cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stimulated scattering at mW power in thin nematic film for application in the visible-near IR spectral regime

Summary form only given. Nematic liquid crystals (NLC) are quite transparent and they possess large birefringence throughout the visible-infrared regime. Because of the easy susceptibility of the crystalline axis to reorientation by an optical field, it is relatively easy to induce large refractive index changes in NLC using low power lasers. In this paper, we report stimulated scattering and bulk grating formation in aligned nematic film with unprecedented low threshold, and illustrate how the process could easily be realized throughout the visible-near infrared regime.
An Improved Shape Annealing Algorithm For Truss Topology Generation

An improved shape annealing algorithm for truss topology generation and optimization, based on the techniques of shape grammars and simulated annealing, is introduced. The algorithm features a shape optimization method using only simulated annealing with a shape grammar move set; while no traditional gradient-based techniques are employed, the algorithm demonstrates more consistent convergence characteristics. By penalizing the objective function for violated constraints, the algorithm incorporates geometric constraints to avoid obstacles. The improved algorithm is illustrated on various structural examples taking into account stress, Euler buckling and geometric constraints, generating a variety of solutions based on a simple grammar.
Estrogen receptor alpha interaction with estrogen response element half-sites from the rat prolactin gene.

Estrogen regulation of the rat prolactin gene requires sequences within the DNase I hypersensitive site II (HSII). We have used overexpressed mouse estrogen receptor α (ERα) protein to study interactions of ERα with an imperfect estrogen response element (ERE) and four ERE half-site sequences from HSII. We confirmed that ERα has higher affinity for ERE half-sites than for the imperfect ERE. As expected, the imperfect ERE formed a complex with ERα similar to that between mERα and a consensus ERE in gel shift assays. The ERα complex with half-sites, however, had faster mobility on a 4% polyacrylamide gel than the ERα complex with a consensus ERE, indicating that the complexes had different compositions. Ferguson analysis revealed that the ERα/half-site complex had a larger molecular weight and higher negative charge than the ERα/consensus ERE complex. Similar results were observed with purified human ERα, showing that the ERα/half-site complex contained only ERα and oligonucleotides. These results are best ...
Two types of image generation: evidence for left and right hemisphere processes.

Abstract The results from seven experiments provide evidence that visual mental images can be generated by either the left or right cerebral hemisphere, but in different ways. Subjects were cued to form images within a grid or within a set of four corner brackets; a single X mark was enclosed within each stimulus, and the subjects were to determine whether the X mark would have fallen on an imaged pattern. When subjects memorized descriptions of how parts were arranged, they could later form images of the composite pattern when cued in the right visual field (left hemisphere) more accurately than when they were cued in the left visual field (right hemisphere). In contrast, when subjects memorized individual segments on a screen, and ‘mentally glued’ them into a single pattern, they later could form images more accurately, at least in some circumstances, when cued in the left visual field. These results were predicted by the theory that images are built up by arranging parts, and that two different processes can be used to arrange them. One process uses stored descriptions to arrange parts, and is more effective in the left cerebral hemisphere; the other process uses stored memories of metric positions to arrange parts, and is more effective in the right cerebral hemisphere. Convergent evidence was obtained by having subjects memorize letters in grids (which are easily encoded using descriptions of the positions of segments) or within a space delineated by four brackets (which require memorizing the precise positions of the segments). Subjects were relatively more accurate when cued in the left visual field with bracket stimuli, but tended to be relatively more accurate when cued in the right visual field with grids stimuli. Control experiments showed that this finding was not due to hemispheric differences in the ease of forming images at different sizes or differences in the ease of perceptually encoding the probes.
An Information Processing Model for Visual and Tactile Reading

A mathematical model consistent with both visual and tactile reading data and accurately predicting at least one set of visual reading data is presented. This model is based upon the results of a free-rate tactile reading experiment in which word scanning times were measured. A thorough analysis of the results of the experiment showed that, although the average scanning time per letterspace is quite consistent over a wide range of word length and word familiarity (assumed to be inversely related to word rank), the distribution of the word scanning times contains a lot of information about the mental decision processes. From a study of the word scanning time histograms a four-degree-of-freedom model was derived and used to calculate a predicted visual constant-rate reading performance curve. In order to make the calculation, an equation describing the relationship between free-rate and constant-rate reading was also derived. The predicted performance curve is in excellent agreement with the measured data.
Gender Differences in Social Network Influence among Injection Drug Users: Perceived Norms and Needle Sharing

