cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parametric studies of adaptive optics by self-interference incoherent digital holography

Adaptive optics (AO) in astronomical imaging is a technique to improve the quality of image by compensating aberrations induced by atmospheric turbulence. Digital holographic AO (DHAO) is one attractive option to implement AO scheme because it is capable of directly measuring the phase profile of aberration without complicated calculation or loss of resolution of CCD. Hence, if applicable, DHAO is expected to have advantages over traditional AO systems. Recent development of self-interference incoherent digital holography (SIDH) makes it possible to apply the concept of DHAO for an astronomical application where the illumination is incoherent and cannot be controlled. We have investigated the image characteristics according to various parameters of SIDH AO to derive optimum condition or design of the system. We observe not only well-known super-resolution property of SIDH but also interesting and significant improvement of noise behavior by aberration compensation. Because of many beneficial features, we expect that SIDH AO will be a useful tool for astronomical imaging.
Failure and success in self‐help groups for victims of professional sexual exploitation

The recent proliferation of self-help groups is a widespread phenomenon in the United States (Gartner & Reissman, 1984; Powell, 1987). Much of the literature on this subject is in the advocacy genre; it describes the self-help movement in glowing terms. Some of the work deals specifically with the experiences of those who have set up various self-help and support groups and advises others how to do so (e.g., Katz et al., 1992). Another part of the literature describes the relationship between professionals and self-help groups, and focuses on maximizing the benefits of that relationship (e.g., Powell, 1987, 1990). Relatively little of the literature is devoted to an examination of the success or failure of self-help groups. In fact, the terms “success” or “failure” are rarely used. We appear to be reluctant to examine the possibility that self-help groups, which seem so beneficial to the average person, could be less than an unmitigated success. By contrast, this article will examine the meanings of failure and success as they affect a number of self-help groups organized around the problem of professional sexual exploitation.
Left ventricular assist device as bridge to transplantation does not adversely affect one-year heart transplantation survival.

Objective Left ventricular assist devices are increasingly used as a bridge to transplantation. It remains unclear whether the use of pretransplant left ventricular assist devices adversely affects short-term survival after cardiac transplantation. Methods A retrospective review of 317 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac transplantation at an academic center between 1986 and 2006 was undertaken. Left ventricular assist devices were used pretransplant in 23 of these 317 patients, and 294 patients did not require left ventricular assist device support. Patients with a left ventricular assist device were supported with a Heartmate VE or Heartmate XVE (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, Calif). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were compared between the left ventricular assist device group and the non-left ventricular assist device group using the log-rank test. In addition, occurrence of death was analyzed between the 2 groups with a chi-square analysis. The results are expressed as 1-year survival with 95% confidence intervals in parentheses. Results The 1-year survival for all 317 patients was 0.86 (0.82–0.90). The patient survival for the group without a left ventricular assist device before cardiac transplant was 0.87 (0.83–0.90), and the survival for the group with a left ventricular assist device as bridge to transplantation was 0.83 (0.67–0.98; P = .77). For the deaths that occurred in all 317 patients, 19% of the patients without left ventricular assist devices died within 30 days of transplant, whereas 80% of the patients with left ventricular assist devices died within 30 days of transplant ( P Conclusion When used as a bridge to transplantation, left ventricular assist devices do not compromise 1-year survival after cardiac transplantation. Of the patients who die after transplantation, patients bridged with left ventricular assist devices are at higher risk for death within 30 days of transplant. These data suggest that left ventricular assist devices as a bridge to transplantation should be considered for appropriately selected patients awaiting cardiac transplantation.
The spatial extent of contaminants and the landscape scale: An analysis of the wildlife, conservation biology, and population modeling literature

Many contaminant releases to the terrestrial environment are of small areal extent. Thus, rather than evaluating the ecological impact on species in the immediate vicinity of the release, it may be more ecologically meaningful to determine if population impacts occur at the landscape level. In order to do this, the cumulative impact of all releases in the landscape under consideration must be evaluated. If the release sites are viewed as localized areas that are no longer available for use by ecological receptors (i.e., no longer part of the habitat), this can be thought of as a form of habitat fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation is typically viewed as the loss of large areas of habitat within a landscape, leaving small isolated patches of intact habitat within a hostile matrix. Small-scale contaminant releases, on the other hand, result in small uninhabitable areas within a primarily intact habitat. With this consideration in mind, we analyzed the wildlife and conservation biology literature to determine if information on habitat size requirements such as home-range or critical patch size could inform us about the potential for impact at the landscape level from release sites based on the size of the release alone. We determined that evaluating the impact of release size had to be conducted within a contextual basis (considering the existing state of the landscape). Therefore, we also reviewed the population modeling literature to determine if models could be developed to further evaluate the impact of the spatial extent of chemical releases on the landscape. We identified individual-based models linked to geographic information systems to have the greatest potential in investigating the role of release size with respect to population impacts at the landscape level.
Hashing Schemes for Extendible Arrays

