cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anisotropic quantum Hall states in the presence of interactions with fourfold rotational symmetry

We study the effects of anisotropic interactions in the quantum Hall effect in the presence of a fourfold discrete rotational $({C}_{4})$ symmetry. Employing the density matrix renormalization group technique on an infinite cylinder geometry (iDMRG), we calculate the anisotropy response of the Laughlin state at $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/3$ and the composite-Fermi liquid (CFL) state at $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/2$. We find that the anisotropy transferred from the interaction potential to the $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/3$ state is stronger when compared with the complementary case of an anisotropic band. Further, the strength of anisotropy reduces as the interaction is made shorter ranged. Quite surprisingly, at $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/2$, the deformation in the CF Fermi surface changes sign as the interaction range is reduced. Our results imply that the short-distance and long-distance parts of the interaction potential have opposite effects on the CFL state in the presence of ${C}_{4}$-symmetric anisotropy.
The Underlying Effects of Celiac Disease and Subsequent Implications on Deployment in the United States Army

Introduction The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the etiology, pathology, and treatments for celiac disease (CD), as well as to provide context as to how CD impacts the U.S. military. Materials and methods To conduct this review, the authors surveyed recent epidemiology and immunology literature in order to provide a detailed summary of the current understanding of CD, its diagnosis, and the real-world impacts within the Department of Defense (DoD). Results We described the gluten proteins and both the immune response in CD. We further describe the underlying genetic risk factors and diagnosis and pathogenesis of the disease and conclude the review with a discussion of how current DoD regulations impact U.S. military readiness. Conclusion Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that results in damage to the small intestine. Ingestion of gluten in a CD patient is usually followed by villous atrophy in the small intestine, often along with other gastrointestinal symptoms. Around 1% of patients diagnosed with CD can experience complications if gluten-free diet is not followed, including intestinal lymphoma and hyposplenism. Therefore, a patient showing possible symptoms should discuss the diagnostic process with their healthcare providers to ensure adequate understanding of serological and genetic tests along with the histological examination of intestinal biopsy. Patients should seek consults with registered dietitians to structure their diets appropriately. Considering the prevalence and incidence of CD and gluten intolerances are increasing, the military should consider providing gluten-free Meals Ready-to-Eat as an option for all service members. Given the retention of service members with CD, subsequent admission of personnel with mild CD that does not affect the duties will allow the DoD access to a growing population of fully capable service members with critical technical skills who are eager to serve the USA.
Entrance/Exit Slips and Learner Autonomy

English Language and Literature classroom can be effective only when it is a learning- focussed, learner-centred, interactive classroom. Learner participation, specific outcome of learning, and interaction can be achieved only through learner autonomy. Learner autonomy requires a high degree of learner responsibility to own their learning process. Entrance slips and exit slips can be exploited as a means to promote learner autonomy. These slips crystallize their belief systems, check their understanding of content concepts, inform the teacher about learners’ needs, and provide input and basis for classroom interaction. Interaction in language and literature classrooms calls for articulation of learners/readers’ views on the listening, reading, and writing process as part of textual interrogation and critical response. The present empirical study investigates the efficacy of these slips in BA English Major Class where students learnt basic literary terms and forms.
Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccination Rates and Pneumococcal Invasive Disease Rates Set Geographical and Ethnic Population Susceptibility to Serious COVID-19 Cases and Deaths

This study examines the relationship of pneumococcal vaccination rates, influenza, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccinations (DTP), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (tuberculosis) vaccination rates to COVID-19 case and death rates for 51 nations that have high rates of COVID-19 testing and for which nearly complete childhood, at-risk adult and elderly pneumococcal vaccination data were available. The study is unique in a large number of nations examined, the range of vaccine controls, in testing effects of combinations of vaccinations, and in examining the relationship of COVID-19 and vaccination rates to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Analysis of Italian regions and the states of the United States were also performed. Significant positive correlations were found between IPD (but not lower respiratory infections) and COVID-19 rates, while significant negative correlations were found between pneumococcal vaccination and COVID-19 rates. Influenza and MMR vaccination rates were negatively correlated with lower respiratory infection (LRI) rates and may synergize with pneumococcal vaccination rates to protect against COVID-19. Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates were independent of other vaccination rates. These results suggest that endemic rates of bacterial pneumonias, for which pneumococci are a sentinel, may set regional and national susceptibility to severe COVID-19 disease and death.
THE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF COMICS: INTRODUCTION TO THE STRUCTURE AND COGNITION OF SEQUENTIAL IMAGES

Chapter 1. Introducing Visual Language SECTION 1: STRUCTURE OF VISUAL LANGUAGE Chapter 2. The Visual Lexicon, Part 1: Visual morphology Chapter 3. The Visual Lexicon, Part 2: Panels and Constructions Chapter 4. Visual Language Grammar: Narrative Structure Chapter 5. Navigation of External Compositional Structure Chapter 6. Cognition of Visual Language SECTION 2: VISUAL LANGUAGE ACROSS THE WORLD Chapter 7. American Visual Language Chapter 8. Japanese Visual Language Chapter 9. Central Australian Visual Language Chapter 10. The Principle of Equivalence
A general model for the study of fault tolerance and diagnosis.

