cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of gender differences in letters of recommendation for pharmacy residency applicants.

PURPOSE: Letters of recommendation (LORs) are highly regarded components of pharmacy residency applications, as they provide insight into an applicant's character and capabilities. In other medical fields, differences in language have been reported for letters written for female and male applicants; however, data on gender differences in LORs for pharmacy residency applications are currently lacking. METHODS: LORs for applicants to our institution's postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residency program for the 2019-2020 academic year were extracted and processed by a natural language processing service. Words within 18 categories were identified and counted for each LOR. Total word count was also compared. RESULTS: Of the 473 LORs included for analysis, 320 (67.7%) were written for female applicants and 153 (32.3%) were written for male applicants. Approximately two-thirds of all writers were women for both female and male applicants. In comparing letters for women and men, there was a statistically significant difference in the percentage of LORs that contained terms in categories described as gendered, solitary/reserved, and desire. There was no statistically significant difference in total word count or in the presence of words in other categories such as grindstone, standout, agentic, or communal. When controlling for grade point average, writer gender, duration that the writer knew the applicant, and the writer's professional position, there were no changes to the statistical findings. CONCLUSION: Letters written for female and male applicants were largely similar with regard to length and word categories utilized. While no clear gender bias was found when evaluating pharmacy residency LORs, writers must continue to assess their implicit biases and how those biases might affect a candidate's application.
Protein Structure Determination via Distance Geometry Structural Similarity based Initialization

Abstract The problem of finding the configuration of points given partial information on pairwise inter-point distances, the Euclidean distance geometry problem, appears in multiple applications. In this paper, we propose an approach that integrates structural similarity and a nonconvex distance geometry algorithm for the protein structure determination problem. When initialized with a homologous structure, reconstruction of ubiquitin structure with our non convex algorithm resulted in an RMSE of less than 2 A with 1.5% available inter proton distance and up to 20% relative error in the input distances. To test the robustness of this algorithm with regard to initialization, we also initialized with a nonhomologous structure on a larger protein with pdb coordinate 1W2E. Even though the initialization structure 1JYB is far different from 1W2E with an RMSE of 25 A, reconstruction generated structures with RMSE of close to 2 A, using 1.7% available proton distances and up to 10% relative error in input distances. These results suggest EDG-based approach may be applied to fast NMR structure determination in the future.
ASEAN, Quo Vadis? Domestic Coalitions and Regional Cooperation

This article advances a coalitional approach to understanding ASEAN co-operation as a product of the domestic political forces that conceived and nurtured it. Pivotal leaders throughout the region forged supportive internationalist coalitions at home that favoured domestic and regional political and economic stability and global access. This strategy demanded accommodation and co-optation of backlash states in the region, in an effort to protect the implementation of internationalist agendas across the domestic, regional, and global spheres. Accordingly, ASEAN's military expenditures were characterized by moderation, defensiveness, and transparency to avoid choking the domestic macroeconomic requirements of an internationalist strategy. The post-1997 regional crisis provides a test of both ASEAN's co-operation and a coalitional interpretation as its driving force.
Unifying Lexical, Syntactic, and Structural Representations of Written Language for Authorship Attribution

Writing style in written language is a combination of consistent decisions associated with a specific author at different levels of language production, including lexical, syntactic, and structural. The recent work in neural network based style analysis mainly lacks the multi-level modeling of writing style. In this paper, we introduce a style-aware neural model to encode document information from three stylistic levels and evaluate it in the domain of authorship attribution. First, we propose a simple way to jointly encode syntactic and lexical representations of sentences. Subsequently, we employ an attention-based hierarchical neural network to encode the syntactic and semantic structure of sentences in documents while rewarding the sentences which contribute more in capturing the writing style. Our experimental results, based on four benchmark datasets, reveal the benefits of encoding document information from all three stylistic levels when compared to the baseline methods in the literature. Additionally, We adopt a transfer learning approach and use deep contextualized word representation (ELMo) in our model to measure the impact of lower level linguistic representations versus higher level linguistic representations of ELMo in the task of authorship attribution. According to our experimental results, lower level linguistic representations which mainly carry syntactic information demonstrate better performance in authorship attribution task when compared to higher level linguistic representations which mainly carry semantic information.
A research on stock forecasting based on principal component LSTM model

When using technical methods to establish LSTM stock prediction model, the traditional methods often lead to poor generalization and poor prediction effect due to many input data variables, overlapping of data information and great influence of outliers on training and other factors. In view of such problems, this paper proposes to use principal component analysis to reduce the dimension of basic data, and then combine the stock related technical indicators KDJ and MACD as input data, and make prediction after adjustment according to the stock characteristic model. The experimental results show that the PCA-S-LSTM model can not only reduce the average error of prediction, but also greatly reduce the running time and improve the stability of prediction. It can predict the closing price of Ping An Bank more accurately and has application value
Multilayer Carbon Nanotube/Gold Nanoparticle Composites on Gallium-Based Liquid Metals for Electrochemical Biosensing