The use of hashing schemes for storing extendible arrays is investigated. It is shown that extendible hashing schemes whose worst-case access behavior is close to optimal must utilize storage inefficiently; conversely hashing schemes that utilize storage too conservatively are inevitably poor in expected access time. If requirements for the utilization of storage are relaxed slightly, then one can find rather efficient extendible hashing schemes. Specifically, for any dimensionality of arrays, one can find extendible hashing schemes which at once utilize storage well (fewer than 2p storage locations need be set aside for storing arrays having p or fewer positions) and enjoy good access characteristics (expected access time is O(1), and worst-case access time is O(log log p) for p- or fewer-position arrays). Moreover, at the cost of only a modest additive increase in access time, storage demands can be decreased to (1 + d)p locations for arbitrary d > 0.
X-ray diffractometric study of microcrystallite size of naturally colored cottons

Cellulose crystallite sizes of naturally green and brown cottons as well as of white undyed and dyed cotton were studied by using X-ray diffractometry. Data were analyzed both by a peak stripping method using the program WinFit and by whole profile matching using the FullProf program. The fit obtained with WinFit agreed with the results from the FullProf except for a small difference centered on the 002 reflection. Crystallite sizes of white and colored cottons were estimated by the full-width-at- half-minimum (FWHM) method, and the results showed that compared to the white cotton, the crystallite sizes of green and brown cottons based on the 101 and 002 reflections were found to be comparable, whereas smaller 101¯ crystallite sizes were observed. After dyeing, the crystallite size of dyed brown cotton displayed a slight increase in the 002 crystallite size compared to that of the undyed white cottons. The average crystallite size of 101, 101¯, and 002 for each cotton determined by the WinFit program was comparable to that estimated by the FullProf program. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1466–1471, 2000
Cognitive access algorithms for multiple access channels

This paper considers a multiple access fading channel where each terminal has a different belief about the channel states and adapts its transmission policy to the belief. In this setting, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and channel aware random access (RA) are two special cases. To find solutions for general cases, we formulate the problem as a Bayesian game in which each terminal maximizes the expected utility based on its belief. We show that optimal solutions for both FDMA and RA are equilibrium points of the game. Therefore, the proposed game theoretic formulation can be regarded as general framework for multiple access channels. Furthermore, we develop a cognitive access algorithm that solves the problem approximately. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm achieves good performance and is adaptable to different levels of channel beliefs.
Predicting Orientation Selectivity in Primary Visual Cortex

Orientation specific cells in V1 organize themselves in either swaths of similar-orientation preferring clusters (iso-orientation domains) or in distinctive singularities where cells representing 180-degrees of orientation specificity center themselves about a blob (pinwheels). The gradient (0 to 180-degrees) of the orientation-specific cells are organized in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. However, pinwheels and iso-orientation domains develop with some level of stochasticity, which many computational models have attempted to explain. While many good models exist, our goal was to develop a biologically plausible model incorporating a three-layer approach (representing retina, LGN, and cortex), presynaptic competition for resources, diffusive cooperation of near neighbor cells and corresponding lateral connections, maintenance of retinotopic mapping, and a capped synaptic load per neuron.
Theoretical studies of chiral adsorption on solid surfaces

Many phenomena can occur when chiral molecules adsorb on solids. Density Functional Theory calculations have provided information that strongly complements experimental studies. Advances have been made in two related avenues for creating surface chirality: adsorption of modifiers on achiral surfaces and adsorption on intrinsically chiral metal surfaces.
cis‐Fatty acids, which activate protein kinase C, attenuate Na+ and Ca2+ currents in mouse neuroblastoma cells.

1. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol esters or diacylglycerols has been shown to modulate a number of ionic currents carried by Ca2+, K+ and Cl-. Recently, it has been demonstrated that PKC may be activated by cis-fatty acids in the absence of either phospholipid or Ca2+. We wished to determine if this new class of PKC-activating compound would also modulate ionic currents. To this end we applied the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique to N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells. 2. Analysis of families of currents evoked under voltage clamp by depolarizing steps from a holding potential of -85 mV during external application of 5 microM-oleate (a cis-fatty acid) showed a 36% reduction of the peak inward current with no shift in either the peak or the reversal potential of the current-voltage relation and no alteration of outward current. 3. External application of the cis-fatty acids oleate, linoleate and linolenate reversibly attenuated voltage-dependent Na+ current with approximate half-maximal dose values of 2, 3, and 10 microM respectively. Oleate was approximately 2 times more potent when applied internally (ED50 = 1 microM). Externally applied elaidate (a trans-isomer of oleate) and stearate (a saturated fatty acid) which do not activate PKC, had no effect. Since cis-fatty acids are known to fluidize membranes, as well as to activate PKC, we sought to dissociate these functions by applying compounds that fluidize membranes but do not activate PKC: methyloleate and lysophosphatidylcholine. Neither compound affected Na+ current when applied externally at concentrations of 1-50 microM. 4. In contrast to cis-fatty acids, three classical PKC activators, phorbol-12.13-dibutyrate (PDB), phorbol-12.13-diacetate (PDA), and 1.2-oleoylacetylglycerol (OAG) were found to have no effect on the voltage-dependent Na+ current when applied externally at 10 nM-1 microM (phorbol esters) or 1-150 microM (OAG) for incubation periods up to 1 h. 5. External application of the PKC inhibitors polymyxin B, H-7, sphingosine and staurosporine blocked the attenuation of the Na+ current by cis-fatty acid in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal inhibition occurring at doses of 50, 10, 200 and 0.1 microM, respectively. The cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase inhibitor H-8 was much less effective in blocking the cis-fatty acid effect. Polymyxin B and staurosporine were more potent when applied internally. 6. Chronic (24 h) exposure to 1 microM phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) was employed to down-regulate PKC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Binary Malachite Green Aptamer for Fluorescent Detection of Nucleic Acids

A new probe that can fluorescently report the presence of specific nucleic acids in solution with extremely high selectivity was developed. The probe consists of malachite greena triphenylmethane dyeand two short RNA strands, each of which comprises a fragment complementary to an analyte molecule and a fragment of a malachite green aptamer (MGA). The two RNA strands form MGA upon hybridization to the adjacent positions of the nucleic acid analyte. MGA is able to bind malachite green and enhance the fluorescence of the dye, thus monitoring the presence of the nucleic acid in solution. The probe reliably discriminates against 41 out of 42 possible single nucleotide substitutions in 14-mer DNA analyte at room temperature in physiological buffer. Consisting of unmodified RNA strands, which can be expressed in living cells, binary MGA probe represents a promising instrument for real-time nucleic acid monitoring in vivo.
Influences of Maternal Corticosterone and Selection for Contrasting Adrenocortical Responsiveness in Japanese Quail on Developmental Instability of Female Progeny

Differences in developmental instability were assessed in female offspring of Japanese quail hens selected for reduced (low stress, LS) or exaggerated (high stress, HS) plasma corticosterone (B) response to stress and treated with a placebo or B during egg formation. Hens of each line were implanted (s.c.) with either a silastic tube containing no B (controls) or one filled with B. Female chicks hatched from each of the 4 line x implant treatment combinations were retained for examination of 3 bilateral traits at 130 d of age: length of the tibiotarsus, middle toe length, and distance between the auditory canal and the nares (face length, FL). Greater bilateral trait size variances were associated with measurement of tibiotarsus length (P LS) found previously in males and herein in females may simply reflect the differential responsiveness of the birds to chronic social and physical environmental stressors. In addition, the present study detected more (albeit marginally so, P < 0.06) bilateral variability (i.e., heightened FA) in FL of quail hatched from mothers treated with B, a finding entirely due to the very high FL variance observed in the female offspring of B-treated HS hens. Because others have found in ovo B treatment to be associated with heightened FA in chick tarsus bone length and because we have also demonstrated that greater yolk B deposition occurs in eggs from both unstressed and stressed HS quail hens than their LS counterparts, the present maternal B treatment may be acting independently, or in combination with HS genomic effects, to adversely affect developmental stability.
Statistical surface physics: a perspective via computer simulation of microclusters, interfaces and simple films

Surveys selected computer simulations or 'experiments' relating to the statistical physics of surface phenomena. An introduction to the Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulation techniques is presented, followed by chosen computer simulation applications which have been done mainly at the IBM Research Laboratory over the last several years. The examples are taken from studies of the structure and thermodynamics of microclusters, liquid-vapour and liquid-solid interfaces, and two-dimensional simple films. An attempt is also made to provide an introductory theoretical framework for describing or understanding certain relevant features of a given simulation study. An up-to-date bibliography of the various topics is given at the conclusion.
Semantic and Phonemic Listener Confusions in a Case of Isolated Congenital Aglossia

This article is the second in a series that examines the intelligibility of a person with congenital aglossia (PWCA). Specific factors examined in this study included (a) intelligibility for meanin...
Implementation of a closed-loop CD and overlay controller for sub-0.25-μm patterning

