cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement Of Optical Damage In Lithium Niobate Waveguides

Use of optical waverides formed in lithium niobate single crystals is contemplated in a wide variety of promising modulation, switching, computation, and signal processing components. One factor, however, may stand in the way of this development: the degree to which the waveguides are susceptible to laser-induced performance degradations known as optical damage.
Estimating a Mixed-Exponential Response Law

Abstract This paper is concerned with the estimation of the parameters of a mixed-exponential response law, given some sample observations. Two alternative laws are considered, each having two parameters. The first law expresses the proportion F(t) of the population who have responded within time t in the form F(t) = (1 – e −αt )ξ. The second law states that F(t) = 1 – (1 + λt)−v. The problem has been encountered in the context of market research, in estimating the “penetration” of a market by a new product; and it is therefore described in those terms. But mathematically identical problems arise also in life testing and in fisheries research. The problem is similar to the well-known one in toxicology of fitting a response law (logistic, probit, or whatever) to dose-mortality data, with the exception that in the present case the points on the empirical response curve are not independent, the basic sampling distribution being multinomial instead of independent-binomial. In regard to statistical methodology...
Importation, SES-selective acculturation, and the weaker SES-health gradients of Mexican immigrants in the United States

Abstract Previous studies find U.S. immigrants have weaker socioeconomic gradients in health relative to non-Hispanic Whites and their U.S.-born co-ethnics. Several explanations have been advanced but few have been tested empirically. We use data from the Mexican Family Life Survey and the U.S. National Health Interview Survey, including longitudinal data in the former measuring socioeconomic status (SES) and health previous to emigration, to test if (1) immigrants “import” their gradients from the sending country, or if (2) they may be changing as a result of SES-graded acculturation among Mexican migrant men in two health indicators: obesity and current smoking. We find evidence consistent with the first hypothesis: the gradients of migrants measured prior to coming to the U.S. are not statistically different from those of nonmigrants, as the gradients of each are relatively weak. Although the gradients for obesity and smoking appear to weaken with time spent in the U.S., the differences are not significant, suggesting little support for the selective acculturation hypothesis.
Cyclic voltammograms at coplanar and shallow recessed microdisk electrode arrays: guidelines for design and experiment.

Although microdisk electrode arrays (MEAs) have been extensively used for more than three decades, the existing rules do not provide an unambiguous formula for the calculation of the minimum interelectrode distance (d) necessary for steady-state current response. With the aim of formulating generally applicable guidelines for design and experiment with MEAs, cyclic voltammograms were simulated for coplanar and shallow recessed microdisk electrode arrays with various interelectrode distances and dimensionless scan rates (V). The dimensionless scan rate (V) is a function of the radius (a) of the individual electrodes in the array, the diffusion coefficient (D) of the analyte, and the potential scan rate (v). The cyclic voltammograms at microdisk electrode arrays are grouped into five categories corresponding to the contributions of linear and radial diffusion to the overall responses. These categories are illustrated in a zone diagram based on the effect of V and d on the shape of cyclic voltammograms. The ...
The stability of CaCO3·6H2O (ikaite)

Abstract Experimental runs were made in cold-seal pressure vessels using synthetic CaCO8·6H2O, calcite and aragonite as starting materials. The reaction CaCO3·6H2O (ikaite) ⇌ CaCO3 (calcite I) + 6H2O was reversed across its metastable extension into the aragonite stability field and the phase boundary is defined by brackets at 4.14kb, 14.3°C and 2.96 kb, −3.0°C. An invariant point for CaCO3·6H2O, calcite I, aragonite and water thus occurs at about 3.02 kb and −2.0°C. No other reaction could be reversed. Calculations based on the equilibrium phase boundary between calcite and ikaite and the available thermochemical data for calcite and water yield the stadard free energy of formation, standard enthalpy of formation and third law entropy of CaCO3·6H2O at 25°C and 1 bar total pressure; −607.3 kcal/mole, −705.8 kcal/mole, and 88.4 cal/deg mole, respectively.
Black holes in Gödel universes and pp waves.

We find exact solutions for rotating and nonrotating neutral black holes in the Godel universe of five-dimensional minimal supergravity theory. We also describe the embedding of this solution in M-theory. After dimensional reduction and T-duality, we obtain a supergravity solution corresponding to placing a black string in a pp-wave background.
MO‐E‐204C‐06: Validation of In‐Air Micro‐CT Measures of Excised Tumor Volume as Gold Standard for Tumor Size Response in Rodent Models