Gallium-based liquid metals have emerged as an important class of materials for bioelectronic and biosensor devices due to their low mechanical properties and fluidic behavior. However, liquid meta...
The anatomy of the German service sector

While economic policy makers and economists are quite vocal in praising the growth and overall economic importance of the service sector, its innovativeness and its large number of firm foundations, they often fail to provide the audience with actual figures on the service sector. This chapter gathers information from various statistics concerned with the service sector to offer data on some key topics often raised in economic policy.
The Chemical Evolution of White Dwarf Stars: What the Observations Tell Us

This brief review presents an overview of our current picture of the evolution of the surface chemical composition of white dwarf stars. Different investigators have converged remarkably well on a consensus picture regarding white dwarf spectral evolution, especially considering some of the differences and controversies which have provided some spice and heat in the literature and conference discussion in the past several years. Here, I provide some brief summaries of the current picture and list some outstanding problems which are ripe for further research.
Hysteresis and interfacial energies in smooth‐walled microfluidic channels

[1] Hysteresis in the capillary pressure-saturation relationship (Pc–Sw) for a porous medium has contributions from the complex geometry of the pore network as well as the physical chemistry of the grain surfaces. To isolate the role of wettability on hysteresis, we fabricated microfluidic cells that contain a single wedge-shaped channel that simulates a single pore throat. Using confocal microscopy of the three-dimensional interfaces under imbibition and drainage, we demonstrate an accurate balance between mechanical work and surface free energy that was evaluated using measured advancing and receding contact angles. The closed-loop mechanical work per surface water molecule is 95 kJ/mol, which is consistent with physisorption. Therefore, the hysteresis in the Pc–Sw relationship for a single pore throat is defined by advancing and receding contact angles that are controlled by dissipative surface adsorption chemistry.
A Theory of Direct Democracy and the Single Subject Rule

Citizens in many states use direct democracy to make laws on everything from soda bottles and horsemeat to affirmative action and same-sex marriage. Does direct democracy save citizens from corrupt legislators, or does it enfeeble competent representatives and empower an ignorant crowd? These ideological extremes often collide in court over a technical rule - the single subject rule - that limits each ballot initiative to one “subject.” Opponents can invalidate an initiative by convincing a court that it contains two different subjects (say, marriage and domestic partnerships), while proponents can preserve it by showing that it contains only one subject (say, same-sex unions).Despite hundreds of cases, including recent challenges to initiatives on same-sex marriage, illegal immigration, eminent domain, and taxes on oil profits, judges and scholars have been unable to define a “subject” with precision. This has led to inconsistent case outcomes, accusations of judicial activism, calls to repeal the rule, and anxiety among judges who must decide inflammatory issues by applying an undefined concept.Judges and scholars will never find a legal definition of “subject” by focusing exclusively on logic and language. Instead, the definition must be drawn from political theory. In the legislature, representatives of the citizens can bargain with each other, allowing compromise among groups that disagree politically. In contrast, hundreds of thousands of unorganized voters must accept or reject initiatives as presented to them. Those voters cannot bargain among themselves, but they can override legislative bargains that serve special interests. This political vision exposes the true justification for the single subject rule: to empower the majority on issues where there is one, and to channel bargaining and compromise into the legislature where it belongs.This “democratic process theory” leads to a precise, operational interpretation of the single subject rule. The interpretation focuses on whether voters can make independent judgments about components of a challenged initiative. When opponents contend that an initiative contains two components in violation of the rule, the court should ask whether voters’ support hinges on whether the other component becomes law – then the voters need to decide simultaneously. To allow them to do so, the court should find that the initiative contains one subject. According to the democratic process theory, separability of issues in the minds of voters implies an obligation to separate on the ballot, and inseparability in the minds of voters implies permission to combine on the ballot. The democratic process test for a single subject empowers the citizens on issues where there is a clear majority and empowers the legislature on issues that require compromise, just as the rule - and direct democracy itself - were designed to do.
A tentative seven-day test for predicting effects of stress on populations of Daphnia pulex

