cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A System of Paired Asymmetric Measures of Association for Use with Ordinal Dependent Variables

Many variables of concern to sociologists are ordinally measured. Evaluating causal theoretical statements involving such variables requires refined asymmetric measures of association. We develop a typology of asymmetric, proportionate reduction in error (PRE) measures for describing the relationship between a nominal or an ordinal independent variable (X) and an ordinal dependent variable (Y). Measures are classified according to prediction rule and method for handling ties in estimating predictive error. This scheme is used to compare several existing measures of association (Y, d'y , and 0) and to derive two new measures. The typology yields three sets of paired measures useful for assessing relationships in terms of departure from monotonicity. This usage is analogous to the use of r2 and E2 to evaluate linearity and nonlinearity. Many variables of interest to sociologists are measured ordinally. Ordinal variables are characterized by (a) an ordering principle according to which "greater than" and "less than" comparisons can be made and (b) the absence of a standard measuring unit in which scale values are expressed. These variables may emerge in at least three ways. First, some variables such as Bogardus' social distance scale or any Guttman scale are intrinsically ordinal. Second, a potential interval scale may be measured on a questionnaire in terms of crude ordered categories. Third, an apparent interval scale may be used as a manifest indicator of an underlying variable to which it is only assumed to be monotonically related (Somers, a). We think that ordinal scales and theoretical statements describing
The Texas Petawatt Laser

We report on the design and construction of the Texas Petawatt Laser. This research facility will consist of two, synchronized laser systems that will be used for a wide variety of high intensity laser and high energy density science experiments. The first laser is a novel, high energy (200 J), short pulse (150 fs) petawatt-class laser that is based on hybrid, broadband optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) and mixed silicate and phosphate Nd:glass amplification. The second laser will provide 500 J at 527 nm (>1 kJ @1053 nm) with pulse widths selectable from 2-20 ns. Design and construction began in early 2003 and is scheduled to complete in 2007. In this report we will briefly discuss some of the important applications of this system, present the design of the laser and review some of the technology used to achieve pulse durations approaching 100 fs. Currently, the facility has been renovated for laser construction. The oscillator and stretcher are operational with the first stage of gain measured at 2×106. Output energies of 500μJ have been achieved with good near field image quality. Delivery has been taken for Nova components that will compose the main amplifier chain of the laser system.
Curcumin Alters Membrane Phase-Separation, Particle Size Distribution, Permeability, and Anisotropy Differently in Unsaturated or Saturated Small Unilamellar Vesicles

Curcumin is an extract of turmeric, and is an effective reactive oxygen species scavenger, with potential anti-cancer benefits. In this study, we examined the effects of curcumin on membrane bilayer permeability, fusion, anisotropy, hydrodynamic radius and negative staining EM using two lipid vesicle delivery systems: 1) 99% Soy phosphatidylcholine (Soy PC) and 2) DMPC/DPPG/Cholesterol (1:1:0.7 mol/mol/mol) (MPC). Curcumin was added to these two vesicle populations at 10:1, 50:1, and 100:1 (lipid mol/curc mol). The structure of curcumin suggests it would most likely intercalate into the head group region of the membrane bilayer, and thus our hypothesis was that the unsaturated fatty acids of Soy PC vesicles would accommodate curcumin with less membrane perturbation than the saturated MPC vesicles. Curcumin increased membrane permeability to carboxyfluorescein leakage (CF) in both Soy PC and MPC small unilamellar vesicles in a concentration-dependent manner; however, Soy PC vesicles were 35% more permeable to CF than MPC vesicles. The fusion of the Soy PC and MPC was examined by vesicle mixing using the Tb/DPA-assay. Both Soy PC and MPC vesicles fused within seconds of addition, and the rate of fusion was dependent on buffer calcium concentration. Curcumin had membrane concentration-dependent effects on the fluorescence anisotropy of DPH-PC and TMA-DPH Soy PC and MPC vesicles. Lipid vesicle hydrodynamic radius and TEM negative stained vesicles indicate a unimodal distribution for Soy PC vesicles (r = 100-120 nm), while MPC vesicles had a bimodal distribution (r = 100-130 nm and 3000-4000 nm). Thus curcumin can more readily intercalate into more unsaturated lipid vesicle bilayers, and we conclude that for maximal delivery of curcumin to cells using a liposomal therapy, a more unsaturated vesicle system is suggested.
An improved procedure for the isolation of milligram quantities of α-fetoprotein from human cord serum

Abstract Presented here is an improved procedure for the isolation of milligram quantities of AFP from human cord serum. The modifications include (a) elimination of the time-consuming step of Sephedex G-200 column chromatography, (b), application of a linear gradient of methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside to elute AFP during chromatography on a column containing concanavalin A Sepharose, (c) addition of CM-cellulose chromatography to specifically remove α 1 -acid glycoprotein, (d) isolation of only a portion of normal human plasma to prepare antiserum, and (e) immunoadsorbent affinity column for the last-step purification of AFP. The improved procedure remains gentle, but is more rapid, simpler to perform, and more consistent in maintaining the purity and yield of AFP.
Approximate density matrices and wigner distribution functions from density, kinetic energy density, and idempotency constraints

