cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Onset-Nucleus Sharing and the Acquisition of Second Language Codas: A Stochastic Optimality Theoretic Account*

. The study provides a stochastic optimality theoretic account for the acquisition of word-final voiceless stops (codas) in the developing grammar of Brazilian Portuguese (BP) speakers learning English as a second language (L2). Following a variationist methodology for data collection and analysis of learner speech, the study focuses on Onset-Nucleus Sharing (ONS), a developmental phenomenon found in intermediate stages of L2 acquisition, phonetically manifested as aspiration. This phonetic behavior is interpreted to be an instantiation of ONS, wherein the potential coda syllabifies as an onset and, in order to be licensed, some of its features spread (via aspiration) into the following empty nucleus in order to optimize the syllable shape of the emerging grammar.
Lehman's and Lemons: A Study of Institutional Investment in U.S. Firms

We examine the impact of institutional investment on Tobin’s Q for the period 2004 to 2008. We provide further evidence of the heterogeneity of various institutional owners’ willingness to monitor by examining their corporate holdings. We isolate a special role for the four failed banks: Lehman’s, Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, and Wachovia. We find that these banks pursued investment strategies that favored risky firms and entrenched management, although this is less certain for Merrill Lynch. We conclude that for the most part these banks pursued short-term profits and that failures in corporate governance were important in fueling the 2008 financial crisis.
Optical Modeling of Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors

We present optical modeling of superconducting nanowire single photon detector devices using an analytical approach based on the transfer matrix method. We find that the optimal dielectric layer thicknesses vary slightly with the thickness and fill factor of the NbN layer and explore novel device geometries that can be described as a stack of thin films, such as devices on multilayered substrates, free-standing membranes, and optical fiber facets. In addition, the analytical results here show the importance of accounting for coherence correctly when an integrated cavity is included in the device structure and the relative insignificance of an anti-reflection coating in most cases.
3-D crystallization simulation in phase change recording media

The technique of phase change optical recording has been developing very rapidly over past few years. More complicated recording techniques are being studied to apply to phase change recording, including multi-level recording and multi-layer recording (H.D. Shieh et al, 2001; L. Shi et al, 2000; T. Akiyama et al, 2001). They require precise control of laser power and pulse duration to obtain optimal disk performance (writing and erasing). Therefore a better understanding of the kinetics of the crystallization of the recording material is needed. Considerable effort has been put into simulation of crystallization process in phase change optical recording. Mansuripur et al (Applied Optics, vol. 39, no. 35, pp. 6695-6701) studied transient nucleation effects, Sheila et al (Proc. SPIE, vol. 4090, pp. 116-121) modeled the jitter due to the statistical nature of the crystal nucleation and growth. Both of their simulations are based on the 2D crystallization model. However, in order to understand some crystallization phenomena, such as the effects of recording layer thickness and the effects of dielectric layer interfaces (heterogeneous nucleation), we must study the crystallization in thin films in three dimensions. In this paper, we set up an isothermal model to explain the recording layer thickness effects. Based on the isothermal model, we developed a method to simulate the crystallization process of phase change recording material in 3D.
Determinantal approach to meson-nucleon scattering

A treatment of scattering is presented where the construction of the scattering phase shifts is regarded as an energy value problem. Using the relation between the phase shift δ(E) and the energy shift ΔE, the phases can be obtained directly from the infinite determinant D(E)=detE−HE−H0 = ΠkE−EkE−E0kΠk1−ΔEkE−E0k where Ek are the energy eigenvalues of the interacting system and Eok are the corresponding eigenvalues for the noninteracting system. For the problem of potential scattering this procedure is directly applicable and leads to results equivalent to the Fredholm solution of the scattering integral equation. However, for the case of interest, the interacting meson-nucleon system D(E) does not exist, and in order to apply this method, D(E) must be factored into convergent subdeterminants Di(E), each of which refer to a particular class of states. From D1(E), the subdeterminant referring to a one-meson type state, the scattering phase shifts can be calculated. A procedure for constructing D1(E) for the meson-nucleon system is developed by using the formal structure of D(E). This method is then applied to calculate meson-nucleon scattering in the static model. D1(E) is expanded in a power series. The first two terms of the expansion yield a solution for the phase shift similar to results given by the Chew-Low one-meson approximation. Finally the result of a preliminary calculation with the fully relativistic interaction is discussed.
Modeling techniques for periodic vehicle routing problems

This paper presents a continuous approximation model for the period vehicle routing problem with service choice (PVRP-SC). The PVRP-SC is a variant of the period vehicle routing problem in which the visit frequency to nodes is a decision of the model. This variation can result in more efficient vehicle tours and/or greater service benefit to customers. We present a continuous approximation model to facilitate strategic and tactical planning of periodic distribution systems and evaluate the value of service choice. Further, results from the continuous model can provide guidelines for constructing solutions to the discrete PVRP-SC.
Modulation and pharmacology of low voltage-activated ("T-Type") calcium channels.

