cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal chemistry of hydrazine on clean and oxygen- and water-predosed Cu(110) single-crystal surfaces

Abstract The chemistry of hydrazine on Cu(110) single-crystal surfaces was probed under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Survey TPD experiments identified molecular nitrogen and ammonia as the main desorbing products from thermal activation of the adsorbate, but small amounts of diazene and NH2· radicals were also detected. At saturation coverage, N2 production leads NH3 desorption by approximately 10 K (with TPD peaks at 350 K versus 360 K, respectively), indicating a preference for dehydrogenation over N–N bond scission steps, and additional nitrogen was seen at even lower temperatures (320 K) in experiments starting with even higher doses of hydrazine. On the other hand, the formation of NH3 and NH2·, which desorb in a wide range of temperatures between approximately 300 K and 700 K, dominates in experiments with low N2H4 doses, presumably because a stronger interaction of the N–N bond with the metal in the flat adsorption geometry expected at such low coverages. Dosing at room temperature seems to also facilitate the dissociative adsorption, albeit via dehydrogenation steps that lead to the subsequent production of more significant amounts of diazene and of molecular hydrogen (in addition to N2, NH3, and NH2·). Preadsorption of oxygen on the Cu(110) surface helps stabilize the hydrazine, increasing its desorption temperature and helping with the low-temperature (320 K) production of N2. Coadsorption of hydrazine with water leads to facile proton exchange, as indicated by the production of NH2D in TPD experiments with N2H4 + D2O. This isotope scrambling must occur at cryogenic temperatures because all water desorbs from the surface below 200 K and no other changes in surface chemistry are observed after that. The implications of all this chemistry to practical applications that may use hydrazine in surface reactions with copper, including its use as a reducing agent in atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes, are discussed.
Here Comes the Groom...(s)

On June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court changed forever the context of same sex marriages. For the first time marriage equality for all Americans gay or straight has been achieved in the United States. From the context of marriage equality, the fight for equal rights is not over and America must prepare itself for the arguments to come including that of the rights of transgender Americans.
The effect of preconditioning for the iterative solution of the finite element time domain method

In this paper, a study of the effect of preconditioning on the iterative matrix solver for the FETD method applied to a cavity problem is presented. An incomplete Cholesky with drop tolerance preconditioner is applied to the conjugate gradient method and a multi-level nested dissection is used. The reduction in number of iterations versus the number of fill-ins for the preconditioner are also investigated. The convergence rate as a function of element size and order of basis functions will also be considered
Enhancement of power system transmission using robust control design

Power systems have been required to operate close to stability limits for extensive periods of time. Controls like power system stabilizers, exciters, governors and special HVDC controls ensure that the system is able to operate, without instability, under a wide range of operating conditions. Hence their robustness becomes an important issue. This paper discusses a methodology that is used to analyze the stability robustness of controls in a power system and also presents a novel method to design robust controllers. Numerical results for sample test systems are presented along with those obtained from conventional techniques. >
Unique Ligand-Binding Property of the Human IgM Fc Receptor

The IgM Fc receptor (FcμR) is the newest FcR, and coligation of FcμR and Fas/CD95 on Jurkat cells with agonistic IgM anti-Fas mAb was shown to inhibit Fas-induced apoptosis. The ligand-binding activity of human FcμR was further examined. FcμR-mediated protection from apoptosis was partially blocked by addition of 10(4) molar excess of IgM or its soluble immune complexes, but it could be inhibited by addition of 10-fold excess of IgM anti-CD2 mAb. This suggests that FcμR binds more efficiently to the Fc portion of IgM reactive with plasma-membrane proteins than to the Fc portion of IgM in solution. The former interaction occurred in cis on the same cell surface, but not in trans between neighboring cells. This cis engagement of FcμR resulted in modulation of Ca(2+) mobilization via CD2 on Jurkat cells or BCRs on blood B cells upon cross-linkage with the corresponding IgM mAbs. Several functional changes were observed with FcμR mutants: 1) significant increase in IgM ligand binding in the cytoplasmic tail-deletion mutant, 2) enhanced cap formation in FcμR upon IgM binding at 4°C with a point mutation of the transmembrane His to Phe, and 3) less protective activity of FcμR in IgM anti-Fas mAb-mediated apoptosis assays with a point mutation of the membrane-proximal Tyr to Phe. These findings show the importance of the cis engagement of FcμR and its critical role in receptor function. Hence, FcμR on B, T, and NK cells may modulate the function of surface proteins recognized by natural or immune IgM Abs on the shared membrane cell surface.
Experiences with pair programming at a small college

