cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of azimuthal seismic anisotropy from surface waves and finite strain from global mantle-circulation models

SUMMARY We present global models of strain accumulation in mantle flow to compare the predicted finite-strain ellipsoid (FSE) orientations with observed seismic anisotropy. The geographic focus is on oceanic and young continental regions where we expect our models to agree best with azimuthal anisotropy from surface waves. Finite-strain-derived models and alignment with the largest FSE axes lead to better model fits than the hypothesis of alignment of fast propagation orientation with absolute plate motions. Our modelling approach is simplified in that we are using a linear viscosity for flow and assume a simple relationship between strain and anisotropy. However, results are encouraging and suggest that similar models can be used to assess the validity of assumptions inherent in the modelling of mantle convection and lithospheric deformation. Our results substantiate the hypothesis that seismic anisotropy can be used as an indicator for mantle flow; circulation-derived models can contribute to the establishment of a quantitative functional relationship between the two.
Breastfeeding Effects on Intelligence Quotient in 4- and 11-Year-Old Children

Objective A study of preterm children found an IQ advantage among those who were breastfed as infants after controlling for maternal social class and educational status. However, this advantage needs to be examined in light of other maternal characteristics, such as maternal IQ and parenting skills, which were not measured in that study and which have been found to be related to breastfeeding. Methodology. IQ was assessed in 323 children at 4 years of age on the McCarthy Scales of Children9s Abilities and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised and in 280 children on the Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children-Revised at 11 years of age. Results. Children who were breastfed in infancy had significantly higher scores on IQ tests at both ages, even after adjusting for social class and education, confirming the earlier findings and extending them to a predominantly full-term sample. However, the effect of breastfeeding was no longer significant after adjusting for maternal IQ assessed on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised and for parenting skills assessed on the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment. Significant relations between breastfeeding and Woodcock Reading Achievement scores at 11 years were also reduced to nonsignificant levels after the inclusion of maternal IQ and the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the observed advantage of breastfeeding on IQ is related to genetic and socioenvironmental factors rather than to the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding on neurodevelopment. They should not be interpreted as detracting from the medical benefits associated with breastfeeding.
Anatomical, functional and molecular biomarker applications of magnetic resonance neuroimaging

ABSTRACT MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) along with computed tomography and PET are the most common imaging modalities used in the clinics to detect structural abnormalities and pathological conditions in the brain. MRI generates superb image resolution/contrast without radiation exposure that is associated with computed tomography and PET; MRS and spectroscopic imaging technologies allow us to measure changes in brain biochemistry. Increasingly, neurobiologists and MRI scientists are collaborating to solve neuroscience problems across sub-cellular through anatomical levels. To achieve successful cross-disciplinary collaborations, neurobiologists must have sufficient knowledge of magnetic resonance principles and applications in order to effectively communicate with their MRI colleagues. This review provides an overview of magnetic resonance techniques and how they can be used to gain insight into the active brain at the anatomical, functional and molecular levels with the goal of encouragi...
Using morphometrics to identify glochidia from a diverse freshwater mussel community

We measured shell length, hinge length, and height of glochidia from 21 freshwater mussel species occurring in the Sipsey River, Alabama, to test our ability to identify species based on these glochidial morphometrics. Glochidial size and shape differed widely among species; for all 3 dimensions, mean values for the largest species were 5 to 73 greater than for the smallest species. Within-species variation in glochidia size was low for all species with the exception of Pleurobema decisum, which was represented by 2 glochidial morphotypes; variation within each morphotype was similar in magnitude to variation within other species. We were able to classify 72 to 79% of total glochidia (n 5 870 or 750, respectively) to the correct species with discriminant function analysis. Percentage of correct classification ranged from 40 to 100% for individual species. Misclassifications were caused by overlap in shell dimensions between some species, but even species with poor clas- sification success were confounded with an average of only 2.2 to 3.0 other species. Unlike previous studies, we found that glochidia of closely related species were not necessarily more similar to each other than to glochidia of more distantly related species. For example, species in the tribe Quadrulini were widely divergent in glochidium size and represented some of both the smallest and largest glochidia in our study. These 3 shell measurements and subsequent application of discriminant func- tion analysis can be useful for identification of unknown glochidia or for rapidly narrowing the range of potential species identifications to smaller groups of species with similar glochidia.
T cells and pathogenesis of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

We previously hypothesized that increased capillary permeability observed in both hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) may be caused by hantavirus-specific cytotoxic T cells attacking endothelial cells presenting viral antigens on their surface based on clinical observations and in vitro experiments. In HCPS, hantavirus-specific T cell responses positively correlated with disease severity. In HFRS, in one report, contrary to HCPS, T cell responses negatively correlated with disease severity, but in another report the number of regulatory T cells, which are thought to suppress T cell responses, negatively correlated with disease severity. In rat experiments, in which hantavirus causes persistent infection, depletion of regulatory T cells helped infected rats clear virus without inducing immunopathology. These seemingly contradictory findings may suggest delicate balance in T cell responses between protection and immunopathogenesis. Both too strong and too weak T cell responses may lead to severe disease. It is important to clarify the role of T cells in these diseases for better treatment (whether to suppress T cell functions) and protection (vaccine design) which may need to take into account viral factors and the influence of HLA on T cell responses.
Development, testing and commercialization of a new brucellosis vaccine for cattle.

