cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term outcome of facial growth after functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Abstract Objective: We sought to determine whether functional endoscopic sinus (FES) surgery performed in children with chronic rhinosinusitis alters facial growth. Study Design and Setting: This was a retrospective age-matched cohort outcome study performed at a tertiary care hospital. Results: Sixty-seven children participated. There were 46 boys and 21 girls, and the mean age was 3.1 years at presentation and 13.2 years at follow-up. There were 46 children who underwent FES surgery and 21 children who did not undergo FES surgery. Quantitative anthropomorphic analysis was performed using 12 standard facial measurements. A facial plastic expert performed qualitative facial analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses showed no statistical significance in facial growth between children who underwent FES surgery and those who did not undergo FES surgery. Conclusions: In this study, there was no evidence that FES surgery affected facial growth. Significance: These results will aid physicians when discussing with parents the risks of FES surgery. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:628-634.)
Standoff-mortar-induced fragment forces

The mechanical description of the deceleration process of steel case fragments retained in CELOTEX® panels in vertical mortar experiments is formulated. Ejected mortar fragments are classified according to their general shape into chunks and fingers and the corresponding probability distributions for linear momentum and weight are inferred. Mortar fragment momentum is beta distributed, whereas fragment weight is a Weibull variate. The equivalent pressure field and the resultant normal force exerted by a rain of flying mortar fragments on transverse panels are modeled. An example illustrates the application of the model using fragment information available either from experimental evidence or from simulation.
Sequence Determinants of C-terminal Substrate Recognition by the Tsp Protease

Cytochrome b562 is not cleaved by the tail-specific protease Tsp in vitro or in the periplasm of Escherichia coli but becomes a good substrate when the C-terminal sequence WVAAA is added. Following randomization of the final three residue positions of this substrate, 54 different mutants with single residue substitutions were recovered. The steady-state expression levels of cytochrome variants bearing these mutant tails were similar in an E. coli strain deleted for the tsp gene but differed markedly in a strain containing Tsp. Wild-type cytochrome b562 and seven variants, displaying a range of intracellular expression levels, were purified. These proteins were found to have the same Tm values in thermal denaturation experiments but to be cleaved by Tsp at rates differing by as much as 30-fold. Overall, the rates of Tsp cleavage of these proteins in vitro correlate with their rates of cleavage in vivo as determined by pulse-chase experiments. These results indicate that the C-terminal sequence of the cytochrome-b562 variants is important in determining their proteolytic fate in the cell and show that this degradation is mediated predominantly by Tsp. There are different selectivity rules at each of the three C-terminal positions. The identity of the C-terminal residue of the substrate, where small, uncharged residues (Ala, Cys, Ser, Thr, Val) are preferred, is most important in determining the rate of substrate cleavage by Tsp. Non-polar residues are also preferred at the second and third positions, but larger and more hydrophobic side chains are also acceptable at these positions in good substrates.
Resonance and decay phenomena lead to quantum mechanical time asymmetry

The states (Schrodinger picture) and observables (Heisenberg picture) in the standard quantum theory evolve symmetrically in time, given by the unitary group with time extending over −∞ < t < +∞. This time evolution is a mathematical consequence of the Hilbert space boundary condition for the dynamical differential equations. However, this unitary group evolution violates causality. Moreover, it does not solve an old puzzle of Wigner: How does one describe excited states of atoms which decay exponentially, and how is their lifetime τ related to the Lorentzian width Γ? These question can be answered if one replaces the Hilbert space boundary condition by new, Hardy space boundary conditions. These Hardy space boundary conditions allow for a distinction between states (prepared by a preparation apparatus) and observables (detected by a registration apparatus). The new Hardy space quantum theory is time asymmetric, i.e, the time evolution is given by the semigroup with t0 ≤ t < +∞, which predicts a finite beginning of time t0, where t0 is the ensemble of time at which each individual system has been prepared. The Hardy space axiom also leads to the new prediction: the width Γ and the lifetime τ are exactly related by τ = /Γ.
Wave breaking in a compressible atmosphere

Abstract An inviscid, adiabatic, two-dimensional, steady-state model of finite-amplitude gravity waves produced by flow over a ridge is considered. A conservation principle, for motions ihat produce relatively small deviations from a basic adiabatic density distribution, is derived. This principle represents a compressible flow modification of Long's (1953) result for incompressible flow. A nonlinear differential equation for the displacement 6 of a streamline from its undisturbed level is derived under the limitations of the long-wave approximation and uniform upstream flow. The relative importance of compressibility in the present model is measured by the parameter e=(g/c 2)l −1∼10−1, where g is the acceleration of gravity, c is the adiabatic sound speed and l is a characteristic inverse length scale represented by the ratio of the Brunt-Vaisala frequency to the amplitude of the upstream flow. A solution of the differential equation is derived that preserves the first-order (in e) effects of compressibi...
Paramagnetic proteoliposomes containing a pure, native, and oriented seven-transmembrane segment protein, CCR5