The Wigner distribution function and the corresponding density matrix are calculated using a form for the distribution function suggested by maximization of the entropy. Wigner functions and density matrices are determined by imposing conditions of idempotency on the density matrix. Exchange energies and Compton profiles calculated from density matrices obtained by imposing the idempotency constraints are compared with the results of calculations using the Hartree–Fock density matrix and a Gaussian approximation for the density matrix for H and the noble gases He through Xe. Compton profiles from Wigner functions with idempotency constraints show improvements over the Gaussian approximation for the lighter atoms, but do not show significant changes for the heavier atoms. Exchange energies from density matrices with idempotency constraints show improvements over the Gaussian approximation except for the heavier atoms Kr and Xe.
Robust control for structural systems with uncertainties

Natural hazards such as earthquakes and strong wind events place large forces on tall, slender structures and also on longbridges. The structural system usually can be described by a Lagrangian model. In view of numerous uncertainties due tomodel errors, stress calculations, material properties, and load environments, the system is uncertain. Here, the Lagrangianstructural system is modeled as an uncertain state space model. The paper develops a robust active control approach withuncertainties in the system, control input, and disturbance input matrices. Robust active control provides both robust stabilityand FL. disturbance attenuation. The H©. norm of the transfer function from the external disturbance forces (e.g., earthquake,wind, and etc.) to the observed system states is restricted by a prescribed attenuation index. Considered uncertainties arenorm-bounded unstructured uncertainties. Results may be further extended to structural uncertainties. Also, the results maybe applied to robust control analysis and design of structural systems.Keywords: Robust active control, structural systems, FL. performance, uncertain Lagrangian systems
Retrieval of the pancreas allograft for whole-organ transplantation

Proper pancreas retrieval during multi-organ recovery is one of the cornerstones of technically successful whole-organ pancreas transplantation. With evolving surgical approaches for organ retrieval and implantation, it has become standard to procure the pancreas in conjunction with other abdominal organs without compromising either vasculature, graft quality, or transplant outcomes. This review summarizes the major steps required for proper whole-organ retrieval of the pancreas allograft with suggestions and tips whenever alternative approaches are available.
Population modeling for a captive squirrel monkey colony.

Population modeling for a squirrel monkey colony breeding in a captive laboratory environment was approached with the use of two different mathematical modeling techniques. Deterministic modeling was used initially on a spreadsheet to estimate future census figures for animals in various age/sex classes. Historical data were taken as input parameters for the model, combined with harvesting policies to calculate future population figures in the colony. This was followed by a more sophisticated stochastic model that is capable of accommodating random variations in biological phenomena, as well as smoothing out measurement errors. Point estimates (means) for input parameters used in the deterministic model are replaced by probability distributions fitted into historical data from colony records. With the use of Crystal Ball® (Decisioneering, Inc., Denver, CO) software, user-selected distributions are embedded in appropriate cells in the spreadsheet model. A Monte Carlo simulation scheme running within the spreadsheet draws (on each cycle) random values for input parameters from the distribution embedded in each relevant cell, and thus generates output values for forecast variables. After several thousand runs, a distribution is formed at the output end representing estimates for population figures (forecast variables) in the form of probability distributions. Such distributions provide the decision-maker with a mathematical habitat for statistical analysis in a stochastic setting. In addition to providing standard statistical measures (e.g., mean, variance, and range) that describe the location and shape of the distribution, this approach offers the potential for investigating crucial issues such as conditions surrounding the plausibility of extinction. Am. J. Primatol. 65:239–254, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pyroxene geothermometry of some granulite facies rocks

Wood-and-Banno temperatures for the coexisting pyroxenes of equilibrated metamorphic rocks in the hornblende granulite subfaoies fall in the range 780–860° C. Minimum temperature estimates for granulites include 760–790 °C, from the dehydration of hornblende to an orthopyroxene assemblage, and about 800 °C, from other evidence. The pyroxene temperatures are generally consistent with these temperature estimates, and are certainly not too low or more than 50 ° too high. Pyroxene temperatures for the three subzones of Broken Hill granulites increase away from the orthopyroxene isograd and are sufficiently precise that the difference between the lowest and intermediate gubzones is statistically significant. Temperatures for pyroxenes in pyroxene-granulite subfacies rocks are greater than 860 °C. The internal consistency, precision and apparent accuracy of the Wood-and-Banno pyroxene geothermometer in the metamorphic temperature range make it an important tool.
Accurate quantitative RT-PCR for relative expression of Slo splice variants

