cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Technical features of a CCD video camera system to record cardiac fluorescence data.

A charge-coupled device (CCD) camera was used to acquie movies of transmembrane activity from thin slices of sheep ventricular epicardial muscle stained with a voltage-sensitive dye. Compared with photodiodes, CCDs have high spatial resolution, but low temporal resolution. Spatial resolution in our system ranged from 0.04 to 0.14 mm/pixel; the acquisition rate was 60, 120, or 240 frames/sec. Propagating waves were readily visualized after subtraction of a background image. The optical signal had an amplitude of 1 to 6 gray levels, with signal-to-noise ratios between 1.5 and 4.4. Because CCD cameras in-tegrate light over the frame interval, moving objects, including propagating waves, are blurred in the resulting movies. A computer model of such an integrating imaging system was developed to study the effects of blur, noise, filtering, and quantization on the ability to measure conduction velocity and action potential duration (APD). The model indicated that blurring, filtering, and quantization do not affect the ability to localize wave fronts in the optical data (i.e., no systematic error in determining spatial position), but noise does increase the uncertainty of the measurements. The model also showed that the low frame rates of the CCD camera introduced a systematic error in the calculation of APD: for cutoff levels >50%, the APD was erroneusly long. Both noise and quantization increased the uncertainty in the APD measurements. The optical measures of conduction velocity were not significantly different from those measured simultaneously with microelectrodes. Optical APDs, however, were longer than the electrically recorded APDs. This APD error could be reduced by using the 50% cutoff level and the fastest frame rate possible.
Charge separation in nanoscale photovoltaic materials: recent insights from first-principles electronic structure theory

In this feature article we focus on the key problem of charge separation in nano-scale photovoltaic materials; in particular recent theoretical/computational work based on first principles electronic structure approaches is presented and discussed. We review applications of state-of-the-art electronic structure calculations to nano-scale materials that enable charge separation between an excited electron and hole in so-called excitonic photovoltaic cells. Emphasis is placed on theoretical results that provide insight into experimentally observed processes, which are yet to be understood and do not appear to obey a single unique model but rather depend on atomistic details. Examples are provided that illustrate how computational approaches can be employed to probe new directions in materials design for inducing efficient charge separation. We also discuss the computational challenges in electronic structure theory for reliably predicting and designing new materials suitable for charge separation in photovoltaic applications.
Specification of United States Summer Season Precipitation

Abstract The specification of summer season precipitation in the contiguous United States from summer season fields of 700 mb height, sea level pressure (SLP) and Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) was carried out using stepwise multiple linear regression. The specifier fields were characterized by their first five Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF's). The objectives were to assess the overall skill in specifying summer season precipitation, examine the differences among predictands with regard to both spatial averaging and type of statistic, compare the usefulness of the specifier fields, and to look at spatial variations in specification skill. Overall, the strongest relationships between actual summer season precipitation and the predictors were found for 700 mb heights (R2 ∼ 0.24) followed by Pacific SST’s (R2 ∼ 0.21) and SLP (R2 &sim 0.12). The use of large area averages (∼ 105 km2) for the predictand produced slightly greater R2 values than for individual climatic division averages (∼ 1O4 km2)....
Synthesis of artemisinin dimers using the Ugi reaction and their in vitro efficacy on breast cancer cells

The Ugi four-component reaction was used to prepare a series of artemisinin monomers and dimers. We found that the endoperoxide group in artemisinin remains intact during the reaction. The new artemisinin dimers showed potent anti-cancer activity against two human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and BT-474. One of the Ugi artemisinin dimers showed an IC₅₀ value of 12 nM when tested on BT474 cells, more than 600 times more potent than artesunate. Furthermore, the same Ugi artemisinin dimer showed a low toxicity when tested on MCF10A, a nontumorigenic cell line, resulting in a selectivity index of more than 8000.
Relationship of subjective ratings of image quality and observer performance

The relationship between radiologists' perception of image quality and their actual performance was assessed. If the two variables are strongly correlated, the easier obtained perception of quality index might be used as a prerequisite test to determine if a ROC study is justified. One-hundred seventy cases were evaluated for the presence or absence of interstitial disease and nodules by nine readers using seven display modes. Each reader also assigned each image a mode- specific perceived quality rating using a 5-category ordinal scale. Average perceived quality was highest for conventional film. It was slightly poorer for the subsets of cases with interstitial disease and for cases classified independently as 'subtle.' Trend tests indicated a relationship between area under the ROC curves (Az) and perceived image quality for nodules. For interstitial disease, the relationship was weaker and of borderline statistical significance. The subjective image quality index was related to the area under the ROC curve, but the average difference between pairs of display modes was not a good predictor of difference in actual observer performances. A subjective quality index may have limited usefulness in screening differences between modalities prior to the performance of a ROC study.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Probing Solvation and Reaction Coordinates of Ultrafast Photoinduced Electron-Transfer Reactions Using Nonlinear Spectroscopies: Rhodamine 6G in Electron-Donating Solvents †