Purpose: The treatment efficacy of anticancer drugs is often assessed by measurement of tumor size change. Radiologic assessment of tumor size has been performed using one‐dimensional measurement (RECIST), area calculated from two linear dimensions (WHO criteria), and volume calculated from two or three linear dimensions using a variety of equations or other volumetric techniques. However, one‐ and/or two‐dimensional measurements may misrepresent change in tumor size by disregarding the second and/or third dimension. It is frequently proposed that the weight of an excised tumor is the most consistent and reproducible reflection of its volume. The aim of this project is to validate that in‐air micro‐CT imaging volume of an excised tumor can be gold standard in place of mass. Methods and Materials:Ultrasound, micro‐CT and MR imaging of twenty head and neck rat tumor models (SCC‐4) ranging in size from 4.19 mm3 to 1436.76 mm3 were performed followed by caliper measurements. Tumors excised from rats were weighed and in‐air micro‐CT images of the excised tumors were obtained. In‐air micro‐CT imaging volume of excised tumors was calculated using a voxel counting method of Analyze software. NIST‐traceable acrylic phantoms were used to validate accuracy and precision of micro‐CT imaging volume. In situtumor size measurements were made in three perpendicular dimensions for each modality. 1D (RECIST), 2D (WHO) and 3D (volume) analysis was performed for each modality as well as the caliper method, and compared with excised tumor volume. Results: The accuracy (∼ 0.4%) of in‐air micro‐CT imaging volume of excised tumors was confirmed using acrylic phantoms. In situ volumes in three modalities were linear to “gold standard” excised tumor volumes and showed statistically to be the most likely model. Conclusion: It is concluded that in‐air micro‐CT imaging volume of excised tumors is a more direct gold standard and nearly equivalent to mass.
Study of scattering media with polarized coherent light

Speckle patterns measured as a function of frequency are used to describe the polarization properties for scattering samples. We demonstrate differences in the degree of polarization and frequency resolved correlations for differing amounts of scatter
Dynamic Strength of Oil Shale

In-situ retorting of oil shale requires explosive loading under overburden pressure to break up rock masses. Therefore, a study of the dynamic, confined failure strength under compressive loading was carried out for shale ranging in kerogen content from 11 to 45 gal/ton. It was found that the envelope of ultimate strength could be described by a first-order failure criterion that expands uniformly in principal stress space about the hydrostatic axis as the strain rate increases. The strength/log-strain-rate dependence was found to be nonlinear, with the strength doubling over seven orders of magnitude in strain rate. In these laboratory tests, considerable ductility at failure was encountered, with the strain at failure ranging from 2 to 35 percent. Failure strength was ordered consistently with respect to kerogen content, but the strength-reducing presence of large calcite inclusions in the leanest grade of shale overcame the effect of lower kerogen content to the extent that specimens of intermediate richness exhibited the highest strength.
Calculation of thermophysical properties of synthetic oils

Information on the thermophysical properties of synthetic oils is quite limited, and virtually no methods are available for calculation of these properties. In the present work, therefore, we have investigated the thermophysical properties of these oils by means of experimental determinations of the density p, the heat capacity Cp, and the thermal conductivity I, The data obtained in this work have been generalized in the form of equations.
Coming to America: IPOs from emerging market issuers ☆

We compare the issue costs of 299 companies from emerging and developed market countries making initial public offerings (IPOs) in the United States between 1991 and 2001. Our results indicate that IPOs from emerging markets experience the same costs on average as IPOs from developed market countries. Although there is a large gap between the country risk ratings of the emerging and developed market countries, IPO issuers from emerging markets appear to bridge that gap by being large issuers in their respective home countries, listing more frequently on the NYSE, and having a greater proportion of activity in manufacture and infrastructure segments, and a lower proportion in high-tech segments. These issues occur following periods of strong U.S. and home market equity performance which helps to alleviate country risk. In comparison to their developed market peers, emerging market issuers are a select group of higher-quality firms.
Lygus hesperus as an agent of apical bud abortion in Douglas-fir nurseries in western Oregon

Causes of apical bud abortion in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) were examined in two nurseries in western Oregon. Insect and damage surveys indicated that leafhoppers and Lygus hesperus Knight increased in abundance during August and September, coincident with damage accumulation. Caging studies confirmed that L. hesperus can cause bud abortion and indicated that nymphs of this insect could complete development to maturity on Douglas-fir seedlings.
Measuring Column Void Volumes with NMR

A novel method for measuring resin porosities and column void volumes with fluorine NMR has been developed. In situ measurements of the void volumes accessible to an array of fluorinated probe molecules are used to characterize the pore size distribution of the media. Application of this simple procedure is demonstrated for a commercially packed column and several bulk resins. The porosity distributions obtained by this technique are similar to those obtained by size exclusion chromatography. Unlike chromatographic tracer studies, however, this method does not require packed columns.
Efficient parallel circuits and algorithms for division

Abstract We improve the size bound for parallel circuits and algorithms for the division problem.
Understanding childhood sexual abuse as a predictor of sexual risk-taking among men who have sex with men: The Urban Men's Health Study

