cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of thermosolutal convection on microstructure formation in the Pb-Bi peritectic system

Experimental studies have been conducted in the two-phase region of the Pb-Bi peritectic system to investigate the effect of thermosolutal convection on the banded microstructure. A systematic study is carried out by varying convection effects through the use of thin cylindrical samples of different diameters. A strong oscillatory convection is found in a 6.0-mm-diameter sample that produces a large treelike primary phase in the center of the sample that is surrounded by the peritectic phase matrix. The length of the treelike structure is found to decrease as the diameter of a sample is reduced to 0.8 mm. When the sample diameter is further reduced to 0.4 mm, laminar flow is present that gives rise to discrete bands of the two phases. The banded microstructure, however, is found to be transient and only the peritectic phase forms after a few bands. Composition variations in the banded structure are measured to determine the nucleation undercoolings for both phases and to characterize the banding cycle. The banding cycle is determined by the nucleation undercoolings and is independent of convection in the melt, but the banding window closely depends on convection. The presence of the transient banding process is analyzed by using a boundary layer model, and the number of transient bands is found to agree with the model for samples of different compositions and lengths.
Effect of nasolacrimal occlusion on timolol concentrations in the aqueous humor of the human eye.

We studied the effect of manual nasolacrimal occlusion on the concentration of timolol in the aqueous humor of eyes of patients undergoing cataract extraction. Aqueous humor samples were obtained at various times after timolol maleate instillation from patients with or without 5 min of nasolacrimal occlusion; aliquots were assayed by HPLC. In patients receiving occlusion treatment, average timolol concentrations were statistically greater than those in control patients both between 15 and 90 min after instillation and also at 180 min. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that occlusion increased the concentration of timolol in the aqueous humor 1.7 times. In both groups, timolol concentrations were highest ~1 h after instillation. The decline in aqueous humor timolol concentrations occurred at similar rates in both groups.
Short-term plasticity of extrinsic excitatory inputs to neocortical layer 1.

Previous studies have shown that different pyramidal cell inputs vary in the short-term plasticity expressed when they are subjected to repetition of use. Here, we describe short-term plasticity at synapses that mediate long-range input to neocortical layer 1 and compare it with that which normally occurs in the hippocampal Schaffer collateral pathway, which also involves projection by remote inputs onto apical dendrites. We isolated tangential inputs to layer 1 in neocortical slices, stimulated these with brief 40-Hz trains, and examined postsynaptic responses by recording extracellularly from layer 1 in somatosensory, prefrontal, and visual neocortex, and intracellularly from visually identified pyramidal cell somata in layer 2/3 in somatosensory and prefrontal neocortex. Train response amplitudes were characterized by calculating paired-pulse ratios, fifth-versus-first amplitude ratios (5th/1st ratios), and a center-of-mass index "M". As expected, the hippocampal train responses facilitated strongly. In contrast, layer-1 responses displayed strong synaptic depression in all regions examined. This depression was reflected in 5th/1st ratios and M scores, but not paired-pulse ratios because it did not consistently begin until the third responses in trains. It persisted unchanged in the presence of partially blocking levels of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), but was converted to strong facilitation when slices were bathed in low-Ca++ media. Intracellularly, we observed response-train depression very similar to that recorded extracellularly. These findings show that long-range inputs to neocortical layer 1 display short-term plasticity markedly different from that which normally occurs at hippocampal Schaffer collateral synapses, but similar to that which has been described previously for excitatory inputs to pyramidal cells in deeper neocortical layers.
Replicated data consistency explained through baseball

A broader class of consistency guarantees can, and perhaps should, be offered to clients that read shared data.
Thymic lymphosarcomas obtained by X-rays in association with a weakly leukemogenic virus: cellular studies.

Abstract The association in C57BL/6 mice of a subleukemogenic radiation dose (1.75 Gy × 2) which induces 7% of thymic lymphosarcomas (TL) with the injection of a weakly oncogenic B-tropic retrovirus responsible for 5% of TL resulted in a higher incidence of TL (31%) than expected from a simple cumulative effect when the viral injection preceded the irradiations (VX protocol). When virus was injected after irradiation (XV protocol) TL incidence (19%) was not significantly different from that of a cumulative phenomenon. The B-tropic virus used (1223) was isolated from RadLV-Rs extract and cloned. The TL incidence correlates with the presence of virus firstly in the thymus and bone marrow (BM) during the preleukemic period, secondly in the cell lines established in vitro from TL obtained in both protocols. This suggests that B-tropic viruses derepressed by 4 radiation doses of 1.75 Gy might be similarly implicated in the mechanism of radio-induced TL. This hypothesis is further supported by the evidence that BM restoration inhibited leukemogenesis in processes induced either by 4 radiation doses of 1.75 Gy or by the association of 2 radiation doses and viral injection whereas it has no effect on TL induced by highly oncogenic thymotropic viruses. Transplantation of BM cells from animals which had been submitted shortly before to leukemogenic VX protocol failed to induce donor type TL or leukemias in irradiated recipients suggesting that preleukemic cells either are not present or cannot be detected. However a high incidence of recipient TL was observed indicating that viruses were transferred with the grafted cells.
FolderPredictor: Reducing the cost of reaching the right folder

