cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-efficiency frequency doubling of ultra-intense Nd:glass laser pulses

Efficient second harmonic conversion (70 - 80%) using Type II and Type I crystals is demonstrated with 400-fs, 1.053-micrometers laser pulses at intensities up to several hundreds of GW/cm2. The experimental results generally agree with the predictions of the code MIXER. For the Type II predelay scheme, evidence is obtained of pulse shortening down to approximately 100 fs.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Origin of early waves evoked by infraorbital nerve stimulation in man.

Abstract The origins of early waves recorded from the scalp of man after stimulation of the infraorbital nerve have been investigated by simultaneous recording from the scalp and from the trigeminal pathway in patients undergoing thermocoagulation rhizotomy. It has been found that the surface-recorded W1, W2 and W3 waves correspond respectively to the activity of the point of entry of the maxillary nerve into the gasserian ganglion, the point of entry of the trigeminal root into the pons and the presynaptic portion of the trigeminal spinal tract. It is remarked that depth recording during surgery may provide useful information about the positioning of the thermocoagulation electrode.
Price Setting Supergames with Capacity Constraints

This paper examines the role of industry capacity in enforcing collusion in the context of repeated games. For a fixed capacity per firm it is shown that changes in the number of firms have a non-monotone effect on the best enforceable cartel price. This is due to the fact that while an additional firm lowers the share that each of the other firms enjoys at the collusive price it also increases the losses to each firm should the cartel fail.
Imaging Tc-99m-labeled FGF-1 targeting in rats.

Abstract Recombinant human acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) was radiolabeled with 99mTc by the HYNIC method. The 99mTc-FGF-1 retained its representative molecular mass, heparin affinity, cellular binding to both low (Kd = 9.5 nM) and high (Kd = 125 pM) affinity sites, and mitogenic activity. Gamma camera imaging after intravenous dosing in rats confirmed high liver and kidney binding. Heparin significantly decreased 99mTc-FGF-1 liver uptake and increased urinary excretion. These studies illustrate a new method for imaging FGF-1 targeting under various conditions.
An extension of the probability approach to genetic relationships: one locus.

Abstract A path-counting method has been presented for calculating the nine phylotype pair probabilities ( k -coefficients of this paper) for a diploid autosomal locus. Cockerham (1971) has provided a somewhat more elegant method for arriving at these probabilities. The procedure explained herein is more akin to the familiar calculation of Wright's inbreeding coefficient and is easier to apply to specific complex pedigrees such as arise in human genetics problems. Cockerham's more general formulation is superior for the investigation of regular systems of inbreeding.
Pagan places Towards a religiogeography of neopaganism

Focused on religiogeographic practices in contemporary western paganism (neopaganism), this paper aims to fill a gap in the existing literature through a critical assessment of how neopagans imagin...
Psychological mechanisms in acute response to trauma.

Traumatic events are common, but posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is relatively rare. These facts have prompted several questions: What variables increase risk for PTSD among trauma-exposed people? Can we distinguish between pathologic and nonpathologic responses to traumatic stressors? If so, what psychobiological mechanisms mediate pathologic responses? Prospective studies have identified certain individual difference variables as heightening risk (e.g., lower intelligence, negative personality traits). Studies on peritraumatic and acute-phase response have identified certain dissociative symptoms (e.g., time slowing, derealization) and cognitive appraisal (e.g., belief that one is about to die) as harbingers of later PTSD. Negative appraisal of acute symptoms themselves may foster chronic morbidity (e.g., that symptoms signify shameful moral weakness or prefigure impending psychosis). Further attempts to elucidate pathologic mechanisms in the cognitive psychology laboratory and via biological challenges are warranted.
Measurement of Fiber/Matrix Interfacial Shear Stress at Elevated Temperatures

An apparatus for measurement of the fiber/matrix interfacial shear stress at temperatures up to 1100° is described. Equipment was used to measure interfacial properties as a function of temperature in two ceramic-matrix composites and one metal-matrix composite. In the composites where the thermal expansion of the matrix was higher than that of the fiber, the interfacial shear stress decreased with temperature. The opposite trend was observed in a system with low matrix thermal expansion. The change of the interfacial shear stress with temperature of all the composites studied can be fully explained by considering the fiber/matrix expansion differences.
Stochastic model for operation of bottoming-cycle cogeneration facility

Deregulation of utility industry made it possible for a local cogeneration facility to operate in parallel with an electricity provider, thus enabling to purchase needed electric energy or sell any excess in each time-band. The stochastic model for the operation of an on-site bottoming-cycle cogeneration facility and its simulation results are presented in this paper. The model assumes the modified Gaussian distribution for loads and binomial distribution for the on-site cogeneration facility
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) PROPHYLAXIS IN ACUTE LYMPHATIC LEUKEMIA (ALL) - SPINAL FLUID THROMBOPLAPTIC ACTIVITY (TA) AS AN INDICATOF OF CNS INJURY

