cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bixels: picture samples with sharp embedded boundaries

Pixels store a digital image as a grid of point samples that can reconstruct a limited-bandwidth continuous 2-D source image. Although convenient for anti-aliased display, these bandwidth limits irreversibly discard important visual boundary information that is difficult or impossible to accurately recover from pixels alone. We propose bixels instead: they also store a digital image as a grid of point samples, but each sample keeps 8 extra bits to set embedded geometric boundaries that are infinitely sharp, more accurately placed, and directly machine-readable. Bixels represent images as piecewise-continuous, with discontinuous intensities and gradients at boundaries that form planar graphs. They reversibly combine vector and raster image features, decouple boundary sharpness from the number of samples used to store them, and do not mix unrelated but adjacent image contents, e.g blue sky and green leaf. Bixels are meant to be compatible with pixels. A bixel is a image sample point with an 8 bit code for local boundaries. We describe a boundary-switched bilinear filter kernel for bixel reconstruction and pre-filtering to find bixel samples, a bixels-to-pixels conversion method for display, and an iterative method to combine pixels and given boundaries to make bixels. We discuss applications in texture synthesis, matting and compositing. We demonstrate sharpness-preserving enlargement, warping and bixels-to-pixels conversion with example images.
Tax Reform Implications of the Risk of a U.S. Budget Catastrophe

Despite the demographic causes of the long-term U.S. fiscal gap, only severe dysfunction in our political system, abetted by malfunctioning and discontinuously responsive global financial markets, could lead to a U.S. budget catastrophe. Unfortunately, the risk of disaster appears to be alarmingly high. The rising danger has implications both for income tax reform and for the possible adoption of new tax instruments. For income tax reform, the main implication is that base-broadening should be undertaken without accompanying 1986-style tax rate reduction. The threat of a fiscal catastrophe also raises concern about otherwise desirable but potentially revenue-losing reforms, such as to the rules for corporate and international taxation. A number of tax instruments not currently used in the U.S. might be appealing even if the reform that included them was revenue-neutral overall. These include a value-added tax (VAT), a carbon tax, and a financial activities tax (FAT), although in my view a financial transactions tax (FTT) would not have comparable merit. All of these instruments potentially gain appeal if they could be used to ease the political prospects for raising overall U.S. tax revenues, and thus for reducing the risk of a budgetary catastrophe.
NEONATOLOGISTS' PRACTICES IN RESUSCITATION OF ELBW INFANTS: CONSIDERATIONS OF INFANT VIABILITY AND PARENTAL ROLE. 878

Physician decisions to resuscitate ELBW infants in the delivery room (DR) and antenatal parent counseling have been poorly studied. To assess current neonatal practices of initiating life-support in the DR for ELBW infants, we surveyed 447 neonatologists in California, 263 (59%) returned completed surveys; they were typically white (61%), male (65%), parents (83%), 46(± 1, SEM) yrs old, 13 (± 1, SEM) yrs in practice, board-certified (83%), and on-service 8 mo/yr. 34% had made life-support decisions for family members, 18% for their own premature infants.
I. Essay: Medication Use And The Elderly: Current Status And Opportunities

The crucial role played by medication use in the elderly is common knowledge in the worlds of health services research, clinical epidemiology, and geriatrics. It is now widely known that although persons over age sixty-five represent only about 13 percent of the population, they consume nearly one-third of all medications in the United States; that medications probably are the single most important health care technology in preventing illness, disability, and death in the geriatric population; that drugs represent one of the largest and fastest-rising out-of-pocket health care expenditures for the elderly; and that the old, because of their high drug usage rate, greater frequency of coexisting illnesses, and diminished physiological reserves, are at greater risk of experiencing adverse drug effects. Yet despite this knowledge, the use of drugs by the elderly and their clinical outcomes have not been prominent research or programmatic priorities for federal government, philanthropic, or corporate grantmakers. Beginning in the mid-1980s, The John A. Hartford Foundation began a grant-making program in the area of medication use and aging, out of an interest in enhancing the therapeutic effect of drugs used by this age group and in reducing the frequency and consequences of adverse drug events. After a number of years of active support in this area, the foundation convened its Expert Panel on Medications and Aging. This panel brought together authorities in the disciplines of geriatrics, gerontology, epidemiology, health services research, public policy, and pharmacology. Its mandate was to provide a consensus report that would critically define the further work needed to make the use of medications by the elderly more effective. This essay represents a synthesis of the work of that panel. The positions and opinions expressed below are extracted from transcripts of the expert panel’s deliberations, a structured survey administered to panel members,
The decomposition of nitrous oxide over germanium surfaces

