cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compact optical neural network using cascaded liquid crystal television

An optical neural network using two tightly cascaded liquid crystal televisions is presented. This new optical architecture offers compactness in size, ease of alignment, higher light efficiency, better image quality, and low cost. The implementation of the autoassociative and heteroassociative memories is given.
Defining and conceptualizing workplace flexibility

We first compare and contrast current conceptualizations of workplace flexibility in order to arrive at a definition in harmony with its contemporary use: ‘the ability of workers to make choices influencing when, where, and for how long they engage in work-related tasks’. Next, we situate workplace flexibility in its theoretical contexts to provide researchers with a clearer understanding of what workplace flexibility is, what its mechanisms of operation are, and why it may be related to other concepts. Finally, we present a conceptual framework of antecedents and consequences of workplace flexibility, including illustrative examples of several basic associations from the peer-reviewed literature.
Constructing table-of-content for videos

A fundamental task in video analysis is to extract structures from the video to facilitate user's access (browsing and retrieval). Motivated by the important role that the table of content (ToC) plays in a book, in this paper, we introduce the concept of ToC in the video domain. Some existing approaches implicitly use the ToC, but are mainly limited to low-level entities (e.g., shots and key frames). The drawbacks are that low-level structures (1) contain too many entries to be efficiently presented to the user; and (2) do not capture the underlying semantic structure of the video based on which the user may wish to browse/retrieve. To address these limitations, in this paper, we present an effective semantic-level ToC construction technique based on intelligent unsupervised clustering. It has the characteristics of better modeling the time locality and scene structure. Experiments based on real-world movie videos validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Examples are given to demonstrate the usage of the scene-based ToC in facilitating user's access to the video.
Regulation of Rate of Cartilage Differentiation by Indian Hedgehog and PTH-Related Protein

Proper regulation of chondrocyte differentiation is necessary for the morphogenesis of skeletal elements, yet little is known about the molecular regulation of this process. A chicken homolog of Indian hedgehog (Ihh), a member of the conserved Hedgehog family of secreted proteins that is expressed during bone formation, has now been isolated. Ihh has biological properties similar to those of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), including the ability to regulate the conserved targets Patched (Ptc) and Gli. Ihh is expressed in the prehypertrophic chondrocytes of cartilage elements, where it regulates the rate of hypertrophic differentiation. Misexpression of Ihh prevents proliferating chondrocytes from initiating the hypertrophic differentiation process. The direct target of Ihh signaling is the perichondrium, where Gli and Ptc flank the expression domain of Ihh. Ihh induces the expression of a second signal, parathyroid hormone—related protein (PTHrP), in the periarticular perichondrium. Analysis of PTHrP (−/−) mutant mice indicated that the PTHrP protein signals to its receptor in the prehypertrophic chondrocytes, thereby blocking hypertrophic differentiation. In vitro application of Hedgehog or PTHrP protein to normal or PTHrP (−/−) limb explants demonstrated that PTHrP mediates the effects of Ihh through the formation of a negative feedback loop that modulates the rate of chondrocyte differentiation.
Commentary to “the socialization of homosexuality and heterosexuality in a non-Western society”

The main point of our paper was to make the argument that reinforcement via conditioning mechanisms does not adequately account for erotic behavior, aberrant or not, with the Sambia or any other society. Our data, without getting into all of them again, show that other factors, in the case of Sambia, play a part. Baldwin and Baldwin agree with that. In general, though, they write as if we would disagree with their main contentions; in fact there is plenty on which we agree. We want to set up a dialogue, and as we made clear at several points, we pushed the argument along, using learning theory as a "straw man" to our counterpoints drawn from a psychodynamic perspective. We know that reinforcements for heterosexual behavior are present in Sambia development, despite the powerful positive reinforcements for homosexual behavior. In fact, the authors will find in Herdt's latest work (1987), that mechanisms of conditioning and learning theory are brought to bear to explain these developmental outcomes. The authors, necessarily not familiar with the Sambia, cannot know the conditions of Sambia erotic development. Two central problems need to be addressed. First, the authors have not correctly understood the category distinctions and sets of the Sambia and similar Melanesian peoples. Though they begin by stating that "it is essential to avoid imputing Western patterns" (p. 14) to the Sambia, their paper does just this. They have dichotomized Sambian erotic behavior into the heterosexual/homosexual categories of Anglo-
Evidence for a Central Role of Lysine 15 of Azotobacter vinelandii Nitrogenase Iron Protein in Nucleotide Binding and Protein Conformational Changes

