cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation of the coronary vasculature during development

The formation of the coronary vasculature involves a series of carefully regulated temporal events that include vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, arteriogenesis and remodeling. This review explores these events, which begin with the migration of proepicardial cells to form the epicardium and end with postnatal growth and remodeling. Coronary endothelial, smooth muscle and fibroblast cells differentiate via epithelial-mesenchymal transformation; these cells delaminate from the epicardium. Following the formation of a tubular network by endothelial cells, an aortic ring of endothelial cells penetrates the aorta at the left and right aortic cusps to form the two ostia. Smooth muscle cell recruitment occurs rapidly and the coronary artery network begins forming as blood flow is established. Recent studies have identified a number of regulatory molecules that play key roles in epicardial formation and the transformation of its component cells into mesenchyme. Moreover, we are finally gaining some understanding regarding the interplay of angiogenic growth factors in the complex process of establishing the coronary vascular tree. Understanding coronary embryogenesis is important for interventions regarding adult cardiovascular diseases as well as those necessary to correct congenital defects.
In vitro protein synthetic activity of membrane-bound poliovirus polyribosomes.

Abstract In vitro protein synthesis activity of subcellular fractions of polio-infected and uninfected HeLa cells was examined in cytoplasmic extracts, cytoplasmic pellets, membrane-bound polyribosomes, and free polyribosomes. Membrane-bound polyribosomes had five times greater relative activity than free polysomes in vitro. The polio specific products of infected cell fractions were examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and it was found that in vitro systems were variously defective in the cleavage of large poliovirus precursor polypeptides. Membrane-bound polyribosomes synthesized but did not extensively cleave a large protein of the size to be expected from uninterrupted translation of the entire poliovirus genome. Crude cytoplasmic extracts and pellets synthesized peptides of intermediate size suggesting that they can perform some precursor cleavage.
Establishment of Poa annua var. reptans from seed under golf course conditions in the pacific northwest

The recent release of ‘True-Putt’ (previously ‘DW-184’) creeping bluegrass [Poa annua f. reptans (Hausskn.) T. Koyama] gives turfgrass managers a new option for seeding annual bluegrass (P. annua L.) greens. Because little is known about the culture and management of this new cultivar, experiments were conducted to determine effective seeding practices under sunny and shady conditions. Sites included sand-based media in full sun, sand-based media in partial shade, and fine sandy loam soil in full sun. Three surface mulch treatments (peat moss, pelletized paper mulch, and polypropylene fabric) and an unmulched control were compared. Peat resulted in the most rapid seedling emergence, percentage cover, and vertical growth rate, followed closely by the polypropylene fabric. Pelletized mulch had limited effectiveness. Because introducing an organic layer such as peat onto the surface of sand-based greens can alter soil physical properties, the fabric may be the best choice. Seedling emergence occurred more quickly in the sun than the shade, but there was no difference in rate of coverage due to sun exposure. Establishment occurred quickly on the sandy loam soil even in unmulched plots, indicating that use of a mulch was less important there than on the sand-based media. Results of this research will help turfgrass practitioners to effectively establish this newly commercially available species, especially in settings where rapid turf establishment is important.
Overview of Computer-Assisted Image-Guided Surgery of the Spine

The complexity of current spinal surgery techniques and instrumentation has led to the development of image guidance technologies. Image guidance involves a series of components, notably, a system for image acquisition and a computerized system for image processing and user interface. This article reviews the options that currently exist for image guidance in spine surgery and the literature on cliincal applications of image-guided techniques in spine surgery.
Shield Up: an addictive 2-dimensional play

