cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the transition from a waveless to a wavy interface in explosive welding

Abstract An analysis and critique are presented of the hydrodynamic theory for wave formation in explosive welding, as proposed by Cowan et al. Based on the recent advances in the understanding of this domain, the above-mentioned study is seen to support a different mechanism, dynamic plasticity, to explain wave generation at the interface of explosively welded couples. The transition from a waveless to a wavy interface was studied by means of impact welding for three different systems (CuCu, FeFe and AlAl). It was found that this transition is dependent on the collision angle and can be expressed by means of an elastic-plastic constant, based on the static properties of the materials. The criterion developed here can be extended to determine the waveless to wavy transition velocity for any system. The necessity for the development of a mathematical model that includes shock wave physics of the phenomena to explain the pulsating pressure instability and wave generation is also emphasized.
Commentary: Do no harm: the potential negative effects of injectates used in spinal intervention.

Commentary on Moon J-H, Kuh S-U, Park H-S, et al. Triamcinolone decreases bupivacaine toxicity to intervertebral disc cell in vitro. Spine J 2012;12:665–73 ( in this issue ).
A Library Hierarchy for Implementing Scalable Parallel Search Algorithms

This paper describes the design of the Abstract Library for Parallel Search (ALPS), a framework for implementing scalable, parallel algorithms based on tree search. ALPS is specifically designed to support data-intensive algorithms, in which large amounts of data are required to describe each node in the search tree. Implementing such algorithms in a scalable manner is challenging both because of data storage requirements and communication overhead. ALPS incorporates a number of new ideas to address this challenge. The paper also describes the design of two other libraries forming a hierarchy built on top of ALPS. The first is the Branch, Constrain, and Price Software (BiCePS) library, a framework that supports the implementation of parallel branch and bound algorithms in which the bounds are obtained by solving some sort of relaxation, usually Lagrangian. In this layer, the notion of global data objects associated with the variables and constraints is introduced. These global objects provide a connection between the various subproblems in the search tree, but they pose further difficulties for designing scalable algorithms. The other library is the BiCePS linear integer solver (BLIS), a concretization of BiCePS, in which linear programming is used to obtain bounds in each search tree node.
Serum leptin levels are inversely correlated with omental gene expression of adiponectin and markedly decreased after gastric bypass surgery

Adipose tissue is the most abundant endocrine tissue in the body, producing leptin, a hormone important in regulating hunger, and adiponectin, a hormone involved in insulin sensitivity and inflammation. This study aimed to assess the impact of gastric bypass surgery (GBS) on leptin levels and its relation to the adipose tissue expression of adiponectin. Omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue and serum were obtained from 40 obese patients undergoing GBS, from 13 patients 1 year or more after GBS, and from 16 non-obese individuals with a body mass index of 20 to 29 kg/m2. Adiponectin gene expression was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the gene expression was normalized for the GAPDH gene. Serum leptin and adiponectin were measured by a high-sensitivity enzymatic assay. Leptin levels were significantly lower in the post-GBS patients (19.8 ± 6.7) than in the pre-GBS patients (59.0 ± 5.1; P = 0.0001), and similar to those in the non-obese control subjects (18.2 ± 4; P = 0.8). Univariate analysis showed an inverse correlation between serum leptin levels and omental adiponectin gene expression (r = −0.32; P = 0.01). Gastric bypass surgery results in resolution of the leptin resistance status that characterizes obese subjects. The study also demonstrated a significant correlation between leptin and adiponectin. This correlation provides preliminary evidence for studying a potential adiponectin–leptin cross-talking that may represent one of the physiologic pathways responsible for the regulation of food intake in humans.
Discrepancies in clinical definitions of stress fractures: implications for the United States Army.

ABSTRACTIn the United States Army initial entry training (IET) environment, stress fractures are common musculoskeletal injuries. Due to the repetitive physical demands placed on soldiers, stress fractures are particularly common in individuals matriculating through basic combat training (BCT) and advanced individual training (AIT). Within the Army medical department, the clinical definitions of stress fractures vary widely among providers who are directly responsible for diagnosing these injuries. The use of diversified definitions of stress fractures in patient evaluations, treatment, communication measures, and injury data collection negatively affect patient dispositions and soldier training outcomes. This report identifies discrepancies in clinical definitions of stress fractures and the implications for the Army regarding the lack of a standardized definition for stress fractures.
Discrete compactness and the approximation of Maxwell's equations in R 3

