cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of argon laser radiation on aortic endothelial cells: early membrane changes and proliferative response.

Membrane fluidity, transmembrane signaling responses, and proliferative characteristics of endothelial cells were studied to characterize biochemical and molecular changes after treatment with argon laser energy. Bovine aortic endothelial cells grown in monolayers were irradiated at 50, 100, and 200 J with an argon laser (wavelength, 488 and 514 nm). Proliferation, assayed by [3H]thymidine incorporation, was measured daily for 6 days. An initial lag phase was observed for irradiated cells when compared to nonirradiated controls (P < 0.03), with eventual recovery by the third day. Membrane fluidity, determined by fluorescence anisotropy, was measured 1 hr after irradiation. A decrease in static rotational motion of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) was noted in irradiated versus nonirradiated cells indicating a decrease in membrane fluidity (P < 0.02). Dynamic studies of intracellular calcium and pH flux utilizing fluorescent probes demonstrated a preserved response to mitogenic stimulation. An increase in intracellular Ca2+ with a concomitant alkalinization of the intracellular milieu was observed in irradiated and non-irradiated cells in response to stimulation with endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF). These responses resemble those characterized for other mitogens. Argon laser energy applied to aortic endothelial cells decreases membrane fluidity early after irradiation. These alterations probably cause the initial lag observed in their proliferative response; however, the capacity to respond to exogenous mitogenic stimulation is maintained.
Sexual performance levels of male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract Sexual performance levels of twenty-five male Japanese quail presented with new females after each copulation were measured until each reached an arbitrary satiation criterion of no sexual behaviour during twenty consecutive minutes. Sexual activity was most frequent within the first 5 min of observation. The males averaged about three copulations per male (range 0 to 9) before reaching satiation, but experienced males with experienced females were more efficient (in terms of latency to perform and success of initial approaches) than were inexperienced males with inexperienced females. Observations also suggested that the behaviour of the female is an important determinant governing sexual performance levels of males.
The effects of the child support provisions of the Family Support Act of 1988 on child well-being

The provisions for child support reform in the Family Support Act of 1988 are likely to have a large impact upon the well-being of children eligible for child support, a group expected to include half of the children in the country. The reform is expected to increase child support payments and thereby reduce the economic insecurity and poverty of children who live apart from a parent. It is also expected to lead to increased contact between noncustodial parents and their children, which may also enhance well-being. This paper reviews the child support system in the United States, summarizes the empirical research that has been carried out on children from disrupted families, analyzes the impact that the Family Support Act may have on child well-being, and discusses the key variables that should be measured as well as the most promising sources of data to evaluate child support reform.
Identification of Kinetic Parameters in Multidimensional Crystallization Processes

Advances in sensor technology and increased competition in the pharmaceutical industry have generated significant interest in the identification of models for the solution formation of crystals with multiple characteristic dimensions. A procedure is proposed that uses a small number of batch experiments to identify the kinetic parameters for multidimensional crystallization processes. The parameters are estimated simultaneously from the on-line measurement of infrared spectra and from cross-moments of the crystal size distribution. The identification procedure maximizes the informativeness of the data produced by each experiment, produces an estimate of the accuracy of the kinetic parameters, and allows the consideration of competing hypotheses for characterizing the crystallization kinetics. The parameter identification strategy is applied to the batch crystallization of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, which forms two-dimensional crystal from solution. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first time that the kinetic parameters for a multidimensional crystallization process are identified from a small number of batch experiments.
Thermal learning in the honeybee, Apis mellifera.

SUMMARY Honeybee foragers are exposed to thermal stimuli when collecting food outside and receiving food rewards inside the nest. In both contexts, there is an opportunity for foragers to associate warmth with food rewards. However, honeybee thermal learning is poorly understood. Using an associative learning paradigm (the proboscis extension reflex), we show that honeybees can learn to associate a nectar reward with a heated stimulus applied to the antenna to mimic natural contact with a warm flower or nectar-offering forager. Conditioning with longer inter-trial intervals (ITI) significantly improved learning acquisition. We also trained bees to discriminate between temperatures above (warm) and below (cold) ambient air temperature. Learning acquisition improved by 38% per 10°C increase in absolute stimulus intensity (difference between the rewarded temperature and unrewarded ambient air temperature). However, bees learned positive temperature (warm) significantly better than negative temperature (cold) differences, approximately twice as well for 10°C as compared with a −10°C difference. Thus, thermosensation, a sensory modality that is relatively unexplored in honeybees, could play a role in the acquisition of information from nestmates (social learning) and in foraging decisions influenced by associations between floral temperature and nectar rewards.
Sequential development and morphology of experimentally induced hepatic melano‐macrophage centres in Rivulus marmoratus