In this paper, we describe a game called "Shield Up!" which is a fast paced 2--4 player space shooter. The game features 3-D graphics and sound capabilities, while maintaining simple but addictive 2-dimensional play. It requires fast reflexes and accurate timing in order to succeed in a rapid death-match. It is a complex software project, designed with object oriented methods in C++, OpenGL, OpenAL, and Berkeley socket/WinSock libraries. It was designed as part of an undergraduate project requirement and we describe the rules, design and implementation details of the game specifically in this paper. We highlight different problems associated to graphics, performance, speed, portability etc and how they were handled/eliminated throughout the paper.
Albunex: a safe and effective commercially produced agent for myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Microbubble solutions of sonicated human serum albumin have been shown to be effective echocardiographic contrast agents free from adverse effects on coronary blood flow, left ventricular function, and systemic hemodynamics. Albunex is a commercially prepared solution of air-filled albumin microspheres prepared from sonicated 5% human serum albumin. The effects of Albunex on coronary blood flow, left ventricular function, and systemic hemodynamics, as well as contrast enhancement were evaluated in 10 open chest, anesthetized dogs. After an intracoronary injection, Albunex did not alter left atrial, left ventricular systolic or end-diastolic, or mean` aortic pressures. It did not cause a coronary hyperemic response, alter left ventricular systolic thickening, or lower the peak positive left ventricular dp/dt. It did not alter these measurements even in the presence of a critical coronary stenosis. The contrast opacification produced by Albunex micro bubbles was dose dependent (optimal dose range of 0.033 to 0.5 ml/kg), with attenuation occurring at higher doses. In conclusion, although Albunex provides adequate contrast enhancement, intracoronary injection of Albunex does not significantly alter coronary blood flow, left ventricular function, or systemic hemodynamics. Because of the standardized size and concentration of the microspheres, Albunex may be an ideal agent for myocardial contrast echocardiography.
Sex attractant for the banana moth, Opogona sacchari Bojer (Lepidoptera: Tineidae): provisional identification and field evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The banana moth, Opogona sacchari Bojer, is a polyphagous agricultural pest in many tropical areas of the world. The identification of an attractant for maleO.sacchari could offer new methods for detection, study and control. RESULTS: A compound extracted from female O.sacchari elicited responses from antennaeof male moths. This compound was identifiedas a 2/3,(Z)13-octadecadienalby gas chromatography-massspectrometry.An analog, 2/3,(Z)13-octadecadienol, was also detected in some extracts at roughly a 1:20 ratio (alcohol:aldehyde) but did not elicit responses from antennae of male moths. Electroantennograms of synthetic candidate dienals found the strongest responses from (Z,Z)-2,13-octadecadienal and (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienal. In field trials, (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienal attracted more male O. sacchari than (Z,Z)-2,13octadecadienal. Attraction was not improved for either of these compounds when the corresponding stereoisomeric alcohol was added at ratios of 1:1, 1:10 or 1:100 (alcohol:aldehyde). Jackson sticky traps containing 250 µ gl ures of (E,Z)-2,13octadecadienal caught as many males as did traps holding virgin females. CONCLUSION: (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienal has been identified as an attractant for O. sacchari males and can be used as a monitoring lure of populations of this moth. c � 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
The purification and partial characterization of a serum factor associated with a neoplasm in golden hamsters.

Abstract A previous report by Stevens and Schwenk (1) showed that serum from hamsters carrying ascites tumors in contrast to normal serum contained a factor that appeared to be proteinaceous in nature that induced cleavage in multinucleated hamster cells in tissue culture when estrogen was present. In this paper a method for purification of the factor(s) from ascites fluid that produces a 5000-fold purification is described. The factor has an electrophoretic mobility in acrylamide gel at pH 8.3 similar to prealbumin and concentrates in the pH gradient on electrofocusing in the region of pH 5.5-5.8. Although the chemical nature of the factor(s) is still uncertain, the electrophoretic properties are consistent with it being a simple or complex polypeptide or protein.
Radiologic Contributions to the Nosology of Obstructive Lung Disease Entities

The integration of simple clinical, physiologic and radiologic parameters is usually sufficient to establish common nosologic grounds in the differentiation of the major entities comprising the obstructive pulmonary syndrome. Emphasis is placed on more decisive interpretation of the plain chest x-ray film particularly in recognizing chronic bronchitis.
Berber Origins and the Politics of Ethnicity in Colonial North African Discourse

More than once during our sojourn in the late 1980s in the migrant boomtown of Nador (90,000-plus Berber capital of northeastern Morocco) we heard people casually comment that Nadoris emigrated to Germany and Holland in such numbers because the Germanic Languages and Tamazight (or Berber) languages were so similar. Linguistic closeness made it easy for the emigrants to leam German and Dutch. On other occasions people mentioned that the cross design tattooed on the foreheads or chins of some older women were souvenirs of the Christian era in Berber North Africa. The presence of lighter skinned children in scattered families throughout the Rif mountains of the north provided further proof, said the locals, of the ancient ties that bound the Rif to Europe. One local school teacher even told us tUn *. his tribal region of Kebdana got its name from a legend about the Roman goddess Diana losing her dog ("Kelb" in Arabic) in the mountains of the area, hence
BMAL1 controls the diurnal rhythm and set point for electrical seizure threshold in mice.

The epilepsies are a heterogeneous group of neurological diseases defined by the occurrence of unprovoked seizures which, in many cases, are correlated with diurnal rhythms. In order to gain insight into the biological mechanisms controlling this phenomenon, we characterized time-of-day effects on electrical seizure threshold in mice. Male C57BL/6J wild-type mice were maintained on a 14h/10h light/dark cycle, from birth until 6 weeks of age for seizure testing. Seizure thresholds were measured using a step-wise paradigm involving a single daily electrical stimulus. Results showed that the current required to elicit both generalized and maximal seizures was significantly higher in mice tested during the dark phase of the diurnal cycle compared to mice tested during the light phase. This rhythm was absent in BMAL1 knockout (KO) mice. BMAL1 KO also exhibited significantly reduced seizure thresholds at all times tested, compared to C57BL/6J mice. Results document a significant influence of time-of-day on electrical seizure threshold in mice and suggest that this effect is under the control of genes that are known to regulate circadian behaviors. Furthermore, low seizure thresholds in BMAL1 KO mice suggest that BMAL1 itself is directly involved in controlling neuronal excitability.
Modeling a tactile sensory register