Vaccines used against brucellosis do not generally protect completely against infection or abortion. Genetic analysis has revealed differences in arrangements of DNA sequences between these vaccine strains and the virulent parent strain and permits the specific identification of field isolates of B. abortus as wild-type or vaccine strain. B. abortus strain 19 is a low-virulence, live vaccine developed for use in cattle. Although it is effective, strain 19 vaccine had a tropism for the placenta and caused abortion when given to pregnant cows, was infectious for humans, and caused serologic responses in calves that could not be differentiated from those in cattle infected with natural field strains. In the mid-1980s the need for a new vaccine emerged when the USDA increased its efforts in brucellosis eradication. In the 1990s, research on biosafety, vaccine efficacy and field application rapidly established the fact that strain RB51 is protective in cattle at doses comparable to those of strain 19. Thus, Brucella abortus strain RB51 is the vaccine of choice against brucellosis of cattle in the United States. Studies have established the relative efficacy of strain RB51 vaccine on bison, and the vaccine has also been accepted for use in commercial bison herds in the U.S.
Sequential Tests of Composite Hypotheses

Abstract A method is given for obtaining sequential tests of composite hypotheses for a certain class of distributions. Approximate properties of the tests are derived and the method illustrated.
Observations of tidal variability on the New England shelf

[1] Observations from the Coastal Mixing and Optics experiment moored array, deployed from August 1996 through June 1997, are used to describe barotropic and baroclinic tidal variability over the New England shelf. The dominant M2 tidal elevations decrease toward the northeast to a minimum over the Nantucket shoals (about 34 cm), and barotropic tidal current amplitudes increase strongly toward the northeast to a maximum over the shoals (about 35 cm s−1). Estimates of the depth-averaged M2 momentum balance indicate that tidal dynamics are linear, and along-shelf pressure gradients are as large as cross-shelf pressure gradients. In addition, tidal current ellipses are weakly polarized, confirming that the dynamics are more complex than simple plane waves. The vertical structure of the M2 currents decreases in amplitude and phase (phase lead near bottom) over the bottom 20 m. The M2 momentum deficit near the bottom approximately matches direct covariance estimates of stress, confirming the effects of stress on current structure in the tidally driven bottom boundary layer. Baroclinic current variability at tidal frequencies is small (2 cm s−1 amplitude), with a predominantly mode 1 vertical structure. High-frequency (approaching the buoyancy frequency) internal solitons are observed following the pycnocline. The internal solitons switch from waves of depression to waves of elevation when the depth of maximum stratification is deeper than half the water column depth. Both low-mode baroclinic tidal and high-frequency internal wave energy decrease linearly with bottom depth across the shelf.
Androgen Receptors are Required for Full Masculinization of the Ventromedial Hypothalamus (VMH) in Rats

The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is one of several sexually dimorphic nuclei that regulate mating behavior, and is rich in steroid hormone receptors and aromatase activity. We looked at the contribution of the androgen receptor (AR) to the volume of the VMH in rats by measuring each of the four subdivisions of the VMH in 90 day old male, female, and XY male rats carrying a mutant AR allele (tfm), which renders animals largely unresponsive to androgens. Confirming published reports, total VMH volume was greater in wild-type males than in females (P 0.10). The sex difference in VMH volume was primarily accounted for by the ventrolateral subdivision (VMHvl), which in both females and TFM males was significantly smaller than in wild-type males (Ps<0.005). There was no significant sex difference in the volume of the other three subdivisions of the VMH. Neuronal somata were larger in males than females in VMHvl, central VMH (VMHc) and the dorsomedial VMH (VMHdm), with TFM males having feminine neuronal somata in the VMHdm and VMHc. These data suggest that AR plays a role during sexual differentiation of the VMH, imparting its greatest effect in the VMHvl. ARs may regulate aromatase expression or activity to affect estrogen receptor activation, or may act independently of estrogen receptors to influence VMH morphology.
Retention of trained performance in consistent mapping search after extended delay

We examined the retention of performance in memory, visual, and hybrid memory/visual search after subjects received extensive consistent mapping (CM) practice. In the first two experiments we examined retention of detection performance in memory scanning (Experiment 1) and in visual search (Experiment 2) approximately one month after training. In the third experiment we examined performance 1, 30, 90, 180, and 365 days following training on pure visual and hybrid memory/visual semantic-category search tasks. We examined retention at intervals up to one year after practice as a function of amount of CM practice. In addition, we assessed the degree of category activation (performance on untrained words from the trained categories) at each retention interval. Across experiments, we found no decay in CM trained memory search and minimal decay in pure visual search. Significant decline in CM performance was largely attributable to performance in the hybrid memory/visual search conditions. These data reconcile previously equivocal retention results for CM trained search performance.
Muscle and nerve-specific regulation of a novel NK-2 class homeodomain factor in Caenorhabditis elegans

