cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen implantation in Ni(111) — A study of H2 desorption dynamics from the bulk

Abstract Hydrogen implanted in Ni(111) has been investigated by the use of temperature programmed desorption (TPD) as a function of implantation energy (0.08–5.0 keV) and dose (0−2.6 × 1017 H+2cm−2). The amount of hydrogen implanted was calibrated by comparison to the amount chemisorbed on the surface since separation of the desorption features for the two types of hydrogen was possible. It is shown that trap formation plays an important role in the observed behavior of the implanted hydrogen desorption features for implantation energies above 1.0 keV. The desorption of implanted hydrogen is found to be strongly forward-peaked along the crystal surface normal. Since the surface was saturated with hydrogen when the implanted hydrogen was released, this effect is explained by recombination of an implanted and a chemisorbed hydrogen atom. Here, a translationally excited H2 molecule desorbing from the surface is produced by a hydrogen atom originating from an elevated potential region inside the solid.
Chromatin Compaction by Human MeCP2 ASSEMBLY OF NOVEL SECONDARY CHROMATIN STRUCTURES IN THE ABSENCE OF DNA METHYLATION

MeCP2 is a transcriptional repressor that contains an N-terminal methylated DNA-binding domain, a central transcription regulation domain, and a C-terminal domain of unknown function. Whereas current models of MeCP2 function evoke localized recruitment of histone deacetylases to specific methylated regions of the genome, it is unclear whether MeCP2 requires DNA methylation to bind to chromatin or whether MeCP2 binding influences chromatin structure in the absence of other proteins. To address these issues, we have characterized the complexes formed between MeCP2 and biochemically defined nucleosomal arrays. At molar ratios near 1 MeCP2/nucleosome, unmethylated nucleosomal arrays formed both extensively condensed ellipsoidal particles and oligomeric suprastructures. Furthermore, MeCP2-mediated chromatin compaction occurred in the absence of monovalent or divalent cations, in distinct contrast to all other known chromatin-condensing proteins. Analysis of specific missense and nonsense MeCP2 mutants indicated that the ability to condense chromatin resides in region(s) of the protein other than the methylated DNA-binding domain. These data demonstrate that MeCP2 assembles novel secondary chromatin structures independent of DNA modification and suggest that the ability of MeCP2 to silence chromatin may be related in part to its effects on large-scale chromatin organization.
Indinavir-induced nephrolithiasis three and one-half years after cessation of indinavir therapy

Nephrolithiasis is a known side effect of indinavir sulfate, a protease inhibitor used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The duration of its side effects, however, has not been well defined. We present a case where a patient presented with symptomatic indinavir-induced nephrolithiasis 3.5 years after discontinuing indinavir. We use this case to illustrate the pathophysiology of indinavir stones and hypothesize how they can occur years after discontinuation by discussing the pharmacokinetics of the drug.
Black students' school success: Coping with the “burden of ‘acting white’”

The authors review their previous explanation of black students' underachievement. They now suggest the importance of considering black people's expressive responses to their historical status and experience in America. “Fictive kinship” is proposed as a framework for understanding how a sense of collective identity enters into the process of schooling and affects academic achievement. The authors support their argument with ethnographic data from a high school in Washington, D.C., showing how the fear of being accused of “acting white” causes a social and psychological situation which diminishes black students' academic effort and thus leads to underachievement. Policy and programmatic implications are discussed.
A widespread and early requirement for a novel Notch function during Drosophila embryogenesis.

The Notch pathway plays a key role in the formation of many tissues and cell types in Metazoans. We recently showed that Notch acts in two pathways to determine muscle precursor fates. The first is the “standard” Notch pathway, in which Delta activates the Notch receptor, which then translocates into the nucleus in conjunction with Su(H) to reprogram transcription patterns and bring about changes in cell fates. The second pathway is poorly defined, but known to be independent of the ligands and downstream effectors of the standard pathway. The standard pathway is required in many different developmental contexts and we wondered if there was also a general requirement for the novel pathway. Here we show that the novel Notch pathway is required for the development of each of five examined cell types. These results indicate that the novel pathway is a widespread and fundamental component of Notch function. We further show that both Notch pathways operate in the differentiation of the same cell types. In such cases, the novel pathway acts first and appears to set up or limit the size of equivalence groups. The standard pathway then acts within the equivalence groups to limit individual cell fates.
Quantitative evaluation of the aqueous-ammonia process for CO2 capture using fundamental data and thermodynamic analysis

There is strong world-wide interest in developing new and improved processes for post-combustion capture of CO2, usually using chemical absorption. Developers of new processes make positive claims for their proposals in terms of low energy consumption, but these are usually difficult to validate. This paper demonstrates that rigorous application of thermodynamic analysis and process simulation provides a powerful way to quantitatively evaluate the energy requirements of CO2-capture processes by applying this methodology to the analysis of the chilled-ammonia process.
Evolutionary optimization of robotic fish control and morphology

