cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spin-polarized tunneling through potential barriers at ferromagnetic metal/semiconductor Schottky contacts

A model for electron tunneling through a space-charge induced potential barrier at a semiconductor/ferromagnetic metal Schottky contact is developed and applied to the exploration of the bias dependence of the spin-polarized tunneling current. It is found that significant bias dependence of the spin polarization of the current can result from changes in the shape of the potential barrier due to the applied voltage. Specifically, we show that the dependence of the transmission coefficient on the shape of the barrier potential can lead to a nonmonotonic bias dependence of the spin current and may result in a reversal of the sign of the spin-current polarization at small voltages. Numerical results are presented for $\mathrm{Ga}\mathrm{As}∕\mathrm{Fe}$ Schottky contacts.
SU‐FF‐T‐463: Analytic Technique to Calculate the Out‐Of‐Field Dose From IMRT Therapy

Purpose:IMRT has become a standard technique for the treatment of many tumors. It is often important to know the out‐of‐field dose associated with such treatments, such as for fetal dose evaluation, or estimating organ doses during epidemiologic study of second cancer risk. While evaluating such doses is routine for conventional therapies (e.g., Task Group 36 data), no simple technique is available to estimate doses from IMRT treatments. This work develops and evaluates such a technique. Method and Materials: A simple equation was developed to calculate the out‐of‐field dose (Dimrt) from an IMRT treatment based on treatment parameters and the out‐of‐field dose from conventional therapy (Dconv) with the same jaw setting (which is readily estimated from such sources as TG‐36). The accuracy of this equation was tested by comparing out‐of‐field doses calculated with the developed equation to those calculated for IMRT treatments using Monte Carlo. Results: The following equation was developed to estimate the out‐of‐field dose from IMRT: Dimrt=Dcon[P×CF + (L+C)×MF], where P, L, and C are the fraction of the out‐of‐field dose originating from patient scatter, head leakage, and collimator scatter respectively, CF is the fraction of the open field covered by the CIAO field (continuous irradiated area opening), and MF is the IMRT MU modulation factor. These values are tabulated for typical treatments. Compared to the out‐of‐field dose from IMRT, doses calculated with this equation generally agreed within 25%. Larger variations were sometimes observed, particularly within 5cm of the edge of the treatment field where large variations in the out‐of‐field dose are expected due to its dependence on the particular treatment plan and planning objectives. Conclusion: A simple and suitably accurate equation was derived to calculate the out‐of‐field dose from IMRT treatments. This technique represents a viable approach for estimating the out‐of‐field dose for clinical or epidemiological applications.
Ethics of tobacco company funding.

As one of the researchers interviewed by David Grimm for his article on tobacco company funding of research (“Is tobacco research turning over a new leaf?”, News Focus, 7 Jan., p. [36][1]), I felt that it was an informative and well-written piece. I took some exception, however, to the last
Status and perspectives of electromagnetic probes: a bright future

After a number of years of sparse results from electromagnetic probes we have seen a revitalization of this field at this conference. Exciting first results obtained by NA60 at CERN, HADES at GSI, as well as PHENIX at RHIC, cover a broad range of initial conditions created in heavy-ion collisions. These experiments hold the promise to provide accurate new data, which will certainly furnish qualitatively new insights into matter at high temperature and density. In this paper I review the status of the field today and the perspectives for the future.
The Similar Effects of Verbal and Non-Verbal Intervening Tasks on Word Recall in an Elderly Population

Vulnerability to retroactive interference has been shown to increase with cognitive aging. Consistent with the findings of memory and aging literature, the authors of the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) suggest that a non-verbal task be administered during the test’s delay interval to minimize the effects of retroactive interference on delayed recall. The goal of the present study was to determine the extent to which retroactive interference caused by non-verbal and verbal intervening tasks affects recall of verbal information in non-demented, older adults. The effects of retroactive interference on recall of words during Long-Delay recall on the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) were evaluated. Participants included 85 adults age 60 and older. During a 20-minute delay interval on the CVLT-II, participants received either a verbal (WAIS-III Vocabulary or Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-IIIB) or non-verbal (Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices or WAIS-III Block Design) intervening ...
Preservation of EDTA-expanded grid-mounted chromosomes and nuclei for electron microscopy using a specially designed freeze-dryer

We describe methods for freezing and drying EDTA-expanded, fixed metaphase chromosomes and nuclei, attached to grids as whole-mounts, for transmission electron microscopy. These methods use a special apparatus that is simple to construct. While separate freezers and dryers are commercially available, one for freezing blocks of tissue by slamming them against a cold metal surface, and the other for vacuum drying the frozen tissue, our apparatus is designed for gentler, cryogenic liquid plunge freezing and drying, sequentially, in the same apparatus, thus avoiding any compression or damage to the specimen. Use of a cryoprotectant is not essential; however, good results are obtained more often when 20% ethanol is used. Freezing is accomplished by rapid propulsion of the grid, with specimens attached, into slushy N2 (-210 degrees C) within the drying chamber; drying is automatic, by either sublimation under vacuum or by solvent substitution using absolute ethanol followed by acetone, which, in turn, is removed with a critical-point dryer. The apparatus offers a means of drying chromosomes and nuclei in an expanded state, and avoids the shrinkage of these structures that occurs during stepwise passage through increasing concentrations of ethanol or acetone.
Development of real-time diagnostic assays specific for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides Small Colony.