Helping computer users rapidly locate files in their folder hierarchies is a practical research problem involving both intelligent systems and user interface design. This article reports on FolderPredictor, a software system that can reduce the cost of locating files in hierarchical folders. FolderPredictor applies a cost-sensitive prediction algorithm to the user's previous file access information to predict the next folder that will be accessed. Experimental results show that, on average, FolderPredictor reduces the number of clicks spent on locating a file by 50p. Several variations of the cost-sensitive prediction algorithm are discussed. An experimental study shows that the best algorithm among them is a mixture of the most recently used (MRU) folder and the cost-sensitive predictions. Furthermore, FolderPredictor does not require users to adapt to a new interface, but rather meshes with the existing interface for opening files on the Windows platform.
Systematic review of the efficacy of meditation techniques as treatments for medical illness.

Background: Meditative techniques are sought frequently by patients coping with medical and psychological problems. Because of their increasingly widespread appeal and use, and the potential for use as medical therapies, a concise and thorough review of the current state of scientific knowledge of these practices as medical interventions was conducted. Purpose: To systematically review the evidence supporting efficacy and safety of meditative practices in treating illnesses, and examine areas warranting further study. Studies on normal healthy populations are not included. Methods: Searches were performed using PubMed, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Database. Keywords were Meditation, Meditative Prayer, Yoga, Relaxation Response. Qualifying studies were reviewed and independently rated based on quality by two reviewers. Mid-to-high–quality studies (those scoring above 0.65 or 65% on a validated research quality scale) were included. Results: From a total of 82 identified studies, 20 randomized controlled tria...
Timing of cyclosporine administration in patients with delayed graft function

Abstract Cyclosporine in renal transplant recipients with delayed graft function (DGF) has been reported to decrease graft survival and prolong both DGF and hospitalization. In some centers, antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) has been used perioperatively to obviate these problems, but ALG is associated with increased viral infections. In this study, first cadaver transplant recipients with a fall in serum creatinine level of ⩾ 30% in the first 24 hr were started on prednisone (P) and cyclosporine (Group 1, n = 18). Those whose creatinine level did not fall were started on P and azathioprine (Group 2, n = 23) and switched to P and cyclosporine when serum creatinine fell 30%. One-year patient survival was 98%. One-year graft survival was 83% for both Groups 1 and 2 (NS). Results were compared to historical controls with DGF who received P and cyclosporine (Group 3, n = 19). Patients with DGF and requiring dialysis had fewer dialyses (P
Living With Silence

This is the first qualitative study using content analysis of elderly nursing home residents' statements to describe their perceptions of communication rules and beliefs that regulate their talking. Data were collected by using a role-play interview technique. The perceived communication rules and self-regulatory beliefs identified by residents were found to inhibit them from talking with one another. Implications of the study address communication as a basic human need that serves as an essential mechanism of adaptation to the nursing home environment.
Effects of smoked marijuana on human social behavior in small groups.

Abstract Six adult male research volunteers, in two groups of three subjects each, lived continuously in a residential laboratory for seven consecutive days. Subjects' behaviors, including social interaction and coaction, were continuously recorded. During the first part of the day (0945–1700), subjects remained in their private rooms doing work activities. During the remainder of the day (1700–2345), they had the option to socialize with the other subjects. Four cigarettes containing active marijuana (2.7% Δ 9 -THC w/w) or placebo were smoked daily: two during the work period, and two during the social access period. Active marijuana had no effection the total amount of time that subjects spent in the social area. However, active marijuana changed the distribution of activity within the social area by decreasing the amount of time subjects spent engaging in verbal exchanges, i.e., interaction, while simultaneously increasing the amount of time that subjects engaged in the same activity, but in the absence of verbal exchanges, i.e., coaction.
The Us Primary System: Could it Work in Europe?:

This article examines how the major political parties in the United States select candidates for elective office, in particular through primary elections. The author reviews various mechanisms of candidate selection, explains the importance of the sequencing, and discusses the pros and cons of primaries, including media coverage, fundraising, party strengthening and candidate preparation. Finally, the article looks at the relevance and potential for US-style primaries for European-level parties in the European Union as a means to increase public engagement in and awareness of future European Parliament elections.
Asphaltene Flocculation Onset Determinations for Heavy Crude Oil and Its Implications