Whereas substantial research has linked perceived norms and HIV sexual risk behavior, less attention has been given to the relationship between perceived norms and injection drug practices. This study investigated the relationship between needle sharing and perceived norms in a sample of injection drug users. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 684 injectors from the STEP Into Action (STEP) project in Baltimore, Maryland. Logistic regression was used to assess the associations between perceived norms (descriptive and injunctive norms) and needle sharing. Results were stratified by gender. Descriptive norms were significantly related to needle sharing among males (AOR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.20–2.40) and females (AOR = 1.78; 95%CI = 1.24–2.55). Whereas injunctive norms were significantly associated with needle sharing among men (AOR = 1.30 95%CI = 1.05–1.61), this association was not significant among women (AOR = 0.99; 95%CI = 0.74–1.31). These findings suggest the utility of peer education interventions that promote norms regarding risk reduction among injection drug users. The data also provide support for gender-specific HIV prevention interventions.
Light induced metastable defects in a-Si:H studied by transient space charge perturbed currents

After a transit time, the transient space charge perturbed current in an n-i-n a-Si:H device is given by j= f(t)CV 2 μ d (t)L 2 where f(t) is the fraction of electrode limitation, 0<f(t)<9/8 and μ d (t) is the time dependent drift mobility. Metastable defects located deep in the gap only affect the mobility at long times; hoever f(t) is responsive to the short time decay of the current. We present data in n-i-n and p-i-n devices showing that both f(t) and μ d (t) are affected by photodegradation
Market Work and Household Work as Deterrents to Schooling in Bangladesh

Summary This research investigates factors that deter Bangladeshi children from attending school, including market work and household work examined separately. The likelihood that a child will be continuously in school is estimated using separate logistic regression models for younger and older boys and girls in urban and rural areas. We find that child labor decreases the probability of continuous schooling. We demonstrate the importance of examining separate demographic groups as well as separate types of work. Finally, we test the robustness of our results using three alternative measures of schooling and find that our results are robust to these three measures.
NI-03DSC-MRI MEASURES OF rCBV PREDICT TUMOR CHARACTERISTICS BEYOND STANDARD HISTOPATHOLOGY

BACKGROUND: Preoperative advanced MR imaging techniques, like DWI/DTI and DSC, provide significant structural and functional information about tumor biology. Still, histopathological evaluation of biopsy samples remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of brain tumors. Here we present the use of standardized RCBV (sRCBV) in conjunction with intraoperative navigation for astrocytoma grading. This is the first comparison between tissue type and grade and measures of RCBV using spatially correlated imaging and tissue samples. METHODS: Histopathological findings of 107 tissue specimens from 32 adult patients were studied: non-tumor control tissue (n = 28), WHO Grade 2 Astrocytoma (n = 11), WHO Grade 3 Astrocytoma (n = 11), WHO Grade 4 Astrocytoma/GBM (new: n = 22; recurrent: n = 22; mixed: n = 13). Preoperative (≤ 3 months) DSC-MRI and T1 + C images were co-registered to MR Imaging uploaded for surgical navigation. Guided by intraoperative MRI snapshots of the tissue sampling site, a 3 mm spherical region of interest was drawn manually on pre-operative T1 + C images. Leakage-corrected sRCBV values were determined from raw DSC data. Statistical sample independence was confirmed before conducting statistical analyses. RESULTS: Standardized RCBV significantly distinguished tumor from non-tumor controls with robust sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, sRCBV differentiated between Grade 2 and newly diagnosed Grade 4 astrocytomas, as well as between newly diagnosed, recurring, and mixed GBMs with strong sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, sRCBV revealed two statistically distinct patient populations in Grade 3 and newly diagnosed Grade 4 astrocytomas. Although not statistically significant, the median progression-free survival from initial diagnosis (surgery) for Grade 3 astrocytoma and newly diagnosed GBM patients with low sRCBV values was longer (73 days and 62 days, respectively) than for patients with high sRCBV values, regardless of treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that preoperative sRCBV has the potential to predict tumor characteristics beyond standard histopathology, making it an important supplementary indicator of tumor aggression.
Coordination in emergency response management

Developing a framework to analyze coordination patterns occurring in the emergency response life cycle.
Visage: dynamic information exploration

Visage is a prototype user interface environment for exploring and analyzing information. It represents an approach to coordinating visualizations and analytical tools in data-intensive domains. Visage is based on an information-centric approach to user interface design, which strives to eliminate impediments to direct user access to information objects across applications and visualizations. Visage consists of a set of data manipulation operations, an intelligent system for generating a wide variety of data visualizations and a briefing tool that supports the conversion of visual displays used during exploration into interactive presentation slides.
Does Digoxin Provide Additional Hemodynamic and Autonomic Benefit at Higher Doses in Patients With Mild to Moderate Heart Failure and Normal Sinus Rhythm