Formation of hepatic melano-macrophage centres (MMCs) in Rivulus marmoratus was induced with the coccidian parasite Calyptospora funduli. Experimental infections were produced by feeding infected intestine and hepatopancreas from grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) to individual parasite-free fish. Livers of fish sampled 5–150 days post-infection were examined histologically. Mild diffuse inflammation initiated during early merogony (5–8 days) consisted of eosinophilic granulocytes and heterophils. Liberation of merozoites (8–12 days) caused extensive hepatocyte degeneration and augmented leucocyte exudation. During gamogony (15–18 days) mononuclear phagocytes became a predominant component of the cellular exudate. Focal lesions, considered to be early MMCs, became apparent during early sporogony (20–25 days); they consisted of degenerating infected hepatocytes and inflammatory cells, and contained developing oocysts and degenerating macrogamonts, but no pigment. Early centres became visible grossly at 30 days as diffuse, yellow-tan foci within the hepatic parenchyma. Pigment content increased progressively, but melanin was never a major component. Oocysts first elicited a granulomatous response between 40 and 50 days. The study suggests that MMC formation in this instance is an inflammatory process in which mononuclear phagocytes recruited from peripheral circulation play a dominant role. MMC development appears to be elicited by macrogamont degeneration, whereas granuloma formation is probably a response to oocysts.
Statistical Analysis for Single-Case Designs Evaluating Outcome of Imaginal Exposure Treatment of Chronic PTSD

A recently developed statistical method for single-case subject designs based on classical test theory was used to examine the efficacy of imaginal exposure treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in four Vietnam veterans. The method was sensitive to intraindividual changes across different outcome measures even when relatively few data points were available. Two veterans clearly improved from exposure and maintained their gains at 3- and 15-month follow-ups. One veteran improved marginally, whereas one veteran's symptoms worsened. Changes in heart rate monitored over the first two imaginal exposures indicated that veterans with greater heart-rate habituation responded better to exposure than did veterans with less or no habituation. The results suggest that the statistical method illustrated here has some advantages over other methods (e.g., visual inspection, time-series analysis) for examining clinical interventions in single-case designs.
Making history: the Bloomsbury group's construction of aesthetic and sexual identity

This essay examines the way England's well-known Bloomsbury group in the first decades of this century negotiated the legacy of prominent figures of the generation before in order to create its own identity. Looking at the group's ideas about both aesthetics and sexuality, the author shows how the group privileged Leo Tolstoy over J. A. M. Whistler, and Oscar Wilde over Walter Pater. The introduction and conclusion seek to set this study in the context of current issues in gay and lesbian studies.
Probabilistic Analysis of Activation Volumes Generated During Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and shows great promise for the treatment of several other disorders. However, while the clinical analysis of DBS has received great attention, a relative paucity of quantitative techniques exists to define the optimal surgical target and most effective stimulation protocol for a given disorder. In this study we describe a methodology that represents an evolutionary addition to the concept of a probabilistic brain atlas, which we call a probabilistic stimulation atlas (PSA). We outline steps to combine quantitative clinical outcome measures with advanced computational models of DBS to identify regions where stimulation-induced activation could provide the best therapeutic improvement on a per-symptom basis. While this methodology is relevant to any form of DBS, we present example results from subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS for PD. We constructed patient-specific computer models of the volume of tissue activated (VTA) for 163 different stimulation parameter settings which were tested in six patients. We then assigned clinical outcome scores to each VTA and compiled all of the VTAs into a PSA to identify stimulation-induced activation targets that maximized therapeutic response with minimal side effects. The results suggest that selection of both electrode placement and clinical stimulation parameter settings could be tailored to the patient's primary symptoms using patient-specific models and PSAs.
Electronic Synoptic Operative Reporting for Thyroid Surgery using an Electronic Data Management System: Potential for Prospective Multicenter Data Collection

Background Electronic synoptic operative reports ensure systematic documentation of all critical components and findings during complex surgical procedures. Thyroid surgery lends itself to synoptic reporting, because there are a predefined number of essential intraoperative events and findings that every endocrine surgeon invariably records.
A Well-Behaved Revolute Flexure Joint for Compliant Mechanism Design

This paper describes the design of a unique revolute flexure joint, called a split-tube flexure, that enables (lumped compliance) compliant mechanism design with a considerably larger range-of-motion than a conventional thin beam flexure, and additionally provides significantly better multi-axis revolute joint characteristics. Conventional flexure joints utilize bending as the primary mechanism of deformation. In contrast, the split-tube flexure joint incorporates torsion as the primary mode of deformation, and contrasts the torsional properties of a thin-walled open-section member with the bending properties of that member to obtain desirable joint behavior. The development of this joint enables the development of compliant mechanisms that are quite compliant along kinematic axes, extremely stiff along structural axes, and are capable of kinematically well-behaved large motions.
Experience with the use of propranolol in the surgical management of thyrotoxicosis