A detailed analysis was made of the data of a previous paper by Bliss et al (1966). That paper describes a series of experiments, in which 2 to 12 simultaneous air-jet stimuli were presented on the 24 phalanges of both hands. In addition, new data from an early blind S, whose performance was significantly better, is compared to the data of the original four Ss. Memory properties of all five Ss estimated by whole- and partial-reporting techniques gave evidence for a tactile short-term memory that (1) has a duration of a few seconds, (2) varies considerably in size (but not in temporal characteristics) for different Ss, and (3) has a capacity limited by spatial resolution. Tactile masking did not account for the limited spatial resolution, but a stimulus-spreading (or lateral-excitation) model did.
Alignment strategy for mixed e-beam and optical lithography

Although maskless electron beam lithography is viewed as an alternative lithographic technology by the mainstream semiconductor industry, it has long been a key lithographic tool of the compound semiconductor devices. It combines very high resolution with a high depth of field, but its wide acceptance in semiconductor production has been hindered by lower throughput when compared to optical lithography. Several new approaches to parallel e-beam lithography are currently being developed. These technologies, however, have not yet demonstrated the throughput per dollar invested that the current optical tools achieve. Given the cost and high throughput requirements set by most semiconductor manufacturers, the new parallel e-beam lithography tools are likely to be used for processing only a few critical layers, similar to the way the older electron beam tools are used by compound semiconductor manufacturers. Overlay accuracy is another big challenge when mixing optical and E-beam lithography tools. An alignment mark strategy is needed which will results in optimum registration accuracy between E-beam and optically defined layers on the chip.
Laser microstructuring of silicon in dry and wet environments

ABSTRACT The impact effect of a vapor recoil pressure on single-shot threshold-like laser micro-structuring of Si via the Kelvin-Helmholtz-type instability has been revealed during transient and postmortem studies of explosive boiling of pre-deposited micron-size water droplets on a Si wafer surface. The micro-structuring mechanism assumes local excitation of surface capillary waves in a molten surface layer of the material underneath each water droplet by near-GPa recoil pressure of explosively boiling water and the following steam bubble oscillations. Water droplets and produced structural features (micron-size craters, bumps or others) have exhibited high symmetries in their surface arrangements. Similar structures were also observed on dry clean Si surfaces irradiated by single fs-laser pulses resulted from the same impact excitation of surface capillary waves in the Coulomb explosion regime. Keywords: ns and fs laser ablation, photoacoustics, silicon, water droplets, local enhancement of electromagnetic field, explosive boiling, Coulomb explosion, Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, surface capillary waves, micro-structures
Diagnosing and managing functional visual complications after brain injury.

Abstract Background Brain injury caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) hemorrhage is an uncommon occurrence in a teenager. An AVM is a congenital anomaly of unknown etiology, often described as a tangle of arteries and veins that may vary in length and width leading to a loss of capillary bed. The vessels can break down with time and cause hemorrhage or aneurysm. Hemorrhage occurs in a significant number of patients with AVM. Intracranial hemorrhage causes brain injury, which can lead to systemic and ocular complications, neurologic deficits, and death. Case report A 15-year-old girl presented to our clinic with a chief complaint of horizontal diplopia while reading, lasting from seconds to 5 minutes. Nine months before the examination she had a ruptured cerebral AVM, then surgery to control the bleeding. She spent 6 weeks in a coma after surgery and woke up a hemiplegic. There were no visual problems before the bleeding. Our evaluation showed accommodative insufficiency, oculomotor dysfunction, dry eye syndrome, and a right beating latent nystagmus in both eyes. Perceptual testing showed a severe visual sequential memory deficit. The patient was given a reading prescription to aid with accommodation and was to use artificial tears and lacrilube ointment. At the follow-up examination, she reported increased efficiency and fewer episodes of diplopia while reading with bifocals and fewer dry eye symptoms since using the artificial tears. Conclusions After a brain injury, a young adult can present with perceptual and visual efficiency problems as well as nystagmus. It is important to test all areas that may be affected by this type of event and to investigate all complaints thoroughly with continued follow-up care. A latent nystagmus was discovered during thorough near point testing. The visual perceptual testing helped to confirm the visual sequential memory deficit, which may otherwise have been overlooked. It is believed that the diplopic complaint and poor oculomotor skills were directly related to the newly acquired nystagmus.
United States and Evolving Cross-Strait Relations

