cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What are the processes behind energy re-direction and re-distribution in interference and diffraction?

The interpretation of the detection of very slow rate of photo counts in interference and diffraction experiments have given rise to the prevailing interpretation that photons interfere by themselves and they are indivisible, albeit non-local. The purpose of this paper is to inspire the development of alternate models for the photons by underscoring that, in reality, light does not interfere with light. The effects of superposition, registered as interference fringes, can become manifest only when a suitable detector can respond simultaneously to all the superposed light beams separately arriving from all the paths (or, slits). It should be a strictly causal process. In fact, different detectors with different quantum properties, report different results while exposed to the same superposed fields. Interference and diffraction effects are always observed as fringes through the processes of re-distribution and/or re-direction of the measured energy of the superimposed fields. Accordingly, we present a number of experiments, actual and conceptual, which highlight the contradictions built into the notion of non-locality in interference. A closer examination of these experiments can guide us to develop a conceptually congruent and causal model for both the evolution of photons and the interference (diffraction) effects by adapting to the classical diffraction theory. This theory has been correctly predicting the characteristics of light whether it is star light propagating through the inter galactic space, or nano tip generated light propagating through complex nano photonic waveguides.
The amyloid hypothesis, time to move on: Amyloid is the downstream result, not cause, of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract The "amyloid hypothesis" has dominated Alzheimer research for more than 20 years, and proposes that amyloid is the toxic cause of neural/synaptic damage and dementia. If correct, decreasing the formation or removing amyloid should be therapeutic. Despite discrepancies in the proposed mechanism, and failed clinical trials, amyloid continues to be considered the cause of a degenerative cascade. Alternative hypotheses must explain three features: ( i ) why amyloid toxicity is not the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), ( ii ) what alternative mechanisms cause the degeneration and dementia of AD, and ( iii ) why increased amyloid accumulates in the brain in AD. We propose that AD, which occurs in elderly, already vulnerable brains, with multiple age-related changes, is precipitated by impaired microvascular function, resulting primarily from decreased Notch-related angiogenesis. With impaired microvasculature, a lack of vascular endothelial-derived trophic factors and decreased cerebral blood flow cause the atrophy of neural structures. Therapeutic strategies should focus on supporting normal angiogenesis.
Ground-based observatory operations optimized and enhanced by direct atmospheric measurements

Earth's atmosphere represents a turbulent, turbid refractive element for every ground-based telescope. We describe the significantly enhanced and optimized operation of observatories supported by the combination of a lidar and spectrophotometer that allows accurate, provable measurement of and correction for direction-, wavelength- and timedependent astronomical extinction. The data provided by this instrument suite enables atmospheric extinction correction leading to "sub-1%" imaging photometric precision, and attaining the fundamental photon noise limit. In addition, this facility-class instrument suite provides quantitative atmospheric data over the dome of the sky that allows robust realtime decision-making about the photometric quality of a night, enabling more efficient queue-based, service, and observer-determined telescope utilization. With operational certainty, marginal photometric time can be redirected to other programs, allowing useful data to be acquired. Significantly enhanced utility and efficiency in the operation of telescopes result in improved benefit-to-cost for ground-based observatories. We propose that this level of decision-making will make large-area imaging photometric surveys, such as Pan-STARRS and the future LSST both more effective in terms of photometry and in the use of telescopes generally. The atmospheric data will indicate when angular or temporal changes in atmospheric transmission could have significant effect across the rather wide fields-of-view of these telescopes. We further propose that implementation of this type of instrument suite for direct measurement of Earth's atmosphere will enable observing programs complementary to those currently requiring space-based observations to achieve the required measurement precision, such as ground-based versions of the Kepler Survey or the Joint Dark Energy Mission.
Vitamin A equivalence of β-carotene in a Woman as determined by a stable isotope reference method

Background: Quantitative information on conversion of β-carotene to vitamin A in humans is limited. Aim of the study: Our laboratory has developed a stable isotope method for studying the conversion of β-carotene (β-C) to vitamin A. Methods: Two dosage levels (a pharmacological dose, 126.0 mg β-C-d 8, and a physiological dose, 6.0 mg β-D-d 8) were used 2.5 y apart in an adult female volunteer to study dose effects on the conversation of β-C to vitamin A. Blood samples were collected over 21 d. β-C and retinol were extracted from serum and isolated by high performance liquid chromatography. The retinol fraction was derivatized to a trimethylsilyl ether which was analyzed by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry with electron capture negative chemical ionization. Results: The retinol-d 4 response in the circulation peaked at 24 hours after the β-C-d 8 dose, with a higher percent enrichment after the pharmacological dose than after the physiological dose. By using retinyl acetate-d 8 as the vitamin A reference, the retinol-d 4 formed from 6 mg of β-C-d 8 (11.2 μmol) was calculated to be equivalent to 1.6 mg of retinol (i. e., 3.8 mg of β-C was equivalent to 1 mg of retinol). However, the retinol-d 4 formed from 126 mg of β-C-d 8 (235 μmol) was equivalent to 2.3 mg of retinol (i. e., 55 mg β-C was equivalent to 1 mg retinol). Conclusion: These results provide evidence that it is feasibile to use stable isotope reference method to study retinol equivalence of β-C and that there may be a dose-dependence on bioconversion of β-carotene to retinol.
Metazoan Endoparasites of Four Species of Lizards, Gehyra mutilata, Hemidactylus frenatus (Gekkonidae), Mabuya cumingi, Mabuya multifasciata (Scincidae), and One Species of Snake, Ramphotyphlops braminus (Typhlopidae), from the Philippine Islands