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) PROPHYLAXIS IN ACUTE LYMPHATIC LEUKEMIA (ALL) - SPINAL FLUID THROMBOPLAPTIC ACTIVITY (TA) AS AN INDICATOF OF CNS INJURY
The effect on choice behavior of cues paired with noncontingent reward

The effect of cues paired with reward on the first-trial choice behavior of rats in a Y-maze was examined using the techniques of noncontingent reward in the presence of goal (GB) cues. Adequate perception of GB cues on the test trial was assured by using relatively short maze arms. Significant choice of the arm leading to GB cues was interpreted as suggesting an acquired motivation interpretation of the effect on behavior of cues paired with reward.
Coupled resonator optical waveguide sensors: sensitivity and the role of slow light

We compare the sensitivity of two configurations of coupled resonator optical waveguide (CROW) gyroscopes proposed by others to conventional optical gyroscopes. In both cases, we demonstrate that for equal device footprint and loss, neither of these CROW gyroscopes configurations is more sensitive than its conventional counterpart. In all cases, loss ultimately limits the maximum rotation sensitivity. The fact that light travels more slowly (i.e., with a greater group delay) in a CROW than in a fiber therefore has no effect on sensitivity. The only benefit slow light does have is that it reduces the device length requirement, or equivalently it increases the sensitivity per unit length. However, we show that this improvement is quantitatively the same as in an RFOG. These conclusions are not limited to these two CROW configurations or to rotation sensing, but applicable to any measurand that modifies the phase of the signal(s) traveling in the resonators.
Geometry effects in MOSFET channel length extraction algorithms

Several techniques have been proposed to determine the channel length and series resistance of MOSFET's. Numerical simulations show that these algorithms must carefully account for two-dimensional geometry effects in order to extract parameters which are physically meaningful. New techniques which take these effects into account are proposed for extracting the channel length and series resistance.
A first look at 802.11ac in action: Energy efficiency and interference characterization

This paper is first of its kind in presenting a detailed characterization of IEEE 802.11ac using real experiments. 802.11ac is the latest WLAN standard that is rapidly being adapted due to its potential to deliver very high throughput. The throughput increase in 802.11ac can be attributed to three factors - larger channel width (80/160 MHz), support for denser modulation (256 QAM) and increased number of spatial streams for MIMO. We provide an experiment evaluation of these factors and their impact using a 18-nodes 802.11ac testbed. Our findings provide numerous insights on benefits and challenges associated with using 802.11ac in practice. Since utilization of larger channel width is one of the most significant changes in 802.11ac, we focus our study on understanding its impact on energy efficiency and interference. Using experiments, we show that utilizing larger channel width is in general less energy efficient due to its higher power consumption in idle listening mode. Increasing the number of MIMO spatial streams is comparatively more energy efficient for achieving the same percentage increase in throughput. We also show that 802.11ac link witnesses severe unfairness issues when it coexists with legacy 802.11. We provide a detailed analysis to show how medium access in heterogeneous channel width environment leads to the unfairness issues. We believe that these and many other findings presented in this work will help in understanding and resolving various performance issues of next generation WLANs.
Promised Reward and Creativity: Effects of Prior Experience

An experiment involving 283 preadolescent schoolchildren investigated how divergent-thinking training affected subsequent creativity for promised reward in a new task administered by a different individual. The promise of reward for picture drawing increased creativity if children had previously generated novel uses for physical objects with or without reward. In contrast, the promise of reward did not increase the creativity of picture drawings if the children had been rewarded for giving conventional object uses. Divergent-thinking training evidently conveys a task administrator's desire for creative performance; task participants generalize this discrimination to new tasks administered by other individuals and perform creatively when motivated to do so by the promise of reward. Thus, creativity is increased by the discrimination of a positive relationship between novel performance and reward.
Long-Term Outlook for Handicapped Children

The objective of this article is to provide the pediatrician with a perspective on the life outcome of the handicapped children for whom he or she provides care. The pediatrician9s role in the care of the handicapped child is often completed before the child has achieved his or her ultimate potential or adjusted to the disability. However, the pediatrician should have an understanding of the adult potential of his or her handicapped patient in order to guide the child and the child9s family through the various diagnostic, therapeutic, and habilitative steps on the way to adulthood. The pediatrician should have in perspective the limitations and the possibilities for the patient implicit in the diagnosis of a handicapping disorder. No less important, the pediatrician must recognize the limits of the medical model in the care of the handicapped. Nearly all long-term handicapping disorders require elaborate partnerships among various professional disciplines and the patient in order to achieve maximum habilitation. In addition to health professionals, such a list may include educators, engineers, architects, and lawyers. Furthermore, new professionals such as personal care attendants and independent living skills trainers are emerging to aid in the care of handicapped children and adults. Even among professionals, there are biases that may limit the effectiveness of intervention or misdirect energy into unrealistic efforts.
Crystallization and superconductivity in Hg doped Bi1.7Pb0.3HgxSr2Ca2Cu3Oy glass-ceramics