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence and characteristics of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among men who have sex with men (MSM), and links with sexual risk are explored. A model linking CSA and sexual risk among MSM is proposed. METHOD: A telephone probability sample of urban MSM (n = 2881) was recruited and interviewed between November 1996 and February 1998. The interview covered numerous health issues, including history of sexual victimization. RESULTS: One-fifth reported CSA, primarily by non-family perpetrators. Initial CSA experiences are characterized by high levels of force (43% involved physical force/weapons), and penetrative sex (78%; 46% reported attempted or actual anal intercourse). Such men are more likely than nevercoerced men to engage in high risk sex (unprotected anal intercourse with a non-primary partner or with a serodiscordant male). In multivariate analyses, the effect of childhood sexual coercion on sexual risk is mediated by substance use, patterns of sexual contacts, and partner violence, but not by adult sexual revictimization or by depression. CONCLUSIONS: Findings are interpreted within the context of social learning theory and prior research on sexual risk-taking. The high risk for CSA among MSM, which can predispose such men to patterns of HIV sexual risk, warrants new approaches in HIV prevention. Language: en
Path-integral approach to the quantum theory of the degenerate parametric amplifier

The quantum theory of the degenerate parametric amplifier is usually treated in the parametric approximation where the pump field is treated classically. In this paper we present a fully quantized theory of this nonlinear optical device using a path-integral approach. A perturbation series, the first term of which corresponds to the parametric approximation, is employed to evaluate explicitly the coherent-state propagator. The question of the validity of the parametric approximation is considered and the conditions under which this approximation is justified are elucidated. Finally, certain correlation functions for the signal-mode operators are calculated that are needed to study squeezed states. It is shown that the quantum nature of the pump field tends to decrease the squeezing.
Slope-sensitive optical probe for freeform optics metrology

Freeform and conformal optics represent the next generation of optical systems where their utilization leads to more compact, lighter, and higher performance systems for solar collectors, consumer optics, and defense applications. Optical coordinate measuring machines present one option for accurate metrology of freeform components but have two limitations: metrology system errors and optical probe errors. In this work, we address the latter of the two by demonstrating a compact optical probe capable of fiber delivery and fiber detection to remove potential heats sources away from measured optic. A bench top demonstrator has yielded a displacement resolution below ±10 nm and has a noise floor of approximately ±18 μrad for surface slope in two orthogonal directions. In this Proceedings, we discuss our probe concept, operating principle, and preliminary measurements with a bench top proof-of-concept system. The goal of this work is to ultimately integrate this probe into OptiPro’s UltraSurf, a 5-axis optical coordinate measuring machine for measuring freeform and conformal optics.
Every Library’s Nightmare? Digital Rights Management, Use Restrictions, and Licensed Scholarly Digital Resources

This study explored use restrictions found in licensed scholarly resources from the fields of history/art history, engineering, and health sciences. The analysis developed a framework of use restrictions that distinguishes between soft restrictions—which discourage use—and hard restrictions—which strictly prevent use. Soft restrictions include: extent of use, obfuscation, omission, amalgamation, frustration, and warning. The study concludes that these soft restrictions are relatively common in licensed scholarly resources. Further, while hard restrictions are less common, they are not unknown. The study questions whether librarians should be doing more to challenge use restrictions.
Time subsitutions in stochastic processes as a tool in path integration

Abstract We present a general change of process-cum-time substitution procedure for simplification of path integrals. Based on stochastic calculus, this procedure dictates that a particular time substitution should follow a given change of process. A special case of this procedure is the Kustaanheimo-Stiefel transformation, used by Duru and Kleinert to calculate the path integral for the hydrogen atom and applied by Blanchard and Sirugue to stochastic calculus. We also show that our method gives the same result as was obtained by Pak and Sokmen for a time lattice phase space path integral.
Effect of Pin Tip Dual Clearance on Flow and Heat Transfer at Low Reynolds Numbers

Cylindrical pin fins with tip clearances are investigated in the low Reynolds number range 5 100, both t* =0.2D* and 0.3D* were comparable in performance.
Effect of free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) on forage quality of wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cultivar ‘Yecora rojo’) was grown in ambient (370 μmol mol−1) or enriched (550 μmol mol−1) concentrations of CO2 in the free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) project, and components were analyzed for in vitro digestibility, fiber constituents, and crude protein. Four replicated plots of each CO2 treatment were split for irrigation: ‘wet’ regions received 60 cm of water and ‘dry’ regions received 30 cm of water through underground tubes. Enriched CO2 concentrations had no effect on in vitro digestion of intact sections of young (26–32-day-old plants) leaf blades except at 24–27 h incubation, at which time enriched leaves were lower in digestibility than control ones. Enriched CO2 concentrations increased the content of acid detergent fiber (ADF) and cellulose of young wet leaves. Sections of main shoots at 26 days tended to have increased digestibility with elevated CO2 levels. Enriched CO2 concentrations did not alter the digestibility of flag leaves from 105-day-old plants or of flag leaves, uppermost stems, and sheaths from plants at full grain maturity. Enriched CO2 levels reduced the acid detergent lignin (ADL) and tended to reduce the protein of leaves from 105-day-old plants. For mature leaf blades, neutral detergent fiber, ADF, and cellulose were, or tended to be, higher while protein content tended to be lower in elevated CO2-grown plants; for both CO2 treatments, ‘dry’ leaves were higher in digestibility and lower in ADL than ‘wet’ samples. Mature stems plus sheaths had lower protein contents in plants grown in elevated CO2. Results indicated that enriched CO2 concentrations to 550 μmol mol−1 did not substantially alter wheat in vitro digestibility, regardless of irrigation treatment. Elevated CO2 altered fiber components and protein, but these were not consistent among parts and harvests.
Environmental impact of rock excavation in urban areas: comparison between blasting and hydraulic breaker hammer