A total of 114 specimens representing 2 species of gekkonid lizards, Gehyra mutilata and Hemidactylus frenatus, 2 species of scincid lizards, Mabuya cumingi and Mabuya multifasciata, and 1 species of snake, Ramphotyphlops braminus, from the Philippine Islands were examined for metazoan endoparasites. Two species of Cestoda, Oochoristica excelsa and Oochoristica javaensis, 3 species of Digenea, Mesocoelium monas, Plagiorchis taiwanensis and Postorchigenes ovatus, 3 species of Nematoda, Kalicephalus viperae chunkingensis, Pharyngodon oceanicus and Spauligodon hemidactylus, and 1 species of Pentastomida, Raillietiella frenatus, were found. Four new host records and 2 new locality records are reported.
Image-guided placement of long-term central venous catheters reduces complications and cost

Abstract Background The goals of this study were to evaluate the complication rate for intraoperative placement of a long-term central venous catheter (CVC) using intraoperative ultrasound (US) and fluoroscopy and to examine the feasibility for eliminating routine postprocedure chest X-ray. Methods Retrospective data pertaining to operative insertion of long-term CVC were collected and the rate of procedural complications was determined. Results From January 2008 to August 2013, 351 CVCs were placed via the internal jugular vein using US. Of these, 93% had a single, successful internal jugular vein insertion. The complications included 4 arterial sticks (1.14%). Starting in October 2012, postprocedure chest radiography (CXR) was eliminated in 170 cases, with no complications. A total of $29,750 in charges were deferred by CXR elimination. Conclusions This review supports the use of US for CVC placement with fluoroscopy in reducing the rate of procedural complications. Additionally, with fluoroscopic imaging, postprocedural CXR can be eliminated with associated healthcare savings.
A multinomial processing tree model for degradation and redintegration in immediate recall

When items are presented for immediate recall, a verbal trace is formed and degrades quickly, becoming useless after about 2 sec. The span for items such as digits equals the number of items that can be pronounced in the available time. The length of the items affects span by affecting pronunciation rate. Other properties, such as phonological similarity and lexicality, can affect span without affecting pronunciation rate. These properties change the trace's useful lifetime by affecting redintegration. An analogy is drawn between trace reconstruction and repair of errors in speech. When a trace is degraded, one process attempts to form a phoneme string, and another process attempts to form a word. The two processes are autonomous and can be selectively influenced by lexicality and phonological similarity. The resulting processing tree models make simple predictions that depend on whether or not the influenced processes are sequential. The results are illustrated with data from experiments by Besner and Davelaar (1982).
HLA-A, B and DR in Caucasians with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

When HLA-A, B and DR antigens in Caucasian patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder were compared with controls, no significant alterations in antigen frequencies were found.
In vivo imaging of virological synapses

Retroviruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus and murine leukaemia virus are believed to spread via sites of cell–cell contact designated virological synapses. Support for this model is based on in vitro evidence in which infected cells are observed to specifically establish long-lived cell–cell contact with uninfected cells. Whether virological synapses exist in vivo is unknown. Here we apply intravital microscopy to identify a subpopulation of B cells infected with the Friend murine leukaemia virus that form virological synapses with uninfected leucocytes in the lymph node of living mice. In vivo virological synapses are, like their in vitro counterpart, dependent on the expression of the viral envelope glycoprotein and are characterized by a prolonged polarization of viral capsid to the cell–cell interface. Our results validate the concept of virological synapses and introduce intravital imaging as a tool to visualize retroviral spreading directly in living mice. In vitro, retroviruses spread between cells via structures resembling synapses. Sewaldet al. now demonstrate that virological synapses can also be observed in living mice by intravital microscopy, validating this concept in vivo.
Cassini science operations and planning computer design