Seven-transmembrane segment, G protein-coupled receptors play central roles in a wide range of biological processes, but their characterization has been hindered by the difficulty of obtaining homogeneous preparations of native protein. We have created paramagnetic proteoliposomes containing pure and oriented CCR5, a seven-transmembrane segment protein that serves as the principal coreceptor for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). The CCR5 proteoliposomes bind the HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein and conformation-dependent antibodies against CCR5. The binding of gp120 was enhanced by a soluble form of the other HIV-1 receptor, CD4, but did not require additional cellular proteins. Paramagnetic proteoliposomes are uniform in size, stable in a broad range of salt concentrations and pH, and can be used in FACS and competition assays typically applied to cells. Integral membrane proteins can be inserted in either orientation into the liposomal membrane. The magnetic properties of these proteoliposomes facilitate rapid buffer exchange useful in multiple applications. As an example, the CCR5-proteoliposomes were used to select CCR5-specific antibodies from a recombinant phage display library. Thus, paramagnetic proteoliposomes should be useful tools in the analysis of membrane protein interactions with extracellular and intracellular ligands, particularly in establishing screens for inhibitors.
A review of the Indo-Malayan meliponine genus Lisotrigona, with two new species (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract Two new species of the Indo-Malayan stingless bee genus Lisotrigona (Apinae: Meliponini) are described from northern Vietnam and Thailand as Lisotrigona carpenteri and L. furva, spp. nov., respectively. Lisotrigona carpenteri is most notable for the yellow maculations on the face while L. furva is distinguished by the combination of its black integument, mesoscutal punctation, and pleural pubescence. The type species, L. cacciae (Nurse), is redescribed, and L. scintillans (Cockerell) is considered to be a junior synonym (new synonymy).
Crystal Structure and Electrical Properties of Lead-Free (1-x)BaTiO3–x(Bi1/2A1/2)TiO3 (A = Ag, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) Ceramics

Ceramics of solid solutions (1-x)BaTiO3–x(Bi1/2A1/2)TiO3 (A = Ag, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, x ≤ 0.20) were prepared and their crystal structures, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated. It was found that (Bi1/2A1/2)TiO3-type doping compounds broadened the temperature range of the tetragonal phase in BaTiO3 and all the compositions examined displayed a tetragonal structure at room temperature. The Curie temperature (TC) was observed to increase with respect to pure BaTiO3 to the range of 140 to 210 o C through solid solution. Remanent polarization (Pr) tended to decrease with increased content of doping compound, while the coercive field (EC) rose and piezoelectric coefficient (d33) fell. The highest d33 value in the solid solutions was observed in 0.97BaTiO3–0.03(Bi1/2Ag1/2)TiO3 at 90 pC/N.
What to do about fraud charges in science; or, will the Burt affair ever end?

Shortly after the death, in 1971, of Cyril Burt, a prominent British psychologist, the authenticity of his accounts of intelligence test results from the largest reported sample of MZA's (monozygotic twins reared apart) was challenged. Charges of fraud by Burt's critics and countercharges by his supporters started an acrimonious battle of words in journals, books, and the mass media that seesawed over the decades. It is still not resolved. The problematic ways in which the scientific community and its major organizations and journal editors have dealt or failed to deal with the problem are discussed.
An anthropoid enigma: Historical introduction to the study of Oreopithecus bambolii*

Oreopithecus bambolii, a Late Miocene catarrhine from northern Italy, has been the focus of controversy over its systematic relationships since its first report in 1872. A team of researchers has recently undertaken the re-analysis of much of the famous partial skeleton recovered in 1958, and their results are presented in this issue and a forthcoming one. This introductory paper seeks to review the history of study of the enigmatic Oreopithecus, in order to provide the background for current research and obviate the repetition of these points by the other authors in the team. Following early development of the alternatives that O. bambolii was either a distinctive hominoid or cercopithecoid (to use modern terminology) or in some way intermediate between these two groups, opinions polarized along these lines. In the 1950s, J. Hurzeler proposed a special relationship to Homo, but most later authors found this to be based either upon misinterpretations of damaged morphology or upon shared primitive retentions. Most authors in the 1960–1980 interval accepted Oreopithecus as a distinctive hominoid, but F. Szalay, E. Delson and A. Rosenberger (separately and jointly) proposed that it was best seen as the sister-taxon of the Cercopithecidae, based on shared-derived dental features. T. Harrison and E. Sarmiento, among others, have attempted to refute this idea based on interpretations of postcranial morphology shared with living hominoids. F. Szalay and J. Langdon find the foot to share derived features with neither group. The controversy continues, but the papers in this series provide a detailed data base for further analysis.
Behavioral, biological, and chemical perspectives on atypical agents targeting the dopamine transporter ☆