The reaction kinetics as well as the solvation dynamics of the photoinduced electron-transfer (ET) reaction from the electron-donating solvents dimethylaniline (DMA) and diethylaniline (DEA) to rho...
RELAP5-3D modelling of heat transfer components (intermediate heat exchanger and helical-coil steam generator) for NGNP application

The Next Generation Nuclear Plant project is aimed at the research and development of a helium-cooled high-temperature gas reactor that could generate both electricity and process heat for the production of hydrogen. The heat from the high-temperature primary loop must be transferred via an intermediate heat exchanger to a secondary loop. Using RELAP5-3D, a model was developed for two of the heat exchanger options: a printed-circuit heat exchanger and a helical-coil steam generator. The RELAP5-3D models were used to simulate an exponential decrease in pressure over a 20-second period. The results of this loss-of-coolant analysis indicate that heat is initially transferred from the primary loop to the secondary loop, but after the decrease in pressure in the primary loop, the heat is transferred from the secondary loop to the primary loop. A high-temperature gas reactor model should be developed and connected to the heat transfer component to simulate other transients.
The effects of B vitamins, liver, and yeast on promin toxicity in the rat*

Toxic effects resulting from the administration of massive doses of promin were largely counteracted in rats by the administration of desiccated whole liver. The protective factor was distinct from any of the known vitamins and was not present in the casein or salt mixture employed. The suggestion is mad ethat many of the toxic effects observed in animals fed massive doses of Certain drugs are in reality due to a deficiency of an unknown nutrient(s) resulting from an increased requirement following drug administration. Desiccated whole liver is a rich source of this unknown factor(s).
How should we achieve high-quality reporting of statistics in scientific journals? A commentary on “Guidelines for reporting statistics in journals published by the American Physiological Society”

some disturbing news was reported in the March 2005 issue of Significance , a publication of the Royal Statistical Society ([7][1]). Based on a variety of audits, it was found that 38% of the articles published in 2001 in Nature contained some statistical “incongruence”: a disparity between
Skin Differences, Needs, and Disorders across Global Populations

Accurately determining the incidence and prevalence of dermatologic disease in most large populations has been challenging for reasons ranging from the lack of easily quantifiable tests and measures to imprecision around definitions of race, ethnicity, photo skin type, pigmentation, and population groups. Compounding the problems with these categorizations is the fact that skin disease and skin health are affected not just by inherent risk factors but also by habits and environment. Thus, a fundamental question remains as we evaluate the effects of cultural and environmental factors: do genetic factors account for most of the difference that we see in skin types? Is the primary influence the way the skin mediates the environmental insult of UV radiation or how inflammation is handled? Is melanization the primary characteristic that we should measure and consider? This article will provide an introduction to current knowledge and future directions researchers are taking in differentiating both the biological differences of skin and the clinical manifestations of skin disease among the groups described above. This discussion will be followed by a brief overview of cultural practices and environmental factors that are known to have significant impact on skin disease and a summary of the most common conditions that are encountered worldwide.
Episcopal Conferences Worldwide and Catholic Social Thought, in Theory and Praxis: An Update

The article surveys the work of the world’s episcopal conferences (ECs) on Catholic social thought (CST) over the past 15 years. This updates an earlier study on a century of the ECs’ socioeconomic...
Gender and aggression II: Personal aggressiveness

To investigate how gender, ethnicity, age and education influence aggressiveness, we surveyed 115 male and female college students (56% male; 50% Anglo and 26% Hispanic) and 79 persons (72% male; 92% Anglo) working on a military base. Participants were administered the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and asked about their own aggressive behaviors. In both samples, men scored significantly higher than women on the Physical Aggression scale of the Aggression Questionnaire but not on the other scales. In the military sample, men indicated that they expected to behave more aggressively than women. Positive correlations among different aspects of aggressiveness were found for both men and women. Increasing age and education were associated with lower aggressiveness in both genders, suggesting that aggressiveness may be susceptible to modification over the course of one's life.
An interpretation of index term weighting schemes based on document components

A theory of indexing is presented and is based on viewing a document as constituted of components. A component may be chosen as any run of text unit that can be: (a) judged as to its relevancy property; and (b) considered as independent within the document. By looking at the constituent components of a document in relation to the universe of all components from the collection, we have been able to apply Bayes' decision theory to derive the index term representation for the document, as well as attaching an initial probabilistic weight for each term based on a Principle of Document Self-Recovery. It turns out that different choices of document components, such as a word or a whole abstract, can lead to different term weighting schemes that have been introduced before and are based on probability considerations; specifically, Edmundson and Wyllys' term significance formula, Sparck Jones' inverse document frequency, and later modified by Croft and Harper into the 'combination match' formula. Thus, a unified interpretation of various probabilistic term weighting schemes appears possible.
Effects of keV electron irradiation on the avalanche‐electron generation rates of three donors on oxidized silicon