Much interest has been shown in the use of multi-template reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as a quantitative instrument for low-abundance mRNAs. A desire to achieve finely-graded quantification of the stress- and hormone-related regulation of one splicing decision in an ion channel gene motivated us to test the reliability of simultaneous amplification of two splice variants with one pair of flanking constitutive primers. Unexpectedly indiscriminate heteroduplexing between the two amplification products, despite a large length difference, and their tight comigration with one homoduplex, mandated a rigorously-denaturing electrophoresis protocol. Conveniently, a new fluorescent dye with high affinity for single-stranded DNA has become available. Though the dye has a good dynamic range, we found that dye and gel saturation compounded by the length difference between products introduced an asymmetrical error into the calculation of relative abundance. Avoiding several pitfalls, dye calibration could be used to correct the error. We also found that differences in the amplification efficiency of the two templates were not constant, but dependent on the initial template ratio, requiring a non-linear correction. Together these improvements gave us very consistent quantitative results, and thus advance our analysis of hormonal mechanisms underlying the regulation of alternative splicing of an ion channel critically involved in stress responses.
Finite Nucleus Model for the Fermi Contact Interaction

s A model for the Fermi contact interaction is proposed in which the charge and magnetic moment of the nucleus are uniformly distributed within a sphere of radius ro. This leads to a Schrodinger equation, which is solvable without perturbation theory. In the mathematical limit ro + 0, the usual Coulomb plus delta function potential is obtained. It is shown that the magnetic perturbation energy goes to zero for a repulsive delta function, to -a for an attractive delta function. A projected application is to computation of nuclear spin-spin coupling constants in molecules, particularly HD. On propose un modkle pour l'interaction de contact de Fermi, dans lequel la charge et le moment magnttique du noyau sont distributs uniformtment dans une sphtre de rayon ro. Ceci mene 5 une equation de Schrodinger qui est rtsoluble sans la thtorie des perturbations. Dans la limite mathtma- tique ro + 0 on obtient le potentiel de Coulomb ordinaire avec une fonction delta. II est dtmontre que I'tnergie de perturbation magnttique tend vers ztro pour une fonction delta rtpulsive et vers -a pour une fonction delta attractive. Une application envisagte est un calcul des constantes de couplage spin-spin nucltaires dans les moltcules, en particulier HD. Ein Modell fur die Fermi'sche Kontaktwechselwirkung wird vorgeschlagen, in welchem die Ladung und das magnetische Moment gleichformig in einer Kugel mit Halbmesser ro verteilt werden. Dies fiihrt zu einer Schrodingergleichung die ohne Storungstheorie losbar ist. In der mathematischen Grenze ro+ 0 wird das iibliche Coulombpotential mit einer Deltafunktion erhalten. Es wird gezeigt, dass die magnetische Storungsenergie gegen Null fur eine repulsive und gegen -a fur eine attraktive Deltafunktion konvergiert. Eine geplante Anwendung ist die Berechnung von nuklearen Spin-Spin- Kopplungskonstanten in Molekiilen, besonders HD.
Room temperature reactions involving silicon dangling bond centers and molecular hydrogen in amorphous SiO/sub 2/ thin films on silicon

Exposing thin films of amorphous SiO/sub 2/ to molecular hydrogen at room temperature converts some silicon dangling bond defects, E' centers, into two hydrogen coupled complexes. It is argued that these reactions may play important roles in radiation and hot carrier instabilities in metal/oxide/silicon devices. The results suggest that an extension of the recent model of M.R. Shaneyfelt et al. (1990) to include molecular hydrogen/E' reactions may provide the most reasonable current explanation for the generation of interface traps at the Si/SiO/sub 2/ boundary. This extension of the Shaneyfelt model would link the idea of molecular hydrogen/oxide defect reactions proposed by D.L. Griscom (1985) with original proton drift ideas of F.B. McLean (1980) and the Shaneyfelt et al. contribution that the proton liberation process is initiated at oxide hole trap sites. >
Evolutionary history of mammalian transposons determined by genome-wide defragmentation

The constant bombardment of mammalian genomes by transposable elements (TEs) has resulted in TEs comprising at least 45% of the human genome. Because of their great age and abundance, TEs are important in comparative phylogenomics. However, estimates of TE age were previously based on divergence from derived consensus sequences or phylogenetic analysis, which can be unreliable, especially for older more diverged elements. Therefore, a novel genome-wide analysis of TE organization and fragmentation was performed to estimate TE age independently of sequence composition and divergence or the assumption of a constant molecular clock. Analysis of TEs in the human genome revealed approximately 600,000 examples where TEs have transposed into and fragmented other TEs, covering >40% of all TEs or approximately 542 Mbp of genomic sequence. The relative age of these TEs over evolutionary time is implicit in their organization, because newer TEs have necessarily transposed into older TEs that were already present. A matrix of the number of times that each TE has transposed into every other TE was constructed, and a novel objective function was developed that derived the chronological order and relative ages of human TEs spanning >100 million years. This method has been used to infer the relative ages across all four major TE classes, including the oldest, most diverged elements. Analysis of DNA transposons over the history of the human genome has revealed the early activity of some MER2 transposons, and the relatively recent activity of MER1 transposons during primate lineages. The TEs from six additional mammalian genomes were defragmented and analyzed. Pairwise comparison of the independent chronological orders of TEs in these mammalian genomes revealed species phylogeny, the fact that transposons shared between genomes are older than species-specific transposons, and a subset of TEs that were potentially active during periods of speciation.
In Search of Extraterrestrial High-Energy Neutrinos

