cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic Band Gap Structures in Antenna Engineering: Appendix: EBG literature review

Overview In recent years, electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures have attracted increasing interest in the electromagnetic community. Because of their desirable electromagnetic properties, they have been widely studied for potential applications in antenna engineering. Hundreds of EBG papers have been published in various journals and conferences. To illustrate the rapid increase of research interest, a simple search using the keywords “EBG” and “antenna” was performed on IEEE Xplore on 1/18/2008 and the data are plotted in Fig. A.1 based on the available number of publications. It is clear that the number of papers has steadily increased over the years with an apparent peak of publications in 2005. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of these publications so that readers can establish a clear picture of EBG development. It will also help readers to easily find papers related to their own research interests. Since the scope of this book is EBG metamaterials, papers on double negative property, left-handed propagation, and negative refractive index are not covered in this overview. We also regret if we have missed some papers as there have been so many international conferences with sessions on this topic. To start with, we would like to emphasize several special issues organized in microwave and antenna journals that relate to EBG research. These special issues provide the readers with background and information for EBG research. They summarize the latest research progress at the time of publication, and have greatly stimulated EBG research afterwards.
Observation of induced beam oscillation from actively displaced RF accelerating structures

At high beam currents the alignment of the accelerating structure in a linear collider relative to the lattice quadrupoles and position monitors dominates all other alignment issues. These structure misalignments drive wakefield emittance growth. Consequently, great efforts have been spent at SLAC to align the accelerating structure of the Stanford Linear Collider (SLC). As an accelerator test, remote controlled mechanical movers have been installed on several RF structures to study wakefield effects. Experimental tests of induced beam wakefields and the resulting oscillations downstream generated by these remotely displaced structures have been performed. The observed wakefield and have been compared with a computer model. The results from displacements at the beam's betatron frequency are particularly exciting as that frequency strongly excites emittance growth. In general, a control mechanism can be made to move the structure at that spatial frequency, thus providing sine and cosine adjustments for cancellation of alignment errors in the accelerator of a future collider. A similar method to control emittance growth by changing the beam trajectory has already been tested and is in daily use.
Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis with low-dose weekly methotrexate.

Abstract Nine women with symptomatic precirrhotic primary biliary cirrhosis have been treated with oral pulse methotrexate, 15 mg/wk, for 12–34 months. Three women had pruritus, two fatigue, and four pruritus and fatigue. Itching disappeared and fatigue lessened or disappeared in all within 4–11 months after starting methotrexate. All who itched were able to discontinue cholestyramine (five) or antihistamines (two). Biochemical tests of liver function improved in all patients and then worsened in three when methotrexate was discontinued or the dose lowered. Mean serum alkaline phosphatase decreased from 471 to 171 U/L ( P P P = 0.02), and serum cholesterol fell from 265 to 213 mg/dL (NS). The decrease in serum cholesterol was significant, P = 0.05, if data were used just from the six women whose baseline serum cholesterol levels were elevated. Serum albumin remained normal in all. The serum bilirubin levels became normal in three of four patients with elevated levels. The serum alkaline phosphatase levels became normal in four patients and the alanine aminotransferase levels in three. Liver histology improved in five patients and was stable in the remaining four based on a quantitative evaluation of coded liver biopsy specimens. The improvement in histology was primarily due to decreased portal inflammation and bile duct injury. The titer of antimitochondrial antibody decreased in seven patients. The data suggest that methotrexate may be effective treatment for precirrhotic primary biliary cirrhosis. Controlled trials are needed to evaluate long-term efficacy and toxicity.
1,4‐Pentadiene

1,4-Pentadiene reactant: 658 g. (645 ml., 3.5 moles) of 1,5-pentanediol diacetate product: 1,4-pentadiene reactant: 200 g. (201 ml.) of redistilled paraldehyde intermediate: α-chloroethyl ethyl ether intermediate: α,β-dibromoethyl ethyl ether reactant: 400 g. (287 ml., 3.31 moles) of allyl bromide reactant: allylmagnesium bromide intermediate: α-allyl-β-bromoethyl ethyl ether reactant: 76.5 g. (82 ml., 1 mole) of allyl chloride reactant: allylmagnesium chloride Keywords: coupling; elimination, miscellaneous; elimination, miscellaneous; halogenation, bromination; thermal decomposition reactions (pyrolytic reactions); allylmagnesium bromide, preparation of; allylmagnesium chloride, preparation of; α-chloroethyl ethyl ether, preparation of; hydrogen chloride, anhydrous, preparation and drying; 1,5-pentanediol diacetate, preparation of; α-chloroethyl ethyl ether, lachrymator; α,β-dibromoethyl ethyl ether, lachrymator; addition funnels, Hershberg; bath, cooling, dry ice and acetone; bath, cooling, dry ice and acetone; pyrolysis apparatus, for elimination of acetate group
A family of regression equations describing the density distribution of dispersing organisms