Both acute and chronic effects of water-soluble fractions of several hydrocarbon compounds and a simulated refinery effluent (SRE) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The 48-h LC 5 0 values (as percent water-soluble fractions) for creosote, No. 2 fuel oil, naphthalene, and phenanthrene were 2.9, 34.1, 57.5, and 100 percent, repectively. For the SRE, the 48-h LC 5 0 was 0.03 times the formulation. For all the chronic studies, young Daphnia were exposed to sublethal concentrations corresponding to the calculated LC 2 0 and LC 3 0 values. Of the seven biological parameters measured, each compound had its greatest effect on the growth rate and number of live young produced. The effects of creosote and phenanthrene were the most dramatic. These data and other available chronic data indicate that 21-day Daphnia reproductive impairment tests were reasonable predictors when compared with life history data. However, our studies with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were only 56 percent predictive of the long-term effects. Analysis of our data and that from the literature suggests that the length of preadult Daphnia after 7 days of exposure to stress conditions can be used to predict chronic effects with the same degree of accuracy as the 21-day test.
Purpose-aware reasoning about interoperability of heterogeneous training systems

We describe a novel approach by which software can assess the ability of a confederation of heterogeneous systems to interoperate to achieve a given purpose. The approach uses ontologies and knowledge bases (KBs) to capture the salient characteristics of systems, on the one hand, and of tasks for which these systems will be employed, on the other. Rules are used to represent the conditions under which the capabilities provided by systems can fulfill the capabilities needed to support the roles and interactions that make up each task. An Analyzer component employs these KBs and rules to determine if a given confederation will be adequate, to generate suitable confederations from a collection of available systems, to pre-diagnose potential interoperability problems that might arise, and to suggest system configuration options that will help to make interoperability possible. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach using a prototype Analyzer and KBs.
Careers that Combine Culinary and Food Science

Imagine yourself perusing the aisles of your local grocery store. You head down the frozen food section and, being a cost-conscious shopper with little to no time to cook, you choose a seemingly delectable heat-and-serve meal of grilled chicken medallions and sauteed spinach doused in a mushroom sauce. Taking a closer look at the bag, you ask yourself, is this a delicious food concoction of culinary art or of food technology?
The central projections of the stretch receptor neurons of crayfish: structure, variation, and postembryonic growth

Each stretch receptor neuron (SR) of the crayfish abdomen projects from its peripherally located soma an axon that enters the CNS through the second nerve (N2) of its segmental ganglion. Co2+ backfills of N2 revealed that this axon bifurcates, sending one branch to the brain and the other to the terminal abdominal ganglion. Each axon makes many short lateral branches as it traverses each of the other segmental ganglia, and has 2 major arborizations--one in the tritocerebrum of the brain and the other in the terminal abdominal ganglion, G6. These projections to G6 are described in detail. Individual SR axons from different segments were impaled in G6 with a Lucifer yellow-filled microelectrode, identified physiologically, and then filled to discover their structures. In a sample of more than 50 SR neurons, no systematic structural differences between the projections of phasic SR neurons and tonic SR neurons were observed. Three kinds of structural variability occurred in these projections to G6: unusual primary axon shape, long primary axon, and large terminal varicosities. Comparisons of SR neurons that originated in different segments revealed a segmental gradient in the probability of each structural variant. SR neurons from more anterior segments were more likely to show these structural variations. Comparisons of these variations in crayfish of different sizes showed that unusual primary axon shape and long primary axons were more probable in large crayfish than in small ones. Therefore, these variations are probably the products of postembryonic growth of the nervous system.
The Dirty Dozen: Common Problem Areas in Principal–Agent Relationships

The main purpose of the article is to educate managers about potential difficulties caused by breach of fiduciary duties on the part of agents/employees within their organization. Managers will learn how to recognize common problem situations so they can take steps to avoid, or at least mitigate, any resulting damage. This article highlights 12 frequent situations—the “dirty dozen”—that pose dangers for business organizations.
Design and implementation of a rotationally symmetric microellipsometer

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Iterative Krylov solution methods for geophysical electromagnetic simulations on throughput-oriented processing units

Many geo-scientific applications involve boundary value problems arising in simulating electrostatic and electromagnetic fields for geophysical prospecting and subsurface imaging of electrical resistivity. Modeling complex geological media with three-dimensional finite-difference grids gives rise to large sparse linear systems of equations. For such systems, we have implemented three common iterative Krylov solution methods on graphics processing units and compared their performance with parallel host-based versions. The benchmarks show that the device efficiency improves with increasing grid sizes. Limitations are currently given by the device memory resources.
Predator diversity, intraguild predation, and indirect effects drive parasite transmission