We review the search for astrophysical neutrinos. We begin by summarizing the various theoretical predictions that correlate the expected neutrino flux with data from other messengers, specifically γ rays and ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. We then review the status and results of neutrino telescopes both in operation and decommissioned as well as the methods used for data analysis and background discrimination. Particular attention is devoted to the challenge enforced by the highly uncertain atmospheric muon and neutrino backgrounds in relation to searches of diffuse neutrino fluxes. Next, we examine the impact of existing limits on neutrino fluxes on studies of the chemical composition of cosmic rays. After that, we show not only that neutrinos have the potential to discover astrophysical sources, but also that the huge statistics of atmospheric muons can be a powerful tool. We end by discussing the prospects for indirect detection of dark matter with neutrino telescopes.
Dynamic methods for fragment assembly in large scale genome sequencing projects

A package for handling fragment assembly problems that arise in large scale sequencing projects that employ random strategies is described. The authors have developed a package of dynamic data structures and algorithms for assembling and maintaining fragments. The package is geared to large projects where data are produced, assembled, and analyzed as an ongoing process. The system is unique in that it maintains the layout information for the fragment assembly in a set of dynamic data structures that permit new data to be very quickly added and analysis to be carried out at any point in the assembly process. >
Cytologic changes in the conjunctiva mimicking malignancy after topical mitomycin C chemotherapy.

Abstract Purpose To describe the epithelial changes observed in the conjunctiva secondary to the use of topical mitomycin C (MMC) for treatment of primary acquired melanosis with atypia. Design Retrospective comparative case series. Participants and controls Conjunctival biopsy specimens (18) were taken during the follow-up of ten patients treated with MMC drops (0.02% or 0.04%) during 14 or 21 days for primary acquired melanosis with atypia. An equal number of age- and sex-matched patients with normal conjunctival biopsy findings were included for control. Conjunctival biopsy specimens from patients treated with MMC were compared with the morphologic changes already described in the urothelium following the use of the same chemotherapeutic agent. Methods Hematoxylin and eosin-stained biopsy samples were evaluated for recurrent neoplasm and chemotherapeutic effect in the epithelium using the following criteria: nuclear enlargement, nuclear hyperchromasia, smudging of the chromatin, presence of nucleoli, cytoplasmic eosinophilia, and individual cell necrosis. Main outcome measures The presence or absence of morphologic changes in the conjunctival epithelium related to the use of MMC. Results Morphologic features consistent with chemotherapy effect were seen in the biopsy specimens of nine patients. Nuclear enlargement and chromatin smudging-hyperchromasia localized in the superficial layers of the epithelium were the main features observed (9 patients). Cytoplasmic eosinophilia, single cell necrosis, and occasionally subepithelial chronic inflammation were also seen. Conclusions Secondary changes with the topical use of MMC are seen in the conjunctival epithelium and are similar to the changes described in the urothelium. These changes are important to recognize and to differentiate from recurrent neoplasm. The localization of the described features in the superficial layers of the conjunctival epithelium is the key feature in the differential diagnosis.
High-Throughput Sequencing Reveals Principles of Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 2 Integration

Viral integrations are important in human biology, yet genome-wide integration profiles have not been determined for many viruses. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) infects most of the human population and is a prevalent gene therapy vector. AAV integrates into the human genome with preference for a single locus, termed AAVS1. However, the genome-wide integration of AAV has not been defined, and the principles underlying this recombination remain unclear. Using a novel high-throughput approach, integrant capture sequencing, nearly 12 million AAV junctions were recovered from a human cell line, providing five orders of magnitude more data than were previously available. Forty-five percent of integrations occurred near AAVS1, and several thousand novel integration hotspots were identified computationally. Most of these occurred in genes, with dozens of hotspots targeting known oncogenes. Viral replication protein binding sites (RBS) and transcriptional activity were major factors favoring integration. In a first for eukaryotic viruses, the data reveal a unique asymmetric integration profile with distinctive directional orientation of viral genomes. These studies provide a new understanding of AAV integration biology through the use of unbiased high-throughput data acquisition and bioinformatics.
Ends of locally symmetric spaces with maximal bottom spectrum

Let X be a symmetric space of non-compact type and GnX a locally sym- metric space. Then the bottom spectrum l1ðGnX Þ satisfies the inequality l1ðGnX Þe l1ðX Þ. We show that if equality l1ðGnX Þ¼ l1ðX Þ holds, then GnX has either one end, which is necessarily of infinite volume, or two ends, one of infinite volume and another of finite vol- ume. In the latter case, GnX is isometric to R 1 � N endowed with a multi-warped metric, where N is compact.
Do neuronal inclusions kill the cell