A review of the preoperative preparation of 47 patients undergoing subtotal thyroidectomy for thyrotoxicosis was carried out to evaluate the role of propranolol hydrochloride. Based on the premise that subtotal thyroidectomy is performed at least risk in the patient who is euthyroid, propranolol has its primary role as an adjunct to preparation with thioamide drugs. The most common indications for its use are inadequate control with thioamides and drug toxicity. Less frequent indications are its use in pregnant patients and patients who cannot be relied on to comply with a medical regimen outside the hospital environment. Patients can safely be treated preoperatively in the hospital in a reasonable period of time. When propranolol is used without thioamide drugs, the addition of Lugol's solution is of value in control of the thyrotoxicosis.
Accelerating FPGA development through the automatic parallel application of standard implementation tools

FPGA implementation tool turnaround time has unfortunately not kept pace with FPGA density advances. It is difficult to parallelize place-and-route algorithms without sacrificing determinism or quality of results. As in many multithreaded applications, communication and synchronization incur significant overheads. Even if these challenges are overcome, the large graph data structures used can quickly exhaust memory bandwidth as more cores are employed. We approach the problem in a different way for development environments in which some circuit speed and area optimization may be sacrificed for improved implementation and debug turnaround. The PATIS automatic floorplanner enables dynamic modular design. While existing modular and incremental flows facilitate timing closure late in the design cycle by reusing the layout of unmodified blocks, dynamic modular design accelerates non-local changes to the physical layout arising from design exploration and the addition of debug circuitry. A PATIS floorplan consists of partial modules with structured physical interfaces observable through configuration readback, allowing module ports to be passively probed without disturbing the layout. Although PATIS supports incremental design, global changes are still rapid because each block's partial bitstream is produced by independent and concurrent invocations of the standard Xilinx tools running on separate cores or hosts. A continuous background task proactively generates floorplan variants to further accelerate layout changes.
Polarized infrared spectra of single crystals of ethyl alcohol

Abstract Polarized mid-infrared spectra of single crystals of ethyl alcohol and its deuterated derivatives have been obtained using a diamond-window high-pressure cell for both the crystal growing and the spectral measurements. Lattice frequencies have been determined from the infrared spectra of polycrystalline samples at low temperatures. From the dichroic measurements, a crystal structure, C 2 h 6 - A 2/a, is proposed. All of the polarized infrared bands are interpreted on the basis of this structure, including the splitting of the OH stretching vibration into a broad and a sharp component. This latter phenomenon has been interpreted in terms of coupling and a tendency towards a tautomerism for some of the OH stretching vibrations of an infinite zigzag hydrogen-bonded chain.
Inferring synaptic inputs given a noisy voltage trace via sequential Monte Carlo methods.

We discuss methods for optimally inferring the synaptic inputs to an electrotonically compact neuron, given intracellular voltage-clamp or current-clamp recordings from the postsynaptic cell. These methods are based on sequential Monte Carlo techniques (“particle filtering”). We demonstrate, on model data, that these methods can recover the time course of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs accurately on a single trial. Depending on the observation noise level, no averaging over multiple trials may be required. However, excitatory inputs are consistently inferred more accurately than inhibitory inputs at physiological resting potentials, due to the stronger driving force associated with excitatory conductances. Once these synaptic input time courses are recovered, it becomes possible to fit (via tractable convex optimization techniques) models describing the relationship between the sensory stimulus and the observed synaptic input. We develop both parametric and nonparametric expectation–maximization (EM) algorithms that consist of alternating iterations between these synaptic recovery and model estimation steps. We employ a fast, robust convex optimization-based method to effectively initialize the filter; these fast methods may be of independent interest. The proposed methods could be applied to better understand the balance between excitation and inhibition in sensory processing in vivo.
Ultraviolet Imaging Of Hydrogen Flames

We have assembled an ultraviplet-sensitive intensified camera for observing hydrogen combustion by imaging the OH, A2Σ+ - x2II bandhead emissions near 309 nm. The camera consists of a quartz and CaF achromat lense-coupled to an ultraviolet image intensifier which is in turn fiber-coupled to a focus projection scan (FPS) vidicon. The emission band is selected with interference filters which serve to discriminate against background. The camera provides optical gain of 100 to 1000 and is capable of being shuttered at nanosecond speeds and of being framed at over 600 frames per second. We present data from observations of test flames in air at standard RS-170 video rates with varying background conditions. Enhanced images using background subtraction are presented. Finally, we discuss the use of polarization effects for further discrimination against sky background. This work began as a feasibility study to investigate ultraviolet technology to detect hydrogen fires for the NASA space program.© (1988) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fuel effects on leading point curvature statistics of high hydrogen content fuels

