cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urbanization in Kazakhstan : Desirable Cities, Unaffordable Housing, and the Missing Rental Market

Kazakhstan's cities are hubs of economic opportunity and prosperity. But despite the government's ambitious targets, the pace of urbanization remains slow. This study focuses on two key constraints: (i) the very high cost of living in Kazakhstan's cities, and (ii) the near absence of a rental housing market outside the capital, Astana. The findings show that the two urban centers of Almaty and Astana are 190 and 240 percent more expensive to live in than the national average. Housing is the primary driver of the disparity: after adjusting for inflation, housing costs tripled in Astana and quadrupled in Almaty between 2001 and 2015. As a result, housing costs for the local population in these areas are more unaffordable than famously exclusive cities such as San Francisco and Vancouver. Demand elasticities from 2015 imply that in the current environment, rural and low-income households are especially unlikely to relocate to high-priced areas where employment prospects are better and average incomes are higher. Regional convergence in wage rates remains slow, but appears to be proceeding most quickly in Astana, where rental housing is most prevalent. The findings suggest that high rates of home ownership and the high cost of living in cities lead to exclusion of lower-income households and restrain economic growth.
The metabolic cost of whistling is low but measurable in dolphins.

We read ‘Whistling is metabolically cheap for communicating bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus )’ by [Pedersen et al. (2020)][1] and were concerned to see how our results ([Noren et al., 2013][2]; [Holt et al., 2015][3]) were presented. This was especially surprising, given our previous
Sibling Transmission of Gang Involvement

Objectives:The processes driving gang entry and disengagement are central to classic and contemporary criminological research on gang involvement. Yet, the role of delinquent peer friendship networ...
Isometric Yoga-Like Maneuvers Improve Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis-A Nonrandomized Control Trial.

ObjectiveAssess therapeutic value of specific yoga poses for thoracic and lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) taught in office or Internet.Study DesignNonrandomized control trial: Fifty-si...
Structure of conformal gravity in the presence of a scale breaking scalar field

We revisit the structure of conformal gravity in the presence of a conformally coupled scale breaking scalar field, and in the static, spherically symmetric case find two classes of exact exterior solutions. In one solution the scalar field has a constant value and in the other solution (due to Brihaye and Verbin, Phys. Rev. D 80, 124048 (2009)) it has a dependence on the radial coordinate, with the two exterior solutions being conformally equivalent. However, the very structure of the solutions requires the presence of singular sources, with the associated sources that are needed in the two cases having different singular structures, to thereby make the interior solutions conformally inequivalent. We show for the radially dependent solution that even if the scalar field does vary macroscopically along particle trajectories, for galaxies this has a negligible effect on galactic rotation orbits. Now since these scalar fields generate particle masses they actually are microscopic not macroscopic and only vary within particle interiors, giving particles an extended, baglike structure. Being internal they anyway have no effect on galactic orbits to begin with. In a recent paper Hobson and Lasenby (arXiv:2103.13451 [gr-qc]) raised the concern that the fitting of conformal gravity to galactic rotation curves had been misapplied and thus called the successful fitting of the theory into question. Here we show that their paper as well as that of Brihaye and Verbin have some technical shortcomings, which leave the good conformal gravity fitting to galactic rotation curves intact.
A Unified Optimization Framework and New Set of Performance Metrics for Robot Leg Design

This work presents a framework for the simultaneous optimization of motors, transmissions, and mechanisms of different joints of robotic legs with the goal of achieving an energy efficient, precisely controllable and stable locomotion in dynamic environments. This unified framework allowed us to introduce and formulate new performance metrics for the separate evaluation of the system's stabilizing ability during stance and swing. Moreover, through a case study, this design optimization framework was applied to an anthropomorphic robot leg model and the optimal actuation configurations for the leg were obtained. This case study also helped us investigate the relationships among our three objectives (energy efficiency, and stance and swing control). It was shown that while in some cases a clear trade-off exists, it is not always valid and as such, careful consideration of all three objectives is necessary.
Overview of Nanomaterial Characterization and Metrology

Abstract Nanomaterial characterization is a cornerstone of the development and adoption of nanotechnology. This chapter provides an introduction to different nanomaterial characterization techniques. While a detailed technical discussion of each technique is beyond the scope of this chapter, pertinent references have been included for the interested reader and, where applicable, validated methods for sample handling and/or data analysis are identified. While techniques are grouped according to their primary purpose (physical, chemical, or behavioral characterization), there can be substantial overlap in these characterization areas. Nanomaterial characterization should not be limited to a single technique since there is not a single measurement that can adequately capture all pertinent nanomaterial characteristics.
The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

This quarterly publication provides archival reports on developments in programs managed by JPL's Telecommunications and Mission Operations Directorate (TMOD), which now includes the former Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA) Office. In space communications, radio navigation, radio science, and ground-based radio and radar astronomy, it reports on activities of the Deep Space Network (DSN) in planning, supporting research and technology, implementation, and operations. Also included are standards activity at JPL for space data and information systems and reimbursable DSN work performed for other space agencies through NASA. The preceding work is all performed for NASA's Office of Space Communications (OSC).
Design, testing, and applications of digital microfluidics-based biochips