Pair programming is a technique in which two programmers work side-by-side at one computer on the same program or problem. This paper discusses the use of pair programming in an introductory programming course at a small college and includes the results of a survey given to the students at the conclusion of the fall 2002 semester. The use of pair programming produces better projects in less time, and results in fewer assignments for the teaching staff to grade. Exam scores seem to be comparable with courses that do not allow students to program in pairs. Student evaluation of pair programming seems to be very positive; most students enjoy the class more when allowed to program in pairs and the group work promoted in the course teaches students important collaboration skills they will need in industry. The results discussed in this paper seem to suggest that pair programming is an effective teaching tool for introductory programming courses.
Performance of the upgraded LTP-II at the ALS Optical Metrology Laboratory

The next generation of synchrotrons and free electron laser facilities requires x-ray optical systems with extremely high performance, generally of diffraction limited quality. Fabrication and use of such optics requires adequate, highly accurate metrology and dedicated instrumentation. Previously, we suggested ways to improve the performance of the Long Trace Profiler (LTP), a slope measuring instrument widely used to characterize x-ray optics at long spatial wavelengths. The main way is use of a CCD detector and corresponding technique for calibration of photo-response non-uniformity [J. L. Kirschman, et al., Proceedings of SPIE 6704, 67040J (2007)]. The present work focuses on the performance and characteristics of the upgraded LTP-II at the ALS Optical Metrology Laboratory. This includes a review of the overall aspects of the design, control system, the movement and measurement regimes for the stage, and analysis of the performance by a slope measurement of a highly curved super-quality substrate with less than 0.3 microradian (rms) slope variation.
RELATIONSHIP OF ELECTRICAL DISPERSION TO SOIL PROPERTIES

In an effort to develop a nondestructive method for studying and predicting engineering properties of fine grained soils, a simplified electrical model is employed to represent the complicated soil system. The parameters of the model are both compositional and heterogeneous (structural). For a particular soil system, numerical values of the model parameters are determined by computer curve fitting the theoretical electrical dispersion equations of the model to the soil experimentally determined radio frequency dispersion curves. The fundamental nature of radio frequency electrical dispersion in fine grained soils and the numerical parameters of the model offer a technique for studying the engineering behavior of soils in a fundamental quantitative manner. The following subjects are summarized: the model's ability to monitor structural changes; the relationship between one model parameter and the swell potential of soils; and the relationship between another model parameter and the hydraulic permeability of fine grained soils.
Symmetry Reduction of a Class of Hybrid Systems

The optimal control problem for a class of hybrid systems (switched Lagrangian systems) is studied. Some necessary conditions of the optimal solutions of such a system are derived based on the assumption that there is a group of symmetries acting uniformly on the domains of different discrete modes, such that the Lagrangian functions, the guards, and the reset maps are all invariant under the action. Lagrangian reduction approach is adopted to establish the conservation law of certain quantities for the optimal solutions. Some examples are presented. In particular, the problems of optimal collision avoidance (OCA) and optimal formation switching (OFS) of multiple agents moving on a Riemannian manifold are studied in some details.
Production of Ligninases and Degradation of Lignin in Agitated Submerged Cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Research on the extracellular hemeprotein ligninases of Phanerochaete chrysosporium has been hampered by the necessity to produce them in stationary culture. This investigation examined the effects of detergents on development of ligninase activity in agitated submerged cultures. Results show that addition of Tween 80, Tween 20, or 3-[(3-colamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]1-propanesulfonate to the cultures permits development of ligninase activity comparable to that routinely obtained in stationary cultures. The detergent-amended cultures express the entire ligninolytic system, assayed as the complete oxidation of [14C]lignin to 14CO2. The detergent effect is evidently not merely in facilitating release of extant enzyme. Development of ligninolytic activity in the agitated cultures, as in stationary cultures, is idiophasic. Ion-exchange fast protein-liquid chromatography indicated that the heme protein profiles in agitated and stationary cultures are very similar. These findings should make it possible to scale up production of ligninolytic enzymes in stirred tank fermentors.
El Presupuesto Participativo en el contexto de los jóvenes de la Comuna 13 de Medellín

En este trabajo se analiza la participacion de los jovenes en el proceso de Presupuesto Participativo (PP) en uno de los sectores mas conflictivos de Medellin: la Comuna 13. El Presupuesto Participativo es un asunto en el que los ciudadanos del comun trabajan en conjunto con la administracion municipal para decidir como asignar el 5% del presupuesto publico de la ciudad. La iniciativa ha sido celebrada como una practica efectiva de la democracia participativa y como una herramienta innovadora para la gestion publica. Este articulo destaca las formas no-tradicionales de liderazgo juvenil y los efectos de la organizacion de los jovenes en la Comuna 13 y se abordan varias complicaciones que enfrentan en sus esfuerzos para incidir en los presupuestos publicos. Para ello es importante tener en cuenta la cultura autoritaria, la formacion politica limitada y la tension inter-generacional que marcan su contexto.
Characterization of Biomimetic Mineral Coated 3D PLGA Scaffolds