The concept of a 'system with faults' is introduced as a suggested point of departure for the theoretical study of fault tolerance and diagnosis in systems. The model is defined relative to a general representation scheme for systems and, depending on the choice of representation, can be used to investigate either hardware or software faults that occur during either the design or use of a system.
The Preoperative Patient Evaluation

Understand the key aspects of a preoperative anesthetic evaluation Know how cardiovascular risk factors relate to intraoperative morbidityLearn the ASA physical status classification system
Neuroanatomical markers of early Alzheimer's disease

Structural deformities of the hippocampus and other structures of the limbic system are characteristic of individuals with very mild and mild forms of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Recent studies from our laboratory suggest that similar neuroanatomical deformities may predict the onset of dementia in nondemented elders. Using high dimensional diffeomorphic transformations of a neuroanatomical template, we quantified hippocampal volumes and surfaces in nondemented elder subjects, including a partitioning of the hippocampal surface into three zones (i.e., lateral, superior and inferior-medial) that were proximal to specific underlying cellular subfields. Annual clinical assessments using the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR), were then performed for a mean of 4.9 years (range 0.9–7.1 years), to monitor subjects who converted from having no dementia to having very mild dementia. Smaller left hippocampal volumes and inward deformation of the zone of the left hippocampal surface corresponding to the CA subfield significantly predicted time to conversion. The pattern of hippocampal surface deformation observed in the nondemented subjects who later converted to having very mild dementia was similar to the pattern of hippocampal surface deformation that we had previously observed to discriminate subjects with very mild DAT and nondemented subjects. These results suggest that inward deformation of the left hippocampal surface in a zone corresponding to the CA1 subfield is an early predictor of the onset of DAT in nondemented elderly subjects.
Real Estate Brokerage and the Housing Market: An Annotated Bibliography

A number of facets of real estate brokerage have been examined over time in theoretical and empirical articles appearing in the literature. This article summarizes brokerage research and suggests a...
Big data platforms as a service: challenges and approach

Infrastructure-as-a-Service has revolutionized the manner in which users commission computing infrastructure. Coupled with Big Data platforms (Hadoop, Cassandra), IaaS has democratized the ability to store and process massive datasets. For users that need to customize or create new Big Data stacks, however, readily available solutions do not yet exist. Users must first acquire the necessary cloud computing infrastructure, and manually install the prerequisite software. For complex distributed services this can be a daunting challenge. To address this issue, we argue that distributed services should be viewed as a single application consisting of virtual machines. Users should no longer be concerned about individual machines or their internal organization. To illustrate this concept, we introduce Cloud-Get, a distributed package manager that enables the simple installation of distributed services in a cloud computing environment. Cloud-Get enables users to instantiate and modify distributed services, including Big Data services, using simple commands. Cloud-Get also simplifies creating new distributed services via standardized package definitions.
Effects of temperature on calcium current of bullfrog sympathetic neurons.

1. The temperature dependence of whole-cell calcium current was studied in bullfrog sympathetic neurons. 2. The factor by which the peak calcium current increased upon a 10 degrees C increase in temperature (Q10) was 1.6 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 9), for a change from 20 to 30 degrees C. 3. Activation and deactivation were more rapid at a higher temperature. The Q10 was approximately 7 in the middle of the voltage range (near -10 mV), where the kinetics were slowest. Time constants were less temperature dependent at more positive or negative voltages (Q10 approximately 2 at -70 mV). 4. Near -10 mV, activation and deactivation were associated with a large enthalpy and a large positive entropy change. Deactivation at -70 mV reflected a smaller enthalpy change, and almost no change in entropy. 5. Activation is only slightly more temperature dependent than deactivation, when both are measured at the same voltage. 6. The peak current shifts slightly (approximately 5 mV) to more negative voltages upon a change from 20 to 30 degrees C. 7. Inactivation has a Q10 of approximately 2 at -10 mV. 8. Changes in the kinetics of activation or inactivation could be observed during recording at a constant temperature. These changes were generally small, especially for activation kinetics, and could be distinguished from temperature-dependent changes. 9. The changes in entropy and Q10 with voltage suggest that the rate-limiting steps for activation and deactivation are different at extreme voltages vs. the middle of the voltage range.
Mg, Ca and O18O16 exchange in the sediment-pore water system, hole 149, DSDP