Abstract Hg doped superconducting glass-ceramics of compositions Bi 1.7 Pb 0.3 Hg x Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O y (0 ≤ × ≤ 1.0) were prepared by melt-quenching. to glass-ceramics were examined using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray diffraction. Thermogravimetry results (TGA) show that ∼2 wt.% of oxygen was absorbed at 830°C during the formation of the crystallized superconducting phases from the reheated glasses. The microstructure and superconducting properties of the Hg doped glass-ceramics were correlated and an optimal heat-treatment condition at 843°C for 60 to 80 h was found to give the most desirable microstructure.
Molecular Motion and Band Shapes in Liquids

Abstract Owing to complicated many-body interactions and lack of a static structure our knowledge of the liquid state is more limited than that of the gaseous and solid states. A better understanding of liquids may be achieved through the spectroscopic study of solutions. One method of probing molecular dynamics and intermolecular forces is through the investigation of vibrational, rotational, and translational transitions of a dissolved molecule using infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Such studies are the subject of this article. Other types of spectroscopic information on solutions will be explored in subsequent articles.
Improvements in FFD Modeling by Using Different Numerical Schemes

Indoor environment design and air management in buildings requires fast simulation of air distribution. A fast fluid dynamics (FFD) model seems very promising. This work was to develop the FFD by improving its speed and accuracy. Enhancement of computing speed can be realized by modifying the time-splitting method. Improvements in accuracy were achieved by replacing the finite-difference scheme by the finite-volume method and by proposing a correction function for mass conservation. Using the new FFD model for several indoor air flows, the results show significant reduction in computing time and great improvements on accuracy.
The Frequencies of Natural Power Oscillations in Interconnected Generating and Distribution Systems

Electric generating and distribution systems are capable of performing natural oscillations of frequency and of power, superposed upon the ordinary operation and sometimes disturbing the regular behavior of the system or its parts. These oscillations are due to the interlinked cooperation of the prime movers with their speed-governing mechanisms, the synchronous generators, the ramified network, and the numerous induction motors, and similar power consumers. Since most of the machines and network branches usually are different in size and in individual design, a multitude of natural oscillations will develop, the frequency spectrum of which can be divided into three groups. In perfect condition of the system, a single very low frequency develops, which is determined by the inherent properties of all speed governors and servomotors together, and by the inertias of the rotating masses of all the generators and motors together. This joint natural oscillation has a period around 10 to 20 seconds and causes an inphase movement of all mechanical parts of the system, which can be of considerable magnitude, while the electric power may oscillate in phase opposition within the various parts of the system. The next group of frequencies contains as many natural oscillations as there are different synchronous machines in the system and is defined by the faster electromechanical oscillations occurring between each synchronous generator and the entirety of all the other synchronous and induction machines.
Local accessibility, local reachability, and representations of compact groups

In this paper we consider the local controllability problem for nonlinear control systems, or as we prefer to call it, the local reachability problem. We introduce the action of a compact group on the system, and define what it means for the system to be invariant under the group action. Our principal result gives sufficient conditions, in terms of the group action, in order that a locally accessible system is also locally reachable. The technique used is a generalization of one first introduced by P. Brunovsky for “odd” systems invariant under a certainZ2 action. We give both geometric and group representational interpretations of our conditions, and provide examples of our conditions applied to certain “even” systems which do not satisfy Brunovsky's conditions.
Barrett's Esophagus Suspected at Endoscopy but No Specialized Intestinal Metaplasia on Biopsy, What's Next?

Barrett's Esophagus Suspected at Endoscopy but No Specialized Intestinal Metaplasia on Biopsy, What's Next?
Retinal Axon Target Selection in Drosophila Is Regulated by a Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase

Different Drosophila photoreceptors (R cells) connect to neurons in different optic lobe layers. R1–R6 axons project to the lamina; R7 and R8 axons project to separate layers of the medulla. We show a receptor tyrosine phosphatase, PTP69D, is required for lamina target specificity. In Ptp69D mutants, R1–R6 project through the lamina, terminating in the medulla. Genetic mosaics, transgene rescue, and immunolocalization indicate PTP69D functions in R1–R6 growth cones. PTP69D overexpression in R7 and R8 does not respecify their connections, suggesting PTP69D acts in combination with other factors to determine target specificity. Structure–function analysis indicates the extracellular fibronectin type III domains and intracellular phosphatase activity are required for targeting. We propose PTP69D promotes R1–R6 targeting in response to extracellular signals by dephosphorylating substrate(s) in R1–R6 growth cones.
Enhanced interferon-γ-induced Ia-antigen expression by glial cells after previous exposure to this cytokine