The bone-like carbonate apatite (BLCA) coatings can be coated biomimetically in the polymer surfaces by soaking in the simulated body fluid (SBF). This SBF contains similar ionic constituents to human blood plasma. Micro-porous 3D poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA scaffolds were fabricated by the solvent casting/salt leaching technique using chloroform to dissolve the polymer. We accelerated the deposition of mineral on scaffolds for 1-2 days, modifying the mineralization process using surface treatments and 5x SBF. These scaffolds were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The scaffolds coated with BLCA layer were placed in the 24 well plates containing 2 ml of media, such as Tris Buffered Saline-pH 7.4, cell culture media containing αMEM supplemented with 10% FBS, and 1% penicillin-streptomycin and incubated at 37°C for 21 days. The BLCA layer on surfaces of scaffold was stable even after 21 days immersed in Tris Buffered Saline and cell culture media. This study suggests that BLCA were stable for at least 3 weeks in the both media, and therefore, mineral has a potential to use as a carrier for biological molecules for localized release applications as well as bone tissue engineering applications.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Stochastic Integration in Banach Spaces

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to extend the definition of the stochastic integral for processes with values in Banach spaces; and second, to define the stochastic integral as a genuine integral, with respect to a measure, that is, to provide a general integration theory for vector measures, which, when applied to stochastic processes, yields the stochastic integral along with all its properties. For the reader interested only in scalar stochastic integration, our approach should still be of interest, since it sheds new light on the stochastic integral, enlarges the class of integrable processes and presents new convergence theorems involving the stochastic integral.
Building a Google??? Custom Search Engine (CSE) for Foreign Language Health Information: One Library's Effort to Create a New Tool for Health Professionals

The objective of this article is to create a search tool healthcare professionals can use to retrieve quality foreign language health information to assist in educating patients who are not fluent ...
Spatial memory over long retention intervals: nonmemorial factors are not necessary for accurate performance on the radial-arm maze by rats.

A. Markowska, O. Buresova, and J. Bures (1983, Behavioral and Neural Biology, 38, 97–112) argued that the apparent persistence of accurate spatial working memory over delays of several hours arises from the formation of response strategies and the use of olfactory stimuli that develop with extended training at long delays. To test this explanation rats with extensive prior training at long delays were forced to enter the first four arms in a random order. On test days, the maze was rotated 180° during the 2-h retention interval to determine whether the rats were using intramaze or extramaze (i.e., spatial) cues to guide their choices. On both rotation and control days, postdelay choices were spatially guided, averaging over 90% correct. Accurate spatial working memory at long delays is a reproducible phenomenon and does not appear to result from non-memorial artifacts.
Other Soft Tissue Pain Syndrome

Adamietz B, Schulz-Wendtland R, Alibek S, Uder M, Sauer R, Ott O, Keiholz L: Calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder joint. Strahlenther Onkol 186:18–23, 2010.The authors treated calcifying tendoniti...
Symptomatology of Iris yellow spot virus in Selected Indicator Hosts

) is an economically important pathogen of onion bulb and seed crops in the USA and other parts of the world (2,4). Studies on biological characteristics of the virus have been limited due to difficulties in obtaining consistent and reproducible mechanical transmission and lack of indicator hosts. The existence of strains of IYSV is not known though differences in symptomatology, disease severity, and yield losses could be attributed to the presence of different IYSV strains. To better understand the biological diversity of IYSV, several plant species were evaluated for their response to mechanical inoculation with IYSV under controlled greenhouse conditions. Seeds of
Review: effects of behavioural parent training and cognitive-behavioural therapy on antisocial behaviour in children remain unclear.

McCart M, Priester P, Davies W, et al. Differential effectiveness of behavioral parent-training and cognitive-behavioral therapy for antisocial youth: a meta-analysis. J Abnorm Child Psychol 2006;34:527–43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
An Information Extraction Attack against On-Line Social Networks

Millions of people use On-line social networks (OSNs) every day and privacy of sensitive personal information is a major concern. Although OSNs provide policies and mechanisms to allow users to control who can view their data, these efforts may not be sufficient under various privacy attacks. In this paper, we study the disclosure of private information concealed on a social network under an information extraction attack. The novelty of this attack is that it combines web search with information extraction and data mining techniques to discover private information that is hidden on a social network by considering web pages outside of the given social network. We also define a quantitative measure of the risk of privacy disclosure under this and other similar attacks, given the privacy policy and protection mechanism of a social network website. We show that with some public information of a victim from a social network, it is not too difficult for the adversary to utilize this attack to find other private information of the victim hidden on the social network. Our results call for further study of the strength of privacy protection mechanisms of online social networks, and the development of new and more effective protection methods.
Postoperative Phrenic Nerve Palsy in Patients with Open-Heart Surgery