Microfluidics-based biochips offer a promising platform for massively parallel DNA analysis, automated drug discovery, and real-time biomolecular recognition. The first part of this paper introduces readers to digital microfluidics technology. The second part describes a recent technique for the automated design and synthesis of biochips. A clinical diagnostic procedure, namely multiplexed in-vitro diagnostics on human physiological fluids, is used to illustrate the design approach. The third part of the embedded tutorial is focused on test issues. It is important to ensure high reliability and availability of biochips as they are increasingly deployed for safety-critical applications. The tutorial includes a discussion of fault models, catastrophic fault testing, and concurrent test issues.
Seasonal variation of peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length in Costa Rica: A population-based observational study.

Author(s): Rehkopf, David H; Dow, William H; Rosero-Bixby, Luis; Lin, Jue; Epel, Elissa S; Blackburn, Elizabeth H | Abstract: ObjectivesPeripheral blood leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is increasingly being used as a biomarker of aging, but its natural variation in human populations is not well understood. Several other biomarkers show seasonal variation, as do several determinants of LTL. We examined whether there was monthly variation in LTL in Costa Rica, a country with strong seasonal differences in precipitation and infection.MethodsWe examined a longitudinal population-based cohort of 581 Costa Rican adults age 60 and above, from which blood samples were drawn between October 2006 and July 2008. LTL was assayed from these samples using the quantitative PCR method. Multivariate regression models were used to examine correlations between month of blood draw and LTL.ResultsTelomere length from peripheral blood leukocytes varied by as much as 200 base pairs depending on month of blood draw, and this difference is not likely to be due to random variation. A moderate proportion of this association is statistically accounted for by month and region specific average rainfall. We found shorter telomere length associated with greater rainfall.ConclusionsThere are two possible explanations of our findings. First, there could be relatively rapid month-to-month changes in LTL. This conclusion would have implications for understanding the natural population dynamics of telomere length. Second, there could be seasonal differences in constituent cell populations. This conclusion would suggest that future studies of LTL use methods to account for the potential impact of constituent cell type.
Metabolism of basic amino acids in Pseudomonas putida. Catabolism of lysine by cyclic and acyclic intermediates.

Abstract Intact cells of Pseudomonas putida grown on l-lysine degrade lysine via two distinct pathways. One pathway, previously reported for pseudomonads, proceeds via 5-carbon acyclic intermediates. The other involves conversion of lysine to the 6-carbon cyclic imino acid pipecolate. d- and l-Lysine are interconvertible, but d-lysine appears to be the immediate substrate for the pipecolate pathway while l-lysine is the substrate for the acyclic pathway. Both pathways appear to be of approximately equal quantitative importance for lysine degradation. The carboxyl of lysine is converted to the carboxyl of pipecolate and pipecolate retains the e-nitrogen of lysine. Experiments with P. fluorescens suggest that degradation of lysine via pipecolate may occur in other pseudomonads.
II, 6.The rotavirus NSP4 enterotoxin: Current status and challenges

Publisher Summary The clinical significance of rotavirus (RV)-induced diarrheal disease that causes high morbidity in children in developed countries and high mortality in children in developing countries makes prevention of the disease a global priority. Vaccination is the most effective method of disease prevention, and effective treatments or vaccines for any microbial infection are generally targeted to interfere with key molecular steps in pathogenesis. RV-induced diarrheal disease is the outcome of a complex interplay of host and viral factors. This chapter discusses new information discovered since 1996, showing that RVs produce an enterotoxin that has pleiotropic properties. This enterotoxin is a key virulence factor that functions early after infection to initiate cell signaling, resulting in chloride secretion and diarrhea. The chapter focuses on how RVs cause disease.
Multi-Sensory Feedback Therapy for Oculomotor Dysfunction

Biofeedback refers to the process of gaining voluntary control over some bodily function by immediate use of information regarding its physiological state. Thus, the individual is provided immediate information from biological processes normally beyond their awareness, thereby facilitating the regulation of these same functions (Brown, 1977; Wolf, 2001). The experimental applications of this technique have continued to grow, and the method has been used to control such disparate physiological processes as blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, brain wave activity, galvanic skin response, intestinal motility, and skin temperature (Fuller, 1978; Lee et al, 1977; Spilker, 1991). Biofeedback training has been used in the medical treatment of hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, neuromuscular dysfunction, circulatory insufficiency, migraine, autonomic dysfunction, and chronic anxiety. The general biofeedback therapy paradigm is three-fold: (1) to provide information related to system variation/state that the individual learns to control, (2) to withdraw this information gradually, once control is well-learned, and (3) to provide occasional “reinforcement” using the prior auxiliary feedback information to maintain the newly-learned ability.
Glucosylceramide metabolism is regulated during normal and hormonally stimulated epidermal barrier development in the rat

