cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of a Controlled Assembly Vocabulary: Modeling a Home Appliance Transfer Line

A controlled vocabulary list that was originally developed for the automotive assembly environment was modified for home appliance assembly in this study. After surveying over 700 assembly tasks with the original vocabulary, additions were made to the vocabulary list as necessary. The vocabulary allowed for the transformation of work instructions in approximately 90% of cases, with the most discrepancies occurring during the inspection phase of the transfer line. The modified vocabulary list was then tested for coder reliability to ensure broad usability and was found to have Cohen’s kappa values of 0.671 < κ < 0.848 between coders and kappa values of 0.731 < κ < 0.875 within coders over time. Using this analysis, it was demonstrated that this original automotive vocabulary could be applied to the non-automotive context with a high degree of reliability and consistency.
Sex-Based Differences in the Incidence of Sports-Related Concussion: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:

Context:The incidence of sports-related concussion in females has been increasing in recent years.Objective:To conduct a meta-analysis on sex-based differences in concussion incidence in various sp...
Energy-Based Coarse Graining of the Lattice-Discrete Particle Model

AbstractConcrete is a complex heterogeneous material. Its internal structure controls its mechanical behavior through crack localization, branching, and coalescence. As a result, only models that r...
Functional analysis of proposed substrate-binding residues of Hsp104

Hsp104 is a hexameric AAA+ yeast disaggregase capable of solubilizing disordered aggregates and amyloid. Hsp104 couples ATP hydrolysis to polypeptide translocation through its central channel. Substrate binding by Hsp104 is mediated primarily by two conserved tyrosine residues in nucleotide binding domain (NBD) 1 and NBD2. Recent structural studies have revealed that an additional tyrosine residue (Y650) located in NBD2 appears to contact substrate and may play an important role in Hsp104 function. Here, we functionally analyze the properties of this proposed Hsp104 -substrate interaction. We find that Y650 is not essential for Hsp104 to confer thermotolerance. Supporting these findings, in a potentiated Hsp104 variant background, the Y650A mutation does not abolish potentiation. However, modulation of this site does have subtle effects on the activity of this potentiated Hsp104 variant. We therefore suggest that while Y650 is not essential for Hsp104 function, its modulation may be useful for fine-tuning Hsp104 properties.
China's Triangle Diplomacy 中国の三角外交

Back in the days of Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger, the “strategic triangle” with the Soviet Union and China was the great game. The idea was to play off the two communist powers against one another, relying on their ideological warfare under Mao, deep cultural differences, and open conflict in border regions to sustain their mutual suspicions and fears of attack. Now the shoe is on the other foot, so to speak: China seems to be in charge of the game, using USRussia enmity and its own on-again, off-again competition with the US to keep both those countries cooperative with and in need of Beijing.
Contemporary Management of Complex and Non-Complex Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Due to Giant Retinal Tears.

Purpose To investigate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with giant retinal tears (GRTs) at a tertiary referral center. Patients and methods A retrospective, non-consecutive interventional case series of GRT-associated RRDs that underwent primary surgical repair at the University of Michigan W.K. Kellogg Eye Center between January 1, 2011 and July 1, 2020. Clinical characteristics and preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data were collected. Results Forty-eight eyes of 47 patients with GRT-associated RRDs met inclusion criteria, including those that were children (under 12 years, N=4, 8.3%), associated with a history of trauma (N=20, 41.7%) or with grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR-C) (N=7, 14.6%) at baseline. Median age was 46 years (interquartile range (IQR): 29 years, range: 4 to 72 years), median follow-up was 28 months (IQR: 43 months, range: 3-124 months), and 83.3% (N=40) of subjects were male. Primary surgical repair for GRT-associated RRDs included pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) (N=40, 83.3%), scleral buckle (SB) (N=1, 2.1%), or combined PPV/SB (N=7, 14.6%). Surgical approach commonly involved the use of perfluorocarbon liquid (N=43, 90%) and gas tamponade (N=39, 81%). Single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) was 75% (95% CI: 60%, 85%) at 3 months and 65% (95 CI: 47%, 78%) at 2 years. Final anatomic success was achieved in all 48 eyes (100%). Median visual acuity improved from 20/250 preoperatively to 20/60 at final follow-up, with 44% (N=20) of eyes achieving postoperative visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Conclusion In this series from a tertiary referral center, both complex and non-complex GRT-associated RRDs were most commonly managed with PPV alone, perfluorocarbon liquid, and gas tamponade with favorable final anatomic and visual outcomes comparable to other modern GRT series.
Influence of habitual aerobic and resistance exercise on cerebrovascular reactivity in healthy young adults

Habitual exercise may influence the cerebral hemodynamics, as it affects other variables of vascular health in this population. We report that habitual exercise training does not influence cerebrov...
Freud’s Vulnerability to the Social Ideals of His Time and Moral Skepticism

This chapter explores how cultural bonds and experiences unknowingly affect personal judgment and so lead to Freud’s moral skepticism. I recount Freud’s inability to reflect on risks to his life—despite theorizing about the opacity of knowledge—to show how more generally one is always unknowably affected by social and personal expectations. Freud’s vulnerability coupled with his astute observation about the opacity of knowledge demonstrates the human subject’s existential vulnerability to suffer from, and enjoy the use, of persecuting violence to attain moral ideals. Finally, I present and respond to Freud’s hyperbolic conclusion on the impossibility of living an ethical life. I expose his moral skepticism as representative of a tradition that values an individualized self and that culminates in the erosion of moral responsibility for the other.
Effects of GnRH and hCG administration during early luteal phase on estrous cycle length, expression of estrus and fertility in lactating dairy cows.

