cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrodynamics of a quantum Hall liquid.

We study the effects of electromagnetic fluctuations on the ground state and elementary excitations of a quantum Hall liquid. For filling factor \ensuremath{\nu}=1/k we find that (i) the quasihole charge ${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ and statistics angle \ensuremath{\theta} have a correction given by \ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{*}}$=${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{2}$\ensuremath{\mu}e/\ensuremath{\epsilon}${\mathit{k}}^{3}$ and \ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\theta}=\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{*}}$/e, where \ensuremath{\alpha} is the fine-structure constant, -e is the electron charge, and \ensuremath{\epsilon} and \ensuremath{\mu} are the dielectric constant and the magnetic permeability of the host semiconductor, respectively; (ii) the quasihole charge-density profile decays as 1/${\mathit{r}}^{3}$ at large distances; (iii) collective modes with ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{q}}$gc\ensuremath{\Vert}q\ensuremath{\Vert}/ \ensuremath{\surd}\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\epsilon} are damped; in particular, at q=0, the cyclotron mode acquires an intrinsic linewidth \ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$ given by \ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$=(2\ensuremath{\alpha}/k) \ensuremath{\surd}\ensuremath{\epsilon}/\ensuremath{\mu} ; (iv) the Girvin-MacDonald order-parameter correlation function decays as ${\mathit{r}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}(\mathit{r})}$ at large distances, where \ensuremath{\eta}(r)=(k/2) +(\ensuremath{\alpha}/\ensuremath{\pi}) \ensuremath{\surd}\ensuremath{\mu}/\ensuremath{\epsilon} ln(r/\ensuremath{\xi}); (v) despite these effects, the Hall resistivity is unchanged by electromagnetic fluctuations.
A rapid and simplified assay method for tyrosine hydroxylase

Tyrosine hydroxylase can be measured by release of tritiated water from labeled tyrosine, and the assay method has now been modified to allow recovery of 3H2O from the reaction mixture in a much more rapid and less tedious manner than previously possible. In the new method, the tyrosine hydroxylase reaction is stopped with sodium carbonate, pH 11.6. At this pH the tritium in 3H2O, but not other 3H species, is extracted into an organic scintillant containing 25% isoamyl alcohol, toluene, 2,5-diphenyloxazole, and p-bis-[2-(5-phenyloxazolyl)]benzene. The selective extraction occurs by means of exchange of tritium in 3H2O with the hydroxyl proton of isoamyl alcohol. It is the [3H]isoamyl alcohol that is then extracted into the scintillant and quantified by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Although the organic extraction method is somewhat less sensitive than the more frequently used ion-exchange method for isolating the 3H2O formed in the tyrosine hydroxylase reaction, it is much more rapid, as well as cost effective, since the enzyme reaction, extraction, and counting are carried out within the same vial.
Defibrillation threshold testing: is one shock enough?

Early studies taught us the importance of DFT testing at the time of ICD implantation. The DFT was defined as the minimal energy at which at least two defibrillation shocks successfully terminated induced VF. The efficacy of clinical arrhythmia termination was found to be much lower when the safety margin between the DFT and maximal device output was 10 J. 2,3 This led to adoption of the 10-J safety margin as acceptable standard for ICD implantation. This “safety margin” takes into account the probabilistic nature of defibrillation testing and the metabolic derangements that may occur in a patient undergoing a cardiac arrhythmia. Early DFT studies were performed using abdominal generators with monophasic shock waveforms. The Low Energy Safety Study (LESS) examined whether the 10-J safety margin still was necessary using modern pectoral defibrillators with active can, biphasic shock waveforms. 4 The study concluded that a 4- to 6-J safety margin was adequate and that a 23-J maximum output device could be used safely in most patients. However, this standard has never become part of accepted clinical practice. In fact, devices with outputs higher than 31 J have now become commonplace. Most clinicians have sought to simplify the rigorous step-down DFT protocols used in the original studies. Time limitations, the desire to limit DFT inductions in ill patients, and the rarity of an elevated DFT using modern devices all have contributed to this trend. A follow-up to the LESS trial found that when patients with a single successful 14-J shock were set to the maximum 31-J output, termination of clinical ventricular arrhythmias was 97%. 5 This value was identical to that in patients undergoing more extensive defibrillation testing. In this issue of Heart Rhythm, another reanalysis of the LESS data is presented. The LESS trial used a rigorous step-down DFT protocol beginning with a 14-J defibrilla
Septate Junctions are Required for Ommatidial Integrity and Blood-Eye Barrier Function in Drosophila