The nonlinear dynamics of an aquatic environment make robotic fish behavior difficult to predict and subsequently difficult to optimize. In this paper, we present a method for optimizing robotic fish propulsion through the evolution of control patterns and caudal fin flexibility. Evolved solutions are evaluated in a physics-based simulation environment. Control signals are generated with both simple sinusoids and neural oscillators. This study demonstrates how evolutionary algorithms can be utilized to handle the complex interactions among material properties, physical form, and control patterns in an aquatic environment.
Chemical abundances in globular cluster turn-off stars from Keck/HIRES observations

Spectroscopic observations at high spectral resolution of unevolved stars in globular clusters have only been possible since the 1993 advent of the Keck-I 10-meter telescope and its high-resolution spectrometer. Our program of deriving chemical abundances of lithium and several other elements in some unevolved, but identical, stars in three globular clusters is described. For M13 we have found a spread in Li abundances of a factor of five in four very similar stars. For six stars in M92 the range is a factor of three and for five in M71 the range is a factor of two. The stars with the highest abundances of Li show values that are a factor of two above the field halo star Li plateau. The abundances of several other species - Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Ni, Fe, Y, and Ba - show no such star-to-star variations. These abundances are compared with those of halo field stars which were derived from Keck HIRES spectra.
Numerical analysis of certain solutions of laplace's equation to calculate the ohmic potential drop after scribing

Abstract The accuracy of certain solutions to Laplace's equation for various electrode geometries is examined and compared to the accuracy of new solutions based on a Taylor's series expansion. Whereas previous solutions are accurate only for cases where the counter-electrode is remotely placed from the working electrode, the new solutions are highly accurate for all values or relevant geometric parameters. In particular, for an electrode with a non-uniform current or uniform current distribution, the ohmic drop computed with an equation assuming an infinite spacing can deviate substantially from the correct potential drop for a counter-electrode near a working electrode. For the specific case of a rectangular electrode, the solution computed here provides a better fit to experimental data than available solutions in the literature. A direct benefit to the use of these results is the freedom from having to make the decision as to what constitutes a large enough separation (or spacing) between the working- and counter-electrodes. In addition, error bounds on the use of the new solutions are provided for the benefit of the user.
Design study for supporting of thin glass optical elements for x-ray telescopes

The next large x-ray astrophysics mission launched will likely include soft x-ray spectroscopy as a primary capability. A requirement to fulfill the science goals of such a mission is a large-area x-ray telescope focusing sufficient x-ray flux to perform high-resolution spectroscopy with reasonable observing times. One approach to manufacturing such a telescope is a Wolter-I optic utilizing thin glass segments rather than full shells of revolution. We describe a parameterized Finite Element Modeling (FEM) study that provides insights useful in optimizing the design of a discrete support system to balance the competing requirements of minimizing the effect on optical performance while providing sufficient support to withstand launch loads. Parameters analyzed are number and location of the supports around the glass segments, as well as the glass thickness, size, and angular span. In addition, we utilize more detailed models of several cases taken from the parametric study to examine stress around the bonded area and bond pad size, and compare the stress from the detailed model to the parametric cases from which they were derived.
Development of a hybrid flywheel/battery drive system for electric vehicle applications

Today's electric vehicles are severely limited in multistop and go driving range and accelerating capability by the lead acid battery's inability to handle high power peaks while maintaining maximum energy storage capability. A hybrid flywheel/battery system can be used to isolate the battery from the accelerating power peaks, and should recover a substantial part of the braking energy. This paper describes the development of a small, high speed, lightweight flywheel/ ac synchronous motor alternator sealed energy storage package coupled into the battery and dc drive motor system through a simple rectifier/inverter power circuit. This system stores just enough energy in the rotor of the machine for one start-stop cycle. Provision is made to add a flywheel to store energy for several cycles, or enough energy for climbing or descending long grades. The fields of the two machines are electronically controlled to achieve optimum performance and effective energy utilization.
Comparative Anatomy of the Bony Labyrinth (Inner Ear) of Placental Mammals

Background Variation is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is observable at all levels of morphology, from anatomical variations of DNA molecules to gross variations between whole organisms. The structure of the otic region is no exception. The present paper documents the broad morphological diversity exhibited by the inner ear region of placental mammals using digital endocasts constructed from high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT). Descriptions cover the major placental clades, and linear, angular, and volumetric dimensions are reported.
Anxiety and arousal: physiological changes and their perception