After keV electron beam irradiation of oxidized silicon, the avalanche‐electron‐injection generation rates and densities of the bulk compensating donor, the interface states, and the turnaround trap all increase. Heating at 200 °C can anneal out these three donor‐like traps, however, it cannot restore the generation rates back to their original and lower pre‐keV electron irradiation values. The experimental results also indicate that all three traps may be related to the same mobile impurity species whose bonds are loosened by the keV electrons and then broken or released by the avalanche injected electrons.
Interactive effects of temporal and spatial fire characteristics on the population dynamics of a fire-dependent Cypress species

Summary Current predictions about climate change and its impact on fire regimes have spurred research on how increasing fire frequencies will affect the population dynamics of fire-dependent species. There has been less consideration of changes in the spatial characteristics of fire regimes, despite recognition of the importance of spatial heterogeneity and connectivity in population dynamics. Here, we test the hypothesis that spatial heterogeneity in fire regimes may not benefit obligate seeders with canopy seed bank, due to regeneration constraints into non-burned areas. We develop a size-structured population model for a population of Tecate cypress Callitropsis forbesii (Jeps.) Little, a rare obligate seeder of conservation concern, across a complex landscape in the Santa Ana Mountains (Orange, CA, USA). Combining the population model with field measurements of stand structure and fire history, we test the roles of heterogeneity in fire regime and dispersal among patches with differing fire history on population persistence. The model predicts population persistence at fire return intervals >17 years, the approximate fire return interval at the site over the last century. However, population growth and population persistence increase when subpopulations are connected by dispersal and, within a small window of fire return intervals, when subpopulations have uncorrelated fire dynamics. Contrary to our expectations, spatial heterogeneity in fire regime increased population growth rates at intermediate (15–25 year) fire return intervals. Synthesis and applications. Conservation efforts focused on isolated populations of fire-dependent species should focus on both the temporal (fire return interval) and spatial (heterogeneity in fire occurrence) aspects of fire regimes. For one threatened Cypress species, we find that the interaction between temporal and spatial characteristics of a fire regime can increase the risks of population extinction, particularly under fire regimes characterized by more frequent, larger and more spatially homogenous fire. Species with fragmented subpopulations not well connected by dispersal also have a greater risk of extinction under these fire regimes.
Semantics for existential graphs

This paper examines Charles Peirce's graphical notation for first-order logic with identity. The notation forms a part of his system of “existential graphs,” which Peirce considered to be his best work in logic. In this paper a Tarskian semantics is provided for the graphical system.
Time-resolved reflectivity measurements on silicon and germanium using a pulsed excimer KrF laser heating beam.

Time-resolved reflectivity measurements on silicon and germanium have been made during pulsed KrF excimer laser irradiation (248 nm). The reflectivity was measured simultaneously with probe-laser wavelengths of 632.8 and 1152 nm, and the energy density of each laser pulse was recorded. From these measurements, we were able to determine the reflectivity of the hot solid just before the onset of melting, the reflectivity of the melt, the melt duration, and the time of the onset of melting. Melting-model calculations were also performed, with the reflectivity of solid and liquid Si and Ge treated as parameters for fitting the experimental values of the melt duration and the time of the onset of melting. The resulting parameter values are in agreement with those obtained from self-reflectivity measurements. Near the melting threshold, it was observed that the melt duration was never less than 20 ns for Si and 25 ns for Ge, while the maximum reflectivity increased from its value for the hot solid to that for the liquid over a finite energy range. These results, together with a reinterpretation of time-resolved ellipsometry measurements, indicate that, during the melt-in process, the near-surface region does not melt homogeneously, but rather consists of a mixture of solid and liquid phases.
Effects of extract of Onchocerca cervicalis from horses on the lytic activity of human, rat, and equine complement

Abstract Extracts of adult Onchocerca cervicalis, an equine parasite which has been proposed as an animal model for O. volvulus infections in man, were shown for the first time to significantly depress hemolytic complement activity in vitro of normal human, rat, and equine sera. This depression in hemolytic activity was shown to occur to both the alternative as well as the classical pathway of complement activation. Adult O. cervicalis were isolated from equine nuchal ligaments, frozen-thawed, sonicated, and spun, and the supernatant was dialyzed and frozen in small aliquots. Addition of extract containing as little as 58 μg of protein to a test system containing 100 μl of a complement source and 1 × 108 sensitized sheep red blood cells reduced serum hemolytic activity by 96, 95, and 79% in normal human, rat, and equine sera, respectively. This interference with normal complement activity may be a mechanism utilized by the parasite to evade a portion of the host inflammatory response. In addition the inflammation and pathological changes observed following death of the microfilariae could be due in part to the dead or dying parasite's inability to sustain modulation of complement function. This proposed lack of modulation would lead to localized complement activation and C5a/5ades arg generation with resultant influxes of host inflammatory cells.
Beyond being in the lab: using multi-agent modeling to isolate competing hypotheses

