cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variable structure slewing control and vibration damping of flexible spacecraft

Abstract The question of attitude control and elastic mode stabilization of a spacecraft (orbiter) with “beam-tip mass” type payload is considered. It is assumed that bounded but unknown disturbance torques are acting on the spacecraft. Based on variable structure system theory, a discontinuous three-axis moment control law is derived to control the attitude of the spacecraft. Although, this control law accomplishes attitude trajectory tracking, it excites the elastic modes of the beam. A modal velocity feedback design is presented to damp the elastic oscillations using additional actuators at the tip of the beam. Simulation results are presented to show that rotational maneuvers and vibration stabilization can be accomplished in the closed-loop system in spite of disturbance torques and uncertainty in the system.
New architecture for automatic fingerprint matching using neural networks as a feature finder and matcher

This research explores the use of Neural Networks (NNs) to implement Automatic Fingerprint Matching (AFM) system. A new three stage architecture, consisting of a preprocessor, feature finder, and matcher stage, is shown to be successful for fingerprint matching. The NN-based AFM system used 20 fingerprints as its training set and 80 fingerprints as its test set. By dividing a fingerprint into 256 16 x 16 pixel blocks, the achieved success matching rates are 95% on the training set and 93.75% on the test set. The Feature Finder based on the Counter Propagation NN realized a high dimension reduction ratio of 256: 1. It finds a feature vector of 256 bytes from a digitized fingerprint of 512 x 512 pixels with 8-bit grayscale. This system also achieved 91.67% matching success m the cross-iferenced fingerprints. Keywords: neural networks, fingerprints, automatic fingerprint matching systems
Calculating fission rates at high spin: Incorporation of rotational degrees of freedom in thermodynamically fluctuating axially symmetric systems

The methods presently used to calculate fission rates fail to correctly take into account the rotational degrees of freedom of compound nuclei rotating in three dimensions. The statistical model code JOANNE has been modified to correctly calculate the fission rates of classical thermodynamically fluctuating axially symmetric systems rotating in three dimensions. With this new code it is possible to reproduce evaporation residue cross sections, fission cross sections, and prescission neutron multiplicities from O-induced reactions, without the use of large fission delay times or large values of the viscosity of heated nuclear matter. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Gaining and Losing Erm Credibility: The Case of the United Kingdom

The model of this paper highlights two aspects of credibility: signaling the type of government, which is assumed not to be known; and, for any type, the likelihood that if circumstances are sufficiently unfavorable a devaluation will be impossible to avoid, since not to do so would go against the government's interests. These two factors have opposite implications for the link between unemployment and interest differentials: high unemployment signals a tough government but also makes it less likely that even a tough government will maintain an existing parity. Copyright 1995 by Royal Economic Society.
Serial Dilution Simulation Lab

Serial dilution is often a difficult concept for students to understand. In this short dry lab exercise, students perform serial dilutions using seed beads. This exercise helps students gain skill at performing dilutions without using reagents, bacterial cultures, or viral cultures, while being able to visualize the process.
Estrogen-Dependent Gene Regulation by an Oxidative Metabolite of Diethylstilbestrol, Diethylstilbestrol-4′,4″-Quinone

Abstract Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a well-characterized carcinogen in humans and animals although its mechanisms of carcinogenicity are not yet known. While the estrogenic activity of DES is important, there is evidence that oxidative metabolism also plays an important role for its toxicity. DES is oxidatively metabolized in vivo and in vitro to a number of compounds including diethylstilbestrol-4′,4″-quinone (DQ), an unstable and reactive intermediate, and Z,Z-dienestrol (ZZ-DIEN). Estrogen receptor (ER) binding assays with mouse uterine cytosol indicate that DES, DQ and ZZ-DIEN have relative binding affinities of 286, 3.6 and 0.3, respectively, relative to estradiol as 100. In addition, DQ binds irreversibly and specifically to ER suggesting that DQ may be biologically active despite its rapid metabolism and lower binding affinity compared to DES. To test this, COS-1 cells were transfected with an estrogen responsive reporter construct containing a VitA 2 estrogen response element (ERE) with or without an ER expression vector. In the presence of ER, treatments with DES, DQ and ZZ-DIEN resulted in 11, 10, and 2-fold induction of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity, respectively. This induction was mediated by estrogen receptor since it was suppressed by pretreatment with a 10-fold excess of the pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780. These data indicate that DQ is a biologically active intermediate that is capable of transactivation of estrogen responsive genes through the ER. Furthermore, the data suggest that the ability of DQ to irreversibly bind ER may result in persistent stimulation of ER. This persistent stimulation may be related to the carcinogenicity of DES.
Dynamic Response of a Buried Pipeline at Low Frequencies