We analyze the use of edge finite element methods to approximate Maxwell's equations in a bounded cavity. Using the theory of collectively compact operators, we prove h-convergence for the source and eigenvalue problems. This is the first proof of convergence of the eigenvalue problem for general edge elements, and it extends and unifies the theory for both problems. The convergence results are based on the discrete compactness property of edge element due to Kikuchi. We extend the original work of Kikuchi by proving that edge elements of all orders possess this property.
Informal Fictive Kinship in Japan

which in one way or another are fictitious in nature. Institutionalized practices of fictive kinship comparable to godparenthood and ritual brotherhood of other cultures are abundant in Japan, and various of these customs have received descriptive and analytic attention from American ethnologists.2 The concern here, however, is not with these formalized and named kinds of quasi-kinship which serve chiefly economic and ritual functions. It is instead with a variety of informal uses of kin terms whereby nonrelatives are given the seeming status of relatives, and with other customs applying among relatives which serve at least verbally to alter kinship statuses so that they become fictitious in nature. It is useful to note that the practices under discussion here are also viewed by the Japanese themselves as having a fictitious quality. Many practices which are not ordinarily regarded as constituting fictive or ritual kinship will thus be discussed. Similar customs appear to be common enough in other cultures but, to our knowledge, relevant published materials consist only of fragments scattered here and there under other topics. No study focused on the subject in question has been made for any culture. In fact, the practices appear either to have escaped attention or to have been deemed unworthy of it. The view expressed here is that these data are noteworthy and that their study may serve as a contribution toward an understanding of kinship in a general sense, as well as of social organization. Descriptive data presented here were drawn in small part from the few pertinent publications in English and Japanese. Greater reliance was placed upon personal observation in Japan on the part of both authors, and upon eleven years of experience as a member of Japanese society by one author (Befu). To avoid the danger of heavy dependence upon subjective impressions and to provide desired but unknown data, informants were also used. Most of our information comes from this source. Thirty Japanese nationals enrolled as students at the University of California at Berkeley were subjected to a series of interviews during 1956 and 1957. Informants ranged in age from 18 to 37 years of age, and averaged 26 years; 17 were male and 13 female. Only six were married and only two were parents of children. Nearly all came from large urban communities of Japan and are members of economically and socially privileged families. In loose classification, most individuals are assignable to upper middle and upper social strata. The sample is thus not only small but also highly selected. The youth of our informants places further limitations on
Light-scattering studies of soft external lattice modes in metallic Na x W O 3

Soft vibrational excitations associated with successive structural phase transitions in metallic ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}\mathrm{W}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ with $0.5lxl1$ have been studied over the temperature range $3lTl500$ K. The Raman spectra were recorded in the low-frequency region $150\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}10$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ using an iodine filter for the attenuation of parasitically scattered light. Transition temperatures determined in the Raman measurements agree quantitatively with the results of other investigations in which the phase transitions in ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}\mathrm{W}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ were also detected, especially the x-ray work of Clarke who proposed a unique sequence of octahedral tilt structures for the four distinct phases in ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}\mathrm{W}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. A comparison of the group-theoretical selection rules for Raman scattering with the temperature-dependent light-scattering data serves not only to confirm the space-group assignments due to Clarke, but also provides evidence of the rigidity of the W${\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ units, a physical property that dominates the thermodynamic, structural, and vibrational properties of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}\mathrm{W}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$.
Shocked plagioclase signatures in Thermal Emission Spectrometer data of Mars

Abstract The extensive impact cratering record on Mars combined with evidence from SNC meteorites suggests that a significant fraction of the surface is composed of materials subjected to variable shock pressures. Pressure-induced structural changes in minerals during high-pressure shock events alter their thermal infrared spectral emission features, particularly for feldspars, in a predictable fashion. To understand the degree to which the distribution and magnitude of shock effects influence martian surface mineralogy, we used standard spectral mineral libraries supplemented by laboratory spectra of experimentally shocked bytownite feldspar [Johnson, J.R., Horz, F., Christensen, P., Lucey, P.G., 2002b. J. Geophys. Res. 107 (E10), doi:10.1029/2001JE001517 ] to deconvolve Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) data from six relatively large (>50 km) impact craters on Mars. We used both TES orbital data and TES mosaics (emission phase function sequences) to study local and regional areas near the craters, and compared the differences between models using single TES detector data and 3 × 2 detector-averaged data. Inclusion of shocked feldspar spectra in the deconvolution models consistently improved the rms errors compared to models in which the spectra were not used, and resulted in modeled shocked feldspar abundances of >15% in some regions. However, the magnitudes of model rms error improvements were within the noise equivalent rms errors for the TES instrument [Hamilton V., personal communication]. This suggests that while shocked feldspars may be a component of the regions studied, their presence cannot be conclusively demonstrated in the TES data analyzed here. If the distributions of shocked feldspars suggested by the models are real, the lack of spatial correlation to crater materials may reflect extensive aeolian mixing of martian regolith materials composed of variably shocked impact ejecta from both local and distant sources.
Cut-polytopes, Boolean quadratic polytopes and nonnegative quadratic pseudo-Boolean functions