Glucosylceramides, delivered to the stratum corneum interstices by exocytosis of lamellar body contents, are enzymatically hydrolyzed to ceramides, which are major components of the lipid lamellar bilayers that mediate epidermal barrier function. Because this conversion is critical for permeability barrier homeostasis in the adult animal, in this study we measured the changes in activities of the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of glucosylceramide and its conversion to ceramide, UDP-glucose:ceramide glucosyltransferase (GC synthase) and beta-glucocerebrosidase (beta-GlcCer'ase), respectively, during fetal barrier formation. In epidermis from rats of gestational age 17-21 days, GC synthase activity peaked on day 19, prior to barrier competence, whereas beta-GlcCer'ase activity rose throughout barrier formation, exhibiting a 5-fold increase over this time period. beta-GlcCer'ase protein rose in parallel with activity, as did mRNA levels. Enzyme activities in skin explants from 17-day fetal rats, incubated up to 4 days in hormone- and serum-free media, paralleled those measured at corresponding time points in utero. Incubation with hormones that accelerate barrier development had minimal effects on GC synthase activity, whereas beta-GlcCer'ase activity was significantly increased after 1 or 2 days in culture. Finally, inhibition of beta-GlcCer'ase with conduritol B epoxide prevented barrier development in vitro and was accompanied by abnormalities in the lamellar bilayer ultrastructure of the stratum corneum. These data indicate that both synthesis and hydrolysis of glucosylceramide are regulated during fetal development. Furthermore, the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosylceramide to ceramide is essential for fetal barrier ontogenesis.
SURVIVAL OF MICE UNDER DURATION-OF-LIFE EXPOSURE TO GAMMA RAYS. I. THE DOSAGE-SURVIVAL RELATION AND THE LETHALITY FUNCTION.

Results are reported from a study of the hematological and histological responses of mice to gamma radiation and the lethal effects of daily exposure to various doses of gamma radiation throughout life. An analysis is presented of the survival data in terms of the mean survival times and the main components of the variance. The quantitative relations between lethality and tissue injury are examined. (C.H.)
Regulation of l‐selectin expression by a dominant negative Ikaros protein

Ikaros family members play critical roles in hematopoietic development, yet molecules regulated by Ikaros proteins remain incompletely characterized. To determine the requirements for functional Ikaros proteins, we overexpressed Ik7, a dominant negative Ikaros protein, in human cell lines and hematopoietic progenitor cells. Ik7 is known to block the normal function of other Ikaros family members in human and mouse cells. Retroviral-mediated overexpression of Ik7 affected two distinct, migratory properties of the CEM T-cell line. Ik7 down-regulated L-selectin cell-surface expression, an effect not a result of increased shedding but of a decrease in L-selectin mRNA levels. Ik7 also reduced the spontaneous migration of CEM T cells in 3-D collagen gels. A reduction in L-selectin, cell-surface expression was also induced by Ik7 in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. In contrast, the Reh B cell line showed an up-regulation of L-selectin, cell-surface levels when expressing Ik7. For the first time, this study defines an effect of Ikaros proteins in the control of migration-related properties and shows that intact Ikaros proteins are important in a cell type-specific manner for the normal regulation of L-selectin expression.
Application of a Robust Model Reference Adaptive Control Algorithm to a Nonlinear Automotive Actuator

Model reference adaptive control is a viable control method to impose the demanded dynamics on plants whose parameters are affected by large uncertainty. In this paper, we show by means of experiments that robust adaptive methods can effectively face nonlinearities that are common to many automotive electromechanical devices. We consider here, as a representative case study, the control of a strongly nonlinear automotive actuator. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the method to cope with unmodeled nonlinear terms and unknown parameters. In addition, the engineering performance indexes computed on experimental data clearly show that the robust adaptive strategy provides better performance compared with those given by a classical model-based control solution with fixed gains.
Fracture Toughness and Spalling Behavior of High‐Al2O3 Refractories

The fracture energies and spalling resistance of high-Al2O3 refractories were studied. The fracture energies, γWOF and γNBT, were measured by the work-of-fracture and the notched-beam-test methods, respectively. Spalling resistance, as measured by the relative strength retained in a water quench, correlated well with the thermal-stress resistance parameter applicable to stable crack propagation under conditions of thermal shock, (γWOF/α2E0). Many of the refractories exhibited high ratios of γWOF to γNBT; such high ratios were shown analytically to maximize the parameter (R1111=E0γWOF/S12) which describes the resistance to catastrophic spalling. The increase of crack length with increasing quenching temperature difference (ΔT) was somewhat less than that predicted theoretically; the discrepancy was attributed to an increase of crack density with ΔT. In general, the results show that fracture energy is important in establishing the spalling resistance of high-Al2O3 refractories.
A Systematic K-edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopic Study of Cu(III) Sites