We have identified a new Caenorhabditis elegans NK-2 class homeobox gene, designated ceh-24. Distinct cis-acting elements generate a complex neuronal and mesodermal expression pattern. A promoter-proximal enhancer mediates expression in a single pharyngeal muscle, the donut-shaped m8 cell at the posterior end of the pharynx. A second mesodermal enhancer is active in a set of eight nonstriated vulval muscles used in egg laying. Activation in the egg laying muscles requires an ‘NdE-box’ consensus motif (CATATG) which is related to, but distinct from, the standard E-box motif bound by the MyoD family of transcriptional activators. Ectodermal expression of ceh-24 is limited to a subset of sublateral motor neurons in the head of the animal; this activity requires a cis-acting activator element that is distinct from the control elements for pharyngeal and vulval muscle expression. Activation of ceh-24 in each of the three cell types coincides with the onset of differentiation. Using a set of transposon-induced null mutations, we show that ceh-24 is not essential for the formation of any of these cells. Although ceh-24 mutants have no evident defects under laboratory conditions, the pattern of ceh-24 activity is apparently important for Rhabditid nematodes: the related species C. briggsae contains a close homologue of C. elegans ceh-24 including a highly conserved and functionally equivalent set of cis-acting control signals.
Quantitation of actin in developing brain.

Actin levels in the soluble fraction of chick embryo brain sonicates have been quantitated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Brain actin concentrations remained constant at 8.10 ± 0.9% in developing cnibryos but dropped to 6.0 ± 0.9% in adult brain. Over 80% of the total brain protein was solubilized by the sonication procedure and actin was not detected in the remaining insoluble fraction.
On the physical implementation of logical transformations: Generalized L-machines

Any account of computation in a physical system, whether an artificial computing device or a natural system considered from a computational point of view, invokes some notion of the relationship between the abstract-logical and concrete-physical aspects of computation. In a recent paper, James Ladyman explored this relationship using a ''hybrid physical-logical entity''-the L-machine-and the general account of computation that it supports [J. Ladyman, What does it mean to say that a physical system implements a computation?, Theoretical Computer Science 410 (2009) 376-383]. The underlying L-machine of Ladyman's analysis is, however, classical and highly idealized, and cannot capture essential aspects of computation in important classes of physical systems (e.g. emerging nanocomputing devices) where logical states do not have faithful physical representations and where noise and quantum effects prevail. In this work we generalize the L-machine to allow for generally unfaithful and noisy implementations of classical logical transformations in quantum mechanical systems. We provide a formal definition and physical-information-theoretic characterization of generalized quantum L-machines (QLMs), identify important classes of QLMs, and introduce new efficacy measures that quantify the faithfulness and fidelity with which logical transformations are implemented by these machines. Two fundamental issues emphasized by Ladyman-realism about computation and the connection between logical and physical irreversibility-are reconsidered within the more comprehensive account of computation that follows from our generalization of the L-machine.
New Issues in Oral Anticoagulants

Polymorphisms in CYP2C9, a critical cytochrome P-450 enzyme in the metabolism of warfarin, alters its clearance and affects dosing. CYP*1 has higher activity than either the *2 or *3 variants, and patients with the *2 or *3 variants require a lower dose. VKORC1 is the enzyme inhibited by warfarin, and its levels are affected by several polymorphisms that can be divided into high or low level haplotypes, and patients with high level haplotypes require higher warfarin doses. The use of algorithms for dosing that incorporate pharmacogenomic information perform better than those using clinical data alone. Considerable effort is ongoing to develop new oral anticoagulants as alternatives to warfarin, and three agents are in advanced development. Dabigatran is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor that has been compared with enoxaparin for prevention of VTE following hip or knee replacement. Based on non-inferiority results in European trials, it has now been approved for marketing in Europe. Phase III trials with a new oral Xa inhibitor, rivaroxaban, have been completed in hip or knee replacement, and rivaroxaban was superior to enoxaparin in prevention of VTE with no increase in bleeding complications. Phase III studies with apixaban, another oral Xa inhibitor, are in progress. These agents are also being evaluated in large studies for prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation and for VTE treatment.
The effect of habitually large protein intake on renal function of strength athletes: an update