Neurofibrillary tangles, Pick bodies and Lewy bodies are considered quantitatively in relation to neuron loss. It would seem that the inclusions are not themselves the cause of neuron death.
Variation in Soil and Forest Floor Characteristics Along Gradients of Ericaceous, Evergreen Shrub Cover in the Southern Appalachians

Ericaceous shrubs can influence soil properties in many ecosystems. In this study, we examined how soil and forest floor properties vary among sites with different ericaceous evergreen shrub basal area in the southern Appalachian mountains. We randomly located plots along transects that included open understories and understories with varying amounts of Rhododendron maximum (rosebay rhododendron) and Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) at three sites. The three sites were a mid-elevation ridge, a low-elevation cove, and a high-elevation southwest-facing slope. Basal area of R. maximum was more correlated with soil properties of the forest floor than was K. latifolia. Increasing R. maximum basal area was correlated with increasing mass of lower quality litter and humus as indicated by higher C:N ratios. Moreover, this correlation supports our prediction that understory evergreen shrubs may have considerable effect on forest floor resource heterogeneity in mature stands.
Distinguishing boundary layer signatures from mesoscale and ocean-clutter in SAR imagery

A spectrally-based method for filtering synthetic aperture radar imagery is presented. The resulting filtered spectra are employed in a mixed-layer similarity theory to yield estimates of convective velocity scale. Results are compared to ground-truth data as well as estimates derived via a previously presented method.
Combining short-term metformin treatment and one bout of exercise does not increase insulin action in insulin-resistant individuals

Results from the Diabetes Prevention Program highlight the effectiveness of metformin or regular physical activity in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Independently, metformin and exercise increa...
The Piazza peer data management system

Intuitively, data management and data integration tools are well-suited for exchanging information in a semantically meaningful way. Unfortunately, they suffer from two significant problems: They typically require a comprehensive schema design before they can be used to store or share information and they are difficult to extend because schema evolution is heavyweight and may break backward compatibility. As a result, many small-scale data sharing tasks are more easily facilitated by nondatabase-oriented tools that have little support for semantics. The goal of the peer data management system (PDMS) is to address this need: We propose the use of a decentralized, easily extensible data management architecture in which any user can contribute new data, schema information, or even mappings between other peers' schemes. PDMSs represent a natural step beyond data integration systems, replacing their single logical schema with an interlinked collection of semantic mappings between peers' individual schemas. This paper describes-several aspects of the Piazza PDMS, including the schema mediation formalism, query answering and optimization algorithms, and the relevance of PDMSs to the semantic Web.
Integrating model-based diagnostics with simulation for real time health monitoring

In systems that contain continuous-valued variables, such as aerospace systems, faults can be sensitively detected and diagnosed by combining a real time simulation with a conventional model-based diagnostic engine. We present a unified approach in which the user builds a single model that contains a sufficiently detailed description of the system to support both simulation and automatic diagnosis. This approach is implemented in a modeling environment called CNModeler/spl trade/.
Effects of natural enemies on relative fitness of Heliothis virescens genotypes adapted and not adapted to resistant host plants

We investigated the potential of two natural enemies of Heliothis virescens (F.) (Noctuidae) to affect its rate of adaptation to tobacco containing Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner toxin. Larval fitness of two laboratory strains of H. virescens, one adapted to B. thuringiensis toxin and one not adapted, was compared on toxic and nontoxic plants, in the presence of the parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron) (Ichneumonidae) or the entomopathogenic fungus Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow) Samson. By exposing larvae to plants and enemies for no more than 24 h, we focussed on the behavioral rather than physiological component of their interaction with toxic plants and natural enemies. Parasitism of H. virescens larvae by C. sonorensis during exposure periods of 1–4 h was lower on toxic plants than nontoxic plants and was lower for nonadapted larvae than for toxin-adapted larvae. Decreased larval feeding damage on toxic versus nontoxic plants, and by nonadapted versus adapted larvae, may explain differences in parasitism, because C. sonorensis locates host larvae using cues from damaged plants. Effects of plant toxicity and larval strain on H. virescens survival were numerically consistent with effects on parasitism, but they were not statistically significant. When mean larval survival is used to estimate fitness of the nonadapted genotype relative to the toxin-adapted genotype, we find that C. sonorensis is expected to delay adaptation to toxic plants. Percent infection by N. rileyi of H. virescens larvae exposed to fungus-treated plants for 24 h was greater when plants were toxic, and was greater for nonadapted larvae than toxin-adapted larvae. There were corresponding decreases in larval survival on toxic compared to nontoxic plants, and of nonadapted compared to adapted larvae. Interaction of effects of plant line and larval strain on survival was significant in the presence of fungus, but not in the absence of fungus, which indicates that the effect of toxic plants on the relative fitness of toxin-adapted and nonadapted larvae was mediated by fungus. As in the interaction with C. sonorensis, behavior of larvae on plants may explain differences in susceptibility to N. rileyi. Because nonadapted larvae moved more than toxin-adapted larvae on toxic plants, nonadapted larvae may have been more likely to encounter a lethal dose of conidia. In contrast with C. sonorensis, N. rileyi, which decreased the fitness of the nonadapted genotype relative to the adapted genotype, is expected to accelerate adaptation to toxic plants.
Multilayered frequency selective surface design using artificial neural networks