Contrary to self-reports, most patients with chronic anxiety disorders exhibit increased muscle tension but not autonomic hyperarousal when at rest. Under everyday stress they tend to react with less physiological flexibility than normal controls. However, they overreact subjectively and physiologically to stimuli that are anxiety-provoking. Diminished physiological flexibility may be either a constitutional trait in anxious individuals, a partial but inadequate adaptation to prolonged stress or the result of a disregard for stressors that are not related to psychopathology. The effects of diminished physiological flexibility on general health are not known. There is only a weak relationship, and in some instances a desynchrony, between physiological changes and perception of change under stress. The inconsistencies between self-reports of physiological states and physiological recordings can be explained by alterations of body sensations through psychological factors, predominantly expectations and attention to bodily states, that lead to perceptual distortions.
Do the Merits Matter More? The Impact of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

This article examines the effect of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) on stockholder lawsuits. We explore the role of restatements, earnings forecasts, and insider trading in the filing and resolution of lawsuits for a sample of high technology firms. Consistent with our predictions, there is a post-PSLRA shift away from litigation based on forward-looking earnings disclosures. Conversely, there is a significantly greater correlation between litigation and both earnings restatements and abnormal insider selling after the PSLRA. Finally, we find a post-PSLRA increase in the likelihood of settlement for cases involving earnings restatements.
Improving electrophysiologic and histologic outcomes by photochemically sealing amnion to the peripheral nerve repair site

Background The surgical approach used today in the repair of peripheral nerve injuries rarely achieves full functional recovery. This study determines whether isolation of the nerve repair site using photochemical tissue bonding (PTB) in combination with human amniotic membrane can improve both functional and histologic recovery. Methods New Zealand white rabbits (n = 24) underwent transection of the right common peroneal nerve. Epineural nerve repair was performed using 10-0 nylon sutures. The repair site was then wrapped in a cuff of human amniotic membrane, which either was secured with sutures or sealed using PTB. Standard neurorrhaphy alone was assessed as a control group. Functional recovery was recorded at 30-day intervals postoperatively by electrophysiologic assessment. At 120 days, animals were killed humanely and nerves harvested for histomorphometry. Results Nerves treated with amnion wraps and sealed with PTB demonstrated a statistically significant improvement across both functional and histologic parameters. Functional recovery, as measured by repeated electrophysiologic studies over time, revealed a 26.2% improvement over standard neurorrhaphy alone (P Conclusion Isolation of the repair site using a photochemically sealed amnion wrap improves electrophysiologic and histologic recovery compared to standard suture neurorrhaphy.
Some directions for further work on internal migration in Latin America.

The following broad areas are suggested for further work: 1. Analysis of Census Materials 2. Special Surveys 3. Migration Theories. 1. Analysis of Census Materials. a) Published census reports. The publication of the 1970 censuses together with existing censal materials offer opportunities for analysis. The United Nations manual Methods of Measuring Internal Migration concerns itself with the evaluation of basic statistics and is a systematic presentation of tested and feasible analytic procedures. This manual will hopefully encourage the analysis of censal materials especially since it brings together the various methods of measuring internal migration. Full exploitation of duration of residence place of previous residence at a fixed date in the past and place-of-birth data as well as the various indirect measures will fill many of the gaps regarding our knowledge of internal migration in Latin America. (excerpt)
Interactions of NO with iron deposited on alumina

The interaction of nitric oxide with single-crystal surfaces of alumina at temperatures of 298, 473, and 673 K, which had been covered by various amounts of iron, was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The iron was deposited onto Al2O3 in the Fe0 state. At low coverages, iron was partially oxidized due to its interaction with Al2O3. Scanning auger mapping analysis showed that the iron was randomly distributed on the Al2O3 surface. The amount of adsorbed NO increased with increasing iron coverage. However, at very high iron coverages, there was a decrease in adsorption. This indicated that the aluminum ions may have activated the NO adsorption on the iron atoms. For increasing temperature there was also an increase in adsorption for high iron coverages, but the adsorption decreased with increasing temperature for low iron coverages. Sticking probability calculations indicated that the adsorption was mobile and dissociative. Binding energy of the nitrogen peaks indicated that NO was adsorbed onto the FeAl2O3 surface as a nitride.
Leadership and Temperament Congruence: Extending the Expectancy Model of Work Motivation:

We integrate theory and research from disparate areas to develop a comprehensive expectancy model of work motivation. Within our model, we: (1) consolidate the motivation, leadership, and personali...
Eutectic Studies in the System Si3N4‐Si2N2O‐Mg2SiO4

Melting experiments have established three important eutectics in this system: (1) the Si3N4-Mg2SiO4 binary eutectic composition, 0.07Si3N4+0.93Mg2SiO4 at 1560°C, (2) the Si2N2O-Mg2SiO4 binary eutectic composition, 0.17Si2N2O+ 0.83Mg2SiO4 at 1525°C, and (3) the Si3N4-Si2N2O-Mg2SiO4 ternary eutectic composition, 0.04Si3N4+0.14Si2N2O+0.82Mg2SiO4 at 1515°C. Systematic replacement of MgO with CaO in the ternary eutectic reduced its melting temperature to 1325°C for a CaO/MgO molar ratio of 0.67. The results of this study are discussed in relation to fabrication, microstructure, and high-temperature strengths.
Detection of intracardiac shunts by an external surface counting technic

