cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Symmetry-induced singularities of the dispersion surface curvature and high sensitivities of a photonic crystal

We rigorously analyze the dispersion function and the curvature of the dispersion surface of a photonic crystal to explore the fundamental limit of its angular sensitivities. With insight gained from group theory, we find that symmetry induced degeneracy gives rise to a singular dispersion surface curvature and a nonvanishing group velocity simultaneously. Near such a singularity, high angular sensitivities can be achieved at low optical loss. This phenomenon exists generally in most common two-dimensional and three-dimensional photonic crystal lattices, although it occurs only for certain photonic bands as dictated by symmetry. This symmetryinduced effect is absent in one-dimensional crystals. Rigorous formulas of the sensitivities of the light beam directions to wavelength and refractive index changes are derived. Individual contributions of the dispersion surface curvature and group velocity to these sensitivities are separated. In the absence of the Van Hove singularity, a singular dispersion surface curvature gives rise to ultrahigh dispersion d d 10 3 deg/nm and refractive index sensitivity d dna 10 4 deg without compromising optical transmission. The angular dispersion value is significantly larger than those previously reported for the superprism effect and is not due to slow group velocity. We also discuss how various parameters intrinsic and extrinsic to a photonic crystal may suppress or enhance the angular sensitivities according to the rigorous formulas we obtain.
Traffic Flow Theory–Based Stochastic Optimization Model for Work Zones on Two-Lane Highways

AbstractRoad maintenance is essential to ensure a safe and efficient transportation system. Unfortunately, work zones can give rise to significant delays to road users. In this paper, two major limitations in the current work zone optimization models are addressed. First, we relax the assumption of determinism, and model vehicle arrivals as being stochastic. While previous work has shown that this relaxation is important in the quantification of user delay at work zones, no model exists that explicitly accounts for stochasticity in the optimization of work zones. Second, unlike in previous work in which idealized traffic flow modeling techniques have been used, the proposed model employs the traffic flow theory–based cell transmission model, yielding a more accurate and realistic representation of traffic flow dynamics. The focus in this paper is on two-lane two-way highways. A case study is presented to illustrate the proposed model.
John Swanson and ANSYS: an engineering success story

This talk will begin with an overview of the life of John Swanson, showing that his success was due to a community effort, and celebrating the people and institutions which made his engineering contributions possible. A milestone in this path is the awarding of the John Fritz Medal, said to be the highest award in the engineering profession. The rest of this talk will be a non-technical history of ANSYS, the worlds premier engineering simulation software. Discussion will include the technical, engineering, and business factors and decisions which put ANSYS on the path to global success. Questions will be welcome at the end of the talk, and at the conference after the luncheon address.
Mission critical cloud computing in a week

NASA's vision is to “reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind.” While our missions provide large volumes of unique and invaluable data to the scientific community, they also serve to inspire and educate the next generation of engineers and scientists. One critical aspect of “benefiting all humankind” is to make our missions as visible and accessible as possible to facilitate the transfer of scientific knowledge to the public. The recent successful landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars exemplified this vision: we shared the landing event via live video streaming and web experiences with millions of people around the world. The video stream on Curiosity's website was delivered by a highly scalable stack of computing resources in the cloud to cache and distribute the video stream to our viewers. While this work was done in the context of public outreach, it has extensive implications for the development of mission critical, highly available, and elastic applications in the cloud for a diverse set of use cases across NASA.
Prevention of rotavirus infections in vitro with aqueous extracts of Quillaja Saponaria Molina

Background: Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea disease in newborns and young children worldwide, estimated to be responsible for over 300,000 childhood deaths every year, mostly in developing countries. Rotavirus-related deaths represent approximately 5% of all deaths in children younger than 5 years of age worldwide. Saponins are readily soluble in water and are approved by the US FDA for inclusion in beverages intended for human consumption. The addition of saponins to existing water supplies offers a new form of intervention into the cycle of rotavirus infection. We believe that saponins will ‘coat’ the epithelium of the host’s small intestine and prevent attachment of rotavirus. Discussion: This experiment provides in vitro data for the possibility of including saponin in drinking water to prevent infections of rotavirus. We demonstrate that microgram amounts of extract, while exhibiting no cell cytotoxicity or direct virucidal activity, prevent rotavirus from infecting its host cells. ...
Price of Anarchy in network routing with class based capacity guarantees

In this paper, we consider the inefficiency of distributed routing in a network of parallel links with class-based traffic. Network link behavior is modeled by the M/M/1-GPS queue (i.e. when links use Gen- eral Processor Sharing(GPS) scheduling scheme to serve packets). Each traffic type is guaranteed a minimum capacity rate on each link using GPS scheduling. We show under specific demand conditions that, among multiple equilibria the worst-case Nash equilibrium occurs when each class dispatcher utilizes all the links to fulfill its demand. Using this fact, we give an upper bound on the Price of Anarchy (PoA). Our results also indicate that, while the price of selfish behavior can be unbounded in a specific demand setting, there exist demand regimes where the bound on PoA is reasonable. These results also apply to the resource allocation or load balancing applications in the processor sharing systems.
Unconditioned and Conditioned Establishing Operations in Organizational Behavior Management