This paper compares the two most used rock excavation techniques in urban areas: blasting with explosives and using breaker hammers. From the follow-up of several works, data has been obtained that allow us to compare both techniques and their effects over the surrounding environment, mainly the noise production and ground vibrations. Results show that although the use of explosives is not popular due to security reasons, it allows faster excavations, is safer for the surrounding structures and has less environmental impact than the breaker hammers. However, we will also show a particular case where the complementary use of both techniques is successful.
Yield Component Responses Associated with Increased Groat Yield after Recurrent Selection in Oat

Analysis of yield into components may provide information for devising efficient selection strategies for improving yield or traits correlated with yield in cereal crops. Our objective was to analyze changes in yield components associated with increased groat yields observed within three S 1 -recurrent selection programs for high protein yield (grain yield × groat-protein concentration) in oat (Avena sativa L.). Selection emphasized high protein yield per se (HGP), with no restrictions in grain yield or groat-protein concentration; high protein yield due to both high groat-protein concentration and high grain yield (HP) [...]
The January and July performance of the OSU two-level atmospheric general circulation model

A modified version of the two-level atmospheric general circulation model has been developed and employed in the simulation of January and July global climates. The overall physical and numerical formation of the Oregon State University model is the same as that described by Gates and Schlesinger (1977), but in the new version water vapor at the upper level has been made a prognostic variable, the parameterizations of cumulus convection, large-scale condensation and evaporation, clouds, and radiative transfer have been changed, the surface snow mass and ground temperature have been made prognostic variables, and the treatment of the surface boundary layer has been revised. It is found that the model simulates most features of the large-scale distributions of observed January and July climate more accurately than before.
Faraday Rotation And Ellipticity In Silicon Mosfets: Properties Of Tne 2D Electron Gas

The Faraday rotation is a sensitive method for determining the effective mass ot the charge carriers in a two-dimensional (20) electron gas. One of the most important techniques in studying surfaces and interfaces of silicon is the metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) technique. The electric field applied between the metal layer and the silicon results in a quantization of the charge distribution. The resonance effective mass, the scattering parameters, and the populations of the subbands may be determined at light frequencies close or equal to the cyclotron frequency. The technique could also be applied to study other semiconductors. In III-V compound semiconductors and narrow-gap semiconductors the effective mass is much smaller than in silicon. Since the tree carrier Faraday rotation is inversely proportional to the effective mass squared, the 21) Faraday rotation should be easily observable in these semiconductors.
Heritability and educational policy: Genetic and environmental effects on IQ, aptitude and achievement

Some common beliefs about the fairness of achievement tests, in comparison with IQ tests, and about the role of genetic differences among individuals and social‐class groups in determining academic achievement are challenged by a study investigating the effects of family background on adolescents’ IQ, aptitude, and school achievement tests scores. The study included 115 adoptive families with adolescent children, adopted in the first few months of life, and a comparison sample of 120 biological families with their own adolescent offspring. Both sample of families ranged from solid working to upper‐middle class. Results of the study revealed that differences among social‐class environments have little effect on IQ scores but larger effects on school‐achievement scores. Contrary to the beliefs of many school personnel, working‐class adolescents are at a greater disadvantage relative to upper‐middle‐class adolescents when the tests sample recently taught material. Genetic differences among individuals and am...
Minimal spanning trees and partial sorting

Two partial sorting algorithms used in conjunction with Kruskal's algorithm to find minimal spanning trees, are tested. The superior method can be used in the computation of the Held-Karp bound for the traveling salesman problem and other sort-based greedy algorithms.
Focus on the Front Door of the College.