Highly oxidized metals are constituents of oxidants, reactive intermediates, and materials with interesting conductive and magnetic properties. High-energy spectroscopies have played an important role in identifying and describing the bonding character of highly oxidized metals in these materials. A systematic study of Cu(III) K-edge X-ray absorption spectra was carried out to identify analytically useful signatures of Cu(III) in the K-edge, and to elucidate bonding descriptions for Cu(III)-containing complexes. K-edges for six Cu(III) complexes and their same-ligand Cu(II) counterparts are compared. Edges for the Cu(III) species generally appear at higher energies than their Cu(II) counterparts, though energy shifts between most individual edge features vary. However, for all Cu(III) compounds studied, the 1s → 3d transition in the preedge energy range exhibits a distinct, 2 eV shift to higher energy, relative to the known and relatively unvarying energy of the 1s → 3d transition in Cu(II) species. This ...
Small eddies observed in Lake Superior using SAR and sea surface temperature imagery

Abstract Making use of the fine resolution of satellite SAR imagery, we observe small eddies during the spring and summer months in several locations in Lake Superior. During these months there is a thermal gradient between warmer nearshore waters and colder offshore waters which enhances cyclonic coastal currents. Using spaceborne SAR imagery from the European Space Agency's ERS-1 and ERS-2 missions from 1992 to 1998, we observe small eddies, identifying and mapping basic eddy characteristics including diameter, location, and rotational sense. In total, 45 eddies were located, of which 41 were cyclonic and 4 anticyclonic. Average diameter was 9.8 km and average distance to shore was 8.1 km. Based on sea surface temperature data from AVHRR, the eddies are located within the region of sharp thermal gradients of order 3–5 °C per 3 km. Spatial and temporal coverage was uneven, however, more eddies were seen in SAR images taken in late summer along the southern and eastern shores as well as areas where the boundary current interacts with topographic features including islands and promontories.
Use of Psychopharmacologic Medications in Adolescents With Restrictive Eating Disorders: Analysis of Data From the National Eating Disorder Quality Improvement Collaborative

Abstract Purpose Psychopharmacologic medications are often prescribed to patients with restrictive eating disorders (EDs), and little is known about the frequency of use in adolescents. We examined the use of psychopharmacologic medications in adolescents referred for treatment of restrictive ED, potential factors associated with their use, and reported psychiatric comorbidities. Methods Retrospective data from the initial and 1-year visits were collected for patients referred for evaluation of restrictive ED at 12 adolescent-based ED programs during 2010 (Group 1), including diagnosis, demographic information, body mass index, prior treatment modalities, and psychopharmacologic medications. Additional data regarding patients' comorbid psychiatric conditions and classes of psychopharmacologic medications were obtained from six sites (Group 2). Results Overall, 635 patients met inclusion criteria and 359 had 1-year follow-up (Group 1). At intake, 20.4% of Group 1 was taking psychopharmacologic medication and 58.7% at 1 year ( p ≤ .0001). White, non-Hispanic race ( p = .020), and prior higher level of care ( p Conclusions Adolescents with restrictive ED treated at referral centers have high rates of reported psychopharmacologic medication use and psychiatric comorbidity. As more than half of this referral population were reported to be taking medication, continued investigation is warranted to ensure the desired outcomes of the medications are being met.
Interactivity is the key

The interactivity provided by rendering at the animation rate is the key to visualizing multivarite time varying volumetric data. We are developing a system for visualizing earth science data using a graphics supercomputer. We propose simple algorithms for real-time texture mapping and volume imaging using a graphics supercomputer. KEYIdORDS." Interactive, texture mapping, volume image, earth science. I N T R O D U C T I O N At the Space Science and Engineering Center we are concerned with the problem of helping earth scientists to visualize their huge data sets. A large weather model output data set may contain one billion points in a five-dimensional array, composed of a 100 by 100 horizontal grid, by 30 vertical levels, by 100 time steps, by 30 different physical variables. Remote sensing instruments such as satellites, radars and lidars produce similarly large data sets. During the last six years we have been developing software tools for managing and visualizing such data sets, as part of the Space Science and Engineering Center's Mancomputer Interactive Data Access System (MclDAS). These tools run on an IBM 4381 and produce animation sequences of multivariate three-dimensional images which are viewed on our large multiframe workstations. However, each image takes 10 to 30 seconds of CPU time to analyze and render, and another 30 seconds to load into the workstation frame store, so turnaround time for producing an animation sequence can be several hours. Figure 1 is a typical image produced by this system. We have applied this system to generate animations from at least twenty different model simulation and remote sensed data sources. Although our earth scientist collaborators are usually pleased with the results, they all express a desire to change the animations with quicker response. This is by far their (and our) primary request. Therefore we have begun developing a highly interactive workstation based on the Stellar GS-1000 graphics supercomputer. This system can produce three-dimensional images from model output data sets in real-time, giving the scientist control over the image generation with immediate feedback. This paper describes earth science data sets, the work we have done so far with the Stellar GS1000, and some thoughts on further development.
Preoperative Irradiation for Clinically Resectable Rectal Adenocarcinoma.