Rapid and specific detection of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides Small Colony (M. mycoides SC) is important for the effective control of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. Although the United States has been free of this disease for over 100 years, it is necessary to develop modern diagnostic assays that are sensitive and specific for biological agents that would affect the US agricultural industry following accidental or intentional introduction into the US agricultural population. With this aim in mind, we have identified M. mycoides SC-specific genetic loci and developed TaqMan-based PCR assays for the detection of M. mycoides SC. The TaqMan assay allows for real-time detection of specific, amplified PCR products using portable equipment, enabling testing to be performed in the field. These assays are specific for M. mycoides SC, failing to amplify DNA from other organisms belonging to the M. mycoides cluster or two phylogenetically unrelated bovine mycoplasma species. Standard curves were drawn based on the linear relationships measured between the threshold fluorescence (CT) values and a measured quantity of genomic DNA. M. mycoides SC was successfully detected in bronchoalveolar lavage samples obtained from experimentally infected cattle. These TaqMan-based real-time PCR assays will allow for the rapid and specific detection of M. mycoides SC. # 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Molecular marker assisted genetic analysis of head shattering in six-rowed barley

Head shattering in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has two forms; brittle rachis and weak rachis. Brittle rachis is not observed in cultivated barley since all cultivars carry non-brittle alleles at one of the two complementary brittle rachis loci (Btr1;Btr2). Weak rachis causes head shattering in barley cultivars and may be confused with brittle rachis. Brittle rachis has been mapped to the chromosome 3 (3H) short arm while map position(s) of the weak rachis is unknown. Two major and a putative minor QTL for head shattering were mapped using the Steptoe × Morex doubled haploid line population. The largest QTL, designated Hst-3, located on the chromosome 3 (3H) centromeric region, is associated with a major yield QTL. The Steptoe Hst-3 region, when transferred into Morex, resulted in a substantial decrease in head shattering. High-resolution mapping of Hst-3 was achieved using isogenic lines. Brittle rachis was mapped with molecular markers and shown to be located in a different position from that of Hst-3. The second major QTL, designated Hst-2 S, is located on chromosome 2 S. This locus is associated with an environmentally sensitive yield QTL.
Technology, tourism and the 21st century.

Abstract In conclusion, this article presents an overall picture of tourism in the 21st century. Dramatic developments in technology have changed the tourism industry and will continue to do so as the industry assimilates new communications processes, information systems, transport etc. A more informed government approach to the tourism industry and the inclusion of tourism as a subject within the education system will improve the position of the tourism industry. Funding of relevant scientific research is vital to the development of the industry in the 21st century.
A cuneocochlear pathway in the rat.

Abstract Following injections of wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase into the cuneate nucleus of anesthetized rats, retrograde and anterograde label was observed in the cochlear nucleus. Labeled cochlear neurons were found mostly in the ipsilateral dorsal cochlear nucleus and in the contralateral ventral cochlear nucleus. Anterograde label was found primarily ipsilateral to the injection site and was restricted mainly to the dorsal cochlear nucleus, although label was also observed in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus. Horseradish peroxidase injections were made in the dorsal cochlear nucleus to investigate the source of this pathway. Retrogradely labeled cells in the region of the dorsal column nuclei were located mainly in a shell on the dorsal edge of the cuneate nucleus extending into the white matter of the cuneate fasciculus. The cuneocochlear pathway could provide a direct link between the auditory and somatosensory systems; connections between these two sensory systems may be explained on phylogenetic grounds.
Prohibition and repeal: Voting on statewide liquor referenda in Texas

Abstract The prohibition of alcohol was the most divisive social issue in American national and state politics in the early 20th Century. This paper examines statewide ballot propositions concerning prohibition and repeal within the state of Texas. Archival searches uncovered county-level election results for over a dozen state liquor referenda held between 1887 and 1935. Texas was a critical state for the prohibition movement, and election data provide a new and dynamic opportunity to investigate the social and political coalitions that led to prohibition and, later, repeal. Empirical tests confirm many relationship expectations between socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and voting behavior but find the religious element overstated and economic factors underestimated. Prohibition referenda were supported by progressives and those living in rural areas. Prohibition was opposed by the poor, Catholics, Germans, and city residents. Temperance, prohibition, and its repeal involved issues that cut across partisan and ideological orientations. Influences on voting behavior included progressivism, status inconsistency, and group norms, all of which interacted to produce a half-century of volatile electoral politics.
Influence of concentration of thromboplastin on prothrombin time of human and dog plasma.

