cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microstructural coarsening in Sn-Ag-based solders and its effects on mechanical properties

Solders based on Sn-Ag alloys are susceptible to microstructural coarsening during storage or service, resulting in evolution of joint properties, and hence reliability, over time. Coarsening can occur during static aging, and even faster during thermo-mechanical cycling (TMC). The kinetics of coarsening may also depend on the scale of the joint. These effects lead to evolution of the mechanical properties of the joint over time, as well as spatial variations of property within the joint. Therefore, accurate prediction of joint properties during service or storage requires a quantitative understanding of coarsening under both isothermal and TMC conditions, and incorporating these in constitutive laws. This paper discusses the kinetics of coarsening in Sn-Ag based solders, and presents a rationale for joint-scale dependence of coarsening. The impact of coarsening on creep and fracture properties of joints under drop conditions are also presented.
Pressure dependence of the viscosity of dilute polystyrene solutions in toluene

The effect of pressure on the viscosity of dilute solutions of anionically polymerized polystyrene (Mw = 209,000; Mw/Mn = 1.12) in toluene has been studied at different temperatures and concentrations using a falling-body viscometer. Measurements were performed in the concentration range from 0.0025 to 0.02 g/mL and at temperatures from 25 to 45°C under pressure up to 1057 bars. The viscosity coefficient η increases exponentially with pressure at a given temperature and concentration, while the apparent volume of activation V‡ decreases with increasing temperature. The hypothesis that the pressure dependence of η is given by the pressure dependence of the activation energy holds true under the prevailing thermodynamic conditions. Log η increases linearly with increasing concentration at a given pressure. Intrinsic viscosity increases with increasing pressure, whereas the Huggins constant decreases.
Investigation of seasonal variability of the wind stress curl over the North Atlantic Ocean by means of empirical orthogonal function analysis

The seasonal variability of the wind stress curl over the North Atlantic is investigated by means of empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The curl field is calculated from 1 year of First Global GARP Experiment wind data. It was found that 44 percent of the variability is contained in four significant eigenvectors. Their spatial patterns are characterized by basin-sized oscillations with larger amplitude to the north of 40 deg N. Their associated time series coefficients have the highest amplitude during the winter and show a tendency toward a white frequency spectrum which nevertheless exhibits noticeable peaks or gaps at certain frequencies. Physically, the first EOF is seen as the seasonal fluctuations of the mean wind stress curl pattern. Five other eigenvectors are also found to be above the noise level, but they account for only a smaller percentage of variability (19 percent). They are characterized by smaller spatial scales than the basin size. Their time series coefficients show a whiter frequency spectrum.
Innovations in Organics Circuit Packaging Technology

This paper describes some recent innovations in design, process and materials in printed circuit laminate technology, which can lead to significant paradigm shifts in the design and application of electronic products. The traditional roles for printed circuit cards and boards have been to provide wiring interconnection capacity, and a robust mechanical structure for the more delicate and costly chips and modules. The advent of surface mount technology eliminated the need for plated‐through holes as anchors for pinned components. The proliferation of light, high performance, multifunction electronic products will lead to light weight, small, low profile printed circuit assemblies. Adding a redistribution layer to the traditional card surface allows flip‐chip‐on‐board and MCM‐L packages as a low‐cost alternative to traditional high density MCM packages, particularly in applications where size, shape and weight are as important as density and performance. Concurrent with the deliberate evolution of traditional printed circuit technology, some important new materials and process innovations have brought about a new generation of laminate capabilities that are particularly important for the future high I/O requirements predicted for the second part of this decade.
Deterministic Generation of Single Photons From One Atom Trapped in a Cavity

A single cesium atom trapped within the mode of an optical cavity is used to generate single photons on demand. The photon wave packets are emitted as a Gaussian beam with temporal profile and repetition rate controlled by external driving fields. Each generation attempt is inferred to succeed with a probability near unity, whereas the efficiency for creating an unpolarized photon in the total cavity output is 0.69 +/- 0.10, as limited by passive cavity losses. An average of 1.4 x 10(4) photons are produced by each trapped atom. These results constitute an important step in quantum information science, for example, toward the realization of distributed quantum networking.
Response of erupting human premolars to force application.

Abstract To test the hypothesis that human tooth eruption requires a critical time period during which no force is applied to the erupting tooth, the eruption of a maxillary second premolar in the prefunctional stage was recorded during the afternoon or evening hours in eight children, using an optical device based on the principle of Moire magnification, while intermittent loads of 300–400 mN were applied to the teeth. When a tooth was erupting actively, light force applications either had no discernible effect or decreased the eruption rate for 2 min or less. When a tooth was intruding spontaneously rather than erupting, a varied response was observed, but the rate of intrusion never increased after force application. Often intrusion showed or halted, and especially during the evening, eruption was likely to occur after a force application during an initial period of intrusion. The conclusion is that, although light force applications significantly displace an erupting premolar, they have little or no effect on net eruption, and that a critical time period without force application is not necessary for eruption to occur.
Bioactions of 5-hydroxyicosatetraenoate and its interaction with platelet-activating factor

