cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of exciton line shape asymmetries on four wave mixing spectra of semiconductor microcavities

Summary form only given. Using a full microscopic many-body theory, based on the dynamics-controlled truncation (DCT) formalism, we compute four-wave mixing spectra of thin semiconductor quantum well microcavities within the lowest-order nonlinear regime (/spl chi//sup (3)/-regime). Specifically, we focus on heavy-hole 1s excitons and corresponding two-exciton correlations (coherent biexcitons and two-exciton continuum correlations). Within this approach, the linear optical response corresponding to hh-excitons with given absorption lineshapes are inputs to the calculation of the nonlinear FWM spectra.
Resolution requirements for coastal applications of new geostationary satellites

For more than four decades, geostationary weather satellites have been used successfully by NOAA's National Weather Service for daily weather forecasting and for tracking storm events. At the same time, polar orbit systems, such as NOAA/AVHRR, SeaWIFS and Landsat TM, have provided valuable information about slowly varying features and processes in the open ocean and on land. However, coastal and estuarine applications of remote sensing require significantly finer temporal, spatial, and spectral resolution than open ocean studies. Current polar orbit satellites lack the temporal resolution, while present geostationary orbit satellites have limited spatial and spectral resolution. Geostationary satellites can provide images of clouds, ocean and land surfaces very frequently, since they are positioned above a selected point on the equator and continuously view the same one third of the Earth. However, in order to have the same angular velocity as the Earth, they must be located in an orbit 23,000 miles above the equator, which limits their spatial resolution. NOAA, with support from NASA and the Navy, is developing GOES-R, a geostationary satellite. GOES-R will include a Hyperspectral Environmental Suite for Coastal Waters (HES-CW) and atmospheric sounding sensors which should provide the resolution levels required for coastal and estuarine observations. To achieve this, full use will be made of the fact that a geostationary platform offers a very high sampling frequency and long integration times, allowing for high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios. Thus, useful trade-offs can be made between S/N, number of spectral bands, and sampling frequency, even though the spatial resolution is constrained to 150-300 m at the equator by system design considerations, such as mirror size, stability and pointing of the spacecraft. The objective of this paper is to illustrate coastal and estuarine resolution requirements for typical coastal features and processes such as: 1) chlorophyll concentration and coastal productivity, 2) harmful algal blooms and eutrophication, 3) current measurement by feature tracking, 4) oil slick drift and capture by estuarine fronts, 5) dynamic behavior of turbidity plumes and ocean-dumped waste, 6) propagation of internal waves on the continental shelf, 7) ice cover for coastal shipping, 8) coastal flooding and other catastrophic events, and 9) coastal ecosystem and wetland habitat changes. These resolution requirements are then compared to current GOES-R specifications.
Creating metadata best practices for CONTENTdm users

The OCLC CONTENTdm Metadata Working Group was formed in response to research demonstrating the need for guidelines and best practices for creating quality Dublin Core metadata, which is useful to the primary user community and "shareable" outside of the local context. The CONTENTdm Metadata Working Group has worked since August 2009 in a test environment to develop best practices for creating Dublin Core metadata in CONTENTdm and mapping to MARC to share in WorldCat via the WorldCat Digital Collection Gateway, a self-service OAI harvesting tool. The best practice document identifies 12 core elements and four recommended elements, and provides guidelines for field content standardization and mapping to other metadata standards. Concerns such as adherence to the Dublin Core one-to-one principle regarding the recording of original and digital dates and publishers are also discussed, along with recommendations for configuring metadata for the Digital Collection Gateway to increase the shareability of metadata.
Decreased adiposity and enhanced glucose tolerance in shikonin treated mice

Objective Obesity represents a major public health problem, and identifying natural compounds that modulate energy balance and glucose homeostasis is of interest for combating obesity and its associated disorders. The naphthoquinone shikonin has diverse beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial effects. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of shikonin on adiposity and glucose homeostasis. Methods The metabolic effects of shikonin treatment on mice fed regular chow or challenged with a high-fat diet (HFD) were determined. Results Shikonin treated mice fed regular chow exhibited improved glucose tolerance compared with controls. In addition, shikonin treated mice fed HFD displayed decreased weight gain and resistance to HFD-induced glucose intolerance. Further, shikonin treatment decreased HFD-induced hepatic dyslipidemia. These findings correlated with enhanced hepatic insulin signaling in shikonin treated mice as evidenced by increased tyrosyl phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and enhanced downstream signaling. Conclusions These studies identify shikonin as a potential regulator of systemic glucose tolerance, energy balance, and adiposity in vivo.
An integrated analysis of phenotypic selection on insect body size and development time