Abstract The anatomical organization of the Drosophila ommatidia is achieved by specification and contextual placement of photoreceptors, cone and pigment cells. The photoreceptors must be sealed from high ionic concentrations of the hemolymph by a barrier to allow phototransduction. In vertebrates, a blood–retinal barrier (BRB) is established by tight junctions (TJs) present in the retinal pigment epithelium and endothelial membrane of the retinal vessels. In Drosophila ommatidia, the junctional organization and barrier formation is poorly understood. Here we report that septate junctions (SJs), the vertebrate analogs of TJs, are present in the adult ommatidia and are formed between and among the cone and pigment cells. We show that the localization of Neurexin IV (Nrx IV), a SJ-specific protein, coincides with the location of SJs in the cone and pigment cells. Somatic mosaic analysis of nrx IV null mutants shows that loss of Nrx IV leads to defects in ommatidial morphology and integrity. nrx IV hypomorphic allelic combinations generated viable adults with defective SJs and displayed a compromised blood–eye barrier (BEB) function. These findings establish that SJs are essential for ommatidial integrity and in creating a BEB around the ion and light sensitive photoreceptors. Our studies may provide clues towards understanding the vertebrate BEB formation and function.
Effect of cigarette smoking on major histological types of lung cancer in men

This study examined the effect of cigarette smoking parameters such as intensity, duration, age at initiation, and quitting on the development of different histological types of lung cancer in men. We used data from a case-control study conducted in Philadelphia between 1985 and 1987. Cases included 482 men with histologically confirmed lung cancer diagnosed in 15 selected hospitals in Philadelphia. Controls were selected from a neighborhood survey of men in Philadelphia conducted concurrently to the case recruitment. Most aspects of smoking were associated with all the major histological types of lung cancer. Number of cigarettes smoked per day was the strongest predictor of risk of developing lung cancer. Early age at initiation of smoking significantly increased the risk of small cell carcinoma (odds ratio = 3.0; 95% CI, 1.1-8.4). Quitting smoking reduced the risk of squamous cell and adenocarcinoma; however, it did not affect the risk of small cell lung cancer. The findings of this study suggest the need for greater emphasis on smoking prevention programs, especially in adolescents.
INELASTIC PROTON SCATTERING AT 40 Mev

Inelastic proton scattering has been studied using 40-MeV protons as the projectile particle. Energy spectra of protons scattered from ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$, ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$, ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}$, ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{40}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{54}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{56}$, ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{58}$, ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{60}$, ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{63}$, ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{206}$, ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{207}$, and ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{208}$ have been taken. Angular distributions have been taken on the strongly excited states of ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$, ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{24}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{54}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{56}$, ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{58}$, ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{60}$, and ${\mathrm{Pb}}^{208}$. The Blair phase rule is found to apply moderately well when a pronounced diffraction structure exists in the angular distributions. It is found that the McCarthy-Kromminga rule for the determination of parities of nuclear states from the small angle behavior of the angular distributions has limited validity. The $B(\mathrm{EL})'\mathrm{s}$ obtained from proton inelastic scattering measurements, using a distorted-wave Born approximation analysis, agree fairly well with the values obtained by electromagnetic methods.
Molecular mechanism for an inherited cardiac arrhythmia

In the congenital long-QT syndrome, prolongation of the cardiac action potential occurs by an unknown mechanism and predisposes individuals to syncope and sudden death as a result of ventricular arrhythmias. Genetic heterogeneity has been demonstrated for autosomal dominant long-QT syndrome by the identification of multiple distinct loci, and associated mutations in two candidate genes have recently been reported. One form of hereditary long QT (LQT3) has been linked to a mutation in the gene encoding the human heart voltage-gated sodium-channel alpha-subunit (SCN5A on chromosome 3p21). Here we characterize this mutation using heterologous expression of recombinant human heart sodium channels. Mutant channels show a sustained inward current during membrane depolarization. Single-channel recordings indicate that mutant channels fluctuate between normal and non-inactivating gating modes. Persistent inward sodium current explains prolongation of cardiac action potentials, and provides a molecular mechanism for this form of congenital long-QT syndrome.
Digital or Printed Textbooks: Which do Students Prefer and Why?

Despite the fact the many textbook publishers offer several of their titles in digital format, the sale of e-textbooks have been less than stellar. This study investigates factors in the adoption of e-textbooks. Specifically, it examines students’ preferences toward printed versus electronic textbooks, and why they prefer one to the other. In general, students still prefer printed textbooks to electronic textbooks. The primary reason for their preference was because the students simply prefer print to digital. This study helps both textbook publishers and educators to better understand the reasons for e-textbook adoption and help determine ways to communicate the benefits of e-textbooks.
Monitoring Molecular Adsorption on High-Area Titanium Dioxide via Modulated Diffraction of Visible Light

Patterned thin films of titanium dioxide (TiO2), with micrometer-sized features, were prepared on transparent, conductive indium−tin oxide glass platforms via microtransfer molding and electrochemical deposition. The grating pattern produces optical diffraction, where the efficiency of diffraction (η) depends on the degree of contrast in refractive index between the patterned material and the surrounding medium. The refractive index of a representative micropatterned TiO2 film (anatase) was estimated, via solvent index matching experiments, to be 2.72a value sufficiently large to achieve good contrast with air or water. A new method, based on the measurement of changes in diffraction efficiency, is described for the detection and evaluation of organic chemical adsorption on various titanium dioxide surfaces. The strategy is illustrated for the vapor-phase adsorption of chloroform on high-area amorphous, anatase, and rutile forms of titanium dioxide. The uptake of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol from aqueous solutio...
A NMR experiment for simultaneous correlations of valine and leucine/isoleucine methyls with carbonyl chemical shifts in proteins

