cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Augmentation in Proprioceptive Media Art

In this paper, I explore the phenomenon of augmentation by questioning its representational nature and analyzing aesthetic modes of our interrelationship with the environment. How can senses be augmented and how do they serve as mechanisms of enhancing the feeling of presence? Media art practices offer particularly valuable scenarios of activating such mechanisms, as the employment of digital technology allows them to operate on a more subtle level of perception. Given that these practices are continuously evolving, this analysis cannot claim to be a comprehensive one, but rather aims to introduce aspects of the specific relations between augmentation, sense of proprioception, technology, and art. Proprioception is one of the least detectable and track-able human senses because it involves our intuitive sense of positionality, which suggests a subtle equilibrium between a center (our individual bodies) and the periphery (our immediate environments). Yet, as any sense, proprioception implies a communicational chain, a network of signals traveling and exchanging information within the body-mind complex. The technological augmentation of this dynamic process produces an interference in our understanding of the structure and elements, the information sent/received. One way to understand the operations of the senses is to think about them as images that the mind creates for itself. Artistic intervention (usually) builds upon exactly this logic: representation of images generated in mind, supplementing or even supplanting the existing collection of inner images with new, created ones. Yet, in case of proprioception the only means to interfere with and augment these inner images is on bodily level. Hence, the question of communication through images (or representations) should be extended towards a more complex theory of embodied perception. Drawing on phenomenology, cognitive science, and techno-cultural studies, I focus on the potential of biofeedback technologies to challenge and transform our self-perception by conditioning new pathways of apprehension (sometimes by creating mechanisms of direct stimulation of neural activity). I am particularly interested in how the awareness of the self (grounded in the felt relationality of our body parts) is most significantly activated at the moments of disturbance of balance, in situations of perplexity and disorientation. Projects by Marco Donnarumma, Sean Montgomery, and other artists working with biofeedback aesthetically validate and instantiate current research about neuroplasticity, with technologically mediated sensory augmentation as one catalyst of this process.
Intrinsic Theories and Computational Complexity

We introduce a new proof theoretic approach to computational complexity. With each free algebra \(\mathbb{A}\)we associate a first order “intrinsic theory for \(\mathbb{A}\)”, IT (\(\mathbb{A}\)), with no initial functions other than the constructors of \(\mathbb{A}\), and no axioms for them other than the generative and inductive axioms, which delineate \(\mathbb{A}\). The case most relevant to traditional proof theory is \(\mathbb{A}\)=ℕ (the unary natural numbers), and the case most relevant to computer science is \(\mathbb{A}\)=\(\mathbb{W}\)={0,1}. An algorithm is provable if it provably maps inputs in \(\mathbb{A}\)to values in \(\mathbb{A}\), and a function is provable if it has a provable algorithm. We show that the provable functions of IT(N) are exactly the provably recursive functions of Peano Arithmetic.
Semiconductor nanocrystals in photoconductive polymers: Charge generation and charge transport

Summary By mixing semiconductor nanocrystals with carrier-transporting polymers, one creates an interesting class of photoconductive nanocomposites. The presence of semiconductor nanocrystals enhances the photo-induced charge generation efficiency and extends the sensitivity range, while the polymer matrix carries away the charges under applied field. We found the effect of low concentrations of semiconductor nanocrystals on the hole mobility of a polymer is minimal. A new model of field-dependent photo-induced charge generation in polymers has been developed and successfully applied to the case of nanocluster/polymer composites. In the future, it will be interesting to explore the size-dependent charge generation mechanism, i.e. the transition from a localized ( 1a ) to a delocalized one ( 1a ). Transport properties of these composites with high concentrations of semiconductor nanocrystals represent an unexplored areas. Nanocomposites should provide a promising direction for searching for high mobility electron or hole transporting materials. Exploration of these materials for technological applications such as imaging and electroluminescent display has just begun.
Seeking Asylum Alone: Using the Best Interests of the Child Principle to Protect Unaccompanied Minors

Every year about five thousand children under the age of eighteen enter the United States without legal guardians. These children must meet the same substantive standards as adults in order to gain asylum. As children, they face unique difficulties because they may not understand the persecutor’s intent and may not be able to explain their experiences as persecution on account of one of the five enumerate asylum grounds. Furthermore, they must navigate a confusing legal system designed primarily for adults with limited English skills and without the assistance of government-appointed attorneys or guardian ad litems. This Note argues that the only way to ensure that unaccompanied children are not deported into dangerous situations is to consider the best interests of the child in their asylum determination. This reform can be based on the criteria for the special immigrant juvenile status, which locates the best interests determination in juvenile courts while retaining some decision-making powers in the Department of
Observation of standard spin-switch effects in ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet trilayers with a strong ferromagnet