Abstract The decomposition of nitrous oxide over six different samples of intrinsic, p-type and n-type doped crushed germanium single crystals was studied. Experiments were performed between 150 and 650°C at 1 to 20 Torr in a recirculated batch system, and at 10 −6 to 10 −4 Torr in a continuous flow system. Changes in electrical resistance of clean germanium wafers caused by adsorption and decomposition of nitrous oxide were observed in an ultrahigh vacuum system at 10 −9 Torr. For the measurements at high pressures (1 to 20 Torr), the decomposition rates at the critical temperature (the temperature at which the concentrations of intrinsic and extrinsic majority carriers are equal) were highest for samples of highest p-type and n-type doping (log k = − 6.0 and − 7.9 respectively), and were lowest for the least doped sample (log k = − 14.9). Energies of activation for decomposition on the most highly doped p-type and n-type samples were respectively 23.7 and 22.8 kcal/mole, and for decomposition on the least doped sample was 42 kcal/mole. For low pressure (10 −6 to 10 −4 Torr) experiments, activation energies were also low for samples of highest doping and increased to a maximum in the intrinsic range. Thus, at both low and high pressures with bulk p-type or n-type doping, the rate of nitrous oxide decomposition on the surface of germanium was increased. Arrhenius plots obtained in high pressure experiments indicate a compensation effect, with an inversion temperature of 437 °C. In addition, the increase in resistance of an n-type germanium wafer and decrease in resistance of a p-type wafer with nitrous oxide adsorption in UHV indicated that the initial step in the decomposition reaction on a clean surface is electron transfer to the adsorbate.
ALTERATION OF DOPAMINE RECEPTOR BINDING CHARACTERISTICS IN RAT LUNGS: RESPONSE TO RECEPTOR ACTIVATION WITH FENOLDOPAM |[diams]| 334

We have previously demonstrated that the DA1 agonist, fenoldopam(fen) produces vasodilation in the preconstricted pulmonary vascular bed of the isolated perfused lung of the rat. We concluded that activation of vascular dopamine receptors were responsible for the results. However, we were unable to confirm these functional aspects of DA1 receptor activity with anatomical correlation with radio-ligand binding studies in the rat lung. Our initial experiments demonstrated low (0-3%) specific binding of a radiolabeled dopamine receptor antagonist, 3H-SCH 23390, on the adult rat lung.
Scavenging: how carnivores and carrion structure communities.

Recent advances in the ecology of food webs underscore the importance of detritus and indirect predator–prey effects. However, most research considers detritus as an invariable pool and predation as the only interaction between carnivores and prey. Carrion consumption, scavenging, is a type of detrital feeding that should have widespread consequences for the structure and stability of food webs. Providing access to high-quality resources, facultative scavenging is a ubiquitous and phylogenetically widespread strategy. In this review, we argue that scavenging is underestimated by 16-fold in food-web research, producing inflated predation rates and underestimated indirect effects. Furthermore, more energy is generally transferred per link via scavenging than predation. Thus, future food-web research should consider scavenging, especially in light of how major global changes can affect scavengers.
A staged strategy for pathogen surveillance and discovery

Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have revolutionized microbiology by facilitating rapid, sensitive pathogen surveillance and differential diagnosis of infectious diseases. Implementation of these technologies can enable intervention when the prognosis is optimal for limiting replication, dissemination, transmission, morbidity and mortality. It may also reveal unappreciated links between infection and chronic diseases. Although new pathogens continue to emerge, we have likely collected much of the "low hanging fruit" (microbes readily associated with diseases). An important task now is to understand those disorders that reflect the interaction of microbes with other environmental factors (toxins, other stressors) and susceptibility genes in a developmental context. Here I will review the strengths and limitations of various assay platforms, describe the challenges associated with proving causation, and delineate a staged strategy for pathogen discovery focused in emerging infectious disease "hot spots," "hot hosts," and prospective birth cohorts.
Investigation of multiple carrier effects in InN epilayers using variable magnetic field Hall measurements

Variable magnetic field Hall effect measurements were performed on InN samples grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Since mixed conduction effects due to both the presence of multiple conducting layers and sample inhomogeneity were present, standard measurements yielded only averaged results. The variable field approach allowed direct measurement of interfacial/surface conduction while also allowing determination of the bulk electrical properties. Analysis always indicated electrons with more than one value of mobility, often with a significant spread in the mobility. This suggests multiple conduction layers in the sample as well as sample inhomogeneity. Variable magnetic field analysis of a 7.5 μm thick InN sample suggests maximum mobilities greater than 4000 cm 2 /Vs in bulk InN. The quantitative mobility spectrum analysis technique, reported here for the first time on InN, indicated a continuous and significant spread in mobility for the bulk electron, likely with sample thickness.
High pressure synthesis of platinum metal pyrochlores of the type Pb2M2O6–7

Abstract The cubic pyrochlore-type phases Pb2Rh2O7 ( a = 10.112 A ), Pb2Pt2O6.7 ( a = 10.291 A ), Pb2Os2O7 (10.347A), Pb2Ir2O6.5 ( a = 10.284 A ), and Pb2Ru2O6.5 ( a = 10.271 A ) have been prepared at 700°C under 3000 atm of pressure. Electrical resistivity measurements indicate that the Ir, Ru and Os compounds are metallic whereas the Rh and Pt compounds are semiconductors.
Functional reentry in cultured monolayers of neonatal rat cardiac cells.