This chapter describes how Valencia Community College in Florida developed a strategy that would move it from the already much better than average results in student learning, persistence, and success it was achieving toward the quantum level of improvement.
Behavioral economics: A methodological note

When a theory faces a set of facts that are not compatible with its key assumptions, there are several ways it might respond. In response to the challenge posed by behavioral economics, neoclassical economics has attempted numerous different approaches. After briefly reviewing these responses, this paper turns to argue in favor of one of them.
AN EVALUATION OF OIL SPILL DISPERSANT TESTING REQUIREMENTS

ABSTRACT We have evaluated a number of laboratory tests of dispersant effectiveness using commercial oil spill products and No. 2 and No. 6 fuel oils. The tests-the EPA, Mackay/Steelman, Russian, French, Warren Spring, and an interfacial tension method developed at SRI-are reviewed in terms of type, scale, method of applying mixing energy, and the time required to conduct a product evaluation. The experimental results, compared in terms of the precision of the test data and the effectiveness ranking order of the six nonionic dispersants, demonstrate that the relative effectiveness found for the dispersants varies appreciably as a function of the testing method. Reasons for the variations are discussed and recommendations are presented on how to achieve dispersant testing data that are more representative of real-world conditions. Of the six testing methods evaluated, the EPA, Mackay/Steelman, and the interfacial tension methods are the most amenable to improvement.
Cage Culture of Hybrid Striped Bass in Indiana and Evaluation of Diets Containing Three Levels of Dietary Protein1

Culture of hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops has been increasing in selected regions of the United States. Because of their thermal tolerance, hybrids may have potential as a new commercial aquaculture species in the Midwest. In these studies, hybrid striped bass were reared in cages located in southern, central and northern Indiana and offered one of three practical diets. Diets contained either 32, 36 or 40% crude protein. Additionally, a preliminary 8 wk laboratory experiment was conducted in which fish were offered the same diets. All diets were formulated to meet the established dietary lysine requirement; optimal levels of other essential amino acids in the diet were predicted by the whole-body essential amino acid profile of hybrid striped bass. In the laboratory experiment, weight gain of fish fed 36% crude protein was significantly higher than those fed either other level of dietary protein. After 205 days, final average weight gains of fish in the field experiment were not significantly different and ranged from 233 to 426 g with an overall average daily gain of 1.6 g/fish/d. Overall survival was 89.1%. Dress-out percentages were 81.2, 69.8, and 34.9% for eviscerated, eviscerated and headed, and fillets, respectively. Those values were not significantly different among dietary treatments or sites. Lipid content of fillets from fish fed 32% dietary crude protein was significantly higher than in fish fed 36 or 40% crude protein.
Providing impetus for conceptual change

Abstract This study was designed to test whether calling to mind an initial belief and presenting information that challenges that belief affects the extent to which preschoolers will modify it. The belief that was challenged in a controlled demonstration concerns the effect of the size of an object on its sinking speed (holding weight constant). In addition, children's belief about the effect of weight on sinking speed (holding size constant) was examined, a belief that was confirmed in a demonstration. The final belief about size for those who received nothing but empirical demonstrations was less likely to be compatible with the demonstration than the final belief of those in two other conditions. Children in the other conditions were given the opportunity in the context of interviews to form expectations about how size and weight separately relate to sinking speed, in addition to receiving the demonstrations. An interview either directly preceded the demonstration for the variable concerned (coordinated sequence) or did not (uncoordinated sequence). The tendency for the final belief about size to be compatible with the demonstration was related more strongly to age in the condition with an uncoordinated sequence than in either of the other conditions. Some children among those whose final belief about the effect of size on sinking speed was compatible with the demonstration also refined their belief about the effect of weight, suggesting that these two beliefs may cohere as a system. These findings show that a relatively short experimental procedure can be an effective means of bringing about some refinement of a young child's beliefs.
Analysis on Welding Crack of Subcritical Power Station Boiler Platen Superheater Header

Welding crack analysis was carried out on tee joint crack of boiler platen superheater header (12Cr1MoV) of subcritical power station applying finite element analysis,microanalysis, mechanical properties test, chemical composition analysis, metallography examination and SEM observation etc. Results indicated that the improper structure, the original welding defects, higher welding heat input, excessive welding residual stress and improper heat treatment led to cold crack and reheat crack ,then induced to the leakage failure while operating.the welding crack originated at the original defects, connected with reheat cracks during propagation and led to leakage finally.
Antimicrobial substances from ferns.