The most effective treatment modality available for the management of rectal cancer is surgery; the gains obtained with adjuvant irradiation and/or chemotherapy are modest in comparison. The goals of adjuvant therapy include reducing the likelihood of local recurrence, improving the probability of survival, and converting patients who would have required an abdominoperineal resection to a sphincter-sparing procedure. These goals must be accomplished with minimal deviations from the treatment plan, complications, inconvenience, and cost. Treatment alternatives include surgery alone, preoperative irradiation and surgery, and surgery followed by chemotherapy and/or irradiation. Although preoperative irradiation and chemotherapy followed by resection is an option, few data exist pertaining to this treatment strategy for resectable rectal cancer. The purpose of this review is to discuss each of the goals of adjuvant therapy in the context
Stochastic decoherence of qubits

We study the stochastic decoherence of qubits using the Bloch equations and the Bloch sphere description of a two-level atom. We show that it is possible to describe a general decoherence process of a qubit by a stochastic map that is dependent on 12 independent parameters. Such a stochastic map is constructed with the help of the damping basis associated with a Master equation that describes the decoherence process of a qubit.
FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE ORGANS OF MICTURITION

The anatomy of the organs of micturition has been the subject of study for nearly 150 years. As a result of advances in techniques and methods of clinical and research investigation, studies over the past three decades have intensified and have been increasingly directed at the functional implications and significance of organ anatomy and structure. This has led to revision of many traditional ideas about micturition and the development of new viewpoints and modalities for study of its disorders. This article summarizes the evolution of our thinking and understanding of the functional anatomy of the bladder and urethra over the years, and suggests possible directions for continued clinical study and investigation.
Action of insulin analogues on cultured human fibroblasts reflects biological potency.

Abstract The biological sensitivity of cultured human skin-derived fibroblasts was examined in terms of the ability of insulin and insulin analogues to stimulate the uptake of alpha-aminoisobutyrate in these cells. The relative biological activity measured: insulin=desalanine insulin > proinsulin > desoctapeptide insulin parallels exactly the relative activity of these compounds on fat and muscle preparations both in vitro and in vivo . Inactive insulin analogues do not stimulate alpha-aminoisobutyrate uptake. It is concluded that the chemical specificity of human fibroblast insulin receptors is retained in culture and that the biological responsiveness (alpha-aminoisobutyrate uptake) of such cells to insulin should prove useful for comparative studies of receptors obtained from different individuals.
The influence of the sapphire substrate on the temperature dependence of the GaN bandgap

This paper analyses the influence of the sapphire substrate on stress in GaN epilayers in the temperature range between 4K and 600K. Removal of the substrate by a laser assisted liftoff technique allows, for the first time, to distinguish between stress and other material specific temperature dependencies. In contrast to the prevailing assumption in the literature, that the difference fin the thermal expansion coefficients is the main cause for stress it is found that the substrate has a rather small influence in the examined temperature range. The measured temperature dependence of stress is in contradiction to the published values for the thermal expansion coefficients for sapphire and GaN.
Design of steam tracing systems for protection against freezing

Process or service pipe lines containing materials which freeze readily must be protected during shutdown periods in cold weather. The desired temperature may be maintained in the pipe by installing a steam-heated tube under the pipe, and enclosing both the pipe and tracer tube with the insulation. A rational thermal design method has been developed which permits the estimation of the heating requirements. The method may also be applied to tracers containing other heating media.
Fibroblast-like synoviocytes: key effector cells in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains a significant unmet medical need despite significant therapeutic advances. The pathogenesis of RA is complex and includes many cell types, including T cells, B cells, and macrophages. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in the synovial intimal lining also play a key role by producing cytokines that perpetuate inflammation and proteases that contribute to cartilage destruction. Rheumatoid FLS develop a unique aggressive phenotype that increases invasiveness into the extracellular matrix and further exacerbates joint damage. Recent advances in understanding the biology of FLS, including their regulation regulate innate immune responses and activation of intracellular signaling mechanisms that control their behavior, provide novel insights into disease mechanisms. New agents that target FLS could potentially complement the current therapies without major deleterious effect on adaptive immune responses.
Assessment of a method for the prediction of mandibular rotation

A new method to predict mandibular rotation developed by Skieller and co-workers on a sample of 21 implant subjects with extreme growth patterns has been tested against an alternative sample of 25 implant patients with generally similar mean values, but with less extreme facial patterns. The method, which had been highly successful in retrospectively predicting changes in the sample of extreme subjects, was much less successful in predicting individual patterns of mandibular rotation in the new, less extreme sample. The observation of a large difference in the strength of the predictions for these two samples, even though their mean values were quite similar, should serve to increase our awareness of the complexity of the problem of predicting growth patterns in individual cases.
LPE diffusion-limited growth of InGaAs

