cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contactless Measurement of Heart Rate Variability from Pupillary Fluctuations

The ability to measure a person's physiological parameters in a contact less fashion (i.e., without attaching electrodes to the skin) has tremendous potential in a number of applications, from affective interfaces to healthcare delivery. In this paper, we present a proof-of-concept method for measuring one such vital parameter, heart rate variability (HRV), in a contact less fashion from spontaneous fluctuations in pupillary diameter. Our approach uses a remote eye tracker for imaging and an integro-differential algorithm for segmenting the pupil-iris boundary. We then estimate HRV from the relative distribution of energy in the low frequency (0.04 to 0.15 Hz) and high frequency (0.15 to 0.4 Hz) bands of the power spectrum of the time series of pupillary fluctuations. We validated the method under a range of breathing conditions and under different illumination levels. Our results show a high degree of agreement between our pupillary estimate of HRV and ground truth measurements from an ECG-grade heart rate monitor. These results support the feasibility of estimating HRV in a non-contact, non-invasive fashion.
Experimental seawater/basalt interactions: Effects of cooling

Oceanic tholeiite glass has been reacted with natural seawater at 25°–500° C, 1 kbar, with both low (5) and high (50) water/rock mass ratios. Initial experiments were conducted at constant temperatures between 100° C and 500° C (100° intervals) in order to characterize the mineralogy and chemical exchange trends for both water/rock ratios. However, the primary purpose of this investigation was to study the chemical and mineralogical changes that may take place as reacted seawater cools as it traverses a temperature gradient before exiting onto the seafloor, as may happen in some submarine hydrothermal systems. Consequently, a series of cooling or “temperature gradient” experiments were performed in which seawater that had reacted with basalt at 500° C was cooled to 25° C in a step-wise fashion; mineralogy and fluid chemistry were determined at 100 degree intervals during cooling.
Novel transition metal multiple bonding-myth or reality? A computational study of boryl complexes

Abstract A computational investigation of coordinatively saturated transition metal boryl (LnMBR2) complexes is reported. A combination of semiempirical quantum mechanics, ab initio quantum mechanics (Hartree Fock and density functional methods), and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics are employed to investigate the structure and bonding of boryl complexes, in particular the extent of metalboron π bonding. It is concluded on the basis of calculated geometries, energies, spectroscopy and bonding analyses that for the boryl complexes studied, which cover a wide range of the important experimental prototypes, that metalboron π bonding is small to insignificant.
Early Experience with Robotic-Assisted Lung Resection:

Robotic-assisted surgery is not widely accepted for general thoracic surgical procedures, and the technical advantages, cost effectiveness, and patient benefit are in question. Few reports have been published to date regarding clinical experience with this technology. We describe our first consecutive case experience with robotic-assisted lung resection. A total of 23 robotic-assisted lung resections were performed from December 1, 2008, to September 30, 2010. Patients were selected on the basis of being candidates for a minimally invasive approach to their lung resection, including criteria such as known or suspected early-stage nonsmall-cell lung cancer, no prior thoracotomy, no neoadjuvant therapy, and a body mass index (BMI) less than 40 kg/cm2. Data on patient characteristics and perioperative results were collected retrospectively. Overall 90-day mortality was 0%. The total postoperative complication rate was 39%. Conversion of the robotic-assisted procedure to a video-assisted procedure was necessary in four patients (17%), and to a thoracotomy in one patient (4%). We assessed operative time, chest tube duration, and length of hospital stay. Comparison to published outcomes from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database demonstrated comparable outcomes to standard approaches. Robotic-assisted lung resection is safe and feasible, with comparable short-term outcomes to published results from video-assisted or open approaches.
The Thayer method of instruction at the United States Military Academy: a modest history and a modern personal account

In 2002, The United States Military Academy at West Point celebrates its bicentennial. For most of those two hundred years the academy has taught its courses by what is known as the Thayer method of instruction. In short, the philosophy is that cadets are responsible for their own learning. They study the material prior to attending class. The learning is then reinforced in class through a combination of group learning and active learning exercises done primarily at the blackboards.I will give a short overview of how instruction at West Point has evolved in two hundred years, along with a discussion of our current teaching methods and how they can be integrated into any science classroom.
Context‐dependent protein stabilization by methionine‐to‐leucine substitution shown in T4 lysozyme