In studies of virtual teams, it is difficult to determine pure effects of geographic isolation and uneven communication technology. We developed a multi-agent computer model in NetLogo to complement laboratory-based organizational simulations [3]. In the lab, favoritism among collocated team members (collocators) appeared to increase their performance. However, in the computer simulation, when controlled for communication delay, in-group favoritism had a detrimental effect on the performance of collocators. This suggested that the advantage of collocators shown in the lab was due to synchronous communication, not favoritism. The canceling-out effects of in-group bias and communication delay explained why many studies did not see performance difference between collocated and remote team members. The multi-agent modeling in this case proved its value by both clarifying previous laboratory findings and guiding design of future experiments.
Constitutive Theories of Self-Knowledge and the Regress Problem

Abstract In the contemporary literature on self-knowledge discussion is framed by and large by two competing models of self-knowledge: the observational (or perceptual) model and the constitutive model. On the observational model self-knowledge is the result of ‘cognitively viewing’ one's mental states. Constitutive theories of self-knowledge, on the other hand, hold that self-knowledge is constitutive of intentional states. That is, self-ascription is a necessary condition for being in a particular mental state. Akeel Bilgrami is a defender of the constitutive model. I argue that the constitutive model gives rise to a regress problem. This paper will focus on that problem as well as its application to Bilgrami's version of the constitutive model.
Atypical decubital fibroplasia: a series of three cases

We report three cases of atypical decubital fibroplasia (ADF), a benign, reactive pathologic process that develops in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of immobilized or debilitated patients. Two patients were immobilized, one wheelchair bound, and one bedridden. The third patient frequently lay over the affected area. Two were male, one female, ages 49, 66, and 89 (mean 68 years old). Each patient presented with a subcutaneous mass, one with focal surface ulceration, present for 5 months, 6 months, and 12 months (mean 7.7 months). The locations included back, lateral thigh (over greater trochanter), and lateral chest wall. No other lesions were present, and none had recurrences. Histologically, atypical decubital fibroplasia is characterized principally by dermal and subcutaneous tissue involvement with fibrinoid necrosis, reactive fibrosis, and focal myxoid change with surrounding more cellular zones of prominent reactive neovascularization including granulation tissue and ectatic vessels with reactive atypical fibroblasts and fat necrosis. Other findings include hyalinization of vessel walls, fibrin thrombi, red blood cell extravasation, hemosiderin deposition, and acute and chronic inflammation. Although the changes are predominantly deep, involving the dermis, subcutaneous tissue and skeletal muscle, the overlying epidermis may ulcerate. Recognition of atypical decubital fibroplasia is of paramount importance, for it may be misinterpreted as a sarcoma, both clinically and histologically.
Recalled items and the American Board of Pathology certification examinations: what constitutes cheating?

Discussion: The American Board of Pathology (ABP) withheld certification from 3 candidates in 2012 because they either were in possession of ‘‘board remembrances material’’ at the time of the examination or were providing such remembrances on Internet sites. As a result, the ABP is working with pathology departments and chairs around the country to publicize honor codes and policies related to cheating. The mission of the ABP, a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties, ‘‘is to promote the health of the public and advance the practice and science of pathology by establishing voluntary certification standards and assessing the qualifications of those seeking to practice the specialty of pathology.’’ 1 This mission statement, which is found on the ABP Web site, is a reminder that public interests and expectations of professionalism must be considered in terms of honor code enforcement.
Radiation Therapy Risk Factors for Development of Lymphedema in Patients Treated With Regional Lymph Node Irradiation for Breast Cancer