The article discusses the U. S. role in cross-strait relations before and after the political power transition in Taiwan during 2008. It explores the question of whether a new dynamic is shaping the Beijing-Taipei-Washington trilateral relations with the significant relaxation of cross-strait relations, and how that affects Washington’s ability to influence the direction of cross-strait relations in the future. More specifically the paper analyzes the role the United States played in shaping the new reality in the Taiwan Straits, and the evolving thinking on Taiwan in American strategic and political circles. It will also discuss how Washington has managed the cross-strait relations so far as well as how Beijing and Taipei have handled the American factor on some sensitive issues. Finally it will look at the potential benefits and limitations that the United States could contribute to achieving a higher level of reconciliation and integration between the two sides across the Taiwan Straits.
Influence of Flat-Panel Fluoroscopic Equipment Variables on Cardiac Radiation Doses

Purpose To assess the influence of physician-selectable equipment variables on the potential radiation dose reductions during cardiac catheterization examinations using modern imaging equipment.
Dependence of the Rate of Phosphate Dissociation from Actomyosin-ADP-Pi Upon the Alkali Light Chains in Skeletal Muscle Myosin

The A1 light chain of rabbit skeletal myosin possesses a unique N-terminal extension of ∼40 amino acids which is lacking in A2. A C-terminal block of ∼140 amino acids is identical to both. The primary structures are completed by a small, non-identical peptide which is sandwiched between the above two sections of A1 and which is N-terminal in A2. The effect which A1 and A2 have on the product release step has been investigated by double-mixing stopped-flow in conjunction with a fluorescent phosphate binding protein (Buffer, 5mM MOPS, 2mM Mg acetate, pH 7). Rabbit skeletal myosin-S1 was chromatographically separated into A1 and A2 containing fractions. A slight excess of myosin-S1 over nucleotide was used in the first mix to ensure complete binding of the latter as well as a single turnover. After a 2 s delay to assure that ATP binding was complete, thin filaments (+Ca) were combined with the myosin-nucleotide mixture (M-ATP U M-ADP-Pi) in the second mix. The dominant component of the observed biphasic increase in fluorescence corresponds to Pi release from AM-ADP-Pi. Hyperbolic fits of the dependence of the rate upon the thin filament give maximum rates of: 80 s-1 (S1A1) and 139 s-1 (S1A2) and apparent binding constants of 10 μM (S1A1) and 72 μM (S1A2). The rates of phosphate dissociation are 4-5 more rapid than the steady state measurements of 20 s-1 (A1) and 36 s-1 (A2) and therefore cannot limit the rate of ATP hydrolysis. It is also evident that the N-terminal extension strengthens light chain affinity.
The world rift system: An introduction to the symposium

Abstract The World Rift System includes the world-girdling Mid-Oceanic Ridge as well as rift valleys which cut deeply into the continents. Unknown two decades ago, it has within the past few years become recognized as the largest tectonic feature of the earth's crust. Its simple, worldwide pattern is providing a key for the solution of the most fundamental problems in tectonics.
Silicon-organic resin for dry-type transformers

THE advantages of using silicone-based products in dry-type insulating systems are well known. They are characterized by stability at high operating temperatures and by resistance to the absorption and harmful effects of moisture. These advantages must be weighed against the difficulties which may arise in conjunction with silicone applications. The dielectric strength, mechanical strength, and curing characteristics for a given application are, in general, inferior to those of the best organic resins. High cost is also a limiting factor in many silicone applications.
Bacteria associated with butterfly stain of Chilean tepa.

Butterfly stain, common in Chilean tepa (Laureliopsis philippiana[Looser] Schodde) trees, appears in cross-section of the stem as a series of partially overlapping orange-brown arcs that in early stages resembles a butterfly. Bacterial isolates from stained tepa wood samples cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions were identified using several commercially available identification systems. Pseudomonas sp. were most common in the cultures handled aerobically, and Clostridium sp. were found in the cultures handled anaerobically. A pectinolytic Bacillus sp. and a Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium that emitted a strong naphthalene-like odor similar to that of stained wood were also isolated. Not all isolates could be identified. This is the first report of Clostridium from tepa.
Quantum Rate Theory for Solids. III. N -Dimensional Tunneling Effects

A theory for rate processes in solids is presented which includes the effects of quantum statistics, tunneling, and the $N$-dimensional character of the problem. It utilizes the concept of an ensemble of appropriate minimum-uncertainty wave packets to describe the conditions of thermal equilibrium in an $N$-dimensional potential well. An exact solution is found for the motion of Gaussian wave packets on a second-degree $N$-dimensional potential surface. This solution is valid also when the initial principal directions of the wave packet differ from those of the potential surface so that the problem is not separable. It is used to compute the tunneling probability for a Gaussian wave packet on a second-degree $N$-dimensional potential surface containing a saddle point. This probability depends only on the wave-packet characteristics in the saddle-point direction, and this facilitates its incorporation in the rate expression. Since the initial characteristics of the wave packets of the ensemble are determined by the potential-well character, and their subsequent tunneling probability is determined by the saddle-point character, the theory includes the effect of a difference in orientation between the two sets of principal directions. For an artificial two-dimensional problem formulated specifically to study this aspect of the process, an orientation difference is found to produce large effects only at low temperatures where tunneling is important.
Risk Management in Primary Agricultural Production: Methods, Distribution, Rewards, and Structural Implications