Although T-type calcium channel currents were observed almost 30 years ago, the genes that encode the pore-forming subunits have only been recently reported. When expressed in heterologous systems, three distinct alpha1 subunits (alpha1G (Cav3.1), alpha1H (Cav3.2), and alpha1I (Cav3.3)) conduct T-type currents with insert similar but not identical electrophysiological characteristics that. Alpha1G, alpha1H, and alpha1I transcripts are found throughout neural and nonneural tissues, suggesting multiple types of T-type channels (also called low voltage-activated calcium channels (LVAs)) are coexpressed by many tissues. The study of endogenous LVAs has been hampered by a lack of highly selective antagonists that differentiate between LVA subtypes. Furthermore, many pharmacological agents attenuate currents conducted by LVA and high voltage-activated calcium channels (HVAs). At least 15 classes of pharmacological agents affect T-type currents, and the therapeutic use of many of these drugs has implicated LVAs in the etiology of a variety of diseases. Comparison of the responses of recombinant and native LVAs to pharmacological agents and endogenous modulatory molecules will lead to a better understanding of LVAs in normal and diseased cells.
Amphiphile grafted membranes for the separation of oil-in-water dispersions

Perfluorinated end-capped polyethylene glycol surfactants were covalently attached to fritted glass membranes as a means to improve the separation of oil-in-water emulsions. Hexadecane was used as representative oil for the oil-in-water emulsions; membrane pore size was varied between 10 and 174 μm. Membranes were characterized with respect to contact angle, permeability of bulk fluids, and separation efficiency. Performance was compared to similar metrics applied to unmodified membranes. Modified membranes demonstrated static hexadecane contact angles which were higher than static water contact angles converse to their unmodified counterparts. The relative hydrophilicity and corresponding oleophobicity of the modified membranes resulted in greater water permeability as compared to hexadecane permeability. The presence of the perfluorinated constituent of the amphiphile retarded the flow of hexadecane. For modified membranes, suspended hexadecane coalesced at the membrane surface, was undercut by water, and floated to the surface such that only trace amounts of oil were present in the permeate. Therefore, modified membranes resisted fouling from oil due to the self-cleaning properties of the attached amphiphile.
Nutritional analyses of popular weight-reduction diets in books and magazines

Twelve popular diets from books and magazines published in 1982 are reviewed, with special attention paid to the nutritional and psychological maneuvers they employ for achieving weight loss. Representative three-day menus are analyzed for their nutrient contributions. Specific techniques employed to motivate or promote adherence to the diet are also cataloged. The diets vary greatly on both of these dimensions. Health professionals need to analyze critically popular diets before assuming that these are appropriate for patients.
Acoustic emission monitoring of a reinforced concrete shear wall by b-value-based outlier analysis

Reinforced concrete shear walls are critical structural components in gravity and lateral force resisting systems. The objective of this work is to design and validate a monitoring system capable of rapid and automated damage assessment of reinforced concrete shear walls. The proposed system is based on a sparse array of piezoelectric transducers to receive acoustic emissions distributed across the wall and a statistical pattern recognition algorithm capable of identifying critical structural conditions to inform decision makers on the need for repair to ensure safe operation of the structure. The proposed system was validated on a full-scale reinforced concrete shear wall subjected to quasi-static cyclic loading.
Increased levels of circulating interleukin 6 in burn patients

The serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) were determined in a population of burn patients. In all patients, IL-6 levels were increased over a 3-week interval with peak concentrations reached during the first week after injury. Patients receiving intravenous polymyxin B therapy according to a regimen designed to reduce endotoxemia manifested greatly reduced levels of both circulating endotoxins and IL-6. Certain patients not treated with polymyxin B showed extraordinarily large increases in IL-6 which were associated with lethal or life-threatening clinical complications. Increased IL-6 levels were also associated with decreased percentage of circulating T cells and corresponding increases in B cells. However, IL-6 did not produce any direct inhibitory effects in vitro on T cell representation or function.
Distinct 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D serotonin receptors in rat: Structural and pharmacological comparison of the two cloned receptors