Encephalitogenic T cells appear capable of destroying class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen (Ia)-positive glial cells in the brain, thus accounting for the pathologic activity of these lymphocytes in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, glial cells do not generally express Ia molecules, suggesting that regulation of Ia expression figures prominently in autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. In studies to understand the regulatory mechanisms involved in Ia expression, a glial cell clone generated from the brains of neonatal Lewis rats (F10 clone) readily expressed class II major histocompatibility (Ia) antigens after stimulation by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) at doses from 10 to 100 units/ml. Level of the antigen decreased gradually within 5-7 days after cultures were depleted of the cytokine. Reexposure of the cells to the IFN-gamma at 100-fold lower doses induced a stronger Ia response than did the initial exposure. F10 cells also expressed Ia when they were cultured with small numbers of syngeneic T lymphocytes, either proliferating or nonproliferating. Proliferating T cells had direct Ia-inducing activity, whereas nonproliferating T cells had this effect only when they were added to cultures with small amounts of T cell-specific antigen. Moreover, Ia-inducing effects of IFN-gamma on F10 cells were also greatly enhanced when these cells were preexposured to T cells. Our results suggest that initial exposure to IFN-gamma or T cells enhances the Ia responsiveness of glial cells to further stimulation with the cytokine.
Computational analysis of the functional role of cerebellar Basket-type inhibitory connections: compensation or coding?

Despite the morphological changes observed within the cerebellum over the course of evolution, its circuitry with respect to its neuronal types, have remained a remarkable constant [1]. In particular, the relationship between the geometry of the Purkinje cells and the parallel fiber projection of the cerebellar granule cells has been observed in all vertebrates [2]. However, one clear comparative difference is the fact that basket-type inhibitory connections to the soma of the Cerebellar Purkinje cells are only found in birds and mammals [3]. The objective of this study was to test the model-based predication [4] that these basket inhibitory inputs serve to control the excitatory effects of the larger number of parallel fiber inputs found in birds and mammals. In the first phase of this project, cell-counting techniques have been used to obtain the ratio of granule cells to Purkinje cells in a wide range of vertebrate animals. These results suggest that, in fact, larger GC:PC ratios are found in birds and mammals. The results to be presented here were obtained by first using 3D neuronal reconstruction techniques to characterize the shapes of the dendrites and somata of cerebellar Purkinje cells from fish, turtles, rats and birds. These morphologies were then used to create compartmental single cell models which, in turn, were used to explore the cells passive electrical properties. Parameters explored include the maximal amplitude, time to reach maximal amplitude, voltage drops, and the standard deviation from the average membrane potential during spiking. All procedures were conducted under the approval and supervision of the Animal Welfare and Use Committee. All simulations were conducted using GENESIS 3.0. The results suggest that the Purkinje cells of birds and mammals are more electronically compact than are those of turtles and fish. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that the basket-type inhibitory connection evolved to compensate for both an increase in the number of parallel fiber inputs per Purkinje cell as well as in the computational speed of processing of the Purkinje cell. The results will be interpreted in the context of our network model of cerebellar cortical circuitry.
Dynamic load balancing for parallel interval-Newton using message passing

Branch-and-prune and branch-and-bound techniques are commonly used for intelligent search in finding all solutions, or the optimal solution, within a space of interest. The corresponding binary tree structure provides a natural parallelism allowing concurrent evaluation of subproblems using parallel computing technology. Of special interest here are techniques derived from interval analysis, in particular an interval-Newton/generalized-bisection procedure. In this context, we discuss issues of load balancing and work scheduling that arise in the implementation of parallel interval-Newton on a cluster of workstations using message passing, and describe and analyze techniques for this purpose. Results using an asynchronous diffusive load balancing strategy show that a consistently high efficiency can be achieved in solving nonlinear equations, providing excellent scalability, especially with the use of a two-dimensional torus virtual network. The effectiveness of the approach used, especially in connection with a novel stack management scheme, is also demonstrated in the consistent superlinear speedups observed in performing global optimization.
Redundancy Management for P2P Storage

P2P storage systems must protect data against temporary unavailability and the effects of churn in order to become platforms for safe storage. This paper evaluates and compares redundancy techniques for P2P storage according to availability, accessibility, and maintainability using traces and theoretical results.
Distribution of Glutathione in Osborne Fractions as Affected by Additions of Ascorbic Acid, Reduced and Oxidised Glutathione