We have measured the superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ of ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet trilayers using Permalloy $(\mathrm{Py}={\mathrm{Ni}}_{84}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{16})$ as a strongly polarized ferromagnetic material. For a parallel (P) or antiparallel (AP) alignment of the magnetization directions of the outer ferromagnets, we observe a ${T}_{c}$ difference as large as $20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mK}$, with a stronger suppression of superconductivity in the P state than in the AP state. This behavior is opposite to the recent observations of Rusanov et al. [Phys. Rev. B 73, 060505 (2006)] in Py/Nb/Py trilayers, but is consistent with earlier results on trilayers with Ni or CuNi alloy as the ferromagnetic material.
Therapy of the purpuras

Abstract Purpura is a physical sign featured in a variety of unrelated illnesses and is the ultimate reflection of a number of derangements of hemostasis. An attempt has been made to present briefly a schema for approach to treatment, with particular emphasis given to management of thrombocytopenia. Beyond correction of underlying diseases, very few measures are available. Adrenocortical steroids are the most useful “broad-spectrum” therapy, but their application is largely limited to control of the manifestations of thrombocytopenia and anaphylactoid purpura. In thrombocytopenia, enthusiasm for hormonal management has propelled the therapeutic pendulum away from splenectomy as the measure of choice; however, surgery remains the ultimate means of remission in most adults with the idiopathic disorder and in many instances of the secondary variety. The concept that idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura may be divided into immunologic and nonimmunologic types has been discussed. Approximately 80 per cent of patients with the immunologic variety respond favorably to splenectomy. In anaphylactoid and other nonthrombocytopenic purpuras attempts at symptomatic management with steroids alone are generally disappointing; the precipitating factors or underlying diseases are more vulnerable targets of therapy. Despite the paucity of available therapeutic measures, the uncritical administration of any agents claimed to have a role in normal hemostasis or any influence on defective hemostasis can only be condemned. This approach, in lieu of accurate diagnosis and thoughtful appraisal, is virtually always ineffective and expensive and too often a contributor to fatal outcomes.
Doubly excited resonances of positronium negative ions

Abstract Some lower-lying doubly excited 1 S e and 3 S e resonances of positronium negative ions associated with N = 2 up to N = 5 positronium thresholds are calculated by a method of complex-coordinate rotation. Hylleraas-type wave functions with N = 203 terms are used to represent the system.
Preparation of [11C] formaldehyde using a hollow fiber membrane bioreactor

A bioreactor consisting of the enzymes alcohol oxidase and catalase immobilized onto a hollow fiber membrane was used to convert [11C]methanol to [11C]formaldehyde. Using an alcohol oxidase:catalase ratio of 1:500 U, conversion yields of 90-95% were obtained allowing the production of up to 7400 MBq (200 mCi) of [11C]formaldehyde in 5 min. The hollow fiber bioreactor allowed for a convenient, rapid synthesis with yields significantly higher than the standard chemical procedures, has demonstrable advantages over glass bead immobilized systems (primarily due to convective flow), and was amenable to hot cell conditions.
Analysis of energy states in modulation doped multiquantum well heterostructures

A precise and effective numerical procedure to model the band diagram of modulation doped multiquantum well heterostructures is presented. This method is based on a self-consistent iterative solution of the Schroedinger equation and the Poisson equation. It can be used rather easily in any arbitrary modulation-doped structure. In addition to confined energy subbands, the unconfined states can be calculated as well. Examples on realistic device structures are given to demonstrate capabilities of this procedure. The numerical results are in good agreement with experiments. With the aid of this method the transitions involving both the confined and unconfined conduction subbands in a modulation doped AlGaAs/GaAs superlattice, and in a strained layer InGaAs/GaAs superlattice are identified. These results represent the first observation of unconfined transitions in modulation doped multiquantum well structures.
EFFECT OF MACHINE PARAMETERS ON THREE-DIMENSIONAL VOLUME MEASUREMENT OF JETS: IN VITRO STUDIES. 170

EFFECT OF MACHINE PARAMETERS ON THREE-DIMENSIONAL VOLUME MEASUREMENT OF JETS: IN VITRO STUDIES. 170
New heme-dioxygen and carbon monoxide adducts using pyridyl or imidazolyl tailed porphyrins.

Abstract Inspired by the chemistry relevant to dioxygen storage, transport and activation by metalloproteins, in particular for heme/copper oxidases, and carbon monoxide binding to metal-containing active sites as a probe or surrogate for dioxygen binding, a series of heme derived dioxygen and CO complexes have been designed, synthesized, and characterized with respect to their physical properties and reactivity. The focus of this study is in the description and comparison of three types heme–superoxo and heme–CO adducts. The starting point is in the characterization of the reduced heme complexes, [(F8)FeII], [(PPy)FeII] and [(PIm)FeII], where F8, PPy and PIm are iron(II)–porphyrinates and where PPy and PIm possess a covalently tethered axial base pyridyl or imidazolyl group, respectively. The spin-state properties of these complexes vary with solvent. The low temperature reactions between O2 and these reduced porphyrin FeII complexes yield distinctive low spin heme–superoxo adducts. The dioxygen binding properties for all three complexes are shown to be reversible, via alternate argon or O2 bubbling. Carbon monoxide binds to the reduced heme–FeII precursors to form low spin heme–CO adducts. The implications for future investigations of these heme O2 and CO adducts are discussed.
ANALYTIC SOLUTION OF THE TRUNCATED STATISTICAL BOOTSTRAP EQUATION WITH STEP- FUNCTION KERNEL.