We and others have recently cloned the genes encoding the human 5-HT(1D) (5-HT(1Dalpha)) and 5-HT(1B) (5-HT(1Dbeta)) serotonin receptors. Because of the history of profound species differences in the pharmacology of these receptor subtypes, we also cloned the homologous genes for these two receptors in rat. The rat 5-HT(1D) receptor gene, like that of the rat 5-HT(1B) receptor, is intronless, encoding a 374-amino acid polypeptide 90% identical to its human homologue. The rat 5-HT(1D) and rat 5-HT(1B) receptors are 61% identical in their deduced amino acid sequences. The availability of both the rat 5-HT(1B) and 5-HT(1D) genes allowed direct comparison of the pharmacological properties of the two receptors expressed in transfected cells as assessed using 5-[(3)H]HT binding assays. Unlike the rat 5-HT(1B) receptor, which is pharmacologically dimorphic with respect to its human homologue, the rat 5-HT(1D) receptor has an almost identical profile compared to the human 5-HT(1D) receptor. (+/-)-Cyanopindolol and (-)-propranolol are more than 100-fold selective for the rat 5-HT(1B) receptor over the rat 5-HT(1D) receptor, while mianserin is more than 100-fold selective for the rat 5-HT(1D) receptor. The rat 5-HT(1D) receptor is expressed in cells of the dorsal raphe and thus may serve as an additional type of serotonin autoreceptor. This constitutes the first unambiguous characterization of a 5-HT(1D) receptor in rat and demonstrates its relationship to the 5-HT(1B) receptor in rat as well as to the 5-HT(1D) and 5-HT(1B) receptors in human.
Structure/function relationships of a G-protein coupling pocket formed by the third intracellular loop of the m5 muscarinic receptor.

Using random saturation mutagenesis, we have previously identified the amino acids K439, A440, and A441 in the C-terminus of the third intracellular loop (Ci3) of the m5 muscarinic receptor as bein...
A finite element model for hygrothermal analysis of masonry walls with FRP reinforcement

Modeling of moisture migration and heat transfer in fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite upgraded masonry structures is of great importance, since the interfacial adhesive between the reinforcing FRP laminate and the host masonry is prone to moisture damages. In this paper, a generic theoretical formulation was first developed to model moisture and heat transport in a layered structure consisting of distinct materials. This formulation was based on the framework of the hygrothermal model presented by Philip and De Vries for a monolithic porous medium. Finite element implementation of the formulation was subsequently used to model moisture and heat transport in an FRP reinforced masonry block. Analytical results were then compared with experimental data to validate the model. Parametric studies were then performed for a concrete block with a reinforcing FRP laminate partially covering one surface. The results showed that changing temperature gradient affects the moisture distribution considerably. This effect was found particularly significant at the concrete/FRP interface where a drastic change in local temperature gradient is present.
Backscattering efficiency of coccolithophorids: use of a three-layered sphere model

The spectral variations of the efficiency factors for absorption, total scattering and backscattering have been computed via Mie theory using a three-layered sphere model, with the size distribution function and the spectral values of the refractive index of each layer as input parameters. When compared with the results of a model for homogeneous spherical cells (with an equivalent bulk refractive index), these theoretical predictions allow the modifications of the efficiency factors due to heterogeneities within algal cells to be assessed. Such a comparison has been performed for a coccolithophorid suspension (Emiliania huxleyi), for which the spectral values of the refractive index have been derived from the experimental absorption and scattering coefficients. While the internal structures induce insignificant modifications in absorption and only weak modifications in total scattering, they appear to be able to increase the backscattering efficiency by a factor as high as 50, depending mainly on the calcite shell thickness. The internal structures also induce spectral changes in backscattering.
Rescuing distal crossovers.

Optimally positioned crossovers facilitate the proper segregation of chromosomes in meiosis. A new study in yeast implicates the spindle checkpoint in the rescue of crossovers that occur too distant from the centromere, possibly shedding light on the origins of nondisjunction in higher organisms.
The functional role of burrowing bivalves in freshwater ecosystems

1. Freshwater systems are losing biodiversity at a rapid rate, yet we know little about the functional role of most of this biodiversity. The ecosystem roles of freshwater burrowing bivalves have been particularly understudied. Here we summarize what is known about the functional role of burrowing bivalves in the orders Unionoida and Veneroida in lakes and streams globally. 2. Bivalves filter phytoplankton, bacteria and particulate organic matter from the water column. Corbicula and sphaeriids also remove organic matter from the sediment by deposit feeding, as may some unionids. Filtration rate varies with bivalve species and size, temperature, particle size and concentration, and flow regime. 3. Bivalves affect nutrient dynamics in freshwater systems, through excretion as well as biodeposition of faeces and pseudofaeces. Excretion rates are both size and species dependent, are influenced by reproductive stage, and vary greatly with temperature and food availability. 4. Bioturbation of sediments through bivalve movements increases sediment water and oxygen content and releases nutrients from the sediment to the water column. The physical presence of bivalve shells creates habitat for epiphytic and epizoic organisms, and stabilizes sediment and provides refugia for benthic fauna. Biodeposition of faeces and pseudofaeces can alter the composition of benthic communities. 5. There is conflicting evidence concerning the role of resource limitation in structuring bivalve communities. Control by bivalves of primary production is most likely when their biomass is large relative to the water volume and where hydrologic residence time is long. Future studies should consider exactly what bivalves feed upon, whether feeding varies seasonally and with habitat, and whether significant overlap in diet occurs. In particular, we need a clearer picture of the importance of suspension versus deposit feeding and the potential advantages and tradeoffs between these two feeding modes. 6. In North America, native burrowing bivalves (Unionidae) are declining at a catastrophic rate. This significant loss of benthic biomass, coupled with the invasion of an exotic burrowing bivalve (Corbicula), may result in large alterations of ecosystem processes and functions.
Recovery of the right ventricle after single-lung transplantation in pulmonary hypertension