Abstract The establishing operation (EO) is a behavior-analytic motivational concept that prompts a more comprehensive theoretical understanding of motivation with practical implications. The field of Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) has made limited use of the EO concept, but other specialization areas in behavior analysis have developed EO-based treatments. Analogous success in OBM will likely require advances in the use of molecular analyses of behavior, functional analysis technologies, and analyses of verbal behavior. Theoretical and technical progress will also require a better understanding of Michael's (1982; 1993a; 1993b) taxonomy of unconditioned and conditioned EOs. Therefore, this taxonomy is illustrated with empirical research examples and plausible organizational examples at a molecular level of analysis, including the unconditioned effects of activity deprivation and conditioned EOs related to nicotine deprivation, behavior-based safety observations, and intrinsic motivation to lear...
The aroma of Tacoma: Time-varying average derivatives and the effect of a superfund site on house prices

A variant of the average derivative estimator is developed to construct an index measuring the effects of a copper smelter on house prices in Tacoma, Washington. The estimated average derivative index is smooth and has lower standard errors than regression coefficients estimated separately across discrete time periods. The dataset spans the time of initial rumors of Superfund site designation, the closing of the smelter, Superfund site designation, and the start of cleanup operations. The addition of the smelter to the Superfund site and the subsequent plant closing converted the price discount associated with smelter proximity to a premium.
The Type I/Type II Perceptual Dichotomy: A Reanalysis for the Illusions of Extent

The categorization of geometrical illusions of extent as Type I or Type II phenomena based on variation in magnitude with age is critically examined. Methodological shortcomings and the failure of contemporary findings to show matching age trends for components of a single illusion are presented as factors undermining the usefulness of this perceptual dichotomy. Finally, it is shown that a new Type I/Type II dichotomy based on changes in perceived size rather than amount of illusion indicates a developmental commonality among most of the illusions of extent.
Failure of an alkalophilic bacterium to synthesize ATP in response to a valinomycin-induced potassium diffusion potential at high pH.

Abstract Starved whole cells of the obligately alkalophilic Bacillus firmus RAB synthesize ATP upon addition of l -malate at pH 9.0, as expected of an aerobic organism that grows oxidatively on nonfermentable carbon sources at pH values as high as 11.0. The current study was a detailed examination of the perplexing inability of such cells to exhibit ATP synthesis in response to a valinomycin-mediated potassium diffusion potential at pH 9.0. While there were minor differences in the patterns of generation of the potential and the proton influx that accompanies its generation in the three different buffering systems employed, the magnitude of the transmembrane electrochemical potential of protons was at least as high at pH 9.0 as at pH 7.0. Nevertheless, a diffusion potential consistently energized ATP synthesis at pH 7.0 but not at 9.0; these findings were independent of the presence or absence of Tris or of Na + . By contrast, the artificial electron donor ascorbate, in the presence of phenazine metho-sulfate, energized ATP synthesis by the starved whole cells at both pH values.The same phenomenon, i.e., efficacy of a respiration-derived potential but not of a diffusion potential at pH 9.0, was demonstrated in ADP + P i -loaded membrane vesicles. On the other hand, electrogenic Na + -coupled solute transport could be energized by both ascorbate/phenazine methosulfate and a diffusion potential in the vesicles at pH 9.0. The results are discussed in connection with models of a localized path of proton flow between proton pumps and the ATP synthase.
Tobacco Dependence Treatment for Korean Americans: Preliminary Findings

The study was conducted to examine the relative effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy with a cultural tailoring intervention compared to brief medication management. The study used a two-arm randomized controlled trial in which participant assignment was stratified by gender. The intervention condition received eight weekly 40-min individualized counseling sessions of culturally tailored cognitive behavior therapy, while the control condition received eight weekly 10-min individualized counseling sessions of medication management. Both conditions received nicotine patches for 8 weeks. Data were collected at baseline and at four follow-up points (one and 4 weeks, and three and 6 months post-quit). Treatment outcomes were presented as an intention-to-treat analysis. Thirty Korean immigrants participated in the study. At 6-month follow-up, 57.1% of participants in the intervention and 18.8% of participants in the control had 7-day point prevalence abstinence (odds ratio = 5.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.12–26.04, P = 0.04). Participants’ self-reported abstinence was biochemically verified with exhaled carbon monoxide and salivary cotinine levels. A combination of the culturally tailored cognitive behavior therapy and nicotine replacement therapy had a better treatment outcome compared to brief medication management. The promising result suggests a need to further test the intervention in larger samples and longer follow-up assessments before it can be adapted in clinical settings.
Fetal rat bone in organ culture: Effect of bone growth and bone atrophy on the comparative losses of 45 Ca and 3 H-tetracycline