SummaryThe amount of thromboplastin required for optimum prothrombin activity increases when human plasma is stored and the lost labile factor replaced. It decreases in dog plasma when the prothrombin level is reduced by means of Dicumarol or vitamin K deficiency. It is concluded that a direct relationship exists between the concentration of prothrombin and the amount of thromboplastin, for obtaining a minimal constant prothrombin time.
Debriefing and susceptibility to subsequent experimental manipulations.

Abstract “Debriefing” refers to the postexperimental explanation of purposes and deceptions. How useful are data collected from persons who have previously been deceived and debriefed by an experimenter? In the test experiment, employing 110 undergraduates, the dependent variable was the number of subjects who signed the experimenter's petition, advocating doubling the tuition, following their damage, slight or large, of the experimenter's apparatus. The test experiment was preceded by deception and debriefing: subjects were assigned to no debriefing, partial debriefing, or complete debriefing. For half the subjects, the test experiment included an element from the debriefing experience; for the other half, the common element was omitted. It was concluded that a sufficiently powerful independent variable can offset the desensitizing effects of debriefing, unless complete prior debriefing is coupled with explicit similarity between the debriefing situation and the test experiment.
Flight analysis for a two-stage launch vehicle with a glideback booster

This paper focuses on the flight performance analysis conducted on a Future Space Transportation System (FSTS). The configuration chosen for the study was a two-stage, fully reusable, vertical liftoff, horizontal landing system with a payload capability of 150,000 Ib. The engines on the two stages are burned in parallel with the booster providing all the propellant for both stages until staging occurs at Mach 3. Because the orbiter tanks are full and the booster tanks are empty at staging, the center of gravity (e.g.) shifts dramatically from liftoff to staging conditions. A scheme to trim the vehicle with this large lateral e.g. travel has been developed that uses both gimballing and throttling of the engines. After staging, the booster glides back to the launch site. To demonstrate the feasibility of this maneuver, predicted booster aerodynamics have been analyzed, and the glideback trajectories have been modeled. Also, various adverse wind profiles have been used to show the performance margins inherent in the glideback of the booster. An abort analysis for the FSTS system was conducted to determine the ascent reserves required for each stage. The effect of losing one or two engines on either stage was also investigated.
Genetic differentiation in natural populations of a Keystone Bunchgrass ( Aristida stricta ) across its native range

Aristida stricta Michx. (Poaceae) is a perennial bunchgrass native to the Southeastern Coastal Plain of North America where it is a keystone species in the longleaf pine savannas and slash pine flatwoods from southeastern North Carolina to Florida, and westward to the coast of Mississippi. We examined genetic relationships within and among ten populations of A. stricta by using eight inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to generate band frequency data for 32 individuals from each sampled population. An analysis of molecular variance showed that 38% of the variation resided among populations while 62% was attributable to variation within populations. Grouping the populations by habitat or by geographic location did not show significant differentiation between the groups. Overall, pair-wise geographic and genetic distances were not correlated. Data indicate that while individuals within each population are genetically diverse, there seemingly are barriers to gene flow across populations leading to their divergence. Each population contains several exclusive loci suggesting that limited gene flow and/or genetic drift are likely leading to this pattern of localization. Our results, coupled with those of the previous studies that presented evidence for local adaptation and phenotypic differences among populations, suggest that there is sufficient differentiation among populations of this species to warrant: (1) maintenance of the existing genetic diversity at individual sites, and (2) use of local seed and plant sources for conservation projects.
Lattice properties of strained GaAs, Si, and Ge using a modified bond-charge model.

A phenomenological lattice dynamics model based on the bond-charge model has been developed that describes how strain affects phonon frequencies and elastic constants in groups IV (homopolar) and III-V (heteropolar) semiconductor thin films and strained layers. A quasiharmonic approach is adopted, using force constants that depend linearly on strain. This model uses available experimental data and can predict the effect of arbitrary strains on nonpolar and polar semiconductor films. Using this model, the phonon dispersion relations are obtained for bulk and strained-layer heterostructures of Ge and GaAs on Si, and the mode Gr\"uneisen parameters and the pressure dependence of second-order elastic constants are determined for bulk Si, Ge, and GaAs. Also, it is shown that analyzing the effect of strains on semiconductors leads to a better and more physical set of force constants for the bond-charge model for unstrained materials. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Possible growth hormone control of liver glutamine synthetase activity in rats.