Abstract Single-lung transplantation has been successfully performed in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. In contrast, patients with end-stage pulmonary hypertension (either primary or secondary to Eisenmenger's syndrome) have conventionally been offered heart-lung transplantation. The rationale underlying this approach is that chronic pulmonary hypertension results in irreversible right ventricular dilatation and failure. Recovery of the right ventricle has previously been reported after thromboendarterectomy for chronic large vessel pulmonary embolism, correction of atrial septal defect or mitral valve replacement. The evolution of right ventricular morphology and function after lung transplantation has not been previously described. This study examines the reversibility of right ventricle dysfunction following normalization of pulmonary artery pressure after single-lung transplantation in 4 patients with pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac function was assessed using electrocardiography, echocardiography and radionuclide anglography. Pulmonary hemodynamic measurements, including pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance, decreased in all patients after single-lung transplantation. Electrocardiographic changes observed were leftward shift in the QRS axis, and a decease in P-wave amplitude and in right ventricular force. Echocardiographic examination revealed decreased right atrial, right ventricular and tricuspid valve annular dimensions, normalization of septal motion, and decreased tricuspid regurgitation. Thus, improved pulmonary hemodynamics after single-lung transplantation for pulmonary vascular disease results in reversal of right heart dilatation and dysfunction, and improved myocardial performance. The extent of right ventricular dysfunction beyond which recovery is unlikely to occur has yet to be determined.
The characterization and quantitation of glycomic changes in CHO cells during a bioreactor campaign

Within the biotechnology industry there is a continuous drive to better and more fully understand the biopharmaceutical process in order to achieve better process control. A method to monitor and quantitate glycomic changes that occur in CHO cells during a bioreactor campaign could help to address this. The goal of the method presented here is to provide data that may help to understand the changes in glycosylation that are occurring, within the cell, to proteins other than the expressed biotherapeutic. The method involves the lysing of cells to gain access to intracellular proteins. The expressed biotherapeutic is specifically removed by affinity chromatography, while the remaining proteins are subjected to deglycosylation by treatment with PNGase F. The released glycans are derivatized with isotopic tags, and quantitative analysis by MALDI-TOF MS is performed. The MALDI-TOF MS method allows for the simultaneous analysis of both neutral and sialylated glycans, displays a linear dynamic range over two orders of magnitude for both neutral and sialylated glycans and achieves sub-picomolar sensitivity. This method may yield valuable information that gives further insight into the inner-workings of CHO cells, potentially taking another step towards fully understanding and controlling the biopharmaceutical process.
Aspects of parathyroid physiology in mammals.

This report summarizes the parameters of parathyroid physiology in the mammal. Emphasis is given to the part played by this hormone in the processes of growth and remodelling in bone as well as to its function in the maintenance of a relatively constant level of ionic calcium in the extracellular fluid. The importance of phosphate ions has been shown, particularly with respect to their role in the rate of Ca-transport through the extracellular fluid compartments, and their influence on the rate of parathyroid secretion. In addition, the inter-relationship of the newly discovered hormone, thyrocalcitonin, is considered. The latter hormone, by suppressing resorption of bone, may have an influence in stabilizing plasma levels of calcium; it also has a moderate, but long range effect on the rate of bone remodelling. Finally, an attempt has been made to relate the vast amount of work done with these two hormones in mammals to their phylogenetic development in vertebrates. It is suggested that the parathyroids developed at the time when the specialization of bone in vertebrates produced a solid structure which was incompatible with the fluid calcium concentration needed for the maintenance of many physiological functions. The parathyroid hormone, by its action to increase the transfer of calcium from bone against a concentration gradient, permitted these vertebrates to maintain the higher fluid calcium ion concentration needed for the normal functioning of the animal.
meso-Tetraaryl-7,8-diol-21,23-dithiachlorins and their pyrrole-modified derivatives: a spectroscopic comparison to their aza-analogues