The traditional approach for CD and overlay control in lithography has been based upon statistical control of the critical inputs to the lithographic process. This SPC approach has the disadvantage that the process equipment must be taken out of manufacturing whenever a parameter goes out of control, so that the root cause may be diagnosed and addressed. In the case of leading-edge lithography, it is often not trivial to determine the cause of such disturbances, and productivity can be greatly increased if output data is used to dynamically tune the system inputs. We have successfully implemented a fully automated, closed-loop CD and overlay control system in manufacturing for both I-line and DUV lithography. This system features automatic metrology data upload, host control of stepper/track clusters, and utilizes tool-based lot data for manipulation of future lot inputs. CD control to within 1 nm of target and less than 20 nm 3(sigma) lot to lot variability has been demonstrated. Mean overlay errors of less than 50 nm have been realized as well. Process C pk values were improved in some cases by more than 50% with implementation of the controller.
Nonlinear Instability of a Forced Baroclinic Rossby Wave.

The nonlinear instability of forced baroclinic Rossby waves to finite-amplitude perturbations was investigated using a simple two-layer quasi-geostrophic weakly nonlinear model and a low-order spectral model, developed for this purpose. The results were applied to a study of the interaction of planetary-scale stationary eddies with synoptic-scale transient eddies. A comparison of the energetics of the weakly nonlinear solution with that seen in observational analysis and in GCM experiments indicate three basic properties of the interaction between the two types of eddies: (1) eddy available potential energy is transferred from the planetary-scale stationary eddies to the synoptic-scale transient eddies, (2) eddy kinetic energy is transferred in the opposite direction, and (3) the eddy available potential energy transfer dominates the transfer of eddy kinetic energy. It is concluded that the simple weakly nonlinear model used in these studies does indeed capture much of the fundamental behavior of wave-wave interactions seen in the atmosphere.
The structure of single word and continuous word associations

Summary Twenty Ss were given the task of associating continuously to stimulus words drawn from the Russell-Jenkins list (1954) . The associations were categorized in accordance with a system developed by Laffal, 1960 , Laffal, 1961 . Responses to these same stimulus words obtained by Russell and Jenkins were similarly categorized. For each stimulus word in single and continuous word association, a profile of responses by categories was drawn up. Overlap coefficients were computed for every pair of profiles, and the matrices of overlap coefficients for single word and continuous word association were factor analyzed. There were five factors common to the single word and continuous word associations, and a sixth factor which appeared only in the continuous word associations. The similarities and differences in underlying category structure of single word and continuous word associations were discussed in terms of certain features of the association tasks.
The subject of the scourge: questioning implications from natural embryo loss.

Changing ingrained ways of thinking about the moral status of members of our species is often a difficult business—in no small part because of often counterintuitive social implications. When argui...
Norepinephrine and serotonin release upon impact injury to rat spinal cord.

ABSTRACT Microdialysis sampling was used to characterize the release of norepinephrine and serotonin upon impact injury to the rat spinal cord. Increases in extracellular norepinephrine concentrati...
Accretion disks in low-mass X-ray binaries

In this paper we review recent developments in our knowledge of accretion disks in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). We discuss some common behavior between the disks in cataclysmic variables and LMXBs, especially among those systems with high mass ratios. We consider ellipsoidal variability of soft X-ray transients (SXTs: transient LMXBs) in quiescence, and discuss the evidence for transient disk contamination of the light curves of these objects. We then show how optical photometry of SXTs in both outburst and quiescence can place useful constraints on the mass of the compact object in these binaries. Finally we present new results on the accretion disk structures of AC 211 in M15 and X 1916-05. We show that considerable evidence now exists for sizable disk structure displaced about 180 deg from the secondary: the origin of this structure is as yet unknown.
Optical alignment of high resolution Fourier transform spectrometers

Remote sensing, high resolution FTS instruments often contain three primary optical subsystems: Fore-Optics, Interferometer Optics, and Post, or Detector Optics. We discuss the alignment of a double-pass FTS containing a cat's-eye retro-reflector. Also, the alignment of fore-optics containing confocal paraboloids with a reflecting field stop which relays a field image onto a camera is discussed.
Psychometric properties of the impact of events scale in traumatized Cambodian refugee youth

Abstract The objective to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Impact of Events Scale (IES), in a sample of Khmer adolescent refugee youth. The IES was administered to 180 Khmer refugee youths as part of a comprehensive diagnostic assessment to determine the aftermath of war trauma. Validation or criterion in childhood diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder were also generated using an interview format with the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA). Analytic studies of reliability, content, construct and criterion validity as well as screening characteristics were undertaken. The three factor solution from a reported Caucasian study of traumatized youth was replicated in this sample of Cambodian youth. All but 2 of the 15 items of the IES significantly discriminated Cambodian youth diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from those not so diagnosed. The IES showed only a modest ability to accurately screen for the diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder itself. The IES appears to function adequately as a self report measure of trauma in this sample of non-Caucasian youth. However, it should not be used as a substitute for a full assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Challenges in process marginality for advanced technology nodes and tackling its contributors

