cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear polaritonic effects in photonic wires

A theoretical description of polaritons in quasi-one-dimensional microcavities is given where the nonlinear effects due to Coulomb exciton-exciton interaction and phase space filling are included explicitly. Analytical results are obtained for the power and time dependences of the optical response including anomalous amplification at short delay times and scattering between quasi-one-dimensional subbands from the lower as well as from the upper polariton branches. Spin quantum beats for the long delay times are shown to be consistent with exchange splitting of optically active excitons induced by uniaxial strain. The power and exchange splitting dependences of this response are obtained. The nonlinear approach describing the optical effects for both time scales are similar and include the exchange interaction for longer delay times.
Review of reverse engineering approaches

Reverse engineering is accomplished in three steps, part digitizing, features extraction, and CAD modeling. Part digitization is accomplished by variety of contact and non-contact digitizers. Feature extraction is normally achieved by segmenting the digitized data and capturing surface features such as edges. Part modeling is accomplished by fitting variety of surfaces to the segmented data points. This paper reviews various techniques for part digitization, segmentation and surface modeling.
Bone Response to In Vivo Mechanical Loading in Two Breeds of Mice

We investigated the bone response to external loading in C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ mice, both breeds with low and high bone density, respectively. An in vivo tibial four-point bending device previously used for application of measured external loads in rats was adapted for mice. It delivered a uniform medio-lateral bending moment to the region of the tibia located 1-5.5 mm proximal to the tibio-fibula junction. The right legs of six C57BL/6J [low bone density (LBD)] and C3H/HeJ [high bone density (HBD)] mice were externally loaded in the device for 36 cycles/day at 2 Hz, 6 days/week for 2 weeks at 9.3 +/- 0.9 N force, inducing estimated lateral periosteal surface compressive strains of 5121 +/- 1128 mu epsilon in C3H/HeJ (HBD) mice (n = 6), significantly higher than the estimated 3988 +/- 820 mu epsilon in C57BL/6J mice (n = 6) (mean +/- SD). In addition, C3H/HeJ HBD mice (n = 11) were externally sham (pad pressure or no bending) loaded in the device for 36 cycles/day at 2 Hz, 3 days/week for 3 weeks at 9.3 +/- 0.9 N force. Calcein injections for bone labeling were given at the 10th and 3rd days before sacrifice. At the end of the experiment, all mice were killed and both tibiae were removed, fixed, embedded, and cross-sectioned through the loaded region. Both tibiae were measured for marrow area (Ma.Ar), cortical area (Ct.Ar), total area (Tt.Ar), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), and periosteal and endocortical woven bone surface (Wo.B/BS), single-labeled surface (sLS), double-labeled surface (dLS), and total formation surface (FS/BS). Differences in all variables due to breed and loading (both bending and sham-bending) were tested by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P < 0.05). Ma.Ar, Tt.Ar, and CSMI were greater in C57BL/6J (LBD) than in C3H/HeJ (HBD) mice. Periosteal and endocortical woven bone and formation surface were increased significantly more by loading (bending) in C57BL/6J than in C3H/HeJ mice. Periosteal woven bone response due to sham-bending or sham-loading was significantly lower than due to bending loads in the C3H/HeJ mice. We conclude that the bone response to external loading is greater in LBD mice than in HBD mice. The high bone density of C3H/HeJ (HBD) mice is related to breed-specific factors other than the response to loading.
The continuous non-linear approximation of procedurally defined curves using integral B-splines

This paper outlines an algorithm for the continuous non-linear approximation of procedurally defined curves. Unlike conventional approximation methods using the discrete L_2 form metric with sampling points, this algorithm uses the continuous L_2 form metric based on minimizing the integral of the least square error metric between the original and approximate curves. Expressions for the optimality criteria are derived based on exact B-spline integration. Although numerical integration may be necessary for some complicated curves, the use of numerical integration is minimized by a priori explicit evaluations. Plane or space curves with high curvatures and/or discontinuities can also be handled by means of an adaptive knot placement strategy. It has been found that the proposed scheme is more efficient and accurate compared to currently existing interpolation and approximation methods.
Mobility of hydrogen around nitrogen and oxygen trapping sites—phonon assisted tunneling parameters

Abstract The mobility of H around O and N interstitial trapping sites has been studied in Nb using anelastic techniques. Hydrogen jump frequencies were measured in the temperature range 250-35 K and significant deviations from an Arrhenius temperature dependence were observed. The data were fitted to the Flynn-Stoneham phonon assisted tunneling theory and the Debye temperatures, self trapping energies, and tunneling transition frequencies were determined for the O and N traps. These values are discussed in terms of a delocalized ring model for hydrogen diffusion and are related to the distortion fields around the trapping sites.
L 1 − L 23 M 1 Coster-Kronig spectrum of argon in intermediate coupling