Abstract 1. 1. Intracardiac shunts were detected by an external surface counting technic in twenty-three patients. Precordial indicator dilution curves were recorded over each ventricle separately. 2. 2. In the absence of tricuspid valvular disease, the presence of multiple “recirculation humps” on the right-predominant dilution curve was evidence for a left to right shunt. The technic did not differentiate between atrial or ventricular septal defects, and probably cannot clearly demonstrate shunts of less than 30 per cent. It can be used effectively as a screening test for cardiac catheterization and to determine postoperatively the success of surgical closure of septal defects. 3. 3. Early arrival of the isotope in the left-predominant dilution curve was presumptive evidence for the existence of a right to left shunt. 4. 4. Proper interpretation depends primarily upon critical placement of the probe over the precordium. 5. 5. Although fraught with error, reasonable estimates of pulmonary and systemic blood flow may be made from these curves.
Embedded systemsvs individualism

The dispute between individualism and anti-individualism is about the individuation of psychological states, and individualism, on some accounts, is committed to the claim that psychological subjects together with their environments do not constitute integrated computational systems. Hence on this view the computational states that explain psychological states in computational accounts of mind will not involve the subject's natural and social environment. Moreover, the explanation of a system's interaction with the environment is, on this view, not the primary goal of computational theorizing. Recent work in computational developmental psychology (by A. Karmiloff-Smith and J. Rutkowska) as well as artificial agents or embedded artificial systems (by L.P. Kaelbling, among others) casts doubt on these claims. In these computational models, the environment does not just trigger and sustain input for computational operations, but some computational operations actually involve environmental structures.
Three women's understandings of algebra in a precalculus course integrated with the graphing calculator

Abstract This study investigated the role of function in a precalculus classroom which incorporated the graphing calculator in the instructional process. Perspectives were taken from students, teachers, and textbooks. Emphasis was placed on choice of functional symbol system when thinking and problem solving, connections across symbol systems, the role of the instructor and the textbook in learning, affective components, and the effect of the graphing calculator. The study starts with a defination of the concept of structure as it relates to function. The account of a semester-long qualitative study on students' concept images of function and its role in problem solving follows. It was found that the students involved in the study entered the graph-intensive course with predominantly symbolic notions of algebra, in part due to prior instruction. The students also possessed highly procedural views of algebraic content. These preconceptions and expectations resulted in the students' inability to effectively coordinate graphic and symbolic notions of algebra, both in procedural and conceptual realms. Implications and curricular suggestions are provided.
The grimace and gecker: A submissive display among patas monkeys

Observations of captive patas monkeys, plus a review of the literature, suggest that this species possesses at least three submissive/appeasement signals: (1) grimacing accompanied by a geckering vocalization; (2) cowering; and (3) a crouch face display. These findings are in contrast to earlier reports that patas monkeys have no such signals.
Exposure to English before and after Entry into Head Start: Bilingual Children's Receptive Language Growth in Spanish and English.

This investigation examined the Spanish and English receptive vocabulary and language comprehension abilities of bilingual preschoolers who attended Head Start over a two-year period. It was hypothesised that bilingual children's development would follow linear trajectories and that the development of children who were only exposed to Spanish in the home prior to school entry would differ from children with exposure to Spanish and English from birth. Results revealed that the two groups' language abilities in Spanish and English differed at the beginning of the study as measured by raw and standard scores and that these differences were maintained over the two years. The exceptions to this were found in the children's vocabulary abilities, with the difference between the two groups' English standard scores narrowing over time and the difference between their Spanish standard scores increasing during the two-year period. Similar to research on monolingual and bilingual children with low socioeconomic status (SES), children's development in both languages essentially followed linear trajectories. Children's raw scores on the English receptive vocabulary test accelerated, similar to research findings on monolingual children of middle SES. Also, children's standard scores on the Spanish language comprehension measure decelerated after an initial period of linear growth. Future directions for research are discussed.
Ethylene–methacrylic acid copolymers as stress whitening suppressants in polypropylenes

Impact-modified polypropylenes were prepared by incorporating copolymers of ethylenemethacrylic acid (E-MAA) with different cations (zinc or sodium) and varying degrees of neutralization. These blends gave low stress whitening on impact. This phenomenon was due to the unique morphology of the blend. It was found that unneutralized acid copolymer and the zinc ionomer formed chainlike structures in the polypropylene matrix. These uniform chains crisscrossed the polypropylene matrix providing impact strength to the matrix. The matrix deformed on impact by the shear yielding mechanism, thus suppressing stress whitening. The impact modifier in the matrix did not form micro crazes in the matrix but formed several layers of crisscrossing chains. On the other hand, the sodium ionomer did not form chainlike structures. The impact modifier was dispersed evenly in the matrix. This type of morphology resulted in a higher degree of stress whitening. The failure on impact was due to crazing and not by shear yielding. This size of the impact modifier in the polypropylene matrix varied significantly depending on the melt processing equipment used. The dependence of polymer alloy mechanical properties on the composition has been studied to help in ionomer comparison.
HOME RANGE DYNAMICS IN A POPULATION OF HETEROMYID RODENTS.

