cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tests of the Optical Bloch Equations for Solids

An optical coherence phenomenon–power- dependent optical line narrowing—is reported for the first known time. The effect is observed in a low-temperature impurity- ion solid, Pr3+:LaF3, using a coherent transient technique for which saturation conditions prevail. Current theories of saturation, based on the optical Bloch equations or on rate equations, fail to explain our experimental results. We have therefore developed a microscopic coherence theory that introduces dephasing into the density-matrix equations of motion in a manner equally valid at low and high power and that agrees closely with our experimental results. This work thus represents the first reported observation of the failure of the optical Bloch equations in a low-temperature impurity-ion solid.
Replacement of enzyme-bound calcium with strontium alters the kinetic properties of methanol dehydrogenase

Methanol dehydrogenase (MEDH) possesses tightly bound Ca2+ in addition to its pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) prosthetic group. Ca2+ was replaced with Sr2+ by growing the host bacterium, Paracoccus denitrificans, in media in which Ca2+ was replaced with Sr2+. MEDH, which was purified from these cells (Sr-MEDH), exhibited an increased absorption coefficient for the PQQ chromophore, and displayed certain kinetic properties which were different from those of native MEDH. Native MEDH exhibits an endogenous activity which is not stimulated by substrate and which is inhibited by cyanide. Sr-MEDH exhibited lower endogenous activity which was stimulated by substrate, and was much less sensitive to inhibition by cyanide. The Vmax. for the methanol-dependent activity of Sr-MEDH was 3-fold greater than that of the native enzyme, and the Ks for methanol was altered. Cyanide also acts as an obligatory activator and competitive inhibitor of methanol-dependent activity in native MEDH from P. denitrificans [Harris and Davidson (1993) Biochemistry 32, 4362-4368]. Sr-MEDH exhibited a similar K1 for cyanide inhibition of methanol-dependent activity, but the KA for cyanide activation of this activity was 17-fold greater than that for the native enzyme. The activation energy of Sr-MEDH was 13.4 kJ (3.2 kcal)/mol lower than that of the native enzyme. These data confirm and significantly extend the conclusions from genetic [Richardson and Anthony (1992) Biochem. J. 287, 709-715] and crystallographic [White, Boyd, Mathews, Xia, Dai, Zhang and Davidson (1993) Biochemistry 32, 12955-12958] studies that suggest an apparently unique role for Ca2+ in MEDH compared with other Ca(2+)-dependent proteins and enzymes.
Validation of 13C NMR measurements of liver glycogen in vivo

The natural abundance 13C NMR intensity of the glycogen C1 resonance was measured in the surgically exposed liver of rabbits in vivo (n = 17) by integration from 98 to 104 ppm and compared double blindedly to the subsequent biochemical measurement. Coil loading was measured each time from a reference sphere at the coil center and the NMR intensity was normalized accordingly. For quantification, the normalized NMR intensity was calibrated using aqueous glycogen solutions ranging from 110 to 1100 μmol glucosyl units/g (n = 14). An in vivo range from 110 to 800 μmol glucosyl units/g wet weight was measured with a highly linear correlation with concentration (r = 0.85, P < 0.001). The in vivo NMR concentration was 0.95 ± 0.05 (mean ± standard error, n = 17) of the concomitant enzymatic measurement of glycogen content. We conclude that the 13C NMR signal of liver glycogen C1 is essentially 100% visible in vivo and that natural abundance 13C NMR spectroscopy can provide reliable noninvasive estimates of in vivo glycogen content over the physiological range of liver glycogen concentrations when using adequate localization and integration procedures.
Left renal vein transposition for nutcracker syndrome

Objective Nutcracker syndrome, caused by compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta, results in left renal and gonadal venous hypertension. Several treatment options have been described to relieve associated symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate late results of LRV transposition and identify risk factors affecting outcomes. Methods Clinical data from 23 consecutive patients diagnosed with nutcracker syndrome from January 1996 to October 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were 10 males and 13 females (median age 22 years; range, 14-67) with radiologic evidence of LRV compression. On ultrasound evaluation (15/23 patients), the mean ratio of LRV peak systolic velocity measured at the site of compression and the renal hilum was 7.3 (range, 2.5-12). On venography (14/23 patients), the mean renocaval pressure gradient was 4 mm Hg (range, 2-6 mm Hg). Twelve patients with atypical abdominal pain (n = 4), hematuria (n = 5), and varicocele (n = 6) were managed expectantly. Eleven patients underwent LRV transposition through a transperitoneal exposure. Symptoms in these patients included left flank pain (n = 10), hematuria (n = 7), and varicocele (n = 3). In 2/11 patients, the LRV was found to be occluded at operation. There were no early postoperative complications. Most conservatively managed patients remained stable or improved over a mean follow-up period of 26 months (range, 0.2-59 months). Two patients were lost to follow-up at our institution and ultimately underwent intervention with LRV stenting and autotransplantation elsewhere. One patient was diagnosed with thin basement membrane disease on renal biopsy. Five patients with varicocele remained asymptomatic; 1 underwent local repair. Over a mean follow-up of 39 months (range, 0.13-144 months) in surgically managed patients, symptoms of flank pain and hematuria resolved or improved in 8/10 and 7/7, respectively. Varicoceles recurred in 2/3 patients in spite of resolution of flank pain. Both preoperatively occluded LRVs rethrombosed; one underwent thrombolysis with stenting, the other reimplantation of the left gonadal vein into the IVC. Conclusion Evaluation of the clinical significance of radiologic LRV compression remains challenging, as does selection of patients for intervention. LRV transposition is a safe, effective procedure in selected patients with persistent, severe symptoms. Patients with progression to occlusion of the LRV should be considered for alternative therapeutic procedures. Varicoceles, in the setting of nutcracker syndrome, may need independent repair.
The use of transfer function models to describe the relationship between pollutant exposure and leaf stomatal opening