Transition energies and rates in the ${L}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{L}_{23}{M}_{1}$ Coster-Kronig spectrum of argon have been calculated in the intermediate-coupling scheme. Strong mixing of the final ionic states $^{1}P_{1}$ and $^{3}P_{1}$, caused by the spinorbit interaction, virtually removes the large discrepancy between previously calculated relative term intensities and experimental data. Transition energies also agree well.
Isolation, partial chemical and biological characterization of thymone B

Abstract A peptide, thymone B, was isolated from bovine thymus by sequences of solvent extractions, gel filtrations, ion exchange chromatography and micromanipulation. Paucity of sample restricted all assays. Thymone B showed essentially single spots by TLC in 3 systems and by electrophoresis in one system. Levels of 100 nanograms (lower?) and 10 micrograms (lowers?) of thymone B stimulated incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA, and the synthesis of cGMP, respectively; 100 micrograms did not stimulate cAMP. Trypsin destroyed activity indicating an active peptide. Analysis indicated up to 13 individual amino acids: Asp, Glu, Gly, Ala, Val, Ile, Leu, Ser, Pro, Thr, His, Lys and Arg, and a molecule considerably smaller than that of thymone A.
Guatemala: A Nation In Turmoil

Guatemala has long been a field for struggle between other powers, and today, racked by civil war, it avoids the full glare of international attention only because most of the Central American region is beset by similar problems. Despite a continued belief in the reconstitution of a unified Central American state arid a long-running claim to Belize, Guatemala has played a passive rather than an active role in international politics. The influence of international economic interests explains to a large degree why Guatemala has not been more active in the international arena. In this book, Professor Calvert examines Guatemala's history and the principal aspects of the country's faction-tom society and seeks to explain the problems—and their consistently violent manifestations—that have attended the course of the country's social, economic, and political development.
First Report of Plant Regeneration via Somatic Embryogenesis from Shoot Apex-Derived Callus of Hedychium muluense R.M. Smith

ABSTRACT The genus Hedychium consists of about 50 species, with increasing popularity as ornamentals and potential as medicinal crop plants, but there are no reports on somatic embryogenic regeneration of any member of this genus. The objective of this investigation was to establish an in vitro regeneration system based on somatic embryogenesis for Hedychium muluense R.M. Smith using shoot apex-derived callus. Callus was induced and proliferated on a modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (CIPM) supplemented with 9.05 μM 2–4, D, and 4.6 μM kinetin. Friable callus developed into somatic embryos upon transfer to liquid medium (MS basal salts and Gamborg's vitamins) that was supplemented with 0.6 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 8.9 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and shaken for four weeks. The cultures were then transferred to three Hedychium embryo-development media (HEDM) of varying strengths: HEDM, 1/2 HEDM, and 1/4 HEDM. All three media contained both 0.6 μM TDZ and 8.9 μM BA. Somatic embryo production was higher...
Effect of self-association on the transport of .alpha.-chymotrypsin across microporous membranes

The dependence of the rate of α-chymotrypsin transport across microporous, polycarbonate membranes on enzyme concentration was investigated. It was of interest to determine whether self-association, the extent of which is concentration-dependent, would have a significant effect on the mass transfer coefficient. When the enzyme was solubilized in pH 6.2 and I 0.2 buffer, a significant decrease in the mass transfer coefficient accompanied an increase in solute concentration. Furthermore, when the pH and ionic strength of the solvent were altered, it was found that the concentration dependence of the mass transfer coefficient reflected the degree of self-association known to occur in the different solvents. An analysis of the potential effects of osmotic backflow and excluded volume indicates that self-association is responsible for the observed changes in the mass transfer coefficient. From the practical standpoint, these results suggest that self-association could be promoted in order to alter a solute's rejection coefficient, and membrane transport studies could complement the results of moving boundary and light scattering experiments.
Comparison of Ejection Fraction and Segmental Circumferential Fiber Shortening Velocity in the Anesthetized and Conscious Canine

A chronically and transseptally implanted left atrial catheter was utilized to perform repeated cineangiography in the conscious dog. The advantage of this preparation is that catheter placement does not require a thoracotomy. Left ventricular function was compared in the same pentobarbitalanesthetized and conscious dog. Anesthesia significantly depressed myocardial function as was demonstrated by a decrease in ejection fraction and segmental circumferential fiber shortening velocity (VCF) and an increase in enddiastolic volume. In addition, no difference in Vcf occurred between the base and the apex. Since anesthesia produced regional difference in the degree of depression of VCF, we conclude that anesthesia will produce patterns of ventricular contraction which are variable and unpredictable. Consequently, we recommend the use of the conscious dog and this preparation in order to evaluate myocardial function.
Gut evacuation of walleye pollock larvae in response to feeding conditions

Gut residence times of first-feeding walleye pollock larvae were measured at 6°C in continuous and discontinuous feeding regimes. Larvae fed tagged copepod prey evacuated their guts more quickly in continuous feeding as compared to the discontinuous feeding treatment. The mean gut residence time was estimated to be 5.0 h for larvae feeding continuously. Gut evacuation by larvae fed tagged prey and then isolated without food (discontinuous treatment) was slower and more variable, with an estimated gut residence time exceeding 8.0 h. Field and laboratory observations suggest that the larval fish gut may be modeled as an intermittent plug-flow reactor (PFR) in response to diel feeding patterns. The cyclical nature of gut dynamics has implications for gut content analyses and the estimation of daily food rations.
Complications of primary closure of classic bladder exstrophy.