A long wavelength and low-frequency analysis is presented here for the dynamic behavior of a long continuous pipeline embedded in an elastic medium. Using a shell model for the pipe, it is shown that the dynamic amplification of axial and hoop stresses induced in the pipe due to traveling plane waves (longitudinal and shear) depends crucially on the ratio of the rigidities of the surrounding soil and the pipe. Results are presented showing the dependence of the induced stresses on the direction of propagation of the incident waves, the Poisson's ratios and rigidities of the ground and pipe materials.
Differential species responses to compounded perturbations and implications for landscape heterogeneity and resilience

Disturbance interactions are of great interest in ecology due to their potential to cause non-linear, unexpected results. Increases in disturbance frequency and intensity as a result of climate change increase the need for better conceptual and mechanistic understanding of ecosystem response to compounded perturbations. Impacts on structural elements of ecosystems, such as tree species, are particularly important, as changes in these species’ populations, frequencies, and distributions may influence landscape functioning for extended periods of time. This study investigated the impact of three overlapping disturbances common to western US forests (wind, logging, and fire) on three dominant tree species: Lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, and quaking aspen. Ninety-nine study plots were examined across a gradient of interaction severities from a 1997 blowdown, subsequent salvage logging, and a 2002 fire in a Rocky Mountain subalpine forest. Regeneration of dominant species was analyzed in the context of disturbance history and species-specific disturbance response strategies. Results indicated that species are differentially affected by disturbance interactions. Lodgepole pine is highly sensitive to both previous disturbances and their severities, whereas spruce and aspen are insensitive to disturbance history, although both showed higher recruitment levels in three-disturbance environments. Disturbance types, combinations, and specific resilience mechanisms appear to be more important than number of disturbances. Disturbance interactions were not necessarily additive, and in some cases, three disturbances were less severe than two. As a result of long-distance dispersal, aspen seems likely to greatly increase in dominance across the landscape. Species-specific responses are generalized through their individual response strategies, with specialized responses being less resilient to multiple disturbances than generic seed dispersal strategies. Differential responses by structural tree species will likely drive an increase in future landscape heterogeneity and potential decreases in future landscape resilience to fire.
Effect of pressure on the devolatilization and swelling behaviour of a softening coal during rapid heating

Pyrolysis of an Illinois no. 6 bituminous coal was studied under rapid heating conditions in two entrained-flow furnaces at pressures from 0.1 to 3.8 MPa N2. Increasing the pyrolysis pressure slowed the global release rates of volatiles, lowered the asymptotic volatiles yields and promoted secondary reactions of the volatiles which reduced the tar yield and changed the gas yield. The extent of swelling and the volatiles transport mechanism were found to be sensitive to the applied N2 pressure. At 0.1 MPa N2, insignificant swelling occurred and the particle morphologies indicated that bubble transport had not occurred. The coal swelled most extensively with large blow holes observed on the particle surfaces when pyrolysed at 0.8 MPa, an indication that volatiles transport occurred by bubble movement. Further increase in pressure reduced the swelling and the number and size of the holes formed on the particle surfaces. The observed swelling behaviour was attributed to the combined effect of fluidity development and swelling resistance which was a function of the applied pressure. The swelling behaviour at elevated pressure could not be predicted from data taken at atmospheric pressure.
Effect of 0.29% w/w fipronil spray on adult flea mortality and egg production of three different cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché), strains infesting cats.

Abstract To evaluate the effect of fipronil spray on adult flea mortality and flea egg production of three different cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche) strains, 30 domestic short hair cats were randomly allocated into six groups of five cats each. On day 0, cats in groups 2, 4 and 6 were treated with fipronil at 5–6 ml/kg. Cats in groups 1, 3 and 5 served as untreated controls. On days −2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 each cat was infested with 50 adult cat fleas. Groups 1 and 2 were infested with fleas from the Kansas1 Colony (KS1) strain. Groups 3 and 4 were infested with a recently colonized cat flea strain from Florida (R6). Groups 5 and 6 were infested with fleas from the ARC strain. The adulticidal activity of fipronil was determined by flea comb counts 48 h after treatment and then 48 h after each reinfestation. Any flea eggs produced during the infestations were collected and counted prior to the 48 h comb counts. Fipronil spray was ≥99.5% effective against adults of all three cat flea strains when applied during an active infestation. Fipronil spray provided ≥98.2 and ≥99.5% control of adult fleas and egg production, respectively, for all strains through week 2. On days 23 and 30 control of R6 adults and egg production was significantly lower than either the ARC or the KS1 strain. On day 30, control of R6 adults and egg production was 77.3 and 87.3%, respectively. Control of KS1 adults and egg production on day 30 was significantly lower than the ARC strain. Fipronil provided ≥99.5 and ≥99.9% control of ARC fleas and egg production, respectively, throughout the entire study. The susceptibility to fipronil for the three strains was also evaluated on filter paper pesticide bioassays. The R6 strain was found to be less susceptible than the KS1 and ARC strains. The LC95 estimates for the strains were 10.13, 4.77 and 2.62 mg/m2 for the R6, ARC and KS1 strains, respectively.
Potential association of thyrotoxicosis with vitamin B and folate deficiencies, resulting in risk for hyperhomocysteinemia and subsequent thromboembolic events.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe a patient with severe thyrotoxicosis attributable to Graves’ disease who had a thrombotic cerebrovascular accident and hyperhomocysteinuria, which resolved on correction of the thyrotoxicosis, and to present findings in a pilot study undertaken to investigate the relationship among thyrotoxicosis, homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12. Methods We present a case report of the index case, with clinical and laboratory details. For the investigative analysis, 21 patients who were 18 to 50 years old and had newly diagnosed, untreated Graves’ disease and 10 age- and sex-matched euthyroid control subjects were studied. Of the patients with Graves’ disease, 11 underwent studies both at diagnosis and after treatment. Fasting blood tests were performed for thyrotropin, free thyroxine, homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, and methylmalonic acid, a marker of vitamin B12 deficiency. Results Vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine, and methylmalonic acid levels were not significantly different between the thyrotoxic and control or posttreatment groups. In patients with thyrotoxicosis, however, free thyroxine was positively correlated with both homocysteine (r = 0.67; P = 0.03) and methylmalonic acid (r = 0.89; P = 0.003). Conclusion The positive correlation between free thyroxine levels and both homocysteine and methylmalonic acid suggests that thyrotoxicosis may be associated with functional vitamin B12 deficiency. Such a deficiency may result in clinically important hyperhomocysteine- mia. (Endocr Pract. 2003;9:290-295)
Seed and grow: a two-step model for nuclear body biogenesis