Background A quasi-experimental study was performed to evaluate the renal effects of large, chronic protein intakes among strength athletes. Population-specific data are still lacking regarding this cohort of athletes who commonly seek additional protein for performance and body composition purposes. Methods In a design involving self-report, estimated and direct measures, urinary variables of renal function (extrapolated morning fasted- and actual 12-hour creatinine clearance) were assessed via a DCA 2000 urinalysis analyzer (Bayer healthcare, LLC, Elkhart, IN) in Caucasian male strength trainers (N=17) who do (PROT) and do not (CTRL) seek ample protein intake via foods and supplements. Use of fasted urinary Cr values in some creatinine clearance (CrCl) expressions allowed for comparisons beyond spot measures, without interference of daytime meals and mild activities. CrCl was derived as follows: UCr xU vol /P Cr x min. where U = urinary and P = plasma. Direct plasma variables (i.e. a standard “renal panel”) were also measured via commercial techniques (LabCare Plus, Barberton, OH) and compared. Body mass and composition were also assessed via balance scale and dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). All participants abstained from exercise for three days prior to testing. Results Over a reported 9.1+/-6.5 year period, chronic protein intakes (mean+/-SD: PROT 2.5 +/-0.83 g/kg, CTRL 1.27 +/-0.33 g/kg), were greater in the protein seeking group (p < 0.05) as verified by diet logs. Concomitant with significantly greater 12-hour urine output (PROT 1811 +/-896 ml vs. CTRL 1162 +/-447 ml), no statistically significant effects were detected in creatinine clearance extrapolated from fasting urinary Cr values (PROT 255.0 +/-147.9 ml/min*1.73m 2 vs. CTRL 196.5 +/-50.6 ml/min/1.73m 2 )or from actual 12-hour creatinine clearance (PROT 166.0 +/-59.1 ml/min*1.73m 2 vs. CTRL 160.2 +/-38.5 ml/min/m 2 ).Similarly, no differences were observed among serum variables including creatinine, BUN:Cr ratio, sodium, potassium, chloride, anion gap, calcium, albumin, or phosphorus. There was a trend toward higher BUN in PROT (8.8 +/-1.3 mg/dl vs. CTRL 8.4+/-1.8 mg/dl) but this disappeared when normalizing for serum creatinine. Groups did not differ in age but did differ in body mass (PROT 98.3 +/-16.8 kg vs. CTRL 83.3 +/-7.0 kg; p < 0.05) and fat free mass (PROT 79.0 +/-9.9 kg vs. CTRL 68.9 +/-6.7 kg; p < 0.05).
Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia and Peripheral Neuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal Gammopathy, and Skin Changes with a Bleeding Diathesis and Rash

We report a case of a 29-year-old male who presented with paraesthesia and skin lesions with excessive bleeding after skin biopsy leading to hematology consultation. He was found to have prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and monoclonal gammopathy on serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). He experienced excessive bleeding leading to hospitalization after bone marrow biopsy and required blood transfusion. He was diagnosed with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM), based on the presence of IgM-κ type monoclonal (M) protein and infiltration of lymphoplasmacytic cells identified in bone marrow aspirates. He was noticed to have features of peripheral neuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes (POEMS syndrome). This is a very rare case of WM with POEMS syndrome which responded to chemotherapy using bortezomib, steroids, and rituximab.
The instrumental value of conceptual frameworks in educational technology research

Scholars from diverse fields and research traditions agree that the conceptual framework is a critically important component of disciplined inquiry. Yet, there is a pronounced lack of shared understanding regarding the definition and functions of conceptual frameworks, which impedes our ability to design effective research and mentor novice researchers. This paper adopts John Dewey’s instrumental view of theory to discuss the prevalent definitions of a conceptual framework, outline its key functions, dispel the popular misconceptions regarding conceptual frameworks, and suggest strategies for developing effective conceptual frameworks and communicating them to the consumers of research. Examples of hypothetical and existing empirical studies in the field of educational technology are used to illustrate the analysis. It is argued in this article that conceptual frameworks should be viewed as an instrument for organizing inquiry and creating a compelling theory-based and data-driven argument for the importance of the problem, rigor of the method, and implications for further development of theory and enhancement of practice.
Microstructurally engineered p-layers for obtaining high open-circuit voltages in a-Si:H n-i-p solar cells

A study was carded out with the goal of obtaining high open circuit voltages (V/sub oc/) in a-Si:H n-i-p solar cells, taking into account the evolutionary nature of the microstructure of the p-layers during growth. It is found that cells with players in the protocrystalline Si:H growth regime give the highest values of V/sub oc/ not those with microcrystalline Si:H p-layers. Evidence for this conclusion is presented whereby V/sub oc/ is related directly to the microstructure of the p-layers, as characterized using spectroscopic ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, and electrical measurements. The results clarify the origins of (i) inconsistencies associated with attributing high V/sub oc/ in n-i-p cells to the microcrystallinity of the p-layers, as well as (ii) the inability to obtain similarly high values in p-i-n superstrate cells. Because the microstructure of p-type protocrystalline Si:H depends on that of the underlying i-layer, it is not possible to optimize the cell parameters based on an understanding of the process unless detailed characterization of the p-layer in the actual cell configuration is performed.
Effect of coagulation on nutrient and light limitation of an algal bloom