Fetal rat bones were cultured in either growth-inducing or resorption-inducing media to study mineral losses during bone growth and atrophy in vitro. Whole radii and ulnae from 19-day-old fetal rats, prelabeled with45Ca and/or3H-tetracycline, were cultured intact or cut, and then digested by collagenase to obtain the calcified portion of the bones. Three-to five-fold more3H-tetracycline than45Ca was lost from the calcified portion when the bones were cultured for 4 days in growth-inducing media. Similar small amounts of45Ca were lost from live and killed bones, but more3H-tetracycline was lost from live bones than from killed bones. More3H-tetracycline was released into the growth medium with a low concentration of calcium (0.5 mM) than when the calcium concentration was high (1.0 mM); no significant difference was seen in the release of45Ca into the medium at different calcium concentrations. Larger amounts of both isotopes were lost when the prelabeled bones were cultured in resorption-inducing media than in growth-inducing media. When parathyroid hormone stimulated bone resorption in a resorption-inducing medium, equal proportions of both isotopes and bone collagen were lost. Greater losses of3H-tetracycline than of45Ca suggest that45Ca was conserved locally during the resorption that accompanies bone growth, but not during resorption that accompanies bone atrophy.
Endogenous Favoritism in Organizations

This paper shows that favoritism can arise endogenously as an optimal decision rule in a symmetric model with an ex-ante impartial principal. Furthermore, favoritism dominates fairness specifically when the favorite promotes his own idea and ignores the other's idea so that the non-favorite loses motivation. Our model also provides new insights on hierarchical communication structure and group authority.
Mechanisms for improved covariant type-checking

Covariant types are a powerful language feature for improving type-safety. However, covariant types complicate type-checking when combined with polymorphism. We propose two new language features that can improve type-checking in a language with polymorphism and covariant typing, and also have the potential to improve efficiency as well.
A Pulsed Beam Shutter for Radio-Frequency Separated Beams at the ZGS

A pulsed beam shutter magnet is required to deflect a beam of separated high energy particles into a beam stop after a desired number of particles have reached the 12-ft bubble chamber at the ZGS. The magnet has a core, wound from 2 mil grain-oriented steel, an aperture 15 cm × 15 cm, and a ?Bdl=1kGm. The pulse has a risetime of ?3 ?s and a flattop of 40 ?s. The above is achieved by discharging a high voltage capacitor bank into the magnet inductance, followed by a power-crowbar. The design of the magnet and the switching circuits is described and formulas for calculating the pulse shapes are given. Graphs of calculated flattops to 500 ?s are shown.
Family relationships, life events and childhood psychopathology.

This review is concerned with social experiences that may exert undesirable effects on children and adolescents. Life events and difficulties that occur in the lives of children and their families have both antecedents and consequences. I will examine how everyday experiences can influence relationships between parents and children
Two-photon Imaging of Synaptic Plasticity and Pathology in the Living Mouse Brain

Two-photon microscopy (TPM) has become an increasingly important tool for imaging the structure and function of brain cells in living animals. TPM imaging studies of neuronal structures over intervals ranging from seconds to years have begun to provide important insights into the structural plasticity of synapses and the modulating effects of experience in the intact brain. TPM has also started to reveal how neuronal connections are altered in animal models of neurodegeneration, acute brain injury, and cerebrovascular disease. Here, we review some of these studies with special emphasis on the degree of structural dynamism of postsynaptic dendritic spines in the adult mouse brain as well as synaptic pathology in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and cerebral ischemia. We also discuss technical considerations that are critical for the acquisition and interpretation of data from TPM in vivo.
Conformal dielectric films on silicon nanowire arrays by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition

In this article, we describe the coating of silicon nanowire arrays with thin dielectric layers using Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD). The impact of deposition pressure, temperature, and nanowire array density on the silicon oxide coating thickness uniformity was assessed using a detailed electron microscopy observations of the nanowire arrays. Deposition rates were found to vary along the nanowire length as a function of the above process parameters, and ranged from 0 to 35 nm/min. The coating thickness was found to be most uniform at higher pressures and temperatures, and high-density nanowire arrays with smaller nanowire diameters and larger lengths led to the deposition of coating with a smaller thickness gradient along the wire length.
Room temperature deformation of a lead-based “superalloy”