Abstract Our objective was to determine the effects of a single treatment of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or GnRH from d 5 to 7 of the estrous cycle on cycle length, expression of estrus and fertility in lactating dairy cows. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 354) located in Farm 1 and lactating Jersey cows located in Farm 2 (n = 210) detected in estrus by an Automated Activity Monitor (AAM) system from 27 to 50 days in milk (DIM) were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments from d 5 to 7 of the estrous cycle: control (untreated; CON; Holstein, n = 111; Jersey, n = 66), GnRH (86 μg gonadorelin acetate im; Holstein, n = 116; Jersey, n = 75), or hCG (3,300 IU im; Holstein, n = 127; Jersey, n = 69). Ovaries were scanned with ultrasound in a random subgroup of cows (Holstein/Farm 1, n = 147; Jersey/Farm 2, n = 94) on the day of treatment and 3 or 4 d later to determine ovulation. Estrus was detected after treatment by an AAM, and peak activity and heat index were recorded. A random subgroup of cows observed in estrus after treatment received first AI from 51 to 80 DIM (Holstein, n = 208; Jersey, n = 138). Pregnancy diagnoses were performed by transrectal ultrasonography at 37 ± 3 d post-AI. Holstein and Jersey cows treated with GnRH and hCG had an increased (P 0.50) between treatments, and milk production did not affect (P > 0.65) the duration of estrus. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) was not affected by treatments in Holstein (P = 0.93; CON: 34.3%, GnRH: 35.4%, and hCG: 31.5%) and in multiparous Jersey cows (P = 0.35; CON: 34.3%, GnRH: 35.4%, and hCG: 31.5%), but hCG had greater (P = 0.03; 55%) P/AI than GnRH (30.0%) and a trend (P = 0.06) for greater P/AI than CON (33.3%) in primiparous Jersey cows. In summary, inducing the formation of an accessory corpus luteum from d 5 to 7 of the estrous cycle with hCG reduced expression of estrus in multiparous Holstein cows. Moreover, hCG increased estrous cycle length in Holstein and Jersey cows, and it did not affect first service P/AI at 37 ± 3 d post-AI in Holstein and multiparous Jersey lactating cows. However, hCG increased P/AI in primiparous Jersey cows. Future research with a larger number of cows is needed to confirm these intriguing fertility results.
Do Criminal Acts Affect Basic Moral Equality? (With Thoughts in Response to Shelly Kagan, Uwe Steinhoff and Christian List)

Modern criminal justice presupposes that persons are not morally equal. On the contrary, those who do wrong are viewed by the law as less worthy of respect, concern and decent treatment: Offenders, it is said, “deserve” to suffer for their misdeeds. Yet, there is scant logical or empirical basis for the law’s supposition that offenders are morally inferior. The usual reasoning is that persons who intentionally or knowingly do wrong are the authors and initiators of their acts and, as such, are morally responsible for them. But this reasoning rests on the assumption that a person’s mental states, such as intentions, can cause physical effects (bodily movements)—a factual assumption that is at odds with the evidence of neuroscience and whose only empirical support rests on a fallacious logical inference (post hoc ergo propter hoc). There is, in fact, no evidence that mental states like intentions have anything to do with causing the bodily movements that constitute behavior. Nonetheless, the mental-cause basis for moral responsibility, though it rests on a false factual inference, has enormous implications for criminal justice policy. While society must obviously protect itself from dangerous people, it does not have to torment them. The imperative to punish, a dominant theme of criminal justice policy, is not supported by evidence or logic, and it violates basic moral equality.
Progesterone Induced Blocking Factor Reduces Hypertension and Placental Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Response to sFlt-1 during Pregnancy.