I have previously shown1 that some of the published regression equations for describing the decline of density of insects with distance from a centre of dispersal were each special cases of a more general equation: N = exp(a+bxc) (1) where N is density at a distance x from a centre of dispersal and a, b, and c are parameters. Equation (1) is a good description of the dispersal of most insects so far investigated1. To describe any single set of data, a simpler expression can often be found to fit, but this approach will lead to as many theories of migration as there are equations. To describe all sets of data by a single generalized model may require greater complexity than equation (1), and more parameters. I present here such a generalization, which may lead to a unified theory.
Validating measures of environmental change

Abstract This article reports the findings of a study exploring the convergent validity of the industry volatility measures of Tosi, Aldag, and Storey [30], Bourgeois [4], and Snyder and Glueck [27]. Five industries were chosen and volatility indices were calculated for each. The volatility indices were correlated using Kendall's coefficient of concordance and Kendall's tau. A high correlation between the measures of Bourgeois and Snyder and Glueck was found.
Coverage-Dependent Orientation of Lysozyme Adsorbed on Silica

We use total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF), streaming current, and optical reflectometry measurements, under a variety of solution conditions, to examine the mechanism of the chicken egg lysozyme reorientation on silica surfaces, originally proposed by Robeson and Tilton (Robeson, J. L.; Tilton, R. D. Langmuir 1996, 12, 6104). The TIRF data suggest that a two-stage reorientation occurs in the lysozyme layer during adsorption. The first stage involves a reorientation to optimize lysozyme interaction with the charged surface and to reduce lateral repulsions between adsorbed protein molecules. This stage occurs when the adsorbed layer reaches a critical surface coverage and indicates the importance of lateral interactions between adsorbed proteins. Moreover, the reorientation rate depends on both the bulk protein concentration and the fluid wall shear rate, indicating that incoming protein molecules from the bulk solution also participate in the reorientation. The preferred orientation puts the act...
SYNTHESIS AND REACTIONS OF POLY[(4-CHLOROBUTYL)THIIRANE]: EVIDENCE FOR BACKBONE-ASSISTED SOLVOLYSIS†‡

(4-Chlorobutyl)thiirane is prepared in 80% yield in a single step from (4-chlorobutyl)oxirane. Homopolymerization of (4-chlorobutyl)thiirane with ZnEt2—CH3OH or CdCO3 initiator systems provides poly[(4-chlorobutyl)thiirane] as a soft elastomer with inherent viscosity 0.2dL/g. Reaction of poly[(4-chlorobutyl)thiirane] with tetra-n-butylammonium benzoate in N,N-dimethylacetamide proceeds by direct displacement, without involvement of the backbone sulfur atom. Solvolysis under more strongly ionizing conditions (acetic acid/chloroform) occurs with repeating unit isomerization, most probably via a cyclic intermediate formed by attack of the backbone sulfur atom on the chloromethyl group at the side chain terminus.
Psychobiology of HIV infection.

This review surveys evidence relevant to the proposition that psychobiologic factors may influence the progress of infection with human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-1). Little research has directly examined the influence of psychobiologic factors on the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying HIV progression. However, basic research in neuroimmune interactions indicates that activation of the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can influence several immunologic processes relevant to HIV pathogenesis and the body's ability to resist the progress of infection. A small number of observational natural history studies indicate that certain psychosocial characteristics may be associated with differential disease progression (e.g., subjective responses to highly threatening events, and inhibited psychosocial characteristics). We address some of the methodologic and conceptual issues critical to the interpretation of current results as evidence that psychobiologic processes influence HIV progression, and we conclude by highlighting promising areas for future inquiry.
AMPK at the crossroads of circadian clocks and metabolism

Circadian clocks coordinate behavior and physiology with daily environmental cycles and thereby optimize the timing of metabolic processes such as glucose production and insulin secretion. Such circadian regulation of metabolism provides an adaptive advantage in diverse organisms. Mammalian clocks are primarily based on a transcription and translation feedback loop in which a heterodimeric complex of the transcription factors CLOCK (circadian locomotor output cycles kaput) and BMAL1 (brain and muscle Arnt-like protein 1) activates the expression of its own repressors, the period (PER1-3) and cryptochrome (CRY1 and CRY2) proteins. Posttranslational modification of these core clock components is critical for setting clock time or adjusting the speed of the clock. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is one of several metabolic sensors that have been reported to transmit energy-dependent signals to the mammalian clock. AMPK does so by driving the phosphorylation and destabilization of CRY and PER proteins. In addition, AMPK subunit composition, sub-cellular localization, and substrate phosphorylation are dependent on clock time. Given the well-established role of AMPK in diverse aspects of metabolic physiology, the reciprocal regulation of AMPK and circadian clocks likely plays an important role in circadian metabolic regulation.
Nuclear retention charactristics of [3H]estrogen by cells in four estrogen target regions of the rat brain