IT has been almost twenty years since Osborn1 reported his now classical work on antimicrobial substances from green plants. Since that time the literature accumulated on this subject has been voluminous2. The vascular plants tested, however, have been essentially spermatophytes, with little attention to the pteridophytes. This work is concerned with the extraction of antimicrobial substances from thirty ferns collected at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. The specimens were selected at random, and the cut fronds were allowed to dry in air for at least one week before testing. Four additional dried ferns were obtained from other sources and likewise tested.
Gasoline contact burns

In the past four years, four cases of gasoline contact burns have been treated at the Detroit General Hospital Emergency Department. Signs are erythema and blister formation within 24 hours. Treatment is removal of contaminated clothing and washing the surface with soap and water plus open exposure of the wounds. Renal failure is not caused by skin absorption but may develop following inhalation.
War Myths Exploration of the Dominant Collective Beliefs about Warfare

This article critically explores three beliefs or myths about war. (1) There have always been wars because war is part of human nature. (2) Decent people are basically peaceful and seek to avoid war because it is evil. (3) War is a male institution that carries no appeal for women. Each myth is explored in the following ways: The existence of the myth is documented; its importance and implications are discussed; the scientific and theoretical foundations of the myth are described; the foundations of the myth are critically challenged; and new knowledge about the belief is discussed in light of its importance and its relevance for our current nuclear reality. Because these myths reflect a belief system and are ultimately linked to attitudes and behavior, they can operate in the society to perpetuate warfare. By better understanding the myths about war we will be better able to secure a peaceful future.
Cholinergic innervation of the optic tectum in the frogRana pipiens

Abstract An immunohistochemical method for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) identifies presumably cholinergic axons in two retino-receptive laminae in the optic tectum of the frog Rana pipiens . Following eye enucleation there is no loss of immunoreactive axons in the optic tectum. Following unilateral ablation of the nucleus isthmi there is a near-total loss of ChAT-positive axons in the superficial cholinergic lamina contralaterally and in the deeper cholinergic lamina ipsilaterally. Thus, the cholinergic innervation of the tectum appears to derive from the nucleus isthmi. However, ChAT-positive staining of the basal optic nucleus does depend upon an intact retinal input and could derive from either retinal axons or some system trophically dependent on them.
The role of traditional and novel toxicity test methods in assessing stormwater and sediment contamination.

Traditional effluent and ambient water column toxicity tests have been used widely for evaluating the contamination of stormwaters and sediments. These assays consist of a routine bioassay exposure design of 1 to 9 days using freshwater and marine/estuarine species known to be sensitive to a wide range of toxicants. While effluent toxicity may be indicative of sediment or stormwater toxicity in the receiving system, the exposure is different, and therefore toxicity cannot be readily predicted. Traditional, standardized, whole effluent toxicity (WET) test methods have been used effectively and also misused in evaluations of whole sediments, pore (interstitial) water, elutriates (extracts), and stormwaters. Results show these methods to be very sensitive to sediment and stormwater toxicity. These traditional toxicity tests are predictive of instream sediment or stormwater effects where significant contamination exists or where exposure concentrations are similar. Modifications of these standardized test met...
Paliperidone Extended-Release for the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Paliperidone, the major active metabolite of risperidone (9-hydroxyrisperidone), is a second-generation antipsychotic that was recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treatment of acute schizophrenia and for maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. We performed a literature search of PreMEDLINE, MEDLINE, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from 1966-October 2007 to review the available data on the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical evidence, and safety and tolerability profile of paliperidone extended-release (ER). Articles from randomized controlled trials, abstracts, and posters presented at national scientific meetings were included in this review. Paliperidone ER has been shown to be significantly more effective in improving schizophrenic symptoms according to the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale, and Personal and Social Performance Scale compared with placebo (p<0.05). In addition, limited evidence suggests similar efficacy between paliperidone ER 6-12 mg/day and risperidone 4-6 mg/day. A 2-week, double-blind comparison with quetiapine demonstrated that paliperidone ER was significantly better than quetiapine in improving PANSS scores (p<0.001). Paliperidone ER appears to be well tolerated at the recommended starting dosage of 6 mg/day. The most commonly reported adverse effect was dose-related extrapyramidal symptoms. Weight gain and metabolic disturbances were minimal. The cost of paliperidone ER appears to be slightly higher than that of other second-generation antipsychotics. Paliperidone ER tablets may be a safe and effective treatment option for acute schizophrenia and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia compared with placebo. Because well-designed comparative data are lacking, an additional benefit over other antipsychotics is yet to be determined.
An MMAE failure detection system for the F-16

A multiple model adaptive estimation (MMAE) algorithm is implemented with the fully nonlinear six-degree-of-motion, Simulation Rapid-Prototyping facility (SRF) VISTA F-16 software simulation tool. The algorithm is composed of a bank of Kalman filters modeled to match particular hypotheses of the real world. Each presumes a single failure in one of the flight-critical actuators, or sensors, and one presumes no failure. For dual failures, a hierarchical structure is used to keep the number of on-line filters to a minimum. The algorithm is demonstrated to be capable of identifying flight-critical aircraft actuator and sensor failures at a low dynamic pressure (20,000 ft, 0.4 Mach). Research includes single and dual complete failures. Tuning methods for accommodating model mismatch, including addition of discrete dynamics pseudonoise and measurement pseudonoise, are discussed and demonstrated. Scalar residuals within each filter are also examined and characterized for possible use as an additional failure declaration voter. An investigation of algorithm performance off the nominal design conditions is accomplished as a first step towards full flight envelope coverage.
Mechanical Stress Induces Pre–B-cell Colony-Enhancing Factor/NAMPT Expression via Epigenetic Regulation by miR-374a and miR-568 in Human Lung Endothelium