Seasonal, sexual, and temporal aspects of home range for pocket mice ( Perognathus formosus and P. longimembris ) and kangaroo rats ( Dipodomys merriami and D. microps ) were analyzed from records accumulated over 7 years of monthly censuses of the rodents in three 9-hectare enclosures and one similar area not enclosed in the Mojave Desert. The density function was used as a standard expression (in terms of sigma) to compare home ranges of different individuals, groups or species, or over time. Detailed analysis of 340 P. formosus in one enclosure showed that 16 shifted locations of their home range during the course of this study, and 99 were detected to make one or more long-distance excursions beyond their home range. Compilation of all data gives an average representation of home range for this species in this environment to be a circle of radius 31 meters, which will encompass 86 per cent of the animals' activity. This radius is the 2 sigma value computed from the data. Size of home range differs between sexes and among years, with significant year by sex interaction. There is an inverse relationship between population density and size of home range. Home range size is not related to body size in the four species studied, which presumably occupy the same trophic level of the system. Shifts in home range and excursions outside the established home range occurred most frequently in males and most frequently in the reproductive season.
CEO Compensation for Major US Companies in 2006

The purpose of this paper is to update the empirical investigation into pay-setting practices of major U.S. companies. While it enters the debate on the determinants of CEO compensation, our approach is explanatory rather than prescriptive. Our empirical analysis is based on a sample of 236 major U.S. firms from the 2006 WSJ/Mercer CEO Compensation Survey. We run a series of cross-sectional regressions that consider the effects of performance indicators on total direct compensation and the cash bonus. We also test the effects on non-performance variables, which represent potential agency problems involved with CEO compensation. We find that CEO compensation is tied to firm performance, but whether the link has increased or decreased in strength over time remains unclear. We also determine that non-performance related factors contribute significantly to CEO compensation: CEOs who are also chairmen of the board make 35% more than non-chairmen, and companies that grant more stock options tend to have 30% lower dividend yields.
Retrograde continuous warm blood cardioplegia: Maintenance of myocardial homeostasis in humans

Abstract Recent clinical reports have suggested that continuous delivery of oxygenated warm blood cardioplegia through the coronary veins (retrograde cardioplegia) produces good myocardial preservation during aortic cross-clamping. No data exist, however, about actual myocardial metabolism/homeostasis during retrograde warm blood cardioplegia. We studied 100 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, or both who received retrograde continuous warm blood cardioplegia (4:1 dilution) during aortic cross-clamping for 54 to 174 minutes. We measured pH, oxygen tension, carbon dioxide tension, HCO 3 , base excess, and oxygen content of the inflow cardioplegia and the blood egressing from coronary arteries during each arteriotomy for bypass grafting (arteries act as postcapillary veins with retrograde cardioplegia) or the left and right coronary orifices during aortic valve replacement. We also measured these variables from the coronary sinus effluent 1 minute after release of the aortic cross-clamp. Retrograde cardioplegia flow ranged from 50 to 250 mL/min (mean flow, 150 mL/min). All patients were maintained at normothermia during bypass. A total of 460 samples were analyzed (4.6 per patient). Neither the duration of aortic cross-clamping nor the artery sampled affected myocardial blood gases. The pH dropped from 7.41 ± 0.05 for the inflow cardioplegia to 7.32 ± 0.1 when sampled from coronary arteries, and the oxygen tension fell from 181 ± 25 to 28 ± 5 mm Hg, respectively. Carbon dioxide tension rose from 31.0 ± 4.1 to 41.4 ± 9.8 mm Hg. Coronary sinus blood gases 1 minute after cross-clamp removal showed no acidosis or oxygen debt. These results indicate that (1) myocardial homeostasis is preserved by retrograde continuous warm blood cardioplegia during normothermic aortic cross-clamping for up to 3 hours in humans; (2) normal myocardial metabolism and oxygen uptake can be maintained solely by retrograde cardioplegia in the arrested heart, eliminating oxygen debt and ischemia; and (3) unlike experimental models, the arrested human heart is very active metabolically. Further application of this new clinical technique appears warranted, provided appropriate monitoring is used.
The effect of collagenase on arterial opening angle

Residual stress plays an important role in determining arterial wall stress and wall remodeling. We studied the effect of collagenase treatment on the opening angle of arteries. Our results demonstrated that collagenase treatment significantly reduced the opening angle of arteries and diminished the effect of smooth muscle contraction on the opening angles. Changes in opening angle need to be considered in studying arterial wall stress and buckling associated with wall remodeling and diseases.
Infectious crystalline keratopathy caused by Candida guilliermondii.