Nuclear bodies are dynamic structures that form at sites of specific activities associated with gene expression and genome maintenance. A paper in this issue (White et al. 2011. J. Cell Biol. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201012077) highlights key features of nuclear body biogenesis and suggests a unifying model in which formation of nuclear bodies is driven by nonrandom, biologically determined initial seeding events followed by stochastic self-assembly.
Localization of D-2 dopamine receptors to intrinsic striatal neurones by quantitative autoradiography.

Recent work with positron emission and single photon emission computed tomography has demonstrated the feasibility of studying striatal dopamine receptors in the living human brain1–3. For the proper interpretation of these studies in normal and diseased states, the cellular localization of these receptors must be definitively established. It has been claimed, on the basis of receptor binding studies with tissue homogenates in rats, that 30–50% of striatal D-2 dopamine receptors are located on axons or terminals of the corticostriatal pathway4–6. This finding has been incorporated into major reviews and classifications of dopamine receptors7,8. The recent development of quantitative autoradiographic methods for diffusible ligands has facilitated the study of neurotransmitter receptors in cytoarchitechtonically intact tissue9,10. Because this technique provides the necessary anatomic resolution that is lacking in homogenate binding studies, we have used it to re-examine the localization of striatal dopamine receptors. Here we present evidence that D-2 receptors are located exclusively on kainic acid-sensitive intrinsic neuronal elements in the striatum. We report that discrete cortical ablation does not alter 3H-spiperone binding to rat striatum and thus our results do not support the existence of D-2 dopamine receptors on the terminals of the corticostriatal pathway.
Neurohumoral mechanisms involved in congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) promotes an array of biologic changes that are largely designed to compensate for reduced flow. These include activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin system, as well as the release of arginine vasopressin. The ultimate expression of these compensatory mechanisms is heightened vascular tone, increased sodium and water retention and antidiuresis. The peripheral circulation is normally under the fine control of circulating and neuronally released moieties, which can directly or indirectly alter vascular tone. Angiotensin II appears to be a key element in this regard because of its multiple biologic activities. Direct arteriolar vasoconstriction, facilitation of norepinephrine release and stimulation of aldosterone are some of the activities that are likely to be of major importance in the syndrome of CHF. Therefore, it is not surprising that converting enzyme inhibitors have a growing role as treatment. Other pharmacologic agents that can reduce sympathetic tone by acting on presynaptic receptors are being developed. Selective dilation of certain vascular beds may be possible with agents designed to interact with vascular dopaminergic receptors. The mechanisms whereby circulating epinephrine and norepinephrine modulate norepinephrine release and vascular tone are beginning to be understood and likely involve presynaptic, postsynaptic and nonsynaptic vascular receptors. A better appreciation of the mechanisms involved in the fine control of the peripheral circulation should allow for more selective and more imaginative pharmacologic therapy for CHF.
Choice of functional form for hedonic price equations

Abstract The appropriate functional form for a hedonic price equation cannot in general be specified on theoretical grounds. In this paper, a statistical procedure for the choice of functional form is proposed. A highly general functional form is specified that yields all other functional forms of interest as special cases. Likelihood ratio tests are used to test the appropriateness of alternative forms. The procedure is illustrated using cross section microdata for housing. For the case considered, the functional forms most commonly used in previous studies are strongly rejected.
Information Theory Thermodynamics of Molecules and Their Hirshfeld Fragments