Abstract Fuel composition has significant influences on the turbulent flame speed of mixtures with strong stretch sensitivity. These fuels effects are associated with reactant thermal-diffusive properties and stretch sensitivities, causing local variations in the burning rate along the flame front. This study is motivated by leading point descriptions of the turbulent flame speed, which argue that S T is controlled by the flame characteristics at its positively curved leading edge. It has been argued that the leading edge of the flame approaches “critically stretched” values in thermo-diffusively unstable flames, implying that the appropriate laminar flame speed to parameterize the turbulent flame speed is the maximum flame speed across all potential values of flame stretch, S L,max , as opposed to its unstretched value, S L, 0 . This paper describes an experimental investigation of the characteristics of the flame leading point in high stretch sensitivity flames to assess this hypothesis more fully. Measurements of the flame curvature were obtained with a low swirl burner (LSB) for several H 2 /CO mixtures at velocities from 30–50 m/s. These data show that the leading point conditioned curvature statistics are a strong function of the turbulence intensity of the flow. Counter to our expectations, however, the measurements show relatively weak influences of fuel composition on the leading point curvature of the turbulent flame front. As such, these results do not seem consistent with prior arguments that the increased turbulent flame speeds seen with increasing hydrogen content are the result of increasing flame curvature/stretch rates, and therefore S L,max values, at the flame leading points. Additional analysis is needed to understand the physical mechanisms through which the turbulent flame speed is altered by differential diffusion effects.
Low-background counting systems compared

A comparison of special low-background germanium counting systems used at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory will be presented. These vary from specially modified instruments in the laboratory to low-cosmic-exposure detectors operated deep underground. The underground detectors have copper cryostats completely electroformed from low-background copper. Electroforming is a process analogous to zone refining in its ability to remove chemical impurities. Shielding techniques and their merit are compared as to difficulty and benefit. Active cosmic veto is directly compared to passive overburden shielding. Special attention is paid to cosmic activation of the cryostat and the germanium crystal itself.
Modulation of the Casimir force by laser pulses: Influence of oxide films on the silicon surface

The possibility of modulating the Casimir force that acts in an air medium between a gold sphere and a silicon plate irradiated by laser pulses has been studied. It has been demonstrated that the oxide film that is formed on the silicon surface in air hardly affects the possibility of modulating the Casimir force when the distances between interacting bodies are of the order of 100 nm. With an increase in the distance, the modulation depth decreases; however, this region is of less practical interest, because the Casimir forces become too weak.
Submucosal fibrin glue injection for closure of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula

We describe a new endoscopic technique for closure of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula in which fibrin glue is injected into the submucosa of the lateral walls of the fistula until the lumen is occluded. This technique eliminates the possibility of the fibrin glue plug becoming dislodged and aspirated. In addition, our technique is simpler and safer in that it does not require diathermy or laser coagulation to deepithelialize the tract, and thereby eliminates the potential for injury to the esophagus and trachea.
Performance of a Gamma-Ray and X-Ray Spectrometer Utilizing Germanium and Si(Li) Detectors Cooled by a Closed-Cycle Cryogenic Mechanical Refrigerator

A mechanically cooled spectrometer has been constructed and tested separately with Si(Li) planar, high-purity germanium (HPGe) planar, and HPGe coaxial detectors. For each of these types of semiconductor detectors, this spectrometer has attained the lowest noise and best resolution at 5.9 keV, 122 keV, or 1.33 MeV of any closed-cycle mechanically cooled spectrometer which has been reported on in the literature. Resolutions at 5.9 keV were 175 eV FWHM with a 4 mm diameter Si(Li) detector and 202 eV with a 16 mm HPGe planar detector. With a 10% relative efficiency HPGe coaxial detector, resolutions of 816 eV at 122 keV and 1.70 keV at 1.33 MeV were obtained.
Enzymes of cerebral GABA metabolism and synaptosomal GABA uptake in acute liver failure in the rabbit: evidence for decreased cerebral GABA-transaminase activity.

: Measurements of the activities of the two key enzymes in cerebral GABA metabolism—glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA-transaminase (GABA-T)—were performed in normal rabbits and in rabbits with hepatic encephalopathy due to galactosamine-induced liver failure. Furthermore the uptake of GABA by synaptosomes was studied. Hepatic encephalopathy was associated with a marked decrease in the activity of GAB A-T. This decrease in activity was already apparent in galactosamine-treated rabbits before the onset of hepatic encephalopathy. Sera and serum ultrafiltrates of rabbits with hepatic encephalopathy but not of normal rabbits or of rabbits with uremic encephalopathy were shown to inhibit GABA-T activity in vitro. Cerebral GAD activity and synaptosomal GABA uptake in rabbits with hepatic encephalopathy and in untreated animals were not different. These later findings indicate that hepatic encephalopathy is not associated with alterations of presynaptic GABA nerve terminals in the central nervous system. The demonstration of a decrease in cortical GABA-T activity provides indirect evidence for decreased GABA turnover in the brains of rabbits with hepatic encephalopathy and thus is compatible with augmented GABA-ergic inhibitory neurotransmission contributing to the neural inhibition of hepatic encephalopathy.
Rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterus in a postmenopausal patient

Pure rhabdomyosarcomas of the female genital tract most commonly occur in infancy or childhood as sarcoma botryoides (embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma) and involve the vagina and cervix. Such tumors rarely occur in adults. A pure rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterus that arose in a postmenopausal patient is described. The pertinent literature is discussed.
Cyclosporin A does not affect the absolute rate of cortical bone resorption at the organ level in the growing rat.