Coagulation is the formation of large particles ‘from multiple collisions of smaller ones. Because larger particles fall faster than smaller ones, coagulation can be important in accelerating the export of organic matter from the ocean’s surface to the deep sea and has the potential to limit phytoplankton populations. We have developed a model of an algal bloom that includes nutrient and light limitation of algal growth rate and coagulation of single algal cells. The results show two effects of coagulation on the growth model. Loss of dividing cells to coagulating particles can occur when algal cells are growing at a fairly constant rate, placing a cap on the concentrations that algae can achieve. The second effect is enhancement of vertical particle flux from the surface mixed layer in aggregates. This enhanced transport moves algal biomass from the surface mixed layer over shorter periods at rates far greater than those associated with settling of single cells. For example, half the material associated with a bloom of 2-pm-radius algae, which would take 350 d to settle out as isolated cells, took 42 d as aggregates. Aggregation was not limited to the large algae, although the rate was slower for the smaller ones. Coagulation was enhanced by higher initial nutrient concentrations, deeper mixed layers, and higher shear rates. Vertical transport associated with aggregation has the potential to be an important mechanism for removing biological material from eutrophic regions.
Design for high-power single-mode operation from 2-D surface-emitting ROW-DFB lasers

Stable single-mode single-lobe operation to high powers is predicted for two-dimensional surface-emitting lasers, if second-order distributed feedback/distributed Bragg reflector (DFB/DBR) gratings are preferentially placed in the elements of a resonant-optical-waveguide array. Beside their usual functions (i.e., feedback and outcoupling), the gratings act as an effective array-mode selector due to different interaction with the gratings of different array modes. The in-phase array mode is strongly favored to lase around its (lateral) resonance due to better field overlap with DFB region and lower interelement absorption loss than for nonresonant array modes. For 20-element arrays with 700/600 /spl mu/m DFB/DBR gratings, emitting at /spl lambda/=0.98 /spl mu/m, high (/spl sim/100 A/cm/sup 2/) intermodal discrimination /spl Delta/J/sub th/ is obtained. /spl Delta/J/sub th/ is enhanced to /spl sim/225 A/cm/sup 2/ by introducing free-carrier absorption in the array-interelement regions.
Physical and genetic characterization of sheared infective SP82 bacteriophage DNA

Abstract The sensitivity of various genetic marker pairs to separation by shear indicates a non-permuted linear structure for the DNA molecule of SP82 phage which is co-linear with the known genetic map. When a solution of SP82 DNA is stirred the initial majority component, 63 s, is broken to 47 s, and at higher speeds to 33 s. Isolated 63 s, 47 s and 33 s molecules are capable of introducing single genetic markers into competent Bacillus subtilis . Comparison of the relative effectiveness of 47 s and 63 s molecules in introducing various linked marker pairs into the cell reveals that markers spanning one region of the genome are unlinked by the first shearing event. This region is close to the center of the genetic map. Examination of the relative activities of 33 s and 47 s molecules suggests two new regions of shear sensitivity. These regions occur on either side of the first shear site and are qualitatively in agreement with the positions expected for “quartering” shear events.
System-on-a-package (SOP) module development for a digital, RF and optical mixed signal integrated system

One highly integrated mixed-signal testbed has been developed to demonstrate the concept and realization of advanced System-on-a-Package concept. This experimental system, called Intelligent Network Communicator (INC), deals with three different status of the signals, digital, RF and optical, in a single packaging platform. The INC transmits and receives the high-speed digital signal and wireless signal over the embedded optical waveguide channel. After three years of development efforts, the system has been fabricated by utilizing advanced packaging and assembly processes and full functionality has been demonstrated successfully. Before the final test, each of the sub-blocks has been separately developed and tested. The test results clearly show that the developed system performance meets the design goals. The digital block generated up to 3.2 Gbps of data stream, the RF block had less than -1.5dB of insertion loss up to 6 GHz and the optical block achieved 10Gbps throughput over the embedded optical waveguide built on the low-cost organic substrate.
Using multi-angle scattered sound to size fish swimbladders

Common current practice in fisheries acoustics is to use sound that has been backscattered at 180° in order to infer parameters of individual or aggregations of animals. This article proposes that there is interesting information that can be obtained by processing scatter from other observation angles. Using a simple one-dimensional model of scatter from a fish swimbladder, an expression is derived that predicts the location of the nulls of the scattered sound as a function of transmit angle, observation angle, and tilt. The model was used retrospectively to compute the size of a swimbladder from an existing data set (that of Foote, K. G. 1985. Rather-high-frequency sound scattering by swimbladdered fish. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 78: 688-700), with good agreement. In order to pursue the development of a pragmatic collection system, a method is suggested that uses a single transmitter with multiple receivers. The locations of the receivers can be determined using a design methodology that considers bandwidth, centre frequency, and the size of the intended object. The method ensures that a spatially unaliased backscattered waveform can be measured over a specified sampling interval. The technique is illustrated with a practical example that uses a small number of receivers, placed in the backscattered hemisphere.
Conductance and capacitance of bilayer protective oxides for silicon water splitting anodes