Humans are altering biodiversity globally and infectious diseases are on the rise; thus, there is interest in understanding how changes to biodiversity affect disease. Here, we explore how predator diversity shapes parasite transmission. In a mesocosm experiment that manipulated predator (larval dragonflies and damselflies) density and diversity, non-intraguild (non-IG) predators that only consume free-living cercariae (parasitic trematodes) reduced metacercarial infections in tadpoles, whereas intraguild (IG) predators that consume both parasites and tadpole hosts did not. This likely occurred because IG predators reduced tadpole densities and anticercarial behaviors, increasing per capita exposure rates of the surviving tadpoles (i.e., via density- and trait-mediated effects) despite the consumption of parasites. A mathematical model demonstrated that non-IG predators reduce macroparasite infections, but IG predation weakens this “dilution effect” and can even amplify parasite burdens. Consistent with the experiment and model, a wetland survey revealed that the diversity of IG predators was unrelated to metacercarial burdens in amphibians, but the diversity of non-IG predators was negatively correlated with infections. These results are strikingly similar to generalities that have emerged from the predator diversity–pest biocontrol literature, suggesting that there may be general mechanisms for pest control and that biocontrol research might inform disease management and vice versa. In summary, we identified a general trait of predators—where they fall on an IG predation continuum—that predicts their ability to reduce infections and possibly pests in general. Consequently, managing assemblages of predators represents an underused tool for the management of human and wildlife diseases and pest populations.
Norepinephrine levels in discrete brain nuclei in borderline hypertensive rats exposed to compound stressors

The borderline hypertensive rat (BHR) appears to be an appropriate model for investigating the role of the environment in producing hypertension. Previous studies have demonstrated that the BHR shows chronic blood pressure elevations to both stress and high salt intake. Other studies suggest that interactions between the brain and kidney play an important role in initiating this hypertension. The central noradrenergic system has been implicated in these effects, especially in the hypothalamus. Because exercise has been found to attenuate stress-induced hypertension in the BHR, the current study sought to examine the impact of stressors paired with exercise (salt intake or stress) with those combining stress and high salt. Male BHR were exposed to either control, salt plus stress, salt plus exercise, or stress plus exercise conditions for either 2 or 6 months, beginning at 2 months of age. Following sacrifice, brain nuclei in the brain stem and hypothalamus were removed using the Palkovits micropunch technique. Punches were analyzed for NE content via liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Compared with the control condition, chronic salt plus stress led to reductions in NE content, especially in the hypothalamus. Compared with salt plus stress, the exercise conditions were associated with elevated NE levels, especially in the early phases of exposure to the treatment. The possible role of exercise training in preventing a central nervous system trigger from inducing hypertension in the BHR is discussed.
Simulated consumer use of a battery-powered, hand-held, portable diode laser (810 nm) for hair removal: A safety, efficacy and ease-of-use study.

Background and Objectives Safety, efficacy and ease-of-use of a hair removal diode laser for consumer use were evaluated. Study Design/Materials and Methods The treatment group consisting of 77 appropriate users measured safety and efficacy from three self-administered treatments. The non-treatment group consisting of 44 inappropriate users measured safety from delivery of a single laser pulse. Results The mean hair reduction was 61% 3 weeks after the first treatment, 70% 3 weeks after the second treatment, 60% 1 month after the third treatment, 24% 2 months after the third treatment, 6% 3 months after the third treatment, 41% 6 months after the third treatment, 31% 9 months after the third treatment, and 33% 12 months after the third treatment. The only observed side effect for appropriate users was transient erythema. Conclusions In simulated consumer use, the laser was highly effective at removing hair with minimal side effects for appropriate users. Lasers Surg. Med. 39:476–493, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Novel single step electrochemical route to γ-MnO2 nanoparticle-coated polyaniline nanofibers: Thermal stability and formic acid oxidation on the resulting nanocomposites

Abstract γ-MnO 2 nanoparticles-coated polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers on carbon electrode were prepared by potentiodynamic electrochemical deposition of PANI and MnO 2 from a single pot. Higher thermal stability of the resulting nanocomposites and their activity for formic acid oxidation permits the realization of a platinum-free anode for formic acid fuel cells.
Simultaneous scaler/velocity field measurements in turbulent gas-phase flows

In studying both nonreacting flows and flames it is useful to combine various imaging techniques to gain information that is not available from either instantaneous or time-averaged point measurements. The present work demonstrates a technique for combining particle-image velocimetry with planar laser-induced fluorescence in both a seeded air jet and a premixed flame. The results, which provide instantaneous images of both scalar and velocity fields, can be used to measure velocity distributions relative to contours in the scalar image. Of particular interest in the flame experiments is the ability to observe variations in the velocity field relative to contours of fuel concentration. In addition, the location of measured velocity vectors can be identified as being in either reactant or product regions of the flame. This capability permits the measurement of the mean and the fluctuations of both the product and reactant velocity fields.
Crystalline structure of germanomandelic acid