Summary Nuclear retention of radioactivity was studied in neural estrogen target cells 15 min–7 h after i.v. injection of [3H]estradiol. Maximal uptake occured by 15 min. Cells of the medial preoptic nucleus retained the label longer than did those of the medial amygdaloid nucleus. Cells of the ventromedial nucleus and arcuate nucleus exhibited similar retention profiles which were intermediate between the medial preoptic and medial amygdaloid cells. These data are discussed in relation to observations that the duration of nuclear occupancy by estrogens is proportional to the magnitude of the cellular response.
Current practice in the evaluation of multikey search algorithms

File structures and algorithms for multikey searching allow more than a single key to be used in locating a record for use in retrieval or update. Such algorithms are of use in many different kinds of information systems, including database systems, information retrieval systems, and pattern recognition and image processing systems. Such algorithms have received increased attention in recent years. However, they are not as well understood as those which handle single keys.Multikey algorithms are more difficult to evaluate than those based on the use of single keys. There are simply more factors to be considered. The evaluations performed for such algorithms should allow comparisons in order to be useful to a community of researchers and users. Theoretical analyses should be based on reasonable and clearly stated assumptions. Experiments should be repeatable and statistically valid whether they are based on "real" data or on randomly generated data.
Changes in Enzyme Activities and Lipid Content of Echinoderm Egg Membranes, at Maturation and Fertilization

Membrane enriched fractions of eggs show changes in relative lipid and acylglyceride fatty acid content at maturation and fertilization, when many critical membrane changes occur. Many of the changes in lipids seen at fertilization in sea urchins are reversed from those seen at maturation in starfish. Maybe a special permissive lipid content appears at maturation and disappears at fertilization. Mycostatin alters the lipid content of unfertilized eggs, prevents fertilization, blastula cell aggregation and normal development, with decreasing susceptibility with age, suggesting altered cell surfaces during development. Membrane enriched fractions also show changes in enzyme specific activity at fertilization. Attempts were made to localize these enzymes in various surface components (membrane or associated coats or adherent cortex) and several fractions were separated. Egg surfaces are complex and therefore difficult to study. DTT or pronase treatment, for example, changes the activity of G6PD in the surface of whole eggs, with further changes occurring in such eggs following fertilization. Increases in G6PD activity in ghosts and supernate of fertilized eggs appear due to isoenzyme changes instead of one enzyme changing compartment. Isozyme patterns of G6PD extracted from pellets differ from those of supernates. Patterns also differ following fertilization or partial activation by ammonia or calcium ionophore. Some isozymes seem to be breakdown products of larger forms, and can be produced by treatment with papain, DTT, or urea. Isozyme studies support a dynamic model of the egg surface. Surface changes may occur enzymatically, by insertion of vesicles, or by release of material from vesicles.
A new standard for direct current

A practical standard for direct current has been developed and is incorporated into a high-accuracy measuring instrument. Utilizing the stability of a permanent magnet, this device may be stored and used under extreme conditions of temperature, and it is relatively insensitive to variation in operating conditions.
The effects of the antibiotics gramicidina, amphotericin B, and nystatin on the electrical properties of frog skeletal muscle

Abstract The antibiotics gramicidin A, amphotericin B, and nystatin drastically decrease the membrane resistance of frog skeletal muscle fibers without changing the total capacitance. The resting potential of muscle fibers treated with these antibiotics is essentially normal if the Ringer solution does not contain Na + .
A study of the partitioning of haloacetates into cetylpyridinium chloride micelles using semiequilibrium dialysis and ultrafiltration

Abstract Haloacetic acids, formed in drinking water during disinfection by chlorination, pose significant risks to human health. Semiequilibrium dialysis and ultrafiltration experiments were used to examine the partitioning of the five regulated haloacetic acids (HAA5) viz. chloro-, dichloro-, trichloro-, bromo-, and dibromoacetic acids into cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) micelles across a range of micellar mole fraction, surfactant concentration, and added NaCl conditions. The results of these experiments were successfully correlated using a nonlinear three-site equilibrium model, which combines thermodynamic relations with the Oosawa two-state binding theory, incorporates allowances for nonideality, and includes a parameter to account for haloacetate solubilization. Micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration using CPC provided excellent HAA5 removal efficiencies of over 98%.
Isotope-edited multidimensional NMR of calcineurin B in the presence of the non-deuterated detergent CHAPS.