In a variety of stimulated cells, platelet-activating factor (PAF) and numerous arachidonate derivatives are coproducts that form as a consequence of receptor-mediated phospholipid mobilization. These lipid co-products produce a plethora of biological effects in a wide variety of cell systems. Furthermore, they often have a fascinating, although less widely appreciated, interaction. 5-HETE, at submicromolar concentrations, exerts relatively few direct bioactions. It does, however, potently (16–160 nM) raise cytosolic free calcium [Ca2+]i and augment PAF-induced responses in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) by as much as 100- to 1000-fold. 5-HETE acts on PMN by a structurally specific, stereospecific and pertussis toxin-inhibitable mechanism. In addition, PMN exposed to 5-HETE exhibit homologous but not heterologous desensitization. These findings suggest that 5-HETE, like PAF, may bind to its own specific plasmalemmal receptors to exert its unique set of bioactions. However, further investigation is required to demonstrate any putative 5-HETE receptors. Other potential mechanisms of 5-HETE-induced bioactions together with the possible effects of 5-HETE on PAF transduction mechanisms are also discussed.
Flux syntheses of La-doped NaTaO3 and its photocatalytic activity

Abstract The La-doped (2%) NaTaO3 perovskite-type solid was synthesized in high purity and homogeneity within a molten Na2SO4/K2SO4 (1:1 molar ratio) flux in much shortened reaction times, 0.5–1.0 h, compared to conventional solid-state techniques. The particle morphologies were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and were irregular block-shaped with dimensions of 500–100 nm and smaller surface features. The bulk particle sizes were found to decrease with increasing amounts of flux used in the synthesis, from 1:1 (NaTaO3:flux), 1:2 to 1:3 for a reaction duration of 1 h. Photocatalytic activities of the NaTaO3 products were measured in an aqueous methanol solution to be 535–1115 μmol H2 h−1 g−1, and which increased with increasing particle sizes and decreasing amounts of flux used in the synthesis. These rates were up to ×2 greater than that measured for a conventionally prepared La-doped (2%) NaTaO3 sample, which is currently one of the most efficient UV-photocatalysts known.
The acute effects of a single session of expiratory muscle strength training on blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation in healthy adults.

Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) is a rehabilitative program that has been tested for outcomes related to respiratory muscle strength, cough, swallow and voice function in healthy young adult, elderly individuals, and in patients with progressive neurodegenerative disease. Because EMST has been used in patient care, the associated cardiovascular responses during EMST are of importance. This study investigated the changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) during one session of EMST in healthy, young adults as a preliminary study of device safety. Thirty-one participants completed a single session of 25 trials with the EMST device. Valsalva maneuvers were performed at the beginning and at the end of the EMST trials for task comparison. The SBP, DBP, HR, and SpO2 were recorded at the baseline prior to the EMST task and Valsalva, after 12 trials using the EMST device, and after five minutes of rest following the EMST session. A mixed linear model tested for changes across the six time points. The results indicated no significant change of SBP, DBP, HR, or SpO2 during or following the EMST trials or after performing the Valsalva maneuver. The results suggest that EMST does not elicit significant fluctuations of BP, HR, and SpO2 in healthy young adults even when considering the effects of covariates on the outcomes measures.
Plant Density and Hybrid Influence on Corn Forage Yield and Quality

Corn (Zea mays L.) hybrid selection and plant density are important management considerations for successful forage production in dairy and livestock operations. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the effect of plant density on high- and low-quality corn hybrids and (ii) to describe the economic trade-off between plant density and forage yield and quality. Two adapted hybrids selected for high and low quality characteristics were grown in the field at five plant densities ranging from 44 500 to 104 500 plants ha -1 at six locations in Wisconsin during 1994, 1995, and 1996. Forage quality response among hybrids was similar across the range of plant densities evaluated. As plant density increased, dry matter yield increased 1.7 to 4.1 Mg ha -1 , depending on location. Maximum dry matter yields were observed at 97 300 to 102 200 harvested plants ha -1 . In vitro true digestibility decreased 16 to 23 g kg -1 as plant density increased. Crude protein decreased 6 to 8 g kg as plant density increased. Neutral-detergent fiber increased 20 to 35 g kg -1 , and acid-detergent fiber increased 19 to 29 g kg with increasing plant density. A trade-off exists between yield and quality for corn forage. Milk Mg -1 decreased 98 to 143 kg milk Mg -1 with increasing plant densities, but milk ha -1 increased 926 to 2176 kg milk ha -1 until about 75 000 to 85 000 harvested plants ha - 1 , and did not change with higher plant densities.
Prostaglandin (PG)E2 exhibits antifibrotic activity in vocal fold fibroblasts.