Abstract Kernels of the wheat class DNS were stored for 21 months at 20°C. Flours were milled before (I) and after storage (II). Doughs from II were firmer than those from I, possibly due to the decrease of reduced glutathione (GSH) from 124 to 30 nmol/g. The two flours, as well as doughs that were prepared by the addition of GSH, oxidised glutathione (GSSG) and ascorbic acid (AA), were fractionated into albumin, globulin, gliadin, and acid-extractable and acid unextractable glutenin. During kneading of flour-water doughs, endogenous GSH was preferentially bound to the acid-extractable glutenin leading to an increase of protein-glutathione mixed disulphide (PSSG). Whereas addition of GSH to a dough enhanced the amount of PSSG in the acid-unextractable glutenin. GSSG increased the extensibility of the doughs but to a lesser extent than GSH and was mainly bound to the acid-extractable glutenin, most likely by an SS/SH interchange reaction with the SH groups of the proteins. GSH and GSSG, both in the presence of AA, also became bound into the glutenin but without an impairment of the improver action of AA on dough rheology. It is discussed that the addition of AA leads to a rapid conversion of GSH into GSSG, which then becomes attached to the glutenin. The increase of total non-peptide bound cysteine (PSSC) in the acid-extractable glutenin, which was favoured by AA, can be explained by a reaction of endogenous cystine with protein SH groups.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation of prolactin secretion is coordinately but not synergistically regulated by an elevation of cytoplasmic calcium and 1,2-diacylglycerol.

The precise roles of the calcium and lipid pathways in TRH-stimulated PRL secretion from rat pituitary (GH3) cells are controversial. In particular, it is debated whether elevation of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is sufficient to cause burst secretion (0[2 min) or whether an increase in 1,2-diacylglycerol must accompany the Ca2+ elevation. In this study, the effects of TRH, which elevates 1,2-diacylglycerol, on [Ca2+]; and stimulation of burst secretion were compared with those of depolarization by high extracellular K+, which does not increase 1,2-diacylglycerol. A maximal concentration of TRH (1 μm) and depolarization by 17.5 mm K+ caused elevation of [Ca2+]i from the resting level of 140 ± 20 nm to 470 ± 70 nm and 514 ± 60 nm, respectively, and stimulated burst secretion from 0.6 ± 0.2 ng/106 cells/min to 3.3 ± 0.8 and 3.1 ± 0.4 ng/106 cells/min, respectively, when a small component of TRH-stimulated secretion that is independent of elevation of [Ca2+]i was subtracted. A detailed compa...
Use of clinical next-generation sequencing to identify melanomas harboring SMARCB1 mutations.

Background SMARCB1 (INI1/BAF47/SNF5) encodes a part of a multiprotein complex that regulates gene expression through chromatin remodeling. SMARCB1 expression is lost or downregulated in multiple human tumors, including epithelioid sarcoma, meningioma and rhabdoid tumors of the brain, soft tissue and kidney. Methods A 46-gene or 50-gene next-generation sequencing AmpliSeq Cancer Panel (Life Technologies; San Francisco, CA, USA) was applied to ∼1400 primary or metastatic melanoma tissues. Results We identified eight cases of melanoma harboring mutations in SMARCB1. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated preservation of SMARCB1 protein expression in all cases. SMARCB1 mutations occurred together with TP53 mutations in five of the eight cases, suggesting a functional relationship between these tumor suppressors in melanoma. Conclusions Because single-base substitutions in SMARCB1 occur in a small subset of melanomas and do not affect SMARCB1 protein expression, such mutations would only be discovered by sequencing approaches. Our findings highlight the potential for next-generation sequencing platforms to identify mutations unexpected for melanoma that may contribute to its oncogenic potential. Though rare, the identification of SMARCB1 mutations adds to the growing literature regarding the role of epigenetic control mechanisms in melanoma progression and therapeutic resistance and provide a rationale for strategies targeting such alterations (via chromatin remodeling agents) in clinical trials.
Lithotrophic iron-oxidizing bacteria produce organic stalks to control mineral growth: implications for biosignature formation

Neutrophilic Fe-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) are often identified by their distinctive morphologies, such as the extracellular twisted ribbon-like stalks formed by Gallionella ferruginea or Mariprofundus ferrooxydans. Similar filaments preserved in silica are often identified as FeOB fossils in rocks. Although it is assumed that twisted iron stalks are indicative of FeOB, the stalk's metabolic role has not been established. To this end, we studied the marine FeOB M. ferrooxydans by light, X-ray and electron microscopy. Using time-lapse light microscopy, we observed cells excreting stalks during growth (averaging 2.2 μm h−1). Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy show that stalks are Fe(III)-rich, whereas cells are low in Fe. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that stalks are composed of several fibrils, which contain few-nanometer-sized iron oxyhydroxide crystals. Lepidocrocite crystals that nucleated on the fibril surface are much larger (∼100 nm), suggesting that mineral growth within fibrils is retarded, relative to sites surrounding fibrils. C and N 1s NEXAFS spectroscopy and fluorescence probing show that stalks primarily contain carboxyl-rich polysaccharides. On the basis of these results, we suggest a physiological model for Fe oxidation in which cells excrete oxidized Fe bound to organic polymers. These organic molecules retard mineral growth, preventing cell encrustation. This model describes an essential role for stalk formation in FeOB growth. We suggest that stalk-like morphologies observed in modern and ancient samples may be correlated confidently with the Fe-oxidizing metabolism as a robust biosignature.
Significant factors in the dimensional accuracy of fused deposition modelling