Previous studies of reentrant arrhythmias in the heart have been performed in computer models and tissue experiments. We hypothesized that confluent monolayers of cardiac cells can provide a simple...
Novel cardiac troponin T mutation as a cause of familial dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background Familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHCM) are the 2 most common forms of primary cardiac muscle diseases. Studies indicate that mutations in sarcomeric proteins are responsible for FHCM and suggest that mutations in cytoskeletal proteins cause FDCM. Evidence is evolving, however, that such conclusions are premature. Methods and Results A novel missense mutation in the cardiac troponin T gene was identified by direct sequencing and confirmed by endonuclease restriction analysis in a large family with FDCM that we had previously mapped to chromosome 1q32. The mutation substitutes tryptophan for a highly conserved amino acid, arginine, at amino acid residue 141 (Arg141Trp). The mutation occurs within the tropomyosin-binding domain of cardiac troponin T and alters the charge of the residue. This mutation cosegregates with the disease, being present in all 14 living affected individuals. The mutation was not found in 100 normal control subjects. Clinical features were congestive heart failure with premature deaths. The age of onset and severity of the disease are highly variable, with incomplete penetrance. Because 15 mutations in troponin T are known to cause FHCM, 219 probands with FHCM were screened, and none had the mutation. Conclusions Thus, the novel cardiac troponin T mutation Arg141Trp is responsible for FDCM in our family. Because several mutations in troponin T have already been recognized to be responsible for FHCM, it appears that the phenotype, whether it be hypertrophy or dilatation, is determined by the specific mutation rather than the gene. Received April 23, 2001; revision received July 20, 2001; accepted August 17, 2001.
Chemisorption-induced disruption of surface electronic structure: Hydrogen adsorption on the Si(100)-2×1 surface

The influence of hydrogenated Si(100) dimers on the geometry and electronic structure of neighboring bare dimers is studied by scanning tunnel microscope (STM) and ab initio calculations. Two coverage regimes are of interest. First, the presence of isolated hydrogenated dimers is shown to perturb neighboring bare dimers such that the barrier-for-dimer tilting is reduced with respect to that on the clean surface. At low temperatures this manifests itself in STM images as regions of continuously tilting $p(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ bare dimers that fail to condense into the $c(4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ or $p(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ structures characteristic of the clean surface. In the second case we studied the structure of isolated bare dimers on an otherwise completely hydrogenated Si(100) surface. These isolated bare dimers are weakly buckled compared to those on the clean surface and exhibit an enhanced $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{*}$ energy splitting, in agreement with scanning tunneling spectroscopy studies. The spatial distribution of the \ensuremath{\pi} and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{*}$ density is significantly different from that found on the clean surface but corresponds closely to that seen in filled- and empty-state STM images.
Quantitative deficiency of chain-specific globin messenger ribonucleic acids in the thalassemia syndromes.

Abstract A hybridization assay procedure was devised that makes possible quantitation of the ratio of mRNA of alpha to mRNA of beta globin chains in an RNA sample. The assay uses the radioactive synthetic DNA copies obtained by incubation of RNA-dependent DNA polymerase of avian myeloblastosis virus with rabbit globin mRNA that is 80-90% enriched in mRNA specific for synthesis of alpha or beta globin chains. The rabbit alpha-chain mRNA is obtained from the postribosomal supernatant of rabbit reticulocyte lysates; the rabbit beta-chain mRNA is obtained from the largest polysomes of rabbit reticulocytes treated with L-O-methylthreonine. Sufficient homology exists between rabbit and human globin chains and globin mRNAs that the synthetic DNA copies of chain-specific rabbit globin mRNA hybridize with human globin mRNA. Applied to the study of globin mRNA isolated from reticulocytes of humans with alpha and beta thalassemia, the technique revealed marked quantitative deficiency of alpha-chain mRNA relative to beta-chain mRNA in alpha thalassemia and similar deficiency of beta-chain mRNA relative to alpha-chain mRNA in beta thalassemia. The thalassemia syndromes are therefore characterized by true quantitative deficiency of the mRNA specific for the affected globin chain.
Acute pulmonary response in healthy, nonsmoking adults to inhalation of formaldehyde and carbon

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a common chemical found in occupational and residential environments and has been suggested as a cause of asthmalike symptoms in some individuals. Clinical and animal studies suggest that HCHO adsorbed on respirable particles may elicit a greater pulmonary physiologic and inflammatory effect than gaseous HCHO alone. The purpose of this study was to determine if respirable carbon particles have a synergistic effect on the acute symptomatic and pulmonary physiologic response to HCHO inhalation. We randomly exposed 24 normal, nonsmoking, methacholine-nonreactive subjects to 2 h each of clean air, 3 ppm formaldehyde, 0.5 mg/m3 respirable activated carbon aerosol, and the combination of 3 ppm formaldehyde plus activated carbon aerosol. The subjects engaged in intermittent heavy bicycle exercise (VE = 57 l/min) for 15 min each half hour. Measures of response included symptom questionnaires, spirometry, body plethysmography, and postexposure serial peak flows. Formaldehyde exposure was associated with significant increases in reported eye irritation, nasal irritation, throat irritation, headache, chest discomfort, and odor. We observed synergistic increases in cough, but not in other irritant respiratory tract symptoms, with inhalation of formaldehyde and carbon. Small (less than 5%) synergistic decreases in FVC and FEV3 were also seen. We observed no HCHO effect on FEV1; however, we did observe small (less than 10%) significant decreases in FEF25-75% and SGaw which may be indicative of increased airway tone. Overall, our results demonstrated synergism, but the effect is small and its clinical significance is uncertain.
IMPACT OF ADVANCED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS ON TRAVEL BY DIAL-A-RIDE