Price variability of agricultural products has increased greatly in the early 1970s owing to modified government programs for many U.S. commodities, reduced crop inventories, variation in world production, devaluation of the U.S. dollar, and expanded, unpredictable fluctuations in foreign demand. These increased market risks together with growing use of debt capital have substantially increased financial risks for many agricultural producers. Hence, there is serious need to consider added de-
Influence of heterogeneous land surfaces on surface energy and mass fluxes

Land-surface heterogeneity affects surface energy fluxes. The magnitudes of selected land-surface influences are quantified by comparing observations with model simulations of the FIFE (First ISLSCP Field Experiment) domain. Several plausible heterogeneous and homogeneous initial and boundary conditions are examined, although soilmoisture variability is emphasized. It turns out that simple spatial averages of surface variation produced biased flux values. Simulated maximum latent-heat fluxes were approximately 30 to 40 W m−2 higher, and air temperatures ≃ 0.4 °C lower (at noon), when computations were initialized with spatially averaged soil-moisture and leaf-area-index fields. The planetary boundary layer (PBL) height and turbulent exchanges were lower as well. It additionally was observed that (largely due to the nonlinear relationship between initial soil-moisture availability and the evapotranspiration rate), “real” latent-heat flux can be substantially less than simulated latent-heat flux using models initialized with spatially averaged soil-moisture fields. Differences between “real” and simulated fluxes also vary with the resolution at which “real” soil-moisture heterogeneity is discretized.
Biogeography of the southeastern United States: a comparison of salamander phylogeographic studies.

Abstract Most phylogeographic studies of species from the southeastern United States have shown a simple east-west division of mtDNA variation. However, a study of the salamander Ambystoma maculatum resulted in a more complex pattern that includes a close affinity between populations from the Central Highlands of Missouri and Arkansas and the Coastal Plain separated by a genetically distinct central group of populations. We test the generality of this observation by surveying mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in the closely related species A. talpoideum. An Ambystoma-specific intergenic spacer was amplified and sequenced. The 26 resulting haplotypes varied from 380 to 800 base pairs, and alignments, including the outgroup, required 101 insertions/deletions. Sequence divergence among haplotypes ranged from 0.001 to 0.758. Population subdivision was extensive (θ = 0.64). Phylogenetic analysis of A. talpoideum mtDNA sequence reveals a close relationship between the populations from the Central Highlands an...
Case-control study of screening for prostatic cancer by digital rectal examinations

Abstract Although commonly thought to be an effective method of screening for prostatic cancer, digital rectal examinations have yet to be shown by controlled study to help prevent advanced forms of this disease. 139 men with metastatic (stage D) prostatic cancer (cases) were compared with an equal number of matched men free of this condition (controls), with respect to rectal examinations recorded in the medical records up to, on average, 23 years before the cases' initial diagnosis of prostatic cancer. Cases and controls were members of a large health maintenance organisation in northern California. In the 10 years before initial diagnosis (excluding the last three months) the average number of examinations for routine screening (2·45 vs 2·52) or to evaluate intestinal or rectal symptoms (0·44 in both) were similar in cases and controls, respectively. After adjustment for racial differences, the relative risk of metastatic prostatic cancer for men with one or more screening rectal examinations compared with men with none was 0·9 with a 95% confidence interval of 0·5-1·7. Screening by routine digital rectal examination appears to have little if any effect in preventing metastatic prostatic cancer. If there is a small benefit, it will be difficult to demonstrate by conventional epidemiological study.
Comparaison empirique des méthodes d'inférence de probabilités subjectives*

Resume. Les methodes d'inference de probabilites subjectives que sont l'amplitude directe et la bissection ont ete comparees par l'auteur en ce qui a trait a l'exactitude, telle que determinee par l'environnement (frequence relative), des probabilites resultant de l'application de ces methodes et a l'acceptabilite des methodes d'inference. Chaque participant a l'experience a utilise les deux methodes et attribue a chacune d'elles une cote d'acceptabilite. L'auteur a mis a la disposition des sujets un logiciel d'inference interactive, comprenant l'affichage graphique sous forme d'histogramme des probabilites selon les deux methodes d'inference, afin de les aider et d'assurer une comparaison plus raffinee des methodes. Des etudiants de deuxieme cycle diplomes en gestion, bien renseignes tant sur le contexte de la tâche que sur les probabilites subjectives, se sont pretes a l'experience. L'inference directe a donne des probabilites subjectives beaucoup plus exactes que la bissection et s'est revelee beaucoup plus acceptable aux yeux des participants.
Preconditioning the Brain and Heart: Implications for Cardiac Surgery