A methyl-detected 'out-and-back' NMR experiment for obtaining simultaneous correlations of methyl resonances of valine and isoleucine/leucine resi- dues with backbone carbonyl chemical shifts, SIM- HMCM(CGCBCA)CO, is described. The developed pulse- scheme serves the purpose of convenience in recording a single data set for all Ile d1 , Leu d and Val c (ILV) methyl positions instead of acquiring two separate spectra selec- tive for valine or leucine/isoleucine residues. The SIM- HMCM(CGCBCA)CO experiment can be used for ILV methyl assignments in moderately sized protein systems (up to *100 kDa) where the backbone chemical shifts of 13 C a , 13 C b and 13 CO are known from prior NMR studies and where some losses in sensitivity can be tolerated for the sake of an overall reduction in NMR acquisition time.
Perspectives of Early Intervention Professionals About Culturally-Appropriate Practices

This survey study examined the extent to which early intervention professionals in a midwestern metropolitan area considered cultural factors important and the extent to which their practice reflected recommendations cited in the literature for providing culturally-appropriate services. Characteristics of these professionals and the barriers they have faced in providing services to children birth to age 3 and their families were also examined. Although professionals considered recommendations for providing culturally-appropriate services important, they reported that multiple barriers often hindered implementation. To provide high quality services for families who are culturally diverse, early intervention professionals need assistance such as professional development opportunities and administrative support. A challenge for the field in the next decade is to continue to diversify the population of early intervention professionals.
Enzymatic desymmetrization of a centrosymmetric diacetate

Abstract An enantiomerically pure cyclohexanol was synthesized starting from para-xylene 1. The key steps are a stereoselective twofold hydroboration and a pig liver esterase (PLE)-catalyzed desymmetrization of the centrosymmetric cyclohexanediacetate 4.
Deformable models with parameter functions: application to heart-wall modeling

This paper develops a new class of physics-based deformable models which can deform both globally and locally. Their global parameters are functions allowing the definition of new parameterized primitives and parameterized global deformations. These new global parameter functions improve the accuracy of shape description through the use of a few intuitive parameters such as functional bending and twisting. Using a physics-based approach we convert these geometric models into deformable models that deform due to forces exerted from the data-points so as to conform to the given dataset. We present an experiment involving the extraction of shape and motion of the Left Ventricle (LV) of a heart from MRI-SPAMM data based on a few global parameter functions. >
Dependence of film surface roughness and slope on surface migration and lattice size in thin film deposition processes

This work focuses on the study of the dependence of film surface roughness and slope on lattice size in thin film deposition processes. Two different models of thin film deposition processes, in both 1D and 2D, are considered: random deposition with surface relaxation model and deposition/migration model. Surface roughness and surface slope are defined as the root-mean-squares of the surface height profile and of the surface slope profile, respectively. Both surface roughness and slope evolve to steady-state values at large times but are subject to different dynamics and scaling properties. A linear and a logarithmic dependence of surface roughness square on lattice size are observed in the 1D and 2D lattice models, respectively, in both the random deposition with surface relaxation model and the deposition/migration model with zero activation energy contribution from each neighboring particle. Furthermore, a stronger lattice-size dependence is found in the deposition/migration model when the migration activation energy contribution from each neighboring particle becomes significant. On the other hand, a weak lattice-size dependence is found for the surface mean slope in all growth models considered, especially at large lattice sizes. Finally, the dynamics of surface roughness and surface slope is studied with respect to different characteristic length scales.
Money-Based vs. Exchange-Rate-Based Stabilization: Is there Space for Political Opportunism?

In response to high and chronic inflation, countries have adopted different stabilization policies. However, the extent to which these stabilization programs were designed for political motives is not clear. Since exchange-rate-based stabilizations (ERBS) create an initial consumption boom followed by a contraction, whereas money-based stabilizations (MBS) generate a consumption bust followed by a recovery, policymakers may consider the timing of elections when determining the nominal anchor for stabilization. This paper finds strong evidence that the choice of nominal anchor depends on elections, implying the existence of political opportunism. ERBS are, on average, launched before elections while MBS are set after them.
Origins and Evolution of MicroRNA Genes in Drosophila Species

MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. To obtain some insights into the origins and evolutionary patterns of miR genes, we have identified miR genes in the genomes of 12 Drosophila species by bioinformatics approaches and examined their evolutionary changes. The results showed that the extant and ancestral Drosophila species had more than 100 miR genes and frequent gains and losses of miR genes have occurred during evolution. Although many miR genes appear to have originated from random hairpin structures in intronic or intergenic regions, duplication of miR genes has also contributed to the generation of new miR genes. Estimating the rate of nucleotide substitution of miR genes, we have found that newly arisen miR genes have a substitution rate similar to that of synonymous nucleotide sites in protein-coding genes and evolve almost neutrally. This suggests that most new miR genes have not acquired any important function and would become inactive. By contrast, old miR genes show a substitution rate much lower than the synonymous rate. Moreover, paired and unpaired nucleotide sites of miR genes tend to remain unchanged during evolution. Therefore, once miR genes acquired their functions, they appear to have evolved very slowly, maintaining essentially the same structures for a long time.
Single-Cell Based Quantitative Assay of Chromosome Transmission Fidelity

Errors in mitosis are a primary cause of chromosome instability (CIN), generating aneuploid progeny cells. Whereas a variety of factors can influence CIN, under most conditions mitotic errors are rare events that have been difficult to measure accurately. Here we report a green fluorescent protein−based quantitative chromosome transmission fidelity (qCTF) assay in budding yeast that allows sensitive and quantitative detection of CIN and can be easily adapted to high-throughput analysis. Using the qCTF assay, we performed genome-wide quantitative profiling of genes that affect CIN in a dosage-dependent manner and identified genes that elevate CIN when either increased (icCIN) or decreased in copy number (dcCIN). Unexpectedly, qCTF screening also revealed genes whose change in copy number quantitatively suppress CIN, suggesting that the basal error rate of the wild-type genome is not minimized, but rather, may have evolved toward an optimal level that balances both stability and low-level karyotype variation for evolutionary adaptation.
Wnt Signaling Requires Sequestration of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 inside Multivesicular Endosomes

SUMMARY Canonical Wnt signaling requires inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3) activity, but the molecular mechanism by which this is achieved remains unclear. Here, we report that Wnt signaling triggers the sequestration of GSK3 from the cytosol intomultivesicularbodies(MVBs),sothatthisenzyme becomes separated from its many cytosolic substrates. Endocytosed Wnt colocalized with GSK3 in acidic vesicles positive for endosomal markers. After Wnt addition, endogenous GSK3 activity decreased in the cytosol, and GSK3 became protected from protease treatment inside membranebounded organelles. Cryoimmunoelectron microscopy showed that these corresponded to MVBs. Two proteins essential for MVB formation, HRS/ Vps27 and Vps4, were required for Wnt signaling. The sequestration of GSK3 extended the half-life of many other proteins in addition to b-Catenin, including an artificial Wnt-regulated reporter protein containing GSK3 phosphorylation sites. We conclude that multivesicular endosomes are essential components of the Wnt signal-transduction pathway.
Seasonal Distribution of Births in Alzheimer's Disease

We obtained season-of-birth data in 727 autopsy-confirmed cases of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and compared these data with expected general population birth rates. There were no significant differences between quarterly birth rates in the AD group and expected quarterly birth rates. Edward's test for cyclical trends did not establish a peak period of birth in the AD sample. No significant differences between observed and expected quarterly birth rates were found when data were analyzed with regard to either family history of dementia or to gender. Edward's test for peak quarter was significant for AD females, however, with the peak period occurring early in the first quarter. These negative findings between observed and expected quarterly birth rates, based on the large number of autopsy-confirmed AD cases in this study, suggest that a season-of-birth effect in AD is highly unlikely.
Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Expressed by Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus Attenuates Viral Replication and Increases the Level of Pulmonary Antigen-Presenting Cells

An obstacle to developing a vaccine against human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is that natural infection typically does not confer solid immunity to reinfection. To investigate methods to augment the immune response, recombinant RSV (rRSV) was constructed that expresses murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mGM-CSF) from a transcription cassette inserted into the G-F intergenic region. Replication of rRSV/mGM-CSF in the upper and lower respiratory tracts of BALB/c mice was reduced 23- to 74- and 5- to 588-fold, respectively, compared to that of the parental rRSV. Despite this strong attenuation of replication, the level of RSV-specific serum antibodies induced by rRSV/mGM-CSF was comparable to, or marginally higher than, that of the parental rRSV. The induction of RSV-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells was moderately reduced during the initial infection, which might be a consequence of reduced antigen expression. Mice infected with rRSV/mGM-CSF had elevated levels of pulmonary mRNA for gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) p40 compared to animals infected by wild-type rRSV. Elevated synthesis of IFN-gamma could account for the restriction of RSV replication, as was observed previously with an IFN-gamma-expressing rRSV. The accumulation of total pulmonary mononuclear cells and total CD4(+) T lymphocytes was accelerated in animals infected with rRSV/mGM-CSF compared to that in animals infected with the control virus, and the level of IFN-gamma-positive or IL-4-positive pulmonary CD4(+) cells was elevated approximately twofold. The number of pulmonary lymphoid and myeloid dendritic cells and macrophages was increased up to fourfold in mice infected with rRSV/mGM-CSF compared to those infected with the parental rRSV, and the mean expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, a marker of activation, was significantly increased in the two subsets of dendritic cells. Enhanced antigen presentation likely accounts for the maintenance of a strong antibody response despite reduced viral replication and would be a desirable property for a live attenuated rRSV vaccine.
Trophic Factors and Cytokines in Early Diabetic Glomerulopathy