The substitution of methionines with leucines within the interior of a protein is expected to increase stability both because of a more favorable solvent transfer term as well as the reduced entropic cost of holding a leucine side chain in a defined position. Together, these two terms are expected to contribute about 1.4 kcal/mol to protein stability for each Met --> Leu substitution when fully buried. At the same time, this expected beneficial effect may be offset by steric factors due to differences in the shape of leucine and methionine. To investigate the interplay between these factors, all methionines in T4 lysozyme except at the amino-terminus were individually replaced with leucine. Of these mutants, M106L and M120L have stabilities 0.5 kcal/mol higher than wild-type T4 lysozyme, while M6L is significantly destabilized (-2.8 kcal/mol). M102L, described previously, is also destabilized (-0.9 kcal/mol). Based on this limited sample it appears that methionine-to-leucine substitutions can increase protein stability but only in a situation where the methionine side chain is fully or partially buried, yet allows the introduction of the leucine without concomitant steric interference. The variants, together with methionine-to-lysine substitutions at the same sites, follow the general pattern that substitutions at rigid, internal sites tend to be most destabilizing, whereas replacements at more solvent-exposed sites are better tolerated.
Cosmogenic 10Be in Zaire alluvial diamonds: implications for 3He contents of diamonds

To determine the amounts of cosmic-ray produced ('cosmogenic') 3He which could be created in diamonds during their post-eruptive residence in near-surface regions, we have measured the concentration of 10Be (half life, 1.6 Myr) in an industrial diamond sample. The motivation to study cosmogenic 3He in diamonds comes from the recent observations1,2 of 3He/4He ratios in some diamonds that are even higher than meteoritic values (so-called 'planetary' helium with 3He/4He = 1.4×10−4). We measured 10Be in an alluvial diamond sample, using radiochemical and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) techniques. The observed 10Be concentration, 2.46 ± 0.39×106 atoms g−1, leads to an effective surface exposure of 3.3×105 yr for these diamonds. This corresponds to a substantial cosmogenic production of 3He in the alluvial diamonds, ≥=29% of the total 3He. We conclude that the high 3He/4He ratios in at least some diamonds are due to cosmogenic 3He production in near-surface regions during their residence in alluvial or weathering deposits. Thus, in order to establish that such high 3He/4He ratios existed in the mantle at one time, it is a priori necessary to study diamonds collected by underground mining methods.
Sources and timing of sex education: relations with American adolescent sexual attitudes and behavior

The purpose of this study was to explore the comparative contribution that (a) multiple sources of education about sexual topics (peers, media, school and other adults), and (b) the timing of this sex education, make on American adolescent sexual attitudes and behavior. Participants were 672 ethnically and economically diverse male and female, high‐school adolescents. Regression analyses revealed that earlier learning from most sources and more learning from schools about various sexual topics, including the importance of using birth control and consequences of teen pregnancy, were generally significantly predictive of less frequent oral sex and sexual intercourse. Other sources of sex education (peers, media, other adults) seemed to be less important in influencing outcomes. Ethnic/racial and gender variations also resulted.
Cadmium-regulated genes from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Identification and cloning of new cadmium-responsive genes by differential display.

The transition metal cadmium is a pervasive and persistent environmental contaminant that has been shown to be both a human toxicant and carcinogen. To inhibit cadmium-induced damage, cells respond by increasing the expression of genes encoding stress-response proteins. In most cases, the mechanism by which cadmium affects the expression of these genes remains unknown. It has been demonstrated in several instances that cadmium activates gene transcription through signal transduction pathways, mediated by protein kinase C, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, or calmodulin. A codicil is that cadmium should influence the expression of numerous genes. To investigate the ability of cadmium to affect gene transcription, the differential display technique was used to analyze gene expression in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Forty-nine cDNAs whose steady-state levels of expression change 2–6-fold in response to cadmium exposure were identified. The nucleotide sequences of the majority of the differentially expressed cDNAs are identical to those of C. elegans cosmids, yeast artificial chromosomes, expressed sequence tags, or predicted genes. The translated amino acid sequences of several clones are identical to C. elegansmetallothionein-1, HSP70, collagens, and rRNAs. In addition, C. elegans homologues of pyruvate carboxylase, DNA gyrase, β-adrenergic receptor kinase, and human hypothetical protein KIAA0174 were identified. The translated amino acid sequences of the remaining differentially expressed cDNAs encode novel proteins.
Effect of extended-release niacin or ezetimibe on carotid intimal thickness: the ARBITER-HALTS Study.

