.