The intent of this review is to focus on recent advances in the understanding of the factors responsible for the progressive pathologic features of diabetic kidney disease, with special attention to various growth factors and cytokines that appear to be important in this process. In addition, emphasis is centered on relatively early stages of the disease, because animal models have been most helpful to date in understanding this stage of the disease process. Although tubulointerstitial changes are of critical importance in the progression of diabetic nephropathy, especially in the evolution to end-stage renal disease, there is a general consensus that glomerular pathology occurs first. Therefore, attention is limited to factors that may be important in the development of early diabetic glomerulopathy, including transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).
Epidemiology and Prevention of Rabies in Pakistan

Rabies has remained a serious problem of health in the Indo-Pakistan Sub-Continent. The deadly disease has been cause of alarm and concern that Semple type sheep brain tissue vaccine was developed in this region.
Breath carbon monoxide and semiquantitative saliva cotinine as biomarkers for smoking.

Objective As a biomarker of smoking, semiquantitative analysis of cotinine (NicAlert®) offers several advantages over breath carbon monoxide (CO) and quantitative analysis of cotinine. Recent studies have used urine NicAlert® and breath CO in combination to verify abstinence. However, no studies have evaluated the performance of saliva NicAlert® against or in combination with breath CO. Method Breath CO, saliva NicAlert®, and smoking history were compared in an urban population of daily smokers (n = 24) and nonsmokers (n = 25). Results Saliva NicAlert® predicted self-reported smoking with 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity. At a cutoff of > 5 ppm, breath CO had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in predicting self-reported smoking. Breath CO was positively correlated with saliva NicAlert® and negatively correlated with minutes since last cigarette. Conclusion Saliva NicAlert® had high sensitivity and specificity in identifying daily smokers. Compared to saliva NicAlert®, breath CO level was more indicative of recent smoking. Future treatment studies should evaluate the performance of saliva NicAlert® as an alternative to the urine test. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The CloudSat radar-lidar geometrical profile product (RL-GeoProf): Updates, improvements, and selected results

Derived by combining data from the CloudSat radar and the CALIPSO lidar, the so-called radar-lidar geometrical profile product (RL-GeoProf) allows for characterization of the vertical and spatial structure of hydrometeor layers. RL-GeoProf is one of the standard data products of the CloudSat Project. In this paper we describe updates to the RL-GeoProf algorithm. These improvements include a significant fix to the CALIPSO Vertical Feature Mask (VFM) that more accurately renders the occurrence frequencies of low-level clouds over the global oceans. Additionally, we now account for the navigational challenges associated with coordinated measurements of the two instruments by providing additional diagnostic information in the data files. We also document how the along-track averaging of the VFM influences the accuracy of RL-GeoProf. We find that the 5 km averaged VFM when merged with data from the CloudSat radar provides a global description of cloud occurrence that best matches an independently derived cloud mask from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MYD35) over daytime global oceans. Expanding on the comparison with MYD35, we demonstrate that RL-GeoProf and MYD35 closely track the monthly averaged cloud occurrence fraction during a 4 year span of measurements. A more detailed examination reveals latitudinal dependency in the comparison. Specifically, MYD35 tends to be significantly low biased relative to RL-GeoProf over the Polar Regions when cloud layers present low visible and thermal contrast with underlying surfaces. Additional analyses examine the geometrically defined hydrometeor layer occurrence climatologies over select regions of the Earth and the seasonal variations of low-based and low-topped cloud cover.
Atomic Layer Deposition of PbS-ZnS quantum wells for high-efficiency solar cells

Quantum confinements such as quantum wells, wires, and dots posses several advantages for next-generation solar cells. In this study, we present results on quantum confinement in PbS-ZnS quantum wells deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). Materials selection criteria are presented with a focus on the properties of the well and barrier material. PbS quantum wells embedded in thin ZnS barrier layers are shown to demonstrate quantum confinement effects through scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The band gap of the PbS films has been varied from 0.4–1.0 eV by varying the number of ALD cycles. The bandgap variation with film thickness is well matched to results predicted by effective-mass theory.
Development of an epitope conservancy analysis tool to facilitate the design of epitope-based diagnostics and vaccines