At the concentration needed for NMR, the calcium-saturated form of calcineurin B dissolved in water shows resonance line widths that indicate aggregation of this protein. Although the line width or aggregation state can be influenced to some degree by temperature, pH, and salt concentrations, in the absence of detergent no conditions could be found where the protein behaved as a monomeric unit. In the presence of a 10- to 20-fold molar excess of the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethyl-ammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS), resonance line widths were considerably narrower and were compatible with a protein of ∼25 kDa. The presence of the NMR signals of the non-deuterated CHAPS does not interfere with modern isotope-directed NMR studies as the signals from protons not attached to 15N or 13C are removed by isotope filtering and purge pulses.
Changes in photosynthetic pigment concentration in seaweeds as a function of water depth

We conducted a study of the relationship between changes in photosynthetic pigment content and water depth in Great Harbor near Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA, on the green algae Ulva lactuca and Codium fragile and the red algae Porphyra umbilicalis and Chondrus crispus. A calibrated underwater photometer equipped with spectral band filters measured light attenuation by the water column. The depth required for a 10-fold diminution of photon flux was 3.6, 5.3, 6.0 and 6.0 m for red, blue, yellow and green light, respectively. Seaweeds were attached to vertically buoyed lines and left to adapt for 7 days; then, with their positions reversed, they were allowed to readapt for 7 days. All species showed greater photosynthetic pigment content with increased depth. Further, the ratio of phycobiliproteins and chlorophyll b to chlorophyll a increased with depth. Changes in pigment content were reversible and occurred in the absence of cell division. There was a net loss of pigments near the surface (high irradiance), and subsequent synthesis when seaweeds were transferred to a position deep in the water column (low irradiance). In contrast, seaweeds which were found in intertidal habitats changed only their pigment concentration, and not pigment ratio, a phenomena analogous to higher plant sun and shade adaptation. Therefore, seaweeds modify their photon-gathering photosynthetic antennae to ambient light fields in the water column by both intensity adaptation and complementary chromatic adaptation.
IN VITRO STUDIES ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN MOUSE PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES AND STRAINS OF SALMONELLA AND ESCHERICHIA COLI

Virulent strains of Salmonella opsonized with normal mouse plasma are never phagocytosed as well as avirulent strains. The virulent strains of Salmonella phagocytosed after opsonization with normal mouse plasma are able to multiply within normal mouse peritoneal macrophages, whereas under similar experimental conditions the avirulent strains are killed. When virulent strains of Salmonella are opsonized with specific antiserum or plasma from BCG-infected mice, they are treated by normal mouse macrophages as if they were avirulent. Virulent bacteria opsonized with BCG plasma are phagocytosed and killed better by peritoneal macrophages from BCG-infected mice, than peritoneal macrophages from normal mice.
Progress in millimeter-wave imaging

The field of millimeter-wave (MMW) imaging has progressed significantly over the last two decades. The most obvious evidence of this is the widespread use of MMW full-body scanners, now commonly found in airports. The path to this point has been the result of the work of a wide range of experts from many scientific and engineering disciplines. This article represents one perspective of this progress. The development of MMW imagers, and all their associated component technologies, image processing techniques, clever engineering, etc. has been driven by a relatively small number of interesting applications. It has been known for about 70 years that RF energy can be used to "see" through things like clouds and detect, for example, hostile aircraft. As the RF frequency goes up to 35, 100, or 340 GHz, it becomes possible to image through obscurants with much improved resolution. However, as frequency increases, attenuation increases as well, so selecting the right frequency for the application is an important point. The challenge of seeing through obscurants such as fog, smoke and dust drives one towards a MMW imaging solution. Typical applications include guiding aircraft through low visibility conditions, detecting nearby watercraft in the fog, and searching for concealed weapons. So, while these capabilities have been demonstrated numerous times over the years, the practical and affordable implementation of the systems to accomplish these goals is where the real story lies.
Dose of selective serotonin uptake inhibitors across pregnancy: Clinical implications

The use of antidepressants during pregnancy has undergone considerable scrutiny with respect to safety issues, though limited data with respect to dose management and symptom resolution is available. Previous reports on tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have demonstrated the need to adjust maternal dose later in pregnancy to maintain therapeutic serum concentrations. However, there is no data on the dosage of selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) required to maintain symptom resolution in women treated for major depression during pregnancy. The purpose of this study, then, was to assess the medication dosage requirements of SSRIs during this time. In this naturalistic study, pregnant women with a primary diagnosis of major depression were followed prospectively through pregnancy at monthly intervals with symptom assessment. Subjects were included in data analysis if they presented prior to 28 weeks gestation, were treated with SSRI monotherapy, received all psychiatric treatment during the pregnancy at the Emory Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Disorders Program, and achieved euthymia after initial treatment intervention (CGI = 1 and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) < 9) during pregnancy or failed to respond after eight weeks of treatment. Medication selection was based on personal treatment history or family treatment history (if any), and the published data on SSRIs in pregnancy. All medication dose adjustments were based on depressive symptoms as measured by the BDI and a psychiatric interview (ZNS). Thirty-four pregnant women were included in final analysis. Two thirds of the subjects (n = 22) required an increase in their daily dose of medication to maintain euthymia. The dose increases occurred at 27.1 +/- 7.1 weeks gestation, with mean BDI scores of 16.4 +/- 9.6, compared to a mean treatment response BDI of 6.9 +/- 5.4. Subject's age, education, past personal and familial psychiatric history were not significantly associated with dose adjustment. These novel data on SSRI daily dose in pregnancy parallels the extant literature with tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). Further work to determine the predictors of dose adjustments will provide guidelines for minimizing fetal exposure to both medication and maternal mental illness.
The influence of surround suppression on adaptation effects in primary visual cortex