Abstract The diagenesis and geochemical evolution of deep-sea sediments are controlled by the interaction between sediments and their associated pore waters. With increasing depth, the pore water of Hole 149 (DSDP) exhibits a strong depletion in Mg and a corresponding enrichment in Ca, while the alkalinity remains relatively constant. Dissolved SiO 2 is nearly constant in the upper 100 m of sediment, but is highly enriched in the deepest pore waters. The pore waters exhibit a depletion in K with increasing depth, and O 18 O 16 pore water ratios also decrease. The sediment section has three zones of sedimentary regimes with increasing depth in the drill hole: an upper 100 m section of detrital clays, a middle section enriched in calc-akalic volcanics which have undergone submarine weathering to a smectite phase, and a lower section of siliceous ooze which still has a diagenetic smectite phase. The quartz-feldspar ratios and O 18 O 16 composition of the silicate phases are in agreement with these interpretations. The submarine weathering of volcanics to a smectite can account for the observed pore water gradients. Volcanics release Ca and Mg to the pore waters causing the alkalinity values to increase. Smectite is formed, depletes the pore waters in Mg and O 18 and causes the alkalinity to decrease. The net reaction allows for the observed relationship between pore water Ca and Mg gradients with little net change in alkalinity. Given the abundance of volcanics in many deep-sea sediments, especially in lower sections which often form near ridge crests, the submarine formation of smectite may be an additional oceanic Mg sink which has not yet been fully considered.
Training for Decision Making in Aircraft Inspection

Research on civil aircraft inspection and maintenance has shown the potential for employing human factor interventions in improving performance. A series of training experiments was developed to understand the effects of different training interventions in the visual inspection domain. This paper reports on preliminary results obtained in applying a combined active and progressive part training scheme in improving the decision making performance for a visual inspection task. The task was a computer simulated airframe visual inspection task.
The Las Campanas Redshift Survey Results: The Redshift-Space Autocorrelation Function

Presented are measurements from the Las Campanas Redshift Survey (LCRS) of the galaxy-galaxy autocorrelation function in redshiftspace,ξgg(s). For separations 2.0h-1 Mpc < s < 16.4h-1 Mpc, ξgg(s) can be approximated by a power law with slope γ=-1.52 ± 0.03 and correlation length so = 6.28 ± 0.27h-1 Mpc. A zero-crossing occurs on scales of ~30–40 h -1 Mpc. On larger scales, ξgg(s) fluctuates closely about zero, indicating a high level of uniformity in the galaxy distribution on these scales. In addition, a selection effect inherent to the LCRS - the 55 arcsec galaxy pair separation limit - is tested and found to have little impact on the measurement of ξgg(s).
A step toward simplified detection of serum albumin on SDS-PAGE using an environment-sensitive flavone sensor.

In this study, we report a series of novel flavone-based sensors that exhibit a superior fluorescence response when interacting with serum albumin in real serum samples and in acrylamide gels. The detection limit of probe 4 for serum albumin solution is 0.09 μg mL−1, and the detectable volume for monkey serum reaches as low as 0.03 μL.
Laparoscopic Toupet Fundoplication using an Air Seal Intelligent Flow System and Anchor Port in a 1.8-kg infant: A Technical Report.

Introduction We report a case of a 1.8-kg infant who had laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF) using the AirSeal Intelligent Flow System and Anchor Port (AP). Materials and Surgical Technique Our case had severe gastroesophageal reflux in association with genetic and cardiac anomalies. Despite the patient being continuously fed, persistent vomiting caused failure to thrive, and LTF was performed at 4 months of age when he weighed 1.8 kg. The AirSeal Intelligent Flow System is a novel laparoscopic CO2 insufflation system that improves the visual field by constantly evacuating smoke and providing a more stable pneumoperitoneum. The AP is a recently developed, stretchable, elastomeric, low-profile cannula. Three 5-mm AP were inserted: one subumbilically for the scope and one in both the right and left upper abdomen for the surgeon. A 5-mm AirSeal trocar was inserted in the left lower abdomen for the assistant. The gastrosplenic ligament was dissected free, and the intra-abdominal esophagus was prepared. A posterior hiatoplasty was performed, followed by the 270° fundoplication. During the fundoplication, the esophagus was fixed to the crus and then the right and left wraps were fixed to the esophagus. Pneumoperitoneum was maintained stably throughout the LTF procedure, with optimal operative field. Total operating time for LTF was 90 min. Body temperature dropped from 37.4°C to 35.7°C during pneumoperitoneum but resolved once pneumoperitoneum was ceased. Postoperative progress was uneventful, and an upper gastrointestinal study on postoperative day 2 showed no residual gastroesophageal reflux. Discussion We believe the AirSeal Intelligent Flow System and AP contributed to the successful completion of LTF in a 1.8-kg infant.
Calpain activation through galectin-3 inhibition sensitizes prostate cancer cells to cisplatin treatment