Background: In an epitope-based vaccine setting, the use of conserved epitopes would be expected to provide broader protection across multiple strains, or even species, than epitopes derived from highly variable genome regions. Conversely, in a diagnostic and disease monitoring setting, epitopes that are specific to a given pathogen strain, for example, can be used to monitor responses to that particular infectious strain. In both cases, concrete information pertaining to the degree of conservancy of the epitope(s) considered is crucial. Results: To assist in the selection of epitopes with the desired degree of conservation, we have developed a new tool to determine the variability of epitopes within a given set of protein sequences. The tool was implemented as a component of the Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resources (IEDB), and is directly accessible at http://tools.immuneepitope.org/tools/ conservancy. Conclusion: An epitope conservancy analysis tool was developed to analyze the variability or conservation of epitopes. The tool is user friendly, and is expected to aid in the design of epitopebased vaccines and diagnostics.
Low threshold voltage vertical-cavity lasers fabricated by selective oxidation

Novel vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers fabricated using selective oxidation to form a current aperture under a top monolithic distributed Bragg reflector mirror are reported. Large cross-sectional area lasers (259 µm2) exhibit threshold current densities of 150 A/cm2 per quantum well and record low threshold voltage of 1.33 V. Smaller lasers (36 µm2) possess threshold currents of 900 µA with maximum output powers greater than 1 mW. The record performance of these oxidised vertical-cavity lasers arises from the low mirror series resistance and very efficient current injection into the active region.
Pulfrich stereo-illusion phenomenon: Poor man's VEP?

he Pulfrich effect reflects the interocular latency difference subjectively. The VEP testing provides quantitative measures of the absolute transmission time in each eye and also detects subtle interocular latency difference better than Pulfrich. However, when the Pulfrich effect is present, VEP is always expected to be abnormal. Moreover, the Pulfrich effect reliably identifies the involved eye. When the Pulfrich effect fails to be abnormal, VEP may still be abnormal.This test can be used as a screening procedure to detect optic nerve disease since it is simple, quick, and less expensive than VEP.
A Classification System for Loss of Papillary Height

A classification system for loss of papillary height is proposed. It uses readily identifiable anatomical landmarks for reference, and sorts the degree of loss into 3 classes. The 3 broad categories allow for a quick descriptive assessment. In addition to the basic classification, it is suggested that additional and incremental description may be included to further define the defects.
Estimating dialysis adequacy using ionic dialysance.

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and feasibility of estimating dialysis adequacy using ionic dialysance (ID). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients receivin...
Technology mapping for low leakage power and high speed with hot-carrier effect consideration

Leakage power and hot-carrier effects are emerging as key concerns in deep sub-micron CMOS technologies with respect to their effects on the total power dissipation and reliability of VLSI circuits. Leakage power dissipation is rapidly becoming a substantial contributor to the total power dissipation as threshold voltage becomes small. Similarly, the hot-carrier effect is one of the most significant failure mechanisms in high-density VLSI circuits. In this paper, a technology mapping technique is presented for use in reducing the leakage power dissipation of the circuit by utilizing a dual-threshold voltage cell library and for minimizing the aged delay of the circuit by considering the effect of hot carriers on the cell speeds as the circuit ages. In addition, this paper presents two methods to reduce delay during technology mapping: primary output ordering and pin permutation. Experimental results show that the total power dissipation and leakage power dissipation can be reduced by up to 27% and 52% as a result of the leakage-aware technology mapping and that the circuit aging phenomenon can be reduced by up to 10.6% as a result of hot-carrier-aware technology mapping. Delay was also reduced by up to 13% by using primary output ordering and pin permutation.
A queueing model for finite load IEEE 802.11 random access MAC

This paper presents an analytic model for evaluating the MAC layer queueing delays at wireless nodes using the distributed coordination function of IEEE 802.11 MAC specifications. Our model is valid for finite loads and can account for arbitrary arrival patterns, packet size distributions and number of nodes. Each node is modeled as a discrete time G/G/1 queue and we obtain closed form expressions for the delay and queue length characteristics at each node. We derive the service time distribution for the packets at each node while accounting for a number of factors including the channel access delay due to the shared medium, impact of packet collisions, the resulting backoffs as well as the packet size distribution. Our analytical results are verified through extensive simulations and are more accurate than existing models.
Singular decompositions of state-covariances

Singularities in second-order statistics reveal linear dependencies between correlation variables. This fact underlies techniques ranging from Gauss' least squares to modern subspace methods in system identification. In particular, the latter exploit a decomposition of covariance data according to a hypothesis that the stochastic process breaks up into a sum of a deterministic component plus white noise. In the present paper, we continue our earlier studies on the correspondence between state-covariances and input power spectra in dynamical systems. We characterize state-covariances which correspond to deterministic inputs and develop formulae for the input spectrum of a singular state-covariance. We show that multivariable decomposition of a state-covariance in accordance with a "deterministic component + white noise" hypothesis for the input does not exist in general, and study a possible alternative where the "white noise" is replaced with a general "moving-average process" having "short-range correlation structure". The decomposition according to the range of their time-domain correlations is an alternative to the well-known (Caratheodory-Fejer-)Pisarenko decomposition of Toeplitz matrices with potentially great practical significance, and can be determined via convex optimization.
The quality of the fossil record: a sequence stratigraphic perspective