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by new onset hypertension in association with placental ischemia, reduced fetal weight, elevated soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and placental mitochondrial (mt) dysfunction and oxidative stress (ROS). Progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF) is a product of progesterone signaling that blocks inflammatory processes and we have previously shown PIBF to lower mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and sFlt-1 in a rat model of PE. Infusion of sFlt-1 causes hypertension and many characteristics of PE in pregnant rodents, however, its role in causing mt dysfunction is unknown. Therefore, we hypothesize that PIBF will improve mt function and MAP in response to elevated sFlt-1 during pregnancy. We tested our hypothesis by infusing sFlt-1 via miniosmotic pumps in normal pregnant (NP) Sprague-Dawley rats (3.7 μg·kg−1·day−1) on gestation days (GD) 13–19 in the presence or absence of PIBF (2.0 µg/mL) injected intraperitoneally on GD 15 and examined mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and placental mt ROS on GD 19. sFlt-1 increased MAP to 112 + 2 (n = 11) compared to NP rats (98 + 2 mmHg, n = 15, p < 0.05), which was lowered in the presence of sFlt-1 (100 + 1 mmHg, n = 5, p < 0.05). Placental mtATP was reduced in sFlt-1 infused rats versus NP controls, but was improved with PIBF. Placental mtROS was elevated with sFlt-1 compared to NP controls, but was reduced with PIBF. Sera from NP + sFlt-1 increased endothelial cell mtROS, which was attenuated with PIBF. These data demonstrate sFlt-1 induced HTN during pregnancy reduces placental mt function. Importantly, PIBF improved placental mt function and HTN, indicating the efficacy of improved progesterone signaling as potential therapeutics for PE.
Molecular-Dynamic Simulations of Many-Particle Systems: New Faces on Old Problems

There used to be two realities in the world of physics: Experiment and Theory. Now there are three, and the third one is The Computer. In the community of physicists outside of the computer-simulation enclave, there is a good deal of skepticism about computer simulations of many-particle systems. This skepticism is certainly justified at the present time. Nevertheless, in my opinion, computer simulation will affect the progress of physics in a profound way. The many-body problems that we worked on for decades will finally yield to computer simulation. This does not mean that many-body problems will suddenly become simple; the complications of these problems will appear in a new form. The question will be, how are computer simulations to be interpreted in terms of the mathematically posed problem, or in terms of physical reality. A computer-generated many-particle process contains an enormous amount of information, and the challenge will be to extract the information we want, leaving computer artifacts behind. In other words, the computer may have the answer, but we will have to figure out the question.
Towards a dynamic model of pulmonary parenchymal deformation: evaluation of methods for temporal reparameterization of lung data

We approach the problem of temporal reparameterization of dynamic sequences of lung MR images. In earlier work, we employed capacity-based reparameterization to co-register temporal sequences of 2-D coronal images of the human lungs. Here, we extend that work to the evaluation of a ventilator-acquired 3-D dataset from a normal mouse. Reparameterization according to both deformation and lung volume is evaluated. Both measures provide results that closely approximate normal physiological behavior, as judged from the original data. Our ultimate goal is to be able to characterize normal parenchymal biomechanics over a population of healthy individuals, and to use this statistical model to evaluate lung deformation under various pathological states.
Mobile manipulator systems

Mobile manipulation capabilities are key to many new applications of robotics in space, underwater, construction, and service environments. In these applications, consideration of vehicle/arm dynamics is essential for robot coordination and control. This article discusses the inertial properties of holonomic mobile manipulation systems and presents the basic strategies developed for their dynamic coordination and control. These strategies are based on extensions of the operational space formulation, which provides the mathematical models for the description, analysis, and control of robot dynamics with respect to the task behavior.
The radial bulk annular resonator: towards a 50/spl Omega/ RF MEMS filter

This paper presents a new electrostatic RF MEMS resonator design: the radial bulk annular resonator (RBAR). The RBAR utilizes the bulk radial resonant modes of an annulus. The theory behind the RBAR, and its predecessor the bulk longitudinal resonator (BLR), will be developed and discussed. It is found that the RBAR is capable of achieving an arbitrarily low motional resistance for any desired resonant frequency at the cost of increased average annular radius. This feature makes the RBAR attractive for minimizing insertion loss in bandpass filters.
Expression of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA polymerase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and detection of virus-specific enzyme activity in cell-free lysates.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) (strain 17) DNA polymerase gene has been cloned into an Escherichia coli-yeast shuttle vector fused to the galactokinase gene (GAL-1) promoter. Genes controlled by the GAL-1 promoter are induced by galactose, uninduced by raffinose, and repressed by glucose. Cell extracts from a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae harboring this vector (Y-MH202, expresser cells) grown in the presence of galactose and assayed in high salt (100 mM ammonium sulfate) contained a novel DNA polymerase activity. No significant high-salt DNA polymerase activity was detected in extracts from expresser cells grown in the presence of raffinose or in extracts from control cells containing the E. coli-yeast shuttle vector without the HSV-1 DNA polymerase gene grown in the presence of raffinose of galactose. Immunoblot analysis of the cell extracts by using a polyclonal rabbit antiserum prepared against a highly purified HSV-1 DNA polymerase preparation revealed the specific induction of the HSV-1 approximately 140-kilodalton DNA polymerase polypeptide in expresser cells grown in galactose. Extracts from the same cells grown in raffinose or control cells grown in either raffinose or galactose did not contain this immunoreactive polypeptide. The high-salt DNA polymerase activity in the extracts from expresser cells grown in galactose was inhibited greater than 90% by either acyclovir triphosphate or aphidicolin, as expected for HSV-1 DNA polymerase. In addition, the high-salt polymerase enzyme activity could be depleted from extracts by immunoprecipitation by using purified immunoglobulin G from this same polyclonal rabbit antiserum. These results demonstrate the successful expression of functional HSV-1 DNA polymerase enzyme in S. cerevisiae. Images
Moving to a free market economy: the approach implemented within the Krasnodar region, USSR