Summary form only given. Two design approaches for a single-layered FSS using artificial neural networks were reported. The first uses a bitmap model to represent the unit-cell geometry and the second uses a parametric representation. While the former allows more freedom in choosing the unit-cell geometry, it also requires a much larger training database and more iterations for a convergent design than the latter, which only works for a fixed geometry. Both approaches require the training and inversion of a multilayer perceptron. When extending the artificial neural network approach to the design of multilayered FSS, the parametric representation can reduce the number of variables significantly and thus reduce the size of the neural network and the number of iterations required in the network inversion. Designs of multilayered FSS using dipole and tripole patches and slots were considered. >
Congenital absence of the superior oblique tendon in Noonan-neurofibromatosis syndrome

A 5-year-old girl with Noonan-neurofibromatosis syndrome was diagnosed with bilateral superior oblique palsy. At surgery, the right superior oblique tendon was absent, and further exploration revealed abnormal tissue inserting into Tenon's capsule. Orbital imaging was not performed. Congenital absence of the superior oblique tendon was diagnosed. Although Noonan syndrome is known to have many ocular manifestations, absence of the superior oblique tendon has not been previously reported.
Septic Vasculitis from Femoral Artery Catheterization

A 77-year-old white male presented to an outpatient clinic with painful, purpuric macules and papules on his right foot. The patient had recently undergone cardiac catheterization via his right femoral artery. The patient had no other complaints, was afebrile, and generally felt well. The clinical impression was either cholesterol emboli versus vasculitis. A 4 mm punch biopsy was obtained. Histopathology showed a vasculitis with many basophilic organisms consistent with bacteria present within the vascular spaces. There was a perivascular infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes and neutrophils. A gram stain revealed gram-positive cocci. The clinician was immediately notified and blood cultures were drawn and echocardiogram performed. The cultures grew staphylococcus aureus. While no evidence of endocarditis was found, a psuedoaneurysm of the right femoral artery was noted. Despite rapid admission and treatment, the patient subsequently expired.
Anatomic visualization with ultrasound-assisted intracranial image guidance in neurosurgery: A report of 30 patients

The increasing application of computer-assisted, imageguided surgery has created a need for adjunctive intraoperative, real-time visualization. Techniques for combining preoperative MRI or CT with intraoperative ultrasonography, have been developed. We believe the neurosurgical application of this technique represents a significant advance in intraoperative imaging. The integration of real-time intraoperative imaging with preoperative planning images has the following advantages: it provides the ability to localize and orient relevant anatomy; it assists in achieving complete tumor resection by assisting with the interpretation of the intraoperative ultasound images; and although not specifically addressed in this article, it can provide real-time quantitative and qualitative measurements of brain and structural shift. To assess the feasibility of this approach in a uniform operative situation, 30 ultrasound-assisted, image-guided craniotomies involving resection of metastatic disease are reviewed. During the past several decades, use of multiple preoperative radiologic imaging modalities has become an integral part of preoperative and intraoperative surgical planning. Additionally, the widespread neurosurgical use of stereotactic image-guided procedures has created an increased demand for improvements in intraoperative imaging applications. Currently, intraoperative MRI, CT, and ultrasonography are potentially available for intraoperative use. Each of these intraoperative imaging techniques, in combination with an intraoperative stereotactic-image guidance system, offers more accurate lesion localization, more complete lesion resection, safer surgical trajectory planning, smaller craniotomies,
Elite male faculty in the life sciences employ fewer women

Women make up over one-half of all doctoral recipients in biology-related fields but are vastly underrepresented at the faculty level in the life sciences. To explore the current causes of women’s underrepresentation in biology, we collected publicly accessible data from university directories and faculty websites about the composition of biology laboratories at leading academic institutions in the United States. We found that male faculty members tended to employ fewer female graduate students and postdoctoral researchers (postdocs) than female faculty members did. Furthermore, elite male faculty—those whose research was funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, who had been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, or who had won a major career award—trained significantly fewer women than other male faculty members. In contrast, elite female faculty did not exhibit a gender bias in employment patterns. New assistant professors at the institutions that we surveyed were largely comprised of postdoctoral researchers from these prominent laboratories, and correspondingly, the laboratories that produced assistant professors had an overabundance of male postdocs. Thus, one cause of the leaky pipeline in biomedical research may be the exclusion of women, or their self-selected absence, from certain high-achieving laboratories.
Star formation indicators and line equivalent width in Lyα galaxies