Hypophysectomy is followed by a decrease in glutamine synthetase activity in rat liver and kidney homogenates; brain enzyme activity is unchanged. A bovine GH regimen increases enzyme activity in the liver and kidney but not in the brain. Maintenance doses of cortisol given to hypophysectomized rats, either alone or in concert with GH, have no effect on glutamine synthetase activity. Glutamate dehydrogenase activity is decreased (∼20%) 2 months after hypophysectomy but not t o the same extent as glutamine synthetase (∼75%). GH has no effect on glutamate dehydrogenase, while cortisol increases the activity of this enzyme. These results suggest that the GH effect on glutamine synthetase activity is a specific action rather than part of a general stimulation of protein synthesis. Although the glutamine synthetase level in the liver is markedly lowered (∼75%) 2 months after hypophysectomy, its percent distribution among different cell fractions, its Michaelis constant for glutamate and hydroxylamine, and its ...
Rebuilding Pakistan in the Aftermath of the Floods: Disaster Relief as Conflict Prevention:

In July and August 2010, Pakistan faced floods on an unprecedented scale that affected some 20 million people. Focus group interviews conducted in severely affected communities demonstrated a decline in the availability of accessible renewable resources to the point of increasing the potential for civil violence. These manifestations of environmental scarcity included strained landlord-tenant relations and other forms of structural inequity that magnified the devastating socio-economic effects of the floods. The article concludes with recommendations for conflict-sensitive measures to facilitate post-disaster recovery and defines humanitarian relief as an integral part of national security and conflict prevention in Pakistan.
Moisture solubility and diffusion in epoxy and epoxy-glass composites

The solubility and kinetics of moisture transport mechanisms in epoxy-type resin and resin-glass composites have been investigated over a range of partial pressure and temperature. Moisture absorption-desorption in these systems is a quasi-reversible process, the kinetics of which are non-Fickian (Type II) and dependent on prior history. The multistaged sorption and transport behavior are interpreted in terms of multiphase models.
Energy-Conserving Planar Spacecraft Motion with Constant-Thrust Acceleration

Orbital motion of spacecraft under the action of constant-thrust acceleration in the direction perpendicular to the velocity is studied. A spacecraft starting in an initial circular orbit obtains a minimum (perigee) radius along an inbound trajectory. If the thrust is maintained, the spacecraft returns to the initial circular orbit in an outbound trajectory. A maximum (apogee) radius is obtained when starting in a circular orbit along an outbound trajectory, after which the vehicle returns to its initial orbit. Only one integral of motion is known to exist in this system; therefore, a full analytical solution cannot be found. However, an analytical solution to the flight-direction angle (that is, the angle between the position and velocity vectors) is found in terms of the position magnitude. This solution leads to several insights, such as an analytical expression for the range of acceleration magnitudes that enables prograde motion. Periodic orbits are also found in this system for various values of acc...
Ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty: A new standard—Affirms

Abstract Highly cross-linked polyethylene has emerged as an improvement over conventional polyethylene in terms of wear characteristics and osteolysis in total hip replacement; however, decreased material properties could make it unsuitable for use in high-demand patients. Modern ceramic-on-ceramic bearings display extremely low wear and durability that make them an ideal bearing surface. Unfortunately, certain implant designs have been associated with squeaking, which has discouraged widespread use. Proper implant selection, orientation, and surgical technique can lead to optimal results with ceramic bearings, and substantial mid- to long-term data exists to support their use over other bearing surfaces in total hip replacement.
The Large Groove Found in the gH/gL Structure Is an Important Functional Domain for Epstein-Barr Virus Fusion

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) mediates viral entry into cells using four glycoproteins—gB, the gH/gL complex, and gp42—and fusion is cell type specific. gB and gH/gL are required for epithelial cell fusion; B cell fusion also requires gp42. To investigate functional domains within the gH/gL structure, we constructed site-directed EBV gH/gL mutants with alterations of residues located in a large groove that separates domain I (D-I) from domain II (D-II) within the gH/gL structure. We found that substitution of alanine for leucine 207 reduces both epithelial and B cell fusion and is accompanied by reduced gp42 binding. We also observed that substitution of alanine for arginine 152, histidine 154, or threonine 174 reduces fusion with epithelial cells but not with B cells. To test whether flexibility of the region between D-I and D-II of gH/gL could be important for membrane fusion activity and to allow potential interactions across the D-I/D-II groove, we mutated D-I amino acids V47, P48, and G49 to cysteine, allowing novel intersubunit disulfide bonds to form with the free C153 located in D-II. We found that the G49C mutant, predicted to bridge D-I and D-II with C153 of gH/gL, had normal B cell fusion activity but reduced epithelial cell fusion activity, which was partially restored by treatment with dithiothreitol. We conclude that structural rearrangements and/or interactions across the D-I/D-II groove of gH/gL are required for fusion with epithelial cells but not for fusion with B cells.
Permeation of butane isomers through 6FDA‐DAM dense films