We prospectively studied patients undergoing open-heart surgical procedures to evaluate the role of phrenic nerve palsy in the causation of the high incidence of pulmonary complications reported in these patients. Although atelectasis, or infiltrates, or both developed in the left lower lobe of 98% of the patients (43 of 44) with or without similar changes on the right side, only 5 (11%) of the 44 patients had diaphragmatic dysfunction following operation. In 1, the left phrenic nerve became inexcitable; 2 had paresis of the left hemidiaphragm, and 2 had paresis of the right hemidiaphragm. Although damage to the phrenic nerve can occur during open-heart operations, a relatively low incidence of this complication does not support it as the major cause of postoperative pulmonary complications.
Differences in substrate specificities of monoamine oxidase A from human liver and placenta.

Abstract The substrate specificities of monoamine oxidase (MAO) A isolated from human placenta and of human liver expressed in yeast have been compared in homogeneous preparations with respect to Vmax and Km values for natural and synthetic sbustrates and Ki values for competitive inhibitors. MAO A from these two sources is known to differ in at least 5 amino acid residues. While the Km and Ki values were found to be nearly identical in the enzymes from these two sources, the Vmax differed significantly on bulky synthetic substrates.
The use of ultraviolet light in the fractionation of chromatin containing unsubstituted and bromodeoxyuridine-substituted DNA.

Abstract Two procedures are described for the fractionation of chromatin containing unsubstituted (LL) DNA and DNA unifilarly substituted with bromodeoxyuridine (HL). The two procedures rely upon the sensitivity of bromodeoxyuridine-containing DNA to UV light to induce either strand breakage or protein crosslinking. When a mixture of LL and HL chromatin is irradiated with UV light, the HL DNA fragments into molecules of smaller molecular weight than the LL DNA and crosslinks more chromosomal protein than the LL DNA. LL and HL chromatin can be fractionated on the basis of size by centrifuging through a neutral sucrose gradient. The HL DNA-protein adducts that are generated by the UV light have a unique buoyant density and may be isolated by isopycnic centrifugation in CS2SO4. The ability to fractionate LL and HL chromatin permits certain studies on the structure of replicating chromatin.
Somatic psychotherapy and research: Walking the common ground

Research is a crucial element in advancing our collective knowledge of somatic psychology, but body and movement psychotherapists often struggle to engage in meaningful relationships with the psychology research literature and the community of scholars who typically produce it. This paper elaborates the common ground between research and somatic psychotherapy by linking the values, attitudes and skills of somatic psychotherapists with specific research methodologies. It traces the similarities between doing therapy and doing research, with a focus on the role of the therapist/researcher, and outlines a research method that somatic psychotherapists might consider as a basic framework when undertaking their own formal research.
Late positive component amplitude in schizophrenics and alcoholics in two different paradigms

Abstinent alcoholics, unmedicated schizophrenics, and controls were tested in two paradigms designed to elicit the late positive component. Experiment A used frequent stimuli of differing incentive value and Experiment B used infrequent stimuli of differing perceptual discriminability. Alcoholics and schizophrenics showed late positive components that were significantly reduced in amplitude compared to controls. The patient groups were similar in their late component amplitudes. Control subjects showed a substantially wider response range than the patient groups. The narrow response range in both patient groups was manifested in diminished late component amplitudes to both stimuli in both experiments. The intraclass correlation coefficient of late component amplitudes for both patient groups was significantly greater than that of the controls.
Sensitivity analyses of parameters of a M(t) / G / ∞ stochastic service system

Parameter sensitivity analyses were conducted on a M(t) / G / ~ stochastic service system in which (1) the number of constants in an approximating nonhomogeneous Poisson process of inputs, (2) the mean of a Weibull c.d.f. of service time, and (3) the variance of the c.d.f. of service time were traded off in analyses of 24 cases for each of two fitting criteria: an L"1 metric implemented by a linear goal program, and an L"2 metric implemented by a multilinear least squares regression. The model goodness of fit and estimated total input to the system are both more sensitive to the mean service time than to its variance or to the number of constants in the approximating Poisson input. The fitting criteria give consistent results, but the L"2 criterion gives slightly higher estimates of total input to the system over a fixed period of time.
Indirect NMR detection in solids with multiple cross-polarization periods.