Abstract Gas flux into plant leaves is regulated, in part, by stomatal opening and closing. Research has shown that stomatal responses can be influenced by exposure to gaseous pollutants. Measurements of stomatal response at a few fixed times have been tabulated, but models of stomatal response to pollutants over time have not been fully developed. Box-Jenkins time series models may be useful in describing the relationship between pollutant flux and stomatal aperture over time. Transfer function models (multivariate time series) can be used to relate input time series (pollutant load) and output time series (stomatal response). A basic description of time series and transfer function analysis is presented. Experimental considerations are also discussed. An example is presented using transfer function models to relate ozone fumigation of sunflower to changes in leaf temperature, used as a surrogate for stomatal responses to ozone.
A new integrated system for three-dimensional echocardiographic reconstruction: Development and validation for ventricular volume with application in human subjects

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to improve three-dimensional echocardiographic reconstruction by developing an automated mechanism for integrating spark gap locating data with corresponding images in real time and to validate use of this mechanism for the measurement of left ventricular volume. Background. Initial approaches to three-dimensional echocardiographic reconstruction were often limited by inefficient reconstructive processes requiring manual coordination of two-dimensional images and corresponding spatial locating data. Methods. In this system, a single computer overlays the binary-encoded positional data on the two-dimensional echocardiographic image, which is then recorded on videotape. The same system allows images to be digitized, traced, analyzed and displayed in three dimensions. This system was validated by using it to reconstruct 11 ventricular phantoms (19 to 271 ml) and 11 gel-filled excised ventricles (21 to 236 ml) imaged in intersecting long- and short-axis views and by apical rotation. To measure cavity volume, a surface was generated by an algorithm that takes advantage of the full three-dimensional data set. Results. Reconstructed cavity volumes agreed well with actual values: y = 0.96x + 2.2 for the ventricular phantoms in long- and short-axis views (r = 0.99, SEE = 2.7 ml); y = 0.95x + 2.9 for the phantoms, reconstructed by apical rotation (r = 0.99, SEE = 2.7 ml); and y = 0.99x + 0.11 ml for the excised ventricles (reconstructed in long- and short-axis views; r = 0.99, SEE = 5.9 ml). The mean difference between three-dimensional and actual volumes was 3% of the mean (3.0 ml) for the phantoms and 6% (4.6 ml) for the excised ventricles. Observer variability was 2.3% for the phantoms and 5.6% for the excised ventricles. Application to 14 normal subjects demonstrated feasibility of left ventricular reconstruction, which provided values for stroke volume that agreed well with an independent Doppler measure (y = 0.97x + 0.94; r = 0.95, SEE = 3.2 ml), with an observer variability of 4.9% (2.4 ml). Conclusions. A system has therefore been developed that automatically integrates locating and imaging data in no more time than the component two-dimensional echocardiographic scans. This system can accurately reconstruct ventricular volumes in vitro over a wide range and is feasible in vivo, thus laying the foundation for further applications. It has increased the efficiency of three-dimensional reconstruction and enhanced our ability to address clinical and research questions with this technique.
Autoreactive T‐cell receptor (Vβ/D/Jβ) sequences in diabetes are homologous to insulin, glucagon, the insulin receptor, and the glucagon receptor

The hypervariable (Vb/D/Jb) regions of T-cell receptors (TCR) have been sequenced in a variety of autoimmune diseases by various investigators. An analysis of some of these sequences shows that TCR from both human diabetics andNOD micemimic insulin, glucagon, the insulin receptor, and theglucagon receptor. Such similarities are not found in the TCR produced in other human autoimmune diseases. These data may explain how insulin, glucagon, and their receptors aretargetsofautoimmunity indiabetesandalsosuggestthatTCRmimicking insulinanditsreceptormaybe targets of anti-insulin autoantibodies. Such intra-systemic mimicry of self-proteins also raises complex questions about how ‘‘self’’ and ‘‘nonself’’ are regulated during TCR production, especially in light of the complementarity of insulin for its receptor and glucagon for its receptor. The data presented here suggest that some TCR may be complementary to other TCR in autoimmune diseases, a possibility that is experimentally testable. Such complementarity, if it exists, could either serve to down-regulate the clones bearing such TCR or, alternatively, trigger an intra-immune system civil war between them. Copyright 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ependymal cyst in a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis).