Abstract Analytic expressions for the total level density, the pion multiplicity distribution and the average pion energy of the truncated statistical bootstrap equation with a step function kernel are presented.
Learning and the language of thought

Logic and probability are key themes of cognitive science that have long had an uneasy coexistence. I will describe the Probabilistic Language of Thought approach that brings them together into compositional representations with probabilistic meaning - formalized as stochastic lambda calculus. I will describe how this general framework is realized in the probabilistic programming language Church.
Hydrogen rearrangements in carbenes. Inherent Hax/Heq migration ratios in thermal and photic Bamford-Stevens reactions

Singlet carbenes were generated from doubly labeled homobrexanones by thermolysis and by photolysis of their p-tosylhydrazone lithium salts. The carbenes undergo competitive 1,3-insertion and 1,2-H shift. After correction for kH/kD isotope effects the inherent Hax/Heq shift ratios were 1.7 for the carbene generated thermally and 1.2 for the carbene obtained photically. The six-membered ring in the homobrexane skeleton cannot adopt a boat shape, so these ratios are free of any chair-boat ambiguities.
Structure and dating errors in the geologic time scale and periodicity in mass extinctions

Structure in the geologic time scale reflects a partly paleontological origin. As a result, ages of Cenozoic and Mesozoic stage boundaries exhibit a weak 28-Myr periodicity that is similar to the strong 26-Myr periodicity detected in mass extinctions of marine life by Raup and Sepkoski. Radiometric dating errors in the geologic time scale, to which the mass extinctions are stratigraphically tied, do not necessarily lessen the likelihood of a significant periodicity in mass extinctions, but do spread the acceptable values of the period over the range 25-27 Myr for the Harland et al. time scale or 25-30 Myr for the DNAG time scale. If the Odin time scale is adopted, acceptable periods fall between 24 and 33 Myr, but are not robust against dating errors. Some indirect evidence from independently-dated flood-basalt volcanic horizons tends to favor the Odin time scale.
Identification of Intracellular Signaling Cascades Mediating the PACAP-induced Increase in Guinea Pig Cardiac Neuron Excitability

The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) increases excitability of guinea pig cardiac neurons, an effect mediated through activation of PAC1 receptors. The signaling cascades that couple activation of the PAC1 receptor to alterations in membrane ionic conductances responsible for the PACAP effect are unknown. Intracellular recordings were made from neurons in kinase inhibitor-treated cardiac ganglia preparations to determine which of the intracellular cascades activated by PAC1 receptor stimulation mediate the PACAP effect. In control cells, long depolarizing-current steps elicited one to three action potentials. In contrast, during the application of 10 nM PACAP, depolarizing-current pulses elicited multiple action potential firing (greater than or equal to five action potentials) in 79% of the neurons. Pretreatment with an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, SQ 22536 (100 µM), suppressed the PACAP-induced increase in excitability, whereas the presence of U-73122 (10 µM), a potent phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, had no effect. Thus, the activation of adenylyl cyclase, but not PLC, was a critical step mediating the PACAP effect. Pretreatment with H-89 (1 µM), a protein kinase A inhibitor, and PD 98059 (50 µM), a MEK kinase inhibitor, also significantly blunted the PACAP-induced increase in excitability. Furthermore, treatment with forskolin (5 µM), an activator of adenylyl cyclase, or exposure to the cell-permeable cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) analogue, 8-bromo-cAMP (1 mM), partially recapitulated the effect of PACAP on excitability. We conclude that the activation of signaling cascades downstream of cAMP mediate the PACAP-induced increase in cardiac neuron excitability.
THE HYDROGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTS OF THE GULF OF VENEZUELA1

The Gulf of Venezuela is a large kidncy-shaped embayment along the northern coast of South America between Venczuela and Colombia. It is approximately 200 km long on a line between Aruba and the entrance to Lake Maracaibo and 84 km wide between Espada Point and Paraguan& Waters from the open Caribbean penetrate the gulf over a broad shallow shelf ( Fig. 1). The Gulf of Venezuela is divided into two parts, Calabozo Bay and the Outer Gulf, by a submarine sill that markedly influences the water movements between the two basins. The basin of Calabozo Bay is 9 m deeper than the deepest portion of the sill. The bottom of the Outer Gulf slopes toward the Caribbean Sea somewhat regularly from the coast of Falc6n to the sudden deepening at the shelf edge. Four small islands off the Los Monges group in the northwestern part of the Outer Gulf are within the area of study. Field data presented in this paper (Table 1) were collected on two cruises of the
Measuring pulse-front tilt in ultrashort pulses using GRENOUILLE.