Abstract The transport of heavy oils from the wellbore to the refinery is a costly process because heavy oils have high viscosities, which result in higher energy requirements in pumping. Producers have used large quantities of diluents to reduce the viscosity and make the heavy oils more pumpable. However, the addition of diluents might precipitate asphaltenes from the heavy oil and cause plugging and fouling problems. The asphaltene flocculation onset titration is often used to predict asphaltene precipitation tendency of crude/diluent mixture. In this article we present work performed on a Venezuelan heavy crude where the asphaltene flocculation onset was extrapolated for the dead crude using a solvent dilution method. Flocculation point measurements under high pressure utilizing a high-pressure cell with the solid detection system (SDS) were also conducted. The data show good correlation between the high-pressure titration experiments and solvent dilution method using dead crude oils. The data predict...
An occupational tale of two cities: Minorities in London and New York

In this paper, queuing theory is tested through an examination of the occupational attainment of six groups of non-whites in London and New York. Workers in the dominant economy are distinguished from those in the niche economy and emphasis is placed on the former. Black male immigrants in New York and black female immigrants in London hold more favorable occupational status. These results reflect differences in (1) the presence of indigenous minorities—African Americans and Puerto Ricans—in New York but not London, and (2) the relatively low position of indigenous minority males compared to the relatively middling position of indigenous minority females in New York:S labor queue.
Supply chain innovation and organizational performance in the healthcare industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine supply chain (SC) innovation for improving organisational performance in the healthcare industry.Design/methodology/approach – A research model is proposed which describes the impact of SC innovation, supplier cooperation, SC efficiency, and quality management (QM) practices on organisational performance. The proposed research model and hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling based on data collected from 243 hospitals.Findings – The results of the study support that organisational performance is positively associated with constructs of each SC innovation factor. Innovative design of SC has a significant impact on selection of and cooperation with excellent suppliers, improved SC efficiency, and encouragement of QM practices.Research limitations/implications – The data used in this study were collected from relatively large hospitals with more than 100 beds in South Korea. The generalization of the study results may be limited by the size ...
Growth and Sporulation of a Pyrimidine Spore Color Mutant of Sordaria fimicola

A nonautonomous spore color mutant of Sordaria fimicola is a pyrimidine auxotroph that produces hyaline nonviable ascospores. Uracil, uridine, and cytidine are more effective growth factors than cytosine and thymine and, in high concentrations, render the mutant self-fertile by inducing the ascospores to resume development and maturation. Crosses with the unlinked arginine non-autonomus spore color mutant st-59 yielded the double mutant st-59 pyr that requires both arginine and a pyrimidine for growth, which indicates a lack of suppression of the pyrimidine requirement by the arginine locus.
Problem-solving with diagrammatic representations

Abstract Diagrams are of substantial benefit to WHISPER, a computer problem-solving system, in testing the stability of a “blocks world” structure and predicting the event sequences which occur as that structure collapses. WHISPER's components include a high level reasoner which knows some qualitative aspects of Physics, a simulated parallel processing “retina” to “look at” its diagrams, and a set of re-drawing procedures for modifying these diagrams. Roughly modelled after the human eye, WHISPER's retina can fixate at any diagram location, and its resolution decreases away from its center. Diagrams enable WHISPER to work with objects of arbitrary shape, detect collisions and other motion discontinuities, discover coincidental alignments, and easily update its world model after a state change. A theoretical analysis is made of the role of diagrams interacting with a general deductive mechanism such as WHISPER's high level reasoner.
The apparent size of three-dimensional objects and their silhouettes: a solid-superiority effect.

A solid object looks larger than its outline or silhouette under many viewing conditions. This solid-superiority effect may result from the assimilation or confusion of visual contours within the projection of a three-dimensional object on the picture plane. An aspect of the Muller-Lyer illusion may also play a role.
A common polymorphism in the human insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 gene.

Abstract A common polymorphism generated by an A to C transition at nucleotide 7580 in the third intron of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 gene was found. This polymorphism can be identified by Nde 1 restriction of genomic DNA amplified with a specifically designed restriction enzyme site-generating oligonucleotide primer. The frequency of the A and C alleles was estimated at 0·6 and 0·4 in the Caucasians, 0·63 and 0·37 in Blacks, respectively.
Cyclization and catenation directed by molecular self-assembly.

We report here that molecular self-assembly can effectively direct and enhance specific reaction pathways. Using perylene π-π stacking weak attractive forces, we succeeded in synthesizing perylene bisimide macrocyclic dimer and a concatenated dimer-dimer ring from dynamic self-assembly of monomeric bis-N, N’-(2-(2-(2-(2-thioacetyl ethoxy) ethoxy) ethoxy) ethyl) perylene tetracarboxylic diimide. The monocyclic ring closure and the dimer-dimer ring concatenation were accomplished through formation of disulfide bonds, which was readily triggered by air oxidization under basic deacetylation conditions. The perylene cyclic dimer and its concatenated tetramer were characterized using both structural methods (NMR, mass spectroscopy) and photophysical measurements (UV-vis spectroscopy). Kinetic analyses offer informative insights about reaction pathways and possible mechanisms, which lead to the formation of fascinating concatenated rings. Molecular dynamic behaviors of both the monocyclic dimer and the concatenated dimer-dimer ring were modeled with the NWChem molecular dynamics software module, which shows distinct stacking activities for the monocyclic dimer and the concatenated tetramer.
Droplet evaporation dynamics on a superhydrophobic surface with negligible hysteresis.