Background A focal hypointense intracranial lesion was detected by magnetic resonance imaging in the right caudal occipital lobe of the cerebrum in an asymptomatic cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis). Results Following euthanasia, gross evaluation of the lesion revealed a 1 cm diameter, wedge-shaped intracranial cavitation without apparent communication with the ventricles. Histologically, the lesion was lined by ciliated cuboidal to low columnar epithelium that showed immunopositivity for cytokeratin, S-100, and GFAP. Conclusion Based upon the gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings, this lesion was classified as an ependymal cyst. In the human patients, ependymal cysts are benign, non-infectious, non-inflammatory lesions of the central nervous system that are believed to originate from aberrant migration of ependymal cells during development. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an ependymal cyst in a non-rodent veterinary species and the first report of a benign intracranial cyst of any classification in a non-human primate.
The effect of a promoter polymorphism on the transcription of nitric oxide synthase 1 and its relevance to Parkinson's disease.

Transcriptional changes of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase I (NOS1) are believed to play a role in the development of many diseases. The gene for NOS1 has 12 alternative first exons (1A–1L). The 1F exon is one of the most highly utilized first exons in the brain and has a polymorphism ((TG)mTA(TG)n) located in its promoter region. The polymorphism's length has been suggested to affect NOS1 transcription and play a role in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, the actual influence of the polymorphism on NOS1 transcription has not been studied. To better characterize the links of the polymorphism with PD, a genotyping study was done comparing polymorphism length among 170 PD patients and 150 age-matched controls. The pattern of changes between the two group's allele frequencies shows statistical significance (P = 0.0359). The smallest polymorphism sizes are more predominant among PD patients than controls. To study the effects of this polymorphism on NOS1 gene transcription, reporter gene constructs were made by cloning the NOS1 1F promoter with polymorphism lengths of either 42, 54, or 62 bp in front of the luciferase gene and transfecting them into HeLa or Sk-N-MC cells. NOS1-directed reporter gene constructs with the 62-bp polymorphism increased transcription of luciferase 2.2-fold in HeLa and 1.8-fold in Sk-N-MC cells compared with reporter gene constructs with the 42-bp polymorphism. These data suggest that if smaller polymorphism size contributes to the higher NOS1 levels in PD patients, an as yet unknown transcriptional mechanism is required. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sub-Micron Patterning of Rough Surfaces Using Optical Trap Assisted Nanopatterning

Optical trap assisted nanopatterning is used to write sub-micron features on substrates with pre-existing topography. Uniform patterns are successfully written across a large-scale trench on a polyimide surface.
Flag Choices of Elite American and Canadian Children

Following E. D. Lawson's work (1963, 1965) on the flag preferences of lower and middle-class public school children in the U.S. and Canada, a similar study was carried out with elite private school children. As previously found, responses to the U.N., U.S., Russian, and Canadian flags were very similar for both national samples. In addition, the choice patterns of the elite children in the present study and the non-elites of previous studies were also very similar.
Lipid Metabolism in Premature Infants

Fats provide 40–50% of the total calories in human milk or infant formula. The milk secreted by mothers of preterm infants differs in fat composition from that of mothers of full-term infants in havin
A Pragmatic Framework for the Evaluation of Policy Arguments

A policy argument is an oral or written statement that advocates adopting a policy or justifies the decision to adopt a policy. This article advances the study of policy arguments by establishing a simple and general framework for their evaluation that is inspired by pragmatic philosophy. A pragmatic framework recognizes that all policy arguments are normative in purpose and that a good policy argument supports its normative claim with factual and value-based “good reasons.” Establishing an argument's claim mediates these supporting reasons. A pragmatic approach delineates the nature and purpose of policy arguments more clearly than has been done in the past, providing a more suitable framework for study.
Further studies of turpentine composition of Pinus muricata in relation to its taxonomy

Abstract Pinus muricata D. Don is a species unique in the infraspecific variability of chemical composition of its turpentine. In this article previous findings on that subject are reviewed and additional analytical data are reported. The problem of this variability is discussed on the background of the Tertiary geomorphology and the climate of the Pacific Coast of California. These environmental factors alone, however, are not totally responsible for the chemical (and morphological) variability. Heredity apparently has had an equal importance.
Carcinoma and adenomatous polyps of the colon and rectum in biopsy and organ tissue culture.