Adaptation, the prolonged presentation of stimuli, has been used to probe mechanisms of visual processing in physiological, imaging, and perceptual studies. Previous neurophysiological studies have measured adaptation effects by using stimuli tailored to evoke robust responses in individual neurons. This approach provides an incomplete view of how an adapter alters the representation of sensory stimuli by a population of neurons with diverse functional properties. We implanted microelectrode arrays in primary visual cortex (V1) of macaque monkeys and measured orientation tuning and contrast sensitivity in populations of neurons before and after prolonged adaptation. Whereas previous studies in V1 have reported that adaptation causes stimulus-specific suppression of responsivity and repulsive shifts in tuning preference, we have found that adaptation can also lead to response facilitation and shifts in tuning toward the adapter. To explain this range of effects, we have proposed and tested a simple model that employs stimulus-specific suppression in both the receptive field and the spatial surround. The predicted effects on tuning depend on the relative drive provided by the adapter to these two receptive field components. Our data reveal that adaptation can have a much richer repertoire of effects on neuronal responsivity and tuning than previously considered and suggest an intimate mechanistic relationship between spatial and temporal contextual effects.
Sequence analysis of plasmid pTS1 isolated from oral spirochetes

The naturally occurring plasmid pTS1, identified previously in several species of oral spirochetes, has now been completely sequenced. Analysis of the four open reading frames identified on the plasmid suggests the presence of genes involved in replication and mobilization.
A DEVICE FOR TEACHING GERMAN NOUNS TO BEGINNERS

For a good many years I have taught German both in preparatory schools and in college, and it has always been my experience that the attempted classification causes more or less confusion in the minds of the pupils. I am, of course, aware of the fact that the difficulty is, to a certain extent, inherent in the variety of declensions, but nevertheless I have been trying to find a way of arranging the nouns which might be more easily assimilated by the students.
Medical Magic and Medicinal Cure: Manipulating Meanings with Ease of Disease

Upon my return from a recent trip to the Marshall Islands I was unfortunate enough to come down with typhoid fever, a disease derived from infection by Salmonella typhosa, a bacterial infection commonly transmitted "from feces of asymptomatic carriers or the stool or urine of patients with active disease" (The Merck Manual 1987:85). Easily contracted in tropical countries where health conditions are marginal, the condition made sense to medical authorities in Montana who treated the infection with antibiotics and, as required by law, informed health authorities in the Marshall Islands. Unfortunately, the tests that would confirm this condition were bungled by the local hospital staff. Thus, the etiology of the disease was posited on the basis of external symptoms open to a variety of interpretations. These symptoms had to bear the burden of proof for the diagnosis. Moreover, the first sets of antibiotics, both injected into my body and administered orally, did not cure the infection. Others would be administered, and seven weeks would pass before the doctor and I agreed I was "cured." Neither my doctor nor I knew what hit me. Nonetheless, it was a condition that had to be classified and cured. This process of lending meaning and defining action involved the appropriation and use of metaphors and tropes that classified and manipulated the world at the same moment they framed the action scenarios that altered my body's physical state. The condition, which overcame me in Los Angeles, was displaced to the Marshall Islands, since, after an incubation period that generally lasts for 8 to 14 days, with typhoid "the temperature rises in steps over 2 to 3 days and remains elevated (usually to 39.4 to 40 C [103 to 104 F]), for another 10 to 14 days, begins to fall gradually at the end of the 3rd week, and reaches normal levels during the 4th week" (The Merck Manual 1987:86). In Los Angeles, I was six days from Majuro, Marshall Islands, but more distantly removed from Enewetak (by Western assessment, the most likely point of infection). The ailment was classified as "disease"; not only dis-ease, but something pestilential. In that sense, it was the type of malady that, at least until the appearance of AIDS in the late 1980s, Montanans have come to classify as atypically Western and dangerous.
On physical interpretations of fractional integration and differentiation

Is there a relation between fractional calculus and fractal geometry? Can a fractional order system be represented by a causal dynamical model? These are the questions recently debated in the scientific community. The author intends to answer these questions. In the first part of the paper, some recently suggested models are reviewed and no convincing evidence is found for any dynamic model of a fractional order system having been built with the help of fractals. Linear filters with lumped constant parameters have a very limited use as approximations of fractional order systems. The model suggested in the paper is a state-space representation with parameters as functions of the independent variable. Regularization of fractional differentiation is considered and asymptotic error estimates, as well as simulation results, are presented.
Isotopic analysis of atmospheric formaldehyde by gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Little is known about the isotopic composition of formaldehyde in the atmosphere, a chemical intermediate in hydrocarbon oxidation. Here, we present a promising new method to analyze the carbon (δ13C) and hydrogen (δD) isotopic composition of atmospheric formaldehyde. The direct isotopic analytical technique described uses continuous-flow gas chromatography−isotope ratio mass spectrometry, which provides flexibility for either isotopic analysis without correction for derivative functional groups. Current levels of precision of measurement are ±1.1 and ±50‰ (1σ) for δ13C and δD analyses, respectively. Concentration of formaldehyde in ambient air is also determined, coincident with isotopic measurement, to a precision of ±15%. The method has the required sensitivity for analyses of formaldehyde in urban air on relatively small volume grab samples of whole air (10-70L STP), potentially providing high temporal resolution. This is particularly advantageous for studying formaldehyde given its short lifetime and...
Imaging of the Head and Neck following Radiation Treatment