The Hirshfeld stockholder partitioning of a molecular density into subsystem densities, e.g., of atoms-in-molecules, is derived from the Fisher entropy for locality (intrinsic accuracy) referenced to the isolated atom densities. This complements the previous derivation using the entropy deficiency of Kullback and Leibler, thereby strongly suggesting that the Hirshfeld result is independent of the information measure applied to assimilate the reference atomic information. Several properties of such subsystems are examined. It is shown that they represent equilibrium, stable pieces of the molecular density, which minimize and reduce to zero the nonadditivity of the missing information relative to the isolated atom reference. The equilibrium criteria for the optimum partitioning in both the entropy and energy representations are derived and interpreted in terms of local entropies of subsystems and their related “temperatures” of information. Generalized variational principles in the entropy and energy repres...
Excitation Functions of Some Reactions of 6- to 24-MeV He 3 Ions with Carbon and Aluminum

Excitation functions of the reactions ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{C}}^{11}$, ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, pn){\mathrm{N}}^{13}$, ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, 2\ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{Be}}^{7}$, ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, \ensuremath{\alpha}2p){\mathrm{Na}}^{24}$, ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, 2\ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{Na}}^{22}$, and ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}({\mathrm{He}}^{3}, 3\ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{F}}^{18}$ have been measured for ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ energies from 6 to 24 MeV by the stackedfoil technique. The cross section for production of ${\mathrm{C}}^{11}$ reaches a maximum of 340 mb at 8.9 MeV, with smaller maxima at 10.6 and 15.5 MeV. The cross section for ${\mathrm{N}}^{13}$ reaches a broad maximum of 140 mb in the vicinity of 14 MeV, with evidence of a secondary maximum at 10.9 MeV. The cross section for ${\mathrm{Be}}^{7}$, measured with somewhat poorer resolution, reaches a broad maximum of about 100 mb in the vicinity of 17.5 MeV. The cross section for production of ${\mathrm{Be}}^{7}$ by 24-MeV ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ bombardment of aluminum is about 0.1 mb.
Fusion of a Short Peptide that Binds Immunoglobulin G to a Recombinant Protein Substantially Increases Its Plasma Half-Life in Mice

We explore a strategy to substantially increase the half-life of recombinant proteins by genetic fusion to FcIII, a 13-mer IgG-Fc domain binding peptide (IgGBP) originally identified by DeLano and co-workers at Genentech [DeLano WL, et al. (2000) Science 287∶1279–1283]. IgGBP fusion increases the in vivo half-life of proteins by enabling the fusion protein to bind serum IgG, a concept originally introduced by DeLano and co-workers in a patent but that to the best of our knowledge has never been pursued in the scientific literature. To further investigate the in vitro and in vivo properties of IgGBP fusion proteins, we fused FcIII to the C-terminus of a model fluorescent protein, monomeric Katushka (mKate). mKate-IgGBP fusions are easily expressed in Escherichia coli and bind specifically to human IgG with an affinity of ∼40 nM and ∼20 nM at pH 7.4 and pH 6, respectively, but not to mouse or rat IgG isotypes. mKate-IgGBP binds the Fc-domain of hIgG1 at a site overlapping the human neonatal Fc receptor (hFcRn) and as a consequence inhibits the binding of hIgG1 to hFcRn in vitro. High affinity binding to human IgG also endows mKate-IgGBP with a long circulation half-life of ∼8 hr in mice, a 75-fold increase compared to unmodified mKate. Thus, IgGBP fusion significantly reduces protein clearance by piggybacking on serum IgG without substantially increasing protein molecular weight due to the small size of the IgGBP. These attractive features could result in protein therapies with reduced dose frequency and improved patient compliance.
The Role of E-Service Quality and Information Quality in Creating Perceived Value: Antecedents to Web Site Loyalty

This theory-testing study is an examination of the influences of perceived information quality and perceived e-service quality in determining perceived value, and the influence of these three constructs in determining web site loyalty intentions. The results indicate that 1 perceived e-service quality and perceived information quality similarly influence loyalty intentions, 2 perceived e-service quality more strongly influences perceived value than does perceived information quality, and 3 perceived information quality partially mediates the relationship between perceived e-service quality and perceived value. The model was significant in explaining loyalty intentions.
Posttraumatic stress disorder, smoking, and cortisol in a community sample of pregnant women.