Abstract Purpose: To describe the manifestations of infectious crystalline keratopathy caused by Candida guilliermondii in a corneal transplant performed for pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Method: Case report. Results: Candida guilliermondii was identified as the causative organism of an indolent infectious crystalline keratopathy. Incisional lamellar biopsy provided diagnostic culture and histopathologic results. Histopathology showed aggregates of yeast elements between corneal stromal lamellae, without inflammation. The infection progressed despite a 6-week course of topical amphotericin B and an additional 6-week course of topical and oral fluconazole. Repeat penetrating keratoplasty resulted in clear graft, with no recurrent infection. Conclusions: Fungal keratopathy should be included in the differential diagnosis of infectious crystalline keratopathy. Numerous Candida species have been isolated in addition to the most common causative bacterial organism, Streptococcus viridans . Candida guilliermondii is yet one more causative agent of infectious crystalline keratopathy. Candida guilliermondii , a rare human pathogen, was resistant to medical therapy in this case.
Entropy methods for joint distributions in decision analysis

A fundamental step in decision analysis is the elicitation of the decision maker's information about the uncertainties of the decision situation in the form of a joint probability distribution. This paper presents a method based on the maximum entropy principle to obtain a joint probability distribution using lower order joint probability assessments. The approach reduces the number of assessments significantly and also reduces the number of conditioning variables in these assessments. We discuss the order of the approximation provided by the maximum entropy distribution with each lower order assessment using a Monte Carlo simulation and discuss the implications of using the maximum entropy distribution in Bayesian inference. We present an application to a practical decision situation faced by a semiconductor testing company in the Silicon Valley.
Trace Eyeblink Conditioning in Abstinent Alcoholic Individuals: Effects of Complex Task Demands and Prior Conditioning

Chronic misuse of alcohol affects an integrated neural circuit supporting the formation of associative memories acquired during eyeblink classical conditioning (R. McGlinchey-Berroth et al., 1995). The authors of this study investigated single-cue trace conditioning in amnesic and nonamnesic abstinent alcoholic individuals who either were or were not trained in a single-cue delay conditioning task. Overall, untrained alcoholic participants were severely impaired in acquisition, and alcoholic participants previously trained in single-cue delay conditioning performed similarly to untrained control participants. Individual performance in acquisition varied significantly within task but was relatively stable between the trace and delay tasks; there were nonamnesic and amnesic alcoholic participants who acquired responses at a normal rate in both delay and trace conditioning. The similarity of performances in delay and trace conditioning suggests a common source of impairment across both tasks.
Nonlinear attitude and shape control of spacecraft with articulated appendages and reaction wheels

Three-dimensional attitude and shape control problems are studied for a class of spacecraft with articulated appendages and reaction wheels. A number of special cases of such attitude control problems have been studied previously. We provide a unified formulation and a comprehensive set of results for planning of attitude and shape maneuvers of a spacecraft, assuming that joint actuators and reaction wheels provide a sufficiently rich set of inputs. The development is based on a nonlinear, drift-free, control model that characterizes the attitude and shape change dynamics, assuming zero angular momentum of the system. Controllability results are presented for the general case, and specialized results are identified for interesting multibody spacecraft configurations. These results are made explicit by providing computable formulas for the Lie brackets in terms of the spacecraft geometry, mass properties, and shape. Constructive motion planning approaches are described to achieve spacecraft attitude and shape change maneuvers. A distinct feature of these approaches is that they require only simple computations, as is desirable for online implementation. Emphasis is given to the interplay between the shape change dynamics and the attitude change dynamics in achieving the maneuver planning objectives.
Surface-micromachined resonant accelerometer

This paper discusses the design and testing of a resonant accelerometer developed for integrated surface-micromachining processes. First- and second-generation designs are presented. The sensors use leverage mechanisms to transfer force from a proof mass to double-ended tuning fork (DETF) resonators used as force transducers. Each fork forms the basis of an integrated oscillator to provide the output waveforms. The DETFs on the first-generation device have a nominal frequency of 175 kHz, and the sensor has a scale factor of 2.4 Hz/g. The oscillators on this device exhibit a root Allan variance floor of 38 mHz (220 ppb). The second-generation, higher-sensitivity sensor uses DETFs with a nominal frequency of 68 kHz and has a measured scale factor of 45 Hz/g.
CFAR acquisition of DS-SS codes for CDMA ranging

Presents an adaptive thresholding acquisition procedure for use by a CDMA ranging system. The system provides constant false alarm rate (CFAR) in acquiring direct sequence spread spectrum signals in a multi-user environment. A bank of matched filters is used to match the received signal against the various user codes. A user is declared present when the energy in the output any filter exceeds a threshold proportional to the energy in the received signal itself. This procedure provides CFAR acquisition in a white gaussian noise level of unknown level. Most importantly, the method also provides a bounded probability of false detection as well. The authors present performance results which illustrate this decrease in false detections due to the CFAR thresholding with matched filtering. The proposed system is a very simple method for multiuser acquisition of CDMA signals. >
Sensitivity of aerosol optical thickness and aerosol direct radiative effect to relative humidity