Most studies of phenotypic selection do not estimate selection or fitness surfaces for multiple components of fitness within a unified statistical framework. This makes it difficult or impossible to assess how selection operates on traits through variation in multiple components of fitness. We describe a new generation of aster models that can evaluate phenotypic selection by accounting for timing of life-history transitions and their effect on population growth rate, in addition to survival and reproductive output. We use this approach to estimate selection on body size and development time for a field population of the herbivorous insect, Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Estimated fitness surfaces revealed strong and significant directional selection favoring both larger adult size (via effects on egg counts) and more rapid rates of early larval development (via effects on larval survival). Incorporating the timing of reproduction and its influence on population growth rate into the analysis resulted in larger values for size in early larval development at which fitness is maximized, and weaker selection on size in early larval development. These results illustrate how the interplay of different components of fitness can influence selection on size and development time. This integrated modeling framework can be readily applied to studies of phenotypic selection via multiple fitness components in other systems.
Misregulation of Alternative Splicing Causes Pathogenesis in Myotonic Dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy (DM), the most common form of adult onset muscular dystrophy, affects skeletal muscle, heart, and the central nervous system (CNS). Mortality results primarily from muscle wasting and cardiac arrhythmias. There are two forms of the disease: DM1 and DM2. DM1, which constitutes 98% of cases, is caused by a CTG expansion in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the DMPK gene. DM2 is caused by a CCTG expansion in the first intron of the ZNF9 gene. RNA containing CUG- or CCUG-expanded repeats are transcribed but are retained in the nucleus in foci. Disease pathogenesis results primarily from a gain of function of the expanded RNAs, which alter developmentally regulated alternative splicing as well as pathways of muscle differentiation. The toxic RNA has been implicated in sequestration of splicing regulators and transcription factors thereby causing specific symptoms of the disease. Here we review the proposed mechanisms for the toxic effects of the expanded repeats and discuss the molecular mechanisms of splicing misregulation and disease pathogenesis.
Spider predators of lepidopteran eggs in south Texas field crops

Observations were made of spiders attacking lepidopteran eggs in south Texas field crops (cotton, corn, and soybean) from 2001 to 2004. Twelve species of spider from seven families were observed feeding on the eggs during the 4 years. These spiders were primarily cursorial hunting spiders, and they were observed feeding on eggs most frequently in cotton, representing 26.6% of all observations in cotton over the 4 years. Spider predation on eggs was proportionally less frequent in corn and soybean with 6.3% and 15.4% of observed predation in those crops, respectively. Four species of spider were responsible for 86.1% of the predation by spiders. The anyphaenid Hibana futilis (Banks) was the spider most frequently observed feeding on lepidopteran eggs during the 4 years of this study, constituting 45.1% of all spiders observed. Grammonota texana Banks (Linyphiidae), Hibana arunda Platnick (Anyphaenidae), and Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Miturgidae) were the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th most frequently observed spiders constituting 15.6%, 12.8%, and 11.7% of all spiders observed, respectively. Most spiders represented taxa that are known to forage without a web. However, G. texana was observed feeding on eggs independent of a web, which is uncharacteristic of linyphiids. Other cursorial hunting spiders feeding on eggs included members of the Clubionidae, Corrinnidae, and Salticidae. Ninety-eight percent of all observations of egg predation by spiders were nocturnal; only the Salticidae were diurnal. It is likely that previous studies of predation in crops have vastly underestimated the importance of spiders as predators of lepidopteran eggs due to inadequate evaluation of nocturnal predation.
Re-exploration for hyperparathyroidism

Abstract Re-operation for hyperparathyroidism represents a surgical challenge. The opportunity for therapeutic success is reduced while the potential for morbidity increased compared with initial exploration. The implementation of correlative localization studies, using a combination of physiologic and anatomic imaging, enables the surgeon to effectively target and remove hyperfunctional parathyroid glands. The ability to biochemically confirm adequate removal of hyperfunctional tissue intraoperatively using rapid parathyroid hormone assessment provides a measure of security in limiting dissection, reducing morbidity and optimizing the opportunity for achievement of eucalcemia. When evaluating patients with recalcitrant hyperparathyroidism, a regimented, methodologic management protocol should be followed to minimize the potential for misdiagnosis and/or unsuccessful reexploration.
Quantitation of Backflow in Patients with Aortic Insufficiency Using an Indicator Technic

A method is reported which permits the estimation of the time-course of backflow velocity in the descending aorta of patients with insufficiency of the aortic valve. Instantaneous back-velocities in excess of 100 cm./sec. have been observed. Evidence suggesting the existence of an oscillation in aortic flow during diastole in some patients is presented. An index to the "volume of backflow per stroke" is described.
Temperature and plant species control over litter decomposition in Alaskan tundra

