cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Numerical Study of Vortex Breakdown in Turbulent Swirling Flows

Solutions to the incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations have been obtained for turbulent vortex breakdown within a slightly diverging tube. Inlet boundary conditions were derived from available experimental data for the mean flow and turbulence kinetic energy. The performance of both two-equation and full differential Reynolds stress models was evaluated. Axisymmetric results revealed that the initiation of vortex breakdown was reasonably well predicted by the differential Reynolds stress model. However, the standard κ-e model failed to predict the occurrence of breakdown. The differential Reynolds stress model also predicted satisfactorily the mean azimuthal and axial velocity profiles downstream of the breakdown, whereas results using the κ-e model were unsatisfactory
Characterization of unique binding kinetics of follistatin and activin or inhibin in serum

Serum binding proteins (BPs) have been identified for several peptide and protein hormones, and their presence has significant implications for the biological action of the hormone. Follistatin (FS) has been identified as an activin- and inhibin-BP in tissues, serum, and follicular fluid of several species, including humans. In this study, the binding kinetics of FS for activin and inhibin were characterized in human serum using gel filtration chromatography and compared to those of pure recombinant hormones using chromatography and a new solid phase assay. When complexed with radiolabeled activin or inhibin, FS eluted at a volume corresponding to a mol wt range of 67,000-150,000, an elution volume identical to the lower mol wt BP peak observed in serum. Furthermore, kinetic analyses of recombinant FS binding to activin using a solid phase assay revealed that 1) the FS-activin interaction is of high affinity, similar to or exceeding that estimated for activin binding to its receptor; 2) binding to activin...
Experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Genese des essentiellen Hochdruckes

In Tierversuchen wurde der Liquor cerebrospinalis von essentiellen Hypertonien, nephritischen Hypertonien und blutdrucknormalen Menschen auf blutdrucksteigernde Wirkungen untersucht. Der Liquor wurde durch Suboccipitalpunktion entnommen und den kurarisierten Versuchstieren (Katzen) suboccipital injiziert. Wahrend der Blutdruck nach Einspritzung anderweitigen Liquors keine Anderung zeigte, verursachte der Liquor von essentiell Hypertonischen in ungefahr der Halfte der Falle eine starkere Blutdrucksteigerung. Es konnte sich um Hypophvseninkrete handeln.
Effects of temperature on Drosophila. VI. Respiratory enzymes.

Abstract 1. 1. The activities of malic dehydrogenase, malic oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase, succinic oxidase and cytochrome oxidase were measured in homogenates of whole adult male and female Drosophila melanogaster grown at 15 and at 25°C. The activities assayed at 15 and 25°C are reported and only with succinic dehydrogenase was evidence of temperature adaptation noted. 2. 2. The activities of malic oxidase, malic dehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase were assayed in D. pseudoobscura grown at 15 and at 25°C. There was no evidence of temperature adaptation in the activities measured at 15 and at 25°C. 3. 3. Malic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase were assayed in D. willistoni grown at 15 and at 25°C. The flies grown at the lower temperature have higher enzyme activity than those grown at 25°C. This is interpreted as a capacity adaptation. 4. 4. It is suggested that temperature adaptation would not be expected with some of these enzymes because their Q 10 values are low. In general, the results reported here do not add support to the theory that eurythermal species such as D. melanogaster have a greater capacity for temperature adaptation than do stenothermal species such as D. pseudoobscura and D. willistoni .
Psychological consultation to teachers of learning and behaviorally handicapped children using a behavioral model

Abstract The behavioral model presented here relates observations of students' academic and social functioning to teaching strategies. In this system school psychologists acquire specific behavioral information about students' responses, types and schedules of reinforcement and sensory modes. This information is used to select appropriate instructional strategies, including academic and social tasks, schedules of reinforcement, sensory modalities to be emphasized, and instructional materials. By establishing terminal criteria in advance, teachers can readily evaluate performances and can determine when to teach new tasks.
Novel evolutionary models and applications to sequence alignment problems

In this paper, we present a novel graph-theoretical approach for representing a wide variety of sequence analysis problems within a single model. The model allows incorporation of the operations “insertion”, “deletion”, and “substitution”, and various parameters such as relative distances and weights. Conceptually, we refer the problem as the minimum weight common mutated sequence (MWCMS) problem. The MWCMS model has many applications including multiple sequence alignment problem, the phylogenetic analysis, the DNA sequencing problem, and sequence comparison problem, which encompass a core set of very difficult problems in computational biology. Thus the model presented in this paper lays out a mathematical modeling framework that allows one to investigate theoretical and computational issues, and to forge new advances for these distinct, but related problems.
Minimizing a generalized quadratic penalty function of job completion times: An improved branch-and-bound approach