Objectives/Hypothesis. Prostaglandin (PG)E2 has been implicated in a variety of disease processes. It has been described as antifibrotic in the lower airway, yet scar-inducing in the skin. We seek to describe the effects of PGE2 on vocal fold fibroblasts and its interactions with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. In addition, we describe a novel organotypic model, a critical step in the development of therapeutic trials. Study Design. In vitro, ex vivo. Methods: Collagen secretion by human vocal fold fibroblasts (HVFF) was assayed in response to TGF-β1, PGE2, and specific EP receptor agonists. Basal HVFF migratory rate was also quantified in response to PGE2. TGF-β1 induced COX-2 mRNA expression/PGE2 secretion was assayed. Excised vocal folds were subjected to exogenous IL-1β; PGE2 secretion into the supernatant was then assayed. Results: TGF-β1-induced collagen secretion was blunted in a dose-dependent manner in response to PGE2. This effect appears to be mediated primarily through the EP1 and EP2 receptors. TGF-β1 induced COX-2 mRNA expression and PGE2 secretion. In our organ culture model, IL-1β stimulated PGE2 secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: PGE2 is antifibrotic; this finding suggests that the upper airway response to this inflammatory mediator differs significantly from the lower airway. These data have important clinical implications for a variety of pathological processes. Furthermore, exogenous TGF-β1 elicits induction of COX-2, suggesting inherent complexity regarding these processes and PGE2 signaling, specifically. In addition, our organ culture model may prove useful as a means to quantify biological phenomena in the vocal folds.
Bestimmung von molekülabmessungen aus viskosität, sedimentation und diffusion

Alle Theorien der Viskositatszahl, Sedimentation und Diffusion, welche die hydrodynamische Wechselwirking der einzelnen Teile, des statistischen Molekulkanaels berucksichtigen, benutzen die Beziehung Rjk = 1|j–k|1/2 fur den quadratischen Mittelwert des Abstandes von irgend zwei Kettensegmenten j und k. Da nun in den meisten untersuchten makromolekularen Systemen betrachtliche Abweichungen von dieser Formel gefunden wurden, ist es nicht zu verwundern, das diese Theorien unrichtige Werte fur die molekularen Abmessungen liefern. Insebesondere ergeben sich aus der Viskositat andere Werte als aus der Sedimentation oder Diffusion. Wenn man nun die experimentellen Werte der Viskositatszahl mit denen der Sedimentation oder Diffusion kombiniert, erhalt man den effektiven Durchmesser des Knauels und den hydrodynamischen Radius des Monomeren ganz unabhangig vom funktionellen Zusammenhange zwischen M und R. Fur dieses Verfahren scheint die Brinkman-Debye-Buechesche Theorie besonders geeignet zu sein. Die Methode wurde auf Polymethylmethacrylat in Aceton, Polyacrylonitril in Dimethylformamid und Polyisobutylen in Cyclohexan angewandt. Der effektive Durchmesser stimmt ausgezeichnet mit dem Wert aus der Lichtstreuung uberein. Der scheinbare hydrodynamische Radius ah des Monomeren sinkt sehr stark mit Mab, was durch den nicht-Gaussschen Charakter des Knauels richtig gedeutet werden kann. All the advanced theories of viscosity, sedimentation, and diffusion, taking into consideration the hydrodynamic interaction of the single parts of the statistical coil, use the function Rjk = 1/j–k/1/2 for the root mean square distance between any two chain elements j and k. Since notable derivations from this function were found in most of the investigated macromolecular systems, these theories yield incorrect values of the molecular dimensions. Particularly the molecular diameter derived from the interinsic viscosity does not agree with the value obtained from sedimentation or diffusion. By combining the experimental data of the intrinsic viscosity with those of sedimentation or diffusion, the effective coil diameter and the hydrodynamic radius of the monomer can be obtained, regardless of the relationship between M and R. The Brinkman-Debye-Bueche-theory seems to yield the best results. The methods was applied to methylmethacrylate in acetone, polyacrylonitrile in dimethylformamide and polyisobutylene in cyclohexane. The effective diameter agrees excellently with the light scattering values. The apparent hydrodynamic radius ah of the monomer decreases rapidly with M; this can be explained by the non-Gaussian character of the coil.
X Vision

In the past several years, the speed of standard processors has reached the point where interesting problems requiring visual tracking can be carried out on standard workstations. However, relatively little attention has been devoted to developing visual tracking technology in its own right. In this article, we describe X Vision, a modular, portable framework for visual tracking. X Vision is designed to be a programming environment for real-time vision which provides high performance on standard workstations outfitted with a simple digitizer. X Vision consists of a small set of image-level tracking primitives, and a framework for combining tracking primitives to form complex tracking systems. Efficiency and robustness are achieved by propagating geometric and temporal constraints to the feature detection level, where image warping and specialized image processing are combined to perform feature detection quickly and robustly. Over the past several years, we have used X Vision to construct several vision-based systems. We present some of these applications as an illustration of how useful, robust tracking systems can be constructed by simple combinations of a few basic primitives combined with the appropriate task-specific constraints.
Euler solution of the transonic flow for a helicopter rotor