Process margin is getting critical in the present node shrinkage scenario due to the physical limits reached (Rayleigh’s criterion) using ArF lithography tools. K1 is used to its best for better resolution and to enhance the process margin (28nm metal patterning k1=0.31). In this paper, we would like to give an overview of various contributors in the advanced technology nodes which limit the process margins and how the challenges have been tackled in a modern foundry model. Advanced OPC algorithms are used to make the design content at the mask optimum for patterning. However, as we work at the physical limit, critical features (Hot-spots) are very susceptible to litho process variations. Furthermore, etch can have a significant impact as well. Pattern that still looks healthy at litho can fail due to etch interactions. This makes the traditional 2D contour output from ORC tools not able to predict accurately all defects and hence not able to fully correct it in the early mask tapeout phase. The above makes a huge difference in the fast ramp-up and high yield in a competitive foundry market. We will explain in this paper how the early introduction of 3D resist model based simulation of resist profiles (resist top-loss, bottom bridging, top-rounding, etc.,) helped in our prediction and correction of hot-spots in the early 28nm process development phase. The paper also discusses about the other overall process window reduction contributors due to mask 3D effects, wafer topography (focus shifts/variations) and how this has been addressed with different simulation efforts in a fast and timely manner.
Insurance plan effects on dental provider treatment patterns for elderly patients. An experimental economics approach.

Three hundred forty-six dentists, randomly selected from the population of Washington State Dental Association members, volunteered to participate in a controlled experiment of treatment planning for elderly patients. Experimental oral health problems were designed that conform to the prevailing actual distribution of dental and related systemic disease among the elderly population of the United States. Each volunteer dentist constructed two treatment plans for the presenting dental problem: 1) a treatment plan to optimize oral health, ignoring the hypothetical patient's financial status and insurance coverage; and 2) a treatment plan given the particular dental insurance plan and patient financial status incorporated in the case. Results suggest that increasingly comprehensive insurance coverage does not necessarily lead to uniform, monotonic increases in total dental expenditures. Rather, the incremental substitution of different services for one another appears to be the dominant effect of increased coverage, with the singular exception of coverage for fixed prosthodontia . The key implication of these findings is that careful design of improved insurance benefit plans for the elderly could widen the range of dental services provided without necessarily increasing total treatment cost.
Transcription of the triose-phosphate-isomerase gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe initiates from a start point different from that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Gene tpi , encoding the glycolytic enzyme triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe was cloned by complementation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae tpil mutant. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cloned gene revealed a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein 59% homologous to S. cerevisiae TPI. The gene has a very high codon usage bias. Messenger RNA synthesis initiates at two points located 38 and 44 nucleotides downstream from a TATA box promoter sequence. In S. cerevisiae , transcription of this S. pombe gene initiates about 26 nucleotides downstream from the S. pombe start points. This observation indicates that the two yeasts have diverged in the mechanism which determines the 5′ end of the messenger RNA relative to the TATA box. It appears that in some respects the transcription initiation mechanism of S. pombe more closely resembles that of higher eukaryotes than does the S. cerevisiae mechanism.
Differential tissue regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in experimental diabetes mellitus in the rat.

The expression and regulation of IGF-I is tissue-specific in diabetes mellitus in the rat. These studies were designed to examine if similar tissue specificity exists for IGF-BPs in the diabetic milieu. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single i.p. injection of STZ (100 mg/kg body weight). Rats were treated with either vehicle--insulin, vanadate, or phlorizin for 7-14 days. Tissues were analyzed for IGF-BPs by ligand blotting and by affinity cross-linking and immunoprecipitation. In liver tissue from nondiabetic control rats, multiple forms of IGF-BPs were noted, ranging from 48,000 to 25,000 M(r). In diabetic rat liver tissue, the 25,000-M(r) form was unchanged, whereas the higher M(r) forms (48,000-42,000 M(r)) were decreased, and the 30,000-M(r) form was increased. Insulin therapy of diabetic rats decreased all forms to below control levels. In the kidney tissue of control rats, faint IGF-BP bands were seen at 30,000 and 25,000 M(r). In diabetic rat kidney tissue, the 30,000-M(r) form again was increased (as in liver) and restored to control levels with insulin therapy. In contrast, only a 30,000-M(r) band was seen in control pituitary tissue, which was slightly increased in the diabetic rats and also was decreased below control levels by insulin. In hypothalamus and cerebral cortex tissue, bands at 30,000 and 25,000 M(r) were noted, and neither was altered by diabetes or insulin treatment. Treatment of diabetic rats with vanadate and phlorizin resulted in comparable blood glucose levels, which were only slightly higher than those achieved with insulin therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Polygonal Harmonics of Silhouettes: Shape analysis