Permeation of mixtures of butane isomers through 6FDA-DAM (2,2-bis(3,4-carboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride–diaminomesitylene) dense films is shown to deviate from the dual-mode transport model, even if one accounts for nonideal bulk flow effects. Two hypotheses are proposed to explain the deviations observed. Both hypotheses relate to an apparently much slower exchange rate of the bulky i-butane molecule versus n-butane isomer between Henry's Law and Langmuir sorption sites in the rigid matrix. The first hypothesis suggests a change in the equilibrium isotherm for normal butane, due to the presence of i-butane. A model is considered to account for the change in local equilibrium and to improve the description of experimental data compared to the dual-mode transport model accounting for bulk flow. The second hypothesis considers an effect on the accessible unrelaxed volume associated with the Langmuir capacity of one penetrant due to the presence of the second penetrant. We introduce an empirical parameter representing this effect for each penetrant in the n/i-butane system. Models based on either hypothesis show some improvement to the dual-mode transport model accounting for bulk flow, in making mixed gas predictions; however, the second model gives a much better fit to experimental data. Further experimentation is required to provide a physical basis for the empirical factor in the second model, thereby allowing generalization of the observations reported here. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1605–1620, 2011
Some motives for seeking Preventive dental care

Interviews with 50 supervisory and 380 nonsupervisory employees of the EndicottJohnson Corp. ( which has a companyfinanced plan for dental care) established that among the motives prompting per\ sons to seek preventive dental care are the I following: a belief that one is susceptible to dental disease, a belief that dental problems are serious, a belief that dental treatment is beneficial, a belief in natural causality, an esthetic concern for one’s teeth, a lack of anxiety about dental treatment, no fear of pain, and a positive appraisal of the dentist.
Needles to promote ventricular blood into the schemic myocardium applied in a rat heart transplant model: An acute observation

Two needles were designed in order to revascularize an ischemic myocardium in the event of left coronary artery occlusion. This study was conducted by performing the Lee modified Fox-Montorsi heart-lung transplant on 25 San Diego Microsurgical Institute-bred Sprague Dawley rats that were subjected to left coronary artery ligation in each case. Of these 25 rats, a straight-porous (SP) needling procedure was applied to 9 heterotopically transplanted rat hearts, and a distinct horseshoe (HS)-shaped needle application was performed on the remaining 16 heterotopically transplanted rat hearts. This report represents an acute study on the efficiency of these two needles to transmit oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle into the ischemic myocardium. Doppler readings for male vs. female transplants showed that the control peak (PK) and mean (MN) kHz values are on the average of 0.20 kHz higher in males than in females. However, control heart rate values in both sexes are approximately equal. Ligation of the left coronary artery caused a dramatic decrease of PK and MN kHz values in both sexes, while heart rate showed no significant decrease from the original control values in response to ischemia. Application of the SP needle showed only a slight return of PK and MN values in both sexes, but heart rate values increased to levels higher than the original control values. The HS needling procedure was able to recover approximately 80% of the control PK and MN kHz values in both sexes. Thus, these data indicate that the HS needle can successfully transmit left ventricular blood into the myocardium.
Conversion of olefins into γ-butyrolactones

Abstract Cyclopropyl esters derived from olefins undergo ring opening with iodotrimethylsilane and, after base treatment, γ-butyrolactones are obtained.
Spin based neuron-synapse module for ultra low power programmable computational networks

A spin-CMOS hybrid design for neural network is presented. We employ spin torque switched nano-magnets for realizing ultra low power, high speed neuron and domain wall magnets for compact, programmable synapses. The spin based neuron-synapse units operate locally at ultra low supply voltage of 30mV resulting in low computation power. CMOS based longer distance, inter neuron communication achieves high integration. We corroborate circuit operation with physics based models developed for the spin devices. Simulation results for a benchmark application shows 95% improvement in power consumption as compared to 45nm CMOS design.
Investigating the impact of peer code review and pair programming on test-driven development