Abstract Background The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the United States is higher among pregnant women than women generally. PTSD is related to adverse birth outcomes via physiological and behavioral alterations, such as smoking. Methods We utilize salivary cortisol measures to examine how traumatic stress, smoking and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis interact. Pregnant women (n = 395) gave cortisol specimens as part of a cohort study of PTSD and pregnancy at three health systems in the Midwestern United States. Women were divided into three groups: nonsmokers, quitters (who stopped smoking during pregnancy), and pregnancy smokers. Mean cortisol values at three points, sociodemographics, trauma history, and PTSD were compared across groups. We assessed the association of smoking group and PTSD with late afternoon cortisol levels. Results Smokers, quitters, and nonsmokers differed on demographic risk factors and PTSD symptom load. Late afternoon and bedtime cortisol measures were significantly positively correlated with smoking in pregnancy, with smokers with PTSD presenting the highest cortisol levels. Regression analysis showed that smoking in pregnancy was associated with higher late afternoon cortisol in an additive manner with PTSD symptoms. Conclusions Smoking appears to have a different relationship with cortisol level for those with and without PTSD. This is the first study to show additive effects of smoking and PTSD on cortisol levels in pregnant women. Since high cortisol, smoking, and PTSD have been shown to adversely affect perinatal outcomes, and since those continuing to smoke in pregnancy had the highest PTSD symptom load, PTSD-specific smoking cessation programs in maternity settings are warranted.
Lateral OMVPE growth of GaAs on patterned substrates

Abstract GaAs was grown on patterned 〈1 0 0〉 on- and off-axis GaAs substrates by organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy (OMVPE). Patterned mesas were observed to change shape because lateral growth rates varied by more than an order of magnitude in different crystallographic directions. For this study, misoriented GaAs (1 0 0) wafers were polished 3° toward the nearest [1 1 0] or [1 1 1] family of directions, and 320 nm high cross-shaped mesas were fabricated. OMVPE growth was performed between 550°C and 650°C for 1 h at a vertical growth rate of approximately 1.3 μm/h. Atomic force microscopy showed that three effects have a powerful influence on lateral growth initiated at mesa sidewalls. First, the symmetry of the dominant surface reconstruction has a major effect on the diffusion of Ga adatoms. Rapid Ga diffusion occurs along the 〈0 1 1〉–〈0−1−1〉 axis in OMVPE, or the perpendicular 〈0−1 1〉–〈0 1−1〉 axis in molecular beam epitaxy, and appears to be a result of the different surface reconstructions which exist in the two growth ambients. Second, misorientation of the wafer causes a growth asymmetry as Ga adatoms move preferentially from high-to-low terraces. When terrace steps descend toward a mesa wall, rapid lateral growth away from the wall is always observed. When terrace steps descend away from a mesa wall, little lateral growth occurs and even reduced vertical growth may be observed. When the misorientation and reconstruction symmetries align, the surface acts like an atomic diode and the rapid lateral growth can exceed the vertical growth rate by more than an order of magnitude. Third, on misoriented substrates, step bunching increases with increasing temperature, and this can lead to significant changes in the original shape of a mesa. A growth model is presented which relates the lateral growth rate in different crystallographic directions to the substrate misorientation, the growth temperature, and the partial pressure of As during growth. It is also shown that different surface reconstruction patterns are related to chemical species with continuously varying concentrations rather than thermodynamically distinct phases.
Matrix fatigue cracking in fiber composites

Abstract A model is developed for fatigue growth of matrix cracks in metals reinforced with aligned continuous elastic fibers. The mechanics of elastic cracks bridged by frictionally constrained fibers is used to develop the model, which provides estimates of the tip value of the stress intensity factor amplitude, ΔKTIP. It is found that when the applied load amplitude is held fixed during fatigue crack growth, ΔKTIP, and thus the rate of growth approach an asymptotic value independent of crack length. The residual strength after fatigue crack growth is also discussed. In some cases, the residual strength is unaffected by prior fatigue growth. But, in another regime, the matrix crack length allows fibers to begin breaking before the matrix crack grows. The strength is then inversely proportional to the square root of fatigue crack length.
Sufficient conditions for the identification of defects which exhibit no generalized cross‐section using computed electron micrographs

Abstract Sufficient conditions are developed that determine how many computed electron micrographs need to be matched to actual electron micrographs to ensure unique identification of observed lattice defects. This work focuses on defects without generalized cross-sections, such as force dipoles, inclusions, and small dislocation loops. The sufficient conditions given may be incorporated readily into computer programmes used to generate simulated micrographs.
Exact Calculation of K-Shell and L-Shell Photoeffect

An exact calculation of the atomic photoelectric effect is made. The expressions for the differential and total cross sections are developed explicitly for the $K$ and $L$ shells, for a pure Coulomb potential. The final electron is described by a partial-wave decomposition, and the interaction with the radiation field is treated in lowest order perturbation theory. The cross sections are evaluated numerically, and the contribution of the $L$ shell is found to be non-negligible when compared with the $K$ shell. The results for the $K$ shell are compared with previous work, and agreement is obtained. The new results for the $L$ subshells are presented and compared with the available experimental work.
Relationship between tritiated poly-L-lysine binding and template activity of human chromosomes.