Carcinoma in situ was found in 16.0% of patients with histologically verified cases of solitary and multiple adenomatous polyps of the colon and rectum. In patients with adenomatous polyps only, the incidence was 6.1%. The incidence rose to 47.0% in the group of patients having adenomatous polyps associated with carcinoma in the same segment of the colon. This figure suggests that the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ in a polyp should be followed by careful search for frank adenocarcinoma in the proximity. Organ tissue cultures on the fibrin foam matrix demonstrated a morphological transition from cytologically benign adenomatous polyps into focal carcinoma in situ in more than two thirds of cultured cases. Moreover, a few of these polyps developed invasive features similar to those observed in cultures of colonic adenocarcinoma. The behavior of adenomatous polyps in tissue culture suggests a malignant potential of those lesions and their possible ability to become not only histologic, but also biologic cancers.
Apolipoprotein E genotype and cognitive impairment in community-dwelling black older adults

Objective:The relationship between the epsilon 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE-e4) located on chromosome 19 and Alzheimer's disease is well documented among Caucasian populations. However, the findings of research addressing the link between APOE polymorphism and neurocognitive functioning in populations of African origin from around the world have been equivocal. Therefore, the current study explored the relation of APOE-e4 with cognitive impairment in a sample of community-dwelling English-speaking elderly blacks.Methods:All participants (N = 57) were recruited consecutively from a community memory-screening program at a University affiliated Memory Disorders Clinic and evaluated using standardized assessment procedures. Cognitive impairment was classified according to an age and education adjusted Mini-Mental State Exam score of less than 24 as well as poorer functioning on a measure of delayed verbal memory.Results:Increased risk for global cognitive dysfunction (OR = 9.5, 95 percent CI = ...
Siloxane‐modified heterocyclic polymers

Fully aromatic, siloxane-modified polybenzimidazoles and polybenzoxazoles were prepared by a single-stage melt polymerization and characterized. These polymers, which have good solubility in pyridine and N-methylpyrrolidinone, undergo thermooxidative decomposition above 300°C. Model compounds for these two classes as well as polypyromellitimides were also prepared.
Meta-analysis of effects of intensive blood-glucose control on late complications of type I diabetes

Abstract Tight blood glucose control has been speculated to reduce late complications in insulin-dependent diabetics but results from individual studies have been inconsistent. We have done a meta-analysis of sixteen randomised trials of intensive therapy to estimate its impact on the progression of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy and the risks of severe side-effects. In the intensive therapy group, the risk of retinopathy progression was insignificantly higher after 6-12 months of intensive control (odds ratio [OR] 2·11). After more than two years of intensive therapy the risk of retinopathy progression was lower (OR 0·49 [95% confidence interval 0·28-0·85], p=0·011). The risk of nephropathy progression was also decreased significantly (OR 0·34 [0·20-0·58], p Long-term intensive blood glucose control significantly reduces the risk of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy progression but long-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion was associated with an increased incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis, and intensive therapy may cause more severe hypoglycaemic reactions.
Writing war and peace in the novels of Andrée Chedid

In this article, I attempt to explore the representation of war in Andree Chedid's prose-fiction as well as analysing the narrative of identity formation she inscribes in her novels and which is indelibly linked to her evocation/vision of peace. I further examine the place that hope occupies in these narratives set in the dark zone of violence. Language choice is also discussed.
Low power and high speed current-mode memristor-based TLGs

A new clocked design that uses memristors in current mode logic implementation of threshold logic gates is presented. Memristor based designs have high potential to improve performance and energy over purely CMOS-based current mode logic implementations. The proposed design is clocked, and outperforms a recently proposed combinational method in performance as well as energy consumption. A fault tolerant implementation is analyzed, and it is experimentally verified that scales well in both energy consumption and delay.
Well-Defined Random Copolymers by a “Living” Free-Radical Polymerization Process

It is shown that the TEMPO-mediated living free radical polymerization procedure is applicable to the preparation of a variety of well defined random copolymer systems with low polydispersities and controlled molecular weights. For random copolymers of styrene and methyl methacrylate, the sequence distribution of the monomer units is essentially the same as that found for classical free radical systems
Terminal control of a gliding parachute in a nonuniform wind

Least squares estimation and an open-loop control based on geometric considerations are combined to define a closed-loop terminal control law for a gliding parachute system under variable wind conditions. Closed-form solutions are obtained for the analysis of the nonlinear kinematic equations of motion. Simulation results of the overall system are included for a variety of initial conditions and wind profiles.
Studies on the cycle life of commercial lithium ion batteries during rapid charge–discharge cycling