A new method is presented for calculating the quasi-steady transonic flow over a lifting or nonlifting rotor blade in both hover and forward flight by using Euler equations. The approach is to solve the Euler equations in a rotor-fixed frame of reference using a finite volume method. A computer program was developed and was then verified by comparison with wind-tunnel data. In all cases considered, good agreement was found with available experimental data.
Downstream Transport of Fish Larvae in a Shallow Prairie River

Abstract Ichthyoplankton drift samples from the lower James River, South Dakota, during the 1978 spring and summer, were composed of 16 taxa representing six families. The predominant taxa were freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens, gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, Catostomidae, Cyprinidae, Ictaluridae, and Centrarchidae in decreasing order of abundance. Peak drift densities (460/1,000 m3) occurred on July 6 when the predominant ichthyoplankters were larval freshwater drums (323/1,000 m3) and gizzard shad (58/1,000 m3). The average weekly number of fish larvae moving through the study area was approximately 2.52 million. Collectively, the lower James River ichthyoplankton exhibited no significant diel periodicity, but four taxa did so. Gizzard shad, ictalurids, and catostomids were nocturnal drifters; their densities began increasing at dusk, peaked at 0100 hours, and subsequently declined at 0500 hours. Larval freshwater drums were diurnal drifters; greatest densities occurred between 0900 and 1700 hour...
Localization ROC Analysis for Multiband Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radios

Recent attention in cognitive radio applications has created interest in developing strategies for detecting and localizing primary users in order for secondary users to utilize the empty spectrum bands. The main contribution of this paper is to define optimal decision strategies for multiband spectrum localization and use several localization receiver operating characteristic (LROC) curves to evaluate performance of these decision strategies. The decision strategies investigated are motivated by the lesion detection problem in medical imaging, and include optimality criteria such as maximizing the area under the curve (AUC) of the LROC and Free Response ROC (FROC) curves. Performance of these optimal strategies are compared with well-known decision strategies, including maximum energy detection.
DNA binding analysis of glucocorticoid receptor specificity mutants

Abstract The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) DNA binding domain consists of several conserved amino acids and folds into two zinc finger-like structures. Previous transactivation experiments indicated that three amino acids residing in this region, Gly, Ser and Val, appear to be critical for target-site discrimination. Based on the solved crystal structure, these residues are at the beginning of an amphipathic alpha-helix that interacts with the DNA's major groove; of these, only valine, however, contacts DNA. In order to examine their functional role directly, we have substituted these residues for the corresponding amino acids from the estrogen receptor (ER), overexpressed and purified the mutant proteins, and assayed their binding specificity and affinity by gel mobility shifts using glucocorticoid or estrogen response elements (GRE or ERE, respectively) as DNA probes. We find that all three residues are indeed required to fully switch GR's specificity to an ERE. The contacting valine in GR is of primary importance. The corresponding residue in ER, alanine, is less important for specificity, while glutamic acid, four amino acids towards the N-terminus, is most critical for ER discrimination. Finally, we show that the GR DNA binding domain carrying all three ER-specific mutations has a significantly higher affinity for an ERE than the ER DNA binding domain itself. We interpret these results in the context of both the data presented here and the crystal structure of the GR DNA binding domain complexed to a GRE.
A compact wideband flat-band filter for silicon photonic applications

A compact coupled-resonators flat-band filter with a large bandwidth (∼3.3nm), large free-spectral range (∼18nm), low crosstalk (≪−12dB) and negligible insertion loss (≪0.5dB) is demonstrated on a silicon-on-insulator platform with focused applications for on-chip optical interconnects.
Rearing Successive Generations of Dioryctria abietella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae (Phycitinae)) on Artificial Media

An artificial medium is reported which permitted Dioryctria abietella (Denis & Schiffermuller) to be reared through successive generations with higher survival, fecundity, and growth rate than were attained when the insect was reared on its natural food, pine cones. Methods devised for rearing enabled separation of eggs from deposition site, surface sterilization of eggs, and tagging adults with fluorescent paint for recovery of individuals. Two indices, a larval growth rate index and a rearing index, were devised to permit rapid and easy comparisons of the effects of food on the insects reared.
Incremental value of myocardial perfusion over regional left ventricular function and coronary stenosis by cardiac CT for the detection of acute coronary syndromes in high-risk patients: a subgroup analysis of the ROMICAT trial.