Abstract This paper considers the problem of minimizing a generalized quadratic penalty function of job completion times on a single machine. It presents some optimality conditions which, if satisfied for some jobs, build a-priori precedence relationships for those jobs, thus curtailing the enumeration effort at the branching stage. A branch-and-bound approach is presented to solve the problem. The computational results are also reported.
Interaction between GABA and norepinephrine in interleukin-1β-induced suppression of the luteinizing hormone surge

Abstract Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a cytokine that is closely associated with inflammation and immune stress, is known to interfere with reproductive functions. Earlier studies have demonstrated that IL-1β inhibits the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge during the afternoon of proestrus in female rats. We have shown that this effect is most probably mediated through a reduction in norepinephrine (NE) levels in the medial preoptic area (MPA) of the hypothalamus. However, the mechanism by which IL-1β decreases NE levels in the MPA is unclear. We hypothesized that the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA could play a role in decreasing NE levels in the MPA. To test this, ovariectomized, steroid-primed rats were injected (i.p.) with either PBS–BSA (control) or 5 μg of IL-1β, alone or in combination with i.c.v. administration of GABA-A and GABA-B receptor antagonists, Bicuculline and CGP 35348 (CGP) respectively. Animals were subjected to push–pull perfusion of the MPA and perfusates collected at 30 min intervals were analyzed for both NE and GABA levels using HPLC-EC. Simultaneously, serial plasma samples were obtained through jugular catheters and were analyzed for LH levels using RIA. Compared to control rats, NE levels decreased significantly in the MPA in IL-1β-treated rats (p
Field characteristics of geometric unsharpness due to the x-ray tube focal spot

The basic theory of field characteristics is discussed. It is shown that the point spread function and optical transfer function (OTF) of geometric unsharpness at any arbitrary field position can be derived from those at the central beam position. At all locations in the radiation field, the OTF in a direction parallel to the x-ray tube cathode--target axis does not depend on the field position X, which is perpendicular to the to the tube axis, whereas the OTF in a perpendicular direction does not depend on the field position Y, which is parallel to the tube axis. The theoretical result is used to demonstrate the field characteristic of the uniform, square focal spot. (AIP)
Lp-solution for a class of partial differential equations☆

Abstract This paper considers a controlled process described by a nonlinear system of first order partial differential equations. New results on the existence and uniqueness, norm and pointwise estimates are established for the state of the system. The stability of the state with respect to the control functions is also studied. This type of equations arises in the study of heterogeneous reactors and reactor optimization.
Second‐Order Elections versus First‐Order Thinking: How Voters Perceive the Representation Process in a Multi‐Layered System of Governance

Abstract Second‐order election models are based on several assumptions about individual‐level motivations. These can be summarized by a transfer hypothesis: individuals presumably apply their evaluations of national‐level phenomena to the EU level when voting in EU elections. In contrast, a suis generis hypothesis stipulates that voters evaluate the EU on its own performance terms. This paper tests these competing hypotheses. We find considerable support for both models. In the election context, where national institutions — political parties — dominate the representation process, the transfer hypothesis receives considerable support. However, we also find surprisingly strong support for the first‐order hypothesis: electoral choice in EU election is influenced to a considerable extent by EU level factors. Furthermore, when voters evaluate the mechanisms of representation more broadly without a focus on elections per se, we find much more support for the first‐order than the transfer hypothesis — voters cl...
Iterative schemes for bilinear operators; application to spin decoupling

We extend the idea of iterative schemes from the single-spin to the two-spin-case. As an application we derive a new series of broadband heteronuclear decoupling sequences, called the DIPSI sequences. They give better quality decoupling of protons from carbon-13 than previous sequences like WALTZ-16 when there is scalar coupling among the protons. In the absence of such coupling, the DIPSI sequences offer the same high standard of performance as WALTZ-16, but over somewhat smaller bandwidths.
Time-resolved MR angiography for the classification of endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Purpose To evaluate the utility of time-resolved MR angiography (TR-MRA), compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA), in the classification of endoleaks in patients who have undergone endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Materials and Methods Thirty-one patients who had undergone EVAR to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm were evaluated with both TR-MRA and DSA to determine endoleak etiology. The patient population consisted of 26 men and 5 women with a mean age of 78.5 years (range, 55–93 years). The mean time interval between TR-MRA and DSA was 1.5 weeks (range, 1–8 weeks). Endoleaks were classified as type II when enhancement of the external iliac vessels was observed before the appearance of the endoleak; otherwise the endoleak was classified as type I or III. The results of TR-MRA classification were compared with the reference gold standard, DSA. Results Agreement between TR-MRA and DSA regarding endoleak classification occurred in 30 of 31 cases (97%). Discordant classification occurred in a case in which a Type II endoleak was misclassified as a Type III due to failure to visualize a lumbar vessel. Conclusion TR-MRA is highly effective in classifying endoleaks following EVAR when compared with DSA. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:500–503. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effect of a rapid sequence induction protocol on intubation success rate in an air medical program