In this paper we present a class of valid inequalities as well as a class of facets for the cut-polytope of the complete graph. It is shown that many of the known classes of valid inequalities, e.g., triangle, hypermetric and cycle inequalities, belong to this class. By specializing some of the parameters, large classes of facets can be defined. It is shown that each of these classes contains at least n/3n/3 facets, where n â¥ 10 denotes the number of vertices, and that the corresponding separation problems are polynomially solvable. These results are based on a one-to-one correspondence established between the set of valid inequalities facets for the cut-polytope of Kn+1, and the set of nonnegative extremal quadratic pseudo-Boolean functions in n variables.
Intact DNA in ancient permafrost

Contrary to the generally held notions about microbial survival, the recently published paper by Johnson et al. , ‘Ancient bacteria show evidence of DNA repair', presents evidence suggesting that non-spore-forming bacteria in ancient samples are apparently alive, as judged by intact DNA, and fare better than spores. The data presented in this work raise intriguing questions about the nature of bacteria in many of the ancient samples reported to date: are they spores, persisters, sessile vegetative cells or do they make up a slow-growing population?
Second-chance signal transduction explains cooperative flagellar switching.

The reversal of flagellar motion (switching) results from the interaction between a switch complex of the flagellar rotor and a torque-generating stationary unit, or stator (motor unit). To explain the steeply cooperative ligand-induced switching, present models propose allosteric interactions between subunits of the rotor, but do not address the possibility of a reaction that stimulates a bidirectional motor unit to reverse direction of torque. During flagellar motion, the binding of a ligand-bound switch complex at the dwell site could excite a motor unit. The probability that another switch complex of the rotor, moving according to steady-state rotation, will reach the same dwell site before that motor unit returns to ground state will be determined by the independent decay rate of the excited-state motor unit. Here, we derive an analytical expression for the energy coupling between a switch complex and a motor unit of the stator complex of a flagellum, and demonstrate that this model accounts for the cooperative switching response without the need for allosteric interactions. The analytical result can be reproduced by simulation when (1) the motion of the rotor delivers a subsequent ligand-bound switch to the excited motor unit, thereby providing the excited motor unit with a second chance to remain excited, and (2) the outputs from multiple independent motor units are constrained to a single all-or-none event. In this proposed model, a motor unit and switch complex represent the components of a mathematically defined signal transduction mechanism in which energy coupling is driven by steady-state and is regulated by stochastic ligand binding. Mathematical derivation of the model shows the analytical function to be a general form of the Hill equation (Hill AV (1910) The possible effects of the aggregation of the molecules of haemoglobin on its dissociation curves. J Physiol 40: iv–vii).
The Role of Face Familiarity in Judgments of Personality and Intelligence

Personality judgments based on facial features are a common occurrence. The face familiarity overgeneralization hypothesis states that people make judgments of unknown faces based on their similarity to known faces. However, there is a dearth of research regarding how face familiarity relates to perceptions of personality and intelligence in strangers. The current article used two studies to provide evidence for the relationship between face familiarity and judgments of personality and intelligence. Study 1 showed that photographs perceived as familiar by one set of participants were rated more positively regarding personality and intelligence by a second group of participants. Study 2 found that high perceived familiarity resulted in positive judgments of personality and intelligence, whereas familiarity based on exposure did not. These findings indicate both that perceived familiarity significantly impacts positive judgments of personality and intelligence and that the face familiarity overgeneralization hypothesis is a useful framework for this area of research.
Intradural aneurysm arising from the posterior genu of the cavernous carotid artery mimicking a posterior communicating aneurysm: case report.

Objective and importance We present a rare case of an intradural aneurysm that arose from the posterior genu of the cavernous carotid artery and was diagnosed via angiography as originating from the internal carotid artery (ICA) at the level of the posterior communicating artery. Our review of the English-language literature found no other case of an intradural aneurysm that originated at the posterior genu of the cavernous ICA. Clinical presentation A 65-year-old woman presented with increasingly severe left retro-orbital headaches. Her family history included aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiography revealed an 11-mm aneurysm, which was interpreted as arising from the left ICA at the level of the posterior communicating artery. Intervention During a left pterional craniotomy, an aneurysm was identified underneath the oculomotor nerve; its neck seemed to arise from the posterior communicating artery segment. Despite clipping of the aneurysm attachment to the ICA and trapping of the posterior communicating segment, the aneurysm continued to fill. Further dissection revealed that the aneurysm's neck originated from the cavernous ICA. Placement of fenestrated clips around the oculomotor nerve successfully occluded the intradural portion of the aneurysm, as documented by an intraoperative angiogram. Conclusion We discuss this unique case to draw attention to the importance of the interpretation and adequacy of preoperative angiography, and we review pertinent vascular anatomy.
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Human Type 1 Atrial Flutter – Comparison of Results with 8 mm versus 4 mm Tip Ablation Catheter