Abstract The impedance spectra of Li-ion batteries as a function of the number of charge–discharge cycles have been measured to study the cycle life of the commercial Li-ion battery (prismatic Sanyo UF653467) during cycling at 1 C charge–discharge rate. The individual electrodes in the batteries have been examined using XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and SEM. The results show that the Nyquist plots of commercial lithium-ion batteries are comprised of an inductive tail at high frequency followed by two semicircles at medium and low frequencies. The size of the semicircles at low frequency increase during cycling due to the increase in interfacial resistances of both cathode and anode. Thus, it may be used to predict the cycle life of the battery. XRD, TEM and SEM studies of the individual electrodes show that the cation disorder, microcracks of the LiCoO 2 particles in the cathode and the increase in thickness of the passive film on the anode due to the reduction of the electrolyte are linked to the capacity fade of the battery during cycling.
Quiet Tunnel Measurements of HIFiRE-5 Boundary-Layer Transition

The Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) program is a hypersonic flight test program executed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation. The principal goal of HIFiRE flight five is to measure hypersonic boundary-layer transition on a three-dimensional body. The HIFiRE flight tests are supported by a ground test campaign; this paper presents measurements of heat flux and boundary-layer transition in the Boeing/AFOSR Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel. This facility has been developed to provide quiet flow at high Reynolds number, with low noise levels comparable to flight. This tunnel’s good optical access enabled global measurement of the heat flux by means of temperature-sensitive paint. Two modes of transition were observed: transition along the centerline, suspected to arise from the amplification of second-mode waves in the boundary layer, and transition roughly halfway between the centerline and leading edges, probably due to the bre...
Role of Transient Growth in Roughness-Induced Transition

Surface roughness can have a profound effect on boundary-layer transition. However, the mechanisms responsible for transition with three-dimensional distributed roughness have been elusive. Various Tollmien-Schlichting-based mechanisms have been investigated in the past but have been shown not to be applicable. More recently, the applicability of transient growth theory to roughness-induced transition has been studied. A model for roughness-induced transition is developed that makes use of computational results based on the spatial transient growth theory pioneered by the present authors. For nosetip transition, the resulting transition relations reproduce the trends of the Reda and passive nosetip technology (PANT) data and account for the separate roles of roughness and surface temperature level on the transition behavior
Management of pelvic inflammatory disease in adolescents.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is highly prevalent among sexually active adolescent females. The major organisms areN gonorrhoeae andC trachomatis. Diagnosis is based on historical information and clinical findings. Early diagnosis and treatment effectively reduce the incidence of complications associated with PID. Highly effective treatment regimens are available and main antimicrobials used include quinolones, cephalosporins, metronidazole, doxycycline, and azithromycin. Delay or inadequate treatment is associated with long term sequelae including tubal infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Prevention efforts should be directed towards routine screening and treatment for sexually transmissible infections, public education and provision of resources for treatment and follow-up.
Polyarteritis nodosa presenting as pancytopenia: case report and review of the literature

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is not commonly associated with hematologic abnormalities. We report the first case of pancytopenia as the presenting symptom of PAN. There was no associated malignancy or reactive hemophagocytic syndrome (RHS) to explain the findings. The patient, after successful treatment of PAN, subsequently developed RHS a few years later. He is the fourth reported case of RHS in a patient with PAN. In addition to describing the patient’s presentation and clinical course, a systematic review of the literature was performed examining the association between hematologic conditions, including RHS, and PAN.
Lonely in Paris: when one gene copy isn't enough.

Circulating platelets are continually replenished by fragmentation of terminally differentiated megakaryocytes. Processes disrupted in inherited thrombocytopenias frequently shed light on normal thrombopoietic mechanisms. An especially rare condition called Paris-Trousseau syndrome (PTS) seems to occur by virtue of hemizygous loss of the FLI1 transcription factor gene. Provocative new data suggest that FLI1 shows monoallelic expression during a brief window in megakaryocyte differentiation, which thus explains the dominant inheritance pattern of PTS despite the presence of one normal FLI1 allele .
Narcissistic personality disorder: A clinical perspective.

Narcissistic traits and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) present specific diagnostic challenges. While they are often readily and straightforwardly identified, their presentation in some patients and the reasons for which such patients seek treatment may conceal significant narcissistic pathology. Recently, several empirical studies have confirmed that the phenotypic range of people with NPD includes individuals with insecure, shy, and hypersensitive traits with prominent internalized narcissistic features and functioning. Other studies have confirmed that internal emotional distress, interpersonal vulnerability, fear, pain, anxiety, a sense of inadequacy, and depressivity can also co-occur with narcissistic personality functioning. This paper focuses on integrating these findings into the diagnostic evaluation and initial negotiation of treatment for NPD. In patients with narcissistic traits or NPD, it is important to give attention to the two sides of character functioning, which include both self-serving and self-enhancing manifestations as well as hypersensitivity, fluctuations in self-esteem, and internal pain and fragility. This article highlights some of these seemingly incompatible clinical presentations of narcissistic traits and NPD, especially as they co-occur with depressivity and perfectionism, and it discusses implications for building a treatment alliance with a patient with such a predominant disorder of character functioning. The article also discusses the importance of retaining the NPD diagnosis as a separate type of personality disorder, with this range of features, in the upcoming fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMS-5).
A nodal coarse-mesh method for the efficient numerical solution of laminar flow problems