The purpose of this study was to examine the percentage of successful intubations before and after implementation of a rapid sequence induction (RSI) protocol in patients treated by our flight nurses and paramedics. The records of 100 intubation attempts before the RSI protocol was implemented and 98 after implementation were reviewed. Success rate of intubation was 79% in the preRSI patient group and 84.7% in the postRSI group. No significant difference existed in the number of patients successfully intubated preRSI compared with postRSI. The statistically significant patient characteristics associated with unsuccessful intubation were facial trauma, combativeness, vomiting, and nasal bleeding.
A new effect in the depolarization of resonant light scattering from molecules in the vapor phase: I2☆

Theoretical discussions of the depolarization ratios in two types of resonance processes are given. These processes are discrete state resonance fluorescence, and Raman scattering when the resonance is between a bound state and evanescent-dissociative states. Theory predicts a dramatic difference for these two cases due to a quantum mechanical phase cancellation in the case of virtual dissociative states. The predictions have been verified experimentally.
Kinesin-3 KLP-6 Regulates Intraflagellar Transport in Male-Specific Cilia of Caenorhabditis elegans

Cilia are cellular sensory organelles whose integrity of structure and function are important to human health. All cilia are assembled and maintained by kinesin-2 motors in a process termed intraflagellar transport (IFT), but they exhibit great variety of morphology and function. This diversity is proposed to be conferred by cell-specific modulation of the core IFT by additional factors, but examples of such IFT modulators are limited. Here we demonstrate that the cell-specific kinesin-3 KLP-6 acts as a modulator of both IFT dynamics and length in the cephalic male (CEM) cilia of Caenorhabditis elegans. Live imaging of GFP-tagged kinesins in CEM cilia shows partial uncoupling of the IFT motors of the kinesin-2 family, kinesin-II and OSM-3/KIF17, with a portion of OSM-3 moving independently of the IFT complex. KLP-6 moves independently of the kinesin-2 motors and acts to reduce the velocity of OSM-3 and IFT. Additionally, kinesin-II mutants display a novel CEM cilia elongation phenotype that is partially dependent on OSM-3 and KLP-6. Our observations illustrate modulation of the general kinesin-2-driven IFT process by a cell-specific kinesin-3 in cilia of C. elegans male neurons.
EFFECT OF SANITIZERS ON LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES ATTACHED TO LATEX GLOVES

Contamination of ready-to-eat seafoods with Listeria monocytogenes is a major concern of the seafood industry. One means of control is the use of hand sanitizers. Five sanitizers (chlorine bleach, Zep-i-dineTM, Zepamine ATM, ZepTM Instant Hand Sanitizer, and Ultra-KleenTM) were evaluated for effectiveness against L. monocytogenes attached to latex gloves in the presence of phosphate buffered saline or crab cooking water. Cooking water had been used to boil the crabs and was heavily laden with organic nutrients. Chlorine, Zepamine ATM, and Ultra-KleenTM reduced numbers of attached L. monocytogenes to nondetectable levels in the presence of phosphate buffered saline; Zep-i-dineTM and ZepTM Instant Hand Sanitizer were less effective. In the presence of crab cooking water, only Ultra-KleenTM reduced cell numbers to nondetectable levels; the effectiveness of the remaining sanitizers was reduced. Extreme care must be taken when choosing hand sanitizers as their efficacy may be affected by organic residues on the gloves of food handlers.
Vibrational Relaxation of Nitric Oxide at 500–1,900 K

THE vibrational relaxation rate of nitric oxide seems to decrease1 with increasing temperature in the range 100–433 K. These results, in conjunction with shock-tube data2 at 1,500 K and above, were taken to imply that there is a minimum in the relaxation rate at about 700 K. We have now studied the vibrational relaxation of pure nitric oxide behind incident shock waves in the range 500–1,900 K. Vibrational relaxation of the shocked gas was monitored by measurements of the postshock density gradient with a laser beam deflexion technique3. Our results suggest that a minimum relaxation rate occurs in the approximate range 300–500 K.
Conserved anomalous weak currents

Tests for second-class axial-vector currents in $\ensuremath{\Sigma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\Lambda}e\ensuremath{\nu}$ decay and neutrino reactions are analyzed as to their sensitivity to the assumption that this current is conserved. The possibility of an anomalous conserved first-class vector current is also discussed.
In vivo mutagenesis of the insulin receptor.