Purpose: We report the urological, orthopedic and neurological complications of primary closure of classic bladder exstrophy using modern staged repair of exstrophy.Materials and Methods: An approved database identified 137 males and 57 females with classic bladder exstrophy who underwent primary repair by 1 of 2 surgeons in 23 years. A total of 185 patients underwent primary closure using modern staged repair of exstrophy with or without osteotomies, whereas 9 underwent delayed primary closure with epispadias repair at age 12 months. Of the patients 63 received osteotomies. Mean age at closure was 60 days and mean followup was 9 years.Results: There were 14 major complications (11%) and 27 minor complications (14%). Major urological complications included bladder prolapse or dehiscence in 6 male patients (3%), which was successfully reclosed. Major orthopedic complications, including osteotomy nonunion in 2 cases, leg length inequality in 1 and persistent joint pain in 1, developed in 4 of the 63 patient...
Risk Factors for 30-Day Hospital Readmission among General Surgery Patients

Background Hospital readmission within 30 days of an index hospitalization is receiving increased scrutiny as a marker of poor-quality patient care. This study identifies factors associated with 30-day readmission after general surgery procedures. Study Design Using standard National Surgical Quality Improvement Project protocol, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative outcomes were collected on patients undergoing inpatient general surgery procedures at a single academic center between 2009 and 2011. Data were merged with our institutional clinical data warehouse to identify unplanned 30-day readmissions. Demographics, comorbidities, type of procedure, postoperative complications, and ICD-9 coding data were reviewed for patients who were readmitted. Univariate and multivariate analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with 30-day readmission. Results One thousand four hundred and forty-two general surgery patients were reviewed. One hundred and sixty-three (11.3%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The most common reasons for readmission were gastrointestinal problem/complication (27.6%), surgical infection (22.1%), and failure to thrive/malnutrition (10.4%). Comorbidities associated with risk of readmission included disseminated cancer, dyspnea, and preoperative open wound (p Conclusions Risk factors for readmission after general surgery procedures are multifactorial, however, postoperative complications appear to drive readmissions in surgical patients. Taking appropriate steps to minimize postoperative complications will decrease postoperative readmissions.
Eye of Navanax: Optic activity, circadian rhythm and morphology

1. 1. Navanax eyes display a circadian rhythm of spontaneous neural activity. This rhythm re-entrains to a phase shifted light-dark cycle. 2. 2. The eye spontaneously generates large and small amplitude nerve impulses and the eye receives centrifugal neural activity from the cerebral ganglion. 3. 3. The eye is a vesicular type with the typical gastropod stratified retina of villous, pigmented, somatic, and neural layers. The receptor cells of Navanax are relatively large in size and there are relatively few of these in the eye. 4. 4. The eye has a unique bi-lobed lens and associated retina which contrasts to the more usual spherical arrangement in gastropods. 5. 5. Similarities and differences between the Navanax and the Aplysia eyes are discussed. 6. 6. The features of the Navanax eye indicate that it is an interesting preparation for both circadian rhythm and photoreceptor physiology studies .
Chloroquine neuromyotoxicity. Clinical and pathologic perspective

Six cases of toxic myopathy and/or neuropathy with chloroquine and/or hydroxychloroquine therapy are described. Two patients had unique clinical and pathologic evidence of cardiomyopathy secondary to chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine therapy. One patient had polyneuropathy secondary to chloroquine toxicity. This may be the first documentation of several features of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine toxicity: morphologic changes in human peripheral nerve in chloroquine toxicity; chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine cardiomyopathy diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy; and hydroxychloroquine myotoxicity. Chloroquine is a neuromyotoxin that affects nerves and cardiac and skeletal muscles. Discontinuation of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine resulted in marked improvement in most cases. The reversibility of the symptoms emphasizes the importance of recognizing potential signs of nerve, muscle, and cardiac toxicity in patients being treated with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine.
A state-of-the-art review in radar polarimetry and its applications in remote sensing

The authors assess the state of the art, focusing on their own contributions. Covered areas are the electromagnetic inverse problem in radar polarimetry, coherent polarization radar theory, partially coherent polarization radar theory, vector (polarization) inverse scattering approaches, the polarimetric matched filter approach, polarimetric Doppler radar applications in meteorology and oceanography, and image fidelity in microwave vector diffraction tomographic imaging. >
The Effect of Digital Publishing on Technical Services in University Libraries