We report on experiments of droplet evaporation on a structured superhydrophobic surface that displays very high contact angle (CA ∼ 160 deg), and negligible contact angle hysteresis (<1 deg). The droplet evaporation is observed to occur in a constant-contact-angle mode, with contact radius shrinking for almost the entire duration of evaporation. Experiments conducted on Teflon-coated smooth surface (CA ∼ 120 deg) as a baseline also support an evaporation process that is dominated by a constant-contact-angle mode. The experimental results are compared with an isothermal diffusion model for droplet evaporation from the literature. Good agreement is observed for the Teflon-coated smooth surface between the analytical expression and experimental results in terms of the total time for evaporation, transient volume, contact angle, and contact radius. However, for the structured superhydrophobic surface, the experiments indicate that the time taken for complete evaporation of the droplet is greater than the pre...
Alcohol toxicity in cell culture.

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to study the mechanism of tissue toxicity induced by ethanol, which neither is metabolized nor interacts chemically with cell components. In concentrations that may be found in blood and tissues of humans, alcohol stimulated at low and impaired at higher concentrations the invitro incorporation of DNA precursors into mitogen-stimulated mouse spleen cells in suspension. The degree of impairment varied directly with ethanol concentrations and duration of incubation. The impairment was demonstrable with several different mitogens and also when ethanol was added to the culture 2 hours after exposure to the mitogen. The impairment was irreversible when ethanol was removed in later stages of incubation. Because the cells did not metabolize ethanol under the conditions of this experiment, a direct physical effect of ethanol per se on cell membranes is inferred. This conclusion is supported further by the finding that chlorpromazine in vitro counteracted both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of ethanol.
Gifted students with spatial strengths and sequential weaknesses: An overlooked and underidentified population

Gifted students with spatial strengths are often overlooked and underserved in American schools. These students have remarkable areas of talent but often have verbal learning difficulties that prevent them from being identified for gifted services. This article focuses on definitions of spatial ability, characteristics of these learners, possible identification procedures, effective teaching strategies, and possible social development concerns of these students. The dwindling numbers of American students pursuing higher level degrees in mathematics and science, natural strength areas for students with spatial strengths, emphasizes the reasons educators need to identify and encourage these students at an early age.
Traumatic aneurysm of the proximal superficial temporal artery.

Traumatic aneurysms of the external carotid artery and its branches are uncommon. A case of a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the proximal portion of the superficial temporal artery is presented. In addition, a general review of this problem is provided, including the etiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and management.
The Urban Indian Experience in America

As the first ethnohistory of modern urban Indians, this perceptive study looks at Indians from many tribes living in cities throughout the United States. Fixico has had unparalleled access to Native Americans, particularly their contemporary oral tradition. Through first-hand observations, interviews, and conventional historical sources, he has been able to assess the major impact urbanisation has had on Indians and see how they have come to terms with both the negative and enriching aspects of living in cities. The result is an insightful and empathetic account of how Indian identity is sustained in cities. Fixico offers a new view of urban Indians, one centred on questions of how their modern identity emerges and perseveres. He shows how the corrosive effects of cultural alienation, alcoholism, poor health services, unemployment, and ghetto housing are slowly being overcome, particularly since the 1970s. After fifty years of urban experiences, Native Americans living in cities are better able today than at any other time to balance tradition and modernity.
Load-frequency control with disturbance accommodation

Abstract The problem of load-frequency control is investigated using disturbance-accommodation control. It is shown that the optimal accommodation of load disturbances can lead to significantly better performance than that of conventional controllers. It is further shown that the complete cancellation of all disturbance effects in the class of power systems considered is impossible. Nevertheless, the disturbance effects in system frequency can be cancelled completely. Simulation results are presented for the case of an ideal one-area system and the data clearly demonstrates the degree of performance improvement made possible by a DAC controller.
Development of a graduate curriculum in nuclear and radiochemistry and the research interactions with US Department of Energy national laboratories

In the past few years there has been renewed worldwide interest in the re-establishment of various nuclear and radiochemistry disciplines in the hope of training the next generation of skilled researchers in this area. In the United States there continues to be an acute shortage of MSc and PhD level trained students, particularly at the Department of Energy national laboratories. As a result of this critical need the Department of Energy established a Radiochemistry Education Award Program (REAP) in the late 1990's to address this issue. Several universities were awarded funding to establish various complimentary programs. One of the main goals of the REAP at the University of Texas was to establish a web-based graduate level course with associated labs and to have interactions with the national laboratories.
Synergistic effects of estrogen and serotonin-receptor agonists on the development of pituitary tumors in aging rats.