Prostate cancer will develop chemoresistance following a period of chemotherapy. This is due, in part, to the acquisition of antiapoptotic properties by the cancer cells and, therefore, development of novel strategies for treatment is of critical need. Here, we attempt to clarify the role of the antiapoptotic molecule galectin-3 in prostate cancer cells using siRNA and antagonist approaches. The data showed that Gal-3 inhibition by siRNA or its antagonist GCS-100/modified citrus pectin (MCP) increased cisplatin-induced apoptosis of PC3 cells. Recent studies have indicated that cisplatin-induced apoptosis may be mediated by calpain, a calcium-dependent protease, as its activation leads to cleavage of androgen receptor into an androgen-independent isoform in prostate cancer cells. Thus, we examined whether calpain activation is associated with the Gal-3 function of regulating apoptosis. Here, we report that Gal-3 inhibition by siRNA or GCS-100/MCP enhances calpain activation, whereas Gal-3 overexpression inhibits it. Inhibition of calpain using its inhibitor and/or siRNA attenuated the proapoptotic effect of Gal-3 inhibition, suggesting that calpain activation may be a novel mechanism for the proapoptotic effect of Gal-3 inhibition. Thus, a paradigm shift for treating prostate cancer is suggested whereby a combination of a non-toxic anti-Gal-3 drug together with a toxic chemotherapeutic agent could serve as a novel therapeutic modality for chemoresistant prostate cancers.
Benign fibrous tumors of the male breast

Abstract Out of 119 cases of male breast disease recorded in the last decade in the Stuyvesant Square Hospital 102 were benign and 17 were malignant tumors. The subject of this study is the group of 36 fibrous tumors of the male breast. The youngest patient in the available literature presenting such a tumor was nine and one-half years of age, and the oldest on our record is eighty years of age. The tumors probably arise as the effect of hormonal imbalance and are most frequently encountered in early adult life and in old age. Fibroadenomas occurring at all ages are benign tumors with no evident tendency of malignant degeneration. Histological study usually shows a diffuse growth throughout a large part of the breast without definite encapsulation. Pseudofixation of the overlying skin and nipple was noted in a few cases. In advanced age these fibrous tumors may simulate malignant tumors. Treatment should be surgical, the operation planned according to the size and location of the tumor. Simple excision of the tumor or simple ablation of the breast suffice. Pathological examination should always be done to determine the character of the growth before radical mastectomy is performed in doubtful cases.
Wake turbulence avoidance automation: Evaluation of feasibility and impact

Wake turbulence encounters are a significant concern to pilots flying in the National Airspace System (NAS). The MITRE Corporation's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) has worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase efficiency and capacity in the NAS that will come with the FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). By increasing efficiency and capacity, there will be a corresponding reduction in required separations that exist in operations today. As operations are optimized and these separations are reduced, it is important that there is not an increase in wake encounter rates that would tend to limit the acceptance of NextGen. NextGen technology, however, may enable the community to provide better tools to pilots and controllers for avoiding wake, thereby bounding the wake encounter rate at no more than today's operationally acceptable level. In this paper, arrival and departure procedures that take advantage of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) technology in the cockpit are reviewed and their performance during a human-in-the-loop evaluation discussed.
Clinical experience with the micronucleus assay

Because of the logistical and practical problems that make cancer prevention trials using cancer incidence as an endpoint virtually impossible to conduct for the majority of cancer types, there is a desperate need for valid intermediate markers of cancer risk to serve as surrogate endpoints in chemoprevention trials. A long and continually growing list of potential markers has been developed in the recent past. Unfortunately very few, if any, of them have been subjected to the usual quality control requirements for a laboratory test before being applied to clinical settings. Modulation of micronuclei frequency has been reported in a number of chemoprevention trials involving the oral cavity, esophagus, lung, and lower GI tract; however, we have focused our efforts primarily on applying the assay to exfoliated buccal mucosal cells, since much of the published data deal with this site, and oral cancer prevention is the theme of one of our chemoprevention trials. After standardizing the definition of a micronucleus by literature review and direct exchange of slides and photographs with other investigators active in the field, we obtained smears from normal subjects, smokers with or without leukoplakia, and tobacco chewers with or without leukoplakia. Our summarized findings follow: (1) Micronuclei represent only one of numerous cytological abnormalities in exfoliated buccal cells that are manifest particularly in tobacco chewers. These include a high frequency of anucleate, binucleate, and multinucleated cells, abnormal shapes and sizes of nuclei, etc. (2) Intra-observer variability in the micronucleus count, assessed by counting the same group of slides on multiple occasions by the same observer, is in the range of ±3 per 1000 nucleated cells, i.e., 0.3%. Clearly, the impact of this can be extremely significant, particularly if the overall micronuclei frequency is low. (3) It is often difficult to find 1000 nucleated cells on a smear, especially if it is obtained from a tobacco chewer at the site of quid placement or at the site of a leukoplakic lesion. A large percent, often >50–70% of the exfoliated cells from such sites, will be anucleate. (4) Micronucleated cell frequency is very low in non-chewers. It is usually <0.5% (5 per 1000 nucleated cells), and frequently no micronucleated cells are present. (5) Smoking alone does not cause a significant increase in micronuclei frequency, irrespective of whether leukoplakia is present or not. In other words, non-chewers, with or without leukoplakia, who constitute a majority of the subjects of chemoprevention trials in the Western world, do not have the strikingly increased micronuclei frequencies reported by Stich et al. from studies conducted in Asia. In fact, the micronuclei frequency in this group is no different from lesion-free subjects. (6) Micronuclei frequency is increased in tobacco chewers, most significantly at the site of placement of the quid. These smears also have numerous other cytologic abnormalities, with micronuclei frequency being increased to about 0.8–1% (8–10 cells per 1000 nucleated cells).
Recommendation for revised emergency exposure limits for spills of NF3