The Cassini Science Operations and Planning Computers (SOPC) are meant to give Cassini investigators and the Huygens Probe Operations Center (HPOC) more direct control of and responsibility for their instruments and their data and to reduce mission operations cost. SOPCs give the investigators the ability to command their instrument directly, but also the responsibility to do so correctly. The SOPCs help reduce mission operations cost by allowing the instrument designers also to be the operators. The SOPCs allow the operators to participate directly even though they are at a distance from JPL. The SOPCs are direct extensions of the Cassini Ground System to the investigator's home institution. They provide links to the rest of the Cassini Ground System for both uplink and downlink functions. The SOPCs use the same software as the rest of the ground data system. They also provide a platform for project and investigator provided planning and analysis tools. The current SOPC design is targeted toward Cassini Assembly Test and Launch Operations and cruise. Improvements planned during cruise include hardware upgrades, changes in software architecture, changes to the data communication systems and enhanced security features. The SOPCs, without proper precautions, could pose a security liability. The philosophy of the security requirements and some particular measures will be discussed.
Differential expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone in developing mouse embryos and adult brain

CRH mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization histochemistry in numerous regions of the adult mouse brain, including most prominently the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, the inferior olivary nucleus, and Barrington's nucleus. After adrenalectomy, steady state CRH mRNA levels increased 1.7-fold, specifically in the PVN, consistent with reports of negative glucocorticoid regulation of CRH expression in the rat PVN. Ontogenetic analysis of CRH expression in fetal and neonatal mouse brain demonstrated CRH mRNA in PVN, Barrington's nucleus, olivary complex, and amygdaloid primordia on embryonic day 13.5. In contrast, CRH mRNA was not detectable in the cortex until after birth. CRH expression also exhibited differential regulation in ontogeny. CRH mRNA reached adult levels at markedly different times of development in each brain region, and CRH expression was reduced specifically in the PVN just before birth and the stress hyporesponsive period. High levels of CRH mRNA were present transient...
Some Computer Science Issues in Creating a Sustainable World

Computer scientists have a role to play in combating global climate change. Global climate change is one of the most pressing problems of our time. Government agencies, universities, and businesses are starting to step up and invest in research, but even more change is needed, ranging from standards and policies to research innovations and new businesses.
Register allocation for software pipelined multidimensional loops

This article investigates register allocation for software pipelined multidimensional loops where the execution of successive iterations from an n-dimensional loop is overlapped. For single loop software pipelining, the lifetimes of a loop variable in successive iterations of the loop form a repetitive pattern. An effective register allocation method is to represent the pattern as a vector of lifetimes (or a vector lifetime using Rau's terminology [Rau 1992]) and map it to rotating registers. Unfortunately, the software pipelined schedule of a multidimensional loop is considerably more complex and so are the vector lifetimes in it.In this article, we develop a way to normalize and represent the vector lifetimes, which captures their complexity, while exposing their regularity that enables a simple solution. The problem is formulated as bin-packing of the multidimensional vector lifetimes on the surface of a space-time cylinder. A metric, called distance, is calculated either conservatively or aggressively to guide the bin-packing process, so that there is no overlapping between any two vector lifetimes, and the register requirement is minimized. This approach subsumes the classical register allocation for software pipelined single loops as a special case. The method has been implemented in the ORC compiler and produced code for the IA-64 architecture. Experimental results show the effectiveness. Several strategies for register allocation are compared and analyzed.
Digital measurement of operant disk press force maintained in CD-1, BALB/c, and C57BL/6 mice.

Force of disk press responses by inbred (C57BL/6 and BALB/c) and outbred (CD-1) mice were measured with a PC/DOS-based system, which allowed for continuous measurement of pressing, as well as for control of reinforcer presentation on the basis of response-force dimensions. Photobeam-based measurement of mouse entry into a hopper where reinforcers were presented provided additional information about anticipatory and consumatory behavior in relation to environmental stimuli leading up to reinforcer delivery Disk pressing was generated and measured with the use of an analog-to-digital interface with all three mouse strains. The strains differed in the physical and temporal characteristics of the disk press, as well as in the behavioral chain leading to reinforcer presentation. These measurement methods appear well suited for quantitating functional behavioral differences occasioned by genetic variations in mice.
Limnetic Larval Fish in the Ohio Portion of the Western Basin of Lake Erie, 1975–1976

Abstract A total of 19 taxa of larval fish was collected with metered plankton nets in Ohio and adjacent Ontario waters of the western basin of Lake Erie. Analysis of yellow perch, Perca flavescens , collection data indicates that shallow inshore areas serve as important nursery areas for this species. Collection of larvae provides evidence of relict breeding populations of lake whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis , and sculpin ( Cottus sp.) in the western basin.
A Novel Cadaver-Based Educational Program in General Surgery Training