Abstract Several lead alloys containing Pb3Ca, with volume fractions of from 0 to 100% were produced by casting. The microstructures, as determined by optical microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy, consisted of large Pb3Ca particles (5–40 μm) in a lead matrix. The room temperature mechanical properties of the alloys were determined at an initial strain rate of ∼1 × 10−4s−1. Yielding was continuous and the yield stress, σalloyy, can be modelled as that of a composite of Pb and Pb3Ca, that is, σalloyy = σ Pb + (σ Pb 3 Ca − σ Pb )ƒ Pb 3 Ca = 13.9 + 58.9 ƒ Pb 3 Ca . For alloys with up to 50% Pb3Ca the dependence of the UTS on the volume fraction of Pb3Ca can also be described approximately by a linear relationship. Fracture occurred by transgranular cleavage for the 100% Pb3Ca whilst for the two-phase alloys, fracture occurs in a ductile, dimple-type rupture mode, with a Pb3Ca particle at the bottom of each dimple. The failure strain, ϵf, can roughly be described by arelationship of the form ϵ f α(ƒ Pb 3 Ca ) − 1 2 . Excluding the data for pure lead and 100% Pb3Ca (for which the fracture mechanisms are different), the maximum failure strain rate is described by ϵ f max = 0.80 − 1.08 ƒ Pb 3 Ca .
Dynamic portfolio immunization policies

Abstract A dynamic immunization strategy is a policy of portfolio selection that provides a rate of return that is at least as great as a ‘promised’ rate over a multi-period horizon. It is shown in this paper that the strategy is a ‘local’ immunizing process when a sequence of random interest rate shocks occur during a planning period. The technical features of the strategy explained and it is suggested that the strategy constitutes a ‘riskless’ strategy with which other strategies can be compared in a dynamic context.
An investigation of the scale invariant properties of failure

Abstract The inclusion theory of failure predicts that seismicity precursors (seismicity increase followed by seismicity decrease in the immediate vicinity of an impending failure) will precede failure. A precursor is defined as an effect produced within a physical system which indicates that the process leading to failure of the system has begun. A key prediction of the inclusion theory is that the process of failure is scale invariant, or simply, the same physical processes are operative on the small scale (laboratory), intermediate scale (mine failure), and large scale (earthquake). Experimental evidence is presented in this article showing that anomalous seismicity precedes failures of rock on the laboratory scale, rock bursts in mines, and earthquakes.
High-contrast thermoreflectance thermography using a Nipkow disk confocal microscope

This paper demonstrates the use of a Nipkow disk confocal microscope for improved contrast and resolution of CCD TR thermography. The performance of wide field and confocal thermography is compared, with experimental results showing that confocal CCD TR offers more than a 2-fold improvement in image contrast due to suppression of out-of-focus light, for improved lateral discrimination of thermoreflectance signals at the sample surface. In additional, use of a Nipkow disk makes the system easily adaptable to CCD thermography, and uses an inexpensive light source.
Synthesis and Characterization of the Gadolinium(3+) Complex of DOTA-Propylamide: A Model DOTA-Protein Conjugate

Preparation et etude potentiometrique de la protonation. Determination de constantes de complexation et spectrometrie RMN
Derivation of river‐discharge from measurements of tributaries

For many years various Federal, State, and local agencies have been gaging an ever-increasing number of tributaries and their components, representing considerable percentages of the total drainage-areas above important river-stations, in the course of ascertaining available water-supplies and the extremes of discharge to be expected. From those basic observations, supplemented by further field-study and analysis, comprehensive plans are developed looking toward the most feasible means of conservation, regulation, and utilization of available water-resources, including not only the visible discharge of surface-streams, but also the underground flow and storage-accumulations wherever encountered.
Registration of ‘Aloha’ Seashore Paspalum

‘Aloha’ (Reg. No. CV-3, PI 652948) seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum O. Swartz) was developed at the Everglades Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida and jointly released by the Florida and Hawaii agricultural experiment stations. It was initially approved for release in early 2005 and a pending plant patent was submitted in late 2005. This variety of seashore paspalum was selected as an open-pollinated progeny derived from naturalized local landraces growing on the island of Hawaii and was tested in southern Florida under the coded breeding line number H99–47. Aloha was selected for improved agronomic, horticultural, and host-plant resistance traits including a faster rate of crop establishment and ground coverage, darker and deeper green leaf color, and superior resistance to the greenbug aphid (Schizaphis graminum Rondani; Homoptera:Aphididae). In comparison to a set of standard varieties, Aloha attained 50% plot coverage in less than 4 mo whereas the standards took, on average, more than 5 mo. The leaf color of Aloha was a darker green and had a deeper hue than the standard varieties, and the greenbug aphids took longer to reach reproductive maturity, had a shorter lifespan, and produced fewer offspring when cultured on Aloha. Aloha also exhibited a morphology distinct from the standards for a set of measured infl orescence and vegetative traits.
Calibration and performance of a drift chamber spectrometer

Abstract We describe the calibration of a forward, high-resolution, drift chamber spectrometer used in a series of high energy experiments at Fermilab. We discuss the position-time calibration, the overall performance, and the spatial resolution, obtained under data-taking conditions for two kinds of field-shaping wire geometries.
Combinatorial screening of chemically defined human mesenchymal stem cell culture substrates