Abstract The NAS/NRC Committee on Toxicology has recommended that the Emergency Exposure Limits for spills of NF 3 on or about rocket launching facilities or in the testing of rocket motors be the following: 10 min, 2250 ppm; 30 min, 750 ppm; 60 min, 375 ppm.
Extinction in predator–prey models with time delay

Abstract We give conditions under which a time delay can destroy persistence in a general Kolmogorov type of predator-prey model where the delay affects the per capita growth rates.
Pharmacological action of inhalation anesthetics

Abstract The chief pharmacological effects of ethyl and vinyl ethers, chloroform, of the gas anesthetics in general and nitrous oxide, ethylene and cyclopropane in particular have been described. Most completely detailed are the effects of ether, the other anesthetics being discussed in part by comparison. The conditions which control the absorption and fate of anesthetics, the methods of determining the factors of safety, the principles of preanesthetic medication and combination narcosis have all been pointed out, as well as the present status of the theory of narcosis. Emphasis has been laid upon those features of anesthetic action which are of greatest clinical significance. The more important physical characters of the six anesthetics and their minimal anesthetic and lethal concentrations in the inspired air and the blood are presented in tabular form. The appended bibliography affords a key to recent advances in the field of the inhalation anesthetics.
Identification of Vertical Exciting Force on the Surface of an Elastic Half-Space Using Sensor Fusion

An analytical technique for identification of the location of an unknown vertical exciting force on the surface of ground using sensor fusion is presented. The analysis is based on the dynamic responses of points on the surface of an elastic half-space medium subjected to a vertical, harmonic, and concentrated force on the surface. The medium is assumed to be an elastic, isotropic and homogeneous half-space. The problem is analytically formulated by employing double Fourier transforms, and the solution is obtained in the form of integral expressions in terms of Rayleigh functions. Numerical techniques are utilized for the computation of integrals presented by the inverse transforms. Nondimensional values for the in-phase and quadrature components of the displacements for any position on the surface of the unloaded half-space in terms of frequency and position of the exciting force are presented for a Poisson ratio of 0.25.
Clinical signs of sevoflurane anaesthesia in spontaneously breathing rats

Clinical signs which indicate varying anaesthetic dose, have been reported for spontaneously breathing rats anaesthetized with halothane and isoflurane. This report provides similarly derived data for sevoflurane (SEVO).
Spontaneous pneumothorax in Norfolk

Abstract A Chest Unit's experience of spontaneous pneumothorax over a 14-year period has been analysed: 236 patients, the majority of whom were young males and were smokers, had a total of 315 episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax during this time. Ninety-five per cent were successfully treated at first attendance by observation alone or by intercostal tube drainage. The choice of treatment did not influence the recurrence rate. The remaining 5% were treated surgically. Altogether 37 pleural abrasions or pleurectomies were performed, half because the lung failed to expand with intercostal tube drainage and the remainder because of one or more further episodes. There were no recurrences following this procedure. When definitive surgery was not performed after a recurrence there was a 40% incidence of third episodes. There was no mortality. The results of this study confirm that the vast majority of cases can be treated successfully under medical supervision with a recurrence rate around 20%. Surgical intervention should be considered in those who have a second episode or when pneumothorax occurs on the other side.
Differences due to collimator blurring in cardiac images with use of circular and elliptic camera orbits.

Abstract Background. In cardiac imaging systems, an elliptic acquisition orbit about the patient can be used to enhance resolution of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images by minimizing the distance between the object imaged and the rotating detector system. In this study artifacts from images acquired with the standard circular acquisition are compared with those acquired with various elliptic acquisitions. Methods and Results. With the use of elliptic camera orbits of different eccentricities, simulated projection data were generated from a slice through the left ventricle (LV). The projection data included a simulation of the degradation due to the depth-dependent response of the collimator. As is common in many clinical systems, SPECT images were reconstructed with the standard filtered backprojection algorithm without correction for the collimator response. When the ratio of the major-to-minor axis of the acquisition arc is changed from 1 (circular) to 1.5 (elliptic), reconstructed SPECT images show an additional loss of counts (about 10%) in the apical region of the LV. The severity of the apical defect is also dependent on the starting angle of the acquisition arc. When the starting angle is changed from 0° (detector parallel to the major axis of the LV) to 60°, the ratio between the minimum count in the apical region and the maximum count in the left ventricular myocardial wall decreases by as much as 20%. Conclusions. SPECT image artifacts from elliptic acquisitions are significantly more severe than those from circular acquisitions. Because of the significant difference in images reconstructed from circular and elliptic acquisitions, standardized normal files acquired from circular acquisitions should not be used for comparisons with patient data acquired from elliptic acquisitions. (J Nucl Cardiol 2001;8:458-65.)
Distortionless light pulse delay in quantum-well Bragg structures