We show that the spatio-temporal distortion, pulse-front tilt, is naturally, easily, and sensitively measured by the recently demonstrated, extremely simple variation of single-shot second-harmonic generation frequency-resolved optical gating (SHG FROG): GRENOUILLE. While GRENOUILLE traces are ordinarily centered on the zero of delay, a pulse with pulse-front tilt yields a trace whose center is shifted to a nonzero delay that is proportional to the pulse-front tilt. As a result, the trace-center shift reveals both the magnitude and sign of the pulse-front tilt—independent of the temporal pulse intensity and phase. The effects of pulse-front tilt can then easily be removed from the trace and the intensity and phase vs. time also retrieved, yielding a full description of the pulse in space and time.
Lipid A Modifications in Polymyxin-resistant Salmonella typhimurium PMRA-DEPENDENT 4-AMINO-4-DEOXY-l-ARABINOSE, AND PHOSPHOETHANOLAMINE INCORPORATION

Abstract Lipid A of Salmonella typhimurium can be resolved into multiple molecular species. Many of these substances are more polar than the predominant hexa-acylated lipid A 1,4′-bisphosphate of Escherichia coli K-12. By using new isolation methods, we have purified six lipid A subtypes (St1 to St6) from wild type S. typhimurium. We demonstrate that these lipid A variants are covalently modified with one or two 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose (l-Ara4N) moieties. Each lipid A species with a defined set of polar modifications can be further derivatized with a palmitoyl moiety and/or a 2-hydroxymyristoyl residue in place of the secondary myristoyl chain at position 3′. The unexpected finding that St5 and St6 contain two l-Ara4N residues accounts for the anomalous structures of lipid A precursors seen in S. typhimurium mutants defective in 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid biosynthesis in which only the 1-phosphate group is modified with thel-Ara4N moiety (Strain, S. M., Armitage, I. M., Anderson, L., Takayama, K., Quershi, N., and Raetz, C. R. H. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 16089–16098). Phosphoethanolamine (pEtN)-modified lipid A species are much less abundant than l-Ara4N containing forms in wild typeS. typhimurium grown in broth but accumulate to high levels when l-Ara4N synthesis is blocked inpmrA C pmrE− andpmrA C pmrF− mutants. Purification and analysis of selected compounds demonstrate that one or two pEtN moieties may be present. Our findings show that S. typhimurium contains versatile enzymes capable of modifying both the 1- and 4′-phosphates of lipid A with l-Ara4N and/or pEtN groups. PmrA null mutants of S. typhimurium produce lipid A species without any pEtN or l-Ara4N substituents. However, PmrA is not needed for the incorporation of 2-hydroxymyristate or palmitate.
Accessory urethral-like channelin female child

The rare occurrence of an accessory urethral-like channel passing anterior to the pubis in a female child is reported.
The realization graph of a degree sequence with majorization gap 1 is Hamiltonian

Abstract It is known that the degree sequences of threshold graphs are characterized by the property that they are not majorized strictly by any degree sequence. Consequently every degree sequence d can be transformed into a threshold sequence by repeated operations consisting of subtracting I from a degree and adding 1 to a larger or equal degree. The minimum number of these operations required to transform d into a threshold sequence is called the majorization gap of d . A realization of a degree sequence d of length n is a graph on the vertices 1, …, n , where the degree of vertex i is d i . The realization graph %plane1D;4A2;( d ) of a degree sequence d has as vertices the realizations of d , and two realizations are neighbors in %plane1D;4A2;( d ) if one can be obtained from the other by deleting two existing edges [ a, b ], [ c, d ] and adding two new edges [ a, d ]; [ b, c ] for some distinct vertices a, b, c, d . It is known that %plane1D;4A2;( d ) is connected. We show that if d has a majorization gap of 1, then %plane1D;4A2;( d ) is Hamiltonian.
Error analysis of a Doppler ¿ Inertial navigation system by analog simulation

Described is a simulation allowing the determination of latitude and longitude errors, generated in a Doppler ? inertial navigation system, due to numerous sources. Errors in navigation systems are small and would be obscured in a direct simulation of the system. By simulating the error equations, the influence of error sources and of system parameters on latitude and longitude errors can be readily determined. To demonstrate the value of the simulation, some data resulting from simulated flights are presented.
Enhanced photoluminescence from Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanocores with a Y2O3 thin shell