State-of-the-art silicon water splitting photoelectrochemical cells employ oxide protection layers that exhibit electrical conductance in between that of dielectric insulators and electronic conductors, optimizing both built-in field and conductivity. The SiO2-like layer interposed between a deposited protective oxide film and its Si substrate plays a key role as a tunnel oxide that can dominate the total device impedance. In this report, we investigate the effects of changes in interfacial SiO2 resistance and capacitance in the oxide bilayer through both solid state leakage current and capacitance–voltage measurements and through electrochemical methods applied to water splitting cells. Modelling is performed to describe both types of data in a simple and intuitive way, allowing for insights to be developed into the connections among both the dielectric (charge storage) and conductive (charge transport) properties of bilayer protective oxides and their effects on oxygen evolution performance. Finally, atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 is studied as an insulator layer with conductivity intermediate between that of tunnel oxide SiO2 and the more conductive ALD-TiO2, to further generalize this understanding.
A Logical Approach To The Statement Of Cash Flows

Of the three financial statements in financial reporting, the Statement of Cash Flows (SCF) is perhaps the most challenging. The most difficult aspect of the SCF is in developing an understanding of how previous transactions are finalized in this document. The purpose of this paper is to logically explain the indirect approach of cash flow whereby an understanding is established together with the mechanics of preparing the statement.
CRACKING THE CODE OF EASTER OR, UNDERSTANDING WHY THE DATE OF EASTER "HOPS" ALL OVER THE CALENDARS OF MARCH AND APRIL

Why is it that in most years, but not every year, Western Christians--both Catholic and Protestant--celebrate Easter at least one week before Eastern (Orthodox) Christians? Furthermore, since the Bible portrays the resurrection of Jesus as occurring on the Sunday morning directly after Passover, why is it that in many years both Eastern and Western Christians celebrate Easter more than a week after Passover, or even before Passover? The major key to understanding the cycle of annual dates for Passover, Orthodox Easter, and Western Easter is the Metonic Cycle, and how it was shaped and applied in three different historical contexts. This article seeks to explore the historical genesis of the Metonic Cycle and how it was applied to each of these festivals to yield the results we see today. Kenapa kebanyakan tahun, walaupan bukan setiap tahun, Gereja-gereja barat, yaitu gereja Katolik dan gereja Protestan, merayakan Paskah paling sedikit satu minggu sebelum Paskah Kristen Timur (gereja Ortodoks)? Selanjutnya, karena Alkitab menjelaskan kebangkitan Yesus ditentukan pada pagi hari Minggu langsung setelah Paskah Yahudi, mengapa terkadang orang-orang Kristen Timur dan orang-orang Kristen Barat merayakan Paskah lebih dari satu minggu sesudah Paskah Yahudi, ataupun sebelumnya? Kunci yang paling penting untuk mengerti putaran tanggal ini antara Paskah Yahudi, Paskah gereja Ortodoks, dan Paskah gereja Barat adalah Putaran Metonik, dan bagaimana Putaran ini dibentukan dan diterapkan dalam ketiga konteks historis. Artikel ini mau menyelidiki permulaian Putaran Metonik ini dan bagaimana Putaran ini diterapkan pada setiap festival ini sampai apa yang kita lihat hari ini.
A Sexually Dimorphic Motor Nucleus : Steroid Sensitive Afferents, Sex Differences and Hormonal Regulation

In the past two decades we have seen the development of numerous models for studying sexual differentiation of the nervous system. These include the sexually dimorphic area (SDA) of the hypothalamus in the rat (see Gorski, 1991 for review), ferret (Tobet et al., 1986) and gerbil (Commins and Yahr, 1984), the vocal control system in song birds (Notebohm and Arnold, 1976; see also Arnold, 1985 and Konishi, 1985 for reviews) and the sexually dimorphic motor nuclei of the lower lumbar cord (see Rand and Breedlove, 1988 for review). Each model offers specific advantages and each comes with its own limitations. We have chosen to focus on the sexually dimorphic motor nuclei of the lower lumbar cord, the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) and the dorsolateral nucleus (DLN). The SNB has served as an excellent model for the study of sexual differentiation in the central nervous system because the SNB is sexually dimorphic, motoneurons of the male SNB concentrate androgens, and the development of the SNB is dependent on the presence of gonadal steroids during perinatal life. In addition, the SNB contains a limited number of cells that can be easily identified, counted and labelled. In this regard, examining the supraspinal afferents to the SNB as a model for sexual dimorphism in the CNS is important to the understanding of neural circuits involving steroid sensitive neurons and how they may regulate sexually dimorphic behaviors.
Share Repurchases as Signals in Banking: Do They Work?