Objective To describe the development of a cadaver-based educational program and report our residents' assessment of the new program. Design An anatomy-based educational program was developed using fresh frozen cadavers to teach surgical anatomy and operative skills to general surgery (GS) trainees. Residents were asked to complete a voluntary, anonymous survey evaluating perceptions of the program (6 questions formulated on a 5-point Likert scale) and comparing cadaver sessions to other types of learning (4 rank order questions). Setting Large university teaching hospital. Participants Medical students, residents, and faculty members were participants in the cadaver programs. Only GS residents were asked to complete the survey. Results Since its implementation, 150 residents of all levels participated in 13 sessions. A total of 40 surveys were returned for a response rate of 89%. Overall, respondents held a positive view of the cadaver sessions and believed them to be useful for learning anatomy (94% agree or strongly agree), learning the steps of an operation (76% agree or strongly agree), and increasing confidence in doing an operation (53% agree or strongly agree). Trainees wanted to have more sessions (87% agree or strongly agree), and believed they would spend free time in the cadaver laboratory (58% agree or strongly agree). Compared with other learning modalities, cadaver sessions were ranked first for learning surgical anatomy, followed by textbooks, simulators, web sites, animate laboratories, and lectures. Respondents also ranked cadaver sessions first for increasing confidence in performing a procedure and for learning the steps of an operation. Cost of cadavers represented the major expense of the program. Conclusions Fresh cadaver dissections represent a solution to the challenges of efficient, safe, and effective general surgery education. Residents have a positive attitude toward these teaching sessions and found them to be more effective than other learning modalities.
Urinary excretion of C-20 reduction products of corticosterone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone

Abstract Three hundred milligrams of corticosterone was ingested by a healthy man on each of 2 days, and urine was collected for 48 hr. The urine was extracted with chloroform in the presence of β-glucuronidase. Three steroids with a glycol side chain and the Δ4-3-ketone group have been separated from the urine extract. These were identified as (I) 20β,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3,11-dione; (II) 11β,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one; and (III) 11β,20α,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one. Evidence is presented indicating the presence of compound I in the urine of a woman with hypopituitarism following ingestion of 11-dehydrocorticosterone; and of the compound II in urine collected from two men during periods of adrenocorticotropin injections.
The effectiveness of the interview for predicting the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of female infertility, occurs in approximately 4% of women of reproductive age. Multifamily studies have established that PCOS has strong inherited traits. Although diagnosis of PCOS in the relatives of affected women can readily be made by clinical and biochemical evaluations, these methods are costly and laborious. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether clinically evident PCOS could be detected by a written questionnaire, which is a significantly less expensive means of detection than direct determination. A questionnaire about the history of possible androgenic symptoms of PCOS was presented to patients and their first-degree female relatives, who were also evaluated by physical and laboratory examinations. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for the detection of PCOS by interview were calculated. The NPV of the proband interview was significantly lower for sisters than fo...
TNF receptor gene therapy results in suppression of IgG2a anticollagen antibody in collagen induced arthritis

Background: Therapeutic strategies to block tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) activity in experimental autoimmune arthritis models and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have proved highly successful, and provide sustained beneficial effects. Objective: To examine whether TNFα inhibition has immunological activity beyond the reduction of inflammation in collagen induced arthritis (CIA), an established experimental model of RA. Methods: Arthritic DBA/1 mice received single periarticular injections of retroviral constructs encoding human TNF receptor (TNF-R) into the affected arthritic paw, at the onset of arthritis. Severity of arthritis, antibodies to collagen type II (CII), and extent of pathological joint damage of arthritic paws were compared between TNF-R and media treated (control) animals 3, 7, 14, 21, and 49 days after disease onset. Results: Severity of CIA was significantly decreased in TNF-R treated animals compared with controls, 14–34 days after disease onset. Joint destruction was reduced in TNF-R injected joints and in the uninjected contralateral and ipsilateral paws of TNF-R treated animals. Seven days after disease onset, TNF-R treated mice had lower levels of inflammatory Th1 driven IgG2a antibodies to CII (p<0.05) than controls. This altered the anticollagen IgG2a:IgG1 ratio towards Th2 driven IgG1. Conclusions: Local TNF-R gene therapy in CIA appears to have systemic effects on the anti-CII antibodies. The overall influence of TNF-R gene therapy is that it inhibits the progression of CIA mainly by suppressing the inflammatory Th1 response rather than by stimulating a Th2 response. Therefore, periarticular TNF-R gene therapy may have excellent therapeutic potential in RA.
Clinical Implications of Hypertension in the Diabetic Patient

We note that diabetes mellitus and hypertension coexist at a greater rate than would be indicated by chance. The combination of these two chronic disorders increases the risk of and mortality from such conditions as peripheral vascular disease, stroke, and nephropathy. Despite the importance of high blood pressure in diabetes, the underlying physiological mechanisms in this combined condition are poorly understood. This review explores the epidemiology, cardiovascular risks, pathophysiology and evaluation of this condition as well as outlining a general approach to treatment in the hypertensive diabetic.
After the decision: Implementing policy reforms in developing countries