The degree to which Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS) are expected to increase ridership is studied. The responses from a survey of Dial-a-Ride users to estimate the parameters of statistical models of user behavior were used. The respondents were asked to rank hypothetical scenarios in which level of service was varied. Level-of-service attributes included, among other variables, changes in travel time and ability to reserve the trip in advance. The respondents were asked to state how many trips they would have made during the past week of travel, given the hypothetical service attributes described in the question. The models developed link the average number of trips per week using Dial-a-Ride and the level of service offered by the Dial-a-Ride system. The modeling framework attempts to resolve the bias issues inherent in the use of stated preferences (SP) data, where respondents are asked to answer questions about a hypothetical situation. A basic methodology of combining revealed preferences and SP data is provided to evaluate the effect of different APTS configurations on ridership.
High temperature optical properties of CdS crystals in borosilicate glass

The temperature dependence of the optical absorption edge CdS crystals embedded in borosilicate glass from 300 K to 900 K is reported. The absorption edge shifts to lower energy by 250 meV as temperature is increased. Over the temperature range, 300 K < T < 900 K, where the effect of temperature change on the absorption edge is reversible, the shift can be represented by a straight line with slope -3.8 x 10 -4 eV/K for 5-10 nm particles and -4.9 x 10 -4 eV/K for 3.4 nm particles. No evidence is found for a melting phase transition up to 900 K. The absence of a melting transition sets an upper limit on the energy of the crystal-glass interface of 0.2 J/m 2 .
The Metabolism of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Related Cannabinoids in Man

The metabolism of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and related cannabinoids in man has been studied in detail utilizing intravenous, oral, and smoking routes of administration. The general pattern of metabolism was the same in all studies involving THC and related cannabinoids. Microsomal hydroxylation allylic to the delta 9-THC double bond occurs, the major product resulting in formation of an 11-CH2OH moiety; minor hydroxylation occurs on the C-8 carbon. Nonmicrosomal oxidation of the resultant 11-OH-delta 9-THC to 11-nor-delta 9-THC-9-carboxylic acid and to other more polar acids generates the major terminal metabolic products. After oral administration, approximately equal quantities of THC and its highly active 11-hydroxymetabolite were formed, whereas the latter metabolite is a minor constituent after administration by intravenous or smoking routes. Initial pharmacokinetic analyses of the data show that the mean terminal-phase (beta-phase) plasma half-life after intravenous administration of THC was about 30 hours; after oral administration, it was 23 hours. No significant statistical difference was noted between men and women as to metabolic routes or plasma terminal-phase half-lives.
Fabrication of a fly-eye mirror for an extreme-ultraviolet lithography illumination system by arranging silicon mirror elements

A novel EUVL illumination system including two fly-eye mirrors was proposed by Komatsuda. However, these mirrors are difficult to realize because they have a complex-shaped reflective surface constructed from many concave mirror elements. In the present study, we discuss a fabrication process for the fly-eye mirrors, in which all elements are fabricate individually and are then arranged side-by-side to form the fly-eye mirrors. We propose a fabrication method for the mirror elements in which silicon blocks are ground and polished into a spherical surface, and are then cut into the shape of the mirror element using a wire electric- discharge machine. Using the proposed method, we successfully fabricated mirror elements having a flat reflective surface in the preliminary experiment. Moreover, we propose a method of arranging the mirror elements to construct the fly-eye mirrors. In this method, to arrange the elements accurately without any contamination, the elements are fixed to a base plate containing magnets by attraction of their bottom surfaces. The bottom surfaces are plated with metal to enable their attraction to the magnets. The mirror elements were accurately arranged to satisfy the fly-eye mirror specifications by this magnetic method.
Is Maternal Fatigue Mediating the Relationship Between Maternal Depression and Child Outcomes

Fatigue, a subjective state that has been defined as a decreased capacity for physical or mental activity, has many behavioral similarities to depression (e.g., weariness, difficulty concentrating, diminished motivation). We hypothesized that fatigue might mediate the relationship between depression and poor child outcomes. A sample of mothers (14 well women, 57 with multiple sclerosis, and 36 with rheumatoid arthritis) completed an online survey where they reported on their fatigue (using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), depression (using the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale), child internalizing and externalizing behaviors (using the Child Behavior Checklist), and child prosocial behaviors (using a 10-item abbreviated Positive Behavior Scale). Maternal fatigue mediated the relationship between maternal depression and the total problems T-score on the Child Behavior Checklist but a mediated relationship was not found for the Positive Behavior Scale. Findings are discussed in light of the need to elucidate the relationship between maternal fatigue, depression, and child outcomes.
You Can't Always Get What You Want Infants Understand Failed Goal-Directed Actions