Abstract Osmium tetraoxide-mediated dihydroxylation of meso -tetraaryl-21,23-dithiaporphyrins generates the corresponding meso -tetraaryl-7,8-dihydroxy-21,23-dithiachlorins and meso -tetraaryl-7,8,17,18-tetrahydroxy-21,23-dithiabacteriochlorins. Oxidative diol cleavage reactions of the meso -tetraaryldithia-7,8-dihydroxychlorin generate, depending on the conditions chosen, the corresponding meso -tetraaryldithia-7-oxa-8-oxo-21,23-dithiaporphyrin (dithiaporpholactone) or meso -tetraaryl-7,8-ethoxy-7a-oxa-7a-homo-21,23-dithiaporphyrin (morpholinodithiachlorin), respectively. The UV–vis spectra of the heterochlorins and pyrrole-modified dithiaporphyrins are compared to those of the corresponding all-aza homologues. In general, the trends which distinguish the spectra of dithiaporphyrins from those of all-azaporphyrins are preserved. Thus, the spectra of the dioldithiachlorins tetraoldithiabacteriochlorins are chlorin- and bacteriochlorin-like and bathochromically shifted as compared to the all-azaanalogues, respectively. Also, the dithiaporpholactone spectrum is porphyrin-like. However, the UV–vis spectrum of the morpholinodithiachlorin is uncharacteristic for a morpholinochlorin spectrum. The derivatives described are the first examples of heterochlorins and pyrrole-modified dithiaporphyrins.
Performance of IT‐SOFC with Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 Functional Layer at the Interface of Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 Electrolyte and Ni‐Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 Anode

In this paper we present results for a high power density IT-SOFC and a method for dispersing nanosized Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (GDC) particles at the GDC electrolyte and Ni-GDC anode interface. Dispersed nanosized particles were deposited to form an anode functional layer (AFL). Anode supports were prepared by tape casting of large micron-sized NiO powder and sub micron-sized GDC powder without pore former. For the cathode a La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 – δ (LSCF)-GDC composite was used. Without an AFL the open circuit potential (OCP) and the maximum power density were 0.677 V and 407 mW cm–2, respectively, at 650 °C using 30 sccm of hydrogen and air flow-rate. With an AFL the OCP and the maximum power density increased to 0.796 V and 994 mW cm–2, respectively, at the same temperature. Two point probe impedance measurements revealed that the AFL fabricated by the proposed method not only increased the OCP but also reduced the electrode polarisation by 68%. The effect of gas flow-rate is also present in this paper. When hydrogen and air flow-rate is increased to 90 sccm, the sample with AFL obtained 1.57 W cm–2 at 650 °C.
LIBRARIES AND BUSINESS CYCLES

The October 1987 market crash left a lot of library administrators asking, “When the Dow Jones crests, how are libraries affected? Although it's impossible to predict with certainty what's ahead for our organizations, there are some things we can anticipate: Recession and inflation. Increases in interest rates and declines in the dollar. Shifts in monetary and fiscal policies. All of these are conditions the library manager must navigate. Libraries—along with the rest of society—have to ride the waves of macroeconomic activity.
Properties of Indium Antimonide Detectors for use as Transfer Standards for Detector Calibrations.

The properties of 4-mm-diameter and 7-mm-diameter liquid-nitrogen-cooled indium antimonide detectors were investigated to determine their suitability as transfer standards (i.e., reference detectors) for the detector calibration facility at the National Research Council of Canada. The spectral responsivity of the InSb detectors in the spectral range 1000–3000 nm was determined by a two-step procedure involving the use of germanium transfer standards and suitably characterized thermopiles. It is shown that the long-term reproducibility of the InSb detector calibrations is approximately ±1%. The uniformity and linearity as a function of wavelength, as well as the background current noise and drift of the two detectors, are compared. It is shown that the 7-mm-diameter detector is clearly superior to the 4-mm one for use as a transfer standard. It is estimated that the overall accuracy of the calibrations of the two InSb detectors is ±2% in the range 1200–2800 nm.
How far have we come? Benchmarking time and costs for monograph purchasing

The University of Oregon Library System conducted a benchmark study during autumn 1997 to determine time and costs for monograph purchasing, cataloging, and processing. The goals of the study were first to assess if it would be cost effective to contract out some or all of the cataloging and final processing for some monographs, and secondly, to provide data that could be used as a management tool and shared with other libraries. The acquisition and QuickCat costs per unit for various types of purchases were calculated showing that cost alone would not be a sufficient reason to outsource or purchase shelf-ready books. However, opportunity costs should also be considered. Additionally, the data are compared with a task analysis study conducted in 1982/83, just prior to automating.
Variation of chromatographic spot patterns of two species of clonal plants grown under controlled environmental conditions

Extracts of three clonal strains ofSpirodela, grown under eight controlled conditions of daylength and nutrient level, were run on two dimensional ascending chromatograms. A comparison of the replicated chromatograms shows that variation in spot patterns within a clonal strain is induced by environmental conditions.
Cognition in Bipolar Disorder