Abstract Implicit in many reform proposals is a model of the policy process that is roughly linear: a proposed reform gets on the agenda for government action, a decision is made on the proposal, and the new policy or institutional arangement is implemented, either successfully or unsuccessfully. This article presents an alternative, interactive model of implementation that focuses on the conflict and reactions that are evoked by efforts to bring about changed policy or institutional contexts for development, and the resources that policy makers and managers are likely to require to sustain a reform in the face of such reactions. Central to the analysis is the assertion that characteristics of the reform being implemented will largely determine the kind of conflict it engenders, where such reaction is likely to become manifest, and what resources are needed for sustainability. The analysis suggests a framework for the strategic management of reform initiatives.
Deficient Polymorphonuclear Cell and Mononuclear Cell Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in Pediatric and Adult Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have impaired polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function leading to secondary bacterial infections and possible acceleration of underlying viral disease. The chief antiviral defense mechanism of PMNL is antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Accordingly, the ADCC of PMNL and mononuclear cells from HIV-positive children was compared with that of HIV-positive adults, healthy adults, and age-matched healthy children. PMNL and mononuclear cells from HIV-positive children incubated with hyperimmune HIV immune globulin (HIVIG) gave significantly lower ADCC compared with PMNL or mononuclear cells of healthy age-matched children incubated with HIVIG (P less than .05). The ADCC of mononuclear cells of healthy adults in the presence of plasma from HIV-infected children was significantly less than that of the same cells in the presence of plasma from HIV-positive symptomatic or asymptomatic adults. Augmentation of ADCC of the PMNL from HIV-positive children with interferon-gamma or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor did not occur. Thus, the defect in ADCC of HIV-positive children is due to defects of both effector cells and antibody function.
The SU(3) structure of negative-parity baryon states

Abstract It is argued that our present knowledge of the negative-parity baryon mass spectrum is consistent with the simplest possible assumptions concerning their SU(3) structure. Some relatively exact statements can therefore be made concerning the masses which are amenable to immediate experimental tests. The more complex questions of decay, decay sum rules, and mixing, are then examined in the general framework of the simplified assumptions.
Protonated (protosolvated) onium ions (onlum dications)

In this short review we have shown the importance of protosolvation of onium ions (containing non-bonded pairs of electrons) in superacid catalyzed reactions. Such activation can result in unusual reactions such as aromatic alkylation with Meerwein’s salts, aliphatic nitration with nitronium ion, alkylation of saturated hydrocarbons, greatly enhanced activity of acyl cations, etc. Possibly such phenomena may be operative in hydroxylation reactions using protonated hydrogen peroxide in strong acid solutions. Even the reactivity of halonium ions could be enhanced by protosolvation. Consequently, electrophilic protosolvation may play a significant role in strogg acid catalyzed reactions.
Nuclear Import of the Ran Exchange Factor, Rcc1, Is Mediated by at Least Two Distinct Mechanisms

RCC1, the only known guanine-nucleotide exchange factor for the Ran GTPase, is an ∼45-kD nuclear protein that can bind chromatin. An important question concerns how RCC1 traverses the nuclear envelope. We now show that nuclear RCC1 is not exported readily in interphase cells and that the import of RCC1 into the nucleoplasm is extremely rapid. Import can proceed by at least two distinct mechanisms. The first is a classic import pathway mediated by basic residues within the NH2-terminal domain (NTD) of RCC1. This pathway is dependent upon both a preexisting Ran gradient and energy, and preferentially uses the importin-α3 isoform of importin-α. The second pathway is not mediated by the NTD of RCC1. This novel pathway does not require importin-α or importin-β or the addition of any other soluble factor in vitro; however, this pathway is saturable and sensitive only to a subset of inhibitors of classical import pathways. Furthermore, the nuclear import of RCC1 does not require a preexisting Ran gradient or energy. We speculate that this second import pathway evolved to ensure that RCC1 never accumulates in the cytoplasm.
Heading in soccer: is it safe?