At what age do infants understand that goals exist independently of the actions that result from them? Exploring infants' understanding of failed intentional actions—when the goal of the action is unfulfilled and thus not apparent in the actor's movements—is a critical step in answering this question. Using a visual habituation paradigm, we assessed when infants understand that a failed intentional action is goal directed and whether an understanding of successful intentional actions (actions that do overtly attain their goals) precedes an understanding of failed intentional actions. Results demonstrated that 10- and 12-month-olds recognized the goal directedness of both successful and failed reaching actions. Eight-month-olds also recognized the goal directedness of successful actions, but not of unsuccessful attempts. Thus, by the end of the 1st year of life, infants possess an impressive understanding of intentional action, and an understanding of failed intentional actions follows an earlier understan...
γ-Secretase-mediated Release of the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein 1B Intracellular Domain Suppresses Anchorage-independent Growth of Neuroglioma Cells

The low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1B (LRP1B) is a large endocytic receptor that was first identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene. In the current investigation we demonstrate that LRP1B undergoes regulated intramembrane proteolysis in a γ-secretase-dependent process. The released intracellular domain (ICD) then translocates to the nucleus via a nuclear localization signal that is present within this domain. ICD release first requires shedding of the LRP1B ectodomain, which appears to be catalyzed by a member of the metalloproteinase family. Employing site-directed mutagenesis studies, we identified lysine residues 4432 and 4435 and arginine 4442 as key amino acids important for ectodomain shedding of LRP1B. We also demonstrate that an LRP1B minireceptor as well as the ICD domain alone suppresses anchorage-independent growth of LRP1B-deficient neuroglioma cells (H4 cells). Interestingly, abrogating ectodomain shedding resulted in a loss of the ability of LRP1B minireceptors to suppress anchorage-independent growth. Together, these studies reveal that LRP1B has tumor suppression function that is mediated by proteolytic processing of the receptor resulting in ICD release.
Damage threshold study of ion beam sputtered coatings for a visible high-repetition laser at LLNL

Ion beam sputtered (IBS) coatings offer some distinct advantages over electron beam deposited (e-beam) coatings, namely environmental stability and extremely low total losses. Initial IBS coatings had excessive stress and low laser damage thresholds. For these reasons, a study was initiated to examine potential laser damage thresholds and stress of IBS coatings. A material study was conducted of IBS coatings produced in industry, and a variety of design techniques were explored to increase laser damage thresholds. A post annealing process and backside coatings were developed to reduce the coating stress.
Pion-nucleon charge exchange and scattering at low energies.

An analysis of low energy pion-nucleon charge exchange and elastic scattering data is presented. A system of coupled channels with nonlocal potentials is used to include the effects of the Coulomb interaction, pion and nucleon mass differences, and the photoabsorption channel. By using recent accurate charge exchange data, redundancies exist, allowing cross checks between data sets. The cross section for ..pi../sup +/n..--> pi../sup 0/p is deduced and a value of a/sub 1/-a/sub 3/ = 0.290 +- 0.008 ..mu../sup -1/ is extracted.
Superior gluteal artery injury during iliosacral screw placement

Percutaneous fixation of an unstable pelvic ring injury is becoming a popular method of pelvic stabilization. As posterior pelvic percutaneous techniques become more common, the possibility of iatrogenic complications increases. This case report describes an injury to the superior gluteal artery during percutaneous iliosacral screw insertion and the treatment of this potentially devastating injury.
Incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteremia : A Population-Based Study

Background The incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia has not been defined in a population-based investigation.
Proliferin Transport and Binding in the Mouse Fetus

Proliferin (PLF), a member of the PRL/GH family secreted by the placenta, can be detected in both the maternal and fetal compartments. We now show that PLF immunoreactivity can be detected in association with the yolk sac, consistent with the transport of PLF across this structure into the amniotic fluid. Furthermore, PLF is transported across the extraembryonic membranes in isolated conceptuses that are placed in culture, and specific binding sites for PLF are detected in these embryos. The major binding sites for PLF in the cultured conceptus correspond to sites at which endogenous PLF localizes in the fetus, including developing vertebral and vascular structures. Similar binding patterns were also detected for PLF that was incubated with fetal sections. Competition and comparative binding studies indicate that the insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor is involved in PLF binding to specific cells in the fetus. These results suggest that in addition to the effects of PLF in the place...
An improved thin-layer chromatography/mass spectrometry coupling using a surface sampling probe electrospray ion trap system†

A combined surface sampling probe/electrospray emitter coupled with an ion trap mass spectrometer was used for the direct read out of unmodified reversed-phase C18 thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates. The operation of the surface sampling electrospray ionization interface in positive and negative ionization modes was demonstrated through the direct analysis of TLC plates on which a commercial test mix comprised of four dye compounds viz., rhodamine B, fluorescein, naphthol blue black, and fast green FCF, and an extract of the caffeine-containing plant Ilex vomitoria, were spotted and developed. Acquisition of full-scan mass spectra and automated collection of MS/MS product ion spectra while scanning a development lane along the surface of a TLC plate demonstrated the advantages of using an ion trap in this combination. Details of the sampling system, benefits of analyzing a developed lane in both positive ion and negative ion modes, levels of detection while surface scanning, surface scan speed effects, and the utility of three-dimensional data display, are also discussed.
Small mammal exclosures for studies of hypogeous fungi