The lipid hypothesis has been verified by extensive data obtained from epidemiologic, pathologic, and controlled clinical studies over the past four decades. Observational and epidemiologic studies are considered to be important in correlating the statistical associations between putative risk factors and cardiovascular disease. However, observational studies should be considered as hypothesis generating and should require confirmation in well-designed, controlled, prospective clinical trials. Pharmacologic therapies for dyslipidemia using bile acid sequestrants, fibric acid derivatives, nicotinic acid, and statins have all been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in prospective clinical trials. However, clinical trials are time consuming and expensive, a fact that has generated considerable interest in the utilization of surrogate measurements to infer clinical efficacy. The recent release of ezetimibe was welcomed as another pharmacologic approach to modify the lipid profile either in monotherapy or in combination with statins. Ezetimibe improves dyslipidemia by a unique mechanism of action. The primary mechanism of action of ezetimibe is localized within the gastrointestinal tract. Ezetimibe has been demonstrated to inhibit the absorption of free cholesterol by binding to the Niemann Pick C1-Like1 protein transport system, which modulates the absorption of free cholesterol [1]. Ezetimibe therapy reduces circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by an average of 20% in individuals (depending on the cholesterol absorption capacity of the individual). Ezetimibe has not been evaluated in clinical trials that analyze cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. The recent Ezetimibe and Simvastatin in Hypercholesterolemia Enhances Atherosclerosis Regression (EHANCE) study raised doubts about the clinical utility of ezetimibe when it failed to reduce carotid intimal thickness when added to full-dose simvastatin therapy. The results of the EHANCE trial caused considerable clinical controversy and raised questions about the efficacy of ezetimibe as an effective hypolipidemic agent.
Craniomaxillofacial Allotransplantation: Achievements and Future Challenges

Traditional reconstructive techniques have struggled to restore form and function in cases of massive facial trauma. A growing number of centers are attempting to make reconstructive craniomaxillofacial transplantation a mainstream technique. In this chapter, we review the worldwide clinical experience and lessons learned from previous transplants. Increasing efforts are being applied towards the use of computer-based surgical and orthognathic planning to mitigate the inherent complexity of these cases. As comfort is gained with the technical aspects of harvest, inset, and anastomosis, the benchmark for success will be moved beyond allograft survival into measurements of functionality and appearance.
THE INTERPRETATION OF MAXIMIZING UTILITARIANISM

Utilitarians and their critics commonly assume that maximizing utilitarianism necessarily aggregates over cardinal comparable personal utility rankings that are homogeneous in quality independently of their sources or objects, whether utility is conceived in terms of pleasure or preference satisfaction. Although familiar versions of utilitarianism, crude or sophisticated, do make such rich homogeneous utility information part of the very meaning of the doctrine, utilitarian philosophy loses credibility as a result. A more credible version of maximizing utilitarianism along John Stuart Mill's lines relies instead on plural kinds of ordinal non-comparable personal utilities that are heterogeneous in quality. One kind of utility is qualitatively superior to another if and only if the higher kind is more valuable than the lower kind irrespective of quantity. Given that the kind of utility associated with the moral sentiment of justice is qualitatively superior to any competing kinds, Mill's pluralistic ordinal utilitarianism gives absolute priority to a social code of equal rights and duties over competing considerations. Some key practical implications of this extraordinary utilitarianism are discussed with reference to various examples of the sort discussed in the literature.
An examination of four viscoplastic constitutive theories in uniaxial monotonic loading

Abstract The predictions of four constitutive theories of viscoplasticity are examined and compared in uniaxial homogeneous deformations. Each theory is fitted to the same stress-strain data, and both analytical and numerical methods are employed to highlight similarities and differences between their predictions. Asymptotic limits are given which represent steady-state behavior of the solutions, and the limits are used to provide analytical methods for fitting test data. Different manifestations of strain-rate and stress-rate history effects predicted by the theories are compared, and the theories are shown to share a significant qualitative bias between responses to stress- and strain-controlled loading.
Spatial Models and Spotted Owls: Exploring Some Biological Issues Behind Recent Events

Few species will ever challenge conservation biology as much as the Northern Spotted Owl, Strix occidentalis caurina, has done (Simberloff 1987; Murphy & Noon 1992). The Forest Service and other U.S. agencies, mandated to protect the owl, face formidable pressures to neither undernor overestimate its needs. Biologists were asked to produce the bottom line: what minimal amount of old-growth forest, in what spatial configuration, would give the owl a high likelihood of survival? This is a very difficult question in strictly biological terms. The owl's extreme sparsity-its distribution of about 3000 pairs over millions of acres in three statesmeans that existing formulas for "minimum viable population size" are clearly inapplicable. Spatial dynamicsthe theoretically challenging issue of how populations are affected by their distribution across an irregular habitat-had to be central to any defensible analysis. Recently, conservation biologists faced each other in the legal arena, some supporting a proposed plan for the owl and others backing lawsuits to block it. Metapopu-
Brucella vaccines in wildlife