Relationship between tritiated poly-L-lysine binding and template activity of human chromosomes
Generalization of the Hauser-Ernst formalism for two-dimensional reduced Einstein abelian gauge field equations

Abstract Recently the Hauser-Ernst formalism has played an important role in the discussion of the Virasoro symmetry in the two-dimensional reduced gravity theory. In this Letter we generalize the Hauser-Ernst formalism to the Einstein abelian gauge field equations when the spacetime possesses two commuting Killing vectors. Using this formalism, it is effective to investigate the Kac-Moody symmetry and, in particular, the Virasoro symmetry, which can be used to induced new solutions from the old one. We then provide an example concerning the derivation of a six-parameter generalization of a three-parameter family of colliding wave solutions found by Ernst, Garcia and Hauser.
Autotransplantation mésentérique: Une technique alternative aux réinterventions avec pontage de l'artère mésentérique supérieure

Les anevrysmes de l'artere mesenterique superieure (AMS) representent une minorite des anevrysmes visceraux mais ils peuvent entrainer des complications fatales en l'absence de traitement. Les options therapeutiques incluent l'anevrysmorraphie, le pontage, la ligature ou l'embolisation. Nous presentons ici le cas d'un patient ayant un antecedent de pontage coeliaque thrombose qui presentait un anevrysme recidivant symptomatique de l'AMS. L'option d'une ligature n'a pas ete retenue en raison de la lesion du tronc coeliaque. L'AMS fut reparee avec un patch de PTFE. Neanmoins, afin d'assurer une perfusion intestinale durable en cas de thrombose du pontage, le pedicule distal de l'AMS fut libere des vaisseaux ileo-coliques et anastomose sur l'aorte. Les examens de controle ont montre l'occlusion du patch de PTFE avec une AMS autotransplantee restant permeable. Ce cas rapporte une approche nouvelle du traitement chirurgical des anevrysmes recidivants et complexes de l'AMS.
Program behavior prediction using a statistical metric model

Adaptive computing systems rely on predictions of program behavior to understand and respond to the dynamically varying application characteristics. This study describes an accurate statistical workload metric modeling scheme for predicting program phases. Our evaluations demonstrate the superior performance of this predictor over existing predictors on a wide range of benchmarks. This prediction accuracy lends itself to improved power-performance trade-offs when applied to dynamic power management.
Effect of thermal history on mechanical properties of polyetheretherketone below the glass transition temperature

The effect of thermal history on the tensile properties of polyetheretherketone neat resin films was investigated at different test temperatures (125, 25, and -100) using four samples: fast-quenched amorphous (Q); quenched, then crystallized at 180 C (C180); slowly cooled (for about 16 h) from the melt (SC); and air-cooled (2-3 h) from the melt (AC). It was found that thermal history significantly affects the tensile properties of the material below the glass transition. Fast quenched amorphous films were most tough, could be drawn to greatest strain before rupture, and undergo densification during necking; at the test temperature of -100 C, these films had the best ultimate mechanical properties. At higher temperatures, the semicrystalline films AC and C180 had properties that compared favorably with the Q films. The SC films exhibited poor mechanical properties at all test temperatures.
Hospital competition in HMO networks

Abstract We develop a framework for analyzing bargaining relationships between hospitals and HMOs under selective contracting. Using a unique dataset on hospitals in the Los Angeles area from 1990 to 1993, we estimate the determinants of actual negotiated prices paid to hospitals by two major HMOs. We find that a hospital’s bargaining power, and thus its price, decrease when the HMO can readily turn to alternative networks that exclude the hospital. We simulate the effect of hypothetical hospital mergers on bargaining power and find that some hospital mergers, even in urban areas with many nearby hospitals, can lead to significant price increases.
Fluctuation of Spuriously Elevated Troponin I: A Case Report

Serum troponin is a useful laboratory study for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. However, elevations can also be seen in a variety of other diseases processes. Falsely positive troponin values caused by interference with current troponin assays have been reported. We report a unique case that demonstrates the fluctuation of falsely elevated troponin correlating with hemoglobin, serving as a marker of heterophile antibody levels. A 74-year-old gentleman presented to our Emergency Department with a several-day history of increasing shortness of breath associated with a new-onset chest pain and a troponin I level of 77.28 ng/mL. Throughout his stay, fluctuations in measured troponin levels correlated strongly with fluctuations in hemoglobin levels. Several investigations confirmed false elevated troponin levels secondary to heterophile antibody interference. We conclude that hemoglobin trending in our patient represented a surrogate measure of his heterophile antibody titers with time and that fluctuations in these levels correlated with respective fluctuations in the falsely elevated troponin levels.
Note on the letter by Ostertag and Quéré

(1969). Note on the letter by Ostertag and Quere. The Philosophical Magazine: A Journal of Theoretical Experimental and Applied Physics: Vol. 19, No. 158, pp. 433-434.
Field-portable lensfree tomographic microscope