Mice bearing targeted gene mutations that affect insulin receptor (Insr) function have contributed important new information on the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Whereas complete Insr ablation is lethal, conditional mutagenesis in selected tissues has more limited consequences on metabolism. Studies of mice with tissue-specific ablation of Insr have indicated that both canonical (e.g. muscle and adipose tissue) and noncanonical (e.g. liver, pancreatic β-cells, and brain) insulin target tissues can contribute to insulin resistance, albeit in a pathogenically distinct fashion. Furthermore, experimental crosses of Insr mutants with mice carrying mutations that affect insulin action at more distal steps of the insulin signaling cascade have begun to unravel the genetics of type 2 diabetes. These studies are consistent with an oligogenic inheritance, in which synergistic interactions among few alleles may account for the genetic susceptibility to diabetes. In addition to mutant alleles conferring an increased risk of diabetes, these studies have uncovered mutations that protect against insulin resistance, thus providing proof-of-principle for the notion that certain alleles may confer resistance to diabetes.
Coping and Adaptation in High-risk Populations: Toward an Integrative Model

The identification of factors that promote health in high-risk populations could increase our ability to understand and prevent the development of psychopathology. Although previous studies have suggested several coping variables that affect adaptation, these findings remain fragmentary and in need of integration within a multifactorial model. I propose studying the role of the social network in the coping process as an integrative framework for developing this model and describe two studies using this approach. In the first study of college students during final exams, low-density networks were associated with more satisfying emotional support. In the second study of recent young widows and mature women returning to college, low-density, multidimensional networks were again associated with more satisfying support, as well as better mood, fewer symptoms, and higher self-esteem. A coping strategy based on membership in such networks is described. This strategy integrates resources in several personal and environmental domains. Theoretical and empirical guidelines are suggested for delineating alternative coping strategies of equivalent adaptive value.
Limbic networks and associative learning: I. Entorhinal contributions to instrumental conditioning

The hippocampal formation is a highly delineated brain structure that is believed to play a prominent role in learning and memory. The present experiment evaluated the contributions of medial and lateral perforant path input to bar press-conditioning under (a) continuous and (b) differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) schedules, and (c) shuttlebox avoidance conditioning. Bilateral deafferentation of either pathway had no effect on the acquisition of bar press responses or on performance under the DRL schedule. Deafferentation of the medial pathway facilitated acquisition of avoidance responses in a manner much like the effects seen in hippocampectomized animals. It is suggested that the medial perforant path participates in the expression of correlated patterns of neuronal discharge known to develop within the hippocampus and that this “model” serves to modulate the temporal characteristics of simple conditioned reflexes. Loss of the modulatory influence of the model may affect acquisition and extinction rates. Contributions of other hippocampal circuits are discussed in relation to established deficits.
The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) in infection and inflammatory disease

Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and their endotoxin present a constant environmental challenge. Endotoxins can potently signal mobilization of host defenses against invading GNB but also potentially induce severe pathophysiology, necessitating controlled initiation and resolution of endotoxin-induced inflammation to maintain host integrity. The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) is a pluripotent protein expressed, in humans, mainly neutrophils. BPI exhibits strong antimicrobial activity against GNB and potent endotoxin-neutralizing activity. BPI mobilized with neutrophils in response to invading GNB can promote intracellular and extracellular bacterial killing, endotoxin neutralization and clearance, and delivery of GNB outer membrane antigens to dendritic cells. Tissue expression by dermal fibroblasts and epithelia could further amplify local levels of BPI and local interaction with GNB and endotoxin, helping to constrain local tissue infection and inflammation and prevent systemic infection and systemic inflammation. This review article focuses on the structural and functional properties of BPI with respect to its contribution to host defense during GNB infections and endotoxin-induced inflammation and the genesis of autoantibodies against BPI that can blunt BPI activity and potentially contribute to chronic inflammatory disease.
Oxidized phospholipids impair pulmonary antibacterial defenses: Evidence in mice exposed to cigarette smoke

Patients with COPD are associated with poor pulmonary anti-bacterial innate defenses, which increase the risk for frequent acute exacerbations caused by bacterial infection. Despite elevated numbers of phagocytes (macrophages and neutrophils), airways of patients with COPD show stable bacterial colonization. A defect in the phagocytic ability of alveolar macrophages (AMs) is one of the primary reasons for failure to clear the invading bacteria in airways of smokers and COPD patients and also in mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). Oxidative stress, as a result of CS exposure is implicated; however, the factors or mediators that inhibit phagocytic activity of AMs in lungs of smokers remain unclear. In the current study, we provide evidence that accumulation of oxidized phospholipids (Ox-PLs) mediate inhibition of phagocytic function of AMs in CS-exposed mice. Mice exposed to 6months of CS showed impaired bacterial phagocytosis and clearance by AMs and elevated levels of Ox-PLs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), compared to mice exposed to room air. Intratracheal instillation of oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (OX-PAPC) inhibited phagocytic activity of AMs and impaired pulmonary bacterial clearance in mice. In vitro studies demonstrated that exposure of J774 macrophages to OX-PAPC inhibited bacterial phagocytosis and clearance. However, pre-treatment of OX-PAPC with the monoclonal antibody EO6, which specifically binds to oxidized phospholipid but not native phospholipid, abolished OX-PAPC induced inhibition of bacterial phagocytosis and clearance. Incubation of BALF retrieved from CS-exposed mice impaired bacterial phagocytosis by J774 macrophages, which was abolished by pre-treatment of BALF with the EO6 antibody. In conclusion, our study shows that Ox-PLs generated following chronic CS exposure could play a crucial role in inhibiting phagocytic function of AMs and thus impair pulmonary anti-bacterial innate defenses in CS-exposed mice. Therapeutic approaches that augment pulmonary antioxidant defenses could be beneficial in reducing oxidative stress-driven impairment of phagocytosis by AMs in smokers and COPD patients.
Naphthalene dimer and naphthalene dimer with Ar: calibration calculations and the effect of Ar on the stability and vibrational frequencies