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to examine the hemodynamic and autonomic dose response to digoxin. Background. Previous studies have demonstrated an increase in contractility and heart rate variability with digitalis preparations. However, little is known about the dose-response to digoxin, which has a narrow therapeutic window. Methods. Nineteen patients with moderate heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction Results. Low dose digoxin provided a significant increase in ventricular performance, but no further increase was seen with the moderate dose. Low dose digoxin reduced heart rate and increased heart rate variability. Moderate dose digoxin produced no additional increase in heart rate variability or reduction in sympathetic activity, as manifested by heart rate, plasma norepinephrine or low frequency/high frequency power ratio. In addition, we did not find that either low or moderate dose digoxin increased parasympathetic activity. Conclusions. We conclude that moderate dose digoxin provides no additional hemodynamic or autonomic benefit for patients with mild to moderate heart failure over low dose digoxin. Because higher doses of digoxin may predispose to arrhythmogenesis, lower dose digoxin should be considered in patients with mild to moderate heart failure. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:1206–13)
Adrenergic Control of the Force-Frequency and Relaxation-Frequency Relations in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background Exercise-induced enhancement of the force-frequency and relaxation-frequency relations has been studied in conscious animals but not in intact diseased human hearts. Methods and Results We evaluated left ventricular (LV) isovolumic contraction (dP/dt max ) and relaxation (τ) during atrial pacing and dynamic exercise in 13 patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and 7 control subjects to investigate the influence of exercise on the force-frequency and relaxation-frequency relations. Group A consisted of 6 patients in whom the heart rate (HR)–dP/dt max relation was markedly enhanced during exercise (88±30%) compared with during pacing (34±15%). Group B consisted of 7 patients in whom the HR-dP/dt max relation showed similar enhancement during exercise (28±7%) and atrial pacing (28±11%). There was no difference in the HR-τ (derivative method [TD] and pressure half-time method [T 1/2 ]) relation between pacing and exercise in groups A and B. Both the mean maximal wall thickness and the hypertrophy score in group B were greater than in group A (27±5 versus 19±2 mm and 7±1 versus 5±1 points, respectively; both P max relation in the control group was markedly enhanced during exercise (80±27%) compared with during pacing (32±14%). The HR-τ relation in the control group was enhanced during exercise (TD, 35±9%; T 1/2 , 34±8%) compared with during pacing (TD, 12±7%; T 1/2 , 14±7%). Conclusions Exercise-induced enhancement of the relaxation-frequency relation was inhibited in all HCM patients, regardless of the degree of LV hypertrophy. The patients without exercise-induced enhancement of the force-frequency relation had more severe LV hypertrophy than the patients with the enhancement, indicating that the adrenergic control of the force-frequency relation may, at least in part, depend on the severity of LV hypertrophy or the stage of HCM.
Anomalous work hardening, non-redundant screw dislocations in a circular bar deformed in torsion, and non-redundant edge dislocations in a bent foil

Abstract The anomalous work hardening observed in the classic torsion plastic deformation experiment on copper rods of small diameter of Fleck, Muller, Ashby and Hutchinson [Acta Metall Mater, 42, (1994) 475], and seen too in the bent thin nickel foils experiments of Stolken and Evans [Acta mater, 46, (1998) 5109], has been explained as caused by the presence of N-dislocations. (Here “N” stands for geometrically necessary or non-redundant dislocations and “R” stands for redundant or statistically stored dislocations.) Gao, Huang, Nix, and Hutchinson [J Mech Phys Solids, 47 (1999) 1239] ascribe the anomalous hardening to N-screw dislocations that are oriented parallel to the axis of the torsion specimen. Hurtado and Weertman [J phys stat sol (a), 149 (1995) 173] analyzed anomalous hardening with N-screw dislocations that lie in the planes perpendicular to the torsion axis. In the present paper it is shown that it is not possible in plastically isotropic metals for the anomalous hardening to arise from twist boundaries formed by combining N-screw dislocations that are parallel to the torsion specimen axis and N-screw dislocations that are perpendicular to the axis because the sign of the N-screw dislocations in one set of dislocations of a cross-grid is opposite that of the other. Because twist boundaries cannot form, it appears unlikely that anomalous hardening arises because the overall (N-dislocations plus R-dislocations) dislocation density is increased by the addition of N-screw dislocations. The N-dislocations all move in the same radial directions (towards the center of the torsion bar) and are not likely to hinder significantly each other's motion. However, the condition that the N-dislocation density is less than or equal to the R-dislocation density everywhere in a sample does give rise to anomalous hardening. That this condition does lead to anomalous hardening is shown explicitly and in detail for the simpler problem of the bent foil. This paper comes down on the side of the skimping (N-dislocation density always less than or equal to the R-dislocation density) answer to the origin of anomalous work hardening, rather than the swamping (N-dislocation density greater than R-dislocation density) answer (in the absence of hardening mechanisms, such as dislocation locks, that can rescue the swamping explanation).
Isolation and identification of cytotoxic compounds from Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis)

Abstract Bay leaf belongs to the family Lauraceae, and it is one of the most popular culinary spices in all Western countries. Bay leaf has been used as herbal medicine and has pharmacological activity which includes anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-diabetes and anti-inflammatory effects. The goal of this study was to identify compounds from Bay leaf ( Laurus nobilis ), which are responsible for inducing apoptosis using bioassay-directed isolation. The isolation of active compounds was carried out in three steps: multiple extractions, fractionation using column chromatography and purification using semi-preparative HPLC. The structure of separated compounds was determined on the basis of 1 H, 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance data, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry data, and electron ionization mass spectrometry. Six compounds were identified; all of them are sesquiterpene lactones.
Ceramic Materials Characterization Using Small Angle Neutron Scattering Techniques