Thirty four patients (pts) with type 1 atrial flutter (AFL) underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCAI using either a standard 4 mm tip (25 pts) or a large 8 mm tip (10 pts) electrode catheter. The pts, 26 male and 8 female, ranged in age from 21–89 yrs (57 ± 15) AFL cycle length ranged from 190–350 msec (248 ± 35) Methods For RFCA with 4 mm tip, exit sites from the isthmus between the inferior vena cava (IVC) and tricuspid valve annulus (TVA) near the coronary sinus ostium were identified by an atrial activation time 20–50 msec before–P wave onset, and an exact 12–lead ECG Pwave map with short stimulus–to–P wave interval (≤40 msec) and identical endocardial electrogram pattern during entrainment. For RFCA with 8 mm tip, the middle or lateral isthmus was identified an atrial activation time 50–120 msec before P wave onset, and an exact 12–lead ECG P wave map with a long stimulusto–P wave interval (≥40 msec) and identical endocardial electrogram pattern during entrainment Results RFCA with 4 mm tip, 1–23 (11 ± 5) lesions at 16–34 watts for 30–60 sec, resulted in termination and prevention of reinduction of AFL in 21 of 25 pts, no effect in 3 pts and only slowing of AFL in 1 pt. During followup, AFL recurred in 9 pts, of whom 5 underwent repeat RFCA with 4 mm tip, 1 underwent repeat RFCA with 8 mm tip, 2 are controlled on antiarrhythmic drugs and 1 had AV node ablation and pacemaker. At 21 ± 7 mos followup, 21 of 25 pts (84%) have no AFL after 1–2 RFCA attempts with 4 mm tip. RFCA with 8 mm tip, 2–12 (6 ± 3) lesions (p l 0.01 compared to 4 mm tip) at 45–58 watts for 30–60 sec, resulted in termination and prevention of reinduction of AFL in 10 of 10 pts. During followup, AFL recurred in 1 pt who underwent repeat RFCA. At 4 ± 3 mos followup, 10 of 10 pts (100%) have no AFL after 1–2 RFCA attempts with 8 mm tip Conclusions 1) Type 1 AFL can be cured by RFCA of the isthmus between IVC and TVA or exits from the isthmus, 2) 8 mm tip reduces the number of energy applications required for cure, 3) Trend suggests greater primary efficacy and less recurrence of AFL with 8 mm tip
Rapper: a wrapper generator with linguistic knowledge

Database management systems are becoming available for semistructured data, however, these tools cannot be used on many real-world data sources (e.g., most web sites) in their native form. Often, wrappers are needed to extract information and organize it into a graph structure that makes explicit the concepts users want to query and update. This paper presents a new approach to wrapper generation that exploits linguistic knowledge. The approach produces a more fine-grained parse of sources with natural language text than previous efforts. The resulting graph structured databases answer queries that could not be formulated in database produced by prior generated wrappers. In addition, our approach may be more robust in the face of slight variations in word choice and order. We discuss a prototype implementation, lessons learned to date, evaluation issues, and future research directions.
The Relative Ability of Aphasic Persons to Judge the Duration and Intensity of Pure Tones

This investigation was undertaken to determine the relative ability of aphasic individuals to perform specific sensory discrimination tasks. The study sought to determine if aphasics differ from no...
Utilizing electrostatic interactions to facilitate F-18 radiolabeling of poly(amido)amine (PAMAM) dendrimers

The development of methods for the facile conjugation and radiolabeling of poly(amido)amine (PAMAM) dendrimers would be of great benefit in evaluating biomedical applications of these intriguing molecularly defined polymers. Two anionic N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters (7 and 10) were developed and radiolabeled with fluorine-18 using Cu(I)-catalyzed click reactions. The radiolabeling of a primary amine-terminated PAMAM generation-6 (G6) dendrimer with [(18)F]7 or [(18)F]10 was complete in water or methanol within 5 min at room temperature. This highly efficient conjugation reaction benefits from a high, localized concentration of these NHS esters on the surface of PAMAM dendrimers, due to the electrostatic attraction between the anionic NHS esters and the positively-charged PAMAM dendrimers. The large medium effect (pH, salt, solvent) observed for these conjugation reactions is consistent with this mechanism. This novel strategy of utilizing electrostatic interactions provides a novel, facile, and efficient method for the conjugation and radiolabeling of PAMAM dendrimers that also has potential for radiolabeling other appropriate nanoparticles.
African American Legislative Politics in Virginia

Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the number of African Americans serving in state legislatures throughout the nation dramatically increased from a mere 64 to 406 in 1988 (Joint Center for Political Studies, 1988). The emergence of a Black presence in the state legislative process provides an opportunity for the systematic advancement of African American political and socioeconomic interests. The racially based caucus has been an important mechanism in the evolution of Black legislative participation both at the national and state levels (Barnett, 1975; Colston, 1972). State-level legislative Black caucuses were established as early as the mid-1960s. The formation of the Missouri Black Legislative Caucus in 1966 was followed by the establishment of the Maryland Black Caucus in 1969. The vast majority of the formal Black legislative subgroups were formed between the years 1975 and 1980 (Miller, 1990). Formally constituted in 1988, the Virginia Black Legislative Caucus (VBLC) lagged behind the nationwide development of racial legislative subgroups. Its creation signaled the genesis of institutionalized Black legislative participation in the commonwealth of Virginia. This analysis seeks to examine the origin, nature, and impact of Black legislative politics in Virginia from 1970 to 1988. We focus specifically on the following three salient dimensions of legislative behavior: (a) the social background and political attributes of Virginia's Black state legislators, (b) the institutionalization of the Black presence in the state's legislative process, and (c) the charac-
A simple stereoselective synthesis of Z-γ-bisabolene

Abstract A simple one-flask synthesis of Z -γ-bisabolene (1) from the acyclic acetylene 2 is described.
Surveying Alumni by Mail: Effect of Booklet/Folder Questionnaire Format and Style of Type on Response Rate.