I compared effects of increased temperature and litter from different Alaskan tundra plant species on cycling of carbon and nitrogen through litter and soil in microcosms. Warming between 4° and 10°C significantly increased rates of soil and litter respiration, litter decomposition, litter nitrogen release, and soil net nitrogen mineralization. Thus, future warming will directly increase rates of carbon and nitrogen cycling through litter and soil in tundra. In addition, differences among species' litter in rates of decomposition, N release, and effects on soil net nitrogen mineralization were sometimes larger than differences between the two temperature treatments within a species. Thus, changes in plant community structure and composition associated with future warming will have important consequences for how elements cycle through litter and soil in tundra. In general, species within a growth form (graminoids, evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs, and mosses) were more similar in their effects on decomposition than were species belonging to different growth forms, with graminoid litter having the fastest rate and litter of deciduous shrubs and mosses having the slowest rates. Differences in rates of litter decomposition were more related to carbon quality than to nitrogen concentration. Increased abundance of deciduous shrubs with future climate warming will promote carbon storage, because of their relatively large allocation to woody stems that decompose slowly. Changes in moss abundance will also have important consequences for future carbon and nitrogen cycling, since moss litter is extremely recalcitrant and has a low potential to immobilize nitrogen.
Algorithmic aspects of intersection graphs and representation hypergraphs

Let ℛ be a family of sets. The intersection graph of ℛ is obtained by representing each set in ℛ by a vertex and connecting two vertices by an edge if and only if their corresponding sets intersect. Of primary interest are those classes of intersection graphs of families of sets having some specific topological or other structure. The “grandfather” of all intersection graphs is the class of interval graphs, that is, the intersection graphs of intervals on a line.
The effect of naloxone on nocturnal food intake in female and male rats

Abstract Previous studies have shown that estradiol and progesterone can alter the response of female rats to naloxone [15]. For example, ovariectomized rats receiving estradiol were found to be less sensitive to the anorexic effect of naloxone than ovariectomized rats receiving oil (vehicle) or progesterone. In the present paper, we evaluated the effect of naloxone on nocturnal food intake in female rats during each stage of the estrous cycle to determine whether changing levels of gonadal hormones in intact female rats would affect their response to naloxone. To evaluate the role testosterone might play in modulating the male rat's feeding response to naloxone we studied the effect of peripherally administered naloxone (0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/kg) on nocturnal food intake of intact, castrate and castrate + testosterone propionate male rats. During late metestrus, diestrus and proestrus, female rats decreased nocturnal food intake following the administration of naloxone (1.0 and 10 mg/kg) SC ( p ). During estrus, female rats failed to decrease food intake following any of the doses of naloxone administered. The male rat's response to naloxone does not appear to be altered by the presence or absence of testosterone. Thus, the level of estradiol and progesterone at different stages of the estrous cycle may affect the female rat's response to the satiety effect of naloxone.
Further computer simulation studies of experimental Zeeman-effect patterns of mixed second-order radiation of Bi i

In continuation of a study of so-called forbidden lines (second-order radiation) in general and of the application of computer simulation techniques in particular, two more lines of the Bi i 6p3 ground configuration were investigated. A visual selection of calculated Zeeman profiles best matching the experimental patterns leads to the following estimates of the electric quadrupole admixture: 30% ± 8% for the 5640-A line and 2.25% ± 0.5% for the 8755-A line. In the case of the 5640-A line, a better value of the electric quadrupole admixture was obtained, and the limits of uncertainty were reduced by the use of photographic photometry for the conversion of plate density into relative intensities. This was done for the zero-field case. A comparison of the converted experimental hyperfine structure pattern with the calculated profiles gave a final result of 28% ± 3%. Both investigated lines exhibit a reversed interference phase (reversal of π–L views) relative to the 7330-A line of Pb i. A general and simple rule governing the phase sign is formulated that relates the phase sign to the signs of hyperfine structure splitting constants of the levels involved in the transition. No traces of the 8691-A line were found, even for extended exposures (estimated intensity I8691 < 00001I8755). The 3014-A line was observed but not analyzed.
MO‐B‐M100J‐01: Determination of Dose to Individual Patients in Radionuclide Imaging Procedures Including Planar, SPECT, and PET