The past decade has brought enormous changes in scholarly communication, leading many libraries to undertake large-scale digital publishing initiatives. However, no study has investigated how technical services departments are changing to support these new services. Using change management as a theoretical framework, the investigator uses content analysis, surveys, and interviews to analyze how libraries at the cutting edge of library-based digital publishing are utilizing their technical services departments to support these new initiatives and how these changes are being handled. The findings indicate that while many technical services departments are actively supporting library-based digital publishing to some degree, many functions traditionally provided by technical services are being handled by other units within the library. This leads to a discussion of how these change processes will progress and their ultimate effect on library structures and user services.
An Empirical Evaluation of the Loop Detector Method for Travel Time Delay Estimation

Loop detectors have been widely used to estimate travel time delay. One implicit assumption about the estimation is that traffic flow is stationary. Based on this assumption, the point data collected by loop detectors at different locations could be interpolated or extrapolated to estimate travel time delay for segments between adjacent loop detectors. This assumption is not quite valid when vehicle speeds fluctuate spatially and temporally. It is desirable to examine and understand the accuracy level of such travel time delay estimation methodology in real-world situations. The purpose of this article is to present an empirical analysis to explicitly illustrate the accuracy level of travel time delay estimated using loop detectors. Travel time delay obtained from eight freeway segments under various combinations of reference speeds, data aggregation intervals, and loop detector spacings are studied and compared with true delay determined using vehicle trajectory information. For all of the eight freeway ...
Effect of oxygen impurity on defect agglomeration and hardening of neutron-irradiated niobium

Abstract The density and diameter distribution of defect clusters and loops in neutron-irradiated niobium containing either 10, 68, or 185 ppm (wt.) of oxygen impurity was determined for neutron doses up to 4 × 1019 neutrons/cm2. These data were correlated with the increase of resolved shear stress of irradiated niobium single crystals containing oxygen impurity. Based on a dispersed barrier hardening model, the hardening of niobium irradiated at 30–50°C was interpreted to be due primarily to loops and clusters with diameters less than 70 A.
Impacts of frequent, acute pulses of corticosterone on condition and behavior of Gambel's white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii).

Little is known about how frequent, acute stressors affect wild animals. We present two experiments conducted on captive, Gambel’s white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) that explore how frequent, acute doses of corticosterone (CORT) affect condition and behavior. CORT was administered either once or three times a day to birds in pre-breeding, early-breeding, or late-breeding life-history stages. Two additional groups were included to control for the CORT delivery vehicle, DMSO, and the treatment process. Our results indicate that CORT treatment decreases condition, but that its effects are dependent on frequency and life stage. Specifically, CORT-treated birds delayed the onset of molt and had reduced body mass, flight muscle, and food consumption. CORT treatment did not affect fat stores, bile retention in the gallbladder, or the expression of migratory restlessness behavior. These results increase our understanding of the effects of frequent, acute stressors and the development of chronic stress states.
Bone density is not reduced during the short-term administration of levothyroxine to postmenopausal women with subclinical hypothyroidism: a randomized, prospective study.

Abstract purpose: Controversy exists as to whether patients with subclinical hypothyroidism benefit from treatment. Two randomized trials reported that hypothyroid symptoms improved following thyroid hormone replacement therapy. However, during the initial treatment of overt hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, three studies have demonstrated short-term (6 to 12 months) 5% to 13% reductions in bone density. The current study measures bone density during the initial treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism. patients: Seventeen postmenopausal women with subclinical hypothyroidism (elevated serum thyrotropin [TSH] and normal serum free thyroxine concentrations) and no prior history of thyroid disease were randomly assigned to levothyroxine treatment or no treatment and followed prospectively. Patients in the treatment group had similar initial serum TSH concentrations (9.8 ± 3.3 versus 8.4 ± 2.7 μU/mL) but were slightly older (68 ± 7 years versus 60 ± 5 years [p results: Bone density determinations were not significantly different between the two groups at baseline. After 14 ± 1 months, single-photon absorptiometry of the wrist decreased by 1.8% ± 3.2% in the untreated patients and 0.5% ± 4.1% in the levothyroxine-treated patients (p = NS). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine decreased by 0.7% ± 2.9% in the untreated patients and rose 0.1% ± 4.75% in the levothyroxine-treated patients (p = NS). conclusions: Unlike the early treatment of overt hypothyroidism, there is no short-term reduction of bone density with levothyroxine treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism in post-menopausal women. These data suggest that potentially symptomatic women with subclinical hypothyroidism should be given a trial of levothyroxine therapy without concern about adverse effects on skeletal integrity.
Airborne study of ozone formation over Dallas, Texas