Abstract Background Treatment of stimulant-use disorders remains a formidable challenge, and the dopamine transporter (DAT) remains a potential target for antagonist or agonist-like substitution therapies. Methods This review focuses on DAT ligands, such as benztropine, GBR 12909, modafinil, and DAT substrates derived from phenethylamine or cathinone that have atypical DAT-inhibitor effects, either in vitro or in vivo. The compounds are described from a molecular mechanistic, behavioral, and medicinal–chemical perspective. Results Possible mechanisms for atypicality at the molecular level can be deduced from the conformational cycle for substrate translocation. For each conformation, a crystal structure of a bacterial homolog is available, with a possible role of cholesterol, which is also present in the crystal of Drosophila DAT. Although there is a direct relationship between behavioral potencies of most DAT inhibitors and their DAT affinities, a number of compounds bind to the DAT and inhibit dopamine uptake but do not share cocaine-like effects. Such atypical behavior, depending on the compound, may be related to slow DAT association, combined sigma-receptor actions, or bias for cytosol-facing DAT. Some structures are sterically small enough to serve as DAT substrates but large enough to also inhibit transport. Such compounds may display partial DA releasing effects, and may be combined with release or uptake inhibition at other monoamine transporters. Conclusions Mechanisms of atypical DAT inhibitors may serve as targets for the development of treatments for stimulant abuse. These mechanisms are novel and their further exploration may produce compounds with unique therapeutic potential as treatments for stimulant abuse.
Immobilization ofThiobacillus Denitrificans for the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in sour water

It has been demonstrated that viable cells of the chemoautotroph and facultative anaerobeThiobacillus denitrificans can be used to remove soluble sulfides from sour water with anaerobic oxidation to sulfate. A packed bed of immobilized T.denitrificans was capable of removing all traces of sulfide from an aqueous feed stream containing 26 ppm sulfide during a continuous 12 day test. Calcium carbonate provided buffering capacity and generated Ca+2 internal to alginate beads to maintain structural integrity during extended periods of operation.
Acknowledgment of Ad Hoc Reviewers

On behalf of the editors of Journal of Virology , I would like to acknowledge the following non-Editorial Board members for their time and effort in reviewing manuscripts for us during the past year. Your service is both invaluable and greatly appreciated
A content analysis of financial services magazine print ads: Are they reaching women?

The financial services industry has undergone what can only be called a ‘transformation’ over the last 25 years. Deregulation has increased competition in all sectors. Thus, firms must understand the needs of their customers. The number of women as financial services decision makers has been rapidly growing, and it is estimated that within 15 years women will represent over 65 per cent of top wealth-holders. This study looks at how the financial services industry communicates with potential women customers through print advertising. The most frequently used appeals when advertising in women's magazines are similar to those used in men's magazines, but they differ from those used in general magazines. Surprisingly, advertisers, however, do not seem to tailor their ads differently to women than to men, despite evidence that women respond to different approaches.
Metrics and Optimization Techniques for Registration of Color to Laser Range Scans

Web found previous intensity-based techniques for automatically registering color images to three-dimensional laser scanned scenes to be inadequate. The similarity metric used to score the registration creates a number of local minima that inhibits searching via Powell's multidimensional minimization algorithm, a gradient-descent technique. To find the best metric for general environment scanning, we examine the results of different information-theoretic metrics. Our examination leads us to the conclusion that gradient- descent based techniques are not a good choice for unsupervised automatic registration for images from environment scans. However an unsupervised process is possible through global-optimization techniques at the cost of longer processing times.
Preliminary Results of the Pioneer Venus Small Probe Net Flux Radiometer Experiment

Net radiation measurements in the atmosphere of Venus indicate that the bulk of the atmosphere is radiatively cooling at high latitudes and heating at low latitudes. Similarity of features observed by all three probes indicate planetwide stratification. Flux variations within the clouds provide evidence of significant differences in cloud structure. A feature of unusually large opacity found near 60 kilometers at the north probe site is probably related to the unique circulation regime revealed by ultraviolet and infrared imagery. A stable layer between the cloud bottoms and about 35 kilometers contains several features in the flux profiles probably resulting from large-scale compositional stratifications rather than clouds. In the layer below 35 kilometers unexpectedly large fluxes were observed.
Global analysis of ATM polymorphism reveals significant functional constraint