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck occurs in approximately 40,000 patients annually in the United States and is often treated with radiation therapy. Radiological studies are obtained following treatment for head and neck malignancies to assess for recurrent tumor, posttreatment changes, and associated complications. Radiation treatment creates a difficult clinical picture for oncologists, head and neck surgeons, neuroradiologists, and neuropathologists. As post-treatment imaging studies are often discussed at radiology/pathology working conferences, knowledge of the imaging appearance of radiation-associated changes in the head and neck and the terminology used by neuroradiologists may not only aid in interpretation of the pathologic specimen, but also assist in communications with neuroradiologists and referring clinicians.
A rational approach to the stool ova and parasite examination

Background Examination of multiple stool specimens per patient to rule out parasitic infection continues to be recommended in the literature. Attractive alternatives have been proposed, such as examination of a single specimen, but data to support their use have been inconclusive. Methods We reviewed the results of comprehensive stool ova and parasite examinations performed during a 1-year period to determine the incremental value of examining >1 specimen. Next, we implemented rejection criteria, allowing analysis of only a single specimen in most cases, and studied the impact of the change by reviewing data from a subsequent year. Results Prior to implementation of rejection criteria, 91% of parasites were detected in the first specimen submitted, although many clinical evaluations (72%) involved the submission of only 1 stool specimen. When at least 3 specimens were submitted, the sensitivity of examining the first in the series was 72%. Even the latter sensitivity provides negative predictive values of approximately 98%, approximately 97%, approximately 95%, or approximately 93% when the prevalence of parasites among those tested is 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%, respectively. Examination of additional specimens after examination of the first specimen that yielded a positive finding revealed previously undetected parasites in only 10% of cases. After the application of rejection criteria, the parasite detection rate did not change significantly. Conclusions Comprehensive examination of a single stool specimen is sufficient for most patients, when the prevalence of infection among the tested population is up to 20%. Rational use of the stool ova and parasite examination relies on communication between clinician and laboratory, and retention of deferred specimens in case examination of additional specimens is clinically warranted.
Stops and starts in mammalian oocytes: recent advances in understanding the regulation of meiotic arrest and oocyte maturation

Mammalian oocytes grow and undergo meiosis within ovarian follicles. Oocytes are arrested at the first meiotic prophase, held in meiotic arrest by the surrounding follicle cells until a surge of LH from the pituitary stimulates the immature oocyte to resume meiosis. Meiotic arrest depends on a high level of cAMP within the oocyte. This cAMP is generated by the oocyte, through the stimulation of the G(s) G-protein by the G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR3. Stimulation of meiotic maturation by LH occurs via its action on the surrounding somatic cells rather than on the oocyte itself. LH induces the expression of epidermal growth factor-like proteins in the mural granulosa cells that act on the cumulus cells to trigger oocyte maturation. The signaling pathway between the cumulus cells and the oocyte, however, remains unknown. This review focuses on recent studies highlighting the importance of the oocyte in producing cAMP to maintain arrest, and discusses possible targets at the level of the oocyte on which LH could act to stimulate meiotic resumption.
Catalytic hydrodesulfurization over the Mo(100) single crystal surface: I. Kinetics and overall mechanism