Twelve research fights were performed during August 2005 over the Dallas (Texas) metropolitan area. The primary objective was to estimate the relative contribution of primary emissions from large point sources, i.e., major power plants, compared with mobile sources in terms of O3 production. The distinction between the source types was derived from concurrent measurements of SO2 (tracer for point sources) and CO (tracer for mobile sources) relative to levels of O3 and NOx (the O3 precursor). The flights also examined the vertical structure of the atmosphere and its effect on the dispersion/dilution of the trace gases. During the first half of the study the O3 levels in the Dallas area were relatively low and only during the second half were significantly elevated O3 levels observed. For the latter period the relationship between maximum O3 levels, the air mass chemical age and the O3 yield are evaluated. The results also revealed that mobile sources are the main contributors to the elevated O3 levels in the Dallas area.
USING MS ACCESS TO MANAGE REQUIREMENTS

Most commercially available tools that manage requirements are targeted for large projects. Small projects may find them bulky and cumbersome to use for managing a relatively small number of requirements. This paper describes a requirements management tool that is easy to use while providing requirements traceability from upper level specifications to lower level specifications. The tool is called Tracker and is successfully being used on a small project. This paper describes the tool in detail. Advantages and limitations are discussed. A comparison is made to the “INCOSE Requirement Management Working Group Suggested Possible Tool Features”. Benefits and cost estimates are provided. A sample screen and reports are shown and described. Attributes for each requirement is stated and tool performance is discussed.
Thermodynamics of AMP reactions from membrane electrode measurements of metal ion complexation

Abstract Thermodynamic formation constants for the complexes of calcium (389 m −1 ), magnesium (370 m −1 ), sodium (87.8 m −1 ), and potassium (81.4 m −1 ) with AMP, as determined with ion selective electrodes, are reported. These values are used in conjunction with previously measured ATP- and ADP-metal ion complex formation constants to recalculate the standard free energy maps of several phosphohydrolyase and phosphotransferase reactions. The new constants result in significant changes in the free energy maps.
Cytologic evaluation can predict microbial culture results for infectious causes of pulmonary nodules in patients undergoing fine needle aspiration biopsy

We retrospectively compared cytopathology and microbial culture results for pulmonary fine needle aspiration biopsy specimens over a 10-year period. Eighty samples were submitted for culture, yielding 24 positive cultures with 17 pathogenic organisms. Cytology predicted positive cultures in all cases where organisms were visualized, and it was associated with negative cultures in 24 of 25 cases where inflammatory changes and necrosis were absent.
Microtoxicology. I. Color Reactions of Sympathomimetic Smines

Color reactions by which fifteen sympathomimetic amines may be differentiated and classified are described. These color reactions, in combination with polariscope readings, should enable the toxicologist to identify not only any one of the fifteen sympathomimetic amines but also the isomer present.
Science resources: does the Internet make them cheaper, better?

Over the past several years the price of science, technical and medicine (STM) materials has been increasing steadily at a rate unimaginable and unexplainable in economical terms. Over the same period of time, there has been a technological revolution that would change the way libraries deliver their services forever. The Internet and, subsequently, the Web have become the greatest delivery options available to publishing. Hence, one of the suggested solutions to the serials crisis was to eliminate the typesetting, printing and distribution costs of journals with the hope that that would make them cheaper, speed up the distribution process and give end‐users more control. This paper focuses on whether the Internet has made STM resources cheaper or better. In order to gather information, a survey and interviews of science librarians in academic institutions and STM publishers and vendors were conducted.
A General Purpose Data Accuisition System Fcr CAMAC Equipment

A general purpose software system for data acquisition and process control on PERKIN-ELMER 32-bit computers is discussed. Features of the package including CAMAC parallel and serial highway support, FORTRAN and PASCAL callable subroutines, LAM handling, IEEE block transfer modes, and power failure and crate status monitoring are outlined. System performance in terms of memory size, data rates, and software overhead is covered. Current applications of the package for the NASA Space Shuttle program, by a solar observatory, for a fusion reactor, and for a particle accelerator are described.
A raycast approach to hybrid touch / motion capturevirtual reality user experience

We present a novel approach to integrating a touch screen device into the experience of a user wearing a Head Mounted Display (HMD) in an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment with tracked head and hands.
Antibodies to Antigenic Site A of Influenza H7 Hemagglutinin Provide Protection against H7N9 Challenge

Identifying major antigenic and protective epitopes of the H7 hemagglutinin (HA) will be important for understanding the antibody response to vaccines developed against the novel influenza H7N9 viruses that emerged in China in 2013. To facilitate antigenic characterization of the H7N9 HA and to develop reagents for evaluation of H7N9 candidate vaccines, we generated a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the HA of A/Shanghai/2/2013 using mammalian cell-derived virus-like particles (VLP) containing the H7 HA. Neutralizing antibodies identified an HA epitope corresponding to antigenic site A on the structurally similar influenza H3 hemagglutinin. Importantly, the neutralizing antibodies protect against A/Shanghai/2/2013 challenge. This antigenic site is conserved among many H7 viruses, including strains of both Eurasian and North American lineage, and the isolated neutralizing antibodies are cross-reactive with older H7 vaccine strains. The results indicate that the identified antigenic site is a potentially important protective epitope and suggest the potential benefit of cross-reactive antibody responses to vaccination with H7 candidate vaccines.
DELAYED COINCIDENCE TECHNIQUE FOR 133GXE DETECTION