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques are used to study microstructural phenomena in the range of 1 to 104 nm in size. Since they cover a wide range of sizes, these techniques are particularly useful in studies of ceramic processing and distributed damage in ceramics. While many metal and alloy systems have been studied using SANS techniques, few experiments have been published on ceramic materials. This is not surprising considering the difficulties inherent in analyzing SANS data on these materials. Often ceramics have several microstructural components such as residual voids from the sintering process, inclusions or impurities from starting materials, second phases, and microcracks or cavities from temperature and/or pressure treatments, as well as dislocations present in the material. All these effects will contribute to the observed small angle scattering of neutrons. It is important to either eliminate all effects except the one of interest or to identify the effects through complimentary studies that use other techniques such as electronic or optical microscopy. While these complementary techniques can identify defects, voids and second phases, SANS can quantify these effects throughout the bulk of the material in a nondestructive way.
Antisymmetric PT-photonic structures with balanced positive and negative index materials

We propose a class of synthetic optical materials in which the refractive index satisfies $n(\ensuremath{-}\mathbit{x})=\ensuremath{-}{n}^{*}(\mathbit{x})$. We term such systems antisymmetric parity-time ($\mathcal{APT}$) structures. Unlike $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric systems, which require balanced gain and loss, i.e., $n(\ensuremath{-}\mathbit{x})={n}^{*}(\mathbit{x})$, $\mathcal{APT}$ systems consist of balanced positive- and negative-index materials. Despite the seemingly $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric optical potential $V(\mathbit{x})\ensuremath{\equiv}n{(\mathbit{x})}^{2}{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}/{c}^{2}$, $\mathcal{APT}$ systems are not invariant under combined $\mathcal{PT}$ operations due to the discontinuity of the spatial derivative of the wave function. We show that $\mathcal{APT}$ systems can display intriguing properties, such as spontaneous phase transition of the scattering matrix, a flat total transmission band, and a continuous lasing spectrum.
Gases in Tektite Bubbles

Spectroscopic analysis of light produced by electrodeless discharge in a tektite bubble showed the main gases in the bubble to be neon, helium, and oxygen. The neon and helium have probably diffused in from the atmosphere, while the oxygen may be atmospheric gas incorporated in the tektite during its formation.
MVO-MP2 calculation of the stability of C2H2N2OS and its negative ion

Abstract The adiabatic electron affinity (AEA) of 2-thiono-1,3-diazetidine-2,4-dione, C 2 H 2 N 2 OS , and the vertical electron detachment energy (VEDE) of its negative ion have been calculated at a modified virtual orbital (MVO)-Moller-Plesset second order perturbation theory (MP2) level with a 6-311G(spd) basis set. The values obtained are 0.067 and 0.961 eV, respectively. These are consistent with the ion’s appearance in the mass spectrum of the dissociative electron attachment (DEA) reaction resulting from the electron bombardment of 6-aza-2-thiothymine. A discussion of the Koopmans’ theorem (KT) errors is also given.
Solder-Graphite Network Composite Sheets as High-Performance Thermal Interface Materials

Low-cost solder–graphite composite sheets (‡55 vol.% solder), with solder and graphite forming interpenetrating networks to a degree, are excellent thermal interface materials (TIMs). Solders 63Sn-37Pb and 95.5Sn-4Ag-0.5Cu are separately used, with the latter performing better. In composite fabrication, a mixture of micrometer-size solder powder and ozone-treated exfoliated graphite is compressed to form a graphite network, followed by fluxless solder reflow and subsequent hot pressing to form the solder network. The network connectivity (enhanced by ozone treatment) is lower in the through-thickness direction. The electrical conductivity obeys the rule of mixtures (parallel model in-plane and series model through-thickness), with anisotropy 7. Thermal contact conductance £26 9 10 4 W/(m 2 K) (with 15-lm-roughness copper sandwiching surfaces), through-thickness thermal conductivity £52 W/ (m K), and in-plane thermal expansion coefficient 1 9 10 � 5 /� C are obtained. The contact conductance exceeds or is comparable to that of all other TIMs, provided that solder reflow has occurred and the composite thickness is £100 lm. Upon decreasing the thickness below 100 lm, the sandwich thermal resistivity decreases abruptly, the composite through-thickness thermal conductivity increases abruptly to values comparable to the calculated values based on the rule of mixtures (parallel model), and the composite–copper interfacial thermal resistivity (rather than the composite resistivity) becomes dominant.
Investigation of retinal blood flow in glaucoma patients by Doppler Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography

The measurement of ocular blood flow is important in studying the pathophysiology and treatment of several leading causes of blindness. A pilot study was performed to evaluate the total retinal blood flow in glaucoma patient using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. For normal people, the measured total retinal flow was between 40.8 and 60.2 μl/minute. We found that eyes with glaucoma had decreased retinal blood flow and average flow veocity, while the venous cross sectional areas were essentially the same as normal. The decrease in blood flow was highly correlated with the severity of visual field loss.
Studies on radiation-induced ethylene production by lemon fruits

Abstract Two systems are operative in producing ethylene (C2H4) in γ-irradiated lemon fruit. One is a non-enzymatic radiolysis of fruit constituents which may be mediated by oxygen or free radicals produced by the radiolysis of water. The second system is metabolic and oxygen-dependent. It apparently begins during irradiation and reaches its maximum rate several days later. Direct radiolytic production of C2H4 from acids of the TCA cycle, linolenic acid and lemon oil, was shown. Irradiation of linolenic acid with sunlight also produced C2H4. Both γ-and sunlight-irradiation of linolenic acid and lemon oil involves formation of peroxides and probably free radicals. Values measured for C2H4 production by lemon fruits during γ-irradiation are probably low because of destruction by ozone, radiolysis or polymerization.
Biotechnology and global climate change

Abstract Anthropogenic activities have dramatically altered the composition of the atmosphere over the past 100 years. The changes in infrared absorbing gas concentrations could potentially alter the radiative balance of the Earth. Direct remediation strategies, such as reducing the atmospheric levels of CO2 by stimulating photosynthetic processes, may actually exacerbate the problem if the biomass is anaerobically degraded. A much more effective, short-term remediative strategy would be to recycle extant biomass and reduce anthropogenic fixed nitrogen demands.
Gibbon Song Duets and Intergroup Spacing

Observations sur le terrain dans la Kutai Game Reserve, Indonesie. Caracteristiques de ces duos; leurs proprietes acoustiques et leur redondance les rendent audibles a longue distance. Ils serviraient a maintenir une certaine distance entre les differents groupes sociaux chez Hylobates muelleri
Diets of Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) in Wetland Habitats of Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

ABSTRACT We examined diets of yellow perch (Perca, flavescens) from wetlands of Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron during 2004. Stomach contents of 113 yellow perch were examined (70 age 0 and 43 age 1). Among fish prey, small yellow perch, minnows (Cyprinidae), and small largemouth bass (Microptents salmoides) had the largest frequencies of occurrence in age-l yellow perch diets. However, yellow perch seemed to exhibit low selectivity among fish prey. Macroinvertebrate prey consisted primarily of diptera and amphipoda species, which they seemed to preferentially select. Yellow perch seemed to avoid gastropoda and hemiptera species. Chydoridae prey had the highest frequency of occurrence among zooplankton. Yellow perch made an ontogenetic shift from zooplanktivory to insectivory at approximately 3.5 cm standard length (SL) and then switched to piscivory at approximately 8.0 cm SL.
A Probabilistic System Analysis of Intelligent Propulsion System Technologies

NASA s Intelligent Propulsion System Technology (Propulsion 21) project focuses on developing adaptive technologies that will enable commercial gas turbine engines to produce fewer emissions and less noise while increasing reliability. It features adaptive technologies that have included active tip-clearance control for turbine and compressor, active combustion control, turbine aero-thermal and flow control, and enabling technologies such as sensors which are reliable at high operating temperatures and are minimally intrusive. A probabilistic system analysis is performed to evaluate the impact of these technologies on aircraft CO2 (directly proportional to fuel burn) and LTO (landing and takeoff) NO(x) reductions. A 300-passenger aircraft, with two 396-kN thrust (85,000-pound) engines is chosen for the study. The results show that NASA s Intelligent Propulsion System technologies have the potential to significantly reduce the CO2 and NO(x) emissions. The results are used to support informed decisionmaking on the development of the intelligent propulsion system technology portfolio for CO2 and NO(x) reductions.
Videostroboscopic findings in unilateral superior laryngeal nerve paralysis and paresis.

Objectives Our aim was to present laryngovideostroboscopic findings in unilateral superior laryngeal nerve paresis and paralysis. Study Design and Setting Retrospective case review, academic voice clinic. Methods Blinded retrospective review of videostroboscopic recordings from cases confirmed by laryngeal electromyography. Results Three cases of unilateral superior laryngeal nerve paresis and paralysis were identified. At rest, there were no common abnormal laryngeal findings. Upon phonation, common findings were ipsilateral vocal fold bowing and shortening, vocal process height asymmetry with the ipsilateral vocal process overriding the normal, and ipsilateral hyperadduction of the false vocal fold. Conclusions The common features noted in these cases of laryngeal electromyography−proved uSLNp could be used to make a presumptive diagnosis of this disorder.
Multiple projectile injuries