Nanoparticles of Gd2O3:Eu3+ ∼20 nm in diameter were synthesized at ∼180 °C using a facile high boiling-point alcohol (polyol) method. The Gd2O3 nanoparticles, doped with 5 mol% Eu, were crystalline cubic phase and exhibited intense 5D0–7F2 photoluminescence (PL) from Eu3+ after calcination at 600 °C for 2 h in air. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) data showed that while a small fraction of the emission resulted from direct excitation of Eu3+, most of the excitation resulted from adsorption in the oxygen to europium charge-transfer band between 225 and 275 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the Gd2O3:Eu3+ cores were slightly agglomerated, but the thin Y2O3 shell could not be detected by TEM. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to detect the thin Y2O3 shell around the Gd2O3:Eu3+ core. Drop-cast thin films of the Gd2O3:Eu3+/Y2O3 core/shell nanoparticles exhibited PL intensities up to 40% larger than from bare core Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanoparticles. Increased PL was attributed to reduced non-radiative recombination based on longer luminescence decay times.
Social Work with Native People: Orienting Child Welfare Workers to the Beliefs, Values, and Practices of Native American Families and Children

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to help child welfare workers better understand the cultural and spiritual elements of effective practice with their Native American clients. This article begins by helping child welfare workers better understand sovereignty and the historical context of Native people in the United States. Discussion then focuses on helping child welfare workers better understand the worldview and family dynamics of Native Americans. Finally, practice and intervention strategies are given to help child welfare workers become more culturally responsive to their Native American clients.
Cataract Surgery Following Cobalt 60 Plaque Radiotherapy for Posterior Uveal Malignant Melanoma

We reviewed the records of thirteen patients with posterior uveal malignant melanoma who had developed a mature radiation cataract following cobalt-60 plaque radiotherapy. Cataract extraction had been performed in seven of these patients as of the survey date of this investigation. We attempted to determine if cataract extraction increased the risk of metastatic melanoma, improved or worsened visual function, or resulted in any consistent intraoperative or postoperative complications that did not occur if the cataract was retained. Our analysis showed that removing the cataract did not appear to increase the risk of death from metastatic melanoma, but it also indicated that cataract extraction did not seem to improve the visual function of the irradiated eye. On the basis of our experience to date, we offer suggested guidelines for the management of patients who develop a mature cataract following cobalt-60 plaque radiotherapy of a posterior uveal malignant melanoma.
Beat-to-beat stability of implanted pacemakers.

A method of measuring and analyzing beat-to-beat interval stability of implanted pacemakers has been devised, and a number of normal and failing pacers have been studied in this way. It was seen that normal pacer rates were remarkably stable, but that abnormalities in beat-to-beat interval were found in 67.4% of all failing pacers. The abnormalities consisted primarily of excessive interval (rate) scatter, linear and cyclic fluctuation, and transients following application of a magnet. It is expected that in problem cases a beat-to-beat analysis will be of help in differentiating normal from abnormal pacer function, and will provide confirmation signs of pacer failure; it may also uncover unusual and heretofore unpredictable failure modes. (PACE, Vol. 2, May-June, 1979)
Supporting the Web: a distributed hyperlink database system

Abstract In our last paper[16], we presented an integrated scheme for an intelligent publishing environment that included a locally maintained hyperlink database. This paper takes our previous work full cycle by extending the scope of the hyperlink database to include the entire Web. While the notion of hyperlink databases has been around since the beginnings of hypertext, the Web provides the opportunity to experiment with the largest open distributed hypertext system. The addition of hyperlink databases to the Web infrastructure positively impacts several areas including: referential integrity, link maintenance, navigation and visualization. This paper presents an architecture and migration path for the deployment of a scalable hyperlink database server called Atlas. Atlas is designed to be scalable, autonomous, and weakly consistent. After introducing the concept and utility of link databases, this paper discusses the Atlas architecture and functionality. We conclude with a discussion of subscriber and publisher policies that exploit the underlying hyperlink infrastructure and intelligent publishing environments.
Non-linear, high-gain and sustained-to-transient signal transmission from rods to amacrine cells in dark-adapted retina of Ambystoma.

In darkness, On-Off amacrine cells (ACs) of the tiger salamander retina exhibited large spontaneous transient depolarizing potentials (sTDPs) with average peak amplitude of 5.05 ± 2.5 mV and average frequency of 0.42 ± 0.25 s−1. Under voltage-clamp conditions the cell displayed large spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs) with average peak amplitude of 98 ± 39 pA and average frequency of 0.45 ± 0.22 s−1. To a light step, ACs gave rise to a transient ‘On’ response at the light onset and a transient ‘Off’ response at light offset, followed by a train of TDPs (‘After’ response). Near the response threshold (0.3 activated rhodopsin molecules per rod per second), light-evoked TDPs (leTDPs) of similar amplitude and kinetics as the large sTDPs observed in darkness were seen, and about half of these leTDPs elicited a regenerative potential (RP). Brighter light steps gave rise to more leTDPs and higher rates of RPs in the On, Off and After responses. Within the linear response range of the rods, the AC response was non-linear, with the highest gain (676 ± 429) near the dark potential. The amplitude of Off responses increased with the duration of the light step, and ACs may use this to encode speeds of moving stimuli: the faster the light object moves, the smaller the AC Off response. Moreover, the number of leTDPs in the AC After response increased with light intensity, and the onset of the After response coincides with bipolar cell tail response recovery. One possible origin of the large sTDPs and leTDPs is the spontaneous and depolarization-induced regenerative calcium potentials (RCaPs) in bipolar cell synaptic terminals. RCaPs in bipolar cell synaptic terminals cause transient glutamate release that results in the sTDPs in darkness, and leTDPs in On, Off and After responses in ACs.
Impact of retained embryos on the outcome of assisted reproductive technologies