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold are chemically defined substrates that can be used to evaluate the effects of an immobilized biomolecule. However, the types of biomolecules that can influence stem cell behavior are numerous and inter-related, and efficient experimental formats are a critical need. Here we employed a SAM array technology to investigate the effects of multiple, distinct peptides and peptide combinations on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) behavior. Specifically, we characterized the conjugation of peptide mixtures to SAM arrays and then investigated the combined effects of a bone morphogenic protein receptor-binding peptide (BR-BP), a heparin proteoglycan-binding peptide (HPG-BP), and varied densities of the integrin-binding ligand Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (GRGDSP) on hMSC surface coverage and alkaline phosphatase activity. Results indicate that an amine reactive fluorescent probe can be used to characterize peptide composition after immobilization in SAM array spots. Furthermore, hMSC response to BR-BP and HPG-BP is dependent on GRGDSP density and at day 7, hMSC alkaline phosphatase expression is highly dependent on GRGDSP density. Taken together, we demonstrate how a SAM array approach can be used to probe the combinatorial effects of multiple peptides and motivate further investigations into potential synergies between cell adhesion and other bioactive peptides.
Increases in clinically severe obesity in the United States, 1986-2000.

Background We know that Americans are increasingly becoming overweight, but we do not know whether this trend applies to clinically severe obesity (>100 lbs [45 kg] overweight), which is believed to have different causes than typical weight gain. Severe obesity is more serious for an individual's health and creates different challenges for the health care system. This study estimates trends for extreme weight categories between the years 1986 and 2000. Methods The data come from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The dependent variable is weight category according to the body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) based on self-reported weight and height. Regression models adjust for changes in population characteristics and state participation. Results Between 1986 and 2000, the prevalence of a BMI (self-reported) of 40 or greater (about 100 lbs [45 kg] overweight) quadrupled from about 1 in 200 adult Americans to 1 in 50; the prevalence of a BMI of 50 or greater increased by a factor of 5, from about 1 in 2000 to 1 in 400. In contrast, obesity based on a BMI of 30 or greater roughly doubled during the same period, from about 1 in 10 to 1 in 5. Conclusions The prevalence of clinically severe obesity is increasing much faster than obesity. The widely published trends for overweight/obesity underestimate the consequences for physician practices, hospitals, and health plans because comorbidities and resulting service use are much higher among severely obese individuals. Accommodating severely obese patients will no longer be a rare event, and providers have to prepare to treat such patients on a regular basis.
High fluence ultrafast dynamics of hot carriers in semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors

Summary form only given. Ultrafast dynamics in semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors have important implications for pulse shaping and stabilization in mode-locked lasers. At excitation fluences below complete absorption saturation, the observed bleaching is described in terms of population dynamics and state filling. However, recently the presence of two-photon absorption, free carrier absorption, and diffusion dynamics have been revealed at fluence levels above the saturation fluence. Since the fluence incident on such mirrors in many ultrafast lasers is several times the saturation fluence, high fluence dynamics in these structures are important. A detailed study of the ultrafast dynamics of InGaAs/InP saturable absorber mirrors at high excitation fluences is presented. The investigated structure is an antireflection-coated InP /spl lambda//2 layer containing four, centered, InGaAs quantum wells, on a GaAs/AlAs distributed Bragg reflector. In a degenerate pump-probe experiment the quantum wells are resonantly excited (/spl lambda/=1.54 /spl mu/m) with 130-fs pulses. The observed bleaching at 5 /spl mu/J/cm/sup 2/ is qualitatively similar to low fluence studies of similar structures. The structure exhibits ultrafast thermalization (<150 fs), a 1 ps cooling time, and a 50 ps recombination time.
Local cost structures and the economics of robot assisted radical prostatectomy.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Robot assisted prostatectomy (RAP) is more costly than traditional radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) under the cost structures at certain hospitals. However, this finding may not be the case in all care settings. We investigated the sensitivity of RAP and RRP inpatient costs to variations in length of stay (LOS), local hospitalization costs and robotic case volume in the specialist and generalist settings.Materials and Methods: We developed a model of RAP vs RRP costs in the specialist and generalist settings using published data on operative time and LOS, and cost data from our academic medical center. All inpatient cost centers were included, namely surgery costs, professional fees, postoperative care, robotic equipment and service. Extensive 1 and 2-way sensitivity analyses were performed.Results: Our base case model demonstrated a cost premium for RAP vs RRP of $783 and $195 in the specialist and generalist settings, respectively. Sensitivity analysis of our model assumptions dem...
Reaction Processing of Ultra‐High Temperature W/Ta2C‐Based Cermets