The harmonic vibrational frequencies of naphthalene and its dimers are computed using density functional theory including an empirical correction for dispersion. The C–H out-of-plane bending modes in the naphthalene dimers show a red or a blue shift depending on the relative orientation of the two naphthalene molecules. The addition of Ar atoms does not significantly affect the vibrational frequencies, but changes the energy separation between the two dimer conformations.
Optimizing blown film polyethylene using a merit function

The extrusion of blown film polyethylene is a complex process characterized by a large number of interdependent process variables. In order to derive the set of process conditions necessary for a desired film solid state property, the processor normally utilizes a laborious trial-and-error method. In this work, a technique is described to establish more directly the set of extruder settings for producing film with an optimum value of a given property. Biaxial toughness was optimized in the present work, but the technique is applicable to any quantifiable film property.
Urodynamic leak point pressures weakly correlate with subjective urinary incontinence severity.

Objective To evaluate preoperative abdominal leak point pressures (ALPP) with pre- and postoperative Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) scores. Methods A review of women who underwent a midurethral sling procedure between August 2004 and April 2006 was conducted. Eligible women completed preoperative urodynamic testing with ALPP determination and subjective incontinence severity assessment using the ISI before and 6 weeks after surgery. The ISI and ALPP relationship was analyzed using a Spearman rank correlation (Rho). Results Ninety-nine women met the inclusion criteria. Mean ALPP was 77.7 (25-172 cm H2O). Mean improvement in ISI following surgery was 4 (-8 to 12). ALPP correlated with preoperative ISI (Spearman Rho -0.28, P=0.01), preoperative leakage frequency (ISI question 1) (Spearman Rho -0.32, P=0.001), and the ISI change 6 weeks postoperatively (ISI-delta) (Spearman Rho -0.23, P=0.002). Conclusion ALPP is associated with subjective incontinence severity. Women with the lowest ALPP improved most following a midurethral sling procedure.
Theoretical constraints on the microscale fluctuations in the interplanetary medium.

Theoretical constraints on the character of microscale fluctuations in the solar wind are examined. The microfluctuations could be either ?discontinuities' or more smoothly varying structures. If the fluctuations are waves, they are probably mostly Alfv]en waves (or rotational discontinuities), and if they are stationary structures, they are tangential pressure balances (or tangential discontinuities). It is formally proved that a true analog of the small-amplitude MHD ?entropy wave' (or contact discontinuity) does not exist for collisionless plasmas.
Percutaneous versus surgical tracheotomy: an updated meta-analysis.

Objective: Perform an updated meta-analysis investigating differences in complication rates, procedure times, and costs between percutaneous dilational tracheotomy (PDT), operating room surgical tracheotomy (ST), and bedside surgical tracheotomy (BST). Methods: Meta-analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed effects model. Prospective and randomized trials comparing ST with PDT from 1999 to present were identified through two independent searches. Outcome measures analyzed included mortality, early complications, late complications, procedure times, and cost. Results: Fourteen studies were identified (1,273 patients) that satisfied the search criteria. Analysis of randomized studies demonstrated significantly more minor early complications with PDT compared with ST (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.66). Randomized studies comparing PDT with BST demonstrated significantly more early complications with PDT (OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 1.46–14.91). There was no significant difference in late serious complications in studies that randomized patients to ST or PDT (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0–16,000). PDT is significantly faster to perform than ST (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 95% 0.49–0.53). BST and PDT have similar costs, and both are less expensive than ST. Conclusions: Although significantly faster than ST, PDT has more early complications compared with open tracheotomy in the operating room or at the bedside. The long-term complications of the two techniques appear comparable but have not been thoroughly investigated. These findings suggest that a team approach between surgeons and critical care specialists is essential to select the appropriate tracheotomy technique for a given patient.
Multicomputer performance evaluation tool and its application to the Mayo/IBM image archival system

A simulator has been developed to evaluate the performance of the Mayo/IBM PACS. The simulation model includes both the hardware and the software of the entire system. Using this model, the simulator is able to accurately predict the performance of alternative network configurations, device characteristics, and usage patterns. The significance of this capability is that performance-related issues can be conveniently explored prior to the design, installation, or modification of the PACS. Information about potential bottlenecks, resource utilization, and expected response times can be obtained while changes are still relatively easy to make. This paper presents the objectives and design of the Mayo/IBM PACS simulator. A simple archive task is used to illustrate the major features of this unique tool.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Secessionist Rebellion in the Former Soviet Union