Despite many recent advances in emboli detection, aortic imaging, myocardial preservation, and perfusion equipment, ischemic injury to the heart and brain remains a serious complications after cardiac surgery. Hypoperfusion (particularly in the heart) and microem boli (particularly in the brain) during cardiopulmonary bypass constitute the etiology of ischemia. Although hypothermia has traditionally been the mainstay for systemic protection from transient ischemia, there has been a general trend to accept warmer heart and core temperatures during bypass, which increases the poten tial for ischemic injury to various organs. This article discusses recent advances in the understanding of myocardial and brain preconditioning and their poten tial role to provide additional protection during cardiac surgery.
Photonic approach to making a material with a negative index of refraction

An approach to producing a composite material with negative refraction index is demonstrated. It is shown that a photonic structure consisting of two dielectric materials, with positive and negative dielectric permittivities, can support electromagnetic surface waves which exhibit the unusual electromagnetic property of left handedness (or negative refraction index). Depending on the dielectric materials, these surface waves localized at the dielectric interfaces can be either surface plasmons or phonons. The detailed geometry of the structure determines whether this composite left-handed material is isotropic or anisotropic.
High-irradiance accelerated collagen crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus: six-month results.

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) with riboflavin for keratoconus by the change in dioptric power and corneal topography. Setting Private practice, Tokyo, Japan. Design Case series. Methods The accelerated CXL treatments (KXL system) were performed using a 10-minute riboflavin 0.1% (Vibex Rapid) soak and a 3-minute ultraviolet-A (UVA) irradiance at a level of 30 mW/cm 2 . This corresponds to a total radiant exposure of 5.4 J/cm 2 . Preoperative and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperative examinations were performed. Results The study enrolled 39 eyes of 22 patients. The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity showed a statistically significant improvement, from 1.11 ± 0.42 logMAR preoperatively to 0.89 ± 0.53 logMAR 6 months postoperatively ( P P Conclusions The changes after accelerated CXL were similar to those after conventional CXL. Thus, accelerated CXL has the potential to efficiently treat and halt the progression of keratoconus and may be an effective, efficient therapeutic option for treating corneal ectatic disease. Financial Disclosures No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Expansion vs. Quality: Emerging Issues of For-Profit Private Higher Education Institutions in Ethiopia

Private for-profit higher education has been rapidly expanding in developing countries worldwide since the early 1990s. This global trend has been particularly evident in Ethiopia, where only three public universities existed until 1996. By 2005, about 60 private for-profit higher education institutions had been founded in Ethiopia. This has led to mixed feelings among the Ethiopian public. While some laud the opportunities and advantages these new institutions bring, others are apprehensive that the quality of education might be compromised by an expansion motivated by monetary gain. This article sheds light on these paradoxes and provides suggestions for policy and practices.
Cultural factors in child maltreatment and domestic violence in Korea

In Korean culture, children are taught to be obedient and to live up to adults' expectations, quietly carrying out their important duties like schoolwork. In such an adult-centered culture that has largely ignored children's opinions and perceptions, corporeal punishment has been accepted as a disciplinary action often employed by parents and teachers. Until recently, little public attention has been paid to children at risk of being abused in the name of disciplining. In recent years, child maltreatment emerged as a social problem in Korean society as the country accelerated its industrialization and societal structures and the family system have undergone many changes. Media coverage of child abuse incidents widely sensitized the public to abused children's plight. With this media coverage and the help of various civic and non-profit organizations' child welfare advocacy efforts, a national level public policy for preventing child abuse is near completion.
Analytical optimization of some single-cycle and repeated fed-batch fermentations

Abstract Optimization of single-cycle and repeated fed-batch operations of a broad class of fermentations described by three key rate processes is considered within the framework of optimal control theory. The three key rate processes are described in terms of three key concentration variables. The necessary and sufficient conditions for admissibility of singular control are obtained analytically, with the control policy (feed rate) during the singular control interval being obtained exclusively in terms of the three concentration variables. Singular surfaces are identified in the three-dimensional concentration space. Existence of at least one limit point on the singular surface is necessary for admissibililty of singular control in a steady cyclic operation. Uniqueness of a limit point for given feed conditions guarantees its accessibility in the singular control operation. For fermentation processes involving multiple limit points for given feed conditions, accessibility of each limit point is decided by its local stability characteristics. Examples considered include many fermentation processes represented by unstructured and simple structured models. The performances of repeated batch and fed-batch operations with/without recycle and continuous operation followed by batch operation are compared by examining dispositions of batch reactions trajectories/surfaces in the two- and three-dimensional spaces of concentration variables. Optimal operations are identified analytically for three specific product-inhibited fermentations via classifications of the multi-dimensional parametric space based on differences in bioreactor behavior. Sensitivity of the optimum value of the objective function to variations in kinetic parameters is also examined.
Atmospheric Chemistry of Three C10 Alkanes