A reactive processing method was used to produce dense (>99.5% relative density) W/Ta2C/Ta2WO8 cermets from Ta2O5, WC, TaC, and phenolic resin. The powder compacts were reacted under vacuum at 1450°C and then densified at 1850°C. The microstructure of the cermets was examined using scanning electron microscopy and found to contain fine grains on the order of 1–3 μm in diameter. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and parallel energy electron loss spectroscopy were used to identify the composition and structure of the phases in the composites. The composites were found to contain approximately 47.5 wt% W, 47.3 wt% Ta2C, and 5.2 wt% Ta2WO8. Crack-free and dense W/Ta2C-based cermets were prepared by an in situ reactive sintering process without the application of pressure during densification.
Lucid Dreaming Verified by Volitional Communication during Rem Sleep

The occurrence of lucid dreaming (dreaming while being conscious that one is dreaming) has been verified for 5 selected subjects who signaled that they knew they were dreaming while continuing to d...
High Pressure Far Infrared Spectroscopy of Ionic Solids

A high pressure far infrared cell operating to truly hydrostatic pressures of 8 kbar is described and used to determine the anharmonic self-energies associated with the q /spl ap/ 0 transverse optic modes of ionic solids.
Neurolinguistics and Parameter Setting

Among researchers in second language learning and acquisition theory, it is clear there is a broad range of positions on the question as to whether Universal Grammar (UG), and in particular the use of parameterization, is used in second language acquisition, or whether it is used only in first language acquisition. In this volume, several different methods of study are proposed to decide between the two positions. Travis has suggested that we look at the potentially differentiated patterns of language breakdown in the bilingual aphasic. Jenkins has proposed that we look for similar patterns in the dyslexic child, ideally via a twin study. Flynn has presented data from groups of English learners whose native languages (Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish) either shared or did not the parameter in question. Clahsen has provided contrastive data for L1 and L2 learners of the same language, German. Naturally we expect such different methods of study to provide converging evidence to answer our question. To the extent that they do not, it is worth considering how we may account for the apparent discrepancies.
Self-absorption of gamma rays produced in large cylindrical samples

Abstract An exact expression is derived for the self-absorption of gamma rays produced uniformly throughout large cylindrical samples (i.e., diameter > 1 mean-free path). The calculated self-absorption of gamma rays emitted by 110m Ag is compared with observed absorption by a 2 cm diameter Pb sample. Calculated self-absorption of gamma rays produced by 7 MeV neutron interaction with 208 Pb agree with estimates based upon Monte Carlo computations.
Alternative type I and I′ turn conformations in the β8/β9 β-hairpin of human acidic fibroblast growth factor

Human acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) has a beta-trefoil structure, one of the fundamental protein superfolds. The X-ray crystal structures of wild-type and various mutant forms of FGF-1 have been solved in five different space groups: C2, C222(1), P2(1) (four molecules/asu), P2(1) (three molecules/asu), and P2(1)2(1)2(1). These structures reveal two characteristically different conformations for the beta8/beta9 beta-hairpin comprising residue positions 90-94. This region in the wild-type FGF-1 structure (P2(1), four molecules/asu), a his-tagged His93-->Gly mutant (P2(1), three molecules/asu) and a his-tagged Asn106-->Gly mutant (P2(1)2(1)2(1)) adopts a 3:5 beta-hairpin known as a type I (1-4) G1 beta-bulge (containing a type I turn). However, a his-tagged form of wild-type FGF-1 (C222(1)) and a his-tagged Leu44-->Phe mutant (C2) adopt a 3:3 beta-hairpin (containing a type I' turn) for this same region. A feature that distinguishes these two types of beta-hairpin structures is the number and location of side chain positions with eclipsed C(beta) and main-chain carbonyl oxygen groups (Psi is equivalent to +60 degrees). The effects of glycine mutations upon stability, at positions within the hairpin, have been used to identify the most likely structure in solution. Type I' turns in the structural data bank are quite rare, and a survey of these turns reveals that a large percentage exhibit crystal contacts within 3.0 A. This suggests that many of the type I' turns in X-ray structures may be adopted due to crystal packing effects.
How should periods without social interaction be scheduled? Children's preference for practical schedules of positive reinforcement

Several studies have shown that children prefer contingent reinforcement (CR) rather than yoked noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) when continuous reinforcement is programmed in the CR schedule. Preference has not, however, been evaluated for practical schedules that involve CR. In Study 1, we assessed 5 children's preference for obtaining social interaction via a multiple schedule (periods of fixed-ratio 1 reinforcement alternating with periods of extinction), a briefly signaled delayed reinforcement schedule, and an NCR schedule. The multiple schedule promoted the most efficient level of responding. In general, children chose to experience the multiple schedule and avoided the delay and NCR schedules, indicating that they preferred multiple schedules as the means to arrange practical schedules of social interaction. In Study 2, we evaluated potential controlling variables that influenced 1 child's preference for the multiple schedule and found that the strong positive contingency was the primary variable.
The Clapeyron effect in succinonitrile: applications to crystal growth