Current technology makes it possible to develop survey instruments with a professional appearance at a much lower cost than in the past. Type fonts resembling those that are typeset can be produced in varying sizes on personal computers. Photocopy equipment can reproduce questionnaires of varying page sizes, and sometimes collate, fold, and staple them automatically into booklets. The purpose of this research was to determine whether the use of professional-appearing type and/or booklet construction in questionnaires effected higher response rates than conventional typewriter type and single pages of questions stapled in the corner. Two investigations were conducted, each involving a survey of university alumni. Using split-sample procedures, questionnaire type font and construction were not found to have significant impact on response rates. Other considerations that may influence questionnaire design decisions are discussed in light of these findings.
Intimal proliferation of smooth muscle cells as an explanation for recurrent coronary artery stenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

The pathologic changes in the coronary arteries of three patients who died 5, 17 and 62 days, respectively, after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were studied. Changes in the vessel wall seen early after angioplasty included focal denudation of the endothelium, splits in the intima extending to and along the inner aspect of the media, focal intimal necrosis and adventitial hemorrhage. Extensive medial dissections were seen in the coronary arteries of the two patients who died 5 and 17 days after coronary angioplasty. Fibrin was deposited on the surface of the intima, within intimal cracks and in areas of intimal and medial necrosis. Focal proliferation of smooth muscle cells was prominent on neointimal surfaces of the coronary artery from the patient who died 17 days after angioplasty. The previously dilated coronary segment from the patient who died 62 days after angioplasty was stenosed by an extensive recent proliferation of smooth muscle cells that were distributed over the entire circumference of the intimal surface as well as within gaps in the old atherosclerotic plaques. This type of intimal proliferation would appear to be responsible for the recurrent coronary artery stenosis that develops in some patients after coronary angioplasty.
Psychotropic drugs and depressive syndrome in schizophrenia.

Lifelong records of schizophrenic illnesses were examined in order to compare the occurrence and characteristics of depressive syndrome in the pre-phenothiazine era and with neuroleptic treatments. It was found that a depressive syndrome similar to endogenous depressive psychosis develops spontaneously and independently of neuroleptic medication. The relationship of this endogenous syndrome to the postpsychotic depression of other origin is discussed.
X-ray Raman spectroscopy of carbon in asphaltene: light element characterization with bulk sensitivity.

X-ray Raman spectra of the carbon K-edge have been recorded using 6.461 keV radiation for a petroleum asphaltene. By comparison with coronene, graphite, and paraffin standards, the asphaltene spectrum is seen to be composed of contributions from saturated and aromatic carbon species. The information contained in the carbon K-edge was extracted with bulk (∼1 mm) sensitivity, because the Raman method used hard X-rays. This helps alleviate concerns about surface artifacts that frequently occur with soft X-ray spectroscopy of light elements. X-ray Raman spectroscopy shows great potential for characterization of light elements in fuels, catalysts, and other complex materials under chemically relevant conditions.
The Concept of a System ``Operating Surface'' as a Fundamental System Characteristic

The development of the concept of an operating surface of a measuring system yields as deductively derived special cases, the unbalance, reference-balance, null-balance, unbalance comparison, differential, and directional measurement methods. These apparently unrelated measurement methods now appear as special cases of a new general concept, which is a powerful tool in system analysis and design. The only differences between these apparently widely different methods are the boundary conditions on energy flow through the system.
Sectoral differences in the determinants of the location of foreign direct investment in American manufacturing

Foreign direct investment in the United States is an integral part of the competition among global industrial core regions. Most foreign investment in the U.S. originates in Europe, Canada, and Japan. Acquisition rather than new plant establishment is the favored mode of investment and the interregional supply of potential acquisition candidates constrains foreign investors' locational choices. This paper provides an analysis of the location of foreign employment in 15 disaggregated sectors across U.S. states in 1990. The results show that foreign firms concentrate employment in existing regions of production. Foreign investments in most raw materials processing sectors particularly favor these places. Some decentralization has occurred in several sectors, especially food, paper, chemicals and petroleum, rubber and plastics, stone, clay and glass products, and primary metals. Other significant determinants of location include labor force characteristics and certain regional preferences. No evidence was found in our analysis of disaggregate sectors that foreign investors avoid strong unions more than their domestic counterparts.
Bioengineering and Imaging Research Opportunities Workshop V: A Summary