Purpose We previously evaluated the risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema (LE) with the addition of regional lymph node irradiation (RLNR) and found an increased risk when RLNR is used. Here we analyze the association of technical radiation therapy (RT) factors in RLNR patients with the risk of LE development. Methods and Materials From 2005 to 2012, we prospectively screened 1476 women for LE who underwent surgery for breast cancer. Among 1507 breasts treated, 172 received RLNR and had complete technical data for analysis. RLNR was delivered as supraclavicular (SC) irradiation (69% [118 of 172 patients]) or SC plus posterior axillary boost (PAB) (31% [54 of 172]). Bilateral arm volume measurements were performed pre- and postoperatively. Patients' RT plans were analyzed for SC field lateral border (relative to the humeral head), total dose to SC, RT fraction size, beam energy, and type of tangent (normal vs wide). Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze associated risk factors for LE. Results Median postoperative follow-up was 29.3 months (range: 4.9-74.1 months). The 2-year cumulative incidence of LE was 22% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15%-32%) for SC and 20% (95% CI: 11%-37%) for SC plus PAB (SC+PAB). None of the analyzed variables was significantly associated with LE risk (extent of humeral head: P =.74 for 2/3, P =.41 for 1/3 to 2/3 vs >2/3; P =.40 for fraction size of 1.8 Gy vs 2.0 Gy; P =.57 for beam energy 6 MV vs 10 MV; P =.74 for tangent type wide vs regular; P =.66 for SC vs SC+PAB). Only pretreatment body mass index (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.04-1.15, P =.0007) and the use of axillary lymph node dissection (HR: 7.08, 95% CI: 0.98-51.40, P =.05) were associated with risk of subsequent LE development. Conclusions Of the RT parameters tested, none was associated with an increased risk of LE development. This study underscores the need for future work investigating alternative RLNR risk factors for LE.
The PEMMC process for land-limited small wastewater-treatment plants

Abstract In order to develop a suitable biological-treatment unit component for a prefabricated small wastewater-treatment package plant, a packed-entrapped-mixed microbial cell (PEMMC) process was investigated for settled-screened and anaerobically treated pig wastewaters. It was found that high nitrification efficiency (95–97%) could be achieved at an HRT of 10 h for the anaerobically treated pig wastewater. For settled-screened pig wastewater, an intermittent aeration (1:1 h for aeration and non-aeration) could achieve the removal efficiency of TCOD and T-N of 80·92 ± 3·2% and 89·89 ± 2·2%, respectively, at an HRT of 30 h. The economic analysis indicated that the PEMMC process is comparable with the conventional biological-treatment alternatives for settled domestic sewage. The land cost is lowest for the PEMMC process, but the capital cost is the highest. The net present values for settled domestic sewage (1000 people) and settled-screened pig wastewater (1000 pigs) are US$426114 and US$136248, respectively. Because of its high treatment efficiency for carbon and nitrogen removals and low operation and maintenance costs, the PEMMC process is very suitable for integration into a prefabricated small, packaged plant for wastewater treatment in land-limited applications. Thus, the reuse of treated wastewater from small wastewater-treatment systems may become feasible.
Petro-seismic inversion for sandstone properties

We use empirical relations derived from laboratory and log data for sandstones to estimate unknown parameters from given parameters. The known and unknown parameters may be any of the following: compressional and shear wave velocities (Vp and Vs), density (ρ), compressional and shear wave quality factors (Qp and Qs), effective pressure (P), frequency (f), water saturation (S), porosity (φ), clay content (C), fluid permeability (k), and Vp/Vs and Qs/Qp ratios. The goal is to obtain estimates of all thirteen of these petro‐seismic variables from subsets of these as input; whether this is achievable depends on the particular combination of input variables.The inversion typically proceeds through a hierarchy of three levels of parameter estimation, in order of the expected reliability of the estimates. First, we solve for the parameters that can be obtained directly from the fitted empirical equations. Then, a grid search is performed to simultanously fit more than one unknown parameter by finding values that...
Thrombocytosis, central nervous system disease, and myocardial infarction pattern in infancy.

Two infants with thrombocytosis and significant neurological symptoms are presented. The electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic findings in both suggested apical myocardial infarction. The isoenzyme studies done in one infant, however, did not support this diagnosis. This observation raises the possibility that the electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic abnormalities may be due to associated central nervous system disease rather than due to a compromised coronary blood flow.
Yeast nudeosomes allow thermal untwisting of DNA

Thermal untwisting of DNA is suppressed in vitro in nucleosomes formed with chicken or monkey histones. In contrast, results obtained for the 2 micron plasmid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are consistent with only 30% of the DNA being constrained from thermal untwisting in vivo. In this paper, we examine thermal untwisting of several plasmids in yeast cells, nuclei, and nuclear extracts. All show the same quantitative degree of thermal untwisting, indicating that this phenomenon is independent of DNA sequence. Highly purified yeast plasmid chromatin also shows a large degree of thermal untwisting, whereas circular chromatin reconstituted using chicken histones is restrained from thermal untwisting in yeast nuclear extracts. Thus, the difference in thermal untwisting between yeast chromatin and that assembled with chicken histones is most likely due to differences in the constituent histone proteins.
Comparing dynamical systems by a graph matching method

Abstract In this paper, we consider comparing dynamical systems by using a method of graph matching, either between the graphs representing the underlying symbolic dynamics, or between the graphs approximating the action of the systems on a fine but otherwise non-generating partition. For conjugate systems, the graphs are isomorphic and we show that the permutation matrices that relate the adjacency matrices coincide with the solution of Monge’s mass transport problem. We use the underlying earth mover’s distance (EMD) to generate the “approximate” matching matrix to illustrate the association of graphs which are derived from equal-distance partitioning of the phase spaces of systems. In addition, for one system which embeds into the other, we show that the comparison of these two systems by our method is an issue of subgraph matching.
Interface pressures produced by two different types of lymphedema therapy devices