Abstract —The purpose of this study was to determine if pituitary 5-HT levels change as a function of age or endocrine state, and further if such changes are associated with pituitary pathology. Middle-aged constant estrous (CE) rats had larger (p
Metal—nitrogen stretching assignments in some metallophthalocyanines and μ-oxo-(Fephthalocyanine)2

Abstract Metal-isotope substitution has been employed to establish the absorptions in the i.r. spectra of some metallophthalocyanines that contain MN stretching motion. The primary MN stretching bands appear at 240.7 cm−1 in 64Znpc; 284.0 cm−1 in 63Cupc; 376.0 cm−1 and 317.8 cm−1 in 58Nipc; and 308.4 cm−1 in 54Fepc. Assignment of the far-i.r. spectrum of u-oxo-(Fepc)2 places the FeN stretching band at 280.2 cm−1 and suggests a linear arrangement of the FeOFe with Fe atoms in the plane of the phthalocyanine ring.
Modular Light Pipe Interface for GC/FT-IR

Light pipe GC/FT-IR interfaces are typically self-contained and designed to accept a collimated beam from the FT-IR spectrometer. These interfaces require a dedicated MCT detector which is mounted inside an interface box also containing the light pipe and associated optics. Much of the cost of these interfaces is derived from the expense of the detector and containment box. With the use of a short light pipe with a small internal diameter, it is possible to miniaturize the light pipe interface so that it can be placed within the FT-IR sample compartment. Light pipe interfaces which can be mounted inside the sample compartment of some FT-IR instruments are commercially available. These interfaces are typically less expensive than those offered by FT-IR manufacturers. However, the performance of these interfaces may not be optimal for all instruments in which they are installed. The modular light pipe interface described here is inexpensive (total cost is less than d1000), does not require a dedicated MCT detector, and can be used with capillary column gas chromatography without loss of FT-IR sensitivity. The modular interface can be constructed easily and can be installed and removed from the FT-IR sample compartment quickly. As a result, the FT-IR can be used for measurements other than GC/FT-IR with minimal changeover effort.
Valence-band Auger line shapes for Si surfaces: Simplified theory and corrected numerical results

A reduced version of the independent-electron theory of Auger line shapes is given that takes advantage of the general smallness of those components of a solid's local density of states (LDOS) matrix which are off-diagonal in angular momentum. Thus we present approximate formulae which relate the valence-band Auger line shapes of a soslid simply to its angular-momentum projected LDOS near a surface. Using these simplified formulae, we have located and corrected a number of numerical errors in our previous calculations of the Auger line shapes of Si. We present corrected results here, showing that the independent-electron theory, coupled with the use of atomic Auger matrix elements for Si, actually predicts too large a probability of ${L}_{2,3}{M}_{1}{M}_{2,3}$ decay relative to that for ${L}_{2,3}{M}_{2,3}{M}_{2,3}$ decay to give good agreement with measured Si ${L}_{2,3}\mathrm{VV}$ Auger line shapes. Possible reasons for the experimental smallness of the ${L}_{2,3}{M}_{1}{M}_{2,3}$ Auger decay rate are discussed. The Si ${L}_{1}{L}_{2,3}V$ Coster-Kronig line is also recalculated and shown to be in correspondence with the simplified theory of Auger transitions.
Gas chromatography—Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy—mass spectrometry. A powerful tool for component identification in complex organic mixtures

Abstract Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and mass spectrometry (MS) have been combined with gas chromatography (GC) for the identification of eluted components in a complex mixture. The combined technique, GC—FTIR—MS, provides simultaneous GC—FTIR and GC—MS data from a single injection.
CHANGES IN THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION OF THE FROG CAUSED BY BLACK WIDOW SPIDER VENOM

Application of black widow spider venom to the neuromuscular junction of the frog causes an increase in the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (min.e.p.p.) and a reduction in the number of synaptic vesicles in the nerve terminal. Shortly after the increase in min.e.p.p. frequency, the presynaptic membrane of the nerve terminal has either infolded or "lifted." Examination of these infoldings or lifts reveals synaptic vesicles in various stages of fusion with the presynaptic membrane. After the supply of synaptic vesicles has been exhausted, the presynaptic membrane returns to its original position directly opposite the end-plate membrane. The terminal contains all of its usual components with the exception of the synaptic vesicles. The only other alteration of the structures making up the neuromuscular junction occurs in the axon leading to the terminal. Instead of completely filling out its Schwann sheath, the axon has pulled away and its axoplasm appears to be denser than the control. The relation of these events to the vesicle hypothesis is discussed.
Nanosecond interferometric studies of surface deformation induced by laser irradiation