AbstractThis project investigated the dimensional accuracy of parts produced using the rapid prototyping method of fused deposition modelling (FDM). Parts with six features common to products were ...
A two-sample parametric group sequential procedure for monitoring clinical trials

A group sequential procedure is presented which allows for staggered entry of patients, random loss to followup, and utilizes the flexible boundary approach of Lan and DeMets. The proposed procedure assumes that response times are nearly exponentially distributed. An example as well as simulation studies comparing the performance of the proposed procedure with the group sequential logrank are also presented.
An interdigitated split‐ring resonator for metamaterials

An interdigitated split-ring resonator is proposed and obtains negative permittivity (er), magnetic permeability (μr), and negative refractive index (n) over a narrow frequency band. This article demonstrates that the proposed structure has a linear frequency response the geometry of the structure and small planar resonators for low frequency metamaterials are possible. The experimental results show that the resonators exhibit a negative refractive index at frequencies of a few hundred MHz to a few GHz. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:174–177, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25683
Misdirected effort: Thorstein Veblen’s critique of advertising

Purpose – The purpose of this essay is to argue that, for Veblen, the contribution of advertising to mature business enterprise was crucial. Although Thorstein Veblen’s Theory of the Leisure Class is widely credited with introducing the concept of “conspicuous consumption”, that book is silent on the contribution of the sales effort – or advertising – to such consumption. One must turn to Veblen’s later writings on the business system to find an analysis of advertising within oligopoly capitalism, what Veblen called the system of “absentee ownership”. At the beginning of the twentieth century business faced looming threats of technological progress and democratic discontent. The material prospect of accelerating productivity might soon “end the struggle or lessen the strain” of economic life; democracy might insist that the industrial system serve social needs in efficient ways. To ward off such challenges, business developed a two-prong approach to perpetuate scarcity: carefully managed control of output...
Management of enterprise-wide systems integration programs

A general model is presented for the management of a systems integration program, using an enterprise-wide information systems architecture (ISA) as a roadmap. Integration deals with the technical integration of the elements of an information system, as well as the business integration of the information system with the enterprise. The model addresses both of these challenges. The management model defines the scope of the management process and its essential functions, including systems engineering and prototyping capabilities with a defined set of measures and metrics. The supporting ISA template is comprehensive in the business objectives covered, responsive to changes in the business and technologies, and useful in producing a practical information architecture. Examples are discussed of applications to the manufacturing and financial sectors. >
Nephrotoxicity and Studies on the Reabsorption and Disposal of Alpha 2U-Globulin

Alpha-2u-globulin, a low-molecular weight (LMW) protein of 19,000 dalton, is synthesised by the male rat liver as a family of isoforms; pI = 4.6–5.2. This protein is an important constituent of the physiological proteinuria in adult male rats. At maturity the total urinary protein is 20–30% alpha-2u and 10% albumin. At 160 days of age the excretion of albumin and total urinary proteins are markedly increased. By one year, albumin represents nearly 60% of the total protein while alpha-2u is less than 10%. This reversal in relative content may be the consequence of a progressive glomerulonephrosis, associated with an apparent spontaneous accumulation of hyaline droplets. The nephrotic condition may be the consequence of the burden of excreting alpha-2u. Its early onset is sexdependent; female rats do not exhibit the proteinuria until a later age.
“But one kind” of Life: Thoreau’s Subjective Theory of Value in Walden

Seth McKelvey, “‘But one kind’ of Life: Thoreau’s Subjective Theory of Value in Walden ” (pp. 448–472) Literary scholars generally take for granted Henry David Thoreau’s hostility to market exchange in Walden (1854). I argue, however, that Thoreau anticipates the subjective theory of value and the related concept of diminishing marginal utility, offering glimpses of ideas that would not be formalized in economics until after his death but that should nevertheless align him with a long lineage of free market thinkers. Thoreau does not reject the marketplace as a means to achieve his own best interests, but rather challenges his society’s definition of what those interests should be, attacking the misguided desire to accumulate excessive material wealth and the burdensome labor that attends such aspirations. I juxtapose the economics put forth in Walden with the work of Austrian free market economist Carl Menger in order to illustrate how Thoreau can so vehemently oppose the materialistic obsessions of capitalism while simultaneously remaining amenable to the principles of free exchange.
Effect of ovariectomy, adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy on growth of spontaneous mammary tumors in mice.