Brucellosis has been known to exist in populations of wildlife since the early part of the 20th century. At the beginning of this century in the US, Brucella abortus is a problem in elk and bison in the Greater Yellowstone Area, B. suis is prevalent in millions of feral swine in most of the southern states, and caribou/reindeer in Alaska are infected with B. suis biovar 4. Brucellosis has been virtually eliminated in domestic livestock in the US after decades of expensive governmental disease prevention, control and eradication programs. Now the most likely source of transmission of brucellosis to humans, and the risk of reintroduction of brucellosis into livestock is from infected populations of free-ranging wildlife. Brucellosis was eradicated from livestock through a combination of testing, vaccination, and removal of infected animals. The use of vaccines to control brucellosis in populations of wildlife and therefore reducing the risk of transmission to humans and livestock has been proposed in several instances. This manuscript reviews research on the use of Brucella vaccines in species of wildlife with emphasis on safety and efficacy.
Instantaneous electric energy and electric power dissipation in dispersive media

We derive the instantaneous densities of electric energy and electric power dissipation in lossless and lossy dispersive media for a time-harmonic electric field. The instantaneous quantities are decomposed into DC and AC components, some of which are shown to be independent of the dispersion of dielectric constants. The AC component of the instantaneous energy density can be used to visualize propagation of electromagnetic waves through complex 3D structures.
Association between cardiac and noncardiac complications in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery: outcomes and effects on length of stay

Abstract Purpose To determine the relation between cardiac and noncardiac complications and their effects on length of stay in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Methods We collected detailed information from the history, physical examination, and preoperative tests of 3970 patients aged ≥50 years who were undergoing major noncardiac procedures. Serial electrocardiograms and cardiac enzyme measurements were performed perioperatively, and cardiac and noncardiac complications were recorded prospectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between cardiac and noncardiac complications, and linear regression was used to assess their effects on length of stay. Results Cardiac complications occurred in 84 patients (2%), and noncardiac complications developed in 510 patients (13%). Both types of complications occurred in 40 patients (1%). The most common cardiac complications were pulmonary edema (n = 42) and myocardial infarction (n = 41). The most common noncardiac complications were wound infection (n = 291), confusion (n = 87), respiratory failure requiring intubation (n = 62), deep venous thrombosis (n = 48), and bacterial pneumonia (n = 46). Patients with cardiac complications were more likely to suffer a noncardiac complication than were those without cardiac complications, even after adjustment for preoperative clinical factors (odds ratio=6.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.9 to 10.6). Mean length of stay was markedly increased in patients who experienced cardiac (11 days; 95% CI: 9 to 12 days) or noncardiac (11 days; 95% CI: 10 to 12 days) complications, or both (15 days; 95% CI: 12 to 18 days), as compared with patients without complications (4 days; 95% CI: 3 to 4 days), even after adjustment for procedure type and clinical factors. Conclusion Cardiac and noncardiac complications were strongly linked in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Patients who experienced one type of complication were at increased risk of developing the other type of complication as well as prolonged perioperative length of stay.
Effect of nonlinear dissipation on quantum-activated rate processes in condensed phases

A quantum-activated rate process in the presence of a nonlinear dissipative environment is studied with a Feynman path-integral technique. The nonlinear dissipation arises from specific nonlinear couplings between the reaction coordinate and a many-dimensional bath of effective harmonic oscillators. Such coupling results in a nonlinear influence functional for the effective Feynman path integral along the reaction coordinate. Large nonlinear effects on the rate constant are found at low temperatures
Conditional risk models for ordinal response data: simultaneous logistic regression analysis and generalized score tests

A general class of conditional risk models is introduced for ordinal regression. Special cases include the cumulative logit models, continuation ratio models and adjacent category odds models. A simultaneous logistic regression (SLR) approach is introduced for fitting the models in a unified fashion. Inferences are obtained by adapting the theory of generalized estimating equations. SLR is fully efficient for the continuation ratio model and has high efficiency in other cases. The general approach applies to other link functions such as ordinal probit analysis as well. Rao-type generalized score tests are developed for model assessment within this framework. These tests are useful in testing for parallelism within the general class of models. Real data examples illustrate the unified modeling made possible by this approach.
The interaction of carbon, nitrogen and sterilization of the medium on pycnidial production of Endothia parasitica

The carbon source and concentration and the nitrogen concentration in a Millipore sterilized medium were varied simultaneously, and the effect of this on asexual sporulation of E. parasitica was studied. The availability of a carbon source for sporulation depended on its concentration and on the nitrogen concentration. It was concluded that in nutritional experiments it was essential to study several variables to get meaningful results for any one. Autoclaving the fructose medium greatly reduced sporulation compared with that in the sterile filtered medium. There was less difference between the amount of sporulation on autoclaved and that on sterile filtered sucrose medium. Sporulation also depended on whether the sugar and mineral salts were autoclaved together or in separate containers. Sterilization by autoclaving is not satisfactory for nutritional studies because of chemical changes it causes in the medium. Results with autoclaved media may be a reflexion of the toxicity or availability of the breakdown products of the substance under study.
The essentials oil of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) raf. and its selections in relation to classification