Increased lung vascular permeability and alveolar edema are cardinal features of inflammatory conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). We previously demonstrated that pre–B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF)/NAMPT, the proinflammatory cytokine encoded by NAMPT, participates in ARDS and VILI inflammatory syndromes. The present study evaluated posttranscriptional regulation of PBEF/NAMPT gene expression in human lung endothelium via 3′-untranslated region (UTR) microRNA (miRNA) binding. In silico analysis identified hsa-miR-374a and hsa-miR-568 as potential miRNA candidates. Increased PBEF/NAMPT transcription (by RT-PCR) and expression (by Western blotting) induced by 18% cyclic stretch (CS) (2 h: 3.4 ± 0.06 mRNA fold increase (FI); 10 h: 1.5 ± 0.06 protein FI) and by LPS (4 h: 3.8 ± 0.2 mRNA FI; 48 h: 2.6 ± 0.2 protein FI) were significantly attenuated by transfection with mimics of hsa-miR-374a or hsa-miR-568 (40–60% reductions each). LPS and 18% CS increased the activity of a PBEF/NAMPT 3′-UTR luciferase reporter (2.4–3.25 FI) with induction reduced by mimics of each miRNA (44–60% reduction). Specific miRNA inhibitors (antagomirs) for each PBEF/NAMPT miRNA significantly increased the endogenous PBEF/NAMPT mRNA (1.4–3.4 ± 0.1 FI) and protein levels (1.2–1.4 ± 0.1 FI) and 3′-UTR luciferase activity (1.4–1.7 ± 0.1 FI) compared with negative antagomir controls. Collectively, these data demonstrate that increased PBEF/NAMPT expression induced by bioactive agonists (i.e., excessive mechanical stress, LPS) involves epigenetic regulation with hsa-miR-374a and hsa-miR-568, representing novel therapeutic strategies to reduce inflammatory lung injury.
Ultrastructural studies of cleavage stage t12/t12 mouse embryos.

A statistical study of embryos obtained from both spontaneously ovulated and superovulated +/t12 females, mated inter se, shows that the range of the lethal phenocritical period of the t12 allele in a homozygous condition is from the 8–12 cell stage to the early blastocyst stage. The majority of t12 homozygotes are developmentally arrested as late morula and the nuclei of these embryos contain lipid droplets and fibrillo-granular bodies. These same inclusions are found in other t12 embryos which are developmentally arrested either earlier or later than the late morula stage and distinguish 30–40% of the embryos (presumably t12 homozygotes) from their litter-mates at the 2- and 4-cell stages. Ultrastructural-cytochemical studies of the fibrillo-granular bodies show that the fibrillar areas are sensitive to pepsin and the granules to ribonuclease and are thus structurally and chemically similar to definitive nucleoli. Binucleate cells are also present in a high frequency of t12 homozygous embryos. This condition is considered an additional phenotypic expression of the genotype. Prior to developmental arrest, the nuclear and cytoplasmic organelles of t12 embryos do not differ from those of similarly staged litter-mates or control +/+ embryos. Homozygous mutant embryos examined shortly following developmental arrest contain cells ranging from structurally normal to degenerative. Asynchronous cell death is common to all t12 homozygous embryos. A chronological description of degenerative cellular changes is presented.
Automatic Segmentation of High-Throughput RNAi Fluorescent Cellular Images

High-throughput genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screening is emerging as an essential tool to assist biologists in understanding complex cellular processes. The large number of images produced in each study make manual analysis intractable; hence, automatic cellular image analysis becomes an urgent need, where segmentation is the first and one of the most important steps. In this paper, a fully automatic method for segmentation of cells from genome-wide RNAi screening images is proposed. Nuclei are first extracted from the DNA channel by using a modified watershed algorithm. Cells are then extracted by modeling the interaction between them as well as combining both gradient and region information in the Actin and Rac channels. A new energy functional is formulated based on a novel interaction model for segmenting tightly clustered cells with significant intensity variance and specific phenotypes. The energy functional is minimized by using a multiphase level set method, which leads to a highly effective cell segmentation method. Promising experimental results demonstrate that automatic segmentation of high-throughput genome-wide multichannel screening can be achieved by using the proposed method, which may also be extended to other multichannel image segmentation problems.
Adolescent Substance Use in Rural America: Current Profile

Adolescent substance use in rural America has changed over the past decade. The purpose of this article is to describe the current profile of alcohol and drug use in a sample of adolescents in rura...
The Role of Wave Packets in Wave–Mean Flow Interactions during Southern Hemisphere Summer