Summary form only given. The Krasnodar region is very rich in production of food, natural gas, timber and wood products, as well as many other natural resources. It is rich in the ethnic diversity and in technical skill levels of its populace. The region is home for many high-tech enterprises, research institutes, and institutions of higher learning. A number of former defense plants, located in this region, are actively seeking Western business partners as a means of entering the consumer market. The author describes an implemented approach to move the Krasnodar region to a free market economy while cushioning the inevitable impacts of economic dislocation. He also describes a number of attempted business deals within this region, their successes and failures to date, and implications for Western firms trying to do business in this area. >
Sorting the phenotypic heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorders: A hierarchical clustering model

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by notable phenotypic heterogeneity, which is often viewed as an obstacle to the study of its etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Heterogeneity in ASD is multidimensional and complex including variability in phenotype as well as clinical, physiologic, and pathologic parameters. We apply a hierarchical clustering model suited to dealing with datasets of mixed data types to stratify children with ASD into more homogeneous subgroups in line with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 model. The results of this cluster analysis will provide a better understanding the complex issue of ASD phenotypic heterogeneity and identify subgroups useful for further ASD genetic studies. Our goal is to provide insight into viable phenotypic and genotypic markers that would guide further cluster analysis of ASD genetic data. We suggest that analyzing the clusters in a hierarchical structure is a well-suited and meaningful model to unravel the complex heterogeneity of this disorder.
Iterative method for elimination of the Kβ filter in dual‐beam differential tissue absorptiometry

The application of a dual photon beam to the measurement of tissue and tissue-like substances has generally required the use of a filter to attain the required monochromaticity of the lower-energy x-ray photons. In many cases this has the undesirable effect of also severely attenuating the desired low-energy beam. A method for circumventing the use of the filter is described. The technique relies on a knowledge of the initial intensities of the components of the x-ray portion of the dual beam and involves an iterative mathematical procedure. Experimental verification of the method using both tissue and nontissue substances has been carried out. R values obtained with the iterative system show good correlation with filtered values.
Calculation of the atomic electron density at the nucleus using the Baker-Gammel approximants.

A family of approximations to the atomic electron density at the nucleus, \ensuremath{\rho}(0), has been derived using the Baker-Gammel approximants and the cusp condition for \ensuremath{\rho}(r). The quality of approximations that do not invoke the cusp condition deteriorates for atoms with large Z. On the other hand, the inclusion of the cusp condition results in an approximate formula that provides \ensuremath{\rho}(0) within less than 3%, requiring 〈${r}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$〉, 〈${r}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$〉, Z, and N as input. This improves the result by M. Hoffmann-Ostenhof, T. Hoffmann-Ostenhof, and W. Thirring [J. Phys. B 11, L571 (1978)].
Computational challenges in structural and functional genomics

The goal of computational biology in the early twenty-first century is to link the various genome sequencing projects to a high-throughput effort in complete structural and functional annotation of whole genomes or biological pathways. It is, in fact, a logical extension of the genome effort to systematically elaborate DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sequences into full three-dimensional structures through to functional analysis of cellular networks. The first level of the biological hierarchy is comparative analysis of the rapidly emerging genomic data at the sequence level. However, knowing only the sequence of DNA does not always tell us about the structure or function of the genes, nor does it tell us about the combined action of their protein products, which is the essence of higher order biological function. Complete annotation will include the determination of structure and function of proteins, and a move from analysis of these individual macromolecules to their complex interactions that make up the processes of cellular decisions. This paper represents an effort by a research community to define the hard computational biology problems of the future, to define what mixture of basic research directions and practical algorithmic approaches will be required to achieve our goals, and to outline the directions that will likely be taken in the postgenomic era.
Improving the exfoliation of layered silicate in a poly(ethylene terephthalate) matrix using supercritical carbon dioxide

A technique for improving the exfoliation of organically modified layered silicate (OMLS) in a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) matrix using super critical carbon dioxide (scCO2) is compared to traditional direct melt blending. The process relies on the rapid expansion of a scCO2/OMLS mixture directly into the second stage of a single screw extruder where the clay and scCO2 mixture is subsequently melt blended with the PET matrix. The simple, environmentally benign process results in a more highly delaminated system than traditional direct melt compounding. X-ray diffraction analysis is used to reveal improved clay morphologies and the resulting mechanical properties are examined. Rheology is used as a tool to draw conclusions about the effect that scCO2 has on reducing PET matrix degradation during processing. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Autophagy aids membrane expansion by neuropathic Schwann cells