BPD is often associated with cognitive deficits that tend to be present regardless of mood state. Greater impairments tend to be seen in BPD patients who are older, have an early onset of the disease, and suffer a more severe course of illness. The literature also suggests that cognitive deficits are present early in patients with BPD and may be cumulative, showing an association with the number of affective (particularly depressed) episodes over time. Cognitive deficits in BPD may share some common characteristics with those seen in patients with schizophrenia, although the latter tend to show much greater and generalized cognitive impairment. For example, unlike patients with schizophrenia, patients with BPD typically do not score lower than normal persons on measures of global intellectual ability. There also is not overwhelming evidence of laterality or localization of cognitive deficits in BPD, although debate in the literature continues. More visuospatial deficits tend to be found in BPD and UPD than in schizophrenia, thereby raising the possibility of greater involvement of right hemisphere systems in mood disorders. In general, despite variability across investigations, deficits in executive functioning, episodic memory,sustained concentration, and, to a lesser extent, visuospatial skills seem to be the most consistent areas of impairment in BPD. Just as neuroimaging anomalies have been well documented in schizophrenia, structural brain abnormalities have been noted in BPD,most commonly involving the basal ganglia or white matter. Specific comparisons of cerebral atrophy and ventricular size between patients with schizophrenia and BPD have not been definitive, making it difficult to draw conclusions about structural brain abnormalities that might be specific to BPD. Nonetheless, there is enough evidence to suggest that white-matter abnormalities are reported with a greater frequency in BPD patients than in patients with UPD or schizophrenia. Functional neuro-imaging studies of mood disorders have indicated that the frontal cortex,basal ganglia, and temporal lobes are involved. The relationships between neuroimaging and neurocognitive abnormalities in BPD are worthy of additional investigation. Clearly, efforts directed toward phenotyping neuropsychiatric disorders using such measures, in addition to other clinical, neuroimaging, neurophysiologic, and genotypic information, may yield important insights into the development, nature, and course of illness. It is hoped that this understanding will lead to better identification of individuals who may be prone to greater cognitive impairment or decline and those who might be more responsive to specific treatments.
Using Sounding Data to Detect Gulf Surges during the North American Monsoon

Abstract Periodic surges of moisture from the Gulf of California are considered to be partly responsible for widespread showers and thunderstorms across the deserts of Arizona during the summer monsoon season. Presently, the primary method for detecting these surges is to look for changes in the surface observations at Yuma, Arizona. Unfortunately, these surface data are easily influenced by gust fronts, marine layers, and the dramatic diurnal patterns of the desert environment. Therefore, a new method for Assessing Low-level Atmospheric Moisture using Soundings (ALARMS) is proposed. Gulf surge–induced moisture increases identified by this new set of criteria are compared to other methods in order to determine the usefulness of each. This study demonstrates that the proposed method performs much better than the others that were tested, with the additional advantage of being relatively easy to apply.
Effects of a growth hormone releasing factor in man.

The effects of the 44-amino acid growth hormone releasing factor (GRF-44) were tested in normal adult men and women. At a dose of 1 μg/kg intravenous boluses of GRF-44 stimulated prompt elevations of plasma GH, which in 5 men reached maximum levels of 34 ± 28 (S.D.) ng/ml, and in 3 women in the mid-follicular phase, 53 ± 10 ng/ml. The action of GRF was highly selective; there were no changes in plasma PRL, W, FSH, TSH, or cortisol at this dose level. Side effects, mostly flushing and a sense of warmth of the face and chest, were mild and occurred only in a minority of subjects.
INFRARED-SPECTROSCOPY CHECKERS

The classic strategy game of checkers has been modified to help students study the interpretation of infrared spectra. The exercise gives students practice in functional group recognition, allows them to learn from the mistakes of others, and presents the reading of infrared spectra in a fun and exciting way. The game is easily modified by varying the complexity of ‘unknowns’ or the degree of interpretation expected.
Determination of electron energy, spectral width, and beam divergence at the exit window for clinical megavoltage x-ray beams.

Monte Carlo simulations of x-ray beams typically take parameters of the electron beam in the accelerating waveguide to be free parameters. In this paper, a methodology is proposed and implemented to determine the energy, spectral width, and beam divergence of the electron source. All treatment head components were removed from the beam path, leaving only the exit window. With the x-ray target and flattener out of the beam, uncertainties in physical characteristics and relative position of the target and flattening filter, and in spot size, did not contribute to uncertainty in the energy. Beam current was lowered to reduce recombination effects. The measured dose distributions were compared with Monte Carlo simulation of the electron beam through the treatment head to extract the electron source characteristics. For the nominal 6 and 18 MV x-ray beams, the energies were 6.51±0.15 and 13.9±0.2 MeV, respectively, with the uncertainties resulting from uncertainties in the detector position in the measurement and in the stopping power in the simulations. Gaussian spectral distributions were used, with full widths at half maximum ranging from 20±4% at 6 MV to 13±4% at 18 MV required to match the fall-off portion of the percent-depth ionization curve. Profiles at the depth of maximum dose from simulations that used the manufacturer-specified exit window geometry and no beam divergence were 2–3 cm narrower than measured profiles. Two simulation configurations yielding the measured profile width were the manufacturer-specified exit window thickness with electron source divergences of 3.3° at 6 MV and 1.8° at 18 MV and an exit window 40% thicker than the manufacturer’s specification with no beam divergence. With the x-ray target in place (and no flattener), comparison of measured to simulated profiles sets upper limits on the electron source divergences of 0.2° at 6 MV and 0.1° at 18 MV. A method of determining source characteristics without mechanical modification of the treatment head, and therefore feasible in clinics, is presented. The energies and spectral widths determined using this method agree with those determined with only the exit window in the beam path.
Age of the Manicouagan and Clearwater lakes craters.