Background and Purpose: Sequential compression is used to manage lymphedema, but little is known about pressures delivered to the therapeutic targets. This study characterized actual pressures delivered by a traditional compression pump (Lympha Press [LP]) and one using an alternate compression pattern (Flexitouch [FT]). Subjects: Ten adults who were healthy volunteered to participate in the study. Methods: Pressure-time along the forearm was measured using a 256–pressure sensor array during the pressure cycling of each device. Device assessments were separated by at least 48 hours. Results: Pressure patterns and magnitudes produced by the 2 devices differed considerably. The FT pressure pattern displayed a rapid rise and fall, progressing from the wrist toward the elbow. The LP pressure rose slower and was sustained at a higher level during its inflation cycle. Pressures delivered with the LP were significantly greater than those delivered with the FT. Discussion and Conclusion: The pressure patterns and magnitudes on treated limbs depend on the device. These differences should be considered before selecting a device for a specific patient.
Fast phase-only pattern nulling for large phased array antennas

This paper presents two new methods for fast computation of phase-only weights for forming large sector nulls with phased array antennas. Both methods are faster than a previously described method. An example case demonstrates that the computation time can be reduced by a factor of 10 or 100 with the new methods over the previous method. No restrictions are placed on array geometry, element spacing, or sector null shape by the methods. The methods are not subject to trapping in local minimums as are other phase-only methods.
Peripheral neuropathy after disulfiram administration: Reversibility despite continued therapy

The clinical history of an abstinent alcoholic developing paresthesias after one year's treatment with disulfiram (250 mg daily) is presented. Despite continued disulfiram in decreased dosage (125 mg daily), associated with multivitamin supplementation, marked improvement in symptoms and signs was noted, contrary to previous case reports. The peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy associated with disulfiram administration has been well described [1 - 8]. From those reports, it appears that symptoms may appear from several weeks to several months after the drug has been administered. Although the etiology of this neuropathy remains speculative, the usual treatment is to discontinue disulfiram once the toxicity develops. Presented here is the clinical course of a subject, whose neuropathic symptoms resolved with continued disulfiram administration at a lower daily dosage in conjunction with multivitamin therapy.
Localization of MAP kinase activity in early Xenopus embryos: implications for endogenous FGF signaling.

Abstract We have used a sensitive assay for MAP kinase activity to investigate the role of endogenous fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-activated MAP kinase in earlyXenopusembryonic patterning. MAP kinase activity is low during cleavage stages and increases significantly during gastrulation. The temporal profile of this activity correlates well with the expression pattern ofXenopuseFGF. Spatially, MAP kinase activity is lowest in animal pole tissue and higher in vegetal pole cells and the marginal zone. Endogenous MAP kinase activity is FGF receptor-dependent, demonstrating that FGF signaling is active in all three germ layers of the early embryo. This activity is necessary for normal expression of Mix.1, a meso-endodermal marker, in the endoderm as well as in the mesoderm, indicating that MAP kinase plays a functional role in patterning of both of these germ layers. Spatial and temporal changes in MAP kinase activation during gastrulation also suggest a role for FGF signaling in this process. In addition, we find that embryonic wounding during dissection results in significant stimulation of this pathway, providing a possible explanation for earlier observations of effects of surgical manipulation on cell fate in early embryos.
GEOFOAM COMPRESSIBLE INCLUSIONS: THE NEW FRONTIER IN EARTH RETAINING STRUCTURES

A compressible inclusion in the broadest sense of the term is any relatively compressible material that is intentionally placed between a rigid and/or non-yielding structure and the ground that would otherwise be in direct contact with it. This allows the ground to yield or displace. The primary benefit is reduced earth pressures acting on the structure which can either reduce the cost of a new structure or enhance the performance of an existing one. This paper outlines the basic ways in which modern, engineered compressible inclusions are used with earth-retaining structures to produce controlled yielding and predictable results. Typical materials used, which nowadays are usually some type of geofoam geosynthetic, and specific transportation-related applications are also described. Because of the diversity of applications and the fact that there are usually multiple benefits to using them, the use of geofoam compressible inclusions has the potential to significantly and permanently impact they way in which earth-retaining structures are designed, constructed, maintained, rehabilitated, and upgraded.
The Quasar Continuum

The powerful compact continuum emission from quasars is understood only in outline. New surveys allow investigation of the quasar continuum over a wide range of parameters ( z , L , L / L Edd ) and wavelengths (radio to X-ray). I review the spectral energy distributions of quasars and how new scaling relations with physical parameters promise to take us to a deeper understanding of the quasar continuum.
Living-donor liver transplantation in the United States: identifying donors at risk for perioperative complications.