Soccer is the world’s game, played by 120 million people around the world and 16 million in the United States. It is unique in that it forbids the use of the upper extremity, other than by the goalkeeper or when throwing the ball into play from the sideline. It is also unique in that it is the only sport in which the head is purposefully used to strike the ball. As sports medicine has evolved, so has our curiosity about how certain sport-specific skills or protective equipment might change the injury profile of a sport. For soccer, there has been some concern that heading may be associated with the development of cumulative traumatic brain encephalopathy, or the “punch drunk” syndrome described in boxers. This article discusses this question in detail, with a critical look at the literature and an emphasis on the prospective data.
Energy of strong motion at earthquake source

Abstract This note is the first in a series devoted to a study of the flow of earthquake energy from the source to its destination, the soil–structure systems, where it will drive the relative structural response. The basic seismological aspects of empirical scaling of seismic wave energy, Es, are reviewed, and it is shown how this energy can be represented by functionals of strong ground motion. This constitutes the first required step, after which this energy will be attenuated (dissipated) along the wave propagation path, arriving as the incident-wave energy upon the soil–structure systems. The ultimate goal of this work is to form a basis for formulation of a new design method in which the power of the incident-wave pulses will be compared with the capacity of the structure to absorb this power.
Genetic diversity of hepatitis C virus predicts recurrent disease after liver transplantation

Abstract Approximately 20% of patients receiving liver transplants for end-stage hepatitis C rapidly develop severe allograph fibrosis within the first 24 months after transplant. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) variants were studied in 56 genotype-1-infected subjects with end-stage hepatitis C disease at the time before and 12 months after liver transplant, and post-transplant outcome was followed with serial liver biopsies. In 15 cases, pre-transplant HCV genetic diversity was studied in detail in liver ( n = 15), serum ( n = 15), peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( n = 13), and perihepatic lymph nodes ( n = 10). Our results revealed that pre-transplant HCV genetic diversity predicted the histological outcome of recurrent hepatitis C disease after transplant. Mild disease recurrence after transplant was significantly associated with higher genetic diversity and greater diversity changes between the pre- and post-transplant time points ( p = 0.004). Meanwhile, pre-transplant genetic differences between serum and liver were related to a higher likelihood of development of mild recurrent disease after transplant ( p = 0.039).
Carotenoids and flavins versus phytochrome as the controlling pigment for blue-UV-mediated photoresponses

Summary Arguments against flavins or carotenoids as the controlling pigments for blue-uv-mediated photoresponses are presented. A set of data elaborated with the «low irradiance movement« of the Mougeotia chloroplast has recently been published by Haupt (1971), and has been interpreted on the basis of a yellow pigment. We show that these data can be used equivalently to favor phytochrome as the active pigment in the blue spectral range. Moreover, we give other arguments which indicate that Pfr is an effector molecule for blue-uv-mediated photoresponses.
Crack-Detection Experiments on Simulated Turbine Engine Disks in NASA Glenn Research Center's Rotordynamics Laboratory

The development of new health-monitoring techniques requires the use of theoretical and experimental tools to allow new concepts to be demonstrated and validated prior to use on more complicated and expensive engine hardware. In order to meet this need, significant upgrades were made to NASA Glenn Research Center’s Rotordynamics Laboratory and a series of tests were conducted on simulated turbine engine disks as a means of demonstrating potential crack-detection techniques. The Rotordynamics Laboratory consists of a highprecision spin rig that can rotate subscale engine disks at speeds up to 12 000 rpm. The crack-detection experiment involved introducing a notch on a subscale engine disk and measuring its vibration response using externally mounted blade-tip-clearance sensors as the disk was operated at speeds up to 12 000 rpm. Testing was accomplished on both a clean baseline disk and a disk with an artificial crack: a 50.8-mm- (2-in.-) long introduced notch. The disk’s vibration responses were compared and evaluated against theoretical models to investigate their applicability to and success of detecting cracks. This paper presents the capabilities of the Rotordynamics Laboratory, the baseline theory and experimental setup for the crack-detection experiments, and the associated results from the latest test campaign. I. Introduction HE development of fault-detection techniques for the in situ health monitoring of gas turbine engines is of high interest to NASA’s Aviation Safety Program (AVSP). The rotating components of modern gas turbine engines operate in severe environmental conditions and are exposed to high thermal and mechanical loads. The cumulative effects of these loads over time lead to high stresses, structural deformity, and eventual component failure. Current risk-mitigation practices involve periodic inspections and schedule-based maintenance of engine components to ensure their integrity over the lifetime of the engine. However, these methods have their limitations, and failures are experienced leading to unscheduled maintenance and unplanned engine shutdowns. To prevent these failures and enhance aviation safety, the NASA Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) Project, as part of the overall AVSP, is investigating new types of sensor technologies and methods for the in situ structural health monitoring and detection of flaws in gas turbine engines. The successful development and implementation of such technology and health-monitoring techniques requires the use of both theoretical and experimental tools to allow new concepts to be investigated and demonstrated prior to use on more complicated and expensive hardware. In order to meet this need, research has been conducted at the NASA Glenn Research Center to develop both global and local approaches for monitoring critical rotor components. 1-6
Nanoscale Charge Transport Characteristics at Perovskite Interfaces – a Holistic Perspective