Objectives To determine the incremental benefit of assessing myocardial perfusion defects (MPD) for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) over coronary and functional assessment by rest cardiac computed tomography (CT) in patients with acute chest pain. Background Assessment of myocardial perfusion is feasible with cardiac CT; however, the diagnostic value of this assessment in patients at risk for ACS has not been demonstrated. Methods The study included patients who presented to the emergency department with acute chest pain, nonischemic initial electrocardiogram (ECG), and negative cardiac biomarkers but had clinical suspicion for ACS and underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Results were blinded to caregivers and patients. CT data sets were independently assessed for the presence of coronary plaque and stenosis, regional left ventricular function, and myocardial perfusion deficits by 2 blinded observers. Coronary angiography was assessed for the presence of stenosis, TIMI myocardial perfusion grade, and corrected TIMI frame count. The endpoint was ACS during index hospitalization. Results We analyzed data from 35 subjects (69% male, mean age 58 ± 9 years) of whom 22 (63%) had ACS. The sensitivity and specificity of MPD for ACS were 86% (95% CI: 64%–96%) and 62% (95% CI: 32%–85%), respectively. Combined, MPD and RWMA assessment resulted in specificity and sensitivity of 86% (95% CI: 64%–96%) and 85% (95% CI: 54%–97%), respectively. Adding MPD and RWMA to the assessment for significant stenosis (>50%) resulted in a higher sensitivity of 91% (69–98%) and specificity of 85% (54–97%) and a significantly increased overall diagnostic accuracy when compared with assessment for stenosis (AUC: 0.88 vs 0.79; respectively, P = 0.02). Diagnostic accuracy of CT was not associated with impaired CTFC >40 or myocardial TIMI perfusion grade Conclusions Assessment of myocardial perfusion and regional wall motion abnormalities may enhance the ability of CT to detect ACS in patients with acute chest pain.
Atomic force microscopy of mammalian sperm chromatin

We have used the atomic force microscope (AFM) to image the surfaces of intact bull, mouse and rat sperm chromatin and partially decondensed mouse sperm chromatin attached to coverglass. High resolution AFM imaging was performed in air and saline using uncoated, unfixed and unstained chromatin. Images of the surfaces of intact chromatin from all three species and of an AFM-dissected bull sperm nucleus have revealed that the DNA is organized into large nodular subunits, which vary in diameter between 50 and 100 nm. Other images of partially decondensed mouse sperm chromatin show that the nodules are arranged along thick fibers that loop out away from the nucleus upon decondensation. These fibers appear to stretch or unravel, generating narrow smooth fibers with thicknesses equivalent to a single DNA-protamine complex. High resolution AFM images of the nodular subunits suggest that they are discrete, clipsoid-shaped DNA packaging units possibly only one level of packaging above the protamine-DNA complex.
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Umbilical Venous Catheter Placement

OBJECTIVE: To compare techniques for guiding and confirming placement of umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) using two-dimensional echocardiography. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-three newborns admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit who required an UVC or who were transferred within 24 hours of UVC placement at a referring hospital were studied. UVC position was assessed by antero-posterior (AP) chest radiography (CXR), lateral CXR, and oxygenation data. The accuracy of the above techniques was compared to echocardiography with saline contrast injection. RESULTS: Echocardiography revealed that UVCs were located ideally at the right atrial/inferior vena cava junction in only 12 (23%) of 53 patients. Twenty-four (45%) were incorrectly positioned in the left atrium. The sensitivity and specificity of AP CXR in evaluating inappropriate UVC position were 32% and 89%, respectively. Lateral CXR and thoracic level on AP CXR did not predict accurately catheter position. UVC pO2 data were not useful in excluding left atrial placement. CONCLUSION: Current methods to determine insertion length and confirm location of UVCs are not adequate. Echocardiography should be considered to confirm correct placement of UVCs.
A Scale Analysis of the Effects of US Federal Policy.

In this essay I argue that the effects of federal policy can be examined through a scale analysis that helps deconstruct the effect of the current widespread accountability movement in the US educational system. I first discuss the concept of scale, including its thus-far limited use in educational research. I define scales not only as hierarchical, nested physical spaces but also as the social relations and activities that constitute, and are constitutive of, spaces and places of interaction like the classroom. I draw on my own ethnographic data and current research to provide descriptions of each scale and the ways social relations are shaped by, and also shape, scales. I show how certain scales have been routinely elided from broader discussions about assessment under programmes like the No Child Left Behind Act (2002) and discuss who has the ability to make decisions and enforce policies in this context. I end with some implications of this analysis for educational policy and literacy research, includ...
Methamphetamine self-administration results in persistent dopaminergic pathology: implications for Parkinson's disease risk and reward-seeking.

Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse may be a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD); a problematic event as approximately 33 million people abuse Meth worldwide. The current study determined if a mild form of PD-like nigrostriatal pathology occurred following forced abstinence in Meth self-administering rats. The average daily intake of self-administered Meth was 3.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg/3 h over 14 sessions. Subsequently, animals were killed and the brains harvested at 1, 7, 28 or 56 days of abstinence. Post mortem, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining in the dorsal striatum progressively decreased throughout abstinence, reaching a 50% loss at 56 days. In the substantia nigra, there was marked reduction of TH+ cells, and Fluorogold (retrograde tracer) transport from the striatum to the nigra, at 28 and 56 days after Meth. Thus, Meth-induced progressive nigrostriatal damage occurred retrogradely, similar to PD pathology. The mesolimbic dopamine pathway [i.e. ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc)], critical for Meth-induced reward, was also evaluated. TH immunostaining was decreased in the NAc-core at 28 and 56 days of forced abstinence, while staining in the dorsomedial NAc-shell was preserved. Accordingly, TH+ cell loss was evident in the lateral VTA, the origin of projections to the NAc-core, but not the medial VTA where NAc-shell projections originate. Thus, after Meth-taking ceased, a time-dependent, progressive degeneration occurred within nigrostriatal projections that eventually engulfed lateral mesolimbic projections. This pathological pattern is consistent with a trajectory for developing PD; therefore, these findings provide preclinical support for Meth abuse to increase vulnerability to developing PD.
A detailed experimental study of the flow in the vicinity of the slotted wall of a wind tunnel with applications to the homogeneous slotted-wall boundary condition

The results of an experimental study of the flow in the vicinity of the slotted wall of a transonic wind tunnel are presented. A general description of the test setup and the wall configurations studied are given as are examples of the pressure data measured on the airfoil and the walls of the tunnel. The flow angles measured in the vicinity of the slot are examined with implications as to their use in the theory of homogeneous slotted walls. Preliminary values of the classical, homogeneous, slotted-wall boundary-condition coefficient are given and compared with theory.
Arbitrage opportunities in the depositary receipts market: Myth or reality?

We analyze the price discrepancy between American depositary receipts (ADRs) and their corresponding underlying shares using a high frequency data set of French and American stocks. Albeit infrequent, it is shown that large deviations from the law of one price are present in the data and an arbitrage trading rule reveals that profits could have been made on these large disequilibria. We thus classify these markets as disintegrated and not fully efficient. An estimate of the minimum size necessary to make a price discrepancy profitable is provided and we propose this variable as a proxy for measuring the degree of efficiency displayed by the markets involved.
Dual-scan acquisition for accelerated continuous-wave EPR oximetry

Abstract Statistical analysis reveals that, given a fixed acquisition time, linewidth (and thus pO 2 ) can be more precisely determined from multiple scans with different modulation amplitudes and sweep widths than from a single-scan. For a Lorentzian lineshape and an unknown but spatially uniform modulation amplitude, the analysis suggests the use of two scans, each occupying half of the total acquisition time. We term this mode of scanning as dual-scan acquisition. For unknown linewidths in a range [ Γ min , Γ max ], practical guidelines are provided for selecting the modulation amplitude and sweep width for each dual-scan component. Following these guidelines can allow for a 3–4 times reduction in spectroscopic acquisition time versus an optimized single-scan, without requiring hardware modifications. Findings are experimentally verified using L-band spectroscopy with an oxygen-sensitive particulate probe.
Infrared Linewidth and Line Position Measurements Using Diode Lasers with Internal Calibration

Measurements in the infrared region using semiconductor lasers, particularly as applied to atmospheric pollution monitoring, depend critically on the availability of reliable line positions and linewidth information. We demonstrate a unique internal calibration technique such that spectral locations can be determined accurately, to the order of the monochromaticity of the laser. This is based on low-pressure absorption measurements and subsequent fitting of a Voigt profile and determining the Doppler component. With this technique, we are able to determine the self- and the N2-broadening parameters of the NH3 line at 852.7 cm−1 to be 26.2 ± 0.4 MHz Torr−1 and 5.2 ± 0.1 MHz Torr−1, respectively. Also, the spectral locations for several SO2 lines in the 1180.1 cm−1 region were determined accurately.
Testing the specificity postulate of the violence graduation hypothesis: Meta-analyses of the animal cruelty–offending relationship

Abstract The violence graduation hypothesis assumes a direct causal link between animal cruelty and interpersonal aggression. This hypothesis is based on two postulates: (1) that animal cruelty precedes interpersonal aggression, and (2) that the effect is specific to violent forms of antisocial behavior. The current study was designed to test the second of these two postulates: i.e., specificity. Comparing reports of prior animal cruelty in violent and non-violent prisoners and patients, a 14-study meta-analysis revealed that the violent group was significantly more likely to have a history of animal cruelty than the non-violent group. Although this seemed to support the violence graduation hypothesis, uncontrolled differences between the violent and non-violent groups provide an alternative explanation of these results. In a second meta-analysis using a different set of studies (k = 5), animal cruelty was found to correlate as well with non-violent offending as it did with violent offending in male and mixed gender samples. These latter results suggest that at least in males, the animal cruelty–offending relationship is not specific to violence and that theories other than the violence graduation hypothesis may be required to explain the modest association that exists between animal cruelty and violent offending.
Litter Size: A Latent Social Behavior Effect Exhibited by Charles River Rats

Measures of open-field social behavior were devised and the results assessed as a function of pre-weaning rearing practices. Rat pups were raised in large (12 pups per mother) and small litters (6 pups per mother). An analysis of variance indicated sex effects during social interaction at 21 days of age. The female vs female pairs and the male vs female pairs, each exhibited a significantly greater social interaction score than the male vs male pairs although there were no significant differences between the female and mixed-pair groups. However, a latent litter effect was observed when the subjects were tested at sexual maturity, 64 days of age. The results indicated that subjects raised in larger litters exhibited a longer duration of body contact and a significantly higher social interaction score than those subjects reared in small litters. The investigators discuss the point that social behavior is of the utmost importance to sexually mature animals. Thus, the effects of previous rearing conditions m...
Categorical Perception for Emotional Faces.