Abstract Delayed coincidence techniques show promise of significant improvements for a Xe counting system which will be a key element in monitoring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. We have previously developed a beta–gamma counting system for 131m Xe, 133m Xe, 133g Xe, and 135g Xe as part of an automated system for analyzing Xe in air. Depending on background levels, higher sensitivity for 133g Xe can be achieved by use of the delayed coincidence between beta particles that feed the 81 keV state in 133 Cs and the conversion electrons produced in the deexcitation of the 81 keV state ( t 1/2 =6.36 ns). In the delay time region, only the 31 keV X-ray associated with 133g Xe decay is observed. This technique detects 133g Xe with extremely low background and distinguishes 133g Xe from 131m Xe and 133m Xe.
Accuracy of RSS-Based RF Localization in Multi-capsule Endoscopy

In this paper, we derive and analyze cooperative localization bounds for endoscopic wireless capsule as it passes through the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We derive the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) variance limits on location estimators which use measured received signal strength (RSS). Using a three-dimension human body model from a full wave simulation software and log-normal models for RSS propagation from implant organs to body surface, we calculate bounds on location estimators in three digestive organs: stomach, small intestine and large intestine. We provide analysis of the factors affecting localization accuracy, including various organ environments, external sensor array topology, number of pills in cooperation and the random variations in transmit power of sensor nodes. We also do localization accuracy analysis for the case when transmit power of the sensor is random with known priori distribution. The simulation results show that the number of receiver sensors on body surface has more influence on the accuracy of localization than the number of pills in cooperation inside the GI tract, The large intestine is affected the most with the transmit power randomness.
The effect of newtonian cooling on vertically propagating magneto-acoustic waves in a thermally conducting isothermal atmosphere (I)

In this article, we examine reflection, dissipation and attenuation of vertically propagating waves in an isothermal atmosphere under the combined effect of Newtonian cooling, thermal conduction and viscosity with a weak horizontal magnetic field. We consider the case in which the combined effect of viscosity and magnetic field is dominated by that of the thermal conduction and for small values of the Newtonian parameter. As a result, the atmosphere can be divided into three distinct regions that are connected by two transition regions. The lower and middle regions are connected by a semi-transparent barrier and the middle and upper regions are connected by an absorbing and reflecting barrier. In the connecting barriers the reflection and transmission of the waves takes place. The presence of Newtonian cooling effects on the adiabatic region, produces attenuation in the amplitudes of the waves and reduces the energy absorption in the transition regions. The reflection coefficient is determined in the lowe...
Online games and e-business: architecture for integrating business models and services into online games

Online games are the future of the interactive entertainment industry. The idea of integrating business services into online games holds a number of exciting possibilities for new business models, new markets, and new growth. We describe an architecture, Business Integration for Games, and an implementation prototype, for integrating online games with business services. We also describe a demonstration system that embeds our prototype into the popular first-person-shooter game Quake IITM.
The impact of the burst assembly interval on the OBS ingress traffic characteristics and system performance

This paper addresses the burstification interval scaling problem when the timer-based burstification mechanisms, including the periodic and the nonperiodic alternatives, are employed. We investigate the impact of the burstification interval on the burst traffic characteristics in terms of the data burst inter-arrival time and the data burst length, respectively. An analytical model is developed to evaluate the burst delay at the edge node of the OBS-enabled WDM backbone. Numerical and simulation results have justified our analysis.
Quality Assurance in Colon and Rectal Cancer Surgery

Surgery remains the cornerstone in the multidisciplinary treatment of colon and rectal cancer. Many diagnostic, technical, and adjuvant therapies are known to impact the immediate and long-term oncologic results. Guidelines for appropriate cancer-specific management of colorectal cancer should be adhered to so as to optimize the oncologic outcomes. Similarly, patient-specific surgical outcomes are also linked to many systems-based factors, such as appropriate use of perioperative antibiotics, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and avoidance of surgical complications.
Area Measurement Using a Chemical Array with Image Perturbation

A new method of measuring the area of object images utilizing a two-dimensional chemical array is presented. Unlike discrete photosensitive arrays which have interelement spacings, the type of array considered employs a continuous layer of inorganic compound as the sensing medium thus eliminating inactive gaps and the associated errors.
Presence of Epilepsy-Associated Variants in Large Exome Databases