Here we investigate how charge transport properties scale down to the nanoscale regime, comparing the properties to standard semiconductor materials and providing a perspective on what it means to device manufacturing. Strontium titanate - the prototypical oxide material - has been widely studied for applications in thermoelectrics, nanoelectronics, catalysis, and other uses. We investigated how charge transport is effected at interfaces to strontium titanate under a wide range of conditions - by varying contact size, interface shape, dopant concentration, surface structures and in various combinations and relate the results to experiments utilizing standard semiconducting materials such as silicon and gallium arsenide. Also, the results of the analysis has wide ranging implications, especially for ferroelectric perovskite materials and serves as the basis for understanding and controlling switching effects - both polarization and oxygen migration based switching.
The flattening of the galactic spheroid

Dans le voisinage solaire, la dispersion des vitesses des etoiles pauvres en metal du halo est plus petite dans une direction perpendiculaire au plan galactique que dans toute autre direction. Un argument simple base sur le theoreme du viviel tensoriel permet de lier le comportement de la dispersion globale de toute population du halo a son aplatissement
Work-induced stress and long-term stability in optically polished silicon

A matrix of experiments was used to diagnose the presence and effect of surface stress in single crystal silicon as a result of various optical fabrication processes. These experiments employed a series of prepolished silicon samples, 4.5 inches in diameter, one surface of which was then subjected to fabrication procedure(s) typical to the refinement of a silicon optical component. The unaltered face was preserved in its originally-polished condition and interferometrically measured to detect changes of contour resulting from changes in stress characteristics imposed on the opposite, altered face. Samples representing specific process histories were periodically removed from the matrix and retained for long-term observation and assessment of any transient behavior. For comparison, a series of unaltered samples were retained for observation in the originally-polished condition, and a series of disks were also processed through the matrix from a rough blank state. the data collected during this effort are presented and discussed.
Dermal Penetration Potential of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Human and Mouse Skin

Recent data, using a murine model, have indicated that dermal exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) induces immune modulation, suggesting that this may be an important route of PFOA exposure. To investigate the dermal penetration potential of PFOA, serum concentrations were analyzed in mice following topical application. Statistically significant and dose-responsive increases in serum PFOA concentrations were identified. In vitro dermal penetration studies also demonstrated that PFOA permeates both mouse and human skin. Investigation into the mechanisms mediating PFOA penetration demonstrated that dermal absorption was strongly dependent upon the ionization status of PFOA. In addition, PFOA solid, but not 1% PFOA/acetone solution, was identified as corrosive using a cultured epidermis in vitro model. Despite its corrosive potential, expression of inflammatory cytokines in the skin of topically exposed mice was not altered. These data suggest that PFOA is dermally absorbed and that under certain conditions the skin may be a significant route of exposure.
On a problem of Katona on minimal separating systems

Let S be an n-element set. In this paper, we determine the smallest number f(n) for which there exists a family of subsets of S{A"1,A"2,...,A"f"("n")} with the following property: Given any two elements x, y @? S (x y), there exist k, l such that A"k @? A"l= @A, and x @? A"k, y @? A"l. In particular it is shown that f(n)= 3 log"3n when n is a power of 3.
Selecting a pharmacy layout design using a weighted scoring system

Purpose A weighted scoring system was used to select a pharmacy layout redesign. Summary Facilities layout design techniques were applied at a local hospital pharmacy using a step-by-step design process. The process involved observing and analyzing the current situation, observing the current available space, completing activity flow charts of the pharmacy processes, completing communication and material relationship charts to detail which areas in the pharmacy were related to one another and how they were related, researching applications in other pharmacies or in scholarly works that could be beneficial, numerically defining space requirements for areas within the pharmacy, measuring the available space within the pharmacy, developing a set of preliminary designs, and modifying preliminary designs so they were all acceptable to the pharmacy staff. To select a final layout that could be implemented in the pharmacy, those layouts were compared via a weighted scoring system. The weighted aspect further allowed additional emphasis on categories based on their effect on pharmacy performance. The results produced a beneficial layout design as determined through simulated models of the pharmacy operation that more effectively allocated and strategically located space to improve transportation distances and materials handling, employee utilization, and ergonomics. Conclusion Facilities layout designs for a hospital pharmacy were evaluated using a weighted scoring system to identify a design that was superior to both the current layout and alternative layouts in terms of feasibility, cost, patient safety, employee safety, flexibility, robustness, transportation distance, employee utilization, objective adherence, maintainability, usability, and environmental impact.
CAPITAL AGGREGATION IN THE PRESENCE OF OBSOLESCENCE‐INDUCING TECHNICAL CHANGE