Abstract This paper describes experiments that measure the Clapeyron effect, i.e., the change in melting temperature with static pressure in succinonitrile (SCN), a common model material used in crystal growth experiments. The Clapeyron results also yield information about the density change upon solidification – a parameter that is difficult to measure accurately and directly in SCN due to void formation in the solid. Furthermore, making a pressure change in an experimental environment presents researchers with a way to change more rapidly and uniformly the supercooling of a melt than by using conventional heating and cooling techniques.
Monitoring vibrational wave packet dynamics via direct femtosecond pump-probe measurements

Femtosecond pump-probe measurements are shown to reveal the evolution of excited vibrational wave packets in CS2 through the probe transmission modulation. Frequency-resolved acquisition allows for selective monitoring of different subsets of the Raman transitions excited.
An efficient decentralized algorithm for the distributed trigger counting problem

Consider a distributed system with n processors, in which each processor receives some triggers from an external source. The distributed trigger counting problem is to raise an alert and report to a user when the number of triggers received by the system reaches w, where w is a user-specified input. The problem has applications in monitoring, global snapshots, synchronizers and other distributed settings. The main result of the paper is a decentralized and randomized algorithm with expected message complexity O(n log n log w). Moreover, every processor in this algorithm receives no more than O(log n log w) messages with high probability. All the earlier algorithms for this problem have maximum message load of Ω(n log w).
The effects of adult behaviours on increasing language delayed children's production of early relational meanings

This intervention study examined the influence of adult behaviours on the emerging productive abilities of two language delayed preschoolers. In order to maximize the probability of isolating differential treatment effects, three different treatment strategies were designed that systematically manipulated particular adult antecedent and consequent events. Examination of treatment data indicated that the teaching strategies were not differentially effective in increasing the frequency with which the children encoded two-term target relations. Linear regression analyses, however, revealed the existence of specific time periods in which rapid rates of production were observed for both children. This outcome is discussed with respect to the timing of early intervention and specific child variables that may reflect a readiness for acquiring early linguistic behaviours.
Analysis of Radiation-Pressure Induced Mechanical Oscillation of an Optical Microcavity

The theoretical work of Braginsky predicted that radiation pressure can couple the mechanical, mirror eigenmodes of a Fabry-Perot resonator to its optical modes, leading to a parametric oscillation instability. This regime is characterized by regenerative mechanical oscillation of the mechanical mirror eigenmodes. We have recently observed the excitation of mechanical modes in an ultrahigh Q optical microcavity. Here, we present a detailed experimental analysis of this effect and demonstrate that radiation pressure is the excitation mechanism of the observed mechanical oscillations.
QUALITATIVE REASONING FOR DECISION SYNTHESIS

A qualitative reasoning approach is presented for decision support. This approach is initiated with the generation and normalization of a qualitative model including relationship matrix, importance weightings, control limits for decision variables, and specification limits for performance attributes. An extensive Simplex method is then utilized for mapping the global feasibility of the decision problem. Finally, the approach interprets and simplifies the results from the multi-dimensional feasibility space back to the qualitative model. The paper also presents application of the approach to process tuning of multilayer sheet extrusion and concept development of a 2 nd generation reusable launch vehicle to orbit. The results indicate that the developed approach is a viable alternative to currently practiced decision analysis methods. Specifically, the approach uses: 1) tightened specification limits rather than a weighted multi-attribute objective relationship, 2) determines global system feasibility from active constraints rather than local parametric optimization, and 3) establishes correlations based on dynamic Pareto-optimal frontiers rather than manual estimations. While the approach is potentially useful, further research is required to extend the methods to non-linear, stochastic, and uncharacterized engineering systems.
Mapping sub-pixel urban expansion in China using MODIS and DMSP/OLS nighttime lights

Abstract Urbanization accelerated rapidly in China during the first decade of the 21st century, largely at the expense of agricultural lands. To improve available regional information related to the coupled dynamics between these two land use types, we fused data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and stable nighttime lights observations from DMSP/OLS instruments to map fractional urban cover at 250 m spatial resolution for cities in Eastern, Central, and Southern China where recent urban expansion has been rapid and pronounced. To accomplish this, we constructed Random Forest regression models to estimate sub-pixel urban percentage for 2001 and 2010 using high quality calibration information derived from Landsat data. Separate models were built for temperate and tropical regions and then evaluated for nine cities between 18,000 and 31,000 km2 in area. Urban area estimated from MODIS compared favorably with Landsat-based results, with mean absolute errors of ~ 9–15%. Tests of different input feature sets showed that including data from downscaled MODIS 500 m bands and nighttime lights can improve estimates of urban land area compared to using MODIS 250 m features alone. Based on these results we produced wall-to-wall maps of urban land use in 2001 and 2010 for four MODIS tiles covering temperate and subtropical China, thereby demonstrating the utility of coarse spatial resolution data for mapping urban land use and loss of agricultural land at regional and larger scales.
Grain Morphologies and Surface Textures of Recent and Pleistocene Crinoid Ossicles, San Salvador, Bahamas