One well documented method for finding the fractal dimension of a silhouette involves approximating the silhouette with polygons which have all but one side equal and the vertices of which fall upon the silhouette edge. These are constructed using a divider stepping method or a computer algorithm which mimics this process. If one does not complete the polygon with an unequal side, as is usually done, but continues the analysis by stepping around the silhouette several times, the dividers start to „walk in their own footsteps” and describe an equilateral polygon in the silhouette. These phenomena, termed polygonal harmonics, are examined and discussed in detail. A rule is developed for harmonic stability and specific cases of the circle, triangle and smooth curves are examined to gain insight into the convergence process.
Exchange Kinetics in Spherical Geometry

The decay of the surface concentration Γ(t) of polymers undergoing exchange kinetics between a spherical adsorbent and the bulk solution is studied. The influence of bulk diffusion and the radius R...
Informed consent for research: current practices in academic emergency medicine.

Background: The emergency department (ED) environment presents unique barriers to the process of obtaining informed consent for research. Objectives: The objective was to identify commonalities and differences in informed consent practices for research employed in academic EDs. Methods: Between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, an online survey was sent to the research directors of 142 academic emergency medicine (EM) residency training programs identified through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Results: Seventy-one (50%) responded. The average number of simultaneous clinical ED-based research projects reported was 7.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.53 to 9.07). Almost half (49.3%) of respondents reported that EM residents are responsible for obtaining consent. Twenty-nine (41.4%) participating institutions do not require documentation of an individual resident’s knowledge of the specific research protocol and consent procedure before he or she is allowed to obtain consent from research subjects. Conclusions: It is common practice in academic EDs for clinical investigators to rely on on-duty health care personnel to obtain research informed consent from potential research subjects. This practice raises questions regarding the sufficiency of the information received by research subjects, and further study is needed to determine the compliance of this consent process with federal guidelines.
Testing: Exploring the WISC‐III as a measure of giftedness∗

This study investigated patterns of WISC‐III IQ subtest scores for gifted children. Subtest scatter of WISC‐III scores occurred with greater frequency in a gifted sample than for subjects reported in the test manual's normative sample. Variability from the subtest mean of the gifted was most evident on Similarities, Comprehension, Coding, and Symbol Search. The extent of subtest scatter and its pattern on the WISC‐III was similar to typical patterns of highs and lows found for gifted children on the WISC‐R with one notable exception. There was a marked lack of strength in Block Design, previously seen as a peak subtest for gifted students when assessed with the WISC‐R.
Detection, Distribution, and Quantification of Silicon in Floricultural Crops utilizing Three Distinct Analytical Methods

Silicon (Si) detection, distribution, and quantification in plants was compared using electron beam analysis (EBA; scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray analysis), colorimetric analysis, and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES) in 14 economically important floriculture species. Using EBA, Si was identified most commonly around the base of trichomes and along the leaf margins. The ICP‐OES processing and analysis for Si using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) resulted in damaged torches and microwavable Teflon® vessels that required expensive replacement at the end of each run, but this was not the case in the colorimetric method or with a potassium hydroxide (KOH)–based matrix in the ICP‐OES. The results of these analyses suggest there is agreement between quantification methods, and EBA has a lower detection limit of about 300 mg kg−1 dry weight of Si. Several new floriculture species (zinnia, impatiens, verbena, and calibrachoa) were identified that take up...
A novel approach to determine docking locations using fuzzy logic and shape determination

The determination of whether a molecule can bind or ”dock” a protein to a certain site depends on the orientation of the molecules, the charge of the atoms that comprise the molecules, and the electrical potential of the proposed area. It is said that a fundamental problem with molecular docking is that the orientation space itself is very large and grows in a combinatorial manner with the number of degrees of freedom of the interacting molecules. We tried to cleverly solve this problem by using shape definitions and fuzzy logic to help reduce the search size of possible docking locations and predict which locations and orientations are the most likely docking locations.
Asynchronous policy evaluation and enforcement

Evaluating and enforcing policies in large-scale networks is one of the most challenging and significant problems facing the network security community today. Current solutions are limited by an out-of-date allow/deny paradigm, and policies are evaluated synchronously and independently at each service. This makes it difficult to detect or defend against multi-stage attacks, or attacks which begin as innocent requests and then later exhibit malicious behavior in the same context. In this paper we describe Arachne, a prototype for asynchronous policy evaluation. We evaluate the system by testing it against pre-recorded traffic containing known and unknown attacks and show that it is capable of processing events at more than 10x the required rate for a deployed, heavily-used network.
Rubrene electronic structure, interface energy level alignment, and growth dynamics