Individual patient absorbed dose estimates are a relatively novel feature in nuclear medicine physics. Historically, almost all estimates were made using phantoms having predetermined geometries and organ sizes. Yet none of their various geometries may be suitable for a given person and other methods are being implemented to allow patient‐specific dose computations. For either phantom or patient‐based estimates, target organdose is given by the matrix product: D (target organ) = S * A (source organs). In the equality, the rectangular matrix S depends upon the energies of emission, their probabilities and the geometry of either the phantom or patient. A is a vector containing elements which are the total decays from each source organ. Total decay means essentially an integral over the activity A(MBq) in that source over the time interval 0 ⩽ t ⩽ 8. For an individual, S can sometimes be determined using manipulations of a phantom value for a given radionuclide. In a pure beta or alpha emitter, S becomes diagonal and its elements are proportional to the inverse of the organ mass. This situation is common in targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) and is the most important application of patient‐specific dose. If the radionuclide emits significant photonradiation, a Monte Carlo approach is probably required to estimate individual organdoses. If one does not correct for target mass, errors in S can approach factors of two to three. This becomes particularly important in some clinical conditions such as lymphoma where the splenic mass may become very large. Determination of A is based on measuring activity (A) at‐depth in the patient. At least six techniques are in the literature for activity quantitation. The simplest is single probe counting with corrections for distance such as using inverse‐square law for surface structures. This method, however, cannot be used at‐depth in the patient. Geometric‐mean gamma cameraimaging is the most common method of activity quantitation, but suffers from overlapping source organs. Its accuracy is on the order of +/− 30% in phantom and animal studies. The most advanced camera technique is quantitative SPECTimaging. This measurement (QSPECT) is ideally done with hybrid SPECT/CT scanners. Corrections are made for attenuation, scatter, collimator geometry and partial volume effects. Absolute activity accuracy approaches +/− 5% in QSPECT. PETimaging can be competitive with this result if a positron emitter of sufficient half life and emission probability is available for labeling. The ultimate dose uncertainty for a given patient is a quadratic combination of errors due to S and A. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand use of D = S*A for internal emitters. 2. Realize that patient‐specific doses are obtainable. 3. Know the sizes of uncertainty in activity and S measurements. 4. Discover the use of QSPECT and quantitative PET.
The genetic basis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Purpose of review Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive disease featuring heterogeneous genetic, phenotypic and clinical characteristics. Understanding the basis for this heterogeneity represents a critical step toward further progress in the management of this disease, which remains a clinical challenge in approximately one third of patients. This review summarizes current knowledge about the molecular pathogenesis of DLBCL, and describes how recent advances in the genomic characterization of this cancer have provided new insights into its biology, revealing several potential targets for improved diagnosis and therapy.
Early DAT is distinguished from aging by high-dimensional mapping of the hippocampus

Article abstract— Objective: To determine the feasibility of using high-dimensional brain mapping (HDBM) to assess the structure of the hippocampus in older human subjects, and to compare measurements of hippocampal volume and shape in subjects with early dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and in healthy elderly and younger control subjects. Background: HDBM represents the typical structures of the brain via the construction of templates and addresses their variability by probabilistic transformations applied to the templates. Local application of the transformations throughout the brain (i.e., high dimensionality) makes HDBM especially valuable for defining subtle deformities in brain structures such as the hippocampus. Methods: MR scans were obtained in 18 subjects with very mild DAT, 18 healthy elderly subjects, and 15 healthy younger subjects. HDBM was used to obtain estimates of left and right hippocampal volume and eigenvectors that represented the principal dimensions of hippocampal shape differences among the subject groups. Results: Hippocampal volume loss and shape deformities observed in subjects with DAT distinguished them from both elderly and younger control subjects. The pattern of hippocampal deformities in subjects with DAT was largely symmetric and suggested damage to the CA1 hippocampal subfield. Hippocampal shape changes were also observed in healthy elderly subjects, which distinguished them from healthy younger subjects. These shape changes occurred in a pattern distinct from the pattern seen in DAT and were not associated with substantial volume loss. Conclusions: Assessments of hippocampal volume and shape derived from HDBM may be useful in distinguishing early DAT from healthy aging.
Current concepts in neurocritical care

Stroke Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines stroke as sudden loss of brain function resulting from an interference with brain blood supply. This includes both ischemic and hemorrhagic insults with ischemic stroke predominant (85%). Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), with its specialized management, will be covered in the next section. Once only supportive, therapy for acute ischemic stroke now includes therapeutic options with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Acute vascular occlusion, although rarely complete, limits oxygen and glucose delivery to that respective region of the brain. This results in a core area of tissue that infarcts almost immediately due to lack of blood and nutrient supply with a surrounding area of ischemic penumbra. The penumbra may not result in tissue infarction if ischemia can be reversed. Medical interventions target the potentially salvageable brain tissue. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), although less frequent than ischemic stroke, has a high mortality rate due to the extent of cerebral damage. Thrombolytics and anticoagulation are contraindicated with recent ICH. The mainstays of therapy include blood pressure management (as hypertensive disease is common), intracranial pressure (ICP) control, and optimization of cerebral perfusion. A decision for emergent surgical evacuation should be made in consultation with neurosurgery. These patients may require intraventricular catheter (IVC) placement for ICP monitoring and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. Because time is crucial to minimize tissue death, there must be rapid assessment of the stroke patient including neurologic and physical examination and general medical assessment. It is crucial to establish the timing of the onset of stroke symptoms for possible administration of tPA. A head CT should be performed to rule out ICH, but this stage rarely shows ischemic changes. Although
Effect of intensive treatmenton vascular and other complications of diabetes mellitus

Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing health problem in the United States afflicting over 18.2 millionAmericans. Before developing type 2 DM patients almost always have pre-diabetes. At least 20.1 million people in the United States ages ≥40 to ≤74 years have pre-diabetes. Research has shown that controlling blood glucose can delay or prevent type 2 DM from ever developing. Morbidity and mortality from DM most commonly result from the long-term complications of the disease. Data from several studies suggest that aggressive management of DM and its associated risk factors will lead to a reduction in these long-term complications. The term “intensive therapy” is being used for whatever strategy keeps blood sugar near normal, as well as for aggressive management of other associated risk factors such as lipid abnormalities and blood pressure. Intensive management of glycemia may have long-lasting benefits over conventional therapy. New clinical trials are being carried out to determine whether goals for intensive therapy should be lower than current goals while testing is being carried out on a variety of therapeutic strategies to determine the optimum methods to prevent diabetes complications.
Induction therapy with interleukin-2 receptor antagonist after intestinal transplantation is associated with reduced acute cellular rejection and improved renal function.

Purpose. To determine the effectiveness of induction immunotherapy with interleukin-2 receptor antagonists (IL2RA) after intestinal transplantation (IT). Methods. A single-center, retrospective study was undertaken of all patients undergoing IT using existing medical records and database. Immunotherapy was either triple (standard maintenance triple therapy [SMTT]) or IL2RA [induction IL2RA plus SMTTx] or OKT3 [induction antilymphocyte preparations plus SMTTx]). Data was collected for the first 175 postoperative days. Outcomes included pretransplant renal function, posttransplant serum creatinine normalized to age (nl-sCR), rejection (ACR), and survival. Standard statistical analysis was undertaken. Results. There were no significant differences in the groups: triple (n = 10, median age 3.5 years, cGFR 106 ± 44 mL/min), IL2RA (n = 13, median age 3.2 years, cGFR 101 ± 61 mL/min), OKT3 (n = 4, median age 7.7 years, cGFR 104 ± 27 mL/min). nl-sCR was significantly (P <.01) lower in IL2RA at most postoperative weeks. IL2RA had significantly fewer rejection and infectious episodes than the other two groups. Three-year patient survival was 92% in IL2RA versus 50% triple and OKT3. Conclusions. IL2RA immunotherapy after IT is associated with a lower incidence of renal dysfunction as compared with historical controls. Furthermore, IL2RA therapy resulted in a lower incidence of rejection and improved survival. IL2RA should be considered in select patients undergoing IT.
Conditioned aversion in spatial paradigms following methamphetamine injection

Three experiments were performed on Sprague-Dawley derived rats in which 3.0 mg/kg, i.p., injections of methamphetamine were paired with either, (1) a distinctive spatial enclosure, i.e., either a black or gray portion of a shuttle box with discriminably different flooring, (2) the enclosure plus 0.1% saccharin solution availability in the home cage, or (3) the enclosure plus 0.1% saccharin solution availability in that area. Following three drug pairings which alternated with saline injections paired with a different enclosure or enclosure plus H2O availability, a choice of either spatial (1), or spatial plus gustatory stimuli (2,3) which included the original CS's, were presented under non-drug, non-injection conditions. Control groups received saline injections each day under identical conditions. No aversion to the enclosed area, which had been paired with the drug was demonstrated under (1), gustatory (P=0.005) but not spatial aversion was in evidence in the second paradigm, and spatial (P=0.01) and gustatory (P<0.01) aversion was exhibited in the last study. It was concluded that subsequent aversion to distinctive spatial enclosures following methamphetamine injections was not as strong an effect as similar aversions to gustatory stimuli. Furthermore, the effect only obtained to neutral and not to preferred spatial areas at the dose level tested and in the apparatus used in those studies.
Synthesis, structural, magnetic and transport properties of layered perovskite-related titanates, niobates and tantalates of the type AnBnO3n+2, A′Ak−1BkO3k+1 and AmBm−1O3m