ATM, the gene that is mutated in ataxia-telangiectasia, is associated with cerebellar degeneration, abnormal proliferation of small blood vessels, and cancer. These clinically important manifestations have stimulated interest in defining the sequence variation in the ATM gene. Therefore, we undertook a comprehensive survey of sequence variation in ATM in diverse human populations. The protein-encoding exons of the gene (9,168 bp) and the adjacent intron and untranslated sequences (14,661 bp) were analyzed in 93 individuals from seven major human populations. In addition, the coding sequence was analyzed in one chimpanzee, one gorilla, one orangutan, and one Old World monkey. In human ATM, 88 variant sites were discovered by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography, which is 96%–100% sensitive for detection of DNA sequence variation. ATM was compared to 14 other autosomal genes for nucleotide diversity. The noncoding regions of ATM had diversity values comparable to other genes, but the coding regions had very low diversity, especially in the last 29% of the protein sequence. A test of the neutral evolution hypothesis, through use of the Hudson/Kreitman/Aguade statistic, revealed that this region of the human ATM gene was significantly constrained relative to that of the orangutan, the Old World monkey, and the mouse, but not relative to that of the chimpanzee or the gorilla. ATM displayed extensive linkage disequilibrium, consistent with suppression of meiotic recombination at this locus. Seven haplotypes were defined. Two haplotypes accounted for 82% of all chromosomes analyzed in all major populations; two others carrying the same D126E missense polymorphism accounted for 33% of chromosomes in Africa but were never observed outside of Africa. The high frequency of this polymorphism may be due either to a population expansion within Africa or to selective pressure.
Extended infrared absorption to 2.2 µm with Ge 1−x Sn x photodetectors grown on silicon

Thin film Ge1-xSnx photodetectors fabricated on Si using a CMOS compatible process had responsivities at 1.55 mm of 6.59, 1.49, 2.63, and 0.84 mA/W for 0.9, 2.57, 3.2, and 7.0 % Sn. Spectral response for a Ge0.93Sn0.07 photodetector had extended infrared response out to 2.2 mm.
Inventing new media: what we can learn from new media art and media history

Throughout the human history, the design of different cultural techniques and media forms for representing human knowledge, collective and personal experience, and what we now call "data" have not been confined to single individuals or disciplines. To mention just a few examples, natural languages, printed books, a linear perspective, landscape photography, and documentary cinema have all been developed and refined over time by whole societies and multiple individuals.Today with the computer acting as the interface for all past, present, and emergent forms of media, the situation is quite different. Computer scientists working on media computing play the key role in how our societies will remember their histories, how we will represent ourselves and others, what we will imagine and what metaphors we use to understand reality. In short, to work on media computing today is to assume big cultural responsibility - and also have tremendous power to define new forms of media.Unfortunately, more often than not, computer scientists do not take advantage of their powers. Too often, they simply translate existing media forms and cultural techniques into software interfaces. For instance, the controls of software media players are modeled after VCR; Acrobat software tries to recreate the conventions of a printed page; etc. This made sense twenty years ago when people were coming to computers after having first experienced other media technologies --- but not today.While I do not want to position the whole field of digital art as more innovative in this respect, one can point at a number of artists who have dedicated their careers to use computers to invent substantially new forms of media, often with very exiting results. In my talk I will show and discuss a number of works by these artists. I will also talk about the selected historical moments than a new media form emerged to see what we can learn from these histories.
Ultrasonographic thickening of the muscularis propria in feline small intestinal small cell T-cell lymphoma and inflammatory bowel disease:

Gastrointestinal lymphoma is the most common form of lymphoma in the cat. More recently, an ultrasonographic pattern associated with feline small cell T-cell gastrointestinal lymphoma has been recognized as a diffuse thickening of the muscularis propria of the small intestine. This pattern is also described with feline inflammatory bowel disease. To evaluate the similarities between the diseases, we quantified the thickness of the muscularis propria layer in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of 14 cats affected by small cell T-cell lymphoma and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 19 healthy cats. We found a significantly increased thickness of the muscularis propria in cats with lymphoma and IBD compared with healthy cats. The mean thickness of the muscularis propria in cats with lymphoma or IBD was twice the thickness of that of healthy cats, and was the major contributor to significant overall bowel wall thickening in the duodenum and jejunum. A muscularis to submucosa ratio >1 is indicative of an abnormal bowel segment. Colic lymph nodes in cats with lymphoma were increased in size compared with healthy cats. In cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma and histologic transmural infiltration of the small intestines, colic or jejunal lymph nodes were rounded, increased in size and hypoechoic.
Left brains for the right stuff: Computer & rocket science at MIT

This article consists of a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation. This is an outline of his 2014 book, Left Brains for the Right Stuff: Computer & Rocket Science at MIT (Publisher TBD).
Force and slip detection with direct-write compliant tactile sensors using multi-walled carbon nanotube/polymer composites