Abstract X-ray analysis of the crystalline complex of germanium dioxide with mandelic acid has shown that the structure is monoclinic, space group P2 1 /a . Cell dimensions are a 0 = 8·713 ± 0·002, b 0 = 20·492 ± 0·003, c 0 = 4·822 ± 0·001A˚, β =98·56 ± 0·01° . There are two germanium atoms, four mandelic acid molecules, and four water molecules per unit cell, with the germanium atoms at centers of symmetry, each octahedrally co-ordinated with six oxygen atoms (two car☐yl oxygens, two hydroxyl oxygens and two water oxygens). The two water oxygens are probably hydrogen-bonded with one another and with car☐yl or hydroxyl oxygens, respectively. The benzene ring of mandelic acid is disordered by rotation, four of its carbon atoms occupying each of two positions, respectively, on a 1:1 basis.
Replication and conjugative mobilization of Broad Host-range IncQ plasmids

The IncQ plasmids have a broader host-range than any other known replicating element in bacteria. Studies on the replication and conjugative mobilization of these plasmids, which have mostly been focused on the nearly identical RSF1010 and R1162, are summarized with a view to understanding how this broad host-range is achieved. Several significant features of IncQ plasmids emerge from these studies: (1) initiation of replication, involving DnaA-independent activation of the origin and a dedicated primase, is strictly host-independent. (2) The plasmids can be conjugatively mobilized by a variety of different type IV transporters, including those engaged in the secretion of proteins involved in pathogenesis. (3) Stability is insured by a combination of high copy-number and modulated gene expression to reduce metabolic load.
The Crucial Task: Finding the Right Investments

This issue of Managerial Finance focuses on factors related to the critical long term decisions for a firm. What it should do, and what capital investments are necessary to attain its goals. The right goals, the appropriate capital resources, and effective management will lead to success. Capital investments are for the tomorrows. That characteristic of capital investments must command attention from corporate leaders and managers.
A Multiplan Treatment-Planning Framework: A Paradigm Shift for Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy

Purpose: To describe a multiplan intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) planning framework, and to describe a decision support system (DSS) for ranking multiple plans and modeling the planning surface. Methods and Materials: One hundred twenty-five plans were generated sequentially for a head-and-neck case and a pelvic case by varying the dose–volume constraints on each of the organs at risk (OARs). A DSS was used to rank plans according to dose–volume histogram (DVH) values, as well as equivalent uniform dose (EUD) values. Two methods for ranking treatment plans were evaluated: composite criteria and pre-emptive selection. The planning surface determined by the results was modeled using quadratic functions. Results: The DSS provided an easy-to-use interface for the comparison of multiple plan features. Plan ranking resulted in the identification of one to three “optimal” plans. The planning surface models had good predictive capability with respect to both DVH values and EUD values and generally, errors of Conclusion: The DSS can be used to aid the planner in the selection of the most desirable plan. The collection of quadratic models constructed from the plan data to predict DVH and EUD values generally showed excellent agreement with the actual plan values.
Regularity of the value function for a two-dimensional singular stochastic control problem

It is desired to control a two-dimensional Brownian motion by adding a (possibly singularly) continuous process to it so as to minimize an expected infinite-horizon discounted running cost. The Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman characterization of the value function V is a variational inequality which has a unique twice continuously differentiable solution. The optimal control process is constructed by solving the Skorokhod problem of reflecting the two-dimensional Brownian motion along a free boundary in the $ - \nabla V$ direction.
In vitro reconstitution of a transport complex containing Rab27a, melanophilin and myosin Va

Rab27a and melanophilin (Mlph) are required in vivo to form a melanosome receptor for myosin Va in which Rab27a anchored in the melanosome membrane recruits Mlph, which in turn recruits myosin Va. Here, we show by reconstitution using purified proteins that Rab27a and Mlph are sufficient to form a transport complex with myosin Va in vitro. These results suggest that additional proteins are not required in vivo for assembly of the myosin Va receptor, although other proteins may associate with this tripartite complex to regulate its activity and/or to assist Rab27a in anchoring the complex to the melanosome membrane.
LHC and Tevatron Constraints on a W' Model Interpretation of the Top Quark Forward-Backward Asymmetry

Aspects of a flavor-changing ${W}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ model with right-handed couplings are addressed in this paper in light of Tevatron and LHC data. Our fit to the Tevatron top-quark forward-backward asymmetry and the $t\overline{t}$ inclusive cross section includes higher-order loop effects in the effective interaction. The higher-order corrections change the best-fit value of the ${W}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ effective coupling strength as a function of the ${W}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mass. The consistency of the model is checked against the shape of the $t\overline{t}$ invariant mass distribution. We use these updated ${W}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ parameters to compute the expected contributions from ${W}^{\ensuremath{'}}t$ associated production and, for the first time, ${W}^{\ensuremath{'}}{W}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ pair production at the LHC. We do a full Monte Carlo simulation of the $t\overline{t}X$ final state, including interference between the $t{W}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-induced $t\overline{t}j$ process and the standard model $t\overline{t}j$ process. Interference effects are shown to be quantitatively important, particularly when the ${W}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mass is large. The jet-multiplicity distribution in $t\overline{t}$ jet production at 8 TeV constrains the ${W}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ model severely.
Determination of linear response in the detection of aroma compounds by atmospheric pressure ionization-mass spectrometry (API-MS).