The weanling rat, an animal model of rapid bone turnover, was used to evaluate the effects of various doses of cyclosporin A (CsA) on various bones during different time periods. Sprague-Dawley male rats were extensively prelabeled with 3H-tetracycline during 1–3 weeks of age. At 4 weeks of age, four groups of rats were given daily subcutaneous injections: vehicle or CsA—low dose (10 mg/kg), intermediary dose (20 mg/kg), or high dose (30 mg/kg) for 7, 14, or 28 days. Three different whole bones—the femur (low turnover), scapula (moderate turnover), and lumbar-6 vertebra (high turnover) were harvested intact at 4, 5, 6, and 8 weeks of age. The whole bones were assayed weekly for total dry defatted weight, calcium mass (formation), and loss of 3H-tetracycline (bone resorption) following treatment with CsA. Serum CsA levels, calcium creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase were measured weekly. Significant decreases in serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase were observed at 1 and 2 weeks, and were normalized by 4 weeks of treatment. No significant changes in serum creatinine were noted. For all three doses of CsA, no effect was observed on the absolute rate of cortical bone resorption of three different, whole bones over three time periods. Body weight and bone formation in treated animals was significantly smaller in a dose- and time-related fashion compared with control animals at sacrifice. However, compared with the initial control animals, body weights and bone masses of the final treated animals were much larger, suggesting that the smaller bone masses were due to insufficient growth and slow gain in bone mass. Our isotopic data demonstrate that CsA has no effect on the basal rate of bone resorption and decreases rate of bone formation, as observed globally at the whole bone level. Bone measurements at the organ level may lead to different interpretations from those observed at the tissue level.
Drumming Behavior of Five Stonefly (Plecoptera) Species from Central and Western North America

Drumming behavior is described for the first time in five North American stonefly species. Males of Taeniopteryx burksi (Taeniopterygidae), Pteronarcella regularis and Pteronarcys princeps (Pteronarcyidae), and Sierraperla cora (Peltoperlidae) produced species-specific monophasic signals with 14 ± 1.1, 6.6 ± 1.0, 7.7 ± 2.0, and 3.0 ± 0.0 beats, respectively. Specificity between P. regularis and P. princeps was in beat (pulse) interval differences of 96 ± 13 and 388 ± 22 ms, respectively. Drumming exchanges of T. burksi and the two pteronarcyids were of the same general pattern as those of other known species in their respective families, whereas S. corn's signals were notably simpler and less variable than those of Soliperla spp. (same family). Hydroperla crosbyi (Perlodidae) males produced a grouped call of seven mode beats in two groupings of three and four beats, respectively. Grouped calls are typical of other known Perlodinae.
Teratogen Update: Smoking and Reproductive Outcomes

The potential effects of cigarette smoke exposure on reproductive outcomes are a major scientific and public health concern, as evidenced by the myriad of published studies on outcomes ranging from germ cell morphology to morbidity among subsequent generations of offspring. Although the prevalence of maternal smoking has decreased over the past two decades, ,15% of women smoke throughout pregnancy (Kendrick and Merritt, ’96). Given that cigarette smoke contains hundreds of toxic components, it follows that maternal smoking may have adverse effects on certain reproductive outcomes. For the most part, specific components of cigarette smoke have not been studied in humans, but pieces of evidence point toward certain pathways. Some examples include: nicotine is known to be vasoactive and is thought to reduce placental and fetal circulation (Lehtovirta and Forss, ’78; Goodman, ’90; Mochizuki et al., ’94; Philipp et al., ’94); cotinine, a major metabolite of nicotine, has been measured in follicular fluid (Bureau et al., ’82; Weiss and Eckert, ’89); cyanide is a known toxin and has been studied as a marker for smoking because thiocyanate correlates well with smoking exposure (Sophian, ’68; Andrews and McGarry, ’72; Bottoms et al., ’82); carbon monoxide is known to deplete both maternal and fetal oxygen supplies (Bartlett, ’68; Meyer, ’78; Bureau et al., ’84); excess cadmium has been observed in the ovaries, follicular fluid, and placentas of smokers (Van der Velde et al., ’83; Kuhnert et al., ’88; Zenzes et al., ’93); lead is a known neurotoxin (Doull et al., ’80); and some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are mutagenic (USDHHS, ’82). The more general exposure—cigarette smoking—is the focus of this review. Because of the abundance of published papers on smoking, the outcomes presented here were selected on the basis of public health relevance and the availability of published data from epidemiologic studies in humans. For each reproductive outcome covered, important epidemiologic issues are described and the findings are summarized in terms of an estimated relative effect of smoking (i.e., relative risk) (Rothman, ’86). For those outcomes that have been linked to smoking consistently across studies, the proportion of the outcome attributed to the exposure (i.e., attributable proportion) is estimated (Rothman, ’86). SUBFERTILITY
Direct and semi-direct radiative forcing of smoke aerosols over clouds