Abstract A mechanically compliant tactile sensor has been developed through direct-write (DW) deposition of a flexible conductive nanocomposite embedded between flexible polyurethane materials. Dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a flexible and photocurable monomer introduced electrical and piezoresistive properties to the polymer which was used for the flexible conductive nanocomposite. Dispensing experiments were performed using the developed DW system to precisely create and embed the sensor elements between polyurethane substrates. From the experimental results, several flexible sensors including highly stretchable sensor elements (wires) were fabricated. Experiments were also performed to show that the sensor could detect applied forces at distinct locations on the surface. Slip was detected by examining the frequency content of the signals; sliding contact was characterized by a greater presence of high frequency power spectral density caused by mechanical vibrations that occur during slip. A Chebyshev band pass filter was developed to amplify these vibrations to distinguish between slip and nonslip tactile events. Finally, it is concluded that the study demonstrated in this work provides compelling evidence that the suggested materials, and methods of fabrication and characterization are promising for compliant tactile sensors.
Heat Loss in Humans Covered with Cotton Hospital Blankets

We evaluated mean skin temperature, cutaneous heat loss, and perceived warmth in six volunteers covered with one or three cotton hospital blankets, warmed or unwarmed. Mean skin temperatures were significantly higher during each treatment than during the control periods preceding each blanket application. Total cutaneous heat loss during the control period was 81 +/- 11 watts. Covering the volunteers with a single warmed or unwarmed blanket for 60 min reduced heat loss 33% +/- 5%; when they were covered with three warmed or unwarmed blankets, heat loss was reduced an additional 18% +/- 6%. Warmed blankets reduced heat loss 9-16 watts more than unwarmed ones, but the benefit dissipated in approximately 10 min. The volunteers' perception of warmth was similar when they were covered with three warmed or unwarmed blankets; it also was similar when they were covered with a single warmed or unwarmed blanket. These data indicate that increasing the number of covering blankets from one to three decreases heat loss only slightly. Similarly, warming the blankets is relatively ineffective and the benefit short-lived. The reduction in heat loss, even by three warmed blankets replaced at 10-min intervals, was small compared to that provided by available active warming systems.
Can our food production system meet demand in a changing global society

The worldwide demand for animal protein will grow as the world's population grows and the economies of developing countries evolve and mature. The veterinary profession must be a leader in advocating for responsible changes in production practices that will improve the welfare of food animals, ensure a safe and secure food supply, and minimize negative impacts on the environment.
Elemental Analysis of Environmental and Biological Samples Using Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Pulsed Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and a relatively new technique, pulsed Raman spectroscopy (P‐RAMS) are used in this investigation to measure the elemental composition of soils and heterogeneous biological matrices. The LIBS method was used effectively to determine the elemental concentration of carbon and nitrogen in soils, and the presence of metal contaminants in invertebrates. The P‐RAMS method was used in exploratory studies to assess prominent molecular vibration peaks from the same soils analyzed using LIBS. The P‐RAMS spectra for the different soils show a close relationship to the fraction of organic carbon in soils. Our results demonstrate that these techniques greatly facilitate elemental analysis of heterogeneous environmental and biological matrices by reducing sample preparation and analysis times. These techniques can also provide semi‐quantitative results on a regular basis and quantitative results in particular cases.
The influence of the growth process on the film texture of epitaxially nucleated diamond on silicon (001)

Abstract In order to investigate the influence of the growth process on the film texture, a set of epitaxially nucleated diamond films has been grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) on silicon(001) with final film thicknesses ranging from 0.6 μm up to 37 μm. Measurements of X-ray diffraction pole figures of these films show that the film texture could be improved by an appropriate growth step which results in the overgrowth of twins and in the narrowing of the pole density maxima of the epitaxial component with increasing film thickness. Starting from the polar and azimuthal widths of the pole density maxima in the {111} pole figures, we deduced the tilt and rotational misorientation of the grains quantitatively. This decomposition procedure is essentially based on the assumption that rotation and tilt are independent processes. The thickness dependence of the amount of rotational misorientation deduced according to this model is in agreement with this assumption. (111) pole figures which have been simulated using this model fit very well to the measured form of the pole density distributions.
Effects of alcohol on the acquisition and expression of fear-potentiated startle in mouse lines selectively bred for high and low alcohol preference

Rationale Anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders frequently co-occur in humans perhaps because alcohol relieves anxiety. Studies in humans and rats indicate that alcohol may have greater anxiolytic effects in organisms with increased genetic propensity for high alcohol consumption.
Estimation of drug binding parameters