Categorical perception (CP) refers to how similar things look different depending on whether they are classified as the same category. Many studies demonstrate that adult humans show CP for human emotional faces. It is widely debated whether the effect can be accounted for solely by perceptual differences (structural differences among emotional faces) or whether additional perceiver-based conceptual knowledge is required. In this review, I discuss the phenomenon of CP and key studies showing CP for emotional faces. I then discuss a new model of emotion which highlights how perceptual and conceptual knowledge interact to explain how people see discrete emotions in others’ faces. In doing so, I discuss how language (emotion words included in the paradigm) contribute to CP.
The population study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago.

This special issue is reported on the Population Study of ChINese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) and is designed to shed light on the psychological and social well-being of U.S. Chinese older adults. The PINE study (松年研究, sōngnianyanjiū) is a population-based epidemiological study of 3,159 community-dwelling Chinese older adults aged 60 years and older in the Greater Chicago area. With its data collection taking place between July 2011 and June 2013, the PINE study assessed a wide array of psychological and social attributes, including depressive symptoms, loneliness, social support, elder abuse, and other indicators including filial piety values that are closely intertwined with the Chinese cultural ideal on health and well-being. To our knowledge, the PINE study is the largest epidemiological study of U.S. Chinese older adults in the Western countries with primary aims to examine the psychological and social well-being of Chinese older adults. Globally, China’s aging population is growing at an exponential rate. Currently, China is the only country in the world with more than 100 million older people, and the country continues to experience an annual growth rate of 3.2% (Zhang, Guo, & Zheng, 2012). By 2030, Chinese older adults aged 60 and over will reach 360 million, accounting for 16% of the total population. It is estimated that by 2042, approximately a one third of China’s population will be 60 years or older, accounting for one fourth of the global aging population (National People’s Congress Announcement, 2011; Poston & Yi, 2008).
Damping-undamping strategies for the Levenberg-Marquardt nonlinear least-squares method

The speed of the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) nonlinear iterative least-squares method depends upon the choice of damping strategy when the fitted parameters are highly correlated. Additive damping with small damping increments and large damping decrements permits LM to efficiently solve difficult problems, including those that otherwise cause stagnation. © 1997 American Institute of Physics.
Phase-based cache reconfiguration for a highly-configurable two-level cache hierarchy

Phase-based tuning methodologies specialize system parameters for each application phase of execution. Parameters are varied during execution, as opposed to remaining fixed as in an application-based tuning methodology. Prior work and logic suggests phase-based tuning may provide significant savings over application-based tuning. We investigate this hypothesis using a detailed cache model and tune a highly-configurable cache on a per-phase basis compared to tuning once per application, and found phase-based tuning to yield improvements of up to 37% in performance and 20% in energy over application-based tuning. Furthermore, we extend previous phase-based tuning of a configurable cache by significantly increasing configurability and show 14% energy improvement compared to previous methods. In addition, we quantify the overhead imposed due to cache reconfiguration.
The Press in the Crisis of August 8, 1829

Martignac’s moderate Cabinet had been isolated from the crown, but it might still have survived if it had held the support of a majority of the deputies. The Left, however, ignored the sincere constitutionalism of the Bordelais orator, and continually blamed him for yielding to the far Right. At the same time, the Ultras demanded his head for yielding to the “opinion”. His own support in the Center-Right was neither stable nor numerically large.
Critical Mass and Efficiency

Every gram of enriched uranium or synthesized plutonium produced in the Manhattan Project was obtained at great cost and with great difficulty, so estimating the amount of fissile material needed to make a workable nuclear weapon—the so-called critical mass—was a crucial issue for the developers of Little Boy and Fat Man. Equally important was to estimate what efficiency one might expect for a fission bomb. For various reasons, not all of the fissile material in a bomb core undergoes fission during a nuclear explosion; if the expected efficiency were to prove so low that one might just as well use a few conventional bombs to achieve the same energy release, there would be no point in taking on the massive engineering challenges involved in making nuclear weapons. In this chapter we investigate these issues.
Backscatter variability observed in C-band and Ku-band scatterometer data