Mutations in more than 20 genes have been found to cause idiopathic epilepsies, and screening for these variants could facilitate the clinical diagnosis of epilepsy. However, many of the studies that reported putative pathogenic variants for epilepsy tested a relatively small number of control samples, making it more likely that a rare nonpathogenic variant could be mistaken as causal. To test the robustness of inferences based on small sample sizes, we investigated whether variants previously reported to cause epilepsy were present in the resequencing data from the large control populations of the 1000 Genomes Project and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Exome Sequencing Project. A list of variants associated with epilepsy was compiled using a manual review of the literature for genes associated with epilepsy from a recent International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) report and two comprehensive genetic studies. We checked for the presence of those variants in the 1000 Genomes Project database and the NHLBI Exome Variant Server (EVS). Of 208 epilepsy-associated variants that we identified from our literature review, only 7 were found among 17 thousand chromosomes across 1000 Genomes and the EVS. Consistent with recent published reports, we also found many variants with predicted pathogenicity in epilepsy-associated genes in the genomic databases. Our findings suggest that the 1000 Genomes and the EVS data sets may be a valuable resource of control data in research aimed at identifying genes for epilepsy specifically when the model predicts a highly penetrant allele. These databases also elucidate the array of genetic variation in putative epilepsy genes in the general population.
Effect of renal cancer size on the prevalence of metastasis at diagnosis and mortality.

Purpose: We determined the relationship between the prevalence of metastasis at presentation and cancer specific mortality with tumor size in renal cancer cases using a large cancer database.Materials and Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results data set was analyzed for renal tumors diagnosed from 1998 to 2003. A total of 24,253 patients were included. The prevalence of metastasis and cancer specific survival as a function of tumor size were evaluated using linear and nonlinear curve fitting methods. Metastatic cases with tumors 2.5 cm or less were individually reconfirmed case by case for accuracy.Results: Increasing tumor size correlated with a higher prevalence of metastasis at diagnosis (range 1.4% for tumors 1 cm or less to 50.9% for tumors greater than 15 cm). Five-year cancer specific mortality in treated patients was also closely related to tumor size (range 3.5% for tumors 1 cm or less to 50.9% for tumors greater than 15 cm). In each instance the relationship was sigmoidal rather ...
Atomic-Level Understanding of "Asymmetric Twins" in Boron Carbide.

Recent observations of planar defects in boron carbide have been shown to deviate from perfect mirror symmetry and are referred to as “asymmetric twins.” Here, we demonstrate that these asymmetric twins are really phase boundaries that form in stoichiometric B_4C (i.e., B_(12)C_3) but not in B_(13)C_2. TEM observations and ab initio simulations have been coupled to show that these planar defects result from an interplay of stoichiometry, atomic positioning, icosahedral twinning, and structural hierarchy. The composition of icosahedra in B_4C is B_(11)C and translation of the carbon atom from a polar to equatorial site leads to a shift in bonding and a slight distortion of the lattice. No such distortion is observed in boron-rich B_(13)C_2 because the icosahedra do not contain carbon. Implications for tailoring boron carbide with stoichiometry and extrapolations to other hierarchical crystalline materials are discussed.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and Dibenzofurans (PCDFs) as Antiestrogens in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells: Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships

The concentration-dependent effects of several PCB, PCDD, and PCDF congeners and several commercial PCB preparations as antiestrogens were determined in the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah)-responsive MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines. The inhibition of the 17 beta-estradiol-induced secretion of the 52-kDa protein (procathepsin D) was measured using a combination of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, double-staining of the protein bands with ISS ProBlue and silver stain, and quantitation by densitometric analysis. For the PCBs, the order of antiestrogenic potency was 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl > 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl approximately 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl > 2,3,3',4,4',5'-hexa, 2,3,3',4,4'- and 2,3,4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl > Aroclors 1221, 1232, 1248, 1254, and 1260 were inactive as antiestrogens at the highest concentrations used in this study (10(-6) M). For the PCDDs and PCDFs, the order of antiestrogenic potency was 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin > 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran > 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran > 1,2,3,7,9-pentachlorodibenzofuran > 1,3,6,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran. With few exceptions, the order of potency for all these congeners and mixtures paralleled their relative activities as agonists for other Ah receptor-mediated responses and their competitive binding affinities for the Ah receptor. The results of this study support the role for the Ah receptor in mediating the inhibition of the 17 beta-estradiol-induced secretion of the 52-kDa protein in MCF-7 cells and also points out the utility of this technique as a bioassay for this class of compounds.
Model synthesis weighting effects on model tuning in system identification

System identification is the process of deriving dynamic equations from observed system behavior, the inverse of the common problem of deriving solutions to a given set of dynamics. The system identification process generally consists of two steps, a model synthesis step followed by a model tuning step. For complex systems, standard system identification tools often fail to provide satisfactory results without extensive manipulation by an experienced engineer. Input, output, and frequency weightings are often used to adjust the properties of the identified model in model tuning. In this effort, we examine the impact of model synthesis weightings on model tuning results. Model synthesis weightings are shown to improve the initial models used for model tuning. However, it is shown that an improved initial model for model tuning does not necessarily lead to faster model tuning or more accurate identified models.
Recent star formation in the interacting galaxy system NGC 520