The level of ethnic violence increased in Eurasia after the Soviet collapse. Two theories are tested to account for this increase. Horowitz's theory emphasizes psychological mechanisms affecting self-esteem. An alternative theory by Fearon and Van Houten, based on Brubaker's “triadic configuration,” and relying on a commitment logic, emphasizes the level of an external homeland's support for a minority population in a nationalizing state. Tests of these theories are performed on new data collected by the author from six post-Soviet republics (Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Azerbaijan), only two of which experienced secessionist rebellion. The data do not support the predictions that would follow from Horowitz's theory. The commitment theory, however, is consistent with the data and the historical record.
An approach to postoptimality and sensitivity analysis of zero‐one goal programs

On presente une methodologie pour l'analyse de la postoptimalite et de la sensibilite de programmes objectifs 0-1, qui est basee sur l'ensemble des k meilleures solutions. On etudie une methode pour generer l'ensemble des k meilleures solutions qui utilise un algorithme branch and bound et on analyse un schema d'enumeration implicite pour le probleme multiobjectif
Addressing consumers’ concerns about online security: A conceptual and empirical analysis of banks’ actions

Online security is a major problem for financial institutions worldwide. Account hijacking and online fraud are on the rise. Financial losses in the banking industry due to attacks have been estimated in 2003 to be about US $1.2 billion in the US alone. Studies also indicate that security concerns are a major issue for an increasing number of consumers. The rapid growth in phishing attacks threatens the future of online banking. In the absence of an adequate response, banks are likely to incur even greater costs and experience a significant decline in consumer trust. Thus, the fight against these serious problems entails the management of perceived, as well as actual, security. This paper examines how banks are responding to these challenges. First, assessments of the actual and consumer perceived threats along with the available technical solutions are provided. Second, a conceptual approach to dealing with the issues is proposed. Essential among the recommendations is the need to involve the consumer in managing security concerns. Third, an empirical study examines the actual response of the 200 largest US banks. The findings indicate that many banks are not meeting these challenges and that significant opportunities for improvement exist. Smaller banks, in particular, are failing to take the necessary actions. Specific recommendations to help improve actual security and increase consumer trust in the system are proposed.
Resonantly-enhanced, four-photon ionization of krypton at laser intensities exceeding 10 13 W/cm 2

The yield of singly- and multiply- charged ions of krypton and xenon is presented as a function of laser intensity and frequency. The measurements were performed using the second harmonic output of a well-characterized, tunable picosecond dye laser in the range 285 to 310 nm at laser intensities from lx10 12 to 10 14 W/cm 2 . Enhancement of the Kr + yield by two orders of magnitude by three-photon resonant, four-photon ionization is observed in the vicinity of the 4d'[5/2] 3 and the 4d[3/2) 1 intermediate states. A model incorporating line shifts and widths scaling linearly with intensity is in good agreement with the experimental results.
A simple method for systematically controlling ZnO crystal size and growth orientation

Abstract We present a simple, easy and reproducible method to systematically control the dimension and shape evolution of zinc oxide (ZnO) as thin film on glass substrate by chemical bath deposition (CBD). The only varying factor to control crystal transformation is the molar ratio of Cd2+/Zn2+, Rm, in the initial chemical solution. With the increase of Rm, ZnO crystals transformed from long-and-slim hexagonal rods to fat-and-short hexagonal pyramids, and then to twinning hexagonal dots as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Film crystallinity was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Chemical component analysis by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed that most cadmium was present in the residual solution instead of the developed film and the precipitate at the bottom of beaker. The mechanism of the cadmium effect, with different initial concentrations, on ZnO crystal transformation was tentatively addressed. We believe that cadmium influences the chelate ligands adsorption onto ( 000 1 ¯ ) plane of ZnO crystals, alters the crystal growth orientation, and thus directs the transformation of the size and shape of ZnO crystals.
High resolution translational energy spectroscopy: Electronic transitions in Kr±, and I+ and vibronic transitions in N2±

Abstract High resolution kinetic energy spectroscopy (0.1 eV fwhm) has been performed on 8 kV Kr±, Xe±, I+ and N2± scattered off of He at small angles. For Kr± and Xe± electronic transitions were observed between the 2P 3 2 and 2P 1 2 states while for I+ transitions between the 3P2, 3P1, 3P0 and 1D2 states were observed. In the Kr± and Xe± systems one peak due to energy loss (inelastic collisions) and one peak due to energy gain (superelastic collisions) were observed. The I+ ions exhibited two energy gain and two energy loss peaks. In the N2± studies, energy loss peaks between the X 2Σ2+ ground state and the A 2Πu and B 2Σu+ excited states were observed, as well as several energy gain peaks. Structure due to vibronic transitions into the A 2Πu and B 2Σu+ states was observed. The relative intensities of the vibronic transitions are Franck—Condon. In addition, the vibronic structure included a hot band from the ground X 2Σ 2+ state. Examples of how translational energy spectroscopy may be used in the study of low lying excited states as well as in the study of the chemistry of selected excited states are presented.
Neural markers of familial risk for depression: An investigation of cortical thickness abnormalities in healthy adolescent daughters of mothers with recurrent depression