Abstract This article represents a continuation of a paper on AnBnO3n+2 = ABOx compounds which was published in 2001 in this journal. This work reports also on oxides of the type A′Ak−1BkO3k+1 (Dion–Jacobson type phases) and hexagonal AmBm−1O3m. The title materials have in common a layered perovskite-related structure whose layers are formed by corner-shared BO6 octahedra. The three homologous series differ structurally in their orientation of the BO6 octahedra with respect to the c-axis. This can be considered as a result from cutting the cubic perovskite ABO3 structure along different directions followed by an insertion of additional oxygen, namely along the [100], [110] and [111] direction for A′Ak−1BkO3k+1, AnBnO3n+2 and AmBm−1O3m, respectively. The materials, with emphasis on electrical conductors, were prepared by floating zone melting and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and magnetic measurements. On crystals of five different compounds the resistivity was measured along the distinct crystallographic directions. Concerning AnBnO3n+2 this work is focussed on two topics. The first are materials with paramagnetic rare earth ions at the A site or transition metal ions such as Fe3+ at the B site. The second are non-stoichiometric compounds. Furthermore, we discuss issues like occupational order at the B site, the proximity of some materials to the pyrochlore structure, potential magnetic ordering, and a possible coupling between magnetic and dielectric properties. The oxides A′Ak−1BkO3k+1 gained attention during a study of the reduced Ba–(Ca,La)–Nb–O system which lead to conducting Dion–Jacobson type phases without alkali metals. Concerning hexagonal AmBm−1O3m the emphasis of this work are conducting niobates in the system Sr–Nb–O. The title materials have in common a quasi-2D (layered) structure and they are mainly known as insulators. In the case of electrical conductors, however, their transport properties cover a quasi-1D, quasi-2D and anisotropic 3D metallic behavior. Also temperature-driven metal-to-semiconductor transitions occur. A special feature of the quasi-1D metals of the type AnBnO3n+2 is their compositional, structural and electronic proximity to non-conducting (anti)ferroelectrics. We speculate that these quasi-1D metals may have the potential to create new (high-Tc) superconductors, especially when they are viewed from the perspective of the excitonic type of superconductivity. Referring to literature and results from this work, a comprehensive overview on the title oxides and their properties is presented.
The occurrence of ladyfish, Elops saurus , larvae in low salinity waters and another record for Chesapeake Bay

Some confusion exists concerning the early life history of ladyfish,Elops saurus, as a result of the use of confusing terms in describing the three morphologically and ecologically distinct growth phases of this species. This has resulted in conflicting data on the occurrence of stage I (leptocephali) and stage II (early metamorphic) larvae in oligohaline and mesohaline estuarine zones. The early life history ofE. saurus is reviewed relative to the collection of 17 stage II larvae at the freshwater transition zone of the James River, Virginia. There are no known spawning populations ofE. saurus north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. These collections represent the first recurrent record north of Cape Hatteras and for Chesapeake Bay.
A different kind of education for psychiatric residents.

The proposal presented here is worth implementing on an experimental basis. It preserves the training program's ability to teach what it believes is professional and scientific while increasing the overall emphasis on education. While it was not designed to accommodate to changes brought on by managed care, it does offer the kind of flexibility and cost-savings that are essential to the survival of psychiatric education.
Issues in the Transformation of European Welfare Systems

The concept of the welfare state?broadly de fined as a concept of government in which the state "plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens" and ensures the provision of basic educa tion, housing, and health services?is not generally central to debates about public administration in the United States, where policy discussions tend to frag ment into the management or budgetary aspects of entitlements, social payments, or specific programs. But in Western European countries, managing the postindustrial welfare state represents a formidable challenge for governments experiencing continuous population shifts and changes in the labor market, as well as the expanding effects of globalization. Serious concern over the direction of the welfare state?the
Energy functions for protein design: adjustment with protein-protein complex affinities, models for the unfolded state, and negative design of solubility and specificity.

The development of the EGAD program and energy function for protein design is described. In contrast to most protein design methods, which require several empirical parameters or heuristics such as patterning of residues or rotamers, EGAD has a minimalist philosophy; it uses very few empirical factors to account for inaccuracies resulting from the use of fixed backbones and discrete rotamers in protein design calculations, and describes the unfolded state, aggregates, and alternative conformers explicitly with physical models instead of fitted parameters. This approach unveils important issues in protein design that are often camouflaged by heuristic-emphasizing methods. Inter-atom energies are modeled with the OPLS-AA all-atom forcefield, electrostatics with the generalized Born continuum model, and the hydrophobic effect with a solvent-accessible surface area-dependent term. Experimental characterization of proteins designed with an unmodified version of the energy function revealed problems with under-packing, stability, aggregation, and structural specificity. Under-packing was addressed by modifying the van der Waals function. By optimizing only three parameters, the effects of >400 mutations on protein–protein complex formation were predicted to within 1.0 kcal mol−1. As an independent test, this modified energy function was used to predict the stabilities of >1500 mutants to within 1.0 kcal mol−1; this required a physical model of the unfolded state that includes more interactions than traditional tripeptide-based models. Solubility and structural specificity were addressed with simple physical approximations of aggregation and conformational equilibria. The complete energy function can design protein sequences that have high levels of identity with their natural counterparts, and have predicted structural properties more consistent with soluble and uniquely folded proteins than the initial designs.
Applied Linear Statistical Models

(2008). Applied Linear Statistical Models. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 103, No. 482, pp. 880-880.
Laser-scanning lithography (LSL) for the soft lithographic patterning of cell-adhesive self-assembled monolayers.