Demyelinating peripheral neuropathies associated with abnormal expression of peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) involve the formation of cytosolic protein aggregates within Schwann cells. Towards developing a therapy for these progressive neurodegenerative diseases, we assessed whether pharmacological activation of autophagy by rapamycin (RM) could prevent protein aggregation and enhance Schwann cell myelination. Indeed, we found that glial cells from neuropathic mice activate autophagy in response to RM and produce abundant myelin internodes. Lentivirus-mediated shRNA shutdown of Atg12 abrogates the improvements in myelin production, demonstrating that autophagy is critical for the observed benefits.
The influence of differing administrative instructions on student ratings of instructors

Sections taught by ten graduate teaching assistants were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions consisting of instructions about how student raitngs of their instructional effectiveness would be used: for administrative purposes, to fulfill a regulation (proforma), or for self‐improvement. While students were more harsh in their assessment of their instructors’ effectiveness when instructions suggested an administrative use of the ratings, these differences were not large—accounting for, at most, less than three percent of the variance.
Vizenor's Harold of Orange: A Screenplay

(2003). Vizenor's Harold of Orange: A Screenplay. The Explicator: Vol. 61, No. 4, pp. 240-242.
The binary weight distribution of the extended (2m,2m − 4) code of the Reed-Solomon code over GF(2m) with generator polynomial (x − α)(x − α2)(x − α3)

Abstract Consider an ( n , k ) linear code with symbols from GF(2 m ). If each code symbol is represented by a binary m -tuple using a certain basis for GF(2 m ), we obtain a binary ( nm, km ) linear code, called a binary image of the original code. In this paper, we present a lower bound on the minimum weight of a binary image of a cyclic code over GF(2 m ) and the weight enumerator for a binary image of the extended (2 m ,2 m − 4) code of the Reed-Solomon code over GF(2 m ) with generator polynomial ( x − α )( x − α 2 ) ( x − α 3 ) and its dual code, where α is a primitive element in GF(2 m ).
Dynamics of intergestural timing: A perturbation study of lip-larynx coordination

In this study, downward-directed mechanical perturbations were applied to the lower lip during both repetitive (/…paepaepae…/) and discrete (/p ’saepaepl/) utterances in order to examine the perturbation-induced changes of intergestural timing between syllables (i.e., between the bilabial and laryngeal gestures for successive /p/’s) and within phonemes (i.e., between the bilabial and laryngeal gestures within single /p/’s ). Our findings led us to several conclusions. First, steady-state (phase-resetting) analyses of the repetitive utterances indicated both that ”permanent” phase shifts existed for both the lips and the larynx after the system returned to its pre-perturbation rhythm and that smaller steady-state shifts occurred in the relative phasing of these gestures. These results support the hypothesis that central intergestural dynamics can be reset by peripheral articulatory events. Such resetting was strongest when the perturbation was delivered within a ”sensitive phase” of the cycle, during which the downwardly directed lower-lip perturbation opposed the just-initiated, actively controlled bilabial closing gesture for /p/. Although changes in syllable duration were found for other perturbed phases, these changes were simply transient effects and did not indicate a resetting of the central ”clock.” Second, analyses of the transient portions of the perturbed cycles of the repetitive utterances indicated that the perturbation-induced steady-state phase shifts are almost totally attributable to changes occurring during the first two perturbed cycles. Finally, the transient changes in speech timing induced by perturbations in the discrete sequences appeared to share a common dynamical basis with the changes to the repetitive sequences. We conclude by speculating on the type of dynamical system that could generate these temporal patterns.
On the validity of the independent pixel approximation for boundary layer clouds observed during ASTEX

The two-dimensional radiative transfer behavior of nine marine stratocumulus clouds observed by cloud radar during the Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment is examined. The cloud radar resolves the vertical structure to 37.5 m. The method of [Frisch et al., 1995] is used to convert radar reflectivities to extinction fields. Three constructions of the same cloud field help elucidate underlying causes of variability: one is fully two-dimensional, while the other two have vertically uniform extinction fields but possess either a flat cloud top or the original cloud top topography. Two-dimensional solar radiative transfer results are compared with the independent pixel approximation (IPA) result. At the scale of the domain (≈ 7km) the IPA albedo bias is small, even after including vertical structure. Locally, in contrast, the direct solar beam interaction with cloud top geometry competes with radiative smoothing as the dominant radiative process. Power spectral analysis of nadir reflectances is dominated by radiative smoothing for overhead Sun, and side illumination/shadowing of cloud top bumps for low Sun. A method that incorporates direct beam interactions with the cloud geometry, in addition to radiative smoothing, significantly improves correlations of a smoothed IPA radiance field with the 2-D reflectances. In a remote sensing application, optical depth and albedo retrieval biases from plane-parallel theory depend on the spatial scale chosen to emulate a satellite pixel size. For scales less than a few kilometers and with low Sun, cloud top topography can cause large positive optical depth biases even when averaged over the entire domain. A larger spatial scales the negative IPA bias always dominates. Domain-averaged monochromatic albedo retrieval errors remain below 0.005, a relative error of less then 1%.
The Effects of Peripheral Vascular Disease on Gait