A case of projectile injuries secondary to lawn edger use is presented. A 32-year-old man was seen in the emergency department with the complaint of bilateral shoulder pain and initially without a history of trauma. When small scars were noted at the sites of pain, a history was elicited of possible injury six months previously while using a gasoline-powered lawn edger. Radiographic evaluation revealed bilateral wire missiles embedded in soft tissue. These were later removed uneventfully.
The role of protein C in congenital and acquired thrombotic disorders

Control of the coagulation pathway requires mechanisms that limit and localize the clotting process. The vascular endothelium has been shown to play an active role in preventing blood clot formation in vivo. The endothelial cell surface contains a thrombin-binding protein, thrombomodulin, which, when complexed with thrombin, activates vitamin K-dependent protein C, an endogenous anticoagulant. Protein C and its cofactor, protein S, inhibit the clotting process by inactivating factors Va and VIIIa and, additionally, enhance the lysis of fibrin. It has been demonstrated by the detection of heterozygous and homozygous protein C-deficient patients with severe thrombotic complications that protein C is a major regulatory protein of hemostasis and thrombosis. This endogenous anticoagulant pathway is providing a better understanding of both congenital and acquired thrombotic disorders.
Doctor of pharmacy students' use of personal digital assistants.

Objectives. To describe the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) by doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students; determine the reliability of psychometric constructs that determine technology accepta...
Energy relaxation time between macroscopic quantum levels in a superconducting persistent-current qubit.

We measured the intrawell energy relaxation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{d}\ensuremath{\simeq}24\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ between macroscopic quantum levels in the double well potential of a Nb persistent-current qubit. Interwell population transitions were generated by irradiating the qubit with microwaves. Zero population in the initial well was then observed due to a multilevel decay process in which the initial population relaxed to lower energy levels during the driven transitions. The decoherence time, estimated from ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{d}$ within the spin-boson model, is about $20\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ for this configuration with a Nb superconducting qubit.
The Alleged Membrane Potential Produced by Diffusion in Nerve Muscle Fibres

IN a recent communication in Nature, Ling and Gerard1 state that support for the membrane potential of nerve and muscle being a diffusion potential is afforded by the rectilinear relation between the logarithm of external potassium concentration and the measured membrane potential according to the well-known Nernst equation. For a single fibre of the frog sartorius this value is reported to be 95 millivolts, which is the approximate theoretical value.
Brillouin spectroscopy of relaxor ferroelectrics and metal hydrides

Abstract A complete set of elastic and piezoelectric constants for single-domain rhombohedral Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 4.5%PbTiO3 is obtained using Brillouin scattering. The bulk modulus and elastic constants agree with the values obtained from ultrasonic methods, but the piezoelectric constants are smaller. Differences in piezoelectric constants from different techniques are due to frequency dispersion and the contributions of domain boundaries. The pressure dependence of the Brillouin shifts of amorphous BeH2 was measured from ambient pressure to 17 GPa. The equation of state is deduced from the pressure dependence of the sound velocity; the bulk modulus is 14.2 (±3.0) GPa and its pressure derivative is 5.3 (±0.5).
Modeling of graphene?polymer interfacial mechanical behavior using molecular dynamics

Carbon nanotube (CNT) polymer-matrix composites exhibit promising properties as structural materials for which appropriate constitutive models are sought, to predict their macroscale behavior. The reliability of determining the homogenized response of such materials depends upon the ability to accurately capture the interfacial behavior between the nanotubes and the polymer matrix. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations, using the Consistent Valence Force Field (CVFF) to describe the atomistic interactions, are used to study nanoscale load transfer between polyethylene and a graphene sheet, a model system chosen to characterize the force-separation behavior between CNTs and the polymer matrix. Separation studies are conducted for both opening as well as sliding modes and cohesive zone parameters such as peak traction and energy of separation are evaluated for each mode. Studies are also carried out to investigate the effect of tension and compression on sliding mode separation. Size dependence studies are conducted utilizing different sizes of the computational domain and different boundary conditions, to obtain the representative volume element and connect to continuum level properties. These results set the stage for continuum length-scale micromechanical models which may be used in determining the overall material response, incorporating interfacial phenomena.
The Dispersion of Charisma

This research deals with the evolution of the bond between a charismatic leader and his mass following. Two stages in the evolutionary process are identified and discussed: the development of structure within the movement, and the dispersion of the mass response across that structure and its higher level personnel. In this, the second report from the overall research project, we focus primarily on the second stage of the process. With a mixture of descriptive reports and systematic survey data, we examine the dispersion of charisma in the case of Peronism. After showing empirically that by 1965 there was, as expected, a clear separation between organizational Peronists and their personalist counterparts, we go on to offer differentiating social and psychological profiles of each wing of the movement. Canonical regression is used to compare the causal influence of social structural and psychological factors in producing the split. It is the former which shows much the greater effects.
Temporal intermittency and cascades in shell models of turbulence.