Transient surface morphology changes in dielectric materials induced by laser irradiation were investigated with time- resolved interferometry. Deformation images were acquired at various delay times after exposure to single pulses on fresh sample regions. Above the ablation threshold, we observe prompt ejection of material and the formation of a single unipolar compressional surface acoustic wave propagating away from the ablation crater. For calcite, no deformation - either transient or permanent - is discernable at laser fluences below the threshold for material ejection. Below- threshold behavior was investigated using a phosphate glass sample with substantial near IR absorption. KG3 exhibits the formation of a small bulge roughly the size of the laser spot that reaches its maximum amplitude by approximately 5 ns. At lower laser fluences, diffusion of thermal energy away from that region causes a much weaker and boarder bulge to appear on a slower time scale. At higher laser fluences, a pair of strong, unipolar rarefaction surface acoustic waves is launched, separating from the central region at roughly 17 and 22 ns. Details of the transient interferometry system will also be given.
Boundary to constructive solid geometry mappings: a focus on 2D issues

It is shown that planar, bounded regions determined by a general class of closed curves, comprised of n edges, k of which are not straight, may be represented by a binary tree with n + 2k leaves, each of which is a halfspace. At most, n+k distinct halfspaces are required. Each straight edge determines one planar halfspace and each nonstraight edge determines two halfspaces. By a suitable subdivision of the nonstraight edges, the results may be applied to almost any closed curve, but, in this case, there is not a simple, a priori upper bound on the number of leaves in the tree. These representations may be used to obtain extrusions, solids of revolution and other solid entities.
The secant method in generalized Banach spaces

We provide convergence results and error estimates for the secant method in generalized Banach spaces. The idea of a generalized norm is used, which is defined to be a map from a linear space into a partially ordered Banach space. Convergence results and error estimates are improved over the real norm theory.
High Performance Conducting Polymer Nanofiber Biosensors for Detection of Biomolecules

Sensitive detection and selective determination of the physiologically important chemicals involved in brain function have drawn much attention for the diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases and neurological disorders. This paper reports a novel method for fabrication of enzyme entrapped-conducting polymer nanofibers that offer higher sensitivity and increased lifetime compared to glucose sensors that are based on conducting polymer films.
Diffusiophoresis: Migration of Colloidal Particles in Gradients of Solute Concentration

Abstract When a rigid colloidal particle is placed in a solution which is not uniform in the concentration of some solute that interacts with the particle, the particle will be propelled in the direction of higher or lower concentration of the solute. The resulting locomotion is called diffusiophoresis. Experimental observations and theoretical predictions of the migration velocity of hydrosoIs are reviewed. Present commercial applications include the formation of rubber gloves and the deposition of paint films onto a steel surface. New applications to the analysis of colloidal mixtures and solid-liquid separation are suggested.
Two-dimensional Fourier transform electronic spectroscopy at a conical intersection

We report measurement and modeling of two-dimensional (2D) electronic spectra of a silicon naphthalocyanine (SiNc) in benzonitrile, a system for which the polarization anisotropy reveals passage through a square-symmetric Jahn-Teller conical intersection in ∼100 fs [D. A. Farrow, W. Qian, E. R. Smith, A. A. Ferro, and D. M. Jonas, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 144510 (2008)]. The measured 2D Fourier transform (FT) spectra indicate loss of electronic coherence on a similar timescale. The 2D spectra arising from femtosecond vibronic dynamics through the conical funnel are modeled by full non-adiabatic treatment of the coupled electronic and vibrational dynamics for a pair of un-damped Jahn-Teller active vibrations responsible for both electronic decoherence and population transfer. Additional damped Jahn-Teller active modes that can cause only decoherence or population transfer are treated with analytical response functions that can be incorporated into the numerical non-adiabatic calculation by exploiting symmetry assignment of degenerate vibronic eigenstates to one of two electronic states. Franck-Condon active totally symmetric modes are incorporated analytically. The calculations reveal that these conical intersection dynamics alone are incapable of destroying the coherence of the initially prepared wavepacket on the experimentally observed timescale and predict an unobserved recurrence in the photon echo slice at ∼200 fs. Agreement with the experimental two-dimensional electronic spectra necessitates a role for totally symmetric vibrational dynamics in causing the echo slice to decay on a ∼100 fs timescale. This extended model also reproduces the ∼100 fs ultrafast electronic anisotropy decay in SiNc when an "asymmetric solvation mode" with a small stabilization energy of ∼2 cm(-1) is included. Although calculations show that inhomogeneities in the energy gap between excited states can broaden the anti-diagonal 2D lineshape, the anti-diagonal width is dominated by totally symmetric vibrational motions in SiNc. For this shallow conical intersection, the non-adiabatic dynamics destroy electronic coherence more slowly than they destroy electronic alignment.
Adaptive grids for coupled viscous flow and transport

Abstract An adaptive grid refinement and coarsening scheme in two dimensions for biquadratic elements is developed. This has been incorporated in a two-dimensional finite element program for steady and transient generalized Newtonian flow problems. Numerical results are given for Navier-Stokes and power law non-Newtonian flow calculations as well as coupled fluid flow and transport problems including free surfaces, thermocapillary flows, die swell and electro-rheological flows.
In Vitro and in Vivo Studies of Benzisoquinoline Ligands for the Brain Synaptic Vesicle Monoamine Transporter