The fifth Bioengineering and Imaging Research Opportunities Workshop (BIROW V) was held on January 18–19, 2008. As with previous BIROW meetings, the purpose of BIROW V was to identify and characterize research and engineering opportunities in biomedical engineering and imaging. The topic of this BIROW meeting was Imaging and Characterizing Structure and Function in Native and Engineered Tissues. Under this topic, four areas were explored in depth: (1) Heterogeneous single-cell measurements and their integration into tissue and organism models; (2) Functional, molecular, and structural imaging of engineered tissue in vitro and in vivo; (3) New technologies for characterizing cells and tissues in situ; (4) Imaging for targeted cell, gene, and drug delivery.
Path integral calculations of vacancies in solid Helium

We study properties of vacancies in solid 4He using Path Integral Monte Carlo. We find, in agreement with other calculations, that the energy to create a single vacancy is 11.5 K and is monotonic with the number of vacancies. If more then a few percent of the system becomes vacant, we find the system becomes unstable to melting. We show the number of exchanges in the system is increased by vacancies and how the underlying lattice is altered by the presence of a vacancy. We also examine the efficacy of using a tight binding Hamiltonian to describe the vacancy in the crystal, show that vacancies are attractive, and find values for the effective mass and inter-vacancy attraction.
Behavioral and neuropharmacological analysis of amphetamine and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine in rats

A comparison of the behavioral pharmacology of DOM and amphetamine in rats indicated that lower doses (0.10–1.0 mg/kg) of the two agents had similar effects on schedule-controlled food-reinforced and shock-avoidance behavior. Similarities were also noted in their effects on horizontally directed motor activity when testing was preceded by a period of acclimation. However, most doses of DOM tended to decrease unacclimated motor activity, while amphetamine increased this behavior.
Some subclasses of context-free languages in NC 1

Abstract We obtain a characterization of strings in D2 (the one-sided Dyck language over two letters) and use this characterization to show that D2 is in NC1 (under ALOGTIME reductions). Our technique can easily be extended to show that Dk (the one-sided Dyck language over k letters) is in NC1 for any k. We also show that structured context-free languages (cfl's), bracketed cfl's and deterministic linear cfl's are in NC1.
Big business vs big government—A new social contract?☆

Abstract The author describes how the conflict between the two ideologies of liberalism and conservatism may be resolved to produce an economic system that increases both social welfare and entrepreneurial freedom. After summarizing the limitations of the left and right wing positions, he describes research studies on a ‘Return on Resources Model’ that suggest a third perspective called the ‘social contract’ which reconciles both views to create a more powerful synthesis. An intriguing possibility is that the social contract could produce a ‘decentralization strategy’ in which control of the economy would shift downward from government to a self-regulating and more productive private sector. Some speculations are offered on how these possibilities seem likely to unfold during the next decade or so, as well as suggestions on how politicians and corporate executives could foster this ‘New Capitalism’.
Effects of Cr Content on Properties of Fe-Cr Alloy Prepared by MA-SPS Process

Fe-xat%Cr(x=28, 38, 48, 58, 68) powders were synthesized by a mechanical alloying (MA) of elementary Fe powder and Cr powder. The MA was performed in a planetary ball mill for 360ks under 1.33kPa argon gas atomosphere. The MA powders were consolidated at 1123K for 0.3ks by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) apparatus. The shape of sample was 15mmφ× 3mmtor 5mmt. The properties of the sintered bodies, namely the coefficient of linear expansion(15mmφ×3mmt) from 303K to 773K and the polarization curve in a 0.1N H2SO4 solution were measured. As the increase of Cr content in the alloy, the coefficient of linear expansion decreased and corrosion resistance was improved. In spite of containing 32at%Fe, corrosion resistance of Fe-68at%Cr alloy was almost the same as that of pure Cr.
Quantification, Optimization and Uncertainty Modeling in Information Security Risks: A Matrix-Based Approach

In this paper, the authors present a quantitative model for estimating security risk exposure for a firm. The model includes a formulation for the optimization of controls as well as determining sensitivity of the exposure of assets to different threats. The model uses a series of matrices to organize the data as groups of assets, vulnerabilities, threats, and controls. The matrices are then linked such that data is aggregated in each matrix and cascaded across the other matrices. The computations are reversible and transparent allowing analysts to answer what-if questions on the data. The exposure formulation is based on the Annualized Loss Expectancy ALE model, and uncertainties in the data are captured via Monte Carlo simulation. A mock case study based on a government agency is used to illustrate this methodology.
A Micromechanical failure model for unidirectional fiber reinforced composites