We report the development of laser-scanning lithography (LSL), which employs a laser-scanning con- focal microscope to pattern photoresists that can be utilized, for example, in the fabrication of masters for use in soft lithography. This convenient technique provides even exposure across the entire view field and facilitates accurate alignment of successive photoresist exposures. Features on the scale of 3 mm have been achieved to date with a 10� objective (NA 0.45). Virtual masks, instructions for laser irradiation, were drawn using the Region of Interest (ROI) function of a Zeiss LSM 510 microscope. These regions were then exposed to a 458 nm argon laser for 32 ms (0.9 mW/mm 2 ). Differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging was utilized with a non-destructive 514 nm argon laser as an immediate quality check of each exposure, to align successive exposures, and to reduce chromatic aberration between imaging and exposure. Developed masters were replica-molded with poly(di- methylsiloxane)(PDMS);thesemasterswerethenutilized for microcontact printing of cell-adhesive self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to demonstrate the utility of this process. Initial studies confirmed that human dermal fibroblast adhesion and spreading were limited to cell- adhesive SAM areas. LSL is a rapid, flexible, and readily availabletechniquethatwillacceleratemasterdesignand preparation; moreover, it can be applied to additional forms of photolithography and photopolymerization for studies in cell biology, biomaterials design and evalua- tion, materials science, and surface chemistry. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Melatonin: Parallels in pineal gland and retina

It is apparent that several relationships exist between the pineal gland and retina. The similarities in development and morphology have been obvious for many years. A recent resurgence of interest in this field has led to a further understanding of many functional similarities between these two organs. A notable feature of the pineal gland and retina is their common ability to synthesize the indolamine hormone, melatonin. Many investigators suspect that the cyclic rhythm of retinal melatonin synthesis may be related to other cyclic events which normally occur in the retina.
18.4 Complementary surgical/interventional techniques for nonresective management of “inoperable” aneurysms—A second look

Induced thrombosis (‘‘nonresective’’ therapy) of aortic aneurysms by distal arterial ligation, coil/wire embolization, and extraanatomic bypass was devalued by anecdotal reports emerging during the mid-1980s. Nevertheless, we have recently found the technique to be life-saving in occasional cases and worth revisiting. Since 1990, standard aortic aneurysm repair has been performed in 231 patients (99.1% survival), endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in 6 patients (83.3% survival), and combined surgical/interventional ‘‘nonresective’’ repair of a variety of aneurysms in 10 patients (100% survival). Mean age of the group was 67.9 years. Repair was performed for aortoiliac aneurysms (4), common iliac aneurysms (3), internal iliac aneurysms (2), and a large proximal subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm (1). Four of the patients had been explored and declared to be ‘‘inoperable’’ (retroperitoneal fibrosis) prior to transfer to the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. All patients survived. Aneurysm rupture has not occurred in any patient, but one patient with a presumably thrombosed subclavian pseudoaneurysm presented 26 months postcoil-induced thrombosis with progressive aneurysm enlargement due to incomplete aneurysm thrombosis and required repair using circulatory arrest. Eight of the patients remain alive (80%) at a mean follow-up of 40.3 months (range 14-88 months). Two patients died of malignancy (30 months) and cardiac disease (15 months). It is concluded that combined surgical/interventional techniques can be life-saving in the rare instances when conventional or endovascular aneurysm repair is not advisable but that complete aneurysm thrombosis is essential and occasionally difficult to achieve. Since small proximal portions of the aneurysm may remain patent and not be visualized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, contrast angiographic documentation of complete aneurysm thrombosis is essential prior to hospital discharge and close follow-up is necessary to ascertain long-term adequacy of the repair. Incomplete thrombosis is suspected as a major factor in earlier reports of aneurysm rupture after seemingly successful nonresective therapy. (Ann Vasc Surg 1998;12:248-254.)
The Financial Logistics of Disaster: The Case of Hurricane Katrina

The article describes emergency financial responses and consequences during and after Hurricane Katrina. It uses the case study analysis method and focuses on Hurricane Katrina and the city of New Orleans in addition to giving some comparative views of some neighboring communities and the state of Mississippi. The study uses contemporary media reports, official documents from federal, state, and local governments, independent groups, and financial analysis methods to analyze the impact of a disaster on the fiscal affairs of a community. The study uses fiscal equilibrium analysis as a framework for addressing fiscal policy issues in the aftermath of a catastrophic disaster.
Interpreting in prison settings: An international overview