Abstract Objective To assess the impact of embryo retention in the embryo transfer catheter followed by "immediate" retransfer on pregnancy outcome in women undergoing assisted reproduction. Design Retrospective analysis of embryo transfer following in vitro fertilization. Setting Assisted reproductive technology practice in a university in vitro fertilization program. Patient(s) In vitro fertilization charts for 1,812 embryo transfer cycles representing 1,139 patients between January 1997 and March 2002 were reviewed. Intervention(s) None. Main outcome measure(s) Pregnancy rate, implantation rate, delivery rate. Result(s) Three embryo transfer cycles were excluded from analysis because of missing data, leaving 1,364 embryo transfers during oocyte recovery cycles and 445 embryo transfer cycles using thawed embryos. Seventy-one embryo transfers (3.9% of all transfers) were complicated by finding retained embryos after the initial embryo transfer—all retained embryos were immediately retransferred. There was no difference in the frequency of retained embryos during oocyte retrieval versus thawed embryo cycles. The pregnancy, implantation, and delivery rates per embryo transfer were not negatively affected by embryo(s) retained in the transfer catheter. Age, fresh versus frozen embryo, use of ultrasound during the procedure, or transferring physician did not influence pregnancy outcome. Conclusion(s) Immediate retransfer of embryos retained in the catheter following the initial transfer attempt did not have an adverse effect on pregnancy outcome.
Operator assignment and the parametric preflow algorithm

This note addresses a problem of assigning human operators to operations in a manufacturing system. The problem involves a set of operations, a work load for each operation, and a set of human operators, each skilled at a subset of the operations. The task is to assign the operators to the operations so as to maximize the capacity of the system, robustly. The problem is formulated as a network flow problem with a lexicographic objective. It is then shown how to solve this problem very efficiently as a parametric sequence of network maximum flow problems, by application of the "parametric preflow" algorithm of Gallo, Grigoriadis and Tarjan.
Comparison of U.S.S.R. Codes and U.S. Army Manual for design of foundations on permafrost

Abstract A comparative study was made of design criteria and analytical methods for footings and pile foundations on permafrost employed in U.S.S.R. Design Code SNiP II-18-76 (1977) and U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory Special Report 80-34 developed in the early 1970s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and published in 1980. The absence of adequate constitutive equations for frozen soils and of rigorous solutions of the boundary problems has made it necessary to incorporate (explicitly or implicitly) various safety factors in the foundation analyses. From the review it is concluded that the principal difference between these practices is in the assessment and application of appropriate values of safety factors, which leads to a substantial discrepancy in the dimensions and costs of footings and pile foundations in permafrost.
Asymptotic Validity of F Tests for the Ordinary Linear Model and the Multiple Correlation Model

Abstract In this article we establish under fairly general conditions that the F tests used in the linear model and the correlation model are asymptotically valid in the presence of nonnormality, in that their sizes are unaffected, asymptotically, by this nonnormality. Similar results could be derived for Scheffe-type simultaneous confidence intervals as well as the one-sided t tests used in these models. Finally, we find the asymptotic distribution of the sample variance and show why the size of a χ2 test about the variance for the linear model is not asymptotically valid in the presence of nonnormal errors.
Faculty beliefs, perceptions, and level of community involvement in their research: a survey at one urban academic institution.

Health researchers are increasingly interested in how best to engage communities in their health-related research studies. To help determine how researchers have interacted with community members in their research, we conducted a survey of full-time faculty from the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions regarding researchers’ beliefs and experiences with community-based research. Approximately 41% of respondents who conducted human subject studies had enrolled local residents in their research. Researchers whose studies were based in the surrounding community were significantly more likely to involve community members in all stages of their research (e.g., selection of the problem, project planning, data collection, interpretation and dissemination of results, or developing an intervention) than were faculty whose studies enrolled community members as research participants but whose studies were not set in the community. Over 90% of all faculty respondents agree that community involvement improves the relevance of their research, although almost 60% had not done so. Most faculty value community involvement, but they want more institutional support for such activities and they seek better skills to involve community. Few studies have surveyed researchers who enroll community members as research participants to document practices regarding community involvement in the research process. Given that the majority (73.6%) of faculty responded that they intend to include local residents in their upcoming studies, future research to evaluate interventions designed to facilitate community involvement, especially in the inner city, would help stakeholders identify best practices for involving and engaging communities in health research.
Darboux classification of cauchy elastic bodies and some of its consequences