Kinetics and products of the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with the C10-alkanes n-decane, 3,4-diethylhexane and n-butylcyclohexane have been investigated at 296 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC−FID) and combined gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to identify and quantify alkyl nitrate and carbonyl products, and in situ atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry was employed to identify and quantify, relative to internal standards, hydroxycarbonyl and hydroxynitrate products. Using a relative rate method, rate constants for reactions of the OH radical with n-decane, 3,4-diethylhexane and n-butylcyclohexane were measured and (in units of 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1) were 12.5 ± 0.4, 7.43 ± 0.48 and 15.8 ± 0.6, respectively, where the errors do not include uncertainties in the rate constant for the n-octane reference compound. The products identified and quantified were: 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-decyl nitrate, hydroxyc...
Economic status of households and labour supply to market and non-market activities mdash; some results from a poor rural economy

Assuming a given underlying utility structure for all households, we have demonstrated that the differential labour supply behaviour among household categories results owing to the different sets of constraints they face depending on their economic status and asset ownership. Using the criteria implied by the theoretical model four household gorups are defined. The labour supply functions estimated for these four groups support the theoretical result of significantly different supply behaviour. The empirical exercise, as expected, indicates that the labour supply decision of the subsistence group is guided by their need to achieve the minimum level of consumption while the middle-income households, who do not have enough non-labour income to meet their minimum subsistence need, tend to work longer hours in market activities than the workers from high-income households. However, market labour supply by high-income households is found to be relatively more sensitive to changes in the wage rate. The behaviou...
Children's emotional associations with colors.

In this study children's emotional associations with colors were investigated. Sixty children (30 girls, 30 boys), equally divided into groups of 5-year-olds and 6 1/2-year-olds, were asked their favorite color and were then shown nine different colors, one at a time and in a random order. For each color, children were asked, "How does (the color) make you feel?" All children were able to verbally express an emotional response to each color, and 69% of children's emotional responses were positive (e.g., happiness, excitement). Responses also demonstrated distinct color-emotion associations. Children had positive reactions to bright colors (e.g., pink, blue, red) and negative emotions for dark colors (e.g., brown, black, gray). Children's emotional reactions to bright colors became increasingly positive with age, and girls in particular showed a preference for brighter colors and a dislike for darker colors. Boys were more likely than girls were to have positive emotional associations with dark colors. Potential sources for children's color-emotion concepts, such as gender-related and idiosyncratic experiences, are discussed.
The Use of a Commercial Data Base Management System in the LAMPF Control System

The control system for the accelerator at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF) is currently being upgraded to run on a DEC VAX 11/780. To unify the several disparate control hardware protocols into one consistent software protocol requires that the hardware devices be addressed logically rather than physically, the physical connections being supplied by the control system. To accomplish this, the control system must have some link between the devices logical names and their physical connections. This link is supplied by a data base which is managed by a commercial data base management system. This paper discusses the reasoning behind the choice of a commercial system, the particular DBMS chosen and some of the pros and cons of using the DBMS as well as some of our experiences trying to join tools of the commercial world with the real-time world.
Towards a sharper definition of energetic coupling through integration of membrane transport into bioenergetics

Abstract Behind the firm discrimination maintained between active and passive transport lies a definition of energetic coupling as a fusion between an exergonic chemical reaction and an uphill transport. In contrast, energetic coupling between paired chemical reactions tends. to be defined much more loosely, as if the term were merely equivalent to sequential linkage, even though the actual usage may parallel that in transport. This article argues for a sharpening of this definition through integrated consideration of chemi-chemical and chemi-osmotic coupling. Furthermore; it calls attention to the applicability of energetic coupling to both the backward and forward fluxes of the energized transport. When two parallel but distinct active transport systems act on the same solute, one is likely to operate more steeply uphill than the other. The situation then easily arises, and is probably widespread, whereby entry occurs largely by the first process and exodus by the reversal of the second, still energetically linked. In this way cases of chemi-osmoti-chemical coupling probably arise, beyond the one proposed by Mitchell. Presumably the term retention process has in the past unknowingly (and illogically) referred to the second transport process. The “uncoupling” of an active transport does not tend simply to convert it to a facilitated diffusion, and both fluxes are likely to be modified. Accordingly, measure of only one flux will not describe a change in energy transfer.
Shedding physical synthesis area bloat