The hydrodesulfurization of thiophene is catalyzed by the Mo(100) crystal surface at atmospheric pressures. The product distribution is similar to that detected over a high-surface-area powdered MoS2 catalyst. Detailed kinetic studies have been performed in the I atm pressure regime and in the temperature range of 250–425 °C. The initial reaction steps involve the desulfurization of thiophene to produce butadiene with an activation energy of 14.4 kcal/mole. Butenes and butane are produced via the subsequent hydrogenation of butadiene. The catalytic surface is predominantly covered with the partially hydrogenated hydrocarbon intermediates in the hydrogenation pathway. The hydrogen coverage on the other hand is very low and varies in proportion to p12(H2).
EMERGENCY MEDICINE INTEREST GROUP CURRICULUM: FACULTY AND PRECLINICAL STUDENT OPINIONS DIFFER IN A FORMAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Background: Medical students and Emergency medicine (EM) faculty may have differing opinions on the ideal curriculum during the preclinical years. Objectives: To assess the perceived needs of preclinical medical students exploring EM and compare them with those of EM faculty regarding appropriate educational interventions. Methods: A survey instrument listing 15 workshops related to EM was administered to preclinical medical students in our Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG), and to EM faculty. Respondents graded the perceived utility of each workshop offered at our medical school and those identified via a web search for EMIG. No recommendations for EMIG curriculum were identified through PubMed. Fisher's exact tests were computed using SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) with α = 0.05. Results: There were 48 medical students and 15 faculty members who completed the survey. Students strongly desired workshops in suturing (48/48; 100%), splinting (47/48; 97.9%), and basic electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation (47/48; 97.9%). Least desired topics were history of EM (16/48; 33.3%), getting involved in EM organizations (20/48; 41.7%), and wellness (21/48; 43.8%). Women chose the domestic violence workshop more than men (p = 0.036). Faculty strongly supported workshops in conducting focused history and physical examination (14/15; 93.3%), the specialty of EM (14/15; 93.3%), and basic ECG interpretation (12/15; 80.0%). The lowest rated faculty preferences were ultrasound (5/15; 33.3%), history of EM (7/15; 46.7%), and emergency radiology (7/15; 46.7%). Conclusions: Preclinical students and faculty opinions of important educational workshops differed. Faculty favored the approach to the undifferentiated patient and an introduction to the specialty, whereas students preferred hands-on workshops. Both groups agreed that basic ECG interpretation was useful. These data may be useful for designing an educational program that is interesting to preclinical students while still meeting the needs as perceived by medical student educators.
Demand-Invariant Price Relationships and Market Outcomes in Competitive Private Commons

We introduce a private commons model that consists of network providers who serve a fixed primary demand and strategically price to improve their revenues from an additional secondary demand. For general forms of secondary demand, we establish the existence and uniqueness of two characteristic prices: the break-even price and the market sharing price. We show that the market sharing price is always greater than the break-even price, leading to a price interval in which a provider is both profitable and willing to share the demand. Making use of this result, we give insight into the nature of market outcomes.
EFFECT OF FILM ABSORPTION ON A FILM-SUBSTRATE REFLECTION POLARIZER.

An analysis is made of the effect of film absorption on the characteristics of a reflection polarizer consisting of a thin film on an absorbing metal substrate. Monochromatic polarized light is obtained when one component of polarization is extinguished by means of interference. A method of analysis is developed for determining the angle of incidence and the film thickness for which polarization occurs. Numerical reflectance results are presented for polarizers having a silver substrate and films with different degrees of absorption. Very weakly absorbing or transparent films may give rise to excessive sensitivity of the extinguished component to departures from the polarizing angle and from the optimum film thickness, particularly when the substrate is highly reflecting (e.g., silver). The use of properly selected absorbing films can provide a low degree of sensitivity for the extinguished component and still yield adequately high reflectances for the unextinguished component.
Platelet activation and interactions with the microvasculature

Platelet adherence to structurally or functionally damaged endothelium and its subsequent activation are multifaceted events. Regulation of the rate and extent of platelet adhesion is under local control by the platelets and endothelium. Even in the absence of platelet adhesion to endothelium or subendothelium, there is a complex hemostatic balance of coagulation and anticoagulation. This is mediated by the manufacture, release, and inactivation of various procoagulant and anticoagulant compounds, predominantly by the platelets and endothelium. The relationship between the two in maintaining the homeostasis of coagulation and other processes is complex. This review focuses on the structure, function, and interaction of endothelium, subendothelium, and platelets and on their vasoactive and pro-/anticoagulant functions.
Low-loss high-index-contrast planar waveguides with graded-index cladding layers

We experimentally demonstrate, for the first time, propagation loss reduction via graded-index (GRIN) cladding layers in high-index-contrast (HIC) glass waveguides. We show that scattering loss arising from sidewall roughness can be significantly reduced without compromising the high-index-contrast condition, by inserting thin GRIN cladding layers with refractive indices intermediate between the core and topmost cover of a strip waveguide. Loss as low as 1.5 dB/cm is achieved in small core (1.6 μm × 0.35 μm), high-index-contrast (Δn = 1.37) arsenic-based sulfide strip waveguides. This GRIN cladding design is generally applicable to HIC waveguide systems such as Si/SiO2.
The ALLHAT-LLT and ASCOT-LLA trials: Are the discrepancies more apparent than real?

During the past decade, numerous landmark trials of statins in secondary and primary prevention and their meta-analyses have demonstrated statistically significant and clinically important reductions in myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular death (by about one third), as well as total mortality (by about one fifth). In the past year, two trials of statins have been reported among hypertensive subjects enrolled in blood pressure-lowering trials, one in the United States and the other in Europe. The US trial, the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial--Lipid Lowering Trial (ALLHAT-LLT), was reported as showing no significant benefit. In contrast, the European trial, the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial--Lipid Lowering Arm (ASCOT-LLA), was terminated early based on the unanimous recommendation of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board, due principally to the emergence of a statistically extreme 36% reduction in the primary endpoint of nonfatal myocardial infarction and death from coronary heart disease (P<0.0005). These trial results have been viewed as discrepant, but methodologic issues of inadequate power of ALLHAT due to lower than projected sample size and poor compliance due to an open design render these discrepancies more apparent than real. The ALLHAT-LLT trial should be viewed not as null, but as uninformative, as the 95% confidence limits around the point estimate include the most plausible small to moderate benefit of statins. The totality of evidence on statins continues to strongly support their benefits in a wide range of patients on a large number of cardiovascular disease endpoints.
The Missing Mountain Water: Slower Westerlies Decrease Orographic Enhancement in the Pacific Northwest USA