The backscatter from ocean waves measured by scatterometers is primarily determined by the speed and direction of near-surface wind, while other influences (temperature, salinity, swell, etc.) appear to be secondary effects. A complete theoretical geophysical model, incorporating all influences on the backscatter, appears beyond the current state of science; empirical estimates of the wind-backscatter relationship do not incorporate non-wind influences and suffer from variability due to unmodelled parameters. Having previously developed a method of estimating this variability directly from scatterometer measurements, this paper provides an analysis of ERS-1 (C-band) and NSCAT (Ku-band) data to identify some governing factors in the value of the modeling variability.
Role of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell β-Catenin Signaling in Experimental Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is caused by the contraction of fibrotic membranes on the epiretinal surface of the neurosensory retina, resulting in a traction retinal detachment and loss of visual acuity. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells play an important role in formation of such fibrotic, contractile membranes. We investigated the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a pathway implicated in several fibrotic diseases, in RPE cells in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. In vitro culture of swine RPE sheets resulted in nuclear translocation of β-catenin in dedifferentiated RPE cells. FH535, a specific inhibitor of β-catenin signaling, reduced the outgrowth of cultured RPE sheets and prevented dedifferentiated RPE cell proliferation and migration. It also inhibited formation of contractile membranes by dedifferentiated RPE cells on collagen I matrices. Expression and function of the β-catenin signaling target connexin-43 were down-regulated by FH535, and functional blockade of connexins with carbenoxolone also prevented the in vitro formation of fibrotic, contractile membranes. Intravitreal injection of FH535 in swine also inhibited formation of dense, contractile membranes on the epiretinal surface and prevented development of traction retinal detachment. These findings demonstrate that β-catenin signaling is involved in formation of contractile membranes by dedifferentiated RPE cells and suggest that adjunctive treatment targeting this pathway could be useful in preventing proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
The Impact of Medicare Part D on Hospitalization Rates

The Medicare Part D program, launched in 2006, increased the share of Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug coverage from 59 to 89 percent (authors' calculation). This expansion of benefits recognizes that prescription drugs are an indispensable component of care management, particularly for chronic disease. The evidence suggests that, even in a narrow time window, better management of certain conditions with prescription drugs can reduce the likelihood of adverse events like hospitalizations and the costs associated with them (Goldman, Joyce, and Zheng 2007; Stuart, Doshi, and Terza 2009;). Thus, because use of prescription medications is related to the generosity of coverage (Goldman et al. 2007), we would expect that the increase in drug coverage resulting from Part D will increase adherence to important medications and lead to improved health and fewer hospitalizations.1 Evidence from national data supports the first portion of this argument, that Part D increased prescription drug use (Yin et al. 2008; Schneeweiss et al. 2009;). Other research examining the experience of a single insurer suggests that extra spending on medications was offset by reduced spending on other medical services (Zhang et al. 2009). Presumably, a reduction in hospitalizations was a significant component of this offset. The effects could be greatest on admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (Weissman, Gatsonis, and Epstein 1992; Bindman et al. 1995;). Examination of hospitalization is also important because it can help assess the clinical impact of Part D. Specifically, because Part D did not affect incentives for hospitalization, any changes in hospitalizations related to Part D-induced changes in drug coverage are likely due to changes in underlying health status. By assessing the impact of Part D on hospitalizations, we can gain insight about the effects of this policy change on health more generally. Existing research has not examined the impact of Part D on hospitalization (or any markers of health outcomes) directly. In part, this is because linked data on drug coverage, drug utilization, and outcomes are not available. We surmount this problem by conducting an area level study. Our analytic strategy uses the fact that drug coverage was more prevalent in some geographic areas than in others before Part D. Thus, some states were more affected by Part D than others. We assess whether the states most affected by Part D had greater changes in admissions for diagnoses potentially amenable to drug coverage, compared with states less affected by Part D. We control for unobserved state trends by examining admission rate changes in the same states over the same study period for individuals aged 60–64, who for the most part did not see their drug coverage change with the introduction of Part D. This study design is analogous to an intention to treat analysis and therefore addresses the issue of nonrandom selection into Part D plans by examining market-level effects.
Density dependent state space model for population abundance data with unequal time intervals

The Gompertz state-space (GSS) model is a stochastic model for analyzing time-series observations of population abundances. The GSS model combines density dependence, environmental process noise, and observation error toward estimating quantities of interest in biological monitoring and population viability analysis. However, existing methods for estimating the model parameters apply only to population data with equal time intervals between observations. In the present paper, we extend the GSS model to data with unequal time intervals, by embedding it within a state-space version of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, a continuous-time model of an equilibrating stochastic system. Maximum likelihood and restricted maximum likelihood calculations for the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck state-space model involve only numerical maximization of an explicit multivariate normal likelihood, and so the extension allows for easy bootstrapping, yielding confidence intervals for model parameters, statistical hypothesis testing of density dependence, and selection among sub-models using information criteria. Ecologists and managers previously drawn to models lacking density dependence or observation error because such models accommodated unequal time intervals (for example, due to missing data) now have an alternative analysis framework incorporating density dependence, process noise, and observation error.