We describe a reflection scheme that allows Bragg-spaced semiconductor quantum wells to be used to trap, store, and release light. We study the temporal and spectral distortion of delayed light pulses and show that this geometry allows multibit delays and offers a high degree of distortion compensation.
Incidental Primary Malignant Neoplasms in Explanted Lungs at Transplantation

s S317 LDH values to predict thrombus, as elevated values were seen in cases without detectable thrombus.
Corneal incision dehiscence during penetrating keratoplasty nine years after radial keratotomy

As the use of radial keratotomy (RK) to correct myopia increases, more patients are having penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Radial keratotomy incisions are known to show incomplete wound healing. When the radial corneal RK incisions are cut by the corneal trephine, the peripheral part of each incision may open, even years after surgery. In this case, a 56-year-old man had visual distortion and diplopia in one eye nine years after RK. Contact lenses did not correct the problem, and the patient could not tolerate the contact lenses. Penetrating keratoplasty was performed. During surgery about one-third of the peripheral RK incisions spontaneously opened, making suturing difficult. Although the final visual result was 20/20 corrected acuity, this case shows that RK incisions may remain incompletely healed and easily open during PK surgery as long as nine years after the RK surgery.
Ideals in (m + 1)-semigroups

The following memoir is concerned with various idealtheoretic aspects of the theory of polyadic semigroups. Many of the results are generalizations of known theorems in the theory of ordinary or 2-semigroups.
Naturally occurring systemic immune responses to HPV antigens do not predict regression of CIN2/3

Essentially all squamous cervical cancers and their precursor lesions, high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2/3), are caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, not all CIN2/3 lesions progress to cancer. In a brief, observational study window monitoring subjects with CIN2/3 from protocol entry (biopsy diagnosis) to definitive therapy (cervical conization) at week 15, in a cohort of 50 subjects, we found that 26% of CIN2/3 lesions associated with HPV16, the genotype most commonly associated with disease, underwent complete histologic regression. Nonetheless, HPV16-specific T cell responses measured in peripheral blood obtained at the time of study entry and at the time of conization were marginally detectable directly ex vivo, and did not correlate with lesion regression. This finding suggests that, in the setting of natural infection, immune responses which are involved in elimination of cervical dysplastic epithelium are not represented to any great extent in the systemic circulation.
The search for slow transients, and the effect of imperfect vertical alignment, in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection

We report experimental results for the influence of a tilt angle β relative to gravity on turbulent Rayleigh-Benard convection of cylindrical samples. The measurements were made at Rayleigh numbers R up to 10 11 with two samples of height L equal to the diameter D (aspect ratio Γ ≡ D/L ≃ 1), one with L ≃0.5 m (the 'large' sample) and the other with L ≃ 0.25 m (the 'medium' sample). The fluid was water with a Prandtl number a = 4.38. In contrast to the experiences reported by Chilla et al. (Eur. Phys. J. B, vol. 40, 2004, p. 223) for a similar sample but with Γ ≃ 0.5 (D =0.5 and L = 1.0m), we found no long relaxation times. For R = 9.4 x 1010 we measured the Nusselt number N as a function of β and obtained a small β dependence given by N(β) = N 0 [1-(3.1±0.1) x 10 -2 |β|] when β is in radians. This reduction of N is about a factor of 50 smaller than the result found by Chilla et al. (2004) for their Γ ≃ 0.5 sample. We measured sidewall temperatures at eight equally spaced azimuthal locations on the horizontal mid-plane of the sample and used them to obtain cross-correlation functions between opposite azimuthal locations. The correlation functions had Gaussian peaks centred about t cc 1 > 0 that corresponded to half a turnover time of the large-scale circulation (LSC) and yielded Reynolds numbers Re cc of the LSC. For the large sample and R=9A × 10 10 we found Re cc (β) = Re cc (0) x [1 + (1.85±0.21)|β| -(5.9±1.7)β 2 ]. Similar results were obtained from the auto-correlation functions of individual thermometers. These results are consistent with measurements of the amplitude δ of the azimuthal sidewall temperature variation at the mid-plane that gave δ(β)=8(0) x [1 +(1.84±0.45)|β| - (3.1±3.9)β 2 ] for the same R. An important conclusion is that the increase of the speed (i.e. of Re) of the LSC with β does not significantly influence the heat transport. Thus the heat transport must be determined primarily by the instability mechanism operative in the boundary layers, rather than by the rate at which 'plumes' are carried away by the LSC. This mechanism is apparently independent of β. Over the range 10 9 ≤ R ≤10 11 the enhancement of Re cc at constant β due to the tilt could be described by a power law of R with an exponent of -1/6, consistent with a simple model that balances the additional buoyancy due to the tilt angle by the shear stress across the boundary layers. Even a small tilt angle dramatically suppressed the azimuthal meandering and the sudden reorientations characteristic of the LSC in a sample with β = 0. For large R the azimuthal mean of the temperature at the horizontal mid-plane differed significantly from the average of the top- and bottom-plate temperatures due to non-Boussinesq effects, but within our resolution was independent of p.
1.55 [micro sign]m pie-shaped resonant-cavity photodetector arrays for direct-coupled wavelength demultiplexing applications