The use of indirect detection for signal enhancement in solids is much less common than in liquids, but has attracted renewed interest recently. In this work we describe an indirect detection scheme that offers a large signal enhancement for rare spins in solids. The method uses multiple periods of cross polarization, each followed by an evolution period. The latter is increased stepwise in a pseudo 2D experiment, in which the signal of the rare spin is detected as modulation of the abundant spin. As an illustration of this method, the natural abundance deuterium NMR spectrum of a static powder sample of 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene is presented.
Choice of governance mechanisms to promote information sharing via boundary objects in the disaster recovery process

Given the difficulties and criticality of information sharing in a multi-agency setting, this paper looks at the IT governance mechanisms used to promote information sharing via shared boundary objects in the disaster response and recovery process. A longitudinal, descriptive case study relates the experiences of a community of disaster recovery stakeholders from a coastal region as they work together to share digital geospatial data on the community's physical utility infrastructure. Previous research is affirmed and extended in four empirically grounded research propositions addressing the nature of shared boundary objects, multi-agency governance, multi-agency performance metrics, and governance alignment. No exact governance configuration is deemed superior (except maybe avoidance of anarchy); however, there is a strong tendency not only to centralize, but also to retain localized control.
Convection heat transfer and flow phenomena of rotating spheres

Abstract The flow engendered by and the convection heat transfer to or from a rotating sphere have been investigated experimentally and theoretically over ranges of Reynolds numbers from zero to 9 × 105, Grashof numbers from 7 × 104 to 3 × 109, and Prandtl numbers from 0.024 to 217. For Prandtl numbers between 4.0 and 217 and Reynolds numbers below 5 × 104 the average Nusselt number for cooling as well as heating was found to be in reasonably good agreement with the result of a theoretical analysis based on a solution of the boundary-layer equations in which the boundary-layer thickness around the sphere was assumed to be uniform. A detailed study of the boundary-layer flow by means of a hot wire and several visualization methods showed, however, that the thickness of the boundary layer increases with angular distance from the poles and that in the vicinity of the equator where the boundary layers from the upper and lower halves of a rotating sphere meet, a complex flow separation takes place. The extent of the separation region was determined and some unusual transition phenomena were observed
Intercultural empathy: Myth, competency, or possibility for alliance building?

(2001). Intercultural empathy: Myth, competency, or possibility for alliance building? Communication Education: Vol. 50, No. 4, pp. 374-384.
Brachiocephalic Vein Stenosis and Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Presenting as Acute Airway Obstruction

CVS has also observed in the setting of fibrosing mediastinitis, postradiation therapy, and malignancy. It is characterized by a slow, insidious onset of upper extremity pain and swelling. In the setting of central venous catheterization, CVS is associated with placement of indwelling intravascular devices in the subclavian vein, innominate vein, and the superior vena cava. The risk of stenosis is directly related to repeated and longer duration of catheterization, location in the subclavian vein, and catheterassociated infection.
The place of gold compounds in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract Based upon current knowledge, it is concluded that although empirical, gold compounds may have a suppressive effect upon rheumatoid activity. Their usefulness is limited by uncertainty of therapeutic effect, slowness of action, and potential complications due to toxicity from the heavy metal. Recommendations for the selection of a gold compound for therapy, the schedule of administration, precautions during its use, and management of toxic reactions are presented. Although its action is less dependable, slower, and less potent than that of corticosteroid as an antirheumatic agent, there are many circumstances when administration of a gold compound is practical, reasonable, and beneficial for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These circumstances have been evaluated. With increasing research into the nature of rheumatoid arthritis, it is to be expected that treatment will be improved. Until this happens, clinicians should employ the therapeutic agents available as wisely as possible. The physician who employs gold compounds for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis should have a comprehensive understanding of this therapeutic agent and should recognize its limitations and potential hazards as well as its potential value.
Interpretation of the optical dephasing time and lineshape function in the S0 → T1 exciton transitions of 1,4-dibromonaphthalene

Abstract The lineshape function for the S 0 → T 1 absorption in 1,4-dibromonaphthalene (DBN) is analyzed in terms of exchange theory. It is shown that the dominant optical dephasing mechanism for the electric dipole transition to the k = 0 state in the band results from the absorption and emission of a low energy optic phonon. This process dephases the optical absorption because of frequency differences of the phonon in the ground and excited state. In addition, it is shown how to extract the energy of the phonon responsible for dephasing, the phonon absorption rate, and the lifetime in the phonon promoted state from the data. The analysis of the data for DBN shows that very little dephasing of the optical transition occurs before ≈ 15 K but from 15 K to ≈ 40 K the singlet-triplet transitions to site I (20192 cm −1 ) and site II (20245 cm −1 ) are dephased by absorption and emission of an ≈ 38 cm −1 and 45 cm −1 phonon respectively. The phonon absorption rates by the k = 0 state in the exciton band are similar for both sites being 5 × 10 6 s −1 and 3 × 10 5 s −1 at 4 K and 7 × 10 11 s −1 and 4 × 10 11 s −1 at 30 K for site I and II respectively. Finally, the lifetimes in the phonon promoted state for sites I and II are 0.23 and 0.28 ps over the range 15–40 K.
Human figure drawing characteristics related to juvenile delinquents.