The comatulid crinoids Davidaster rubiginosa and D. discoidea live in shallow (5 m) patch reefs off the western coast of the island of San Salvador (Bahamas) and at the shelf edge along the western and southern sides of the island. Their ossicles (plates) occurs as rare, but recoverable, elements in the seafloor sediment. Living specimens of Davidaster were collected, and their arm plates (brachials) and pinnule plates (pinnulars) were subjected to laboratory tests of abrasion and dissolution in order to identify the effects of these processes on the echinoderm's stereom. Ossicles from a Pleistocene reef exposed on the island are rare, but demonstrate the potential for future studies of both biostratinomy and diagenesis
Rapid and sensitive detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in milk and ground beef using magnetic bead-based immunoassay coupled with tyramide signal amplification.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a major foodborne pathogen that has posed serious problems for food safety and public health. Recent outbreaks and recalls associated with various foods contaminated by E. coli O157:H7 clearly indicate its deleterious effect on food safety. A rapid and sensitive detection assay is needed for this harmful organism to prevent foodborne illnesses and control outbreaks in a timely manner. We developed a magnetic bead–based immunoassay for detection of E. coli O157:H7 (the most well-known Shiga toxigenic E. coli strain) with a 96-well microplate as an assay platform. Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and tyramide signal amplification were coupled to the assay to increase its sensitivity and specificity. This immunoassay was able to detect E. coli O157:H7 in pure culture with a detection limit of 50 CFU/ml in less than 3 h without an enrichment step. The detection limit was decreased 10-fold to 5 CFU/ml with addition of a 3-h enrichment step. When this assay was tested with other nonta...
Acceleration of White Matter Hyperintensity Burden Preceding Onset of Mild Cognitive Impairment (S24.006)

Objective: Determine the timing of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden acceleration in relation to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) onset. Background Cerebral white matter change, observed as hyperintensities on T2 MRI, are very common in cognitively intact elderly. Those with greater baseline and rates of WMH accumulation are at increased risk of MCI, a likely precursor of progressive dementia. The timing of acceleration of WMH increase relative to clinical transition to MCI has not been established. Design/Methods: 189 cognitively intact older volunteers from the Oregon Brain Aging Study underwent yearly evaluations, including brain MRI, and cognitive testing. MCI was defined as being the first of two consecutive Clinical Dementia Rating scores of 0.5 or higher. The time before MCI, when the change in WMH burden accelerates, was assessed using a mixed-effects model with a change point for subjects who developed MCI during follow up. Results: During a follow up duration of up to 22.2 years, 135 subjects developed MCI. Acceleration in %WMH volume increase occurred 10.6 years before MCI onset. On average, the annual rate of change in %WMH increased an additional 3.3% after the change point. Acceleration in %ventricular CSF volume increase and total brain volume decrease occurred 3.7 and 5.0 years before the onset of MCI, respectively. Out of 63 volunteers who converted to MCI and had autopsy, only 28.5% had Alzheimer9s disease (AD) as the sole etiology of their dementia, while almost just as many had both AD and significant ischemic cerebrovascular disease present. Conclusions: Acceleration in WMH burden, a common indicator of cerebrovascular disease in the elderly, is a pathological change that emerges early in the pre-symptomatic phase leading to MCI. Monitoring longitudinal WMH change may thus be useful in determining those at risk for cognitive impairment and for planning strategies for introducing disease specific modifying therapies prior to dementia onset. Supported by: NIH (P30 AG08017, M01 RR000334, R01 AG024059), Department of Veterans Affairs, Storms Family Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation, T&J Meyer Foundation. Disclosure: Dr. Silbert has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dodge has nothing to disclose. Dr. Perkins has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lahna has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaye has received personal compensation for activities with Eli Lilly & Company as a participant on a data safety and monitoring board. Dr. Kaye has received research support from Elan Corporation, Danone Medical, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Satoris, and Intel.
The effect of washing on the resistance of erythrocytes to hypotonic hemolysis.

Brinkman and van Dam1 claim to have shown that the resistance of rabbit erythrocytes to hypotonic hemolysis is increased by washing them in a physiologically balanced solution, while Snapper2 publishes data tending to show that washing in 0.9 percent NaCl decreases their resistance. This difference is not necessarily a general one due to the chemical composition of the solutions, as appears from the following experiments:Blood was taken aseptically by heart puncture from a dog and from four guinea pigs whose blood was pooled. The blood was defibrinated by shaking with fragmented glass. 1.5 cc. of each kind of cell was suspended in 15 cc. of Ringer-Locke's solution lacking phosphate and bicarbonate, and a like amount in 15 cc. of 0.9 percent NaCl. After about ten minutes these, together with samples of undiluted defibrinated blood, were centrifuged, and the supernatant liquid drawn off so as to leave the total volume 15 to 20 percent in excess of that of the cell sediment, which was then stirred up in this...