Abstract The Darboux theorem on the classification and canonical forms of first degree differential forms is used to obtain a classification and canonical representation of Cauchy elastic solids. If the stress is assumed to be determined uniquely by the Green deformation tensor C, the double Piola-Kirchhoff stress tensor is shown to belong to one of six possible classes, each of which possesses a unique representation in terms of linear combinations of gradients with respect to C of scalar-valued functions with scalar-valued coefficients. There are three distinct classes for isotropic materials, each of which has a unique representation. It is shown that these three classes are distinguishable in terms of the existence or nonexistence of cycles with nonzero total work and by the accessibility or inaccessibility of any deformation state from any neighboring deformation state by a path of zero work.
Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis: recent developments and ongoing challenges

Background Invasive aspergillosis is an infection with high morbidity and mortality that affects mostly immunocompromised individuals. Early identification and targeted treatment of the infection is essential to improve survival of affected patients. The purpose of our review is to highlight the most recent developments in diagnosis and screening for invasive aspergillosis (IA) along with the challenges associated with the development and validation of novel diagnostic approaches. Methods Ovid MEDLINE and The Cochrane library were searched for studies that evaluated serologic, molecular and novel methodologies for the diagnosis of IA. Results Traditional diagnostic approaches, such as histopathology and culture, are still considered the gold standard but lack sufficient sensitivity. Newer serologic techniques, such as galactomannan (GM) and beta-glucan, have already been incorporated into clinical guidelines, but recent evidence suggests that their performance might be limited in certain clinical settings. Molecular methods, such as the Aspergillus spp. polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have not yet found their place in clinical practice mainly due to lack of standardization. Novel methodologies, such as volatile organic compound detection and lateral flow devices, have recently been developed and promise noninvasive and rapid diagnosis of aspergillosis, while diagnostic algorithms that incorporate both GM and PCR have proven to be effective in early randomized trials as screening methods and can reduce the use of antifungal agents. Conclusions Diagnosis of IA remains challenging. Novel methodologies and the standardization of GM and PCR might provide more reliable diagnostic tools in the future.
Electronic structure calculations of physisorption and chemisorption on oxide glass surfaces

A description of the physisorption and subsequent chemisorption of water on silica glass surfaces is presented that combines electronic structure calculations with classical molecular dynamics simulations. The method associates the strength of the physisorption sites with the gradient of the electrostatic potential, and the chemical reactivity with the chemical hardness of the surface. The physisorption results are compared with those of more classical physisorption energy mappings, and to ab initio calculations of water molecules physisorbing at specific sites. The chemisorption reactivity index is compared with calculated chemisorption energy barriers. The techniques are applied to two types of silica glass surfaces: a fracture surface with high energy coordination defects and a low energy defect-free ``melt surface.'' The mappings show that the strongest sites for physisorption are network coordination defects, but that a high physisorption energy is not necessarily an indicator of a reactive site. The physisorption and chemisorption mappings were converted to energy distributions and reactivity distributions for a direct comparison between the melt and fracture surfaces. Altogether, this approach combines the efficiency of classical molecular dynamics for structural determinations, with the chemical degrees of freedom provided by electronic structure calculations, to yield a semiquantitative map of chemical reactivity across a surface.
Separation and detection of bis(alkylthio)selenides of penicillamine and glutathione by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Abstract Sensitive and selective methodology is described for the simultaneous determination of thiols, disulfides and bis(alkylthio)selenides in mixtures formed by reaction of selenious acid with thiols. The methods are based on separation of the various compounds by reversed-phase ion pairing chromatography followed by detection with an electrochemical detector equipped with dual mercury/gold amalgam electrodes in series in the eluent stream. Thiols are detected directly at the downstream electrode. Bis(alkylthio)selenides and disulfides are detected indirectly by first reducing them at the upstream electrode followed by detection of the reduction products at the downstream electrode. Bis(alkylthio)selenides are reduced at less negative potentials than disulfides, making it possible to selectively detect them in mixtures with disulfides. Detector response to bis(penicillamine)selenides is linear from 1.1 · 10-7 M up to at least 1.2 · 10-4 M; the detection limit is estimated to be
Discerning Fidelity: Badiou between Faith and Reason

At this juncture in history, viewed as either the dusk of modernity or the dawn of its overcoming, questions of faith and reason are continually cast up anew. The questioning of faith and reason raise familiar binaries and oppositions: Is faith for or against, internal or external, before or after, above or below reason? Does faith perfect or overcome, complete or destroy, add or subtract from reason? This essay will pass through two figures representative of the contested field of Thomistic scholarship en route to a discussion of how the French philosopher Alain Badiou might intervene within the contemporary discussions of faith and reason. It will first engage Denys Turner's recent work which could be characterized as a dogmatic faith in reason attempting to repel the dispositional faith which he attributes to Fergus Kerr. These competing conceptions of faith will set the backdrop for a presentation and application of Badiou's understanding of faith as discerning fidelity.
Control of an oil-heated, fractal-like branching microchannel desorber