We present a field-portable lensfree tomographic microscope, which can achieve sectional imaging of a large volume (∼20 mm3) on a chip with an axial resolution of <7 μm. In this compact tomographic imaging platform (weighing only ∼110 grams), 24 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that are each butt-coupled to a fibre-optic waveguide are controlled through a cost-effective micro-processor to sequentially illuminate the sample from different angles to record lensfree holograms of the sample that is placed on the top of a digital sensor array. In order to generate pixel super-resolved (SR) lensfree holograms and hence digitally improve the achievable lateral resolution, multiple sub-pixel shifted holograms are recorded at each illumination angle by electromagnetically actuating the fibre-optic waveguides using compact coils and magnets. These SR projection holograms obtained over an angular range of ±50° are rapidly reconstructed to yield projection images of the sample, which can then be back-projected to compute tomograms of the objects on the sensor-chip. The performance of this compact and light-weight lensfree tomographic microscope is validated by imaging micro-beads of different dimensions as well as a Hymenolepis nanaegg, which is an infectious parasitic flatworm. Achieving a decent three-dimensional spatial resolution, this field-portable on-chip optical tomographic microscope might provide a useful toolset for telemedicine and high-throughput imaging applications in resource-poor settings.
A review of the new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design v3 green building rating system.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has become the de facto standard green building rating system in the US. On April 27, 2009 the US Green Building Council launched LEED v3 which is a major change to the previous version, becoming more flexible and prioritizing energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the prerequisites and credits amongst the various “flavors” of LEED have been harmonized for increased consistency, credit weights have been adjusted to better reflect impact on human and environmental health concerns, and credit weightings now reflect regional environmental issues. Acoustical consultants and engineers need to be aware of and understand these changes because they need to work with architects and other engineers who are designing buildings to meet the new LEED requirements. In this presentation, LEED v3 and the current implementation, LEED 2009, are reviewed.
Provisatrix optima: St. Radegund of Poitiers' relic petitions to the east

This paper examines the historical record of two relic petitions to the East initiated by Queen Radegund of Poitiers in the 560s, as portrayed in Gregory of Tours' contemporary account and in the early seventh-century Life of the queen composed by the nun Baudonivia. These two sources provide conflicting information. Baudonivia's description of the first expedition, to Jerusalem to acquire relics of St. Mamas of Caesarea, has traditionally posed problems for the historian since Mamas' relics were never recorded as being in the Holy City. Gregory of Tours recorded that Radegund acquired the relic of the True Cross from Jerusalem, rather than from Constantinople. This paper seeks to reconcile the evidence from these two sources, and examines how Baudonivia's inclusion of the two relic petitions in her Life of the queen, and her interpretation of the historical events, signal the creation of a new hagiographic persona for St. Radegund, one in which the queen's relic quests become associated with an ‘apostoli...
Emotion, cognition, and decision making

(2000). Emotion, cognition, and decision making. Cognition and Emotion: Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 433-440.
Respiratory Regulation in Ephemera Simulans Walker and Hexagenia Limbata (Serville) (Ephemeroptera)

1. This study shows that Ephemera simulans and Hexagenia limbata are respiratory regulators and how it is that regulation is attained and maintained. 2. Nymphs, 17-24 mm. in length, were acclimated in the laboratory at 13.o° C. for 24 hr. Oxygen consumption experiments employed the ‘closed-bottle’ technique and several modifications. 3. When studied in bottles containing no substrate, both species appeared to be respiratory adjustors. 4. Using ‘optimal substrates’ and a wide range of oxygen concentrations, both species proved to be respiratory regulators. 5. As the oxygen concentration decreased, respiratory regulation was attained by initiating and increasing a flow of water past the body surfaces by the bailer action of beating gills. The volume passed was proportional to the number of gill beats which, in turn, was influenced by the size of the gills. The larger gills of Hexagenia beat at a slower rate to produce the same current as Ephemera and potentially they were capable of producing a significantly greater current and, hence, could regulate to a lower oxygen concentration.
Neoplastic and Antineoplastic Effects of β-Carotene on Colorectal Adenoma Recurrence: Results of a Randomized Trial

Background In two large, randomized prevention trials, supplementation with beta-carotene increased the risk of lung cancer. Subjects in these studies were predominantly cigarette smokers, and the adverse effects were concentrated among those who also drank alcohol. Although beta-carotene supplementation appeared not to increase the risk of cancer generally, it is not clear if smoking and/or alcohol use alters the effect of beta-carotene on carcinogenesis at sites outside the lung. Methods We studied the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on colorectal adenoma recurrence among subjects in a multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of antioxidants for the prevention of colorectal adenomas. A total of 864 subjects who had had an adenoma removed and were polyp-free were randomly assigned (in a factorial design) to receive beta-carotene (25 mg or placebo) and/or vitamins C and E in combination (1000 mg and 400 mg, respectively, or placebo), and were followed with colonoscopy for adenoma recurrence 1 year and 4 years after the qualifying endoscopy. A total of 707 subjects had two follow-up examinations and provided smoking and alcohol use data. Adjusted multivariate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the effects of beta-carotene on adenoma recurrence. Results Among subjects who neither smoked cigarettes nor drank alcohol, beta-carotene was associated with a marked decrease in the risk of one or more recurrent adenomas (RR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.89), but beta-carotene supplementation conferred a modest increase in the risk of recurrence among those who smoked (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 0.70 to 2.62) or drank (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.89 to 1.43). For participants who smoked cigarettes and also drank more than one alcoholic drink per day, beta-carotene doubled the risk of adenoma recurrence (RR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.39 to 3.08; P for difference from nonsmoker/nondrinker RR Conclusion Alcohol intake and cigarette smoking appear to modify the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on the risk of colorectal adenoma recurrence.
Bone marrow tinctures for cardiovascular disease: lost in translation.