Linearity and detection thresholds of atmospheric pressure ionization−mass spectrometry (API-MS) were determined for 11 aroma compounds in air at concentrations ranging from 50 ppb to ∼450 ppm (moles of volatile per mole of air). In most cases, the protonated molecular ion (i.e., m/z = M + 1) was the base peak throughout the range; however, some compounds showed an increase in fragmentation at lower concentrations. Detection limits varied greatly (from 50 ppb to 14 ppm) depending upon the aroma compound being measured. The linear range was also strongly dependent upon the aroma compound, with values ranging from 4000-fold change in concentration depending upon the volatile being studied. The two volatiles with poor detection thresholds also exhibited the smallest linear range. Most compounds had linear ranges of >200. There was no apparent relationship between gas-phase basicity and either detection limit or linear range. Keywords: APCI-MS; aroma compounds; linear resp...
Measuring microlymphatic flow using fast video microscopy.

Despite advances in the measurement of lymphatic func- tion, little is known about the actual velocities of flow in microlym- phatic 100 m diam vessels. In this work, video microscopy and particle tracking methods are adapted and integrated with an ultra- high-speed imaging camera to obtain measurements of lymph veloci- ties throughout the entire lymphatic contraction cycle in the rat mesentery, something that previous systems were incapable of mea- suring. To determine the system's accuracy, calibration experiments are conducted across the hypothesized physiologically significant range of velocities for microlymphatic flow up to 15 mm/sec. The system shows high accuracy, less than 2% error, when comparing actual with measured velocities. Microspheres flowing through 140- m-diam tubing are imaged to demonstrate the system's ability to determine flow rates in these small vessels by measuring particle ve- locities. To demonstrate biological applicability, mesenteric micro- lymphatics in loops of the small intestine of three male Sprague- Dawley rats are exteriorized and imaged with the high-speed system at a rate of 500 frames/sec for several contraction sequences. Lymph velocity fluctuates cyclically with the vessel wall contractions, ranging from 1 to 7 mm/sec. These rates are higher than would be possible with standard video microscopy 3.75 mm/sec maximum. © 2005 So-
Impurity Effects in the Premelting of Ice

The effect of impurities on the surface and interfacial melting of ice is investigated in the context of the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory by calculating van der Waals and Coulombic interactions within interfacial solution films. At high temperatures, the classical solute effect dominates the melting behavior. However, depending on the amount of impurity, as temperature decreases the slope of the film-thickness versus temperature curve changes in a manner that depends on the relative strengths of van der Waals and Coulombic interactions. The results explain the wide range of experimental discrepancies and hence impact a host of environmental phenomena.
Absence of Prostacyclin Involvement in Angiotensin- induced Aldosterone Secretion in Rat Adrenal Cells*

The role of prostaglandins (PGs) in aldosterone secretion was studied in isolated rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. [14C] Arachidonic acid was metabolized to [14C]6-keto-PGF1α, [14C]PGF2α, [14C]PGE2, and [14C]PGD2. Pretreatment with indomethacin (5 × 10–6 M) or U-51605 (5 μg/ml) inhibited the synthesis of these metabolites. Angiotensin II (All) stimulated a concentration-related release of aldosterone and 6-keto-PGF1α, but not PGE2. Significant increases in aldosterone and 6-keto-PGF1α occurred at All concentrations of 0.2 and 2 nM. The increases in 6-keto PGFio concentrations after All treatment were small, however (278 ± 33 pg/106 cells-h for control us. 581 ± 90 after 2 nM All). At higher concentrations, All further stimulated aldosterone, but 6-keto PGF1α levels declined. All stimulated the synthesis of aldosterone and 6-keto PGF1α in parallel with time of incubation. Indomethacin (3 HM) decrease basal and All-stimulated aldosterone release by 40% and 23%, respectively, and inhibited the synthesis of PGs...
Organochlorine concentrations in bald eagles: Brain/body lipid relations and hazard evaluation

Residue levels of 12 organochlorine compounds found In the brains of bald eagles can be predicted from the corresponding concentrations in the carcass when expressed on a hexane‐extractable lipid basis. The compounds varied by a factor of about 3 in the degree to which they accumulated In the brain. An understanding of these relations enhances our ability to assess the toxic hazards of environmental contamination.
Subdivision as a fundamental building block of digital geometry processing algorithms