The equivalent width (EW) of the Lyα line is directly related to the ratio of star formation rates determined from Lyα flux and UV flux density [SFR(Lyα)/SFR(UV)]. We use published data –in the literature EW and SFR(Lyα)/SFR(UV) are treated as independent quantities– to show that the predicted relation holds for the vast majority of observed Lyα emitting galaxies (LAEs). We show that the relation between EW and SFR(Lyα)/SFR(UV) applies irrespective of a galaxy’s “true” underlying star formation rate, and that its only source of scatter is the variation in the spectral slope of the UV continuum between individual galaxies. The derived relation, when combined with the observed EW distribution, implies that the ratio SFR(UV)/SFR(Lyα) is described well by a log-normal distribution with a standard deviation of � 0.3 0.35. This result is useful when modelling the statistical properties of LAEs. We further discuss why the relation between EW and SFR(Lyα)/SFR(UV) may help identifying galaxies with unusual stellar populations.
Reactivity of monoclonal antibodies EG1 and EG2 with eosinophils and their granule proteins.

Use of the murine monoclonal antibod- ies EG1 and EG2 has been based on the assumption that EG2 recognizes activated eosinophils. We ex- amined the reactivity of EG1 and EG2 with eosino- phil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil-derived neu- rotoxin (EDN), and stimulated and nonstimulated eosinophils from normal donors. By radioimmuno- assay, EG1 recognized only ECP, whereas EG2 recognized both ECP and EDN. By Western blot, EG1 reacted with ECP, EG2 reacted with both ECP and EDN, but EG2 could not distinguish between lysates of stimulated and nonstimulated eosino- phils. By immunofluorescence, EG1 and EG2 at 20 mg/mL stained 95-100% of nonstimulated eosino- phils, regardless of fixative; EG1 and EG2 at 0.1 mg/mL stained 61-90% of acetone- and paraformal- dehyde-fixed and only 5-21% of methanol-fixed nonstimulated eosinophils. Thus, the reactivity of EG1 and EG2 with eosinophils depends on the method of fixation and antibody concentration; and EG2, in contrast to previous reports, cannot reliably discriminate between resting and activated eosinophils. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 447-454; 1999.
A model for fusion of spatial information in dynamic vision

Fusion of 3-D spatial information obtained by a dynamic vision system is addressed. The representation of information is seen to be critical in forming a solution. An object-centered representation that encodes, in image registered maps, the relative distances of objects to a set of scene referents is proposed. This representation facilitates fusion of dynamic spatial information without direct use or knowledge of camera motion and points the way for a new model for dynamic vision. >
Cognitive Function and Symptoms in Adolescents with Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Cognitive deficits have been documented in schizophrenia and spectrum disorders. This study examines cognitive functioning and its relation to symptoms in adolescents with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). Participants are 89 adolescents recruited for a study of youth at risk for Axis I disorders, especially psychosis. At intake, 34 met criteria for SPD, 38 for another Axis II disorder and/or conduct disorder (Other disorder-OD), and 17 did not currently meet criteria for any DSM-IV disorder (normal control-NC). At initial assessment, cognitive functioning was measured using subtests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scales and Wechsler Memory Scales (WMS), and symptoms were measured using the Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS). At the time of this report, 50 were readministered the SIPS at 1-year follow-up (T2). The SPD group scored significantly below the NC group on the Arithmetic subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, but there was only limited evidence of group differences on the WMS. Poorer performance on the Wechsler Intelligence Scales was associated with greater severity of negative and disorganized symptoms. Deficits on the WMS were linked with more severe disorganized symptoms. The findings reported here are consistent with previous reports of limited cognitive deficits in adolescents with SPD, with the most marked deficits in mental arithmetic. The associations between symptoms and cognitive scores parallel those observed in adults with schizophrenia and spectrum disorder, and they are consistent with the notion that negative symptoms are more stable and partially reflect premorbid cognitive functions.
Effects of the Wind Speed–Evaporation–SST Feedback on the El Niño–Southern Oscillation

Abstract The thermodynamical process of latent heat flux is added to an analogical delayed oscillator model of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) that mainly considers equatorial ocean dynamics and produces regular, non–phase-locked oscillations. Latent heat flux affects the model sea surface temperature (SST) variations by a positive feedback between the surface wind speed and SST operating through evaporation, which is called the wind speed–evaporation–SST feedback. The wind speed–evaporation–SST feedback in which the atmosphere interacts thermodynamically with the ocean through surface heat flux differs from the conventional zonal wind stress–SST feedback in which the atmsophere interacts dynamically with the ocean through momentum flux. The combination of equatorial ocean dynamics and thermodynamics produces relatively more realistic model oscillations. When the annual cycle amplitude of the zonal wind in the wind speed–evaporation–SST feedback is gradually increased, the model solution undergoes...
SelfImpedance and Mutual Impedance, Feeding Structures