Having a mother with major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the strongest predictors of depression in late adolescence and early adulthood. Despite this fact, we know little about the neural mechanisms involved in the intergenerational transmission of risk for depression. Twenty-eight never-disordered daughters of recurrent depressed mothers (high-risk) and 36 never-disordered daughters of never-depressed mothers (low-risk) were scanned using MRI. Scan data were processed to provide measurements of cortical gray matter thickness. A general linear model was conducted at each surface point to assess the main effect of familial risk on cortical structure as well as to explore the interaction of familial risk and age. High-risk girls exhibited significantly thinner cortical gray matter in the right fusiform gyrus relative to low-risk girls. Exploratory analyses indicated interactions of risk group and age in the bilateral anterior insula and right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC); whereas low-risk girls exhibited an inverse association between age and thickness, girls at high risk for depression showed the reverse pattern. Additional exploratory analyses, using scores on the Children's Sadness Management Scale, indicated that thinner gray matter in the ACC of high-risk girls was associated with greater difficulty in managing sadness. These findings indicate that anomalous reductions in the cortical thickness of the fusiform gyrus may be a marker of risk for MDD. The interaction of age and group for gray matter thickness of the insula and ACC suggests a particularly important role for these regions in risk for depression and warrants additional research in longitudinal studies.
Focused Ultrasound Modifications of Neural Circuit Activity in a Mammalian Brain

The application of focused, pulsed ultrasound was studied as a method of modifying the activity of a local neural circuit of the mammalian brain. An in vitro hippocampal preparation was used to facilitate delivery, dosimetry and assessment of mechanisms of ultrasound effects. Extracellular evoked potentials were recorded from cell and dendritic layers of the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus. Focused pulses of ultrasound with center frequency of 500 kHz and repetition rate of 200 kHz were studied and found both to enhance and to depress electrically evoked field potentials. The fiber volley and cell population potentials were depressed, whereas the dendritic potential was enhanced. Results suggest a simultaneous mechanical and thermal mechanism of ultrasound in modifying evoked field potentials of dentate local circuits.
Optical Properties of Gold Nanoparticles Produced by the Assembly of Size-Selected Clusters: Covering the Full Visible Wavelength Range in the Smallest Particle Size Regime

The tunability of the optical properties of small gold nanoparticles assembled from size-selected Au{sub 6-10} clusters on the surface of indium-tin-oxide glass support was studied as a function of gold particle size and shape using UV-VIS and dark-field microscopy techniques. The size and shape of gold nanoparticles was determined by employing synchrotron X-ray scattering. The obtained spectra show that a 350 nm wavelength range is accessible by proper tuning the size and shape of the studied nanoparticles with 1-2.5 nm main size and asymmetric vs symmetric form.
What's in your Toybox? Vehicles for learning

The relationship between play and learning has long been a source of fascination to educators. Some toys have a remarkable capacity to reward our efforts to play harder or better. We learn to be better players for the sheer pleasure of it. This paper describes our effort to design toys so that what is learned in the enjoyment of play, supports our objectives as educators. Our strategy is to populate virtual worlds with toys designed to stimulate creativity and learning, and promote knowledge transfer. We have extended a digital classic to teach math and physics concepts to undergrads in our programming for digital media course. Turtles — those trainable, extensible favorites of Logo fame, power the characters in our toy box. Our turtles have been upgraded to facilitate learning experiences in trigonometry, vectors, physics and AI. The latest models incorporate Craig Reynolds' steering behaviors and thrive in sandboxes like those created in Flash and Unity 3D. Our students are challenged to populate virtual worlds with characters whose behaviors reflect their mastery of skills we want them to acquire. In this paper, we will discuss the construction of our toys and share some of our students' creative play.
Supply-Side Sustainability

Historically, societies have been abandoned when management invoked complicated infrastructure that diminished returns on effort. Some societies survived by redefining their relationship to the resource base through emergence of a new, more elaborate level of organization. Organization may elaborate when resources are expanded or used more efficiently. The new situation favorably resets the cost/benefit ratio of problem solving. With six billion people, our critical problem is the capture of natural resources while maintaining ecosystem function to keep them renewable. Presently resource management is too complicated at too low a level, and suffers diminishing returns. Supply-side sustainability recommends management from the context for the function of the whole ecosystem, not the resource. Then ecosystems integrate materials and energy sustainability, while generating resources that humans can take. To achieve a global level of organization of resource management we see a new relationship between the feedback of commerce, greened by the social and environmental resource sciences in the academy, with governmental catalysis. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testimonial Justification: Inferential or Non‐Inferential?