Tetrabenazine is a high-affinity inhibitor of the vesicular monoamine transporter in mammalian brain. As part of a program to develop in vivo imaging agents for these transporters in human brain, a series of 2-alkylated dihydrotetrabenazine ligands was synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for binding to the brain vesicular monoamine transporter. Additions of organometallic reagents to tetrabenazine produced 2-methyl, 2-ethyl, 2-n-propyl, 2-isopropyl, and 2-isobutyl derivatives of dihydrotetrabenazine. The stereochemistry and conformation of the addition products were thoroughly verified by two-dimensional NMR techniques. All of these alkyl derivatives displayed in vitro affinity for the vesicular monoamine transporter binding site in rat brain using competitive assays with the radioligand [3H]methoxytetrabenazine. Except for the isopropyl derivative, all compounds when tested at 10 mg/kg iv showed an ability to inhibit in vivo accumulation of the radioligand [11C]methoxytetrabenazine in the mouse brain striatum. Derivatives with small alkyl groups (methyl, ethyl) were more effective than those with large groups (propyl, isobutyl). These studies suggest that large groups in the 2-position of the benzisoquinoline structure will significantly diminish both in vitro and in vivo binding of these compounds to the vesicular monoamine transporter.
The untested Dharma is not worth living

Like Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Charles Moore (1957), Bina Gupta and J. N. Mohanty (2000), Jonardon Ganeri (2001), Bina Gupta (2002), Bimal K. Matilal (2002), and Gananath Obeyesekere (2002), Thomas McEvilley's The Shape of Ancient Thought (2002) shows us how rewarding the study of comparative Greek and Indian philosophy can be. They argue that comparative study is not just a matter of recording interesting parallels but that such study is indeed necessary to understand either Indian or Greek philosophy. Comparative studies may help us not only understand the historical influences that shaped each tradition, but comparisons themselves may be a crucial tool in helping us under stand the subtleties of each tradition. To illustrate this, this paper will review McEvilley's contribution to the comparative project and then work through an extended comparison of one aspect of Greek and Hindu philosophy.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection for multielement flow injection analysis and elemental speciation by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

L'echantillon est introduit par nebulisation ultrasonique. Les limites de detection absolues pour l'analyse d'injection en ecoulement varient de 0,01 a 0,1 ng pour la plupart des elements si l'on utilise des injections de 10 μL
A Direct Deposition Method for Coupling Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry with Gel Permeation Chromatography for Polymer Characterization

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) measurements of polymeric materials of narrow polydispersity provide molecular weight measurements that agree closely with those from conventional tools such as gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). However, materials that have a broader molecular weight distribution (polydispersity) > 1.1) have been shown to diminish the accuracy of the MALDI results. In a recent effort to overcome this limitation, some researchers have utilized GPC prior to MALDI analysis to collect fractions with narrower molecular weight distributions. In our research, the GPC eluent was spray deposited onto a rotating matrix-coated substrate and the resulting polymer ‘trail’ was characterized directly by MALDI. Specifically, molecular weight information was determined using various points along poly(methyl methacrylate) sample ‘trails’ deposited on a matrix of trans-3-indoleacrylic acid. The overall number-average molecular weight (M n) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) for each of the samples were calculated. The Mn values are in fairly good agreement with manufacturer's values, though the MWD values determined by MALDI are narrower. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age-related changes in glycoside hydrolase activities in postweaning hamsters.

Abstract A study on the distribution of sucrase and maltase activities in the small intestines of weanling hamsters yielded the following findings: 1. 1. Between six and nine weeks after birth, a significant increase in jejunal activities and a concomitant decrease in duodenal activities. 2. 2. Between three and four weeks after birth, a significant decrease in the maltase/sucrase ratio. 3. 3. No significant changes in ileal activity.
Microbiota shifts in the surface mucopolysaccharide layer of corals transferred from natural to aquaria settings.

Bacteria associated with the surface mucopolysaccharide layer (SML) of corals have been proposed to be paramount to coral health, and are occasionally studied in aquaria. Using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA), this study examined the temporal changes in the SML microbiota of coral fragments (Siderastrea siderea) transferred from the reef to aquaria. In total, 460 amplicon peaks were detected, 155 of which were unique. Extensive microbiota shifts occurred one day after transfer, with stabilization between 14 and 28 days. These results suggest that studies examining coral in laboratory settings should consider the observed temporal dynamics in the SML microbiota.
Wave-front curvature in geometrical optics

This paper develops a general method for calculation of the intensity of light propagating in a medium whose refractive index n({bold r}) varies slowly with position, based on a differential equation for the curvature of wave fronts. The equation can be integrated along rays, one ray at a time, and gives the changes of intensity caused by convergence or divergence of the rays. An explicit solution is obtained for light in a cylindrically symmetric medium having a linear density gradient. Applied to wave mechanics, the method gives a local semiclassical solution of the three-dimensional Schr{umlt o}dinger equation in a form especially suitable for treatment of collisions. We examine the possibility of extending the method to nonlinear optics. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
LBP-based penalized weighted least-squares approach to low-dose cone-beam computed tomography reconstruction