First published in 1981, Robert S. Elliott's Antenna Theory and Design is one of the most significant works in electromagnetic theory and applications. In its broad-ranging, analytic treatment, replete with supporting experimental evidence, Antenna Theory and Design conveys fundamental methods of analysis that can be used to predict the electromagnetic behavior of nearly everything that radiates. After more than two decades, it remains a key resource for students, professors, researchers, and engineers who require a comprehensive, in-depth treatment of the subject. In response to requests from many of our members, IEEE is now reissuing this classic. Newly revised, it once again will be an invaluable textbook and an enduring reference for practicing engineers. The IEEE Press Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory offers outstanding coverage of the field. It consists of new titles of contemporary interest as well as reissues and revisions of recognized classics by established authors and researchers. The series emphasizes works of long-term archival significance in electromagnetic waves and applications. Designed specifically for graduate students, researchers, and practicing engineers, the series provides affordable volumes that explore and explain electromagnetic waves beyond the undergraduate level.
Features of Positive Developmental Leisure Settings for LGBTQ Youth

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth face a disproportionate risk of a range of problem issues such as depression and drug use (Saewyc, 2011). However, little is known about factors that might promote positive developmental experiences among young people who identify as a non-dominant sexuality. The National Research Council’s (2002) features of positive developmental settings framework provides strong theoretical rationale for factors likely to promote positive development experiences, but the usefulness of its propositions for LGBTQyouth has yet to be explored. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the National Research Council’s (2002) features of positive developmental settings framework in the context of an organized leisure program designed to serve LGBTQ youth. Ethnographic techniques were employed to explore program structure and features at an organized leisure program designed to serve LGBTQ youth. Data collection techniques included (a) interviews (n=13); (b) field notes from four months spent as a participant observer, (c) a researcher journal, and (d) collecting program documents such as the volunteer training manual. Thematic analysis indicated that although all of the National Research Council’s features appeared relevant, two emerged as particularly significant contributors to positive development: support for efficacy and mattering and opportunities to belong. Staffers endeavored to support a range of levels of engagement by enforcing social norms that reinforced the capabilities of youth as well as providing a range of structured and unstructured activity options. However, this approach to youth engagement also resulted in challenges related to documenting program outcomes and pursuing funding for program operations. Most youth participants reported a sense of belonging to Pulse that was fostered through both day-to-day activities and larger scale one-time events. Belongingness may have been facilitated by the abilities of staff to make others feel welcome as well as the opportunities for free identity expression provided by Pulse. The commonalities between features of positive youth programs for LGBTQ and heterosexual youth suggest that leisure may serve as a site of connection among diverse groups. Practitioners would be well served by exploring the possibility of offering activities at multiple levels of engagement simultaneously within their programs in order to meet the needs of a broader range of young people. Further exploration of features of positive developmental settings is vital to advancing leisure service provision for non-dominant sexualities.
Human nasal cells in continuous culture. I. Establishment of two lines of epithelial-like cells.

SummaryTwo strains of epithelial-like cells derived from normal nasal mucosa have been maintained through more than 50 continuous subcultures for over a year. Both of these strains now have rapid growth rates, and exhibit the morphologic characteristics of malignant cells.The technical assistance of Miss Virginia Colville and Mrs. Juanita Ruffier is gratefully acknowledged.
The Political Economy of the Growth of the Liberian Public Sector

ABSTRACTUsing a political economy approach, this study examines the nature, dynamics, and causes of the expansion of the Liberian public sector. The findings show that the major causes for the expansion of the Liberian public sector did not fit those provided by the literature—citizens’ demands for new services, and other issues that emerge from state-building. Instead, the politico-economic interests of the Liberian ruling class (both the internal and external wings) are the major causes for the increase in the size of the government. These interests include serving the interests of corporate capitalism, and the private accumulation of wealth.
Diagnostic approach to pancreatic cysts.

Purpose of review Diagnosis of pancreatic cysts remains challenging due to limitations of currently available radiologic and endoscopic tools. The diagnostic approach should focus on identifying mucinous and malignant cysts. Mucinous cysts require further differentiation to allow appropriate management. Recent findings Although the overall rate of malignant pancreatic cysts is low, it remains higher than the general population. MRI with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is the preferred imaging modality for pancreatic cysts. Attempts to improve diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration include performing cyst wall cytology and DNA analysis. The 2012 international consensus guidelines for mucinous cystic neoplasm and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm are superior to the original 2006 guidelines, although issues include the relatively poor ability to diagnose malignant cysts leading to unnecessary surgeries and the de-emphasis of cyst size. Cyst size remains an important predictor of malignancy. Translational research involving genomics, microRNA, proteomics, and metabolomics holds promise for improved biomarkers. Endoscopic innovations may safely aid in cyst diagnosis. Summary Incremental improvements in pancreatic cyst diagnosis have occurred with new biomarkers and endoscopic tools requiring validation in large-scale studies.