We have investigated the electronic structure, interface formation, and thin film growth dynamics of rubrene using ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS), inverse photoemission spectroscopy (IPES), angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). From UPS and IPES we obtained an injection gap of 2.67 eV, which is derived from the onset separation of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), and a transport gap of 3.98 eV, which is derived from the peak separation. The ARPES results indicate that the HOMO band dispersion along Γ-X is 0.25 eV, and the electron effective mass is 1.3 times of the free electron one. These values can produce an estimate of the hole mobility of 15 Vs/cm 2 . The investigation of the electronic structure of the interfaces between rubrene and various metals, such as Au, Ag, Al, and Ca, shows that the Fermi level shifts linearly within the band gap as a function of metal workfunction, until it is been pinned at the LUMO by a low workfunction metal like Ca. The growth morphology dependence on the film thickness, deposition rate, and substrate temperature will also be discussed.
Source-sink interrelationships in lowland rice

Present studies indicate that leaf could determine the degree of plants' performance and condition the level of unfilled spikelets. Environmental constraints like low light intensity itself can considerably affect the function of the leaf resulting in greater proportion of unfilled spikelets or sterility, which appears to be a post-fertilization problem. This suggests that ‘source’ (leaf) is unable to cater to the requirements of the panicle. Further, the LAI studies have revealed the existence of a wide gap between spikelet production and grain filling. Panicle-tailoring studies pointed out that sterility could be reduced if panicle size is reduced. In the light of all these evidences, it was concluded that ‘source’ is limiting at the present level of evolution in rice under Indian conditions.
Mechanism of burial metamorphism of argillaceous sediment: 2. Radiogenic argon evidence

Variations in the 40* Ar of the whole rock and the 2 O in the inferred burial metamorphic reactions of argillaceous sediment from Texas Gulf Coast well CWRU (Case Western Reserve University) 6. These data strongly support the occurrence of the reactions involving the illite/smectite mixed-layer clay inferred from depth-dependent mineralogical and chemical changes reported in a companion paper by Hower and others (this issue). The 40Ar released from all samples was generally greater than 40 percent radiogenic ( 40* Ar), allowing precise measurement of differences of 40* Ar with depth. The whole-rock K-Ar apparent age shows a decrease from about 150 m.y. to 75 m.y. over just the same depth interval (1,850 to 3,700 m) that the illite/smectite mixed-layer clay progressively changes from 20 percent illite layers to 80 percent. This decrease in apparent age of the total shale is due to loss of 40* Ar from the rock. The 40* Ar loss is not caused by outgassing from increasing temperature, because the finest ( 40* Ar with depth. The coarser fraction, from which the 40* Ar loss is occurring, concentrates the older 40* Ar—rich phases of the rock such as K-feldspar and mica. These results strongly imply that the K 2 O for the new illite layers of the illite/smectite is derived by chemical decomposition of the K-feldspar and mica. The gain in 40* Ar of the finest fraction also just corresponds with depth to the change in mineralogy of the illite/smectite and a large gain of K 2 O in this fraction from 2 to 5 percent K 2 O. The 40* Ar gain indicates that the mean time of K 2 O gain, which is the mean time of burial metamorphism, was about 18 m.y. ago.
An atomistic model of slip formation

The results of an atomistic model for the simulation of the early stages of crack initiation in a two-dimensional triangular lattice are presented. In the current model, each particle in the system is treated discretely and assumed to be interacting with the surrounding particles via Lennard-Jones potentials. A uniaxial load (in incremental elongations) is applied to the rectangular two-dimensional slab in either the x or the y direction. After each incremental elongation the system is equilibrated using a static method. Initially, elastic behavior in the x and y directions is observed. Continued elongation results in plastic deformation. In lattices with point defects, the defects first move to the surface, creating vacancies which trigger plastic deformation.
Phencyclidine/SKF-10,047 binding sites: evaluation of function.

Abstract Results of correlation analyses comparing rank-order affinities with rank-order potencies of (+)SKF-10,047, phencyclidine (PCP), and several PCP analogs support the involvement of [ 3 H]-1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine binding sites (TCP sites) in mediating both the discriminative stimulus properties of PCP and production of 180° perseveration in a 4-arm radial maze. For the same group of drugs, no significant relationship was found to exist between affinities at haloperidol-sensitive (+)[ 3 H]SKF-10,047 binding sites (H-S-SKF sites) and potencies. Also, H-S-SKF sites were found to lack pharmacological selectivity and to be localized in the microsomal fraction of cells. It is concluded that TCP sites may represent receptors which mediate effects not only of PCP, but also of (+)SKF-10,047. In addition, the possibility that H-S-SKF sites may represent a type of membrane-bound enzyme is discussed.
"Inert" vehicles do affect wound healing.