Abstract A gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of the essential oils of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. was made to determine the percentage of such oils in the rind, pulp and leaf of Poncirus, to ascertain the variation that exists within and between strains of Poncirus, and to study the changes in the essential rind oil composition occurring during maturation.
Sisters of secession: the unclaimed legacies of two Southern American Irish women

Mary Austin Carroll (1835–1909) and Florence Jane O'Connor (dates unknown) were both Irish American women of fervent religious belief who are unfamiliar to contemporary readers. The first objective of this piece is to introduce them and to give an account of their work. As a nun, and later a superior in the Order of the Sisters of Mercy, Mary Austin Carroll's work has sometimes been lost to her own preference for anonymity. Her literary production and importance arguably eclipse more celebrated male pro-Confederate contemporaries like Father Abram J. Ryan. For her part, Florence O'Connor's singular work, The Heroine of the Confederacy, provides critical insights into how Irish American women naturalised Catholicism in the South and reconciled it to Lost Cause remembrance. This essay attempts to place these women within the larger context of Southern Irish Americans with Confederate sympathies and argues for the lasting significance of their literary and rhetorical legacies within American Irish histories.
18-Fold Interpenetration and Concomitant Polymorphism in the 2:3 Co-Crystal of Trimesic Acid and 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethane†

The 2:3 co-crystal of trimesic acid and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (2) exhibits concomitant polymorphism. Form II of 2 is the expected hexagonal (6,3) network, whereas form I is a (10,3)-a network that exhibits an unprecedented 18-fold level of interpenetration.
Pain measurement: Construct validity of the affective dimension of the McGill Pain Questionnaire with chronic benign pain patients☆

Abstract The research reported here used a population of chronic benign pain patients and examined the relationship between scores in the affective dimension of the McGill Pain Questionnaire and independent measures of affect and infirmity. The data indicated that patients who reported high affective dimensional scores were significantly more depressed and anxious and somatized more than patients who reported low affective scores. Similarly, these high affective patients reported significantly greater perceived infirmity secondary to their pain. These results suggest that the affective dimension score of the McGill Pain Questionnaire can serve as a useful index of the overall affective status of pain patients and given this interpretation the dimension has good construct validity.
Light amplification mechanisms in a coherently coupled atomic system

We analyze transient properties of light amplification in a coherently coupled three-level \ensuremath{\Lambda}-type system and study the system evolution from the transient regime into the steady state. From the time evolution of the atomic coherence and population distribution, we discuss the transient light amplification mechanism with and without population inversion. We also solve the density-matrix equations in the steady state and derive the conditions for the existence of specific light amplification mechanisms, such as light amplification without inversion in any standard state basis, light amplification by stimulated Raman scattering, and light amplification from population inversion in the dressed states.
Recent progress in thermal field electron source performance

Abstract The electron emission properties of a thermal-field electron (TFE) source consisting of a 〈100〉 oriented tungsten emitter with an overlayer of zirconium will be reported. In addition, the electronic and geometric structure of the unsually low work function (2.6 eV) and thermally stable Zr/W(100) surface will be discussed. It has been shown through Auger spectroscopy and field emission microscopy investigations that the low work function surface is confined to the (100) plane of tungsten and consists of a Zr/O/W composite structure which extends several tens of atomic layers into the bulk. Heating in oxygen causes the Zr to disappear from the surface along with an increase in work function from 2.6 to 5.5 eV. However, subsequent heating in vacuum at T ∼ 2000 K restores both the Zr/O/W surface composition and low work function. The low work function surface is unaffected by small amounts of carbon impurities, but nitrogen, presumably in the form of ZrN, increases the work function to 3.9 eV which remains unchanged up to 1800 K. Both thermionic and retarding work function measurements of the Zr/O/W surface yield a work function in the range of 2.5 to 2.7 eV. Further, this low work function surface is stable with respect to repeated temperature cycling to ∼2100 K. Field emission studies using 〈100〉 oriented emitters with a ZrO overlayer have shown the low work function (100) plane to be the dominant region of emission. Operation of such TF cathodes at 1800 K and residual pressure of 1 to 3 × 10 -8 Torr appears feasible with life in excess of 5000 h. Current fluctuations in the frequency interval 1 to 5000 Hz were ∼0.23% for a highly apertured beam current of 30 nA. The angular intensity of electron current from such TF sources can exceed 1 × 10 -3 A/sr without limiting emitter life.
AlGaAs/GaAs Heterojunction bipolar power transistors

An AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor with a total emitter periphery of 320 µm has been developed for power amplifier applications. For the base contact, Zn diffusion was used to convert the n-type emitter material into p-type with a doping of ∼1.0 × 1020 cm‾3. Because of the highly doped layer, contact resistivity was extremely low (5 × 10‾7 Ωcm2). At 3 GHz, a CW output power of 320 mW with 7 dB gain and 30% power-added efficiency was obtained. Under pulsed operation, the output power increased to 500 mW with 6 dB gain and 40% power-added efficiency. With further device structure optimisations, the power performance of heterojunction bipolar transistors is expected to rival, or even surpass, that of the GaAs MESFETs.
The Contingent‐Claims Approach to Investment Decisions*

This paper presents a contingent-claims approach to project valuation when capital expenditures are made sequentially over time. It focuses on an important facet of sequential investment projects that the firm can undertake—or pass up projects—as more information becomes available. The contingent-claims approach takes account of this important feature of firms' investment decision process, whereas the traditional capital budgeting procedure does not. Since the traditional method does not reflect the options nature of investment opportunities, it underestimates the value of sequential investment projects. As a result, a naive implementation of the traditional capital budgeting procedure could result in rejecting profitable projects. The extent of undervaluation associated with the traditional capital budgeting procedure is greater when the correlation between the random component of the future asset value and that of the required capital expenditure is smaller and/or when the growth rate of the required capital expenditure is higher.
Artificial lateral line-based localization of a dipole source with unknown vibration amplitude and direction

The lateral line system is an important sensory organ for fish and many aquatic amphibians, allowing them to detect predators/prey, perform rheotaxis, and coordinate schooling. There is an increasing interest in developing artificial lateral line systems, consisting of arrays of flow sensors, for underwater vehicles and robots. In this paper we consider the problem of localizing a vibrating sphere, also known as a dipole source, using an artificial lateral line system. Dipole sources emulate the movement of fish fins and are often used in the study of biological lateral lines. We assume that the location, vibration amplitude, and vibration direction of the dipole sources are all unknown. A nonlinear estimation problem is formulated based on the analytical model for dipole-generated flow field. We present two recursive algorithms for source localization, the first obtained by linearizing the original nonlinear estimation problem, and the other by solving the equations corresponding to the first-order optimality condition. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Talking Identity: The Production of "Self" In Interaction* **

In the past two decades, ethnomethodologists have sought to introduce a transformation in what is conceived as resource and what is conceived as topic in sociology. Typically, sociologists have used people's interpretive practices or reality-structuring work in general as an unexamined resource for investigating patterned regularities in the social world (cf. Garfinkel, 1967; Pollner, 1970; Wilson, 1970; Zimmerman & Pollner, 1970). By strategically suspending the account/phenomenon dualism, ethnomethodology has elevated interpretive, reality-structuring activities to topical status. Working within this broad framework of ethnomethodological concerns, our topic of empirical and conceptual inquiry is the set of verbal practices through which persons assemble and display who they are while in the presence of, and in interaction with, others. We refer to this set of production practices as the identifying process. Though the present study is limited to the ^/^-identifying process, our methods and generic conceptualizations can be used to extend analyses of other kinds of interpretive or social structuring activities, on both the interpersonal and the social organizational levels (see Hadden & Lester, forthcoming). A focus on this process is a synthesis of extant sociological problems, encountering the traditional social psychological topic of identity per se, in combination with the more recent concerns of ethnomethodology and conversational analysis. With respect to the former, traditional theory in social psychology includes a process model of identity and its more general referent, self, with attention often focused on the isomorphism of the two (Cooley, 1922; Mead, 1932,1934; Shibutani, 1955). Unfortunately, as Strauss (1964) has observed, identity has often acquired a static character in the
Electrophysiologic study versus electrocardiographic monitoring (ESVEM) : A critical appraisal

This paper reviews the Electrophysiologic Study versus Holter Monitoring (ESVEM) trial, addressing several areas of concern including potential enrollment bias, an inadequate electrophysiologic testing protocol during drug therapy, and an unexpectedly high recurrence rate in patients deemed to be controlled by either method. The paper concludes that there are insufficient data to warrant extrapolation of the ESVEM results to survivors of cardiac arrest.
ID2 promotes the expansion and survival of growth-arrested pancreatic beta cells

Inhibitors of DNA binding proteins (Ids) are implicated in the control of proliferation and differentiation. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that Id2 could stimulate proliferation and survival in differentiated pancreatic beta cells. We showed that Id2-enhanced proliferation of a growth-arrested pancreatic beta cell line (BTC-tet). This was mediated by the Rb pathway, as shown by an E2F1-driven reporter assay and Western immunoblot of phosphorylated Rb protein. Id2 also induced expression of Bcl-2, accompanied by a significant reduction of critical mediators of cytokine stimulation, including p38 MAPK and NFκB, as well as apoptosis markers, caspase-3 and Annexin-V. Overall, our data suggest that Id2 enhances proliferation and survival of growth-arrested BTC-tet cells.
SU-FF-T-310: Evaluation of Angular Response of 2D Diode Array Detectors with Buildup Phantom