Many methods have been suggested and tested to estimate the association constants and binding capabilities of ligand-macromolecule interactions from experimental data. This problem is a subset of the general problem of parameter estimation for nonlinear algebraic models where both the independent and dependent variables are subject to measurement error. It is often difficult to anticipate the effect on the parameter estimates that is caused by error in the primary measurements. In this work, a computer algorithm is described which finds the maximum likelihood estimate for the true values of the parameters and also estimates for the values of the measurements. It is applied to experimental binding data in two examples for fitting the association constants and binding capacities.
CHEMICAL CONTROL OF REPRODUCTION IN BIVALVE AND GASTROPOD MOLLUSCS, III:AN INEXPENSIVE TECHNIQUE FOR MARICULTURE OF MANY SPECIES

The addition of hydrogen peroxide to alkaline seawater provides an inexpensive, simple, and reliable method for the control and synchronous induction of broadcast spawning in males and females of certain bivalve and gastropod molluscs. Species successfully induced by this method thus far include:abalones (Haliotis rufescens, H. corrugata, and H. fulgens), mussels (Mytilus edulis and M. californianus), purple-hinged rock scallop (Hinnites giganteus) and the mangrove oyster (Crassostrea rhizophora). Enzymological and physiological studies indicate that spawning may result from a peroxide-induced stimulation of the endogenous enzymatic synthesis of potent hormone-like prostaglandin molecules. Peroxide-stimulated prostaglandin synthetase also has been found in reproductive tissues of certain crabs and fishes, thus indicating potential applicability of this method for the control of reproduction in higher species. However, internally fertilized gastropods, such as the queen conch (Strombus gigas), show no induction of reproductive behavior or egg-laying (after mating) upon exposure to H2o2.
Robust time-domain frequency analysis

One domain in which the ordering filters have not appeared is frequency analysis. Simultaneously one must note that the impulse rejection properties of the ordering filters could be very beneficial due to the lack of robustness of the DFT/FFT. Another problem with the DFT/FFT is the ambiguity of the estimate of frequency at a point (frequency localization). This paper introduces a transform (WMMR/MED/COUNT) that simultaneously solves both of the problems in some cases. The Gabor transform and various wavelet techniques have recently been reviewed as a substitute to FFT frequency analysis for spatial localization. While the Gabor transform optimally infers frequency content and spatial localization simultaneously, it suffers from the fact that it requires a full period within the window. This paper presents a transform based on the WMMR filters that will yield frequency analysis and spatial localization with a window width of 1/4 period or less. Experimentally, it has been shown that this technique can be used with impulsive noise of up to 40% and with random baseline shifts. The short-time Fourier, Gabor transform and the WMMR/MED/COUNT transforms (WMCT) are compared for their localization properties in noisy and noiseless situations.
AFM Study of Adsorption of Cationic Surfactants and Cationic Polyelectrolytes at the Silica−Water Interface

The adsorption of cationic polyelectrolytes and cationic surfactants from aqueous solution onto silica substrates was examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in surface force mode and in surface imaging mode. The polymers were poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), poly-l-lysine hydrobromide, and polyvinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride, and the surfactants were hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTACl) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. CTACl forms micelles at the interface between micellar CTACl solutions and silica. These micelles desorbed when the CTACl solution was replaced with water. An adsorbed layer of CTACl hindered adsorption of PDADMAC. This is because CTACl generates a surface change that has the same sign as the polymer. When PDADMAC adsorbed in the absence of CTACl, it formed a featureless, neutral layer. The PDADMAC did not desorb, even after extended rinsing with water. When an adsorbed layer of PDADMAC was exposed to CTACl solution above the critical micelle conce...
The oxidative coupling of methane

The oxidative coupling of methane to C2 hydrocarbons was studied over a Bi2O3−P2O5−K2O catalyst. Catalysts containing Bi and P are known to be active and selective catalysts for the oxidative dimerization of propylene to 1,5-hexadiene. This catalyst system was found to also be active and selective for the oxidative coupling of methane. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of a dual-site, redox model. Methane activation to form CH3. is proposed to occur on Bi sites. The Bi site is subsequently reoxidized by bulk oxide ions and P becomes the oxygen “inlet” site. Adsorbed surface oxygen species reduce the selectivity to C2 hydrocarbons.
N-of-1 genomic medicine for the rare pediatric genetic diseases

Introduction: The era of genomic medicine has commenced. Contiguous genome information promises to change the practice of medicine markedly. Inherent to genomic medicine is the concept of personalized treatments informed both by an individual’s molecular disease and by genetic variants that alter their responses to relevant therapeutic interventions. Although genome information is growing in importance in molecular treatment of cancer and pharmacogenomics as applied to drug-metabolism, it has infrequently been applied to ultra-rare, monogenetic disorders.Areas covered: The published literature on design and implementation of N-of-1 studies in rare diseases and pediatric genomic medicine is reviewed (PubMed, OVID Medline and Cochrane databases with terms ‘N-of-1’, ‘N-of-1 clinical trial’, ‘inborn error of metabolism’, ‘genetic disorders’, ‘genetic syndromes’, and ‘treatment of genetic disorders’), with extension of methods to the practice of genomic medicine.Expert opinion: Case studies are often ignored i...
Increased in vivo [11C]raclopride binding to brain dopamine receptors in amphetamine-treated rats