The effect of a single daily application of U.S.P. petrolatum, an oil-in-water vanishing cream or a lotion on the rate of epidermal wound healing was determined in domestic white pigs. The superficial wounds were made with a dermatome and were not infected. In these studies, applications of U.S.P. white petrolatum retarded the rate of epidermal healing by 17% compared to untreated control wounds. Applications of an oil-in-water vanishing cream increased the rate of epidermal healing by 24% and a lotion increased the rate 15% compared to untreated control wounds.
Clinical applications of ultrasound contrast agents

Within the last decade safe and practical ultrasound contrast agents have been introduced. Most of these are based on gas-filled microbubbles, which markedly enhance Doppler signals and, in some cases, also gray-scale images. The clinical improvements expected from ultrasound contrast is reviewed. Tissue-specific contrast agents constitute another area of potential clinical significance. One particular agent is taken up by the reticulo-endothelial system and produces so-called acoustic emission signals when imaged. An introduction to the unique clinical applications of acoustic emission is given. Harmonic imaging is a new contrast-specific imaging modality, which utilizes the nonlinear properties of some agents in an attempt to alleviate current limitations of ultrasound contrast studies. Examples of harmonic images are presented.
Tannerella forsythia invasion in oral epithelial cells requires phosphoinositide 3-kinase activation and clathrin-mediated endocytosis

Tannerella forsythia, a Gram-negative anaerobe implicated in periodontitis, has been detected within human buccal epithelial cells and shown to invade oral epithelial cells in vitro. We have previously shown that this bacterium triggers host tyrosine kinase-dependent phosphorylation and actin-dependent cytoskeleton reorganization for invasion. On the bacterial side, the leucine-rich repeat cell-surface BspA protein is important for entry. The present study was undertaken to identify host signalling molecules during T. forsythia entry into human oral and cervical epithelial cells. Specifically, the roles of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Rho-family GTPases, cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains and the endocytic protein clathrin were investigated. For this purpose, cell lines were pretreated with chemical inhibitors or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that target PI3Ks, Rho GTPases, clathrin and cholesterol (a critical component of ‘lipid rafts’), and the resulting effects on T. forsythia uptake were determined. Our studies revealed that T. forsythia entry is dependent on host PI3K signalling, and that purified BspA protein causes activation of this lipid kinase. Bacterial entry also requires the cooperation of host Rac1 GTPase. Finally, our findings indicate an important role for clathrin and cholesterol-rich lipid microdomains in the internalization process
Epidermoid spinal cord tumors and previous lumbar punctures.

Summary The clinical features of epidermoid tumor of the lumbar spine are described in two children, both of whom had had lumbar punctures 6 years before the onset of symptoms. It is likely that introduction of fragments of epidermis into the subarachnoid space during the spinal tap was instrumental in the production of the tumor. Such an occurrence may be more likely to take place when the stylet is omitted. A plea is made to use standard spinal tap needles with stylets when performing lumbar punctures in children of all ages.
The Contralateral Transcallosal Approach: Experience with 32 Patients

OBJECTIVE : To demonstrate the usefulness of the contralateral transcallosal approach for resecting lesions located laterally in or adjacent to the lateral ventricle. METHODS : Modifications to the standard ipsilateral transcallosal technique include positioning the head with the midline oriented horizontally, placing the side with the lesion up, and performing the craniotomy and interhemispheric dissection on the contralateral side. This approach avoids a transcortical incision, allows gravity to hold open the interhemispheric fissure, and increases the lateral exposure of the lesion. This approach was used in 32 patients with a variety of lesions, including 6 cavernous malformations, 7 arteriovenous malformations, and 19 tumors of various types. All but three lesions were located on the left side. RESULTS : All six cavernous malformations, all four benign tumors, and four of the seven arteriovenous malformations were resected completely. Malignant tumors were resected subtotally, and three arteriovenous malformations required stereotactic radiosurgery to treat residual deep nidus. There was no surgical mortality. Two patients experienced neurological deterioration. CONCLUSION : The contralateral transcallosal approach can be used to treat a variety of lesions safely and successfully.
Immunological methods for the detection of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in neural tissues

Abstract The development, survival, and function of mature cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems are associated with changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that this modification plays a central role in neural regulatory pathways. A major advance in the study of tyrosine kinases and their substrates in neural cells has been the development of antibodies that recognize tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. This article describes methodologies involved in the generation of phosphotyrosine-specific antibodies and in the use of these antibodies to analyze and purify phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. Technical and theoretical considerations regarding these methods are discussed.