The fundamental premise of corporate finance is that the decisions of the managers (agents) should lead to value maximization for their shareholders (principals). When firms have excess cash flow, managers have to choose among the various alternatives for use of the funds, i.e., investments, operations, and cash payout (dividends and repurchases). The principal mechanisms used by firms to distribute excess cash flow and avoid agency conflict are dividends and share repurchases, with an increasing percentage going to repurchases. This study examines the use of share repurchases by banking firms to signal the market about future operating performance (signaling hypothesis), and to reduce agency conflicts (cash flow hypothesis). Previous empirical studies in the non-financial sector have shown weak support for signaling hypothesis and strong support for cash flow hypothesis. The results of this study show strong support for cash flow hypothesis, similar to the non-financial sector. However, the use of repurchase as signal by banking firms does not coincide with superior future performance, contradicting the results obtained in the non-financial sector. This study also examined the data on the banking firm's operating performance relative to its record of satisfying prior repurchase commitments before announcing new programs (time inconsistency hypothesis) during the study period. The results of the analysis do not support time inconsistency hypothesis, contradicting the results in the non-financial sector.
Re-Envisioning Tarascan Temporalities and Landscapes: Historical Being, Archaeological Representation, and Futurity in Past Social Processes.

We apply a phenomenological perspective on landscape and geographic information system (GIS) applications in order to theorize how human perception and agency were likely implicated in processes of the formation of the late pre-Hispanic Tarascan State of West Central Mexico. The relatedness of landscape features in space or place-based perception has been well theorized; here, we further consider the relationality of places through time. In the changing landscape of the Lake Patzcuaro Basin, the demographic and political core of the Tarascan State, temporality must have been vitally important to inhabitants of the basin. Utilizing GIS, we construct not only map-based analyses of the changing environment but also create viewsheds of past landscapes in order to see what past inhabitants of the basin would have seen in order to demonstrate that temporality would have been easily mapped in the landscape and its features. Finally, we discuss the role of temporality and cultural memory in an embodied landscape to model the various lake levels that past peoples could have anticipated through time based on their perceptions and memories.
In vivo imaging of microglia turnover in the mouse retina after ionizing radiation and dexamethasone treatment.

Purpose Gamma irradiation and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are established clinical procedures for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. The radiation targets cells in the bone marrow, but injury to other tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS), have been reported. Here, we examine if anti-inflammatory treatment can mitigate the radiation-induced turnover of retinal microglia and the replacement by bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs). Methods Two-color chimeric mice were generated by lethal irradiation of heterozygous CX3CR1-GFP mice that express GFP in microglial cells and bone marrow transplantation from universal DsRed donor mice. Mice were treated with the corticosteroid dexamethasone; a control group received no dexamethasone treatment. The populations of resident microglia (GFP+) and BMDCs (DsRed+) were quantified by serial in vivo imaging for 10 weeks after irradiation with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope that we custom-built specifically for multicolor imaging of the murine retina. Results Ionizing radiation resulted in loss of 75% of the resident retinal microglia population after 70 days. Recruitment of BMDCs was delayed with respect to the microglia loss, resulting in a transient depletion of the total immune cell number in the retina. With dexamethasone treatment, both the loss of the resident microglia and the infiltration of BMDCs were suppressed by at least 50%. Conclusions Anti-inflammatory treatment with the corticosteroidal agent dexamethasone preserves resident microglia and minimizes recruitment of BMDCs after ionizing radiation exposure and BMT.
A combustor model for control oriented simulation of combustion instabilities

This paper describes the development and application of a theoretical model of an actively controlled combustor. The main objective of the study was to develop a model that could be used as a platform for studying closed loop control of unstable combustors. The model uses a heuristic approach and global kinetics to describe mixing and combustion processes in a one dimensional gaseous combustor. Initially, the model is used to investigate a combustor's response to open loop excitation by periodic fuel injection. The predicted amplitude of the excited combustor pressure oscillation decreases with increase in the frequency of fuel pulsation and is in good agreement with experimental data. Next, closed loop control is studied. The investigated controller determines the characteristics of the most unstable mode in real time and damps the instability by modulating the injection rate of a fraction of the injected fuel to excite a secondary combustion process within the combustor out of phase with respect to the most unstable mode of pressure oscillations. Results showing the dependence of the controller's performance upon the secondary fuel flow rate and the time delay involved in implementing the control signal are presented.
Highly nonlinear wave solutions in a dual to the chiral model

We consider a two-dimensional scalar field theory with a nilpotent current algebra, which is dual to the Principal Chiral Model. The quantum theory is renormalizable and not asymptotically free: the theory is strongly coupled at short distances (encountering a Landau pole). We suggest it can serve as a toy model for $\lambda\phi^{4}$ theory in four dimensions, just as the principal chiral model is a useful toy model for Yang-Mills theory. We find some classical wave solutions that survive the strong coupling limit and quantize them by the collective variable method. They describe excitations with an unusual dispersion relation $\omega\propto|k|^{\frac{2}{3}}$ . Perhaps they are the "preons" at strong coupling, whose bound states form massless particles over long distances.
“Non-strategic” Eastern Europe and the fate of the humanities