Purpose: To evaluate the angular response of a 2D diode array with a buildup phantom using simulated volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) beams. Method and Materials: A 2D diode array (MapCHECK™) with a 5‐cm thick buildup phantom (MapPHAN™) was scanned in horizontal and vertical orientations on a Philips Brilliance Big Bore CT scanner. Four treatment plans were generated for the phantom in 4 settings at 2 orientations with 10×10 cm2 open fields or different MLC‐shaped fields. All plans consist of eighteen equally spaced 6MV photon beams. Inhomogeneity corrections were applied to all four treatment plans. Dose deliveries were carried out on a Varian Cl‐iX machine while MapCHECK™ with MapPHAN™ combination was used for measuring the delivered doses with reproduced scanning parameters. The measured doses were compared with the plans using an in‐house evaluation software. A measured arc calibration factor from the setup was determined and applied to the final measurements. Results: The measured isodoses of all four plans show agreement with the plans. A gamma index with a 3% (dose difference, DD) and 3mm (distance‐to‐agreement, DTA) criteria was also used to evaluate comparisons of measured and TP data. Among the four plans in this study, the plan of horizontal position with different MLC‐shaped fields had the highest passing rate and the plan of vertical position with open fields was the worst. This is probably because the calibration is at horizontal position and different MLC shapes could even out some uncertainties due to the limited number of detectors.Conclusions: In this independent study, the angular response of MapCHECK™ with MapPHAN™ for rotational dosimetry has been evaluated in both coronal and sagittal directions. Results from our unique setting demonstrate that with the use of a properly calibrated 2D diode array and a buildup phantom VMAT patient QA is feasible and accurate.
Gallium arsenide photonic crystal devices for fast integrated optical networks

We will present our experimental measurements of fast carrier-based dynamics in GaAs photonic crystal cavities at room temperature, and discuss how these devices can be integrated on chip for optical networking.
Quasiparticle dispersion of the t-J and Hubbard models.

The spectral weight {ital A}(p,{omega}) of the two-dimensional {ital t}-{ital J} and Hubbard models has been calculated using exact diagonalization and quantum Monte Carlo techniques, at several densities 0.5{le}{l_angle}{ital n}{r_angle}{le}1.0. The photoemission ({omega}{lt}0) region contains two dominant distinct features, namely a low-energy quasiparticle peak with bandwidth of order {ital J}, and a broad valence band peak at energies of order {ital t}. This behavior {ital persists} away from half-filling, as long as the antiferromagnetic correlations are robust. The results give support to theories of the copper oxide materials based on the behavior of holes in antiferromagnets, and they also provide theoretical guidance for the interpretation of experimental photoemission data for the cuprates.
An exercise in molecular epidemiology: Human rhinovirus prevalence and genetics

Human rhinovirus (HRV) is one of the most common human respiratory pathogens and is responsible for the majority of upper respiratory illnesses. Recently, a phylogeny was constructed from all known American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) HRV sequences. From this study, three HRV classifications (HRVA, HRVB, and HRVC) were determined and techniques for classifying new isolates of HRV were reported. The genetic change of this virus in specific populations over time is of great interest to understand the evolution and epidemiology of viruses. To facilitate the collections of HRV sequences over a number of years, a virology experiment was designed in which students test nasal lavage samples to look for HRV infection. Students will learn a variety of techniques including RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, qPCR, and agarose gel electrophoresis as well as bioinformatic skills though examination of sequences from the HRV-field isolates. Furthermore, students can look at symptom data from subjects to investigate correlations between symptom severity and factors such as stress and sleep patterns. Such information can be used to examine hypotheses regarding HRV mutation, symptom severity and epidemiology.
A Technique for the Modal Analysis of Sound-Structure Interaction Problems

Abstract In most sound-structure interaction problems involving the fluid in a cavity and the flexible wall of the cavity, the governing equations of motion are coupled through velocity terms. The coupling matrix for such systems is skew-symmetric and hence requires complex eigenvalue extraction routines to find the coupled natural frequencies. Instead, in this paper, we form an equivalent set of equations which can be solved for the natural frequencies using real eigenvalue extraction routines. Furthermore, we show how to synthesize the modal properties of the interacting system from those of the non-interacting fluid and structural systems. The results obtained using our method compare well with the experimental data of previous researchers.
Thioredoxin-related mechanisms in hyperoxic lung injury in mice.