Small mammal predation of hypogeous spo? rocarps ("truffles") make estimates of truffle produc- tivity difficult. To develop effective small mammal ex? closures, four screen materials were tested over a 6-week period. Following the test, the selected mate? rial, aluminum window screen, was used on 1944 plots in a 2-year study. The failure of only five screens in this study indicates aluminum screen prevents most predation of hypogeous sporocarps.
Preparation of κ-Casein by Gel Filtration

Abstract A procedure for the preparation of pure κ-casein by Sephadex gel filtration is described. Unreduced casein is filtered through a 2.5- by 95-cm column of Sephadex G-150 equilibrated with 0.005m triscitrate buffer, pH 8.6, containing 6 m urea. κ-Casein is excluded from the gel and emerges as a sharp peak at the void volume; all other caseins are retarded by the gel. The method is particularly suitable for preparing pure κ-casein in good yield from small quantities of whole casein, but larger amounts of κ-casein are readily prepared. The method is also suitable for the purification of κ-casein-rich preparations.
Electrocardiographic RV6:RV5 voltage ratio for diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy

Abstract Most electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy are relatively complex. They use absolute QRS voltage and often ST-T and P measurements to attain significant sensitivity and specificity. 1–6 New imaging methods are promising, but their restricted availability, radiation exposure and great cost make echocardiography the current standard for diagnosing LV hypertrophy. 7
Permanent Neutron Damage in PIN Microwave Diode Switches

The microwave PiN diode and its associated circuitry have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. The results of the study show that microwave PIN switches are very susceptible to permanent neutron damage. The failure mechanism is a severe reduction of conductivity modulation in the diode's I region caused by a reduction of carrier lifetime. This loss of conductivity modulation not only causes a reduction of the isolation abilities of a microwave switch but is also shown to lead to other secondary failure modes which can be extremely important.
JUNCUS PLANIFOLIUS (JUNCACEAE) IN NORTH AMERICA

Juncusplanifolius is reported for the first time from North America. Bibliographic notes on this species and its synonymy are given. Its distribution, dispersal and relationships within the genus are discussed.
Selective effects of thiazide therapy on serum 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and intestinal calcium absorption in renal and absorptive hypercalciurias

The effect of long-term thiazide therapy (hydrochlorothiazide, 50 mg twice/day) on intestinal calcium (Ca) absorption and serum 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1 alpha,25-(OH)2D] concentration was examined in 10 patients with renal hypercalciuria (RH), many of whom had hyperabsorption of Ca, and in 11 cases of absorptive hypercalciuria (AH), all of whom had intestinal hyperabsorption of Ca. In patients with RH, the intestinal Ca absorption decreased significantly during thiazide therapy (mean treatment period of 15 mo) from 0.68 +/- 0.09 SD to 0.56 +/- 0.10 (p less than 0.01), commensurate with the "correction" of the renal leak of Ca and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Furthermore, serum 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D decreased significantly from 5.2 +/- 2.2 SD ng/dl to 3.7 +/- 0.8 ng/dl (p less than 0.025) during thiazide therapy. In patients with AH, the intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium persisted during thiazide treatment (0.69 +/- 0.07 versus 0.69 +/- 0.06), despite restoration of normal urinary Ca. Serum 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D was virtually unchanged during treatment (4.5 +/- 1.4 ng/dl versus 4.7 +/- 0.9 ng/dl). The results support the hypothesis that the intestinal hyperabsorption of Ca in RH is a result of increased serum concentration of 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D secondary to the hyperparathyroid state, while that in AH may not be totally dependent on increased concentrations of 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D.
Microscopic form factors for charge exchange reactions to unbound residual states

Abstract It is shown that, although final nuclear states populated in charge exchange reactions on most nuclei with A>60 are proton unbound, there is at most a 10% enhancement of the microscopic charge-exchange from factor when the decay of the final state is taken into account.
Lesions of the Corpus Callosum and Other Commissural Fibers: Diffusion Tensor Studies

The corpus callosum is the largest white matter tract in the brain, connecting the 2 hemispheres. The functions of the corpus callosum are many and varied, and lesions frequently cause only subtle clinical findings. The range of diseases that can affect the corpus callosum is vast and includes all potential white matter disease. The distribution of lesions in the corpus callosum is disease specific in only a few entities such as Susac syndrome and Marchiafava-Bignami disease. Group studies have found significant differences of diffusivity metrics in the corpus callosum in preterm infants, patients suffering seizure activity, and patients with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Given the challenges that multiple orientation of fibers within the callosum presents, advanced postprocessing methods may be required to reveal ultrastructural disease.
Comparison of night driving performance after wavefront-guided and conventional LASIK for moderate myopia.