Abstract Digital Geometry Processing (DGP) is a newly emerging discipline which aims to build the mathematical and algorithmic foundations for the next generation of digital multimedia. Digital signal processing was highly successful for earlier generations of digital multimedia such as sound, image, and video. Now that 3D scanning technologies make sampled surfaces broadly available a similar apparatus is needed to deal with this new multimedia datatype. Due to the inherent curvature of such surfaces though traditional tools are not immediately applicable. In this paper we give a brief overview of some recent developments in subdivision surfaces and how these help to build a foundation for DGP algorithms.
Angular Distribution of the Intensity of Light Scattered from Xenon Near Its Critical Point

We have measured the angular dependence of the intensity of light scattered from xenon near its critical point, verified the Ornstein-Zernike theory, and determined the temperature dependence of the isothermal compressibility ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{T}$, the long-range correlation length $\ensuremath{\xi}$, and the direct correlation range $R$. The exponents describing the divergences of ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{T}$ and $\ensuremath{\xi}$ are, respectively, ${{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{liquid}}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=1.228\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.028$, ${{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{vapor}}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=1.244\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.017$, and ${{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{vapor}}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0.57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$. $R$ is essentially constant at \ensuremath{\sim}6 \AA{}.
The Signature of the Midlatitude Tropospheric Storm Tracks in the Surface Winds

Abstract Storm-track analysis is applied to the meridional winds at 10 m and 850 hPa for the winters of 1999–2006. The analysis is focused on the North Atlantic and North Pacific Ocean basins and the Southern Ocean spanning the region south of the Indian Ocean. The spatial patterns that emerge from the analysis of the 850-hPa winds are the typical free-tropospheric storm tracks. The spatial patterns that emerge from the analysis of the surface winds differ from the free-tropospheric storm tracks. The spatial differences between the surface and free-tropospheric storm tracks can be explained by the influence of the spatial variability in the instability of the atmospheric boundary layer. Strongly unstable boundary layers allow greater downward mixing of free-tropospheric momentum (momentum mixing), and this may be the cause of the stronger surface storm tracks in regions with greater instability in the time mean. Principal component analysis suggests that the basin-scale variability that is reflected in th...
Assessing a search direction within a truncated-newton method

Truncated-Newton methods for nonlinear optimization compute a search direction by approximately solving the Newton equations, typically via the conjugate-gradient algorithm. The search direction is usually assessed using the norm of the residual. This note shows that the norm of the residual can be an arbitrarily poor predictor of a good search direction.
Solvable Permutation Groups and Orbits on Power Sets

A permutation group G acting on a set Ω induces a permutation group on the set of all subsets &#x1d4ab;(Ω). Let G be a finite permutation group of degree n, and let s(G) denote the number of set-orbits of G. We determine over all solvable groups G. This answers a question of Babai and Pyber [1].
Third Molar Removal: An Overview of Indications, Imaging, Evaluation, and Assessment of Risk

Asymptomatic third molars may have associated periodontal pathology that may not be limited to the third molar region and have a negative impact on systemic health. Third molars should be considered for removal when there is clinical, radiographic, or laboratory evidence of acute or chronic periodontitis, caries, pericoronitis, deleterious effects on second molars, or pathology. Radiographic findings of extreme locations of impacted teeth, dense bone, dilacerated roots, large radiolucent lesions associated with impactions, and lower third molar apices in cortical inferior border bone are predictive of more complex surgery. Certain demographic and oral health conditions available to the surgeon before surgery and intraoperative circumstances are predictive of delayed recovery for health-related quality of outcomes and delayed clinical outcomes after third molar surgery.
The nature of directional strain softening

Softening transients are sometimes seen in metals following a change in direction of straining. One example of such softening is that occuring upon a strain direction reversal, for example, during uniaxial reversed cyclic deformation at a large strain amplitude. In such a case, the magnitude of the flow stress decreases slightly for a brief period after having passed through a maximum immediately following each strain direction reversal. This behavior is commonly observed in aluminum during deformation over a wide range of temperatures. Similar softening behavior is seen following strain direction changes in multiaxial deformation of aluminum, copper, and steel. All of these softening behaviors are called ''directional strain softening'' since they are observed following changes in straining direction. The physical processes that occur during directional strain softening involve heterogeneous dislocation substructures. Hasegawa, et al. have identified the dissolution of heterogeneous substructures such as cell and subgrain boundaries as the predominant microstructural change that occurs during directional strain softening in high purity aluminum. At room temperature, cell walls formed by 4.5% prestrain in tension partially dissolve and reform during subsequent straining in compression. Similarly, at higher temperatures, subgrain boundaries formed during tensile prestraining completely dissolve and reform during compressive straining. Themore » mechanism by which this softening occurs has been studied in aluminum and copper. Detailed dislocation interactions have been proposed that depend upon cross slip; this explains the greater tendency for directional strain softening in high stacking fault energy metals.« less
The use of MRI-guided laser-induced thermal ablation for epilepsy