The major question addressed is the treatment of capital embodied technical progress. Should Obsolescence be deducted to calculate a net stock, or should quality adjustments be made in each vintage of new capital, or both, or neither? In order to estimate the contribution of new investment to growth it is necessary to use a capital stock where different vintages are weighted in proportion to their marginal products. The commonly used gross capital measures do not do this, because they do not allow for the higher marginal product of more modern capital. Such an allowance for capital embodied technical progress can be made either by quality adjusting new capital or by incorporating obsolescence into the valuation of the old capital (but not both). However, even if new capital incorporates an allowance for improved quality, it will still be necessary to revalue the old capital. Frequently, a reasonable approximation to the net capital stock results from a linear decline in quasi-rents and can be approximated by published estimates of the stock of capital net of straight line depreciation. Steady technical progress will not lead to the commonly used exponential service decline functions. To avoid overestimating the return to investment when technology changes it will be necessary to use information on capital embodied technical change to revalue old capital, rather than to change the price indices for new capital.
The earliest behavioral expression of focal damage to human prefrontal cortex.

Damage to the prefrontal cortex in childhood can produce long-term impairments of emotion, behavior regulation, and executive functions, but little is known regarding the earliest expression of these impairments. We describe here detailed behavioral studies of a boy at 14 months of age (‘PF1’) who sustained focal damage in the right inferior dorsolateral prefrontal cortex due to resection of a vascular malformation on day 3 of life. The surgery was followed by a good medical recovery, and he reached developmental milestones at a normal rate. His neurological examination was normal, as were his mother’s ratings of communication abilities, daily living skills, socialization, and motor skills. Multiple standardized laboratory paradigms were used to evaluate his behavior in structured and relatively unstructured situations designed to elicit positive and negative emotions and to place demands on attention. Relative to a comparison group of 50 age-matched boys with no neurological history, PF1 demonstrated significant impairments in the regulation of emotion and engagement of attention, particularly in unstructured conditions. These findings indicate that damage to prefrontal cortex in infancy begins to impact on emotional and cognitive development already during the first months of life.
Transfer of polarized infrared radiation in optically anisotropic media: application to horizontally oriented ice crystals: comment

The calculations of multiple scattering of polarized infrared radiation by horizontally oriented ice crystals in a paper by Takano and Liou [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A10, 1243 ( 1993)] are based on a vector radiative transfer equation that is not rigorous but rather should be considered approximate. Specifically, Takano and Liou use the scalar extinction coefficient instead of the 4 × 4 extinction matrix. Therefore additional computations based on the rigorous radiative transfer equation are necessary for ascertaining the accuracy of Takano and Liou’s radiative transfer calculations. Also, contrary to the statement of Takano and Liou, the reciprocity relation for the phase matrix holds for any anisotropic scattering media, including horizontally oriented ice crystals.
Stigma and prejudice: One animal or two?

In light of increasing cross-communication and possible coalescence of conceptual models of stigma and prejudice, we reviewed 18 key models in order to explore commonalities and possible distinctions between prejudice and stigma. We arrive at two conclusions. First, the two sets of models have much in common (representing "one animal"); most differences are a matter of focus and emphasis. Second, one important distinction is in the type of human characteristics that are the primary focus of models of prejudice (race) and stigma (deviant behavior and identities, and disease and disabilities). This led us to develop a typology of three functions of stigma and prejudice: exploitation and domination (keeping people down); norm enforcement (keeping people in); and disease avoidance (keeping people away). We argue that attention to these functions will enhance our understanding of stigma and prejudice and our ability to reduce them.
Modulation of glomus cell membrane currents of intact rat carotid body.

1. In order to understand better the relationship between sinus nerve chemoreceptor activity and changes in glomus cell membrane current, both were measured simultaneously in rat carotid bodies in vitro. Mean membrane resistance of intact glomus cells was 1327 +/- 140 M omega (n = 104, mean +/- S.E.M.) and membrane capacitance was 7.9 +/- 0.8 pF (n = 28). 2. Over the course of 15 min following the start of whole-cell recording, outward current increased by 169 +/- 48% (n = 19), but there was no significant change in holding current or membrane resistance. Reversal potential of the tail current was not changed over this time period. Current run-up was not affected by addition of ATP, Ca2+, okadaic acid or H-7 to the pipette fluid. 3. Brief hypoxia (30-45 s duration, 0 mmHg at nadir) caused a rapid increase in nerve activity, but, on average, no significant change in cell holding current, or resistance. Outward current slightly decreased during hypoxia but failed to recover in the post-hypoxia period. 4. Tetraethylammonium (20 mM), and 4-aminopyridine (1 mM) reduced the outward current to 54 +/- 7 and 66 +/- 3% of control, respectively, but basal nerve activity was unchanged and the nerve response to hypoxia remained intact. 5. These results suggest that hypoxia modulation of glomus cell K+ current is not the primary initiating factor in the nerve response to brief periods of hypoxia in the rat carotid body.