Purpose To compare preoperative and postoperative changes in simulated night driving performance after wavefront-guided (wLASIK) and conventional LASIK (cLASIK) for the treatment of moderate myopia. Design Retrospective, comparative study. Participants All eyes of subjects with a preoperative manifest spherical equivalent (MSE) between −4.50 and −6.00 who underwent night driving simulator (NDS) testing from 2 clinical trials were entered into the study. This comprised 38 cLASIK patients (62 eyes; mean −5.46 diopters [D] MSE) and 21 wLASIK patients (36 eyes, mean −5.20 D MSE). Methods Patients' records were reviewed from 2 LASIK clinical trials that had similar enrollment criteria. One trial treated patients with conventional LASIK using a bladed microkeratome (cLASIK) and the other treated with a wavefront-guided profile using a femtosecond laser (wLASIK). In both trials, patients with moderate myopia were asked to participate in NDS testing. Main Outcome Measures The detection and identification distances of road hazards were measured with and without a glare source before and 6 months after LASIK. Each eye was tested independently in best-corrected trial frames by a masked operator. Results In every category, there was a mean reduction in the preoperative to postoperative NDS performance after cLASIK (mean change, −21.3 to −27.9 ft, −6.5 to −8.5 m; 95% confidence interval [CI], −12.0 to −41.3 ft, −3.7 to −12.6 m); there was a corresponding mean improvement after wLASIK (mean change +15.0 to +29.1 ft, +4.6 to +8.9 m; 95% CI, +8.3 to +41.5 ft, +2.5 to +12.6 m). Significant differences between cLASIK and wLASIK NDS performance was observed in every category ( P 0.5 seconds) was observed in 32% to 38% of cLASIK eyes for all tasks, whereas only 0% to 3% of eyes had this loss after wLASIK. Between 2% and 7% of cLASIK eyes and 11% and 31% of eyes had a significant postoperative improvement in NDS performance in every task. Conclusions Wavefront-guided LASIK to correct myopia combined with a femtosecond laser flap significantly improved mean night driving visual performance and was significantly better than cLASIK using a mechanical keratome. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosures may be found after the references.
Arc flash hazards with electric fire pump installations

In recent years, engineers have been redesigning the protection schemes for electrical installations to reduce the arc flash hazard associated with switching and maintaining equipment. For electrical fire pumps, however, NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, prescribes very strict requirements for reliability of the power feed and overcurrent protection for an electric fire pump. The result is that current is allowed to flow for a longer time period to ensure that a fire pump may start without nuisance tripping. These requirements are made without consideration for the associated arc flash hazard. These requirements do not acknowledge that a redundant fire pump installation can provide equal or greater system reliability, plus greater operator safety, than possible with a potentially hazardous "reliable" power feed to a single fire pump. This paper will summarize reliability requirements currently mandated for electric fire pumps, discuss the arc flash impact of those requirements, and propose language that could be incorporated in future code revisions to reduce safety hazards while preserving operating reliability of system installations
The importance of accurate lesion placement in posteroventral pallidotomy: Report of two cases

Pallidotomy has become a widely used treatment for medically refractory Parkinson's disease. However, the optimal lesion size and location within the pallidum have not yet been determined, and the role of repeated pallidotomy remains undefined. The authors present two patients who had unsatisfactory results after their first unilateral pallidotomy but attained dramatic and long-lasting improvement with repeated surgery. The results obtained in these cases indicate that patients who have a good clinical outcome initially but relapse rapidly after surgery should be considered for repeated pallidotomy if the initial lesion was not placed in the optimal location.
Worker demography in the ant Formica neorufibarbis

Abstract. 1. Patterns of worker demography in the ant Formica neorufibarbis were documented under natural conditions. 2. Some workers lived at least 4 years. 3. In 4 of 5 years, colonies were more likely to retain older workers than new workers. 4. Workers persisted for more years in colonies lacking queens than in queenright colonies.
Extending the Power in Diversity-Related Personnel Preparation: Alliance 2000 Mentoring as a Professional Development Process in Higher Education.

This article describes mentor/mentee relationships arranged through the Alliance 2000 Project. Faculty members of minority institutions of higher education worked with mentors (successful proposal writers, grant holders, and content experts) from other academic institutions during proposal development for submission to the Office of Special Education Program's personnel preparation competitions. Individuals involved in four mentorships were interviewed regarding their views and perceptions of the mentorship process.
Free volume model for molecular weights of polymers

A free volume model has been developed for determining molecular weights of linear polymers. It is based on the size of free volume cells in two geometries of poly(arylene ether ketone)s. Free volume cell sizes in test samples were measured using positron lifetime spectroscopy. The molecular weights computed from free volume cell sizes are in good agreement with the values measured by gel permeation chromatography, with a low angle laser light scattering photometer as the detector. The model has been further tested on two atactic polystyrene samples, where it predicted the ratio of their molecular weights with reasonable accuracy.
Three-dimensional reactive shock bifurcations