Donor safety has been scrutinized by both the medical community and the media. Variability exists in reported donor complications and associated risk factors are ill defined. Use of administrative data can overcome the bias of single-center studies and explore variables associated with untoward events. A retrospective cohort study identifying living liver donors in two large healthcare registries yielded 433 right and left lobe donors from 13 centers between 2001 and 2005. Perioperative complications were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) coding data and classified according to the Clavien system. Logistic regression models identified factors associated with complications. There was one perioperative death (0.23%). The overall complication rate was 29.1% and major complication rate defined by a Clavien grade ≥3 was 3.5%. Center living-donor volume (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95–0.99) and the ratio of living-donors to all donors (living and deceased) (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.92–0.96) were associated with a lower risk of all complications. Donor age >50 years (OR = 4.25, 95% CI = 1.22–14.87) was associated with a higher risk of major complications. Living liver donation is currently performed with a low risk of major morbidity. Use of administrative data represents an important tool to facilitate a better understanding of donor risk factors.
Compiler optimization-space exploration

To meet the demands of modern architectures, optimizing compilers must incorporate an ever larger number of increasingly complex transformation algorithms. Since code transformations may often degrade performance or interfere with subsequent transformations, compilers employ predictive heuristics to guide optimizations by predicting their effects a priori. Unfortunately, the unpredictability of optimization interaction and the irregularity of today's wide-issue machines severely limit the accuracy of these heuristics. As a result, compiler writers may temper high variance optimization with overly conservative heuristics or may exclude these optimizations entirely. While this process results in a compiler capable of generating good average code quality across the target benchmark set, it is at the cost of missed optimization opportunities in individual code segments.To replace predictive heuristics, researchers have proposed compilers which explore many optimization options, selecting the best one a posteriori. Unfortunately, these existing iterative compilation techniques are not practical for reasons of compile time and applicability. In this paper, we present the Optimization-Space Exploration (OSE) compiler organization, the first practical iterative compilation strategy applicable to optimizations in general-purpose compilers. Instead of replacing predictive heuristics, OSE uses the compiler writer's knowledge encoded in the heuristics to select a small number of promising optimization alternatives for a given code segment. Compile time is limited by evaluating only these alternatives for hot code segments using a general compiletime performance estimator. An OSE-enhanced version of lntel's highly-tuned, aggressively optimizing production compiler for IA-64 yields a significant performance improvement, more than 20% in some cases, on Itanium for SPEC codes.
Research observation: Nitrogen effects on Arizona cottontop and Lehmann lovegrass seedlings

We compared the responses of seedlings of introduced Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis Lehmanniana Nees) and a native perennial grass, Arizona cottontop (Digitaria californica (Benth.) Henr.) to 7 nitrogen and 2 water treatments to determine if Lehmann lovegrass displayed greater growth or nitrogen use efficiency than Arizona cottontop. After 8 weeks, the lovegrass seedlings had greater shoot N concentrations (2.07 vs. 1.20%), and lower C:N ratios (27.7 vs. 49.6) than Arizona cottontop seedlings. Arizona cottontop seedlings produced more biomass per plant (1.09 vs. 0.31g), exhibited greater nitrogen use efficiency (63 vs. 39%), and tolerated high N levels better. Arizona cottontop may be a superior N competitor under both N-limited and high N conditions, while Lehmann lovegrass may outcompete Arizona cottontop at moderate N levels.
STUDY OF THE END RESULTS IN 113 CASES OF SEPTIC HIPS

A study of the end results (Tables XI and XII) of the treatment of the subacute and chronic septic hip joints, with which this paper deals almost entirely, shows a relatively low death rate and a high frequency of healing of the infection. From this standpoint the results are satisfactory, but of the 113 cases there were only seven in which the hip was normal. Twenty-three patients with septic arthritis had a functional joint with at least 50 per cent. of normal motion. The remaining eighty-three cases demonstrated numerous severe complications, resulting in irreparable functional damage to the hip joint proper. The poor prognosis in cases in which there are complications such as dislocation of the hip, sequestration of the head, and epiphysiolysis, is readily confirmed by the results in this paper. Inasmuch as neither dislocation of the hip, with the exception of two cases, nor epiphysiolysis developed while under our care, we feel that they are preventable complications in the most part if an arthrotomy is performed early in the course of the disease and if the hip is fixed in mild abduction and extension by traction or plaster. The results here recorded point to a more favorable prognosis in the case of a primary synovial lesion, whether due to streptococcal or staphylococcal infection. If the patient survives the acute infection, rapid healing with good motion and no recurrence is the rule. If the lesion is primarily osteomyelitic in origin, the prognosis is much poorer and early and radical surgery is necessary. The age of the patient plays a definite part in the type of lesion and is of importance from a prognostic and therapeutic standpoint. Under two years of age, there is very good expectation that the lesion is primarily synovial; under five years, without evidence of bone infection, the prognosis is good. Between six and eighteen years is the period of the greatest number of complications. It is during this period that osteomyelitis most commonly develops, and the prognosis for function is much poorer.
Injectable suture device for intraocular lens fixation.