Abstract A comprehensive study of the variation of layer thickness with growth time for the ternary InGaAs in the diffusion-limited regime is presented. The variation of the layer thickness with growth time has been measured for InGaAs and InGaAs using the step-cooling technique for temperatures between 560 and 640°C. Using the diffusion-limited theory, the diffusion coefficient of arsenic in indium was determined to be D As = 2.67×10 -3 exp(-3.44×10 3 / T l ) cm 2 /s, and the diffusion coefficient of gallium in indium was determined to be D Ga = 7.06×10 -2 exp(-6.018×10 3 / T l )cm 2 /s. Good agreement between the experimental and calculated growth rates for the quaternary In 0.82 Ga 0.18 As 0.40 P 0.60 at 640°C using the diffusion coefficients determined in this work confirms that the LPE growth of the quaternary InGaAsP is satisfactorily described by the diffusion-limited growth theory.
Optical Disk Testing System

This paper describes the development of the basics of an optical disk testing system used to test 12 inch, write once, Alcatel Thomson Gigadisk (ATG) media that are used at the Library of Congress in a pilot document storage and retrieval system. Since very little is known regarding the longevity of optical disk media and the fact that disk manufacturers are still refining processing techniques, any conclusions regarding error patterns, failure modes, or longevity may be superceded by a new "batch" of disks. Therefore, this paper focuses on the development of procedures for testing disks that can be used as the write once optical disk technology continues to advance.© (1987) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Primary angiosarcoma of the cuboidal bone: a case report.

Primary angiosarcorna of bone is a rare neoplasm. The unique cytomorphologic and ultrastructural aspects of a primary angiosarcoma of the cuboid bone diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration are presented. Smears and cell block preparations revealed single and clustered large, pleomorphic, and spindle-shaped cells with a markedly hemorrhagic background. Electron microscopy revealed characteristic features of endothelial cells including rare Weibel-Palade bodies. The clinical, cytologic, histologic, and ultrastructural aspects of the case are discussed.
Modification of Movat pentachrome stain with improved reliability of elastin staining

AbstractThe authors describe a modification of Movat pentachrome stain for the demonstration of elastin, sulfated macromolecules (proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans and secreted mucins), collagens, myofibrils, and erythrocytes. The key modification is the use of a modified Verhoeff elastic tissue stain, which is more tolerant of minor variations in technique and does not require differentiation to a subjective endpoint. The resulting stained sections have a clear background and crisply defined cell and matrix components including both large and small elastic fibers. This stain is particularly useful for evaluating the matrix components of lung and vascular tissue in normal and diseased states. (The J Histotechnol 19:325–327, 1996)
Cloud-scale RNA-sequencing differential expression analysis with Myrna

As sequencing throughput approaches dozens of gigabases per day, there is a growing need for efficient software for analysis of transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) data. Myrna is a cloud-computing pipeline for calculating differential gene expression in large RNA-Seq datasets. We apply Myrna to the analysis of publicly available data sets and assess the goodness of fit of standard statistical models. Myrna is available from http://bowtie-bio.sf.net/myrna.
Light‐Induced Plasmon‐Assisted Phase Transformation of Carbon on Metal Nanoparticles

Highly localized light-induced phase transformation of electron beam induced deposited carbon nanostructures (dots and squares) on noble metal surfaces is reported. The phase transformation from the amorphous phase to the disordered graphitic phase is analyzed using the characteristic Raman signatures for amorphous and graphitized carbon and conductive force microscopy. The extent of the transformation is found to be largely dependent on the plasmon absorption properties of the underlying metal fi lm. It is observed that the amorphous carbon deposits on the silver fi lms consisting of 12 nm particles with the plasmon absorption near the laser excitation wavelength (514 nm), undergo fast graphitization to a nanocrystalline or a disordered graphitic phase. This transformation results in the formation of a highly conductive carbon/metal interface with at least seven orders of magnitude lower electrical resistivity than the initial insulating interface. It is suggested that the fast graphitization of nanoscale carbon deposits might serve as an effi cient path for the formation of complex patterned nanoscale metal-carbon interconnects with high electrical conductivity.
Piecewise linear paths to minimize convex functions may not be monotonic

The exact homotopy path when seeking the minimum of a convex function is monotonic in the homotopy parameter. This monotonicity is not inherited by the piecewise linear approximations to such paths produced by fixed-point algorithms.
Proposal for Determining the Pion-Nucleon Coupling Constant from the Angular Distribution for Nucleon-Nucleon Scattering