Abstract. We present a sensitivity study of the effects of spatial and temporal resolution of atmospheric relative humidity (RH) on calculated aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and the aerosol direct radiative effects (DRE) in a global model. We carry out different modeling experiments using the same aerosol fields simulated in the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) model at a resolution of 2° latitude by 2.5° longitude, using time-averaged fields archived every three hours by the Goddard Earth Observation System Version 4 (GEOS-4), but we change the horizontal and temporal resolution of the relative humidity fields. We find that, on a global average, the AOT calculated using RH at a 1°×1.25° horizontal resolution is 11% higher than that using RH at a 2°×2.5° resolution, and the corresponding DRE at the top of the atmosphere is 8–9% and 15% more negative (i.e., more cooling) for total aerosols and anthropogenic aerosol alone, respectively, in the finer spatial resolution case. The difference is largest over surface escarpment regions (e.g. >200% over the Andes Mountains) where RH varies substantially with surface terrain. The largest zonal mean AOT difference occurs at 50–60° N (16–21%), where AOT is also relatively larger. A similar impact is also found when the time resolution of RH is increased. This increase of AOT and aerosol cooling with the increase of model resolution is due to the highly non-linear relationship between RH and the aerosol mass extinction efficiency (MEE) at high RH (>80%). Our study is a specific example of the uncertainty in model results highlighted by multi-model comparisons such as AeroCom, and points out one of the many inter-model differences that can contribute to the overall spread among models.
Surgical strategy: matching the patient with the procedure

The general indications, timing, and choice of procedure can be determined by asking and answering the following questions appropriately: 1. Has the patient achieved neurologic, emotional, and social stability? 2. What is the patient's current level of motor and sensory resources and function? The number and strength of muscles remaining under good voluntary control are the most important variables. 3. Are the patient's expectations realistic? 4. Does the patient possess the necessary intelligence and motivation? Some procedures, such as arthrodesis of a specific joint, require little motivation to succeed; however, a complex set of muscle-tendon transfers requires a great deal of motor reeducation for the patient to achieve an optimal result. 5. Does the patient have the necessary time to invest in achieving a good result? The patient must be able to set aside the time necessary for postoperative immobilization in a cast or splint and for therapy and reeducation. 6. Are the necessary support services and personnel available and committed? 7. Have all preoperative obstacles to success been considered and has a plan developed to overcome any remaining obstacles? 8. Does the patient understand the potential complications and benefits? 9. Can the patient and professional team tolerate a complication, failure, or suboptimal result? Both the medical staff and the patient must be prepared for complications that may lead to a suboptimal outcome or frank failure. 10. Are the patient's current health and well-being ideal? 11. Is the surgical plan consistent with the patient's physical resources, goals, and expectations? 12. Does an alternate plan exist? 13. Does the surgeon understand the scope of the complications and how to salvage an acceptable result should a complication occur?
PROSTATE CANCER DETECTION IN MEN WITH PRIOR HIGH GRADE PROSTATIC INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA OR ATYPICAL PROSTATE BIOPSY

Purpose: We used clinical variables to predict prostate cancer detection on re-biopsy among patients diagnosed with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) or atypia on initial prostate biopsy.Materials and Methods: A total of 45 men with atypia and 43 with high grade PIN were eligible for our study. Clinical variables were tested with univariate and multivariate logistic regression to predict who would have cancer on re-biopsy. We also calculated the odds of detecting cancer with various repeat sampling strategies and determined whether the location of initial atypia or high grade PIN is correlated to that of cancer on re-biopsy.Results: Of the patients in the atypia and high grade PIN groups 51% had cancer on re-biopsy. Cancer was diagnosed significantly earlier in the high grade PIN than in the atypia cohort (average 7.5 versus 22.9 months, respectively, p = 0.005). Multivariate logistic modeling showed that digital rectal examination and patient age were independent predictors of cancer i...
Iterative Transceiver Design for MIMO ARQ Retransmissions With Decision Feedback Detection

This paper investigates the problem of progressive transceiver design for integrated multi-input multioutput (MIMO) systems with automatic repeat request (ARQ) capability. We consider a generic MIMO transceiver architecture that utilizes a linear transmission precoder and a linear decoder followed by decision feedback interference cancellation at the receiver. To be consistent with ARQ, our goal is to progressively design the optimal transmission precoder and receiver feedback system to jointly minimize the mean square error (MSE) under the assumption of perfect feedback. We consider both zero-forcing and minimum MSE (MMSE) decoder as joint ARQ receivers. Unlike in single transmission design, joint ARQ receivers cannot change previous precoders. Here, we propose an approach to design the precoder and receiver which improves the system performance successively over each retransmission to achieve MSE performance close to the known lower bound.
SimOpt: a library of simulation optimization problems