We describe a surgical technique for scleral fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) using a 24-gauge injectable polypropylene suture delivery system. A 3-piece PC IOL is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye. Two sclerotomies are made 1.5 mm posterior to the limbus using a microvitreoretinal blade. The 24-gauge injector delivers a preformed suture loop into the eye with the double-armed needles still external to the eye. Each polypropylene IOL haptic is directed through the loop using microforceps. The suture loop is tightened around the haptic, and the attached needles are used to fixate the IOL to the sclera and close the sclerotomies simultaneously. This technique has been used in an ex vivo porcine eye and in an aphakic patient. In the latter, the IOL was quickly fixated to the sclera and maintained a stable position postoperatively. Financial Disclosure Dr. Olson has a patent pending for the device described in this article. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Virtual electrode design for increasing spatial resolution in retinal prosthesis.

Retinal prostheses systems are currently used to restore partial vision to patients blinded by degenerative diseases by electrically stimulating surviving retinal cells. To obtain likely maximum resolution, electrode size is minimised, allowing for a large quantity on an array and localised stimulation regions. Besides the small size leading to fabrication difficulties and higher electrochemical charge density, there are challenges associated with the number of drivers needed for a large electrode count as well as the strategies to deliver sufficient power to these drivers wirelessly. In hopes to increase electrode resolution while avoiding these issues, the authors propose a new ‘virtual electrode’ design to increase locations of likely stimulation. Passive metallisation strategically placed between disk electrodes, combined with alternating surrounding stimuli, channel current into a location between electrodes, producing a virtual stimulation site. A computational study was conducted to optimise the passive metal element geometry, quantify the expected current density output, and simulate retinal ganglion cell activity due to virtual electrode stimulation. Results show that this procedure leads to array geometry that focuses injected current and achieves retinal ganglion cell stimulation in a region beneath the ‘virtual electrode,’ creating an alternate stimulation site without additional drivers.
Stress and Life Events

For hundreds of years, concepts of mental illness have stipulated that it is the result of remote and immediate causes (e.g., Battie, p. 93) or, in more modern terms, of predisposing and precipitating factors. The immediate or precipitating causes consist of events and conditions that we now label “stressful.” In this chapter we will summarize the physiological background for the concept of stress that has been adopted and adapted by psychiatry, look at early studies on stress that began during World War II, and then review the ongoing series of investigations on health and disease in normal populations and the studies of life events and their relationship to illness.
The Fractal Geometry of Percolation, Polymers and Almost Everything Else

Many of you know the meaning of the terms percolation and polymers better than I do, and the last words in the title, “almost everything else”, do not deserve comment — as yet. Therefore I begin by dealing with the first term in the title. You were not expected to know it because I coined it only recently. Before I define it, I beg you to examine Figure 1 on the following page.
Real Time Stress Measurements During Growth of Aluminum Nitride on SI(111) and SI(001)

We have performed real time measurements of intrinsic stresses during growth by reactive dc magnetron sputtering of aluminum nitride (AIN) thin films on silicon substrates in an UHV growth chamber. An experimental setup based on laser beam reflection is constructed such that substrate curvature as well as film thickness can be continuously monitored as growth proceeds. On Si(111) substrates, stress measurements were carried out during growth of both polycrystalline and epitaxial AIN films as a function of deposition pressure. This is the first such comparative study to our knowledge for the AIN/Si system. Our room temperature measurements on polycrystalline films corroborates previous post-growth measurements. Our high temperature measurements provide evidence of large intrinsic stresses and negligible stress relaxation during epitaxial growth of AIN on Si(111). We further compared stress behavior during both room temperature and high temperature growth of A1N films on Si(111) and Si(001) substrates. Our observations indicate while intrinsic stresses during room temperature growth can be compressive or tensile depending on plasma conditions, it is tensile during late stage growth at high temperatures.
Antigenic character of the cancer milk agent in mice.

ConclusionsThe milk factor of mammary mouse carcinoma is highly antigenic and stimulates the formation of antibodies in both rabbits and rats. The mouse cancer antiserum neutralizes and renders inactive mouse cancer centrifugates. Equally effective antiserums are prepared from spontaneous and from transplant tumors. Normal rabbit and rat serums have a slight effect in inactivating the mouse cancer virus. The finding that antiserum against normal mouse tissue does not have any neutralizing or adverse effect on the milk agent indicates that the agent is a virus of exogenous origin.