Abstract We model interactions of a premixed flame with incident and reflected shocks in a rectangular shock tube using three-dimensional (3D) reactive Navier–Stokes numerical simulations. Shock-flame interactions occur in the presence of boundary layers that cause the reflected shock to bifurcate and form a reactive shock bifurcation (RSB), which contains a flame in the recirculation zone behind the oblique shock. The recirculation zone acts as a flame holder thus attaching the flame to the shock in the vicinity of the wall, and providing a mechanism for a detonationless supersonic flame spread. The accelerated burning induced by an RSB, and Mach stems that may result from RSB–RSB interactions, promote hot-spot formation, and eventually accelerate deflagration-to-detonation transition. Schlieren-type images generated from the simulation results show that the 3D structure of an RSB may not always be easily recognized in experiments if the RSB is attached to the surface of the observation window. The main 3D effect observed in the simulations is caused by the presence of the second no-slip wall in a 3D rectangular channel. Two RSBs that form at adjacent walls interact with each other and produce an oblique Mach stem between two oblique shocks. The oblique Mach stems then interacts with a central Mach stem that forms near symmetry plane, and this interaction creates a hot-spot that leads to a detonation initiation.
Tone-induced stereocilia lesions as a function of exposure level and duration in the hamster cochlea

Abstract The present study presents an atlas of the effects of 10 kHz tone exposures of different levels and durations on cochlear hair cells and their stereocilia in the Syrian golden hamster. Animals were sound exposed while under anesthesia. The exposure conditions were varied over an intensity range of 90–129 dB SPL; at the highest levels (126–129 dB SPL) the exposure periods were varied over a range of 30 min to 4 h. In animals with mild damage the lesions were commonly restricted to either the inner hair cells and/or the first row of outer hair cells; the order of damage susceptibility was IHC, OHC1, OHC2, OHC3. Damage to the second and third rows of outer hair cells were found only in animals with the severest lesions. Possible mechanisms underlying the row-specific distributions of these lesions and relative susceptibilities of the 4 rows of hair cells are discussed.
High-resolution vibration-rotation spectroscopy of fluoroform-d

Abstract The vibration-rotation spectrum of the ν 2 and ν 5 fundamentals of CDF 3 have been recorded using a Nicolet 7199 Fourier transform infrared spectrometer; in addition the Q branch and several subbands of each of these transitions have been investigated using a tunable semiconductor diode laser spectrometer. The Q branch and the K structure in several P ( J ) and R ( J ) subbands of ν 2 , and in several Q branches of ν 5 , are resolved and assigned for the first time. Constants derived for these bands are (in cm −1 ) ν 2 = 1111.1823 6 , B 2 = 0.32928 2 , A 2 = 0.18872 2 , α 2 B = 16.44 5 × 10 −4 , α 2 B − α 2 A = 12.43 5 × 10 −4 , D 0 j = 3.7 3 × 10 −7 , D 2 J = 4.8 3 × 10 −7 ; ν 5 = 975.39 1 , B 5 = 0.33062, A 5 = 0.18887, α 5 B = 2.83 1 × 10 −4 , α 5 A = 2.4 3 × 10 −4 , ζ 5 = 0.736, D 5 J − D 0 J = 1.2 2 × 10 −8 . Some of these constants are nearly 100 times more precise than those reported in previous work.
Odontesthes mirinensis, sp.n. um novo peixe-rei (Pisces, Atherinidae, Atherinopsinae) para o extremo sul do Brasil

Odontesthes mirinensis, a new species of silverside, is described in coastal lagoons system of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from other Odontesthes species by short snout and having 24-29 gill rakers on the lower branch of the first branchial arch. Osteological features (bones of the skull, axial skeleton and girdles) are included and discussed. Meristic and morphometric variables were analyzed separately, through multivariate procedures. Principal Component Analysis show that Odontesthes mirinensis, sp.n. does not exhibit significant geographic variation on body shape.
Benoxaprofen-induced photo-onycholysis

Benoxaprofen (Opren) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent used in the treatment of arthritis. Photosensitivity, including onycholysis, has been reported in the rheumatologic literature. This drug has recently been approved for use in the United States under the name of Oraflex. In order to alert the dermatology community, we report a case of photo-onycholysis which developed in a patient being treated with benoxaprofen and review the data on this drug and its side effects.
Covariation Bias in Blood-Injection-Injury Fear: The Application of Methodological Modifications Within the Illusory Correlation Paradigm

Previous studies have failed to support the prediction that covariation bias functions as a possible etiological and/or maintenance mechanism of blood-injection-injury (BII) fears. Methodological considerations may partially account for previous null findings. The current study extends previous studies by examining covariation bias in high (n = 32) and low (n = 30) BII fearful individuals using a systematically modified illusory correlation paradigm. Previous examinations have used multi-emotion stimuli (e.g., blood) or disproportionate stimulus–outcome emotion categories (e.g., Fear, Neutral, Neutral). Therefore, we incorporated fear-specific, disgust-specific, and neutral stimuli paired with ecologically valid, affectively-matched outcomes. Stimulus–outcome pairings were randomly paired and presented with equal frequency across trials. Participants provided estimations on the proportion of presented stimulus–expression pairings. Contrary to previous findings, our modified paradigm revealed a general covariation bias for affectively representative stimuli in high versus low BII fearful individuals. Further, the present study suggests a functional role for methodological variance in probability estimation. The current study’s limitations, in addition to theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.