Abstract The hypothesis that repeated daily doses of amphetamine increases the number of available dopamine D 2 receptors in vivo in rat striatum, and may enhance the response to subsequent amphetamine challenge doses, was examined. The in vivo binding potentials of [ 11 C]raclopride, a D 2 receptor antagonist, were determined in male CD-1 rats under five conditions: (1) drug-naive with saline challenge, (2) drug naive with 5 mg/kg amphetamine challenge, (3) amphetamine-dosed (five daily repeated s.c. doses of 5 mg/kg amphetamine) and saline challenge, (4) amphetamine-dosed and amphetamine challenge, and (5) saline treated (five daily repeated s.c. doses) and saline challenged. Radiotracer studies in amphetamine-dosed animals were done after a 10-day drug free interval. In the amphetamine-dosed group the baseline [ 11 C]raclopride binding was increased by 63% compared to saline-treated controls. The response to an amphetamine challenge, evidenced by a reduction of [ 11 C]raclopride binding, was doubled in amphetamine-dosed animals (40%) compared to drug-naive controls (20%). These results support increased baseline in vivo dopamine D 2 receptor antagonist radioligand binding after repeated amphetamine administration in rats.
Entomophthora sp. as a factor In the regulation of the two-spotted spider mite on cotton.

During the summer of 1968, a study was conducted in Alabama to determine the importance of Entomophthora sp. as a natural control factor in field populations of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. Studies on the distribution of this fungus revealed its presence in 14 of the 15 counties where collections were made. Average infection by Entomophthora was 25%. Five epizootics of the pathogenic fungus were observed in two-spotted spider mite populations in Lee County, Ala. Each epizootic was characterized by a high degree of infection by Entomophthora accompanied by a rapid decline in mite numbers.
MIS diodes on n-InP having an improved interface

Metal-insulator-InP diodes with Al, Ni, Au and Pd Schottky contacts were fabricated using improved surface passivation techniques. The current-voltage (I–V) characteristics and the barrier height data indicate that a thin layer of thermal oxide between the metal-InP interface and a proximity cap protection during the RTA ohmic contact annealing improve the surface properties, as confirmed by deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS), no surface trap being detected. The chemical reactivity of the metal with oxide and n-InP is important to the formation of Schottky barriers. The reactive metals Al and Ni gave a low barrier height due to the reduction of oxide and reaction with InP. Nonreactive metals Au and Pd gave a high barrier height. The modified thermionic emission (TE) theory and thermionic field emission (TFE) theory can be used to explain the conduction mechanisms on Ni and Au MIS diodes. The Pd MIS diode exhibited an excess current component at low forward bias due to surface states which predominate at low temperature.
Spin-Dependent Transport in Manganite Trilayer Junctions

Doped manganite trilayer junction provides a model system for the study of spin-dependent transport across an artificial interface between manganites. Large interface magnetoresistance is observed in manganite trilayer junctions. Further studies reveal a strongly temperature and junction-bias dependent magnetoresistance, as well as a large interaction between the spin-polarized current and the ferromagnetic moment. The physical and materials origin of these and other junction properties are discussed in this brief review.
Classification of Chaotic Regimes in the T System by Use of Competitive Modes

We study chaotic behavior of the T system, a three-dimensional autonomous nonlinear system introduced by G. Tigan [Analysis of a dynamical system derived from the Lorenz system, Sci. Bull. Politehnica Univ Timisoara50 (2005) 61–72] which has potential application in secure communications. The recently-developed technique of competitive modes analysis is applied to determine parameter regimes for which the system may exhibit chaotic behavior. We verify that the T system exhibits interesting behaviors in the many parameter regimes thus obtained, thereby demonstrating the great utility of the competitive modes approach in delineating chaotic regimes in multiparemeter systems, where their identification can otherwise involve tedious numerical searches. An additional, novel finding is that one may use competitive modes "at infinity" in order to identify parameter regimes admitting stable equilibria in dynamical models such as the T system.
Sorting X + Y

This paper consists of the application of well- known results to a new problem. The problem, posed by E. Berlekamp, was to save computation time in sorting sets of numbers of the form X q- Y. The main appeal of the new results, aside from their practical uses, is the diversity of the old ideas behind them. It is also interesting to see how the modeling of data and computing affect the results: when the model is of sorting n-tupules of real numbers with binary compari- sons, the best result we can do is nalogan comparisons, which is shown to be sharp under certain circumstances; when the model is of sorting n-tuples of integers in the range 0 to n -- 1, on a random-access stored program computer, the time complexity is shown to be on the order of n(logan).
Source injection distribution functions for alarm algorithm testing