Human figure drawings were scored on seven characteristics popularly attributed to juvenile delinquents, i.e., head size, shading, and three indicators of emotional conflict, i.e., transparencies, omissions, and erasures. Ss were adolescents incarcerated at training schools. Delinquency was defined in terms of MMPI profiles associated with delinquency rather than by social-legal or medical-diagnostic classification. The results fail to support popular hypotheses concerning human figure drawings of delinquents. Delinquents drew significantly more transparencies; however, no other emotional indicator was significant. It was concluded that little support exists for hypotheses concerning human figure drawings of delinquents and drawings should be used with caution in the clinical assessment of a delinquent's personality.
Perceptual considerations in a low bit rate sinusoidal vocoder

An approach to coding the parameters of a harmonic sinusoidal model which incorporates error spectrum shaping in order to improve the subjective quality of the speech coded at low bit rates is presented. It is shown that the sinusoidal model formulation is very well suited to representing speech signals and provides knowledge of pertinent time-varying characteristics of speech, such as pitch and short-time spectral information, which is useful for speech coding. The model also has a particularly simple form which lends itself easily to analysis and includes an envelope signal which separately models syllabic volume changes, enhancing the performance of the model. The analysis procedure presented provides greater accuracy than other techniques, resulting in higher quality synthetic and coded speech. In addition, as more components are added, the synthetic speech signal is guaranteed to converge to the original speech signal. Using perceptual factors in coding the parameters of this model yields considerable improvement in the overall subjective performance of the coder. >
Logic without energy or bandwidth limits

Boolean logic is an inherently irreversible, hence lossy operation. It has a well-known energy cost and an obvious time cost. To avoid those costs, we must do a different kind of logic. But, it is Boolean logic that we wish to do. We solved that dilemma by using a quantum optical logic gate that is fully reversible that yields the Boolean result after the irreversible loss of information in detection occurs.
Reversible nethide shifts in the 2--butyl-2-adamantyl cation

Abstract Treatment of either 3- tert -butyl-2-adamantanol or 2-isopropenyl-2-methyladamantane with acid in the presence of a reducing agent (hydrogen iodide or tri- 2 -hexylsilane) yielded 2- tert -butyladamantane as the major or exclusive product. Both precursors gave the 2- tert - butyl-2-adamantyl cation at −78°C in FSO3H-SbF5-SO2ClF.
Synchronous Scanning Methods for Organic Spectroscopy with Fully Resonant Four-Wave Mixing

New synchronous scanning methods are developed for fully resonant four-wave mixing experiments with three input frequencies. Enhanced sensitivity and selectivity are observed for the vibrational and vibronic resonances that are coupled, consequently simplifying the spectral information obtained. The factors affecting selectivity and spectral simplification are discussed. Spectra obtained with the use of two-laser and three-laser CARS reveal various schemes of multiple resonance. Under resonant excitation at moderate power, saturation and power broadening reduce the effective electronic resonance enhancement. Resonances based on coupling between vibrational and vibronic levels are less susceptible to such power-induced phenomena. It is demonstrated that four-wave mixing with three input lasers provides the capabilities of measuring intermode vibronic coupling terms of the third-order susceptibility and performing fully resonant nonparametric four-wave mixing experiments that have the same characteristics as CSRS but are free from molecular fluorescence.
Risk stratification early post-MI after percutaneous coronary intervention: should programmed ventricular stimulation be revisited?

e t Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary artery disease. Earlier trials utilized programmed ventricular stimulation and inducible sustained ventricular arrhythmias to aid in risk stratification. These trials using invasive electrophysiological (EP) testing demonstrated greater ICD benefit with respect to mortality reduction, thus resulting in a lower number needed to treat to demonstrate an ICD benefit. In this issue of Heart Rhythm, Kumar et al revisit EP testing in risk stratification and evaluate the relationship between reperfusion time and ventricular electrical instability early and late after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Programmed ventricular stimulation was performed early (median 8 to 9 days) after myocardial infarction (MI) if left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 40%. Delayed reperfusion ( 5 hours) independently predicted a 6-fold increase in the odds of inducing sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) at EP testing, and sudden death or spontaneous VT/ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred more often in those with delayed reperfusion compared with early ( 3 hours) reperfusion after a mean follow-up of 28 13 months. In a multivariable analysis, inducible VT was the strongest predictor of clinical spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias (hazard ration [HR] 14.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.02 to 67.83, P .001).
Desktop and mobile software development for surgical practice.