Fission track dating and track annealing of glass from Manicouagan and Clearwater Lakes craters of Canadian Shield
Fast-spiking interneurons have an initial orientation bias that is lost with vision.

Following eye opening, fast-spiking, parvalbumin-positive GABAergic interneurons in mice have well-defined orientation-tuning preferences. However, the authors find that subsequent visual experience actually broadens this tuning. The authors suggest that experience-dependent broadening of inhibition could be a candidate for initiating the critical period.
Breast cancer screening.

Breast cancer screening is a major public health issue. Decisions concerning breast cancer screening should be based upon the results of randomized controlled trials, not observational studies. There are three important biases associated with observational studies that examine the effect of screening: lead time, length, and selection biases. Randomized trials have shown that mammography screening reduces breast cancer-specific mortality in postmenopausal women. Additionally, randomized trials are underway to assess the efficacy of screening clinical breast examination (CBE) and screening breast ultrasound. Two large randomized trials have failed to demonstrate a benefit of screening breast self-examination (BSE) in reducing breast cancer-specific mortality. Screening breast MRI is often utilized in mutation carriers and those with increased risk of breast cancer based upon family history, but there are no randomized trials that have examined its efficacy. There are also potential hazards of screening that should be considered: lead time, false-positives, radiation exposure (from screening mammography), overdiagnosis, and cost. Women should be informed about both the potential risks and the benefits of breast cancer screening.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with male breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is now a widely implemented technique for evaluating the axilla in women with early stage breast carcinoma. Men who develop breast carcinoma are at similar risk as their female counterparts of developing the morbidities related to axillary dissection. SLNB is aimed at preventing these morbidities. In this study, the authors evaluated the role of SLNB in the treatment of men with early stage breast carcinoma. METHODS Among the 1692 patients who underwent SLNB at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 16 men with breast carcinoma were identified. The charts and records of these 16 patients were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS The mean patient age was 57.2 years. The mean tumor size was 1.3 cm. In 15 of 16 patients (93.75%) and in all patients with T1 tumors, one or more sentinel lymph nodes were successfully identified. SLNB failed in one patient, who had a T2 tumor (3 cm). Ten of the 15 patients had negative sentinel lymph nodes (66.7%). Four of these patients had no additional lymph nodes removed, whereas six patients had additional lymph nodes removed, all of which were negative. Two patients (13.3%) had positive sentinel lymph nodes on frozen-section analysis and underwent immediate completion axillary dissection: Both had additional positive lymph nodes. Three patients (20.0%) had positive sentinel lymph nodes on further sectioning or immunohistochemistry, and two patients underwent completion axillary dissection: Neither patient had additional positive lymph nodes. The third patient had one immunohistochemically positive lymph node and did not undergo completion axillary dissection. CONCLUSIONS SLNB for patients with breast carcinoma was as successful in men as it has been shown to be in women and may be offered as a management option to men with early stage breast carcinoma by surgeons who are experienced with the technique. Cancer 2001;91:319–23. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Mapping chemical and mechanical property degradation in photovoltaic modules

An understanding of material interactions and degradation pathways in both fielded modules and modules used for accelerated testing is important to understand how photovoltaic (PV) materials affect reliability. As part of the effort to build this understanding, a suite of destructive and non-destructive testing protocols has been developed to compare material performance and reliability under the stresses of different service environments. The characterization approaches to be discussed in this presentation describe our recent experience mapping the physical and chemical changes observed in degraded PV modules. Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has been shown to provide a unique combination of sensitivity, spatial resolution and quantitation suitable for the study of ion migration pathways in encapsulants after PID (Potential Induced Degradation). Similarly, the depth resolution and sensitivity of imaging depth profiles determined by Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) have expanded our ability to follow chemical changes in cells extracted from modules following PID testing and Damp Heat exposure. As an extension of our ongoing efforts to correlate chemical and physical degradation properties, we have recently added NanoHardness Testing (NHT) of the extracted core to our analysis protocol. NHT has been found to be sufficiently sensitive to detect mechanical property differences in backsheet structures taken from modules after field exposure.
Management of scoliosis in children with respiratory complications of neurological illness

Altaf and colleagues’ comprehensive article on the management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has prompted us to share our experience of treating children with respiratory complications of neurological illness, who commonly have scoliosis.1 The same neuromuscular dysfunction that causes respiratory compromise (such as muscle weakness causing decreased lung function, poor cough, impaired airway clearance, and recurrent pneumonia) often contributes to scoliosis, particularly in non-ambulatory children. Children with scoliosis of any cause can have decreased pulmonary function owing to impaired respiratory …
A New Class of Constrained-Geometry Metallocenes: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Carboranyl−Thiol-Appended Half-Sandwich Titanocene and Its Conversion to Halotitanocene