Abstract. Observations from Earth observing satellites indicate that dark carbonaceous aerosols that absorb solar radiation are widespread in the tropics and subtropics. When these aerosols mix with clouds, there is generally a reduction of cloudiness owing to absorption of solar energy in the aerosol layer. Over the subtropical South Atlantic Ocean, where smoke from savannah burning in southern Africa resides above a persistent deck of marine stratocumulus clouds, radiative heating of the smoke layer leads to a thickening of the cloud layer. Here, satellite observations of the albedo of overcast scenes of 25 km2 size or larger are combined with additional satellite observations of clouds and aerosols to estimate the top-of-atmosphere direct radiative forcing attributable to presence of dark aerosol above bright cloud, and the negative semi-direct forcing attributable to the thickening of the cloud layer. The average positive direct radiative forcing by smoke over an overcast scene is 9.2±6.6 W m−2 for cases with an unambiguous signal of absorbing aerosol over cloud in passive ultraviolet remote sensing observations. However, cloud liquid water path is enhanced by 16.3±7.7 g m−2 across the range of values for sea surface temperature for cases of smoke over cloud. The negative radiative forcing associated with this semi-direct effect of smoke over clouds is estimated to be −5.9±3.5 W m−2. Therefore, the cooling associated with the semi-direct cloud thickening effect compensates for greater than 60 % of the direct radiative effect. Accounting for the frequency of occurrence of significant absorbing aerosol above overcast scenes leads to an estimate of the average direct forcing of 1.0±0.7 W m−2 contributed by these scenes averaged over the subtropical southeast Atlantic Ocean during austral winter. The regional average of the negative semi-direct forcing is −0.7±0.4 W m−2. Therefore, smoke aerosols overlaying the decks of overcast marine stratocumulus clouds considered here yield a small net positive radiative forcing, which results from the difference of two larger effects.
Exploration of a Menstrual Cycle Model

This paper reports on the exploration and use of a sim ulation of the human menstrual cycle published in the July 1972 (Vol. 35, No. 1) issue of The Journal of Clinical Endo crinology & Metabolism by R. J. Bogumil, M. Ferin, J. Rootenberg, L. Speroff, and R. L. Vande Wiele. The simula tion appears to duplicate well the cyclic hormonal fluc tuations of a normally ovulating woman. But when asked to duplicate the results of giving a woman exogenous es tradiol, the simulation produces results which are in dis agreement with other published research data. Extrapo lation from the reported simulation beyond the normal undisturbed cycle produced results that do not agree with published physiological data, suggesting that the model needs further refinement. However, simulations run using the model indicate the possibility of stopping the menstrual cycle by a properly timed application of the hor mone estradiol (E2).
A multistage projection structure for multidimensional signal detection

A multistage projection detection structure that for one example is demonstrated to yield significantly higher sensitivity than single-stage projection is proposed. Instead of projecting many samples onto one sample in a single step, the projection is done in stages. Prior to each stage, filtering is done to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio as much as possible. The more signal samples there are in a single frame of input data, the greater the potential increase in detection sensitivity. The structure's usefulness for a particular application will depend on the number of samples of the signal contained in a single frame as well as implementation costs. >
Studies in chemical process design and synthesis: Part V: A simple heuristic method for systematic synthesis of initial sequences for multicomponent separations

A simple heuristic method for the systematic synthesis of initial sequences for multicomponent separations is proposed and applied to a number of synthesis problems which have been solved previously using other methods. Based on reported costs, it is shown that the initial sequences synthesized for the test problems by the new heuristic method are cheaper than those obtained by other ordered heuristic methods. These initial sequences are also either identical to or at most a few percents higher in costs than those optimum sequences obtained by other algorithmic, heuristic-algorithmic and heuristic-evolutionary methods. The new method is straightforward to apply by hand and it does not require any mathematical background and computational skill from the user.
Current-mode filters using syllabic companding

We discuss current-input current-output signal processors, the voltage state variables of which have a compressed dynamic range thanks to syllabic companding. In this way, for a wide variation of input signals, the internal signals stay well above noise, while at the same time remaining below overload levels. This results in larger dynamic range in comparison to linear processors with the same power dissipation. Theoretical, simulation, and experimental results are given. The circuits presented are an illustration of a general technique for developing nonlinear circuits which are input-output linear.
Realizable RLCK circuit crunching