Developing and testing improved alarm algorithms is a priority of the Radiation Portal Monitor Project (RPMP) at PNNL. Improved algorithms may reduce the potential impediments that radiation screening presents to the flow of commerce, without affecting the detection sensitivity to sources of interest. However, assessing alarm-algorithm performance involves calculation of both detection probabilities and false alarm rates. For statistical confidence, this requires a large amount of data from drive-through (or “dynamic”) scenarios both with, and without, sources of interest, but this is usually not feasible. Instead, an “injection-study” procedure is used to approximate the profiles of drive-through commercial data with sources of interest present. This procedure adds net-counts from a pre-defined set of simulated sources to raw, gross-count drive-through data randomly selected from archived RPM data. The accuracy of the procedure — particularly the spatial distribution of the injected counts — has not been fully examined. This report describes the use of previously constructed and validated MCNP computer models for assessing the current injection-study procedure. In particular, this report focuses on the functions used to distribute the injected counts throughout the raw drive-through spatial profiles, and for suggesting a new class of injection spatial distributions that more closely resemble actual cargo scenarios.
Bayes estimation of reliability for the two-parameter lognormal distribution

Bayes estimators of reliability for the lognormal failure distribution with two parameters (M,∑) are obtained both for informative priors of normal-gamma type and for the vague prior of Jeffreys. The estimators are in terms of the t-distribution function. The Bayes estimators are compared with the maximum likelihood and minimum variance unbiased estimators of reliabil-ity using Monte Carlo simulations.
Policymaking under Constraint: Decision Modes in the U.S. Courts of Appeals

The caseload of the U.S. Courts of Appeals has increased dramatically while the volume of cases decided by the United States Supreme Court has declined precipitously. Thus, the Courts of Appeals have increasingly assumed an important policymaking role as the final arbiter of federal law, while simultaneously confronted with increased demand to monitor the decisions of the U.S. District Courts for error. In the present study, we exploit this dilemma to examine how courts with mandatory jurisdiction respond to the challenge to increase their policymaking role under the increasing resource constraints posed by caseload growth. We focus on shifts in the use of two important policymaking institutions of the Courts of Appeals—disposition with oral argument and by en banc rehearing. We find that as caseload stress has become particularly acute, the Courts of Appeals have prioritized disposition by oral argument over the use of en banc rehearing. Given the decline in the docket of the Supreme Court, an implicatio...
Hyperfine molecular Hubbard Hamiltonian

An ultracold gas of heteronuclear alkali-metal dimer molecules with hyperfine structure loaded into a one-dimensional optical lattice is investigated. The hyperfine molecular Hubbard Hamiltonian (HMHH), an effective low-energy lattice Hamiltonian, is derived from first principles. The large permanent electric dipole moment of these molecules gives rise to long-range dipole-dipole forces in a dc electric field and allows for transitions between rotational states in an ac microwave field. Additionally, a strong magnetic field can be used to control the hyperfine degrees of freedom independently of the rotational degrees of freedom. By tuning the angle between the dc electric and magnetic fields and the strength of the ac field, it is possible to control the number of internal states involved in the dynamics as well as the degree of correlation between the spatial and internal degrees of freedom. The HMHH's unique features have direct experimental consequences such as quantum dephasing, tunable complexity, and the dependence of the phase diagram on the molecular state.
Dispersion of free harmonic waves in fiber- reinforced composites.

Abstract : A set of displacement equations of motion is proposed that is suitable for the dynamic analysis of fiber-reinforced composites. In deriving the equations, representative elastic moduli are used for the binder, and the elastic and geometric properties of the fibers are combined into effective stiffnesses. With the aid of certain assumptions regarding the deformation of the fibers, and by employing a smoothing operation, approximate kinetic and strain energy densities for the fiber-reinforced composite are obtained. Application of Hamilton's principle yields the displacement equations of motion. The proposed set of equations is employed to study the propagation of plane harmonic waves propagating in the direction of the fibers and normal to the fiber direction. Plane transverse waves propagating in the direction of the fibers are dispersive, and dispersion curves are shown. By proper choice of the representative elastic moduli of the binder, the phase velocity at infinite wave length for transverse waves propagating in the direction of the fibers, and the constant phase velocities for longitudinal waves and waves propagating in the other directions, agree with the values predicted by the effective modulus theory. (Author)
Pre-operative regional block anesthesia enhances operative strategy for arteriovenous fistula creation.

PurposeWe aim to assess the effect of regional block anesthesia on vein diameter, type of AVF placement, and fistula size and flow volume.Methods30 patients presenting for AV access procedures were...