A coarse-mesh nodal method for the efficient numerical solution of incompressible laminar flow problems is developed using a transverse integration procedure followed by the introduction of locally-defined Green's tensors of the transverse-integrated in-node Navier-Stokes and mass conservation equations. In applications to 2-dimensional flow problems, including fully developed flow, inlet flow, and modified driven cavity problems (driven cavities with inlet and outlet sections), this new nodal Green's tensor method is demonstrated to have very high accuracy even when applied on very large nodes. The high accuracy of this new method on very coarse meshes leads to a high computational efficiency (reduced computer time for fixed accuracy requirements).
Approximating quantum many-body intermolecular interactions in molecular clusters using classical polarizable force fields

Many-body intermolecular interaction expansions provide a promising avenue for the efficient quantum mechanical treatment of molecular clusters and condensed-phase systems, but the computationally expensive three-body and higher terms are often nontrivial. When polar molecules are involved, these many-body terms are typically dominated by electrostatic induction effects, which can be approximated relatively easily. We demonstrate an accurate and inexpensive hybrid quantum/classical model in which one- and two-body interactions are computed quantum mechanically, while the many-body induction effects are approximated with a simple classical polarizable force field. Whereas typical hybrid quantum/classical models partition a system spatially into distinct quantum and classical regions, the model demonstrated here partitions based on the order in the many-body interaction series. This enables a spatially homogeneous treatment of the entire system, which could prove advantageous in studying a wide range of condensed-phase molecular systems.
Structural changes in Australian bank risk

Abstract There have been substantial changes in banking industries throughout the world in the last two decades. While many of the effects of these changes in the US have been documented, the increasingly global nature of regulation in recent years makes understanding the effects of these changes in other countries imperative. This paper examines Australian bank returns during the period 1981–1993, employing a switching-regression methodology. We find that several structural changes have occurred, coinciding with (i) the release of deregulatory initiatives by the Australian government in the early 1980s, (ii) the flotation of the Australian dollar and the licensing of foreign banks, and (iii) the implementation of the Basle accord risk-based capital measures. Moreover, we report important differences in the relations between bank returns and both interest rates and exchange rates relative to those reported in US studies.
Anti-diffusive radiation flow in the cooling layer of a radiating shock

Abstract This paper shows that for systems with optically thin, hot layers, such as those that occur in radiating shocks, radiation will flow uphill: radiation will flow from low to high radiation energy density. These are systems in which the angular distribution of the radiation intensity changes rapidly in space, and in which the radiation in some region has a pancaked structure, whose effect on the mean intensity will be much larger than the effect on the scalar radiation pressure. The salient feature of the solution to the radiative transfer equation in these circumstances is that the gradient of the radiation energy density is in the same direction as the radiation flux, i.e. radiation energy is flowing uphill. Such an anti-diffusive flow of energy cannot be captured by a model where the spatial variation of the Eddington factor is not accounted for, as in flux-limited diffusion models or the P 1 equations. The qualitative difference between the two models leads to a monotonic mean intensity for the diffusion model whereas the transport mean intensity has a global maximum in the hot layer. Mathematical analysis shows that the discrepancy between the diffusion model and the transport solution is due to an approximation of exponential integrals using a simple exponential.
Psychopathology in females with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder : A controlled, five-year prospective study

Background Despite the importance of understanding the long-term outcome of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the available literature is predominantly based on male samples. This study estimated the lifetime burden of comorbid psychopathology in a large sample of girls with and without ADHD followed up over five years. Methods We conducted a blind, five-year prospective longitudinal study of girls with ( n =140) and without ( n =122) ADHD, aged 6–18 years at baseline, consecutively ascertained from either community pediatricians or psychiatrists at an academic medical center. At the five-year follow-up, 123 (88%) and 112 (92%) of the ADHD and control children, respectively, were re-assessed at a mean age of 16.7 years. Psychiatric disorders were assessed using blinded structured diagnostic interviews. Results At follow-up, females with ADHD were at significantly higher risk than controls to manifest disruptive behavior, mood and anxiety disorders, and substance dependence. The magnitude of increased risk was greatest for major depression and oppositional-defiant disorder, followed by substance dependence and anxiety disorders. Conclusions These prospective follow-up findings documenting high morbidity associated with ADHD extend to females previously reported findings in male samples and underscore the importance of early recognition and intervention efforts for youth with ADHD of both genders.
Cross Cutting Structural Design for Exploration Systems