Results from a newly developed model for failure in unidirectional fiber reinforced composites based on fracture mechanics are presented. The model is based on (i) analysis of branch crack initiation from the tip of an initial microcrack embedded in an anisotropic material, which serves as a model for the fiber reinforced composite and (ii) evaluation of anisotropy in homogenized elastic material properties and fracture toughness. Based on this model, failure envelope, dominant initial flaw orientation and failure mode for unidirectional fiber reinforced composites under a wide range of stress states are predicted. Parametric study provides quantitative evaluation of the effect of various mechanical and physical properties on the failure behavior, and their influence on strength is identified. Results from the current model are compared with those of existing phenomenological models, which show reasonable agreement.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Focus on the Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are relatively new drugs in anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment, with the potential to become the first new class of drugs to be recommended for routine treatment since rifamycins in the 1960s. Later generation fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin have been found to be safe and well-tolerated in observational studies and phase 2 clinical trials, except for a risk of severe dysglycemias with gatifloxacin. These drugs currently are used as second-line agents in treatment of TB cases with drug resistance and drug intolerance, and empirically in treatment of infected contacts of patients with multi-drug resistant TB. Widespread use of fluoroquinolones for treatment of community acquired pneumonia and other bacterial infections is leading to the emergence and spread of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that are fluoroquinolone-resistant, putting at risk the potential effectiveness of these drugs against TB. Clinical trials are under way to determine whether fluoroquinolone-based treatment regimens can shorten the duration of TB therapy. The ultimate contributions of fluoroquinolones to TB control remain to be determined.
Evidence for N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor mediation of cocaine induced corticosterone release and cocaine conditioned stimulant effects

Abstract The role of the N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors in cocaine conditioning and sensitization of locomotor activity was studied in four groups of Sprague-Dawley rats. A sub-motoric dose of the NMDA antagonist MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) was employed using a novel dual-compartment Pavlovian drug conditioning paradigm. The animals were placed sequentially in two different test environments in which locomotor activity was monitored. In the first compartment, the animals always received a non-drug test for 20 min. Upon completion of this test, the animals received either saline, cocaine (10 mg/kg i.p.), MK-801 or MK-801 plus cocaine depending on group assignment and were then placed immediately into the second compartment and again tested for 20 min. A total of six non-drug and six drug tests were conducted every other day over a 12-day period. Across all drug/saline treatment and post-treatment tests for conditioning, there were no statistical differences in locomotor activity among the saline and drug treatment groups in the non-drug test environment. In the drug/saline associated environment, however, cocaine had a reliable stimulant effect on locomotion when administered alone or in combination with MK-801. Following a 1-day and again after 21-days of withdrawal, all animals were administered a non-drug test for conditioning in which no injections were administered. On both tests, all groups had equivalent activity levels in the non-drug environment. In the drug/saline environment, only the cocaine group of the three drug treatment groups exhibited conditioned hyperlocomotion. Importantly, MK-801 blocked conditioned hyperlocomotion in the combined cocaine + MK-801 group. MK-801 did not alter serum or brain cocaine concentration or the cocaine effects on dopamine metabolism in limbic brain tissue. The co-administration of MK-801 with cocaine, however, blocked the corticosterone release effect of cocaine. Thus, the NMDA receptor site appears critical for cocaine induced conditioning and for corticosterone release.
Rare earth elements as indicators of different marine depositional environments in chert and shale

Differences in rare earth element (REE) relative fractionations and total abundances in marine cherts and shales reflect the depositional location of the sediments. Based on cerium anomaly (Ce/Ce*) and total REE abundance (ΣREE) variations preserved in interbedded chert and shale sequences of the Franciscan assemblage, the Claremont Formation, and the Monterey Formation of coastal California, we can resolve three depositional regimes: spreading ridge proximal, ocean-basin floor, and continental margin. This resolution of depositional environment, previously unattainable in otherwise physically indistinct marine sedimentary rocks, provides a potentially powerful new tool for tectonic and stratigraphic reconstructions. Chert and shale deposited near the spreading ridge (within ∼400 km) under the influence of metalliferous activity are characterized by extremely low Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* ∼0.29), those from an ocean-basin floor setting by well-developed yet less extreme Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* ∼0.55), and those from continental margin regimes by no or slight anomalies (Ce/Ce* ∼0.90 to 1.30). ΣREE in chert and shale are extremely low in regimes greatly influenced by continental input, owing to the high sedimentation rate, which minimizes exposure time to seawater and, thus, the adsorption of REE. Preliminary results indicate that the effect of diagenesis does not mask the primary REE depositional signature.
Development of an In Vitro Cartilage Degradation Model to Emulate Early-Stage Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage. Disease progression is associated with the irreversible cleavage of the collagen network, surface fibrillation and loss of proteoglycans from the extracellular matrix.1, 2 These matrix changes increase surface porosity and matrix permeability, which diminish the cartilage’s ability to resist joint compressive loading. In this study, we developed an in vitro degradation model to emulate the damage that occurs in early OA in order to study how damage affects the tissue’s biomechanical function.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A Study of Turbulence Parameterization in a Cloud Model