1.55 /spl mu/m pie-shaped narrow-band resonant-cavity photodetector arrays are demonstrated for low-cost wavelength-division multiplexing applications. The achieved average channel spacing and rejection ratio are 3.6 nm and 13 dB, respectively. Photocurrent spectra measured with a uniformly illuminated array are compared to those with individual elements illuminated.
Surgical management of unusual gastrointestinal bleeding and a left ventricular assist device

There is growing evidence that patients treated with continuous flow ventricular assist devices are at increased risk for bleeding complications beyond what would be expected for those requiring anti-coagulation therapy. However, the management of these patients is typically medical. We present a case of unusual gastrointestinal bleeding successfully managed with surgical intervention in a patient with a Heartmate II ventricular assist device.
MRI, CT, US and ERCP in the evaluation of bile duct hamartomas (von Meyenburg complex): a case report

A case of multiple bile duct hamartomas (von Meyenburg complex) of the liver accompanied by exudative and in part necrotizing pancreatitis is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging (fat suppressed, T2-weighted images with prolonged echo time) could exclude diffuse tumor infiltration of the liver, which had not been possible with CT, sonography, or ERCP. To our knowledge, no comparable case has been reported.
Parallel FEC code in high-speed optical transmission systems

Parallel FEC code transmission is proposed, in which check bits are transmitted on a different wavelength. The signal format is perfectly compatible with SDH in terms of signal wavelength. A smooth upgrade to the FEC system is possible by connecting additional modules. High FEC capability is obtained such that the BER of 10/sup -6/ can be improved to 10/sup -11/ with a decoding delay of several bits. When the parallel processing number is 8, the GVD tolerance is extended by a factor of 2.5, while the number of L-REPs possible in an optical link is doubled.
Field fluctuations and macroscopic properties for nonlinear composites

Abstract A recently introduced nonlinear homogenization method [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 50 ( 2002) 737–757] is used to estimate the effective behavior and the associated strain and stress fluctuations in two-phase, power-law composites with aligned-fiber microstructures, subjected to anti-plane strain, or in-plane strain loading. Using the Hashin–Shtrikman estimates for the relevant “linear comparison composite,” results are generated for two-phase systems, including fiber-reinforced and fiber-weakened composites. These results, which are known to be exact to second-order in the heterogeneity contrast, are found to satisfy all known bounds. Explicit analytical expressions are obtained for the special case of rigid-ideally plastic composites, including results for arbitrary contrast and fiber concentration. The effective properties, as well as the phase averages and fluctuations predicted for these strongly nonlinear composites appear to be consistent with deformation mechanisms involving shear bands. More specifically, for the case where the fibers are stronger than the matrix, the predictions appear to be consistent with the shear bands tending to avoid the fibers, while the opposite would be true for the case where the fibers are weaker.
Simultaneous measurement of denitrification and nitrogen fixation using isotope pairing with membrane inlet mass spectrometry analysis.

A method for estimating denitrification and nitrogen fixation simultaneously in coastal sediments was developed. An isotope-pairing technique was applied to dissolved gas measurements with a membrane inlet mass spectrometer (MIMS). The relative fluxes of three N2 gas species (28N2, 29N2, and 30N2) were monitored during incubation experiments after the addition of 15NO3−. Formulas were developed to estimate the production (denitrification) and consumption (N2 fixation) of N2 gas from the fluxes of the different isotopic forms of N2. Proportions of the three isotopic forms produced from 15NO3− and 14NO3− agreed with expectations in a sediment slurry incubation experiment designed to optimize conditions for denitrification. Nitrogen fixation rates from an algal mat measured with intact sediment cores ranged from 32 to 390 μg-atoms of N m−2 h−1. They were enhanced by light and organic matter enrichment. In this environment of high nitrogen fixation, low N2 production rates due to denitrification could be separated from high N2 consumption rates due to nitrogen fixation. Denitrification and nitrogen fixation rates were estimated in April 2000 on sediments from a Texas sea grass bed (Laguna Madre). Denitrification rates (average, 20 μg-atoms of N m−2 h−1) were lower than nitrogen fixation rates (average, 60 μg-atoms of N m−2 h−1). The developed method benefits from simple and accurate dissolved-gas measurement by the MIMS system. By adding the N2 isotope capability, it was possible to do isotope-pairing experiments with the MIMS system.
STOCHASTIC ASYMPTOTIC STABILITY AND APPROXIMATION OF THE RANDOM SOLUTION OF A STOCHASTIC DISCRETE FREDHOLM SYSTEM

A stochastic discrete Fredholm system in the form xn(ω) = hn(ω) + ∞Σj=1 Cn,j(ω)ƒj(xj(ω)), n = 1,2,…, is studied, where ω ∈ Ω, the supporting set of a complete probability measure space (Ω,A,P). A random solution of the discrete system is defined to be a discrete parameter second order stochastic process xn(ω) that satisfies the equation almost surely. The stochastic geometric stability of xn(ω) is defined, and conditions are given under which the random solution has this property. A finite system which approximates the infinite system is given, and it is shown that under certain conditions the unique random solution of the approximating system converges to the unique random solution of the infinite system.
Mixture radial distribution functions: are they all independent?