The challenge of our new National Space Policy and NASA's Vision for Space Exploration (VSE) is keyed to the development of more effective space access and transportation systems. Optimizing in-space systems through innovative cross cutting structural designs that reduce mass, combine functional requirements and improve performance can significantly advance spacecraft designs to meet the ever growing demands of our new National Space Policy. Dependence on limited structural designs is no longer an option. We must create robust materials, forms, function and evolvable systems. We must advance national policy objectives in the design, development, test and operation of multi-billion dollar new generation crew capsules by enabling them to evolve in meeting the requirements of long duration missions to the moon and mars. This paper discusses several current issues and major design drivers for consideration in structural design of advanced spacecraft systems. Approaches to addressing these multifunctional requirements is presented as well as a discussion on utilizing Functional Analysis System Technique (FAST) in developing cross cutting structural designs for future spacecraft. It will be shown how easy it is to deploy such techniques in any conceptual architecture definition or ongoing preliminary design. As experts in merging mission, safety and life support requirements of the frail human existence into robust vehicle and habitat design, we will conquer the final frontier, harness new resources and develop life giving technologies for mankind through more innovative designs. The rocket equation tells us that a reduction in mass optimizes our propulsive results. Primary and secondary structural elements provide for the containment of gases, fluids and solids; translate and sustain loads/impacts; conduct/radiate thermal energy; shield from the harmful effects of radiation; provide for grounding/bonding of electrical power systems; compartmentalize operational functions; and provide physical interface with multiple systems. How can we redefine, combine, substitute, rearrange and otherwise modify our structural systems to reduce mass? New technologies will be needed to fill knowledge gaps and propagate new design methods. Such an integrated process is paramount in maintaining U.S. leadership and in executing our national policy goals. The cross cutting process can take many forms, but all forms will have a positive affect on the demanding design environment through initial radical thinking. The author will illustrate such cross cutting results achievable through a formal process called FAST. The FAST example will be used to show how a multifunctional structural system concept for long duration spacecraft might be generated.
Lung Krüppel-like factor (LKLF) is a transcriptional activator of the cytosolic phospholipase A2 α promoter

Increased expression of cPLA2 (cytosolic phospholipase A2) has been shown to be the cause of tumorigenesis of NSCLC (non-small-cell lung cancer). Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that oncogenic forms of Ras increase transcription of cPLA2 in normal lung epithelial cells and NSCLC lines through activation of the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) family. We have also defined a minimal region of the cPLA2 promoter that is critical for this induction. To identify potential transcription factors that bind to this region and regulate expression, a yeast one-hybrid screen was performed with a rat lung cDNA library. Multiple members of the Kruppel family were identified, with LKLF (lung Kruppel-like factor) being isolated a number of times. Overexpression of LKLF in lung epithelial cells or Drosophila SL-2 cells increased cPLA2 promoter activity. Conversely, expression of a dominant negative form of LKLF inhibited induction of cPLA2 promoter activity by oncogenic Ras in normal lung epithelial cells and NSCLC. By electrophoretic mobility-shift assay analysis, it was found that LKLF bound to a GC-rich region of the cPLA2 promoter located between −37 and −30 upstream from the transcription start site. Expression of siRNA (small interfering RNA) directed against LKLF inhibited basal expression of cPLA2 in lung epithelial cells and blocked induction by H-Ras. In NSCLC, siRNA against LKLF co-operated with siRNA against Sp1 (stimulatory protein 1) to inhibit cPLA2 promoter activity. Finally, recombinant LKLF was a substrate for ERKs. These results indicate that LKLF is an important regulator of cPLA2 expression and participates in the induction of this protein, which is critical for increased eicosanoid production associated with lung tumorigenesis.
Coherent phonon heat conduction in superlattices.

The control of heat conduction through the manipulation of phonons as coherent waves in solids is of fundamental interest and could also be exploited in applications, but coherent heat conduction has not been experimentally confirmed. We report the experimental observation of coherent heat conduction through the use of finite-thickness superlattices with varying numbers of periods. The measured thermal conductivity increased linearly with increasing total superlattice thickness over a temperature range from 30 to 150 kelvin, which is consistent with a coherent phonon heat conduction process. First-principles and Green’s function–based simulations further support this coherent transport model. Accessing the coherent heat conduction regime opens a new venue for phonon engineering for an array of applications.
Microscopic mechanisms of interface state generation by electrical stress

Abstract Interface state generation by hot electrons is studied using spin-dependent recombination. Hot electrons with average energy ∾2eV produce a paramagnetic recombination center, while hole annihilation at the Si/SiO 2 interface does not produce this defect. The implications of these results for microscopic models of interface defect creation are discussed.
Do mutualistic networks follow power distributions