This paper presents an overview of the strategies adopted by prison systems around the world to enable communication between foreign language-speaking inmates and corrections staff. Following a survey-based research design, the study targeted prison systems where the incarcerated population is at least 10% foreign-born. Information was gathered about the following issues: the legal framework ensuring communication rights of prisoners, interpretation and translation service provision, and non-mediated initiatives to overcome the language barrier. The findings show that interpreting in prison settings is still an area in the making, in terms of both professional practice and scholarly research. However, despite the paucity of legislative support and the widespread dependence on ad hoc measures and natural interpreters (mainly prisoners, and sometimes staff), a slow shift towards professionalization can be observed in some countries. These modest advances in prison interpreting seem to be taking place in countries which also pioneered — or are pioneering — the professionalization of community interpreting as a whole. This trend seems to bear very little relation to the degree of development of national prison systems, or to the proportion of foreign-born inmates in the overall prison population.
Tachistoscopic software for Macintosh computers

The requirements for accurate presentation of short-duration stimuli on, raster display monitors are summarized, and existing packages for instantiating such displays are evaluated. A new soft-ware package that provides tachistoscopic functions for Macintosh computers is described. This software, called MacTach, performs video-buffer switching, allowing tachistoscopic presentation of large or multibit depth images that is not available with alternative methods. Compatibility routines and verification procedures allow compatibility with all Macintosh computers. Applications for animation, motion, and dichoptic presentations are discussed.
The fracture behaviour of a PXE/HIPS polyblend

Abstract As part of an overall examination of the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behaviour of impact-modified polymers, a study of the fracture morphology of a PXE/HIPS polyblend polymer subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading conditions is reported. The HIPS rubbery-phase particles are found to fail by particle rupture in both fatigue and fast fracture. Another impact modifying addition, PE, is found to fail by a combination of interfacial rupture and tearing, the balance depending on the prevailing stress intensity value and the strain rate. Matrix failure is via multiple crazing at low fatigue crack growth rates, but shear yielding is believed to become a major fracture mechanism with increasing ▵ K . The degree of plastic deformation of the matrix increases with increasing strain rate. This fact is manifested by the increasing void size associated with the interfacial separation of the PE particles.
Calculation of helium defect clustering properties in iron using a multi-scale approach

Abstract Electronic structure calculations were used to study the relaxation, formation and binding energies of small helium clusters in iron. We considered three He defect configurations: two He atoms in an interstitial position and two and three He atoms located in one vacancy. To study He–vacancy clusters containing more He atoms, we used a multi-scale approach and constructed an empirical potential fitted to both formation and relaxation energies of a single He defect and small He clusters obtained from the first principles calculations. The potential consists of a repulsive pair-interaction part and a many-body attractive term describing the cohesion. The potential was used to study stability of He–vacancy clusters at zero temperature. The binding energy of a He atom to a He-cluster varies from 1.3 eV to 1.9 eV depending on the cluster size. When more than six He atoms are placed into a vacancy an Fe self-interstitial atom (SIA) is produced. The SIA binding energy to a He–di-vacancy cluster decreases from 5.0 eV to 0.7 eV as the number of He atoms increases. The results obtained are consistent with experimental observations of helium desorption reported in the literature.
Immunoregulation by antigenic stimulation via the anterior chamber of the eye

The presentation of alloantigen to the host via the anterior chamber of the eye can alter the host's immune response. Spleen cells from Lewis rats bearing Brown Norway skin implants in the anterior chamber demonstrated a mildly depressed in vitro blastogenic response to MLC and to PHA stimulation 7-28 days after implantation, a normal response by 35 days, and a slightly greater than normal response by 42 days after implantation. In addition, serum from rats bearing implants for 7-24 days demonstrated a significant depressant effect on the blastogenic response of normal spleen cells to MLC and to PHA stimulation, but the "blocking" effect was absent by 42 days postimplantation. These results indicate that antigen presentation via the anterior chamber of the eye can produce a state of active immunosuppression within the host which could contribute to the privileged nature of the anterior chamber of the eye.
Kondo effect in flux phases.

We consider a band of fermions in two space dimensions with a flux phase (relativistic) dispersion relation coupled to a local magnetic impurity via an s-d interaction. This model describes spinons of a flux phase and it is also a qualitative model of the quasiparticles in a ${\mathit{d}}_{{\mathit{x}}^{2}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathit{y}}^{2}}$ superconductor. We find a zero-temperature phase transition at a finite coupling constant between a weak coupling unscreened impurity state and a strong coupling regime with a Kondo effect. We use large-N methods to study the phase transition in this Kondo system away from marginality. The Kondo energy scales linearly with the distance to the transition. The zero-field magnetic susceptibility at zero temperature diverges linearly. Similar behavior is found in the T matrix which shows a resonance at the Kondo scale. However, in addition to this simple scaling, we always find the presence of logarithmic corrections to scaling. Such behavior is typical of systems at an upper critical dimension. We derive an effective fermion model in one space dimension for this problem. Unlike the usual Kondo problem, this system has an intrinsic multichannel nature which follows from the spinor structure of (2+1)-dimensional relativistic fermions. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.