New constraints of radial distribution functions in the canonical ensemble of multicomponent mixtures are derived. These constraints indicate that mixture radial distribution functions are not all independent from each other. One of the important applications of such constraints is to test the approximation theories of mixture distribution functions. A number of examples are reported for the application of the proposed constraints.
Ontological aspects of information modeling

Information modeling (also known as conceptual modeling or semantic data modeling) may be characterized as the formulation of a model in which information aspects of objective and subjective reality are presented (“the application”), independent of datasets and processes by which they may be realized (“the system”). A methodology for information modeling should incorporate a number of concepts which have appeared in the literature, but should also be formulated in terms of constructs which are understandable to and expressible by the system user as well as the system developer. This is particularly desirable in connection with certain “intimate” relationships, such as being the same as or being a part of. The conceptual basis for such a methodology, as conventionally approached, seems flavored with notions arising in the systems arena to an inappropriate degree. To counter this tendency it is useful to turn to a discipline not hitherto much involved in technology, namely analytic philosophy.
KECK ECHELLETTE SPECTROGRAPH AND IMAGER OBSERVATIONS OF METAL-POOR DAMPED Lyα SYSTEMS*

We present the first results from a survey of SDSS quasars selected for strong H I damped Lyα (DLA) absorption with corresponding low equivalent width absorption from strong low-ion transitions (e.g., C II λ1334 and Si II λ1260). These metal-poor DLA candidates were selected from the SDSS fifth release quasar spectroscopic database, and comprise a large new sample for probing low-metallicity galaxies. Medium-resolution echellette spectra from the Keck Echellette Spectrograph and Imager spectrograph for an initial sample of 35 systems were obtained to explore the metal-poor tail of the DLA distribution and to investigate the nucleosynthetic patterns at these metallicities. We have estimated saturation corrections for the moderately underresolved spectra, and systems with very narrow Doppler parameters (b ≤ 5 km s^(–1)) will likely have underestimated abundances. For those systems with Doppler parameters b > 5 km s^(–1), we have measured low-metallicity DLA gas with [X/H] < –2.4 for at least one of C, O, Si, or Fe. Assuming non-saturated components, we estimate that several DLA systems have [X/H] < –2.8, including five DLA systems with both low equivalent widths and low metallicity in transitions of both C II and O I. All of the measured DLA metallicities, however, exceed or are consistent with a metallicity of at least 1/1000 of solar, regardless of the effects of saturation in our spectra. Our results indicate that the metal-poor tail of galaxies at z ~ 3 drops exponentially at [X/H] ≾ –3. If the distribution of metallicity is Gaussian, the probability of identifying interstellar medium gas with lower abundance is extremely small, and our results suggest that DLA systems with [X/H] < –4.0 are extremely rare, and could comprise only 8 × 10^(–7) of DLA systems. The relative abundances of species within these low-metallicity DLA systems are compared with stellar nucleosynthesis models, and are consistent with stars having masses of 30 M_⊙ < M * < 100 M_⊙. The observed ratio of [C/O] for values of [O/H] < –2.5 exceeds values seen in moderate metallicity DLA systems, and also exceeds theoretical nucleosynthesis predictions for higher mass Population III stars. We also have observed a correlation between the column density N(C IV) with [Si/H] metallicity, suggestive of a trend between mass of the DLA system and its metallicity.
Exposure to a high-fat diet decreases sensitivity to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced motor effects in female rats.

Abstract Arachidonic acid, a fatty acid component of neuronal cell membranes, forms the backbone of endogenous ligands of the endocannabinoid system. The lipid nature of this system may make it particularly susceptible to changes in fat content of the diet, which may, in turn, affect endocannabinoid tone and subsequent changes in receptor expression or activity. The latter would also be expected to affect responses to exogenous cannabinoids. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of a high-fat diet on sensitivity to the pharmacological effects of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC). Male and female Long-Evans rats were fed either a diet of standard rodent chow or chow enhanced with corn oil. Subsequently, they were repeatedly assessed for Δ 9 -THC-induced hypomobility, catalepsy and hypothermia. Female rats that received the high-fat diet beginning in adolescence or in adulthood became significantly less sensitive to the effects of Δ 9 -THC on motor behavior, but not its hypothermic effects, with faster development of decreased sensitivity in female rats that began the high-fat diet as adults. In contrast, diet-induced differences either did not occur, or were less pronounced, in male rats of both ages. After acute injection, brain and blood levels of Δ 9 -THC and its two primary metabolites were similar regardless of diet. Combined with the fact that diet differentially affected only some of the measures, these results suggest that pharmacokinetic differences cannot fully account for the effects of the high-fat diet on response to Δ 9 -THC. Further, these results suggest that dietary fat content may represent an important consideration in predicting the effects of marijuana in females.