Pair programming and peer code review are two collaborative inspection methods that improve the quality of software. These light-weight review techniques are low-cost alternatives to formal inspections and rigorous reviews that commonly remove 90% of software defects before even the first test case is run. While pair programming has many advocates, evidence suggests that pair programming is not as useful as claimed and the requirement of the pairs to co-locate is hindrance on many development projects. Peer code reviews, however, have been shown to be just as effective as pair programming and are a better fit for many of today's software efforts that are being developed collaboratively, but asynchronously, in the cloud. In this paper we demonstrate peer review's effectiveness as compared to pair programming in the context of Test Driven Development (TDD), a popular agile programming technique that's rapidly gaining mainstream acceptance. The empirical evidence also shows that equal quality programs can be produced at a lower cost (28% less than pair programming) using a peer review technique in TDD as compared with traditional pair programming.
Remodeling dendritic spines in the rat pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Dendritic degeneration is a common pathology in temporal lobe epilepsy and its animal models. However, little is known when and how the degeneration occurs. In the present study of the rat pilocarpine model, visualization of dendrites of the hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs) by biocytin revealed a generalized spine loss immediately after the acute seizure induced by pilocarpine. However, this generalized damage was followed by recovery and plastic changes in spine shape and density, which occurred 15-35 days after the initial acute seizure, i.e., during the period of establishing a chronic phase of this model with the induction of spontaneous seizures. The present finding suggests that initial acute seizures do not cause permanent damages in dendrites and spines of DGCs; instead, dendritic spines are dynamically maintained in the course of the establishment and maintenance of spontaneous seizures. Local dendritic spine degeneration, detected later in the chronic phase of epilepsy, is likely to have a separate cause from initial acute insults.
Consumer creativity: Effects of gender and variation in the richness of vision and touch inputs

Abstract This study investigates the influence of vision and touch inputs and gender on the creativity of consumer-derived product concepts. Manipulating vision and touch richness affects how much information is apprehended from product components. Tests include solid three-dimensional components (rich inputs) and line-diagram two-dimensional components (impoverished inputs). In a controlled laboratory setting, consumers imagined products, and the product concepts' creativity was assessed on functionality and novelty. Results show that higher vision levels and touch inputs enhance the product concept's functionality, while lower levels of vision and touch inputs enhance novelty. Gender modestly affects both functionality and novelty, with women generally more creative in designing products than men.
Long-term culture system for selective growth of human B-cell progenitors.

Abstract We describe a simple reproducible system for enrichment and long-term culture of human B-cell progenitors. Enriched CD34+ cord blood mononuclear cells are seeded onto a murine stromal cell line to establish a biphasic culture system. These cultures are characterized by transient growth of myeloid cells followed by outgrowth of cells highly enriched for early B-cell progenitors. Cultures consisting of > 90% early B-lineage cells [expressing CD10, CD19, CD38, and CD45 but lacking CD20, CD22, CD23, and surface IgM] are maintained for > 12 weeks without growth factor addition. Cells remain predominantly germ line at the immunoglobulin locus and express only low levels of cytoplasmic mu chain, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase, and recombination-activating gene 1 product. They are unresponsive to the pre-B-cell growth factors interleukin 7 or stem cell factor, or both, suggesting that growth support is provided by a cross-reactive murine stromal cell factor. Cultured B-cell progenitors are generated in large numbers ( > 10(8) cells from a typical cord blood specimen) suitable for use in biochemical analysis and gene-transfer studies. This system should be useful for study of normal and abnormal early human B-lymphopoiesis.
Prediction of turbulent channel flow with superhydrophobic walls consisting of micro-ribs and cavities oriented parallel to the flow direction

Abstract Turbulent flow in a parallel-plate micro-channel with superhydrophobic walls has been explored numerically. The k-ω turbulence model is used for closure to the turbulent Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the Reynolds number was varied from 4 × 10 3 to 10 4 . Results show that as the shear-free region increases the apparent velocity slip increases, and the Darcy friction factor decreases. The observed reduction in fraction factor was found to be significantly greater for turbulent flow conditions than for laminar flow scenarios under the same geometric channel conditions. Expressions that correlate the friction factor and apparent slip velocity as functions of the relevant parameters are also presented.
Computer-guided concentration-controlled trials in autoimmune disorders.

A randomized concentration-controlled clinical trial (RCCCT) is an alternate experimental design to the standard dose-controlled study. In a RCCCT, patients are randomly assigned to predefined plasma or blood drug concentration ranges (low, medium, and high). With the caveat that concentration ranges are sufficiently separated, this design should enhance the ability to discover important concentration response relationships. FK-506, a potent and promising immunosuppressive agent for prevention and treatment of graft rejection, has shown significant clinical activity in some immune-mediated disorders. To implement the RCCCT design, a novel FK-506 intelligent dosing system (IDS) was used to guide all doses to prospectively achieve the target concentration range specified in the study protocol
Steroid hormone actions at the plasma membrane: Induced calcium uptake and exocytotic events