Anti-reductionists hold that beliefs based upon comprehension (of both force and content) of tellings are non-inferentially justified. For reductionists, on the other hand, comprehension as such is not in itself a warrant for belief: beliefs based on it are justified only if inferentially supported by other beliefs. I discuss Elizabeth Fricker's argument that even if anti-reductionism is right in principle, its significance is undercut by the presence of background inferential support: for mature knowledgeable adults, justification from comprehension as such plays no active role, and is superseded by inferential warrant. I show that her argument begs important questions. Inferential and non-inferential support combine to over-determine the justification of comprehension-based beliefs.
Energetic Variational Analysis EnVarA of Ions in Calcium and Sodium Channels

Selective binding in both calcium and sodium channels can be described (in many solutions and concentrations: Biophysical Journal (2007) 93:p.1960) by the same reduced model and unchanging two parameters (dielectric coefficient and diameter) despite the very different primary structure of the two proteins (Ca channel EEEA/EEEE; Na channel DEKA) and properties, even though amino-acid side-chains (E, D, etc.) are represented only as charged spheres. Monte Carlo MC simulations, reported in ∼30 publications, work well (we think) because they do not specify structure as an input, independent of conditions. Rather, MCcalculates the structure as an output, as a self-organized, induced fit of side-chains to ions (and vice-versa). Structure is different in different solutions in self-organized systems. Self-organized systems can be powerfully analyzed using the calculus of variations, specifically, energetic variational analysis (EnVarA). We optimize both action and dissipation integrals (Least Action and Maximum Dissipation Principles), motivated by Rayleigh, then Onsager who optimized just one, or the other. The resulting systems of coupled partial differential equations automatically satisfy the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics and electrostatic Poisson equations, with physical boundary conditions that can produce flow. EnVarA extends Navier-Stokes equations to complex fluids containing deformable droplets (Journal of Fluid Mechanics (2004) 515:p.293). EnVarA provides a seamless extension of conservative Hamiltonian systems (perhaps at thermodynamic equilibrium) to dissipative systems.EnVarAis a field theory of ions in channels and solutions with entropy, friction, and flow. EnVarA computes current where MC computes only binding. EnVarA applied to EEEE/DEKA channels gives binding like real calcium/sodium channels. Time dependent currents computed with EnVarA resemble time dependent currents in either voltage activated sodium or potassium (squid axon) channels (depending on parameters), although the EnVarA model has only one unchanging conformation.
WATER ORIENTATION AND ION SOLVATION EFFECTS DURING MULTICOMPONENT SALT PARTITIONING IN A NAFION CATION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE

Abstract A molecular-level equilibrium partition coefficient model has been formulated to describe single and multicomponent ion uptake by a Nafion 117 cation exchange membrane. The model presumes a cylindrical pore structure for the membrane and considers ion solvation free energy changes which occur during solute partitioning and the orientation of solvent dipoles inside a membrane pore due to the strong electric field generated by the membrane's fixed-charge groups. Membrane structure parameters (radius of a membrane pore and the pore wall density of fixed charge sites) which are needed to obtain a model solution are determined from experimental membrane porosities and X-ray diffraction data in the literature. Without the use of adjustable parameters, the model predicts to within 6% equilibrium cation concentrations in Nafion for a variety of aqueous single salt and binary and ternary alkali metal chloride mixtures at a total external salt concentration of between 0.1 and 1.0 M. A close inspection of the computed electrostatic and hydration forces acting on membrane-phase cations in a mixed salt system indicates that the univalent cation with the highest surface charge density (smallest hard sphere ion radius for like-charged ions) is excluded from the pore wall region in a manner qualitatively similar to that observed for coions.
Chemoprevention of colorectal cancer with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors: two steps forward, one step back

Summary Chronic inflammation is a tissue-specific process implicated in several diseases of an aging population, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a mediator of acute and chronic inflammation, and drugs designed to specifically target this enzyme have achieved widespread clinical use. Unfortunately, randomised trials of selective COX-2 inhibitors for cancer prevention have shown that beneficial effects in one type of tissue can be accompanied by toxic effects in another. These trials documented a significant reduction in adenoma formation in patients at high risk for colorectal cancer, with reductions in advanced disease occurrence from 28–66% over 3 years. As a result, these studies provided important evidence for the involvement of COX-2 in early colorectal tumorigenesis. In the same patients, however, these placebo-controlled clinical trials revealed a little-understood relation between COX-2 and maintenance of cardiovascular integrity. During the 3 years of treatment, patients who received selective COX-2 inhibitors were 1·3–3·4-times more likely to have serious cardiovascular events than those treated with placebo. This article will discuss the biological rationale for using selective COX-2 inhibitors in cancer chemoprevention, and outline new avenues of research into toxic effects and tissue specificity that are necessary to allow their successful use in patients at risk for colorectal cancer.
Linguistically Motivated Features for Enhanced Back-of-the-Book Indexing

This paper discusses linguistically motivated features for enhanced back-of-the-book indexing.