As paleobiology continues to address an ever broader array of questions, it becomes increasingly important to interpret confidently the meaning of the pattern of fossil occurrences as found in outcrop. To this end, sequence stratigraphy is an important tool for paleobiologists because it predicts the distribution of unconformities, facies changes, and changes in sedimentation rate, all factors known from numerous previous studies to affect the quality of the fossil record. Computer simulations now make it possible not only to model sequence architecture within sedimentary basins, but also to model the occurrence of fossils within those basins. These models generate predictions regarding the stratigraphic distribution of first and last occurrences, changes in species abundance, changes in species morphology, and the distribution of gaps in fossil ranges. Although confirmation of some of these predictions has been found in field studies, the extent to which these predictions describe the fossil record in general is still unknown. If the predicted patterns of fossil occurrences are found to be widespread, it will suggest that a relatively simple model of fossil occurrences in outcrops could become a new tool for solving a wide array of paleobiologic and biostratigraphic problems. With such models, paleobiologists and biostratigraphers will be able to use model data to test the accuracy of newly developed methods of analysis.
Does Korean defeat phonotactic word segmentation

Computational models of infant word segmentation have not been tested on a wide range of languages. This paper applies a phonotactic segmentation model to Korean. In contrast to the undersegmentation pattern previously found in English and Russian, the model exhibited more oversegmentation errors and more errors overall. Despite the high error rate, analysis suggested that lexical acquisition might not be problematic, provided that infants attend only to frequently segmented items.
Dietary fat and the beta-adrenergic-mediated chronotropic response in the rat.

We have investigated the effect of dietary fat on isoproterenol-stimulated and propranolol-inhibited heart rate in the rat. In the first experiment, weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing 10% butter (10B), 10% corn oil (10C) or 9% butter/1% corn oil (10M) for 4 wk. Heart rate was determined in response to increasing i.v. doses of isoproterenol. The percent stimulation at the highest dose of isoproterenol (100 microM) was found to be significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in the 10C-fed group than either the 10B- and 10M-fed groups. A similar study investigated the effect of propranolol inhibition of heart rate in low-fat (10C and 10B) as well as high-fat (25C) corn oil- and high-fat (25B) butter-fed animals. Heart rate was elevated with a constant i.v. infusion of isoproterenol and the inhibitory effect of propranolol was determined. The ED50 was found not to depend on the level of fat, but was found to be significantly lower in the corn oil-fed animals than in those red butter fat (P less than 0.05). Thus, animals appear to be more sensitive to these beta-adrenergic agonists/antagonists when fed a diet containing corn oil rather than butter fat as the lipid source.
Impact of Exponential Smoothing on Inventory Costs in Supply Chains

College of Business Administration, Department of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, Rider University; Sy Syms School of Business, Yeshiva University; Department of Information, Operations, and Management Science, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University
First-Principles Study of Phase Stability in Pd-Rh Alloys

We present a study of the mixing energies and the effective cluster interactions which form the configurational part of the internal energy of Pd-Rh substitutional alloys. We discuss the tendency towards phase-separation and more generally phase stability. The effects of a substitutional ternary addition on the tendencies toward order or phase-separation are also reported. The Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Coherent-Potential Approximation (KKR-CPA) is used to investigate the electronic structure effects and energetics of the random alloy. Moreover, we use the Generalized Perturbation Method (GPM), using the KKR-CPA random alloy as a reference medium, to investigate the effective interactions which determine phase stability. We briefly comment on other factors which may give important contributions to the total free-energy of the alloy. We also contrast the GPM with the Connolly-Williams approach for calculating phase diagrams from first-principles. Finally, we explore the inadequacies of the frozen-potential and Harris approximations to the energetics of alloying.
Intrinsic Piezoelectricity in Two-Dimensional Materials

We discovered that many of the commonly studied two-dimensional monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanoscale materials are piezoelectric, unlike their bulk parent crystals. On the macroscopic scale, piezoelectricity is widely used to achieve robust electromechanical coupling in a rich variety of sensors and actuators. Remarkably, our density-functional theory calculations of the piezoelectric coefficients of monolayer BN, MoS2, MoSe2, MoTe2, WS2, WSe2, and WTe2 reveal that some of these materials exhibit stronger piezoelectric coupling than traditionally employed bulk wurtzite structures. We find that the piezoelectric coefficients span more than 1 order of magnitude, and exhibit monotonic periodic trends. The discovery of this property in many two-dimensional materials enables active sensing, actuating, and new electronic components for nanoscale devices based on the familiar piezoelectric effect.
Gentzen’s Original Consistency Proof and the Bar Theorem