A plausibility argument is made that the real and imaginary parts of the nucleon-nucleon scattering amplitude as a function of the cosine of the barycentric system scattering angle, for fixed energy, are analytic in the complex plane, with singularities confined to the real axis. It is conjectured that in the real part there are poles at $cos\ensuremath{\theta}=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}(1+\frac{{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{2}}{2{k}^{2}})$, where $\ensuremath{\mu}$ is the pion rest mass and $k$ the barycentric momentum, branch points at $cos\ensuremath{\theta}=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}(1+\frac{2{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{2}}{{k}^{2}}), \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}(1+\frac{9{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{2}}{2{k}^{2}})$, etc. The residues of the poles are related directly to ${g}^{2}$, the pion nucleon coupling constant, and a procedure is outlined for determining ${g}^{2}$ by an extrapolation of experimental data on either backward or forward nucleon-nucleon scattering.
Thin Film Thickness Gradients and Spatial Patterning via Salt Etching of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers

We demonstrate the time- and concentration-dependent dissolution (etching) of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films comprised of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) immersed in NaCl solutions. PEM thickness decreases to a reproducible unchanging value that depends upon the initial film thickness and the concentration of NaCl. As opposed to a “top-down” removal of PEM chains from the film, the dissolution mechanism involves the diffusion and association of chains throughout the PEM that leave the film in the form of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs). The PEC phase diagram is invoked to explain the observations presented in this paper and work by previous researchers. We demonstrate the straightforward application of PEM salt etching to pattern films where the spatial position and amount of dissolved material are controlled, resulting in a multicolor reflector and a gradient-thickness film. In addition to providing a more comprehensive picture of PEM stability, these results ma...
A role for 5-hydroxytryptamine in descending inhibition of spinal sexual reflexes.

Neurons in the region of the rostral nucleus paragigantocellularis (nPGi) mediate the inhibition of spinal sexual reflexes. Anatomical and pharmacological evidence is presented supporting a role for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in this inhibition. Neurons in the rostral nPGi project to the ventral horn in the vicinity of the pudendal motoneurons. A significant number (78% ipsilateral) of these neurons contain 5-HT. Anterograde tracing with Phaseolus leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) confirmed the nPGi projection to pudendal motoneuron and interneuronal areas of the lumbar cord. 5-HT immunoreactive fibers and presumptive terminals surround the pudendal motoneurons. Urethral stimulation, in the anesthetized male rat, elicited penile erections, ejaculation and rhythmic contractions of the perineal muscles, we have used the term coitus reflex to describe this response. Intrathecal injection of 5-HT (4–50 µg) abolished the coitus reflex. Methysergide (1–10 mg/kg i.v.) prevented the 5-HT induced blockade of the coitus reflex. These data support the hypothesis that 5-HT is involved in the descending inhibition of spinal sexual reflexes.
Heterotopic cervical pregnancy treated with transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration resulting in cervical site varices within the myometrium.

Objective To report a case of successful treatment of a heterotopic cervical pregnancy from IVF-embryo transfer and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) that resulted in uterine varices at the cervical site. Design Case report. Setting Tertiary university clinical center. Patient(s) A 34-year-old with a history of infertility associated with oligospermia who developed a heterotopic cervical pregnancy diagnosed at 7 weeks gestation. Intervention(s) Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS)-guided aspiration of the cervical pregnancy; preoperative placement of bilateral hypogastric artery occlusion balloons; cesarean section. Main Outcome Measure(s) Successful delivery of intrauterine pregnancy; conservation of the uterus. Result(s) Successful termination of the cervical site pregnancy was achieved with TVS-guided aspiration. However, the pregnancy was then complicated by development of uterine varices at the cervical site noted on serial obstetric ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Successful management of the pregnancy required a multidisciplinary approach and preoperative placement of bilateral hypogastric artery occlusion balloons. A scheduled high fundal classic cesarean section at 37 weeks allowed for safe delivery of a healthy infant. Complete spontaneous resolution of the uterine varices was noted after the delivery. Conclusion(s) It is unclear whether residual ectopic tissue contributed to this later complication; however, it cannot be ignored that the locations of the aborted site and the prominence of dilated venous vasculature in this same location suggests a correlation. The interventions applied are reasonable conservative treatments of a cervical heterotopic pregnancy and a management strategy for uterine varices.
Characterization of postoperative edema following laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty using MRI and polysomnography: implications for the outpatient treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) has been introduced as an alternative to uvuloplatopharyngoplasty for the treatment of snoring. Despite limited study, the use of this procedure has been expanded to include patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Although the potential cost-savings of performing sleep apnea surgery on an outpatient basis are self-evident, concern exists regarding the safety of this practice. In an effort to characterize the risk of performing LAUP on an outpatient basis, eight patients with mild or no sleep apnea were identified and intensively studied before and after the first stage of LAUP to cure snoring. Assessment included preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, polysomnography, and videoendoscopy. Each of these diagnostic studies was then repeated between 48 and 72 hours after LAUP. Complete polysomnographic data were available for seven of the eight patients. The mean ( +/- SD) preoperative respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was 11.3 +/- 10.9, and the mean oxygen saturation nadir (LSAT) was 87.7 +/- 6.2% (n = 7). The mean airway cross-sectional area at the palate (by MRI) was 49.8 +/- 22.8 mm2 (n = 8). After LAUP, the mean RDI nearly doubled to 21.7 +/- 9.9 (P > .1). The apnea index increased fourfold from 3.3 +/- 3.5 to 14.8 +/- 10.9 (P .5). The cross-sectional area of the airway decreased to a mean of 47.9 +/- 22.4 mm2 (P > .5). These data suggest that LAUP may temporarily worsen obstructive sleep apnea. Although the clinical significance of this degree of worsening is uncertain, it would be prudent to consider perioperative use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure in patients with more than mild obstructive sleep apnea who undergo ambulatory LAUP.
E-(Embodied) Knowledge and E-Commerce: How Physiological Factors Affect Online Sales of Experiential Products