Reduction of an extracted netlist is an important pre-processing step for techniques such as model order reduction in the design and analysis of VLSI circuits. This paper describes a method for realizable reduction of RLCK netlists by node elimination. The method is much faster than model order reduction technique and hence is appropriate as a pre-processing step. The proposed method eliminates nodes with time constants below a user specified time constants. By giving the freedom to the user to select a critical point in the spectrum of nodal time constants, this method provides an option to make a tradeoff between accuracy and reduction. The proposed method preserves the dc characteristics and the first two moments at all nodes. It also recognizes and eliminates all the redundant inductances generated by the extraction tools. The proposed method naturally reduces to TICER according to B. N. Sheehan (1999) in the absence of any inductances.
Efficient wavelet coding of motion compensated prediction residuals

In the coding of motion compensated prediction residuals, the competitiveness of wavelet coding relative to DCT coding is still an open issue. This paper describes an efficient and effective entropy coding strategy for the compression of wavelet transformed, motion compensated prediction residuals. Without the use of arithmetic coding, the proposed coder achieves competitive or better rate-distortion performance in comparison with H.263+, which uses DCT/runlength coding of the prediction residual. Moreover, the proposed coder furnishes better perceptual quality. The use of reasonably sized, static variable-length-codes in the proposed coder also helps to maintain low computational complexity and good error resiliency.
Political Theory Is Not a Luxury: A Response to Timothy Kaufman-Osborn's "Political Theory as a Profession"

In "Political Theory as a Profession," Timothy Kaufman-Osborn calls for political theorists to shed attachments to political science subfields. This call inadequately reckons with the perils to political theory posed by the combined contemporary forces of scientization and neoliberalization in knowledge. Focusing on these perils, the author argues for the strategic preservation of the political theory subfield. However, this preservation will not be advanced by intensified professionalization or a turn toward market applicability. Paradoxically, the survival of political theory rests in resisting professional and neoliberal metrics and reaching for publicly legible and compelling intellectual purposes.
Germination ecology of a federally threatened endemic thistle, Cirsium pitcheri, of the Great Lakes.

Abstract Pitcher's thistle (Cirsium pitcheri) is a federally listed monocarpic plant species endemic to the shoreline dunes of Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior. Individual plants may require 4–8 y to mature, after which they flower and die. This life history and the lack of vegetative modes of reproduction make an understanding of seed and seedling ecology critical for preservation and restoration of Pitcher's thistle. We report conditions necessary to overcome seed dormancy and the effects of light, seed mass and depth of burial (0, 2, 4 or 8 cm) on seed and seedling success from laboratory experiments in controlled growth environments. Seeds of Pitcher's thistle are dormant when dispersed, but a combination of low temperatures and afterripening can break dormancy. Germination over 30% was obtained with at least 24 wk of low temperature moist stratification; 25% germination occurred after 6 mo of storage at room temperatures. Light suppressed germination of nondormant seeds. Although burial is required...
Empire and Democracy: Tocqueville and the Algeria Question

In the closing years of the eighteenth century, a great intellectual and moral challenge to European empire was launched by many of the most innovative thinkers of the day, including Kant, Adam Smith, Bentham, Burke, Diderot, and Condorcet. They drew on a strikingly wide range of ideas to argue against empire: among others, the rights of man and the imperative of popular self-determination, the economic wisdom of free trade and foolishness of conquest, the corruption of natural man by a degenerate civilization, the hypocrisy required for self-governing republics to rule despotically over powerless subjects, and the impossibility of sustaining freedom at home while practicing despotism abroad.
Model-based estimation for dynamic cardiac studies using ECT

The authors develop a strategy for joint estimation of physiological parameters and myocardial boundaries using ECT (emission computed tomography). They construct an observation model to relate parameters of interest to the projection data and to account for limited ECT system resolution and measurement noise. The authors then use a maximum likelihood (ML) estimator to jointly estimate all the parameters directly from the projection data without reconstruction of intermediate images. They also simulate myocardial perfusion studies based on a simplified heart model to evaluate the performance of the model-based joint ML estimator and compare this performance to the Cramer-Rao lower bound. Finally, the authors discuss model assumptions and potential uses of the joint estimation strategy. >
Does insulin resistance, visceral adiposity, or a sex hormone alteration underlie the metabolic syndrome? Studies in women.