Until recent events intervened, Eastern European Studies found themselves under attack at my home university and other institutions for being, among other things, “non-strategic.” We see the same notion, if not the same terminology, applied increasingly to the humanities and non-quantitative social sciences, which lose ground daily to the so-called STEM disciplines in both educational policy and practice. How do we defend the study of Eastern European literature and culture in the current academic climate? This essay defends the centrality both of literary and Eastern European studies in the twenty-first-century curriculum.
Ethics at the Margins of Viability

In this article, I discuss traditional philosophical descriptions of how to approach the ethical dilemmas presented by infants born at the margins of viability (currently, 23–24 weeks’ gestation). I then juxtapose these philosophical approaches to what might be called evidence-based ethics, in which the evidence in question is the predictive power of physicians to counsel parents regarding the likely outcome of these infants either before or after delivery. I suggest that the predictive power of data available before delivery are insufficient to allow a rational best-interests decision to be made, and that data available after birth promote a more nuanced approach to ethical decision-making for this difficult problem.
Cross resistance of beta-cypermethrin resistant Musca domestica strains to several kinds of insecticides

Objective To explore the beta-cypermethrin resistance Musca domestica strains development and cross resistance to the other three insecticides,and supply evidence for using insecticides reasonably.Methods Topical application method was used.Results The resistance ratio of Musca domestica to beta-cypermethrin increased to 152.907 9 times after 26 generations'selection,and the ratio of cross resistance to deltamethrin was 44.819 6,there was significant cross resistance,multiple resistance to DDVP was 8.789 9,cross resistance was not obvious,multiple cross resistance to propoxur was 0.607 4 with negative cross resistance.Conclusion Long-term use of the same insecticide will result in resistance and also cross resistance to other insecticides.It is necessary to pay attention to the choice of insecticide kinds.
235 WHAT IS THE OUTCOME OF INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR HEART & LUNG TRANSPLANTATION GRADE 1A/1B REJECTIONS UNDER VARIOUS IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE REGIMENS?

The outcome of untreated mild rejection on endomyocardial biopsy may differ depending on specific immunosuppressive regimens. In addition, there is concern that ISHLT grade IB rejection does progress to a more severe form of rejection compared to ISHLT grade IA rejection. We reviewed 4,398 endomyocardial biopsies between January 1998 and December 2003 to assess the outcome of grade IA and IB rejections. There were 551 biopsies with grade IA rejection and 43 biopsies with grade IB rejections. These endomyocardial biopsies were divided into those on treatment with cyclosporine (CsA, n = 279) regimens and tacrolimus (Tac, n = 272) regimens. Between the two groups for 1A rejections, there were similar percentages of endomyocardial biopsies in both groups who cleared (CsA 91.0%, Tac 91.1%, p = .19), had persistent ISHLT grade rejection (CsA 7.1%, Tac 7.0%, p = .48), or progressed to a more severe form of rejection in follow-up endomyocardial biopsy (CsA 2.1%, Tac 2.0%, p = .28). For endomyocardial biopsies with 1B rejections, there were similar percentages of biopsies in both groups who cleared (CsA 97.7%, Tac 64.3%, p = .63), had persistent ISHLT grade rejection (CsA 0%, Tac 0%, p = 1.0), or progressed to a more severe form of rejection (CsA 2.3%, Tac 2.3%, p = .63). Endomyocardial biopsies were obtained while patients were treated with CsA and Tac, both in combination with azathioprine (n = 369) or mycophenolate mofetil (n = 112) or sirolimus (n = 100). There was no difference in outcomes for any specific immunosuppressive regimens for both grade 1A and 1B rejections. Conclusion ISHLT grade 1A and 1B rejections are similar in outcomes and progress to a more severe rejection in a small minority of patients regardless of immunosuppression regimens. Therefore, continued nontreatment with follow-up biopsies only is warranted.
AN APPROACH TO SAFETY INSPECTION BEFORE ISTALLATION OF BOILERS IN THERMAL POWER PLANTS

The inspection range before installation of boilers,including steam drum,header,main pipelines of feed-water,piping system of the heating surface,and load-bearing structures etc.,has been presented.The focal points of inspection for steam drums and headers have to concentrated to angle welding seams on tubes' sockets;for the piping system of heating surfaces,attention has to be paid to non-circularity and wall-thickness of the tube bends;the defects existing on main pipelines of feed-water can be discovered through macroscopic inspection,and the problem of exceeding set standard for wall-thickness can be discovered through wall-thickness measurement;for load-bearing structures,attention has to be paid to prevention of blowhole defects occurred during the time of welding.The sequence and focal points etc.of inspection have been summarized up.