The two-dimensional- (2D) and three-dimensional- (3D) like Gletzer, Okhitani, and Yamada shell models are examined. The 2D-like model shows a transition from statistical quasiequilibrium to cascade of enstrophy as a function of the spectral ratio of energy to enstrophy. The transition is related to the ratio of time scales, corresponding to eddy turnover times, between shells. The anomalous scaling, giving rise to nonlinear scaling functions, is also connected to the ratio of eddy turnover times. This is illustrated in a simple stochastic model, where the structure function \ensuremath{\zeta}(q) becomes independent of q. In the 3D-like model the multiscaling is also influenced by the existence of a second nonpositive-definite inviscid invariant, the helicity. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Cosmetic use of alpha-hydroxy acids

Frequent and daily use of cosmetic and skin-care products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) moisturizes the skin and produces smoother, less-wrinkled skin surfaces. The cosmetic products developed as astringents and exfoliants diminish skin scales and remove excess skin oil. New studies suggest that photodamaged skin improves with AHA treatment.
Input-output formalism for few-photon transport: A systematic treatment beyond two photons

We provide a systematic treatment of $N$-photon transport in a waveguide coupled to a local system using the input-output formalism. The main result of the paper is a general connection between the $N$-photon S matrix and the Green's functions of the local system. We also show that the computation can be significantly simplified by exploiting the connectedness structure of both the S matrix and the Green's function, and by computing the Green's function using an effective Hamiltonian that involves only the degrees of freedom of the local system. We illustrate our formalism by computing $N$-photon transport through a cavity containing a medium with Kerr nonlinearity, with $N$ up to 3.
Lengthening of rat estrus cycle for activity by exogenous progesterone

Abstract Female rats show periodic changes in wheel running activity correlated with estrus cycle. In 19 instances a subcutaneous progesterone injection (approximately 40 mg/kg in cottonseed oil) was administered early in the female rat's estrus cycle of wheel running activity. Injections administered the morning after peak activity or 24 hr later lengthened the cycle by 1 or 2 days in 15 cases or by 7 or 8 days in 3 cases. Similar injections later in the cycle (48 hr following the morning-after peak activity) usually had no effect on the length of that cycle, but lengthened the following cycle. These findings are similar to those obtained in other laboratories using different behavioral and physiological measures.
Eukaryotic Stress Granules Are Cleared by Autophagy and Cdc48/VCP Function

Stress granules and P bodies are conserved cytoplasmic aggregates of nontranslating messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs) implicated in the regulation of mRNA translation and decay and are related to RNP granules in embryos, neurons, and pathological inclusions in some degenerative diseases. Using baker's yeast, 125 genes were identified in a genetic screen that affected the dynamics of P bodies and/or stress granules. Analyses of such mutants, including CDC48 alleles, provide evidence that stress granules can be targeted to the vacuole by autophagy, in a process termed granulophagy. Moreover, stress granule clearance in mammalian cells is reduced by inhibition of autophagy or by depletion or pathogenic mutations in valosin-containing protein (VCP), the human ortholog of CDC48. Because mutations in VCP predispose humans to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, inclusion body myopathy, and multisystem proteinopathy, this work suggests that autophagic clearance of stress granule related and pathogenic RNP granules that arise in degenerative diseases may be important in reducing their pathology.
Iterated abduction and conditional coherence

The paper offers a complete probabilistic characterization of the abductive operator axiomatized by Maurice Pagnuco in [11]. The model assumes the axiomatic characterization of Conditional Coherence presented by Lester Dubins in section 3 of [8]. It follows, as a philosophical consequence, that a form of probabilism based on Dubins' conditional probability not only permits ampliative rules of inference, but that it also mandates them. This result is contrasted with various arguments provided by Bas van Fraassen in [19] showing that the adoption of any form of Inference to the Best Explanation as a rule for belief revision must make one's belief system incoherent.In the second part of the paper a property of iterated probability change, called Cumulativity, is presented as well as the corresponding axiomatization for iterated abductive operators (in the style of [17] and [7]). Finally we consider non-cumulative methods of change constrained by the general principles of Conditional Coherence.
What is Bayesian statistics

There seem to be a lot of computational biology papers with 'Bayesian' in their titles these days. What's distinctive about 'Bayesian' methods?
Disturbance Rejection in Parameter-varying Web-winding Systems

We propose a control scheme to reject disturbances in web tension that are caused by reel eccentricities in parameter-varying web-winding systems. When the web winds from one reel to the other, the nominal reel radii vary. In addition to this, the reels are not perfectly circular and the eccentricities introduce disturbances to the tension output. If the web is thin enough, in a certain time span, the nominal reel radii can be considered as constants and the reel eccentricities are periodic. In our design, the entire web winding process in which the whole pack of web winds from a full source reel to an empty take-up reel is investigated at a certain number of operating points. At each operating point, an adaptive controller that synthesizes the inverse input whose system response cancels the disturbances is developed. Gain-scheduling control is then used between different operating points. The scheme is simulated on a decoupled tension loop of an example reel-to-reel web-winding system that represents a digital tape system.
Effects of Aggregate Surface and Water on Rheology of Asphalt Films