Area bloat in physical synthesis not only increases power dissipation, but also creates congestion problems, forces designers to enlarge the die area, rerun the whole design flow, and postpone the design deadline. As a result, it is vital for physical synthesis tools to achieve timing closure and low power consumption with intelligent area control. The major sources of area increase in a typical physical synthesis flow are from buffer insertion and gate sizing, both of which have been discussed extensively in the last two decades, where the main focus is individual optimized algorithm. However, building a practical physical synthesis flow with buffering and gate sizing to achieve the best timing/area/runtime is rarely discussed in any previous literatures. In this paper, we present two simple yet efficient buffering and gate sizing techniques and achieve a physical synthesis flow with much smaller area bloat. Compared to a traditional timing-driven flow, our work achieves 12% logic area growth reduction, 5.8% total area reduction, 10.1% wirelength reduction, and 770 ps worst slack improvement on average on 20 industrial designs in 65nm and 45 nm.
Do Opposites Attract? Exploring Who Micro Firm Owners Hire and Why

Much has been made of the importance of HRM in small businesses, however there is a gap in our knowledge on who is hired and why. In this paper, we draw on human capital theory and take a first loo...
Effect of electron bombardment on size distribution of negatively charged droplets produced by electrospray

Abstract This study explores an innovative approach to control the droplet size distribution produced by an electrospray with the intention of eventually being able to deliver precisely controlled quantities of precursor materials for nanofabrication. The technique uses a thermionic cathode to charge the droplets in excess of the Rayleigh limit, leading to droplet breakup or fission. The objective of these experiments was to assess whether the proposed technique could be used to produce a new droplet size distribution with a smaller mean droplet diameter without excessively broadening the distribution. An electrospray was produced in a vacuum chamber using a dilute mixture of ionic liquid. During their transit from the capillary source to a diagnostic instrument, the resulting droplets were exposed to an electron stream with controlled flux and kinetic energy. The droplets were sampled in an inductive charge detector to characterize changes in the size distribution. A positively biased anode electrode was used to collect electron current during droplet exposure. This collected current was used as the primary control variable and used as a measure of the electron flux. The anode bias voltage was a secondary control variable and used as a measure of the electron energy. In a series of six tests, two sets showed evidence of fission having occurred resulting in the formation of two droplet populations after electron bombardment. Three sets of results showed evidence of a single droplet population after electron bombardment, but shifted to a smaller mean diameter, and one set of results was inconclusive. Because of the large standard deviation in the droplet diameter distributions, the two cases in which a second population was evident were the strongest indication that droplet fission had occurred.
Visualization of Rab9-mediated vesicle transport from endosomes to the trans-Golgi in living cells

Mannose 6-phosphate receptors (MPRs) are transported from endosomes to the trans-Golgi via a transport process that requires the Rab9 GTPase and the cargo adaptor TIP47. We have generated green fluorescent protein variants of Rab9 and determined their localization in cultured cells. Rab9 is localized primarily in late endosomes and is readily distinguished from the trans-Golgi marker galactosyltransferase. Coexpression of fluorescent Rab9 and Rab7 revealed that these two late endosome Rabs occupy distinct domains within late endosome membranes. Cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptors are enriched in the Rab9 domain relative to the Rab7 domain. TIP47 is likely to be present in this domain because it colocalizes with the receptors in fixed cells, and a TIP47 mutant disrupted endosome morphology and sequestered MPRs intracellularly. Rab9 is present on endosomes that display bidirectional microtubule-dependent motility. Rab9-positive transport vesicles fuse with the trans-Golgi network as followed by video microscopy of live cells. These data provide the first indication that Rab9-mediated endosome to trans-Golgi transport can use a vesicle (rather than a tubular) intermediate. Our data suggest that Rab9 remains vesicle associated until docking with the Golgi complex and is rapidly removed concomitant with or just after membrane fusion.
On local Pareto optima

Abstract This paper is concerned with the local problem of optimizing several functions at once. The first-order (necessary) conditions for a local Pareto Optimum are well-known. In this paper we obtain the best second-order criteria for local Pareto Optima in an invariant form.
Unified fine-granularity buffering of index and data: approach and implementation

Disk I/O is recognized as a major performance bottleneck in many database applications. Consequently, a topic of considerable study in database systems has traditionally been buffer management. Recently, disk pages have been increasing in size, enabling more and more data to fit in a single page. Such a trend suggests that buffering the data at a grain size finer than a page may use memory better. As a result, there has been some interest in fine-granularity buffering. Past approaches to fine-granularity buffering have proposed buffering either data tuples alone or index entries alone. In this paper, we propose a scheme to support fine-granularity buffering of both index and data entries in a unified manner. The scheme, which we call Hot-Entry buffering, can be used in combination with conventional page-level buffering. Through the experimental evaluation of a simple system, we demonstrate the benefits of our scheme over conventional page-level buffering, and over index-only and data-only fine-granularity buffering. In particular, we show that, for a range of parameter values, our buffering scheme speeds-up query execution by 20-60% relative to page-level buffering only, and by 10-20% relative to the best of index-only or data-only fine-granularity buffering.