Insulin resistance, obesity, and a sex hormone alteration have each been suggested as the underlying link for the constellation of risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI) commonly referred to as the metabolic syndrome or the insulin resistance syndrome. In an attempt to identify in women which of these variables is the most likely link, insulin, adiposity variables, sex hormones, and risk factors for MI were measured and their relationships analyzed statistically in 58 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal healthy women. On controlling for age, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) correlated more strongly with risk factors for MI, insulin, and free testosterone (FT) than did total adipose tissue or subcutaneous adipose tissue. VAT, therefore, was used as the adiposity variable for further data analysis. Waist circumference was a better surrogate of VAT than was waist-hip ratio, which was a poor surrogate of VAT. VAT correlated positively with insulin, FT, triglyceride, and glucose, and negatively with high-density lipoprotein and sex hormone–binding globulin. On controlling for age, FT and insulin correlated with risk factors for MI and with each other, but on controlling for age and VAT, all of their correlations lost statistical significance except for FT-triglyceride and FT-insulin in the postmenopausal women. In conclusion, VAT accumulation in women, independently of other measures of adiposity, may largely explain the correlations of insulin, obesity, and sex hormones with risk factors for MI and may be the immediate underlying factor that links risk factors for MI to form the metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance, which has been generally accepted to be the underlying factor, may be a component of the syndrome rather than its underlying link. We hypothesize that in women FT may effect preferential VAT accumulation and induce insulin resistance directly, as well as via VAT accumulation, so that a sex hormone alteration may underlie VAT accumulation and thus ultimately underlie the metabolic syndrome (with insulin resistance as a component).
Brain metastases from prostate cancer: an 11-year analysis in the MRI era with emphasis on imaging characteristics, incidence, and prognosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Brain metastases from prostate cancer are uncommon and their imaging appearance has not been well defined. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the incidence, MRI characteristics, and prognosis of parenchymal brain metastases originating in prostate cancer. METHODS We retrospectively identified 21 patients with prostate cancer and evidence of brain metastases from 2000 to 2010. We reviewed the initial brain MRI scans and characterized the lesions according to location and appearance on MRI, while also determining patient demography, staging, and survival. RESULTS The incidence of brain metastasis from prostate cancer was .16%. At the time of brain metastasis detection, 95% of the patients had concurrent osseous metastases, 86% lymph node metastases, and 76% liver and/or lung metastases. Brain metastases were multifocal in 71% of patients, hemorrhagic in 33%, diffusion restricted in 19%, and partially cystic/necrotic in 19%. The median overall survival after brain metastasis detection was 2.8 months. CONCLUSIONS Brain metastasis from prostate cancer remains a rare phenomenon that most frequently occurs in the setting of widely disseminated bone and soft tissue disease. Patients with nonadenocarcinoma pathology are more likely to develop brain metastases. The MRI appearance is highly variable and prognosis is poor.
A Smart Kinestatic Interactive Platform

This paper presents a newly patented in-parallel platform which is geometrically simple. It has six distinct connecting points in both the base and top platforms. The forward solution can be determined by solving an eighth degree polynomial.
Desperately seeking Flexner: time to reemphasize basic science in medical education.

Author(s): Kennelly, Peter J; Bond, Judith S; Masters, Bettie Sue; Dennis, Edward A; Brenner, Charles; Raben, Daniel M
Exhaled-Breath Condensate pH Can Be Safely and Continuously Monitored in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

BACKGROUND: Airway inflammation in acute and chronic respiratory diseases is characterized in part by abnormal pH in airway-lining fluid. The pH of exhaled-breath condensate (EBC) is low (acidic) in various pulmonary inflammatory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Because the time course of pH changes in the airway is not yet clear, we aimed to develop a method for frequent and intensive EBC pH data collection in mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: We examined the collection, gas-standardizing (CO2 removal), and continuous monitoring of pH of EBC from the expiratory port of a Servo-i ventilator with mechanically ventilated patients. We developed a condensing device that attaches to the exhaust port and is chilled by an electric cooling system. We built a 2-chamber gas-standardization and pH-measuring device that attaches to the condensing system and records pH every 6 s. After safety testing, we enrolled mechanically ventilated patients (with diverse reasons for requiring ventilatory support) for up to 96 h of continuous EBC pH condensimetry. RESULTS: The pressure, volume, and flow of the ventilator attached to a test lung were unchanged by application of the condensimeter, at various flows (2–120 L/min) and ventilator settings. We monitored 19 pediatric patients for 6–96 h. The pH of the accumulated EBC in the storage container correlated with the geometric mean of all the pH data points from the condensimeter during the recording period (r 2 –0.95, p < 0.001), which internally validated that the condensimetry system provides accurate, well gas-standardized readings for up to 96 h. The EBC pH values were similar to published reports of single samples. The EBC pH became more acidic during clinical deterioration and normalized with recovery. CONCLUSION: Continuous monitoring of EBC pH from the ventilator exhaust port is safely achievable and reliably provides data that may become useful in monitoring critically ill patients. Key words: exhaled-breath condensate, pH, airway inflammation, respiratory disease, condensimetry. [Respir Care 2006;51(10):1125–1131. © 2006 Daedalus Enterprises]