We present SimOpt --- a library of simulation-optimization problems intended to spur development and comparison of simulation-optimization methods and algorithms. The library currently has over 50 problems that are tagged by important problem attributes such as type of decision variables, and nature of constraints. Approximately half of the problems in the library come with a downloadable simulation oracle that follows a standardized calling protocol. We also propose the idea of problem and algorithm wrappers with a view toward facilitating assessment and comparison of simulation optimization algorithms.
Prediction Experiments of Hurricane Gloria (1985) Using a Multiply Nested Movable Mesh Model

Abstract The prediction capability of the GFDL triply nested, movable mesh model, with finest grid resolution of ⅙ degree, was investigated using several case studies of Hurricane Gloria ( 1985) during the period that the storm approached and moved up the east coast of the United States. The initial conditions for these experiments were interpolated from an NMC T80 global analysis at 0000 UTC 25 September and 1200 UTC 22 September. The integrations starting from 0000 UTC 25 September were run 72 h, while those starting on 1200 UTC 22 September were run 132 h. The lateral boundary conditions were obtained from either an integration of the NMC T80 forecast model or the T80 global analysis, or were fixed to the initial value. The model's predicted track of Gloria for each integration was compared against the best track determined by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). For the case starting from 0000 UTC 25 September using a forecasted boundary condition, the model successfully forecasted significant acceler...
Anomalous composition dependence of the superconductivity in In-doped SnTe

We report a reinvestigation of superconducting ${\text{Sn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{In}}_{x}\text{Te}$ at both low and high In doping levels. Considering the system over a broad composition range in a single study allows us to characterize a significant change in the properties as a function of $x$: The system evolves from a weakly coupled $p$-type superconductor to a strongly coupled $n$-type superconductor with increasing indium content. Hall effect measurements show that the carrier density does not vary monotonically with indium content; a change from $p$-type to $n$-type is observed near 10% In doping. This is contrary to expectations dictating that In should be a $p$-type dopant in semiconducting SnTe, because it has one less valance electron than Sn. A crystallographic search for point defects at high $x$ indicates that the material remains ideal NaCl-type over a wide composition range. Density functional theory calculations for In-doped SnTe support a picture where In does not act as a trivial hole dopant but instead forms a distinct, partly filled In $5s\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Te}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}5p$ hybridized state centered around ${\text{E}}_{F}$, which is very different from what is seen for other nominal hole dopants such as Na, Ag, and vacant Sn sites.
On the Use of Shorting Pins in the Design of Microstrip Patch Antennas

This paper reviews the use of shorting pins to achieve various performance characteristics of microstrip patch antennas. First, appropriately placed shorting pins can be used to tune the resonant frequencies of a rectangular patch antenna and to control the separation of a dual frequency rectangular patch antenna operating in the TM01 and TM03 modes. Second, shorting pins can be used to significantly reduce the sizes of the various patch antenna designs, including the simple regular patch, the wideband U-slot patch, and the wideband two layer stacked patches. Third, shorting pins are effective in widening the bandwidths of both the quarter wave patch and the regular patch. Both simulation and experimental results are presented and/or referenced.
Edge-Unfolding Orthogonal Polyhedra is Strongly NP-Complete

We prove that it is strongly NP-complete to decide whether a given orthogonal polyhedron has a (nonoverlapping) edge unfolding. The result holds even when the polyhedron is topologically convex, i.e., is homeomorphic to a sphere, has faces that are homeomorphic to disks, and where every two faces share at most one edge.
Electric Fields and Charge Screening in Dye Sensitized Mesoporous Nanocrystalline TiO2 Thin Films

The photophysical and electron transfer properties of mesoporous nanocrystalline (anatase) TiO2 thin films sensitized to visible light with [Ru(dtb)2(dcb)](PF6)2, where dtb is 4,4′-(tert-butyl)2-2,2′-bipyridine and dcb is 4,4′-(CO2H)2-2,2′-bipyridine, were quantified in acetonitrile solutions that contained 100 mM concentrations of Li+, Na+, Mg2+, or Ca2+ perchlorate salts. The presence of these salts resulted in a dramatic and cation dependent bathochromic (red) shift of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Ru(dtb)2(dcb)/TiO2 relative to the value measured in neat or 100 mM TBAClO4, where TBA is tetrabutyl ammonium cation, acetonitrile solutions. The magnitude of the shifts followed the trend: Na+ < Li+ < Ca2+ < Mg2+. The PL intensity was also found to decrease in this same order and comparative actinometry studies showed that this was due to MLCT excited state electron transfer quenching by the TiO2 acceptor states. The RuIII/II redox chemistry was ...