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has attracted growing interest of researchers in image reconstruction. The mAs level of the X-ray tube current, in practical application of CBCT, is mitigated in order to reduce the CBCT dose. The lowering of the X-ray tube current, however, results in the degradation of image quality. Thus, low-dose CBCT image reconstruction is in effect a noise problem. To acquire clinically acceptable quality of image, and keep the X-ray tube current as low as achievable in the meanwhile, some penalized weighted least-squares (PWLS)-based image reconstruction algorithms have been developed. One representative strategy in previous work is to model the prior information for solution regularization using an anisotropic penalty term. To enhance the edge preserving and noise suppressing in a finer scale, a novel algorithm combining the local binary pattern (LBP) with penalized weighted leastsquares (PWLS), called LBP-PWLS-based image reconstruction algorithm, is proposed in this work. The proposed LBP-PWLS-based algorithm adaptively encourages strong diffusion on the local spot/flat region around a voxel and less diffusion on edge/corner ones by adjusting the penalty for cost function, after the LBP is utilized to detect the region around the voxel as spot, flat and edge ones. The LBP-PWLS-based reconstruction algorithm was evaluated using the sinogram data acquired by a clinical CT scanner from the CatPhan® 600 phantom. Experimental results on the noiseresolution tradeoff measurement and other quantitative measurements demonstrated its feasibility and effectiveness in edge preserving and noise suppressing in comparison with a previous PWLS reconstruction algorithm.
Active sodium and potassium transport in high potassium and low potassium sheep red cells.

The kinetic characteristics of the ouabain-sensitive (Na + K) transport system (pump) of high potassium (HK) and low potassium (LK) sheep red cells have been investigated. In sodium medium, the curve relating pump rate to external K is sigmoid with half maximal stimulation (K1/2) occurring at 3 mM for both cell types, the maximum pump rate in HK cells being about four times that in LK cells. In sodium-free media, both HK and LK pumps are adequately described by the Michaelis-Menten equation, but the K1/2 for HK cells is 0.6 ± 0.1 mM K, while that for LK is 0.2 ± 0.05 mM K. When the internal Na and K content of the cells was varied by the PCMBS method, it was found that the pump rate of HK cells showed a gradual increase from zero at very low internal Na to a maximum when internal K was reduced to nearly zero (100% Na). In LK cells, on the other hand, no pump activity was detected if Na constituted less than 70% of the total (Na + K) in the cell. Increasing Na from 70 to nearly 100% of the internal cation composition, however, resulted in an exponential increase in pump rate in these cells to about ⅙ the maximum rate observed in HK cells. While changes in internal composition altered the pump rate at saturating concentrations of external K, it had no effect on the apparent affinity of the pumps for external K. These results lead us to conclude that the individual pump sites in the HK and LK sheep red cell membranes must be different. Moreover, we believe that these data contribute significantly to defining the types of mechanism which can account for the kinetic characteristics of (Na + K) transport in sheep red cells and perhaps in other systems.
Parvovirus B19 in Pregnancy

Parvovirus B19 is a common, self-limiting, usually benign childhood virus that causes erythema infectiosum, also known as fifth disease. Acute infection in pregnancy can cause B19 infection in the fetus, leading to nonimmune fetal hydrops or fetal loss, depending on gestational age at the time of infection. Susceptibility to parvovirus B19 infection should be determined in selected pregnant women at high risk for exposure, and counseling should be provided regarding prevention, testing, and treatment options if exposed.
EDUCATIONAL CARD GAMES FOR UNDERSTANDING GASTROINTESTINAL PHYSIOLOGY

In the last few years, there has been an emphasis on the development of creative educational materials that supplement the traditional lecture format. The new materials should engage students in in...
Lima Bean Downy Mildew Epiphytotics Caused by New Physiological Races of Phytophthora phaseoli

ABSTRACT Before 1995, race D of Phytophthora phaseoli, the causal agent of downy mildew on lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), was the prevalent physiological race in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Since 1995, however, new physiological races of P. phaseoli have been responsible for downy mildew outbreaks in previously resistant cultivars in this region. Cultivar differential testing of 180 isolates of P. phaseoli collected between 1994 and 2005 from Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland has confirmed the presence of two new physiological races. The detection of race E in 1995 and race F only 5 years later in 2000, plus the lack of resistant cultivars to manage the epiphytotics in lima bean, have led to millions of dollars of crop losses. Intra- and interspecific genetic variation of Phytophthora spp. and isolates were assessed using amplified fragment length polymorphism DNA fingerprinting. Primer groups EcoRI+AG and MseI+C distinguished P. phaseoli and P. capsici from P. infestans but did...