Abstract Species interactions are central to the structure and dynamics of biological communities. Recently, of particular interest, is the analysis of ecological networks where the number of species to species interactions vary depending on the degree of specialization. For mutualistic networks, species degree has been suggested to follows a power distribution or a truncated power distribution. In this paper, I discuss previously estimated parameters and associated model selection may be unreliable. I use the likelihood approach and compare the results from previous findings and show that the parameter estimates as well as model selection results are indeed very different. Furthermore, the likelihood approach reveals that many mutualistic networks do not follow either power distribution or truncated power distribution.
Insulin Response of Largemouth Bass to Glucose, Amino Acid, and Diet Stimulation

Abstract Investigation of the dietary requirements of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides has intensified because of the popularity of this species. To determine commercial diets containing carbohydrate concentrations that are not detrimental to the health and survival of largemouth bass, we examined the effects of carbohydrate loads on insulin response. This study was intended to characterize the insulin response of largemouth bass to diet, glucose, and amino acids. Pellet-trained largemouth bass were either orally stimulated with glucose, lysine, arginine, or methionine or fed a commercial pelleted diet or a “natural” diet of golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas, then bled over time to ascertain their insulin response. Insulin response was correlated with glucose response, the insulin responses lagging slightly behind increases in blood glucose concentration. Greater increases in blood glucose were accompanied by sharper, quicker insulin responses. Glucose (4.8 ± 0.3 ng insulin/mL) and arginine (5.4...
…Next Stop Is Vietnam: The War on Record, 1961–2008

Various Artists, 2010, 13 CDs, Bear Family Records 16070 MS The Vietnam War is a grisly history lesson written in human blood. More than 58,000 US troops died, and another 270,000 were wounded duri...
On-line data reduction with a prism spectrometer

We describe the hardware and software aspects of an automatic spectroscopy system based upon a programmable calculator and a prism monochromator. Linear spectral presentation is obtained by a four-point Aitken-Lagrange interpolation performed at each data point. The interpolation subroutine, which is also useful for data logging with thermocouples, is described in detail. Both open- and closed-loop applications of the system to reflectance and modulation spectroscopies are discussed, and additional uses are suggested.
Effects of Knowledge of Semantic Roles on Summarizing Written Prose.

Abstract College students wrote summaries of eight short passages as a test of their ability to identify important information. After pairing naive summaries according to length and original passage, those summaries which judges identified as “better” were found to contain significantly more of the major semantic roles, such as Agent and Instrument, than did summaries judged “not as good.” It was also found that students wrote significantly better summaries when instructed to base the summaries on the major semantic roles within the passage. These summaries were significantly better than summaries based upon the traditional paragraph analysis of “topics” and “main ideas,” and they were significantly better than summaries written without any special instructions.
Comparison of Kinetic Profile of Free and Immobilized Glucose Oxidase, Immobilized on Low-Density Polyethylene Using UV Polymerization

Bioactive packaging is an important area of active packaging in which an active component is incorporated into the food contact surface of the package to interact with the food components without itself migrating into the food. Embedding bioactivity in a UV polymerizable resin is a novel and versatile technique for incorporating bioactive components into food packaging. In a previous article, glucose oxidase was immobilized in a packaging material using a UV curable resin. The relevance of this model system for deoxygenation of fruit juices was discussed. Though the technique efficiently immobilized enzymes in packaging material, during polymerization and immobilization the catalytic ability of the enzyme was not specifically explored. This article compares and contrasts the catalytic ability in terms of the kinetic profile of free and immobilized enzyme for the same model system: deoxygenation of juices. Kinetic behavior of immobilized and free glucose oxidase enzyme was evaluated at both shelf stable (room temperature) and refrigerated storage conditions to simulate the actual package life. It was observed that both the free enzyme and the immobilized enzymes follow the Michaelis-Menten kinetics model. There was no significant difference between the catalytic ability (k(cat)/K(m)) of free and immobilized enzymes at treatment temperatures (30, 25, and 10 degrees C); however, at refrigeration temperature (5 degrees C), the values for free enzyme were significantly higher than the immobilized enzyme.
Behavioral synthesis of analog systems using two-layered design space exploration

This paper presents a novel approach for synthesis of analog systems from behavioral VHDL-AMS specifications. We implemented this approach in the VASE behavioral-synthesis tool. The synthesis process produces a netlist of electronic components that are selected from a component library and sized such that the overall area is minimized and the rest of the performance constraints such as power, slew-rate, bandwidth, etc. are met. The gap between system level specifications and implementations is bridged using a hierarchically-organized, design-space exploration methodology. Our methodology performs a two-layered synthesis, the first being architecture generation, and the other component synthesis and constraint transformation. For architecture generation we suggest a branch-and-bound algorithm, while component synthesis and constraint transformation use a genetic algorithm based heuristic method. Crucial to the success of our exploration methodology is a fast and accurate performance estimation engine that embeds technology process parameters, SPICE models for basic circuits and performance composition equations. We present a telecommunication application as an example to illustrate our synthesis methodology, and show that constraint-satisfying designs can be synthesized in a short time and with a reduced designer effort.