Calcium as an intracellular second messenger is not a new concept, although the subject is undergoing a resurgence in interest, in part reflecting our current appreciation of calcium channels and their role in Ca2+ influx, as well as the regulation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ movements by phosphoinositide metabolism (Michell, 1986). Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the topic is that the agonists are not restricted to a single structural class, but include neurotransmitters, peptide hormones, and steroid hormones (see Table 1). Parallels in signal transduction between divergent structural classes of regulatory substances have been proposed before (Szego, 1978). The current work will attempt to focus more closely on systems where agonist-mediated changes in cellular calcium culminate in an exocytotic event.
Improving aggregate behavior in parking lots with appropriate local maneuvers

In this paper we study the ingress and egress of pedestrians and vehicles in a parking lot. We show how local maneuvers executed by agents permit them to create trajectories in constrained environments, and to resolve the deadlocks between them in mixed-flow scenarios. We utilize a roadmap-based approach which allows us to map complex environments and generate heuristic local paths that are feasible for both pedestrians and vehicles. Finally, we examine the effect that some agent-behavioral parameters have on parking lot ingress and egress.
TICL—a type inference system for common Lisp

Most current Common Lisp compilers generate more efficient code when supplied with data type information. However, in keeping with standard Lisp programming style, most programmers are reluctant to provide type information; they simply allow the run-time type system to manage the data types accordingly. To fill this gap, we have designed and implemented a type inference system for Common Lisp (TICL). TICL takes a Lisp program that has been annotated with a few type declarations, adds as many declarations as possible, and produces a type declared program. The compiler can then use this information to generate more efficient code. Measurements indicate that a 20 per cent speed improvement can generally be achieved.
Training for perioperative smoking cessation interventions: a national survey of anesthesiology program directors and residents.

Abstract Study Objective To ascertain current knowledge, attitudes, and practices of anesthesiology residents regarding tobacco control, and to determine the characteristics of current residency training offered in tobacco control. Design Electronically distributed survey instrument of anesthesiology residency program directors and residents. Setting University medical center. Measurements and Main Results The program director and resident response rates were 75/131 (57.3%) and 490/1182 (41.4%), respectively. Programs currently provide education regarding the perioperative consequences of smoking and, with the exception of the effect of smoking cessation shortly before surgery, resident knowledge reflected this curricular emphasis. However, the strong majority of programs did not offer education on how to ask about smoking status and advise cessation (79.5%) or help tobacco users quit before surgery (89.0%), though both program directors and residents felt these topics should be covered. A strong majority of residents (87.8%) felt the perioperative period was an effective time to assist in long-term smoking cessation, and desired education on tobacco control. Barriers to helping patients quit preoperatively included lack of time and low confidence in counseling abilities. Conclusions A need exists for expanded formal education on perioperative tobacco cessation interventions for anesthesiology residents.
WIMP Annual Modulation with Opposite Phase in Late-Infall Halo Models

We show that in the late-infall model of our galactic halo of Sikivie the expected phase of the annual modulation of a weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) halo signal in direct detection experiments is opposite to the one usually expected. If a nonvirialized halo component due to the infall of (collisionless) dark matter particles cannot be rejected, an annual modulation in a dark matter signal should be looked for by experimenters without fixing the phase a priori. Moreover, WIMP streams coming to Earth from directions above and below the galactic plane should be expected, with a characteristic pattern of arrival directions.
On the route discovery latency of wireless mesh networks

Designed and developed for military communications in their early stage, multi-hop wireless ad hoc network is attracting interest from commercial applications and becoming a research hot spot. Although the technology has been studied for about a decade, there still exist some problems to be solved. Route discovery latency for reactive routing protocols is one of them. In this paper, we propose a dynamic RTT-based algorithm which can dramatically reduce the route discovery latency. This algorithm can be generally applied to any source selection based reactive routing protocols. Our simulation study has also shown some interesting results about packet transmission time and route discovery latency in a contention-based channel like IEEE 802.11 which have not been discussed before.
Surfing on the edge: chaos versus near-integrability in the system of Jovian planets

We demonstrate that the system of Sun and Jovian planets, integrated for 200 Myr as an isolated five-body system using many sets of initial conditions all within the uncertainty bounds of their currently known positions, can display both chaos and near-integrability. The conclusion is consistent across four different integrators, including several comparisons against integrations utilizing quadruple precision. We demonstrate that the Wisdom‐Holman symplectic map using simple symplectic correctors as implemented in MERCURY 6.2 gives a reliable characterization of the existence of chaos for a particular initial condition only with time-steps less than about 10 d, corresponding to about 400 steps per orbit. We also integrate the canonical DE405 initial condition out to 5 Gyr, and show that it has a Lyapunov time of 200‐400 Myr, opening the remote possibility of accurate prediction of the Jovian planetary positions for 5 Gyr.
Annual scheduling of Atlantic Fleet naval combatants