Reduction of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to glutathione (GSH) by glutathione reductase (GR) enhances the efficiency of GSH-dependent antioxidant activities. However, GR-deficient (a1Neu) mice are less susceptible to acute lung injury from continuous exposure to > 95% O2 (96 h: 6.9 ± 0.1 g right lung/kg body versus room air 3.6 ± 0.3) than are C3H/HeN control mice (10.6 ± 1.3 versus 4.2 ± 0.3, P < 0.001). a1Neu mice have greater hepatic thioredoxin (Trx)1 and Trx2 levels than do C3H/HeN mice, suggesting compensation for the absence of GR. a1Neu mice exposed to hyperoxia for 96 hours showed lower levels of inflammatory infiltrates in lungs than did similarly exposed C3H/HeN mice. Pretreatment with aurothioglucose (ATG), a thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibitor, exacerbated the effects of hyperoxia on lung injury in a1Neu mice (11.6 ± 0.8, P < 0.001), but attenuated hyperoxic lung edema and inflammation in C3H/HeN mice (6.3 ± 0.4, P < 0.001). No consistent alterations were observed in lung GSH contents or liver GSH or GSSG levels after ATG pretreatment. The data suggest that modulation of Trx/TrxR systems might provide therapeutically useful alterations of cellular resistance to oxidant stresses. The protective effects of ATG against hyperoxic lung injury could prove to be particularly useful therapeutically.
Light and electron microscopic abnormalities in diastrophic dysplasia growth cartilage

Light and electron microscopic studies of diastrophic dysplasia iliac crest growth cartilage performed on five occasions in two patients from 1 to 10 years of age reveal extensive cell and matrix abnormalities at each time period. Light microscopy shows atypical chondrocytes with extreme variation in size and shape, and premature cytoplasmic degeneration, and formation of target ghost cells. Prominent, densely staining fibrotic foci are present throughout the cartilage. Ultrastructure reveals some structurally intact chondrocytes with a single large fat inclusion, slightly dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, and abundant glycogen. As early as 1 year of age cystic degeneration of chondrocyte cytoplasm is evident with indistinct organelles seen. The cartilage matrix demonstrates a general increase in fibrous tissue as well as the fibrotic foci. The collagen in these foci is remarkably abnormal. It is composed of short, extremely broad fibrils ranging from 150 to 950 nm in width which are separated at their terminal ends but fused to each other centrally in random fashion. On cross-section there are very few round fibrils but rather a marked irregularity in shape giving the appearance of having fibrils randomly added to others to form enlarged nonuniform fibril aggregates. On longitudinal sectioning, regular cross-banding across the entire fibril width is seen but fibril splitting and aggregation are highly irregular.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The mutation of E. coli to resistance to bacteriophage T6.

Abstract The rate of mutation of E. coli B to a form resistant to T 6 bacteriophage is independent of the growth rate for generation times ranging from 2 to 10 hr., a result similar to that previously reported for T 5 resistance. When tryptophan is employed to control growth the rate of mutation of E. coli B to T 5 resistance exceeds that to T 6 resistance, whereas the two rates are similar when either the supply of carbon or phosphorus in the medium is limiting. Theophylline, a mutagenic agent previously shown to increase mutation to T 5 resistance, exerts little or no effect on mutation to T 6 resistance. These observations are discussed in light of the finding of Novick and Szilard which suggests that the cellular distribution of mutagens and antimutagens may differentially affect mutation rates.
Hypothesis: Adenosine mediates hemodynamic changes in renal failure

The decreased filtration fraction and glomerular filtration rate characteristic of renal failure could be produced, at least in part, by increased concentration of an endogenous substance which constricts afferent and dilates efferent arterioles. Adenosine satisfies several criteria: (a) exogenous adenosine and its precursors decrease filtration fraction and glomerular filtration rate; (b) the kidneys produce and release adenosine, and production and release are augmented during conditions associated with the induction of renal failure--hypoxia, ischemia, and renal vasoconstriction; (c) several substances known to antagonize adenosine-uptake processes in some cells, which could thereby increase extracellular adenosine concentration, not only have "adenosine-like" effects on the kidney but also induce and/or potentiate existing renal failure. A corollary of this hypothesis is that adenosine-receptor antagonists, such as the methylxanthines, should counteract the hemodynamic changes characteristic of renal failure. It has been known for several years that aminophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine ethylenediamine) increases the filtration fraction and the glomerular filtration rate.
Outcrossing rates as related to plant density in Phlox drummondii

Outcrossing rates were investigated in 20 populations of Phlox drummondii using polymorphic allozyme loci. The analysis of progeny genotype arrays gave outcrossing estimates which varied from f = 0·69 to 1·01; the mean was 0·86. The estimated outcrossing rate deviated significantly from random mating in 13 populations. The deviation was due principally to crossing among relatives. Outcrossing rates were a weak inverse function of density. At one site the density of some subpopulations was artifically reduced; and the outcrossing rates in these subpopulations were significantly greater than in adjacent unmanipulated subpopulations