New optical spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, and mid-infrared imaging of the interacting system NGC 520 are presented. The data show that the heavily obscured primary nucleus has a current star-forming rate about 35 times the typical rate for a late-type galaxy nucleus, which may account for most of the large far-infrared luminosity of NGC 520. The secondary nucleus has little current star formation but has recently undergone a mild starburst. Optical colors and absorption line equivalent widths suggest that the extranuclear regions in both galaxies have experienced enhanced star formation roughly at the same time as the secondary nucleus, though at a lesser intensity. The extent of the extranuclear burst is large; at least half of the projected surface area of the two disks took part to varying degrees in the episode. Determining the exact age and strength of the recent star-formation episode in NGC 520 is uncertain. The best estimate for the initiation time of about few x 10 exp 8 yrs ago is consistent with the system-wide starburst being caused by the galaxy collision.
Pain assessment in self-injurious patients with borderline personality disorder using signal detection theory

Signal detection theory measures of thermal responsivity were examined to determine whether differences in reported pain experienced during self-injurious behavior in female patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are explained by neurosensory factors and/or attitudinal factors (response bias). Female patients with BPD who do not experience pain during self-injury (BPD-NP group) were found to discriminate more poorly between noxious thermal stimuli of similar intensity, low P(A), than female patients with BPD who experience pain during self-injury (BPD-P group), female patients with BPD who do not have a history of self-injury (BPD-C group), and age-matched normal women. The BPD-NP group also had a higher response criterion, B (more stoical) than the BPD-C group. These findings suggest that 'analgesia' during self-injury in patients with BPD is related to both neurosensory and attitudinal/psychological abnormalities.
Positional cues in serial learning: The spin list technique

To test the hypothesis that serial learning depends largely on the encoding and retrieval of position-to-item associations, we examined whether people can learn spin lists on which starting position is randomly varied across successive learning trials. By turning positional information from a reliable cue into a source of intertrial interference, we expected learning to be greatly impaired. Contrary to this hypothesis, we found that participants were only slightly worse at serial learning under spin conditions and that this impairment reflects a substantial increase in initiation errors coupled with a small increase in intertrial forgetting. These data show that participants can effectively use nonpositional cues when positional cues are unreliable.
Least Squares Kernel Methods and Applications

This chapter discusses kernel methods and applications with a focus on the least squares support vector machines (LS-SVM). We give an introduction to kernel methods and the LS-SVM solution in the primal and dual spaces. The focus of this chapter is on solving binary classification problems. The LS-SVM has nice properties in that the algorithm implements nonlinear decision regions, is of moderate complexity, converges to minimum mean squared error solutions, and can be implemented adaptively. We compare the performance of the LS-SVM with the performance of the SVM and the Bayesian optimal solution. We also formulate a windowed recursive least squares implementation of the LS-SVM and present an example to recover CDMA signals.
Service Scheduling of Vehicle-Roadside Data Access

As vehicular networks become popular, more and more people want to access data from their vehicles. When many vehicles want to access data through a roadside unit, service scheduling becomes an important issue. In this paper, we identify some challenges in vehicle-roadside data access. As vehicles move pretty fast, the requests should be served quickly. Also, vehicles may upload data to the roadside unit, and hence the download and upload requests compete for the same bandwidth. To address these challenges, we propose several service scheduling schemes. We first propose a basic scheduling scheme called $\mathcal{D*S}$ to consider both service deadline and data size. We then enhance it by using a single broadcast to serve multiple requests. Finally, we identify the effects of upload requests on data quality, and propose a Two-Step scheduling scheme to provide a balance between serving download and update requests. Simulation results show that the Two-Step scheduling scheme outperforms other scheduling schemes.
Dipole–waveguide coupling in nonlinear systems

An analysis of the radiative properties of an electric dipole placed near planar, Kerr-type nonlinear waveguides is presented. Four fundamental geometries are discussed with emphasis on a linear–nonlinear interface and a Fabry–Perot cavity. A comparison is made with a dipole near a linear waveguide for which the interaction with nearby bound modes influences the damping rate and angular distribution of the dipole’s radiation. The magnitude of the influence, which is readily quantified, depends on the properties of the waveguide modes. Unlike its linear counterpart, the nonlinear waveguide supports different modes when pumped at different intensities. Rather than having properties that are fixed at the time of sample fabrication, a dipole near a nonlinear waveguide is found to have a dynamically tunable, intensity-dependent damping rate.
Improper Interval Graphs and the Corresponding Minimal Forbidden Interval Subgraphs

An interval graph is considered improper if and only if it has a representation such that an interval contains another interval. Previously [1] these have been investigated in terms of balance and minimal forbidden interval subgraphs for the class of 1-improper interval graphs. This paper investigates the minimal forbidden interval subgraphs further, generalizing results to all p-improper interval graphs. It is apparent that there are many different types of possible minimal forbidden subgraphs that fall into four broad categories.