Warburg’s Tincture was a blockbuster antifever remedy in the 19th century. It was invented by Dr Carl Warburg to treat a broad range of fevers, achieving widespread usage in the British Empire, the Austrian Empire, and also in the United States. Many renowned physicians prescribed it, but others were envious of Warburg’s success and not too happy about the fact that he kept its formulation secret. In 1870, Warburg finally revealed the secret ingredients and gave permission to Professor W. C. Maclean, one of the most ardent supporters of the remedy, to publish them in the Lancet 1: The elusive tincture contained many components, such as Rhubarb root, Angelica seeds, gentian root, Saffron, Fennel seeds, Myrrh, Camphor among others and, unsurprisingly, quinine. In his letter to the Lancet , Maclean effusively praises the tincture, but he also emphasizes that its healing power was not just attributable to the known antipyretic quinine, and that it was the unique composition of various extracts that was responsible for its efficacy. In the 21st century, few physicians would prescribe such tinctures, which are plant or animal extracts. The idea of using such extracts that contain a large array of substances, some active and some inactive, goes against the tenets of modern medical practice, in which we strive to define and titrate every single therapeutic agent to optimize efficacy. There is, however, one notable exception to this practice in an emerging area of cardiovascular medicine: the use of bone marrow mononuclear cells. Article see p 1968 An animal study in 1999 suggested that mononuclear cells extracted from the bone marrow and injected into the heart could be used to augment cardiac function after a myocardial infarction.2 These results were translated into the clinical setting at an astonishingly rapid pace, as evidenced by the …
The Costs of Indonesian Sugar Policy: A Policy Analysis Matrix Approach

Indonesian sugar policy is a complex web of contradictory policies, including mandatory production, price supports, and fertilizer and credit subsidies. The policy analysis matrix (PAM) was developed by Monke and Pearson to provide a more complete perspective on social profitability and the divergence between private and social costs than other commonly used social cost-benefit measures. The PAM is used to analyze the effects of Indonesian sugar policy on sugar production in irrigated and dryland areas on Java, the main sugar-producing region in Indonesia, and to identify the distribution of resource transfers.
Performance improvement efforts in response to negative feedback: the roles of source power and recipient self-esteem

This study investigates dimensions of supervisor power and recipient self-esteem as predictors of performance improvement efforts following negative performance feedback. The study employs two stimuli (recall and scenario) administered at two different points in time with full-time employees. Results point to the importance of differentiating the types of supervisor power and assessing the extent to which different types of power moderate the self-esteem - performance improvement relationship.
BREAKING NAMBU--GOLDSTONE CHIRAL SYMMETRIES.

Here we will describe some of the implications of breaking Nambu-Goldstone Chiral symmetries. Most of the work described here, in particular the nonanalytic character of expansions of matrix elements in the symmetry breaking parameters, and the theory of SU (3) violation was worked out in collaboration with Ling-Fong Li at Rockefeller University.1,2,3
Optimizing purebred selection for crossbred performance using QTL with different degrees of dominance

A method was developed to optimize simultaneous selection for a quantitative trait with a known QTL within a male and a female line to maximize crossbred performance from a two-way cross. Strategies to maximize cumulative discounted response in crossbred performance over ten generations were derived by optimizing weights in an index of a QTL and phenotype. Strategies were compared to selection on purebred phenotype. Extra responses were limited for QTL with additive and partial dominance effects, but substantial for QTL with over-dominance, for which optimal QTL selection resulted in differential selection in male and female lines to increase the frequency of heterozygotes and polygenic responses. For over-dominant QTL, maximization of crossbred performance one generation at a time resulted in similar responses as optimization across all generations and simultaneous optimal selection in a male and female line resulted in greater response than optimal selection within a single line without crossbreeding. Results show that strategic use of information on over-dominant QTL can enhance crossbred performance without crossbred testing.
Myofilament properties comprise the rate-limiting step for cardiac relaxation at body temperature in the rat

The majority of studies aimed at characterizing basic contractile mechanisms have been conducted at room temperature. To elucidate the mechanism of cardiac relaxation under more physiological condi...