Most tests used to evaluate moisture damage require compacted asphalt mixtures. The tests generally simulate field material and conditions and provide a performance-related parameter of moisture effects. In mixtures, however, variable asphalt—aggregate—air void structure contributes to the difficulty of isolating the fundamental rheological properties of an asphalt-aggregate bond. To avoid the complications and obtain the properties of the asphalt—aggregate interface, a new experimental design was developed in this study. This test features a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) as an improved tool for evaluating interface properties. One key feature of the experimental design is the use of rock disks to simulate an asphalt—aggregate interface. The simulated interface is easily wet-conditioned in a water cup installed on the DSR. From various testing protocols, a stress sweep test that defines a linear viscoelastic (LVE) region is adopted to evaluate the interaction and moisture effects of selected specimens. A ...
Experience-dependent neural specialization during infancy

The ability to recognize the difference among faces of another race or species declines from 6 to 9 months of age. During this time, perceptual biases are formed, leading to lasting deficits in recognizing individuals of other races and species. However, little is known about how early infant experience shapes the neural structures underlying face processing. Here we found neural specialization, in infants who received 3 months of training with six individually labeled monkey faces. However, neural specialization was not found after an equal amount of training with the same six faces labeled at the category-level (i.e., all faces labeled "monkey") or when infants were exposed to faces without labels. These results suggest that neural specialization for faces requires learning at the individual level during infancy.
Rationale for ablation of oligometastatic disease and the role of stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatic metastases

Management paradigms for metastatic solid tumors are evolving. Once regarded as uniformly incurable, today there is recognition of an intermediate oligometastatic state, where ablation of metastatic foci may improve disease control and prolong survival. In the setting of limited colorectal liver metastases, hepatic resection has resulted in favorable long-term outcomes, but is technically unsuitable for most patients. Stereotactic body radiation therapy represents an effective, noninvasive means of tumor ablation, supported by a large body of prospective evidence specific to hepatic metastases. This review examines the current rationale for ablation of oligometastatic disease, including various objectives beyond indefinite disease-free survival. The role of stereotactic body radiation therapy for ablation of hepatic metastases is then comprehensively reviewed.
Quantitative demonstration of dipyridamole-induced coronary steal and alteration by angioplasty in man: analysis by simultaneous, continuous dual Doppler spectral flow velocity.

In the course of studying the effects of coronary angioplasty on branch vessel flow using two Doppler flow velocity guidewires, we quantitated simultaneous blood flow responses proximal and distal to a stenosis. The alterations of flow documented a horizontal epicardial steal induced during dipyridamole hyperemia, hyperemic flow reversal by intravenous aminophylline, and subsequent normalization of distal hyperemia after endoluminal enlargement by successful angioplasty. The quantitative physiology of the patient described here confirms one postulated mechanism of abnormal myocardial perfusion stress scintigraphy. Continuous dual flowire spectral coronary flow determinations appear to be a valuable method in verifying postulated mechanisms of various pharmacologic and mechanical stimuli influencing coronary blood flow in patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Schwarzschild Black Holes from Matrix Theory

We consider matrix theory compactified on T{sup 3} and show that it correctly describes the properties of Schwarzschild black holes in 7+1 dimensions, including the mass-entropy relation, the Hawking temperature, and the physical size, up to numerical factors of order unity. The most economical description involves setting the cutoff N in the discretized light-cone quantization to be of order the black hole entropy. A crucial ingredient necessary for our work is the recently proposed equation of state for 3+1 dimensional supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with 16supercharges. We give detailed arguments for the range of validity of this equation following the methods of Horowitz and Polchinski. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Optical acquisition and polar decomposition of the full-field deformation gradient tensor within a fracture callus

Tracking tissue deformation is often hampered by material inhomogeneity, so local measurements tend to be insufficient thus lending to the necessity of full-field optical measurements. This study presents a novel approach to factoring heterogeneous deformation of soft and hard tissues in a fracture callus by introducing an anisotropic metric derived from the deformation gradient tensor (F). The deformation gradient tensor contains all the information available in a Green-Lagrange strain tensor, plus the rigid-body rotational components. A recent study [Bottlang et al., Journal of Biomechanics 41(3), 2008] produced full-field strains within ovine fracture calluses acquired through the application of electronic speckle pattern interferometery (ESPI). The technique is based on infinitesimal strain approximation (Engineering Strain) whose scheme is not independent of rigid-body rotation. In this work, for rotation extraction, the stretch and rotation tensors were separately determined from F by the polar decomposition theorem. Interfragmentary motions in a fracture gap were characterized by the two distinct mechanical factors (stretch and rotation) at each material point through full-field mapping. In the composite nature of bone and soft tissue, collagen arrangements are hypothesized such that fibers locally aligned with principal directions will stretch and fibers not aligned with the principal direction will rotate and stretch. This approach has revealed the deformation gradient tensor as an appropriate quantification of strain within callus bony and fibrous tissue via optical measurements.