Abstract A diagnostic second-order turbulence parameterization has been incorporated into a shallow anelastic three-dimensional numerical cloud model. The turbulence closure scheme for the subgrid-scale motions includes the effects of buoyancy, condensation and liquid water drag. This model has been used to study trade wind cumuli which are roughly 1200 m thick. The simulated cloud has many features in common with observed clouds (Malkus, 1954); however, the observed clouds are made up of several thermal elements instead of one as in the numerical simulation, and they persist over a much longer time period. When comparing the present model with another using deformation eddy viscosity, the following results are obtained: 1) The deformation model has a larger smoothing effect on the horizontally averaged potential temperature and water vapor mixing ratio. 2) Early in the cloud's development, the subgrid-scale kinetic energy is larger than the computed-scale kinetic energy. At the mature stage, the subgrid-...
L’Année dernière à Marienbad as Cubist cinema

This study of L’Annee derniere a Marienbad, a film that has perplexed critics since its release in 1961, offers a new way to approach and understand this unusual and most intriguing film through an elucidation of its Cubist elements. Three major themes are isolated: the search for the reality underlying surface appearance; the presentation of this truth in its component parts which are broken up and reassembled in modified and repetitive patterns dictated by compositional requirements; and a new manner of presenting time, involving simultaneity and multiple viewpoints. These themes compare closely to those of Cubist painting, the ideas of which have arguably been a significant influence on the filmmakers Robbe-Grillet and Resnais in their creation of Marienbad.
Technique of Coronary Sinus Plasty for Left Pulmonary Vein Stenosis

We describe a technique of coronary sinus plasty used to treat an infant with compression of the left pulmonary vein between the descending aorta and a dilated coronary sinus related to a persistent vena cava. The left lower pulmonary vein stenosis was relieved by repositioning the floor of the coronary sinus more anteriorly, toward the mitral annulus. The potential role played by a persistent left superior vena cava in some cases of left pulmonary vein stenosis is discussed.
The glass transition, crystallization and melting in AuPbSb alloys☆

The glass transition, crystallization and melting of Au(55)Pb(22.5)Sb(22.5) alloys have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry DSC. Crystallization on heating above the glass transition temperature Tg (45 C) begins at 64 C. Further crystallization events are observed at 172 C and 205 C. These events were found to correspond to the formation of the intermetallic compounds AuSb2, Au2Pb, and possibly AuPb2, respectively. Isothermal DSC scans of the glassy alloy above Tg were used to monitor the kinetics of crystallization. The solidification behavior and heat capacity in the glass-forming composition range were determined with droplet samples. An undercooling level of 0.3T(L) below the liquidus temperature T(L) was achieved, resulting in crystallization of different stable and metastable phases. The heat capacity C(P) of the undercooled liquid was measured over an undercooling range of 145 C.
NADP+ glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]: genetics and developmental expression

Chloroplastic (NADP(+)) glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.2.1.9) catalyzes the second reaction in photosynthesis after the fixation of carbon by RuBisCO. Chloroplast-bound (NADP(+)) G3PDH was resolved in soybean by starch gel electrophoresis using L-histidine-citrate buffer (pH 5.7). Histochemical staining revealed zymogram patterns indicative of a tetramer. A survey of soybean genotypes revealed differences in zymogram patterns between the principal cytoplasmic sources of the northern and southern US germplasms. In the soybean pedigree, an allelic frequency shift toward a five-banded pattern was observed. G3PDH polymorphism was due to allele associated with gene expression at the slow locus. No linkage was found between the slow locus of (NADP(+)) G3PDH and AC02, AC03, AC04, ACP, DIA1, IDH1, IDH2, PGM1, and PGM3. Developmental expression in the above-ground tissues was identical, whereas roots as a rule did not express (NADP(+)) G3PDH activity. The importance of chloroplast-bound (NADP(+)) G3PDH in photo-synthesis and its interesting mode of inheritance warrants further exploration of this enzyme in soybean.
Dose-finding with two agents in Phase I oncology trials

Nous proposons un dispositif bayesien adaptatif a deux etapes pour la recherche d'une ou plusieurs combinaisons acceptables de doses de deux produits cytotoxiques utilises conjointement dans un essai clinique de phase I. Cette methode necessite que chacun des deux produits ait ete etudie separement au prealable, ce qui est presque toujours le cas en pratique. De surcroit on fait l'hypothese d'un modele parametrique pour l'evaluation de la probabilite de toxicite en fonction des deux doses. Des a priori informatifs pour les parametres caracterisant les courbes de probabilite de la toxicite de chaque produit pris isolement sont soit obtenus du (des) clinicien(s) preparant l'essai, soit issus de donnees historiques, tandis qu'on ne definit que des a priori vagues pour les parametres caracterisant les interactions entre produits. Une methode d'obtention des a priori non informatifs est decrite. Le schema est applique a un essai sur la gemcitabine et le cyclophosphamide, et on presente egalement une etude de simulation.