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a mobile software solution that will merge patient data with a centralized patient database, aid surgical decision making, and document clinical services. Methods: i Incise is a computerized, menu-driven database that was developed for real-time entry of historical, clinical, and laboratory data. Within the process, examination data, testing rationale, and test results are captured. AAST staging criteria are presented during data entry to describe and classify organ injuries accurately. A legible, time-stamped, conclusive report can be generated for printed or electronic entry into the medical record. The handheld version of the database runs on a Compaq i PAQ Pocket PC in either stand-alone mode or via LAN or WAN through the Internet. Microsoft Information Internet Server 5.0 provides data transaction services to Microsoft SQL Server 2000 to merge multiuser replicate data between the back ends stored on the desktop and handheld devices. Results: The printed report provides superior documentation for comprehensive evaluation and management services, including history and physical examination, documentation of medical decision making, appropriateness of diagnostic/or therapeutic services, and coordination of care in accordance with Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) regulations. Conclusions: Rapid data entry, ease of use, and appropriate documentation of detailed and legible patient visits and procedural notes are early benefits. Wireless data transmission between handheld devices and the desktop database provides the required speed, flexibility, and multitasking environment necessary for the mobile surgeon.
Transportation Systems as Cultural Landscapes in National Parks: The Case of Yosemite

Historical cultural geography and interpretive research are used to examine how Yosemite National Park visitors travel through and perceive the transportation system in order to explore broader meanings of transportation systems as cultural landscapes in national parks. Qualitative analysis of 160 semistructured interviews revealed that influences on visitors' transportation-related behavior include: (a) situational influences of the park environment and transportation system, such as convenience, access, cost, congestion, educational opportunities, and route finding; and (b) individual characteristics and experiential factors, such as subjective perceptions of freedom, environmental values, motivation for socializing, for solitude, and for accomplishment, and experience-use-history. This analysis sheds light on how the Park Service and visitors have embraced roads and cars in national parks, leading to a particular manifestation of cultural landscape and a choreographed and scripted visitor experience be...
Comparison of the low energy conformations of an oncogenic and a non-oncogenic p21 protein, neither of which binds GTP or GDP

Oncogenic p21 protein, encoded by the ras-oncogene, that causes malignant transformation of normal cells and many human tumors, is almost identical in sequence to its normal protooncogene-encoded counterpart protein, except for the substitution of arbitrary amino acids for the normally occurring amino acids at critical positions such as Gly 12 and Gln 61. Since p21 is normally activated by the binding of GTP in place of GDP, it has been postulated that oncogenic forms must retain bound GTP for prolonged time periods. However, two multiply substituted p21 proteins have been cloned, neither of which binds GDP or GTP. One of these mutant proteins with Val for Gly 10, Arg for Gly 12, and Thr for Ala 59 causes cell transformation, while the other, similar protein with Gly 10, Arg 12, Val for Gly 13 and Thr 59 does not transform cells. To define the critical conformational changes that occur in the p21 protein that cause it to become oncogenic, we have calculated the low energy conformations of the two multiply substituted mutant p21 proteins using a new adaptation of the electrostatically driven Monte Carlo (EDMC) technique, based on the program ECEPP. We have used this method to explore the conformational space available to both proteins and to compute the average structures for both using statistical mechanical averaging. Comparison of the average structures allows us to detect the major differences in conformation between the two proteins. Starting structures for each protein were calculated using the recently deposited x-ray crystal coordinates for the p21 protein, that was energy-refined using ECEPP, and then perturbed using the EDMC method to compute its average structure. The specific amino acid substitutions for both proteins were then generated into the lowest energy structure generated by this procedure, subjected to energy minimization and then to full EDMC perturbations. We find that both mutant proteins exhibit major differences in conformation in specific regions, viz., residues 35-47, 55-78, 81-93, 96-110, 115-126, and 123-134, compared with the EDMC-refined x-ray structure of the wild-type protein. These regions have been found to be the most flexible in the p21 protein bound to GDP from prior molecular dynamics calculations (Dykes et al., 1993). Comparison of the EDMC-average structure of the transforming mutant with that of the nontransforming mutant reveals major structural differences at residues 10-16, 32-40, and 60-68. These structural differences appear to be the ones that are critical in activation of the p21 protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
On the volume dependence of superexchange in K2NiF4

Abstract Ultrasonic velocity measurements in the two-dimensional antiferromagnet K 2 NiF 4 as a function of temperature at several hydrostatic pressures show T N to be very weakly pressure dependent. This result differs from previous estimates of the volume dependence of superexchange in similar compounds.
The Anarchy Police: Militant Anti-Fascism as Alternative Policing Practice