This study was designed to determine whether patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) have gait abnormalities. A previous study on humans with PVD found no abnormalities whereas significant gait changes were seen with a rat model of PVD. The study population was comprised of 10 controls and 9 subjects with PVD (all male). The PVD group had documented pain in one or both legs while walking. Subjects ranged in age from 55-92 years of age, with a mean age of 69 in the PVD group and 70 in the control group. The GaitMat II system was used to measure both spatial and temporal variables of gait. Subjects walked across the mat, four to six times, at their comfortable walking speed. The PVD group then walked on a treadmill until they experienced moderate claudication pain and felt they had to stop (pain levels between 6 and 8, with maximal pain at level 10). Control group walked on a treadmill for 10 minutes without pain. All subjects repeated the gait tests on the GaitMat H system immediately after treadmill walking. Claudication pain persisted in the PVD group during the second gait test. The PVD group was not different than control group in any of the measured variables on the first test (p values from .35 to .99). Difference scores (post- minus pre-treadmill walking)for PVD group were significantly different than those for control group on 8 of 11 variables (p values <.005). The primary response in PVD subjects was reduced walking speed (1.02+/-0.16 to 0.94+/-0.16 m/s) and reduced step length (0.60+/-0.08 to 0.57+/-0.09 m/s), whereas control subjects increased their speed (1.09+/-0.17 to 1.19+/-0.19 m/s) and step length (0.63+/-0.10 to 0.67+/-0.10 m/s). No asymmetries in gait were measured in either group, either before or after treadmill walking. In conclusion, PVD subjects were not different in gait while rested, but responded to claudication pain by reducing preferred walking speed and step size.
L-dopa pretreatment potentiates striatal dopamine overflow and produces dopamine terminal injury after a single methamphetamine injection.

Rats receiving L-dopa/carbidopa (70 mg/kg/17.5 mg/kg, i.p.) 1 h prior to a single methamphetamine (m-AMPH) (4 mg/kg, s.c.) pretreatment showed an extraordinary striatal dopamine (DA) overflow into the extracellular space (30-60 times basal overflow) as compared to the DA overflow elicited by m-AMPH alone (4-5 times basal). Animals treated with L-dopa/carbidopa plus m-AMPH, but not m-AMPH alone, had substantial (60%) decreases in striatal DA content 1 week later. These findings support the conclusion that the magnitude of m-AMPH-induced DA overflow contributes to the degree of nerve terminal damage and highlight the importance of extracellular DA in striatal terminal damage.
Generation of functionalized and robust semiconducting polymer dots with polyelectrolytes

We describe a facile method to functionalize semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) with polyelectrolytes. The polyelectrolyte coating dramatically improves the colloidal stability of the Pdots in solutions which are either of high ionic strength or contain bivalent metal ions: this feature allows Pdots to be used under physiologically relevant environments without losing their functionality. We conjugated the polyelectrolyte-coated Pdots with streptavidin to demonstrate their application in specific cell labeling.
1708 INTERACTIONS OF UNCONJUGATED BILIRUBIN WITH PHOSPHOLIPID COMPONENTS OF LUNG SURFACTANT

This work examines the surface tension-area (O-A) behavior of mixed films of unconjugated bilirubin with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and 9:1 DPPC:di-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) at 22°C on 0.15M NaCl and buffered phosphate subphases (pH=5.5, 7.4 and 8.0). Also pure films of unconjugated bilirubin spread from chloroform solution are studied under similar temperature and pH conditions. In pure films bilirubin is found to be a surprisingly surface active molecule able to reach minimum surface tension values of ~10 dynes/cm at pH5.5. In mixed films bilirubin exhibits interfacial interactions with DPPC and DPPC:DOPC in both high and low surface tension regimes. Most importantly bilirubin acts to increase respreading in films of DPPC and 9:1 DPPC:DOPC compressed past collapse,without any meaningful increase in the minimum surface tension achieved. Interactions in spread films of bilirubinphospholipid are of greatest magnitude at low pH values (5.5), where bilirubin is constrained to remain at the interface by virtue of negligible subphase solubility. The interactions decrease as pH increases to physiologic values and beyond (7.4 and 8.0), consistent with concomitant increasesin bilirubin solubility. Many infants with neonatal RDS also suffer hyperbilirubinenia with possible deposition of bilirubin in the alveoli (yellow hyaline membranes). Our results suggest that this bilirubin does not impair the activity of pulmonary surfactant in vivo, but further experiments with more complex films and subphases at body temperature would be required to make this definitive (Supp. by HL-25170)
Gothic PL- ~ FL- Variation as Lexical Diffusion