Abstract In this study, reanalysis data produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts for 14 Southern Hemisphere (SH) summer seasons have been analyzed. All cases of hemispheric transient eddy kinetic energy (TEKE) maxima have been identified, and the evolution of the local energetics and planetary-scale flow anomalies accompanying these TEKE growth/decay episodes are composited. The longitude–time evolution of the composite energetics shows the clear signature of a wave packet propagating eastward at a group velocity of about 27° longitude per day and undergoing a life cycle of growth and decay, with the energetics within a volume close to the wave packet center dominating the hemispheric mean energetics. When individual cases are examined, 52% are found to resemble the composite and have the energetics life cycle dominated by the evolution of a single wave packet, and an additional 21% are found to be dominated by the evolution of two wave packets having similar amplitudes. Only the...
Radiological Examination of the Patient with Gastrointestinal Cancer

Radiology has many roles to play in evaluating patients with malignancies of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These include diagnosis, staging, assessment of treatment response, detection of recurrence and complications as well as, recently, intervention in the management of complications and the palliation of disease. Detection of tumors of the hollow viscera is the province of barium examinations and endoscopy. Both modalities have advantages and disadvantages and in many respects are complementary. Detection of cancers of the liver, bile ducts, and pancreas is generally by ultrasound and/ or computed tomography (Cn scanning as well as by endoscopic cholangiopancreatography and transhepatic cholangiography. Diagnosis is made by histologic analysis. Biopsies are obtained endoscopically of the hollow viscera and percutaneously of solid organ tumors, using radiologic guidance (CT, ultrasound, fluoroscopy). Percutaneous biopsy has proved to be a safe reliable procedure in many large series (FERRUCCI etal. 1980; HARTER etal . 1983; BERNARDINO 1984).
Percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis in veteran patients

Abstract Background: Surgical cholecystostomy has been shown to carry a significantly higher mortality rate at Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals than at non-federal hospitals in the past. Methods: A retrospective outcomes study was undertaken at a large VA medical center with a policy favoring radiologic over surgical cholecystostomy over the past 9 years. Records of 24 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis were reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure. Results: Cholecystostomy was performed radiologically in 22 patients and surgically in 2 patients. Most (78%) of patients improved within 48 hours. The periprocedural mortality was 25%. The majority of these patients died from unrelated illnesses. Four patients developed complications, none of which required operative intervention. Conclusions: Comorbidities are the most important mortality factor for cholecystostomies in VA patients. Radiologic tube placement is effective and uncomplicated in most cases.
How Children and Their Caregivers Adjust After Intimate Partner Femicide

Approximately 3,300 children are affected by intimate partner femicide each year. Despite the multitude of stressors and the potential for negative outcomes, little is known about these children or their caregivers. This in-depth interview study used family stress theory to explore caregivers' and children's adjustment after intimate partner femicide in 10 families. Data were analyzed qualitatively using framework analysis. Results suggest that children and their caregivers manage numerous health and adjustment challenges in the context of ongoing hardships, resource-poor environments, and continued efforts to come to terms with the loss of their loved one and its effects on their family. Future directions are provided, with a specific focus on family-centered, strengths-based, and advocacy approaches.
The generic viewpoint assumption and Bayesian inference.

The task of human vision is to reliably infer useful information about the external environment from images formed on the retinae. In general, the inference of scene properties from retinal images is not deductive; it requires knowledge about the external environment. Further, it has been suggested that the environment must be regular in some way in order for any scene properties to be reliably inferred. In particular, Knill and Kersten [1991, in Pattern Recognition by Man and Machine Ed. R J Watt (London: Macmillan)] and Jepson et al [1996, in Bayesian Approaches to Perception Eds D Knill, W Richards (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)] claim that, given an ‘unbiased’ prior probability distribution for the scenes being observed, the generic viewpoint assumption is not probabilistically valid. However, this claim depends upon the use of representation spaces that may not be appropriate for the problems they consider. In fact, it is problematic to define a rigorous criterion for a probability distribut...
Radiology Department Preparedness for the Management of Severe Acute Iodinated Contrast Reactions: Do We Need to Change Our Approach?

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to identify opportunities for reducing epinephrine administration errors after a sentinel event entailing an overdose of IV epinephrine occurred in a radiology department. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A root cause analysis was performed that included review and analysis of current system protocols, a medication audit, and access to treatment algorithms. A proctored three-question multiple-choice test was administered to radiology attending physicians, fellows, residents, and nurses to gauge baseline knowledge of epinephrine use. Chi-square analysis was performed. RESULTS. Twelve of 13 radiology department central pharmacy automation system locations lacked epinephrine ampules. As a result, personnel had to access IV epinephrine stocked on hospital code carts designed for use during cardiac arrest. This led to errors related to appropriate dosing. Test participants included 46 attending physicians, 23 fellows, 28 residents, and 25 nurses (n = 122). Almost all (99%) correc...