Advances in information technology are making it possible to deliver multisensory stimuli over the Internet, giving rise to what we call second-generation electronic commerce, and to Web-based exchanges that approach in-store episodes and greatly exceed existing mass-market media in experiential richness. Delivery of multisensory stimuli is not enough, however, to fully activate, generate, and manage the embodied knowledge that is critical to consumer thinking about many types of products and services. Embodied knowledge refers to information elements that are generated and maintained outside the brain cavity and that are incorporated into consumer assessments of products and services. The view that consumers integrate embodied and conceptual knowledge into mental simulations of products and services is used as a foundation for a more general exposition of embodied knowledge and cognition. Three elements of embodied knowledge—body mapping and monitoring systems, proprioceptive knowledge, and body boundaries—are discussed, including their implications for e-commerce theory and practice and for marketing research in general. The methodological challenges of better understanding and managing embodied knowledge are also discussed
La radioprotection dans le groupe Framatome

Depuis 1979, annee du premier rechargement de Fessenheim 1, l'activite radioprotection de Framatome n'a cesse de se renforcer en meme temps que se developpaient les activites de service pour le parc electronucleaire francais. Aujourd'hui le Groupe Framatome, consolide par l'incorporation de filiales specialisees, maitrise tous les aspects de la maintenance des installations en milieu hostile, depuis l'entretien de la robinetterie jusqu'au remplacement des generateurs de vapeur et des couvercles de cuve. En partenariat avec EDF ou pour ses propres besoins, Framatome a developpe un certain nombre d'outils informatiques qui lui permettent de prevoir puis de suivre la dosimetrie collective de ses interventions (Dosiana), de consolider son REX (Fradose) et de gerer la dosimetrie de son personnel (Dosifra).
Effect of Shock on the Small Blood Vessels of the Ear of the Rabbit

SummaryA study has been presented of the reactions of the small blood vessels of the ear of the rabbit during the production of shock by intestinal manipulation. This study was made on four animals whose ears were innervated and on three whose ears were denervated.
The nucleation of microcellular thermoplastic foam with additives: Part II: Experimental results and discussion

Experiments were performed to validate the model for the nucleation of microcellular foams in amorphous thermoplastic polymers. The polystyrene-zinc stearate system was chosen as the model system. Other additives such as stearic acid and carbon black were also investigated. Molecular weight and orientation effects were studied. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide were used to produce the microcellular bubbles. Results show that amounts of soluble additives at levels just below their solubility limit and high gas saturation pressures yield the most acceptable foams—ones with a large number of uniform small bubbles. In this region, the bubble number is sensitive to both the gas saturation pressure and the concentration of solutes. Increasing the concentration of soluble additives above the solubility limit has little effect on bubble number and almost eliminates the dependence on saturation pressure. Molecular weight and orientation had no effect on the number of bubbles produced. Similarly, carbon black, which is insoluble in and which bonds well to polystyrene, produced no effect on bubble numbers. The agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental results is reasonably good.
Gangliocytic Paraganglioma of the Duodenum: Report of a Case with Immunocytochemical and Ultrastructural Investigation

A case of gangliocytic paraganglioma is reported in a 70-year-old female presenting as a polypoid tumor of the second portion of the duodenum. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of the tumor indicate that gangliocytic paraganglioma of the duodenum (GPD) represents an unique tumor originating from the neuroectodermal derivative exhibiting dual phenotypic expression toward paraganglionic and epithelial (neuroendocrine) cells. These findings correlate well with the literature and it is further suggested that GPD belongs to the histopathologic spectrum of tumors derived from the neural crest. The findings offer a plausible explanation for histogenetic possibilities of the occurrence of pure epithelial tumors (i.e., carcinoid-like tumors) in the paraganglionic systems. The patient remains with no evidence of disease 4 years following a simple polypectomy.
External control variance reduction for nonstationary simulation

A statistically efficient method for performing simulation experimentation of nonstationary queueing models is outlined. The method utilizes a nonstationary queueing approximation as an external control variate system. A simple nonstationary tandem queueing model serves as an example of this variance reduction method.