Le gotique presente des variations entre fl- (flodus) et pl- (pliuhan) a l'initiale, tandis que les autres dialectes germaniques n'ont que fl- (flood,flee). Cette particularite phonologique a ete jusqu'ici expliquee essentiellement par un melange de dialectes consecutif a la traduction ou a la transmission des textes gotiques, autrement dit par un melange dialectale du changement du groupe fl- en pl-, en pleine evolution de l'epoque des textes gotiques. Par cette facon de traiter le sujet, la variation fl- pl- apparait comme engendree par des facteurs structurels specifiques, et en meme temps comme un cas typique de diffusion lexicale
FERM3D: A finite element R-matrix electron molecule scattering code

Abstract FERM3D is a three-dimensional finite element program, for the elastic scattering of a low energy electron from a general polyatomic molecule, which is converted to a potential scattering problem. The code is based on tricubic polynomials in spherical coordinates. The electron–molecule interaction is treated as a sum of three terms: electrostatic, exchange, and polarization. The electrostatic term can be extracted directly from ab initio codes ( GAUSSIAN 98 in the work described here), while the exchange term is approximated using a local density functional. A local polarization potential based on density functional theory [C. Lee, W. Yang, R.G. Parr, Phys. Rev. B 37 (1988) 785] describes the long range attraction to the molecular target induced by the scattering electron. Photoionization calculations are also possible and illustrated in the present work. The generality and simplicity of the approach is important in extending electron-scattering calculations to more complex targets than it is possible with other methods. Program summary Title of program: FERM3D Catalogue identifier: ADYL_v1_0 Program summary URL: http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADYL_v1_0 Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, N. Ireland Computer for which the program is designed and others on which it has been tested: Intel Xeon, AMD Opteron 64 bit, Compaq Alpha Operating systems or monitors under which the program has been tested: HP Tru64 Unix v5.1, Red Hat Linux Enterprise 3 Programming language used: Fortran 90 Memory required to execute with typical data: 900 MB (neutral CO 2 ), 2.3 GB (ionic CO 2 ), 1.4 GB (benzene) No. of bits in a word: 32 No. of processors used: 1 Has the code been vectorized?: No No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 58 383 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 561 653 Distribution format: tar.gzip file CPC Program library subprograms used: ADDA, ACDP Nature of physical problem: Scattering of an electron from a complex polyatomic molecular target. Method of solution: Solution of a partial differential equation using a finite element basis, and direct sparse linear solvers. Restrictions on the complexity of the problem: Memory constraints. Typical running time: 2 hours. Unusual features of the program: • very extensive use of memory, • requires installation of Lapack, Blas, a direct sparse solver library (SuperLU, freely available, or Pardiso, which requires a license, but is free of charge for academic use), and optionally the Cernlib and Arpack libraries, freely available, • requires input from quantum chemistry programs (Gaussian, Molpro or PC Gamess).
A Muscle-Saving Posterolateral Thoracotomy Incision

A posterolateral thoracotomy incision which spares the latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscles and provides adequate exposure for major thoracic procedures and structures in the posterior hilum is described. Preservation of these accessory muscles of respiration results in improved respiratory dynamics, decreased postoperative pain, and early recovery.
Efficacy and safety of prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters for the prevention of recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation: A prospective study

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) continues to be one of the most common cardiac problems, placing an expanding burden on the public health system. In several circumstances, AF can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. Current pharmacologic treatment options are associated with the potential for significant adverse events, which often outweigh the benefits of achieving sinus rhythm. There is evidence to suggest antiarrhythmic benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; however, the data are not conclusive. This study is designed to further assess the effect of prescription omega-3 ethyl esters (P-OM3) in the prevention of recurrent AF in patients with AF without (significant) structural heart disease. Methods This trial is a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-study design. Patients with confirmed symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF (5:1 ratio) will be randomized to receive either 4 g/d P-OM3 (Lovaza; GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC) or placebo. The primary end point is the first recurrence of symptomatic AF among patients with paroxysmal AF. Secondary end points include the first recurrence of symptomatic AF among all patients. Safety will be assessed regularly. Conclusion This is the first randomized blinded trial to assess the antiarrhythmic effects of 4 g/d P-OM3 in paroxysmal AF.
Creatinine levels and cardiovascular events in women with heart disease: do small changes matter?