Employment scheduling is the process whereby U. S. Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and other units are assigned to major operations, exercises, maintenance periods, inspections and other events; the employment schedule directly influences fleet combat readiness. Currently, this process is largely manual requiring several full-time scheduling officers and additional personnel at various levels of management. We introduce an optimization model that automates a substantial part of the employment scheduling problem. The model is formulated as a generalized set partitioning problem and is applied to the annual planning schedule for naval surface combatants of the Atlantic Fleet. For the calendar year 1983, 111 ships engage in 19 primary events yielding a model with 228 constraints and 10,723 binary variables. This model is solved optimally in about 1.6 minutes producing a schedule that is significantly better than the corresponding published schedule. The optimized peacetime employment schedule which has as its objective maximizing combat readiness should always be the goal and guide. U.S. Navy, NWP-1 He knew the things that were, the things that would be, and the things that had come before. Homer, The Iliad
Years in Cologne.

This review describes the building and scientific activity of the Immunology Department at the Institute for Genetics in Cologne, cofounded by Max Delbruck in post-World War II Germany. The protagonist, a child of Russian emigrants, became interested in antibodies as a postdoc at the Pasteur Institute in Paris and a proponent of the antigen-bridge model of T-B cell collaboration during his early time in Cologne. He was challenged by the gap between cellular immunology and molecular genetics and profited from the advances of the latter as well as postwar economic growth in Germany. The Immunology Department became a place, and little universe in itself, where young scientists from all over the world came together to study cellular and molecular mechanisms of antibody formation. This included work on normal and malignant B cells in the human, particularly the origin of Hodgkin lymphoma, but the main focus was on B cell development and homeostasis, the germinal center reaction, and immunological memory, developing recombinase-assisted and conditional gene targeting in mice as a main technical tool.
China's rapid deployment of SO2 scrubbers

Details are gradually emerging regarding China's extraordinary commitment to environmental technology that began in 2006. With the help of Chinese written references and some field verification, we tell here the story of the rapid deployment of sulfur dioxide scrubbers at coal power plants in 2006 and 2007. Scrubbers were installed in each of these years at plants with more than 100 000 megawatts of total generating capacity, overtaking the rate of construction of new coal power plants. Scrubber installation in each year equaled the entire scrubber capacity in the U.S. We also describe novel policies enacted by China in 2007 to increase the likelihood that installed scrubbers actually operate.
The Impact of Taxes and HOA Fees on Single-Family Home Prices

This empirical study utilizes a hedonic pricing model and a large dataset to investigate how property taxes and homeowners association (HOA) fees were capitalized into the real price of single-family homes from 2002 through 2013 in Duval County, Northeast Florida. The findings suggest that the real price was negatively impacted by real city and county property taxes, but positively affected by membership in an HOA. These findings are consistent with earlier research and have implications for government policy makers, real estate developers and civic groups, both regionally and nationally.
Heat transport and temperature distributions in large single drops at low Reynolds numbers: A new experimental technique

A new experimental technique has been developed for study of transport from drops. Large single drops are heated dielectrically while suspended motionless in an unheated continuous phase. Direct measurements of temperature distributions within drops are presented both for circulating drops and for drops in which surface-active materials retard circulation. The results of the measurements will be useful in assessing the validity of the various proposed models.
DRY MASS, LIPID CONTENT AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF THE INTACT AND ZONA-FREE MOUSE OVUM.

Mammalian ova have not been studied as thoroughly as the eggs of lower vertebrates. Increasing interest in the physiology and biochemistry of mammalian embryogenesis in recent years has been met with little quantitative information. Up to now there have been no direct chemical analyses of mammalian ova published. Reported here are the dry mass and protein and lipid contents of the single cell fertilized mouse ovum. The mouse was chosen because of its frequent use as an experimental animal for the study of developmental genetics and because large numbers of mouse ova can be obtained with relative ease. Single cell stage ova from mated females were chosen as the starting point from which to follow these parameters through cleavage and blastocyst formation, although it must be realized that a proportion of such ova would not be fertilized.
Miniature Fabry–Perot Fiber Optic Sensor for Intravascular Blood Temperature Measurements

This paper presents a miniature fiber optic sensor for intravascular blood temperature measurements. Based on the Fabry–Perot interferometric principle, the sensor is fabricated by using chemical etching and thermal deposition. Before the animal test, static temperature calibration experiments are performed to characterize the sensor's sensitivity, linearity, and hysteresis. A swine model is selected to perform the in-vivo experiment. During the in-vivo experiment, the swine intravascular blood temperature is measured at different locations in coronary arteries to demonstrate the sensor's performance. The sensor's usage in the thermal angioplasty application is successfully presented by capturing the rise and drop of local intravascular blood temperature variations.