Trends in streamflow timing and volume in the Pacific Northwest United States have been attributed to increased temperatures, because trends in precipitation at lower-elevation stations were negligible. We demonstrate that observed streamflow declines are probably associated with declines in mountain precipitation, revealing previously unexplored differential trends. Lower-troposphere winter (November to March) westerlies are strongly correlated with high-elevation precipitation but weakly correlated with low-elevation precipitation. Decreases in lower-tropospheric winter westerlies across the region from 1950 to 2012 are hypothesized to have reduced orographic precipitation enhancement, yielding differential trends in precipitation across elevations and contributing to the decline in annual streamflow. Climate projections show weakened lower-troposphere zonal flow across the region under enhanced greenhouse forcing, highlighting an additional stressor that is relevant for climate change impacts on hydrology.
Belief and Death: Capital Punishment and the Competence-for-Execution Requirement

A curious and comparatively neglected element of death penalty jurisprudence in America is my target in this paper. That element concerns the circumstances under which severely mentally disabled persons, incarcerated on death row, may have their sentences carried out. Those circumstances are expressed in a part of the law which turns out to be indefensible. This legal doctrine—competence-for-execution (CFE)—holds that a condemned, death-row inmate may not be killed if, at the time of his scheduled execution, he lacks an awareness of his impending death or the reasons for it. I argue that the law of CFE should be abandoned, along with the notion that it is permissible to kill the deeply disturbed just so long as they meet some narrow test of readiness to die. By adopting CFE, the courts have been forced to give independent conceptual and moral significance to a standard for competence that simply cannot bear the weight placed upon it. To be executable, CFE requires that a condemned prisoner meet a standard demonstrating an awareness of certain facts about his death. Yet this standard both leads to confusing and counter-intuitive results and is unsupported either by the reasons advanced by the courts on its behalf or by any of the standard theoretical justifications of criminal punishment. If executing the profoundly psychotic or delusional is wrong the law needs a better account of the wrong done when prisoners like Ford are killed. I suggest wherein that wrong might be located.
Identifying Allelic Loss and Homozygous Deletions in Pancreatic Cancer without Matched Normals Using High-Density Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Arrays

Recent advances in oligonucleotide arrays and whole-genome complexity reduction data analysis now permit the evaluation of tens of thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms simultaneously for a genome-wide analysis of allelic status. Using these arrays, we created high-resolution allelotype maps of 26 pancreatic cancer cell lines. The areas of heterozygosity implicitly served to reveal regions of allelic loss. The array-derived maps were verified by a panel of 317 microsatellite markers used in a subset of seven samples, showing a 97.1% concordance between heterozygous calls. Three matched tumor/normal pairs were used to estimate the false-negative and potential false-positive rates for identifying loss of heterozygosity: 3.6 regions (average minimal region of loss, 720,228 bp) and 2.3 regions (average heterozygous gap distance, 4,434,994 bp) per genome, respectively. Genomic fractional allelic loss calculations showed that cumulative levels of allelic loss ranged widely from 17.1% to 79.9% of the haploid genome length. Regional increases in "NoCall" frequencies combined with copy number loss estimates were used to identify 41 homozygous deletions (19 first reports), implicating an additional 13 regions disrupted in pancreatic cancer. Unexpectedly, 23 of these occurred in just two lines (BxPc3 and MiaPaCa2), suggesting the existence of at least two subclasses of chromosomal instability (CIN) patterns, distinguished here by allelic loss and copy number changes (original CIN) and those also highly enriched in the genomic "holes" of homozygous deletions (holey CIN). This study provides previously unavailable high-resolution allelotype and deletion breakpoint maps in widely shared pancreatic cancer cell lines and effectively eliminates the need for matched normal tissue to define informative loci.
Role of magnesium ions in Donath-Landsteiner hemolytic reaction of paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.

Summary1. Mg++ was removed from guinea pig and human sera by dialysing the serum in the presence of an ion-exchange resin. 2. Complete or almost complete removal of Mg++ from reagents used in the sheep cell hemolytic system, with the concentration of Ca++ being maintained, diminished the complement titer of guinea pig serum by about one-fourth. 3. Antibody fixation was only slightly reduced when Mg++ was lacking in the cold phase of the Donath-Landsteiner reaction. Maximum hemolysis was obtained when Mg++ was present in both the cold and warm phases. 4. Mg++ does not appear to be essential for hemolysis in the Donath-Landsteiner reaction of paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.