Abstract Background: Small changes in creatinine levels have been incrementally associated with increased risk for heart failure morbidity, but their association with cardiovascular events has not been evaluated in persons with established coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: This was an observational study from the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) and the HERS-II follow-up study. Participants were 2,763 postmenopausal women with CHD who were followed up for a mean of 4.1 years during HERS and an additional 2.7 years during HERS-II. We evaluated the association of worsened renal function (creatinine level increase ≥ 0.3 mg/dL [≥26.5 μmol/L]) during HERS with CHD outcomes (nonfatal myocardial infarction and CHD death) that occurred during HERS-II. Results: Only 194 participants (9%) had worsened renal function during HERS, and they were characterized by a greater prevalence of diabetes, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher triglyceride levels, and increased rate of cardiovascular events during HERS (all P
Percutaneous retroperitoneal lymph node biopsy: An appraisal for a substitute to laparotomy in far advanced metastatic carcinoma

Abstract In order to establish the true extent of disease and more accurately prescribe extended field radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, percutaneous needle biopsy techniques have been employed. Although there is a relatively high correlation between lymphangiographic appearances and the spread of tumor in patients with advanced disease, this has not been the experience in patients with clinically staged early disease. Unfortunately, a metastases is not the only cause of a filling defect in a lymph node. Similar defects may be caused by fibrosis or fatty replacement, hilar structures, or conglomerate lymph nodes. Using a 23-gauge, 15-to 20-cm needle with local anesthesia and biplane flouroscopy, 50 patients underwent a percutaneous needle biopsy. In 33% of the patients, the staging of disease and management was enhanced by using this technique. The percutaneous needle biopsy technique was compared for accuracy of diagnosis with lymphangiography and surgery. The overall accuracy with the percutaneous needle biopsy technique was 86% as opposed to the lymphangiogram 38% and surgery 66%. This technique appears to be a relatively safe procedure for evaluation of the true extent of disease and enhancing therapy.
Irradiance variance for convergent Gaussian beams using nondimensional beam parameters

The longitudinal and radial irradiance variance for a convergent Gaussian beam is examined in terms of two pairs of nondimensional beam parameters, the first pair (Omega) equals (lambda) L/(pi) Wo2 and (Omega) o equals 1 - L/Ro associated with the beam when transmitted, and the second pair given by (Lambda) equals (lambda) L/(pi) W2 and (Theta) equals 1 + L/R associated with the received beam. Here, (lambda) is wavelength, L is path length, Ro and R are radii of curvature of the phase front at the transmitter and receiver, respectively, and Wo and W are the beam radii at the transmitter and receiver. With the addition of (lambda) and L, either of these beam parameter pairs completely characterizes the diffractive propagation environment for a lowest- order paraxial Gaussian beam, and is fundamental in the analytic expression of the irradiance variance. Special attention is paid to differences between the perfectly focused beam and the nearly focused beam. We also show that every beam has a convergent counterpart with identical diffractive irradiance behavior at the receiver, but decreased irradiance variance.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dynamic programming and synthesis of linear optimal control systems

The paper discusses the application of dynamic programming to the synthesis of linear optimal and suboptimal control systems in which the control-signal vector does not depend on all the state variables. The technique is applied to the synthesis of an aircraft pitch-rate control system which is optimised for a filtered step pitch-rate demand.
Fine structure of modiffied phtoreceptor cells in the pineal of the gobyClevelandia ios (Pisces: Gobiidae)

Photoreceptor cells with a system of long, thi cytoplasmic processes (50–80 nm thick), which amy represent a modification of the outer segment saccules, are described in the pineal of the goby,Clevelandia ios.
The impact of boundary scan on board test

Three categories of approaches to board test in manufacturing today are discussed: as a sorting process; as a repair driver: and as a process monitor. The costs associated with each are briefly examined. Elements in the overall testing and manufacturing process that can sabotage the success of a board-test operation are described. They are inaccuracies, misdiagnosis, test-repair looping, and handling-induced failures. Some industry trends that can threaten a manufacturer's ability to control the board-manufacturing process, namely, ASICs, surface-mount technology/tape automated bonding, miniaturized components, and node counts, are considered. The ability of boundary scan to enhance fault diagnosis, reduce test-repair looping, and enable standardized testing and the reuse of tests is discussed. Future trends in boundary-scan testing are indicated. >
Monte carlo model of stricture formation in photodynamic therapy of normal pig esophagus.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is FDA-approved for use in patients with Barrett's esophagus using porfimer sodium (2 mg per kg) and a recommended light dose of 130 J cm -1 for high grade dysplasia. Despite uniform drug and light doses, the clinical outcome of PDT is variable. A significant number of PDT cases result in esophageal strictures, a side effect related to excessive energy absorption. The purpose of this project was to model esophageal stricture formation with a Monte Carlo simulation. An original multilayer Monte Carlo computer simulation was developed for esophageal PDT. Optical absorption and scattering coefficients were derived for mucosal and muscle layers of normal porcine esophagus. Porfimer sodium was added to each layer by increasing the absorption coefficient by the appropriate amount. A threshold-absorbed light dose was assumed to be required for stricture formation and ablation. The simulation predicted irreversible damage to the mucosa with a 160 J cm -1 light dose and damage to the muscle layer with an additional 160 J cm -1 light dose for a tissue porfimer sodium content of 3.5 mg kg -1 . The simulation accurately modeled photodynamic stricture formation in normal pig in vivo esophageal tissue. This preliminary work suggests that the absorbed light threshold for stricture formation may be between 2 and 4 J per gram of tissue.