Summary1. The effect of ovariectomy, adrenalectomy, and hypophysectomy upon growth of spontaneous tumors in mice has been studied. 2. Bilateral adrenalectomy alone or combined with ovariectomy produced a complete regression of the tumor in 3.3% and 3.7% of the mice respectively. Hypophysectomy was followed by regression in 11.5%. of mice. 3. All groups in which either adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy was performed, showed a shorter survival time than unoperated controls, even in those mice showing a complete regression of their tumors.
Dual Role for 1,2,4,5-Tetrazines in Polymer Networks: Combining Diels–Alder Reactions and Metal Coordination To Generate Functional Supramolecular Gels

The inverse-electron demand Diels–Alder cycloaddition of tetrazines and olefins has emerged as a powerful coupling reaction for the formation of polymer gels with diverse applications. Tetrazines are also excellent ligands for metal atoms. For example, 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazines (bptz) have been used to generate discrete supramolecular Mxbptzy metal clusters and extended 2D grid structures. We reasoned that both the Diels–Alder and the metal-coordination modes of reactivity of bptz derivatives could be leveraged in the context of hydrogel design to yield novel hybrid materials. Here we report on the formation of supramolecular hydrogels via substoichiometric Diels–Alder functionalization of bptz ligands bound to the ends of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains followed by metal-coordination-induced gelation in the presence of Ni2+ and Fe2+ salts. Our results show that simple bptz-based polymers are versatile precursors to a diverse range of novel functional materials.
Calculation of the water requirement of mortar and concrete

The term “water requirement” is defined as the amount of mixing water that is needed for a specified consistency of a mortar or concrete. This paper concentrates on formulas that provide the water requirement as a function of the composition and consistency of the fresh concrete. Dozens of water requirement formulas have been published starting with Feret and Abrams. There are also several formulas that are published here for the first time. An analysis of the basic structure of water requirement formulas winds up the paper providing pointers for future research.
Left Ventricular Diverticulum How We Do It

Left ventricular diverticulum is an extremely rare anomaly, especially in the absence of other findings, and as such it has been rarely imaged, rarely seen intraoperatively, and has no standardized management algorithm. We report our suggested imaging and management in the context of previous management philosophies.
Epidemiological Analysis on Viral Hepatitis A in Kashi Area of Xinjiang

[Objective]To investigate and analyze the causes and characteristics of viral hepatitis A in Kashi area,carry out the measures,and evaluate the effect of the control measures. [Methods]The epidemic data of viral hepatitis A in Kashi area in 2010 were analyzed with descriptive epidemiology method. [Results]1 785 cases of hepatitis A were reported by direct network report system in Kashi area in 2010,and the incidence rate was 46.97/lakh.The incidence rate has obviously increased since July 2010,reached the peak in September and October,then showed a decreasing trend in November,and kept sporadic and stable prevalence in February 2011. [Conclusion]The effect of control measures is not ideal,and the immunization coverage rate can not block the spread of hepatitis A.On the other side,the abnormal climate in Kashi area in 2010 causes plentiful raining and poor health condition,which is the primary reason of increasing incidence.
The beta 4 subunit of the integrin family is displayed on a restricted subset of endothelium in mice.

More than 15 subunits of the integrin family of cell surface adhesion molecules have been identified. The alpha 6 beta 4 integrin has recently been identified as a component of hemidesmosomes of stratified squamous epithelium. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) 346–11A binds to the beta 4 subunit in mice. Sequence analysis of a cDNA clone coding for this epitope localizes reaction of the mAb to a portion about half way through the extracellular domain at the beginning of the cysteine-rich region. Sites of beta 4 expression in mice were detected by autoradiographic analysis of tissues collected from mice 24 or 48 h after intravenous injection of 125I-labeled mAb 346–11A. This non-quantitative technique emphasizes detection of antigen exposed in the vascular space. These data show that in addition to the epithelia of several organs, the endothelia of intermediate vessels throughout the body are sites of beta 4 expression. In particular, endothelium of larger vessels but not capillaries in lung, vessels in thymus, spleen and Peyer9s patches, and portal vessels but not the central veins of the liver, are positive. The expression of the beta 4 integrin in blood vessels may indicate a specialized function for beta 4 at these sites that is distinct from its role in hemidesmosome-mediated attachment.
Electrochemically etched carbon fiber electrodes

Publisher Summary Etched insulated carbon fiber electrodes can be prepared from a suitable source of graphitized carbon fibers, copper wire, colloidal graphite, and a cathodic electrophoretic paint. The processes involved in the production of these electrodes involve mounting the carbon fibers, etching them to produce a sharp tip, and subsequent insulation of the tip so that only the very end of the tip is exposed. Etching of the electrodes requires a variable voltage AC source (50 Hz, 1–10 Vac), an AC current meter capable of measuring in the μA range and a suitable linear translation stage. Insulation of the electrode requires a DC power supply (0–20 V), linear translation stage, microscope, and oven. The insulation process involves two separate stages: electrophoretic deposition of paint onto the tip surface followed by a curing step at high temperatures during which the paint particles fuse together. Cathodic electrophoretic paint is the preferred polymeric material used to insulate the carbon fibers as the negative potentials required for deposition avoid any possibility of oxidative dissolution of the carbon fiber. Testing of electrodes requires a high-gain low-noise potentiostat. Testing is performed to determine the presence of any pinholes in the insulation. The quality of the coating of the electrode may be assessed in a nondestructive manner by measuring the diffusion limited current response as a function of the extent of immersion of the electrode into a suitable electrolyte solution. A more destructive approach to assessing the quality of the coating may be performed by polarizing the electrode in an electrolyte containing a suitable metal salt.
Hospital Staff Communication