The story of Gentzen’s original consistency proof for first-order number theory [9], as told by Paul Bernays [1, 9], [11, Letter 69, pp. 76–79], is now familiar: Gentzen sent it off to Mathematische Annalen in August of 1935 and then withdrew it in December after receiving criticism and, in particular, the criticism that the proof used the Fan Theorem, a criticism that, as the references just cited seem to indicate, Bernays endorsed or initiated at the time but later rejected. That particular criticism is transparently false, but the argument of the paper remains nevertheless invalid from a constructive standpoint. In a letter to Bernays dated November 4, 1935, Gentzen protested this evaluation; but then, in another letter to him dated December 11, 1935, he admits that the ‘critical inference in my consistency proof is defective’.
Real-Time Panoramic Image Generation and Motion Deblurring by Using Dynamics-Based Robotic Vision

This paper proposes a method for fast panoramic image generation using a rapidly moving robotic vision system. The proposed method consists of 1) real-time image deblurring within 30 frames/s, 2) dynamics-based homography estimation, and 3) parallel system architecture for visual-motor coordination and accelerating computation time. In this study, multiple images were obtained in the course of rapid motion, while a robotic vision system swept an environment. The vision system received blurry images that were recovered by real-time image deblurring. The resultant images were stitched together to generate a panorama image by the dynamics-based approach. The effectiveness of the proposed method was investigated under various motion conditions using a single-degree-of-freedom camera orientation system through quantitative and qualitative comparisons with conventional methods. Experiment results show that real-time performance within 30 frames/s was achieved for both image deblurring and image stitching for VGA-size images. The quality metric of the proposed method was 41% better than conventional methods.
Association of Oseltamivir Activation with Gender and Carboxylesterase 1 Genetic Polymorphisms

Oseltamivir, an inactive anti-influenza virus prodrug, is activated (hydrolysed) in vivo by carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) to its active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate. CES1 functions are significantly associated with certain CES1 genetic variants and some non-genetic factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gender and several CES1 genetic polymorphisms on oseltamivir activation using a large set of individual human liver samples. CES1-mediated oseltamivir hydrolysis and CES1 genotypes, including the G143E (rs71647871), rs2244613, rs8192935, the -816A>C (rs3785161) and the CES1P1/CES1P1VAR, were determined in 104 individual human livers. The results showed that hepatic CES1 protein expression in females was 17.3% higher than that in males (p = 0.039), while oseltamivir activation rate in the livers from female donors was 27.8% higher than that from males (p = 0.076). As for CES1 genetic polymorphisms, neither CES1 protein expression nor CES1 activity on oseltamivir activation was significantly associated with the rs2244613, rs8192935, -816A>C or CES1P1/CES1P1VAR genotypes. However, oseltamivir hydrolysis in the livers with the genotype 143G/E was approximately 40% of that with the 143G/G genotype (0.7 ± 0.2 versus 1.8 ± 1.1 nmole/mg protein/min, p = 0.005). In summary, the results suggest that hepatic oseltamivir activation appears to be more efficient in females than that in males, and the activation can be impaired by functional CES1 variants, such as the G143E. However, clinical implication of CES1 gender differences and pharmacogenetics in oseltamivir pharmacotherapy warrants further investigations.
Does histologic chorioamnionitis correspond to clinical chorioamnionitis

Objective To evaluate the degree to which histologic chorioamnionitis, a frequent finding in placentas submitted for histopathologic evaluation, correlates with clinical indicators of infection in the mother. Study design A retrospective review was performed on 52 cases with a histologic diagnosis of acute chorioamnionitis from 2,051 deliveries at University Hospital, Newark, from January 2003 to July 2003. Third-trimester placentas without histologic chorioamnionitis (n = 52) served as controls. Cases and controls were selected sequentially. Maternal medical records were reviewed for indicators of maternal infection. Results Histologic chorioamnionitis was significantly associated with the usage of antibiotics (p = 0.0095) and a higher mean white blood cell count (p = 0.018). The presence of 1 or more clinical indicators was significantly associated with the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis (p = 0.019). Conclusion Histologic chorioamnionitis is a reliable indicator of infection whether or not it is clinically apparent.
At the Limit of Physical Theory, or Quantum Dynamics in Coleridge’s Rime

Expressing his opposition to the emergence of quantum indeterminacy within his own mathematical computations, Albert Einstein asserted that ‘God does not play dice’ (Gribben Schrodinger 3) with the universe. Through a well-known series of thought experiments directed to Niels Bohr, the ‘father’ of complementarity, Einstein sought to eliminate what has become known as quantum indeterminacy.1 However, Einstein never succeeded in overturning this probabilistic aspect seemingly fundamental to the structure of matter. In the face of experimental evidence, to borrow phrases from David Z. Albert and Jim Baggott respectively, the emergence of physicality at the smallest dimensions of matter ‘has got to be a matter of probability’ (Albert 16) and is usually ‘interpreted as a probability amplitude’ (Baggott 36). For Stephen Hawking, in A Brief History of Time, ‘it seems that the uncertainty principle is a fundamental feature of the universe we live in’ (155–6), and, as Hawking later argues, ‘God not only plays dice but also sometimes throws them where they cannot be seen’ (Black Holes 113).