Anarchist criminology has produced a strong critique of the system of criminal law, but has only recently started to theorize practical alternatives. The alternatives that it offers have been largely rooted in pacifism through the practice of restorative justice and deescalation of conflict. These models are generally effective so long as the individuals involved are committed to the process being applied. Ethnographic study of the anti-fascist movement in the United States demonstrates a potential model of anarchist response to threats of community and public safety in prefigurative subcultural spaces. The confrontational and violent tactics employed by militant anti-fascists serve as a form of policing based on anarchist principles of spontaneity, direct democracy, and direct action; and can serve as a starting point for theorizing proactive anarchist actions against individuals who threaten public safety and order.
The effects of magnesium pemoline upon repeated acquisition and extinction of a bar press response

Six groups of six rats were run for 15-min daily sessions in an operant situation under either magnesium pemoline (MP) or saline Conditions. The design consisted of four days of acquisition followed by two days of extinction repeated four times. The results indicated that there was a slight tendency for MP to maintain more resistance to extinction as measured by response rate. The differential resistance is decreased by further acquisition-extinction sessions beyond the second set. The possible facilitating effects of MP are apparently reduced by the repeated exposure to the acquisition-extinction conditions.
Detection and quantitation of HPV in anogenital and oral tissues and fluids of HIV-positive individuals by real-time PCR

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) remain a serious world health problem due to their association with anogenital and oral cancers and warts. While over 100 HPV types have been identified, only a subset is associated with malignancy. HPV16 and 18 are the most common oncogenic types, while HPV6 and 11 are the most common types responsible for anogenital warts. These four types cause up to 90% of HPV-associated disease. While other quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays can be used to detect oncogenic HPV, there is no single tube assay that distinguishes the most frequent oncogenic types and the most common types found in warts. A qPCR assay was developed that allowed for detection and quantitation of these 4 HPV types. Type-specific primer pairs and TaqMan probes allowed single tube multiplex reactions to be performed. Each HPV type was detected over a range from 2 Η 101 to 2 Η 106 copies/reaction, providing a reliable method of quantitating type-specific HPV. A Sybr Green-based qPCR assay was developed that utilizes degenerate primers targeting the E1 region of all HPVs. These assays were run in parallel with PCR/sequence gold standard on 76 oral cancers from HIV-negative individuals. Cervical and oral washes were collected from 25 HIV-positive women and 90 HIV-positive men, respectively, being screened for anogenital neoplasia. Samples were analyzed using the newly developed assays. Of the 115 samples, 16% were HPV positive. Cervical washes contained HPV types 44, 67, 35, and 68 and oral specimens contained HPV types 16, 11, 32, 6, 55, 73, and 70. These results indicate that these assays can be used to detect and quantitate HPV in clinical samples obtained by noninvasive measures.
Spectro-temporal characterization of a femtosecond white-light continuum by transient-grating diffraction

An optically induced transient grating in a wide-bandgap dielectric is used to characterize the dispersion of a femtosecond white-light continuum over a 700 nm spectral range and with a time resolution of approximately 20 fs. With this technique, the dependence of the continuum dispersion on the focusing into the nonlinear material is investigated. Implications for laser spectroscopy experiments with continuum pulses are discussed.
Stress and symptomatology in patients with interstitial cystitis: a laboratory stress model.

Purpose: Although patients with interstitial cystitis frequently report symptom exacerbation due to stress, to our knowledge this association has not been empirically examined. We evaluated the effects of a laboratory mental stress challenge on symptoms of urgency and pain in patients with interstitial cystitis and healthy controls.Materials and Methods: A total of 14 females with interstitial cystitis and 14 age matched controls participated in a laboratory session, including a 60-minute baseline measurement, 25 minutes of mental stress tasks and 75 minutes of recovery. Acute symptoms of pain and urgency were assessed at voiding 15 minutes before the stressor, and 25, 70 and 100 minutes after stressor onset. Chronic symptoms were evaluated by questions from the Interstitial Cystitis Data Base survey.Results: Patients reported significantly greater pain and urgency than controls at all 4 voidings (p <0.005). Pain increased in patients from the prestressor point to 25 minutes after stressor onset (p <0.005...
Public education expenditures and growth

Abstract Empirical evidence is mixed concerning the effects of public education expenditures on economic growth. We explore this expenditure–growth relationship in the context of an endogenous growth model in which private and public investment are inputs to human capital accumulation. The positive direct effect of public education spending on growth can be diminished or even negated when other determinants of growth are negatively affected by general equilibrium adjustments. We show that the response of growth to public education expenditures may be nonmonotonic over the relevant range. The relationship depends on the level of government spending, the tax structure and the parameters of production technologies.