Hospital staff communication refers to the interaction among healthcare providers: nurses, doctors, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists who share information and coordinate activities to ensure the safety and care of patients. Due to the importance of effective hospital staff communication, medical schools require communication skills training. This need has led to a robust subdiscipline of health communication, and interpersonal communication research in this area includes communication among nurses, communication between doctors, nurses, and other specialists, and communication within cross-disciplinary medical teams. Keywords: conflict management; gender; healthcare; health communication; intergroup communication
PWM converter control for grid integration of wind turbines with enhanced power quality

Variable-speed wind turbines are attractive to the high performance and are widely used by the wind turbine industry today. A variable-speed wind turbine has a back-to-back PWM converter consisting of a machine-side converter for generator control and a grid-side converter for grid interface. Traditionally, the grid-side converter is controlled through decoupled d-q vector control mechanisms through a voltage regulated PWM converter. This paper develops a steady-state model of the grid-side converter system in a d-q reference frame, based on which general power control characteristics of the grid-side converter are studied both analytically and through computer simulation. Drawbacks of the conventional control strategies are analyzed. A novel control technique is developed for the consideration of both effective real and reactive power control and improved power quality. The controller performance is evaluated through a transient simulation approach using MatLab SimPowerSystems, which demonstrates that the newly developed control mechanism is effective for grid interface of the converter in terms of superior power control and enhanced power quality.
Protein phosphatase 4 coordinates glial membrane recruitment and phagocytic clearance of degenerating axons in Drosophila

Neuronal damage induced by injury, stroke, or neurodegenerative disease elicits swift immune responses from glial cells, including altered gene expression, directed migration to injury sites, and glial clearance of damaged neurons through phagocytic engulfment. Collectively, these responses hinder further cellular damage, but the mechanisms that underlie these important protective glial reactions are still unclear. Here, we show that the evolutionarily conserved trimeric protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) serine/threonine phosphatase complex is a novel set of factors required for proper glial responses to nerve injury in the adult Drosophila brain. Glial-specific knockdown of PP4 results in reduced recruitment of glia to severed axons and delayed glial clearance of degenerating axonal debris. We show that PP4 functions downstream of the the glial engulfment receptor Draper to drive glial morphogenesis through the guanine nucleotide exchange factor SOS and the Rho GTPase Rac1, revealing that PP4 molecularly couples Draper to Rac1-mediated cytoskeletal remodeling to ensure glial infiltration of injury sites and timely removal of damaged neurons from the CNS.
The Land Sparing Complex: Environmental Governance, Agricultural Intensification, and State Building in the Brazilian Amazon

Since 2004, annual deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has fallen nearly 80 percent, even as agricultural production in the region has increased. Understanding this land use transition requires a theorization of the relationships among environmental governance, agricultural intensification, and state building. Drawing on key informant interviews, municipal-level case studies, and an organizational ethnography of an international environmental organization, I argue that declines in deforestation engineered by new governance arrangements are part of a project of economic development and state building through environmental regulation. This project is implemented by a complex of government, nongovernmental, and corporate actors. I describe the emergence of this complex and the land sparing logic that animates it. Land sparing policy inverts previous logics of state territorialization and environmental conservation with the aim of shifting the Amazonian economy from an extensive mode of extraction to an int...
The Art of Aligning Business Expectations with Learning Effectiveness

In the first in a series of articles about building a an effective online training and certification program based on principles practiced at Google, Chris Jennings discusses how to get stakeholders on board when it comes time to invest in eLearning.
Chapter 7 Use of Metrizamide for Separation of Chromosomes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of metrizamide for separation of chromosomes. Isopycnic centrifugation is potentially the most powerful way to fractionate the mammalian genome. High concentrations of salt, such as CsCl, rapidly dissociate metaphase chromosomes. The isopycnic centrifugation of chromatin in metrizamide solutions leads to the extension of its use for isopycnic banding of metaphase chromosomes. The introduction of iodinated density gradient media for isopycnic centrifugation of metaphase chromosomes represents a significant advance over previous technology. The chapter outlines the techniques for the chromosome characterization and chromosome separation. It is shown that metrizamide is a useful and dependable medium for banding chromosomes according to their buoyant density. The morphology of the metaphase chromosome after exposure to metrizamide is excellent and the total protein complement and the DNA: protein ratio is not altered.