A PID controller was designed to improve the performance of an oil-heated, fractal-like branching microchannel desorber for use in an ammonia-absorption refrigeration system. System identification techniques were employed to develop single-input, single-output reduced order models relating the oil mass flow rate and the rectified circulation ratio (f*) for four different operating conditions. PID controllers were designed for each of these reduced order system models and the closed-loop response of the desorber was simulated for various operating conditions and controller combinations. The preliminary controller designs were refined by examining controlled desorber performance in an experimental flow loop. The resulting PID controller yielded a closed-loop response with a faster rise time and lower overshoot than the simulated controllers. The tuned controller regulated the desired rectified circulation ratio under the operating conditions studied, controlling both the amount and concentration of the ammonia refrigerant generated. Prescribed variations in f* were tracked by the controlled system with a settling time of approximately 10 min. Controlled performance was robust to external disturbances in the strong solution flow rate and the oil temperature, regulating f* about the desired value with a settling time similar to that observed during the tracking tests.
A Thermodynamic Analysis of Tubular SOFC Based Hybrid Systems

The goals of a research program recently completed at the University of California, Irvine were to develop analysis strategy for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) based systems, to apply the analysis strategy to tubular SOFC hybrid systems and to identify promising hybrid configurations. A pressurized tubular SOFC combined with an intercooled-reheat gas turbine (SureCell ™ cycle) is chosen as the Base Cycle over which improvements are sought. The humid air turbine (HAT) cycle features are incorporated to the Base Cycle resulting in the SOFC-HAT hybrid cycle which shows an efficiency of 69.05% while the Base Cycle has an efficiency of 66.23%. Exergy analysis identified the superior efficiency performance of the SOFC component. Therefore, an additional cycle variation added a second SOFC component followed by a low pressure combustor in place of the reheat combustor of the gas turbine of the SOFC-HAT hybrid. The resulting Dual SOFC-HAT hybrid has a thermal efficiency of 75.98%. The Single SOFC-HAT hybrid gives the lowest cost of electricity (3.54¢/kW-hr) while the Dual SOFC-HAT hybrid has the highest cost of electricity (4.02¢/kW-hr) among the three cycles with natural gas priced at $3/GJ. The Dual SOFC-HAT hybrid plant cost is calculated to be significantly higher because the fraction of power produced by the SOFC(s) is significantly higher than that in the other cases on the basis of $1100/kw initial cost for the SOFC. The Dual SOFC-HAT hybrid can only be justified in favor of the Single SOFC-HAT hybrid when price of natural gas is greater than $14/GJ or ffa severe carbon tax on the order of $180/ton of CO2 is imposed while natural gas price remains at $3/GJ. Copyright © 2001 by ASME.
Line-width and tuning effects in resonant excitation

Effects deriving from the finite spectral line width of an irradiation source are investigated for the resonant excitation process and found to be of particular interest when the irradiation spectral width is comparable with atomic (or molecular) line widths. An application of high current interest is laser isotope separation using relatively broad band but tunable dye lasers for selective excitation. Expressions are derived in systematic fashion for the absorption coefficient and for the yield, taking into account three independent line shapes—the first describing the irradiation source, the other two describing Lorentz and Doppler broadening of the atomic (or molecular) medium. Saturation effects are included, but propagation effects are neglected. It is shown that the customary distinction between homogeneous and inhomogeneous atomic-line broadening must be modified if the irradiation is not monochromatic. A further result of practical importance is that there exists an optimum irradiation line width that maximizes the yield for resonant transfer. In this respect, the relatively broad spectral widths characteristic of dye lasers are to be regarded as an advantageous feature, contrary to what is generally assumed.
Network organizational development in the public sector: a case study of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)

Research findings from the organizational theory tend to support the position that management uses Information Technology (IT) to maintain existing organizational hierachy and control. Another body of research from information technology advocates suggests that Information Technology's inherent capabilities transform organization hierarchy and control outside of management's control. In addition, advocates from governmental change toward a more responsive type of government advocate adoption of IT as a form of change mechanism. This aritcle explores these conflicting positions. The authors examines one instance of the development of a form of network organization within the federal government, and the processes of IT change that have occurred over the past 20 years. The agency selected for study is the Federal Emergency Mangagement Administration.
Oscillating selection on Darwin's finches

An important goal in the study of evolution is to determine the occurrence, causes and possible micro-evolutionary consequences of selection in natural populations1–3. Darwin's finches (Geospizinae) are suitable organisms for investigation because their morphological traits are highly heritable4, and they live in a climatically variable environment (Galapagos Islands)5,6. It has been suggested that selection fluctuates in direction and intensity, favouring different morphological optima in different years7, because strong annual variation in rainfall causes changes in food supply composition7,8. This suggestion has been supported in part by studies of the medium ground finch, Geospiza forth, on the island of Daphne Major, which have shown that large adult size is favoured under drought conditions, when the overall food supply is low and large hard seeds are disproportionately abundant8,9. Here we document a reversal in the direction of selection following the opposite climatic extreme, and demonstrate the connection between oscillating selection and fluctuations in food supply.