Abstract Biological nitrogen fixation catalyzed by purified nitrogenase requires the hydrolysis of a minimum of 16 MgATP for each N2 reduced. In the present study, we demonstrate a central function for Lys-15 of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase iron protein (FeP) in the interaction of nucleotides with nitrogenase. Changing Lys-15 of the FeP to Arg resulted in an FeP with a dramatically reduced affinity for both MgATP and MgADP. From equilibrium column binding experiments at different nucleotide concentrations, apparent dissociation constants (K) for wild type FeP binding of MgADP (143 μM) and MgATP (571 μM) were determined. Over the same nucleotide concentration ranges, the K15R FeP showed no significant affinity for either nucleotide. This contrasts sharply with previous results with an FeP in which Lys-15 was changed to Gln (K15Q) where it was found that the K15Q FeP bound MgADP with the same affinity as wild type FeP and MgATP with a slightly reduced affinity. Analysis of K15R FeP by EPR, circular dichroism (CD), and microcoulometry revealed that the [4Fe-4S] cluster was unaffected by the amino acid change and that addition of either MgADP or MgATP did not result in the protein conformational changes normally detected by these techniques. These results are integrated into a model for how MgATP and MgADP bind and induce conformational changes within the FeP.
A novel suture-based method for efficient transplantation of stem cells.

Advances in regenerative medicine have improved the potential of using cellular therapy for treating several diseases. However, the effectiveness of new cellular therapies is largely limited by low cell engraftment and inadequate localization. To improve upon these limitations, we developed a novel delivery mechanism using cell-seeded biological sutures. Herein, we demonstrate the ability of cell-seeded biological sutures to efficiently implant human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to specific regions within the beating heart; a tissue known to have low cell retention and engraftment shortly after delivery. Cell-seeded biological sutures were developed by bundling discrete microthreads extruded from extracellular matrix proteins, attaching a surgical needle to the bundle, and seeding the bundle with hMSCs. Prior to cell preparation, hMSCs were loaded with quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles for cell tracking within the myocardium. Each biological suture contained an average of 5,903 ± 1,966 hMSCs/cm suture length. Delivery efficiency was evaluated by comparing cell-seeded biological suture implantation with intramyocardial cell injections (10,000 hMSCs in 35 µL) into the left ventricle of normal, non-infarcted rat hearts after one hour. Delivery efficiency of hMSCs by biological sutures (63.6 ± 10.6%) was significantly higher than intramyocardial injection (11.8 ± 6.2%; p < 0.05). Cell-tracking analysis indicated suture-delivered hMSCs were found throughout the thickness of the ventricular myocardium; along the entire length of the biological suture track, localizing closely with native myocardium. These results suggest cell-seeded biological sutures can deliver cells to the heart more efficiently than conventional methods, demonstrating an effective delivery method for implanting cells in soft tissue.
Suppression of breast cancer invasion and migration by indole-3-carbinol: associated with up-regulation of BRCA1 and E-cadherin/catenin complexes

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a compound occurring naturally in cruciferous vegetables and has been indicated as a promising agent in preventing breast cancer development and progression. In the present study we have investigated the effect of I3C on the cell migration and invasion behavior in estrogen receptor positive MCF-7 and estrogen receptor negative MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cell lines. Both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 were poorly invasive cell lines and exhibited modest invasion and migration capacity in the presence of fibronectin as the chemoattractant. I3C (50 or 100 µM) elicited a significant inhibition of in vitro cell adhesion, migration, and invasion as well as in vivo lung metastasis formation in both cell lines. I3C also suppressed the 17β-estradiol stimulated migration and invasion in estrogen-responsive MCF-7 cells. These results indicate that anti-invasion and antimigration activities of I3C occur via estrogen-independent and estrogen-dependent pathways. Moreover, I3C significantly caused a dose-dependent increase in E-cadherin, three major catenins (α, β, and γ-catenin) and BRCA1 expression. Our current finding is the first demonstration that I3C can activate the function of invasion suppressor molecules associated with the suppression of invasion and migration in breast cancer cells. Thus, clinical application of I3C may contribute to the potential benefit for suppression of breast cancer invasion and metastasis.
INELASTIC PROPERTIES OF ICE Ih AT LOW TEMPERATURES AND HIGH PRESSURES