A novel carboranyl−thiol-appended cyclopentadiene ligand, 1-SH-2-[HCpCH(Ph)]-closo-1,2-C2B10H10 (2), was prepared and then reacted with Ti(NMe2)4 to form the corresponding titanium complex [1-(σ-S)-2-(η5-C5H4CH(Ph))-1,2-C2B10H10)]Ti(NMe2)2 (3), which undergoes exclusively a monohalogenation reaction on the metal center, in the presence of Me3SiCl or Me3NHCl, leading to the formation of [1-(σ-S)-2-(η5-C5H4CH(Ph))-1,2-C2B10H10)]TiCl(NMe2) (4) in 71% yield.
The role of cyclic GMP in the regulation of cyclic AMP hydrolysis

Abstract A rat-heart cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase has been chromatographically separated from related enzymes and its kinetic properties have been studied. The enzyme can hydrolyze both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP and has about the same maximum velocity and apparent K m (greater than 10 −5 M ) for the two nucleotides. Kinetic plots indicate positive cooperative behavior for both substrates. Cyclic GMP at low concentrations is a potent activator of cyclic AMP hydrolysis and this activation, as well as the cooperativity, can be abolished by treatment with solvents or sulfydryl reagents under conditions which do not destroy the catalytic function. A kinetic model for this enzyme is proposed and the physiologic role is discussed.
New global-search method for designing filter banks

In this paper, we present a new global-search method for designing QMF (quadrature-mirror-filter) filter banks. We formulate the design problem as a nonlinear constrained optimization problem, using the reconstruction error as the objective, and the other performance metrics as constraints. This formulation allows us to search for designs that improve over the best existing designs. Due to the nonlinear nature of the performance metrics, the design problem is a nonlinear constrained optimization problem with many local minima. We propose to solve this design problem use global- search methods based on Lagrangian formulations. After transforming the original constrained optimization problem into an unconstrained form using Lagrange multipliers, we apply a new global-search method to find good solutions. The method consists of a coarse-level global-search phase, a fine-level global-search phase, and a local search phase, and is suitable for parallel computation due to the minimal dependency between various key components. In our experiments, we show that our method finds better designs than existing global-search methods, including simulated annealing and genetic algorithms.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nonlinear and Nonparametric Regression and Instrumental Variables

We consider regression when the predictor is measured with error and an instrumental variable (IV) is available. The regression function can be modeled linearly, nonlinearly, or nonparametrically. Our major new result shows that the regression function and all parameters in the measurement error model are identified under relatively weak conditions, much weaker than previously known to imply identifiability. In addition, we exploit a characterization of the IV estimator as a classical “correction for attenuation” method based on a particular estimate of the variance of the measurement error. This estimate of the measurement error variance allows us to construct functional nonparametric regression estimators making no assumptions about the distribution of the unobserved predictor and structural estimators that use parametric assumptions about this distribution. The functional estimators uses simulation extrapolation or deconvolution kernels and the structural method uses Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo. ...
The crystalline structure of melanin, keratin and collagen.

While a crystalline structure of melanin, keratin and collagen has been suggested on the basis of Roentgen-ray diffraction (1, 2, 3, 4), the crystals have never been demonstrated. It is the purpose of this communication to establish the crystalline nature of these substances by direct visualization.
Submicron Scale Patterning in Sintered Silica Colloidal Crystal Films Using a Focused Ion Beam

Focused ion beam milling is used to fabricate micron and submicron scale patterns in sintered silica colloidal crystal films. Rectangular cavities with both solid and porous boundaries, fluidic cha...
NEUTRINO ASTRONOMY AT THE SOUTH POLE

The origin of highest energy cosmic rays remains unresolved. High-energy neutrinos may provide the clues to fundamental phenomena such as the origin of cosmic rays or dark matter in the Universe. The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a km scale neutrino detector, has come into full operation in 2011. At the highest energy levels, prototypes of a new experiment, the Askaryan Radio Array, have been deployed and are being tested. We report on the status, first results and prospects of the experimental neutrino searches under way and planned at the South Pole.
GIS Tools for Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation Planning

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has developed a set of customized GIS tools to help ensure that freshwater biodiversity is adequately incorporated into its regional conservation planning efforts. The tools generate GIS data and attributes that support a regional-scale classification of freshwater systems and analysis of the potential integrity of these same systems. They have been implemented by TNC in more than 30 ecoregions across the U.S., and work is expanding to include other parts of the Americas. The tools are now in their second iteration. While the first version of the tools worked only with the RF3 hydrography dataset available in the U.S., the second version is more flexible and will function with a variety of datasets. Future improvements in the tools could include an improved interface and improved algorithms to reduce data pre-processing needs. The GIS tools, documentation, and data from completed ecoregions are now publicly available on the Internet.