Epilepsy surgery is constantly researching for new options for patients with refractory epilepsy. MRI-guided laser-induced thermal ablation for epilepsy is an exciting new minimally invasive technology with an emerging use for lesionectomy of a variety of epileptogenic focuses (hypothalamic hamartomas, cortical dysplasias, cortical malformations, tubers) or as a disconnection tool allowing a new option of treatment without the hassles of an open surgery. MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a procedure for destroying tissue-using heat. To deliver this energy in a minimally invasive fashion, a small diameter fiber optic applicator is inserted into the lesion through a keyhole stereotactic procedure. The thermal energy induces damage to intracellular DNA and DNA-binding structures, ultimately leading to cell death. The ablation procedure is supervised by real-time MRI thermal mapping and confirmed by immediate post-ablation T1 or FLAIR MRI images. The present report includes an overview of the development and practice of an MR-guided laser ablation therapy known as MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT). The role of modern image-guided trajectory planning in MRgLITT will also be discussed, with particular emphasis on the treatment of refractory epilepsy using this novel, minimally invasive technique. MRI-guided laser-induced thermal ablation for epilepsy is an exciting new minimally invasive technology that finds potential new applications every day in the neurosurgical field. It certainly brings a new perspective on the way we practice epilepsy surgery even though long-term results should be properly collected and analyzed.
Status of the Los Alamos experiment to extract geothermal energy from hot dry rock

For the past four years, the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) has been investigating a method for extracting geothermal energy from hot, but essentially impermeable, rocks at moderate depths. The concept is to drill a hole into the hot, relatively impermeable rock and create a large hydraulic fracture that serves as a downhole heat exchanger. A second hole is drilled to intersect the fracture, creating a circulation loop for the injected water. Two deep holes (GT-2 and EE-1) have been drilled at the Fenton Hill site in northern New Mexico. The first hole, GT-2, has a depth of 2,928 m and a bottom-hole temperature of 197 °C. The second hole, EE-1, has been temporarily halted at at depth of 3,062 m, where the temperature is 205.5 °C. Hydraulic fractures have been created in both holes, and fluid communication between the holes was established in October 1975. Circualtion experiments are now being conducted between the two holes.
Policy-balancing Models and the Split-ticket Voter, 1972-1996:

Previous examinations of the policy-balancing explanation for presidential-House split-ticket voting have been unable to sustain two of its basic propositions—that splitting should be greater for respondents located between the parties' ideological positions and for those seeing more interparty distance—when each is tested separately. Work by Garand and Lichtl, however, suggests that the between-parties expectation can be supported when both propositions are tested in the same equation. Our study demonstrates the essentially artifactual nature of this result, produced by the strong relationship of the between-parties variable to relative party closeness, with interparty distance held constant. But 1996 stands out as the one year in which clear-cut balancing behavior was manifested by the electorate. Furthermore, some backing for a modified version of the policy-balancing idea emerges when we take into account respondent perceptions of individual candidates' ideological positions.
A stable isotope technique for investigating lactate metabolism in humans.

A stable isotope tracer method has been developed for studying lactate metabolism in humans. The method uses lactic acid triply labeled with 13C as the tracer. The stable isotope is infused to attain a level of approximately 1.5% of that of the circulating unlabeled lactate. Following the isolation of lactic acid from the blood, the percentage of triply labeled (13C)lactate is measured using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. We compared this method with tracer methodology using [14C]lactate and found comparable results.
Platelet alpha-2-adrenergic dysfunction in negative symptom schizophrenia: a preliminary study.

Abstract The specific binding to platelet membranes ( B max ) of 3 H-clonidine, and alpha-2 agonist, and 3 H-yohimbine, an alpha-2 antagonist, was measured in nine drug-free male schizophrenic patients and repeated after 2 weeks of chlorpromazine (CPZ) treatment. Patients with a lower pretreatment B max for 3 H-clonidine showed a significantly smaller change in B max after treatment, less improvement in their clinical state, as indicated by the change in the Global Assessment Scale (GAS), and a lower posttreatment GAS. Also, they had a significantly higher score for negative symptoms on the Affect Rating Scale both before and after treatment. These findings suggest that schizophrenic patients with relatively subsensitive platelet alpha-2-adrenergic receptors, as measured by 3 H-clonidine binding, tend to have more negative symptoms and a diminished alpha receptor binding response and diminished clinical response to CPZ. There were no clinical correlations to 3 H-yohimbine binding.