The aim was to explore the rheological behavior of H/sub 2/O ices under conditions appropriate to the interiors of the icy satellites of the outer planets in order to give insight into their deformation. To this end, we have performed over 100 constant-strain-rate compression tests at pressures to 500 MPa and temperatures as low as 77 K. The effect of increasing confining pressure on stress-strain behavior and deformation mechanisms depends on the test temperature. At a strain rate of 3.5 x 10/sup -5/ s/sup -1/, ice I/sub h/ fails catastrophically at temperatures below 165 K at all pressures tested (0.1 to 350 MPa). Failure strength increases sharply with increasing pressure. At P > 30 MPa, ice I/sub h/ fails by a shear instability producing faults in the maximum shear stress orientation and failure strength typically is independent of pressure. We have also studied the frictional sliding characteristics of ice I/sub h/ by shortening cylindrical specimens sawn and ground at 45/sup 0/ to the cylindrical axis. We observed sudden (stick slip) frictional sliding with the maximum shear strength necessary to overcome static friction tau obeying the simple law tau (MPa) = 8.5 + 0.2 sigma/sub n/ (MPa) where sigma/sub n/ ismore » the normal stress on the sliding surface. This law was determined over the range 17 less than or equal to sigma/sub n/ less than or equal to 240 MPa and is insensitive to temperature and sliding rate over the range of conditions we explored. Stress-strain curves under ductile conditions typically display a linear quasi-elastic stage followed by macroscopic yield, strain softening and finally a flat steady state flow. Optical study of thin sections of samples taken to various strains shows that macroscopic yield corresponds to the first optical evidence of internal plastic deformation, that nucleation and rapid growth of new grains accompanies strain softening and that steady-state flow corresponds to the attainment of a steady-state recrystallization structure.« less
Load path distribution within the pelvic structure under lateral loading

Lateral loading of the pelvis occurs for both vehicle occupants struck during side impacts as well as pedestrians. This research investigated the load distribution through the anterior (i.e. pubic symphysis) and posterior (i.e. sacrum) aspects of the pelvis for both acetabular and iliac loading. Sixteen male post-mortem human surrogate pelves were tested in quasi-static (n = 4) and dynamic (n = 12) conditions. On the basis of finite element model simulations of a pedestrian being struck at 40 km/hr, a velocity profile for the dynamic tests was prescribed that began at rest (v = 0 m/s) and then achieved a peak velocity of the struck pelvis moving relative to the midline at 4.5 m/s. The average anterior load at fracture from a high-rate acetabulum impact was 1911 ± 929 N compared to the posterior load averaging 1022 ± 630 N. The average anterior load at fracture from a high-rate ilium impact was 418 ± 388 N compared to the posterior load averaging 3107 ± 1473 N.
In Their Own Words: Explaining Obedience to Authority Through an Examination of Participants' Comments:

The authors examined data generated during a replication of Milgram’s obedience studies to address some lingering questions about those studies. In Study 1, judges coded comments participants made ...
The Takahasi-Sakasegawa Randomized Response Technique A Field Test

The survey researcher who attempts to collect injormation on sensitive topics usually encounters resistance on the part of potential respondents. Subjects frequently either refuse to answer sensitive questions or give untruthful answers. The randomized response technique has been developed to facilitate the collection of sensitive information. Takahasi and Sakasegawa (1977) developed a variant of the randomized response technique that they claim to be suitable for selfadministered telephone interviews and mail surveys. A field test of the Takahasi-Sakasegawa technique cast doubt on its usefulness with self-administered and mail surveys with certain American respondents.
Satellite Thermal Simulation by a Hybrid Computer

A hybrid computer study has been made of the temperature fluctuations of a satellite as it orbits the earth, passing periodically from sun to shade. The satellite is a thin-walled cylindrical shell, and the plane of the orbit is parallel to the sun's rays. The sources of heat input are direct sunlight, thermal radiation from the earth, and internal heat generation. The direct solar input is of a sinusoidal variation with diminishing amplitude in both space and time; the earth radiation is constant. The resulting temperature equation is parabolic, with a time-vary ing source term and a nonlinear sink term. The steady-state solution is a limit cycle, where the temperature at all points on the satellite surface continually oscillates between some maximum and minimum, as the satellite passes in and out of the sunlight. A hybrid computer was programed and solutions to the temperature equations obtained. The complete temperature distribution, as it fluctuates with orbital position, was mapped by the computer. In the hybrid technique, heat conduction between various satellite elements was simulated by a resistor network, while the digital computer generated the timevarying heat loads and simulated the thermal time lags.
Extrathermodynamic approach to the study of the adsorption of organic compounds by macromolecules

By using substituent constants and regression analysis, an analysis has been made of the binding of derivatives of aniline and acetanilide to nylon and rayon, the experimental data of Ward and Upchurch being used. The amount of organic compounds bound from an aqueous solution by these two types of synthetic macromolecules is shown to be related to the octanol–water partition coefficients P. In the case of the aniline derivatives, where the basicity of the compounds varied considerably, a good model describing binding results from the linear combination of the two parameters related to free energy, i.e., log P and ΔpKa. The latter term is the difference between pKa for aniline and a particular derivative. For the neutral acetanilides a simple linear free-energy relation between log P and log K is found. Of special note is the fact that the dependence of binding of these two classes of compounds to two classes of synthetic macromolecules as indicated by the coefficient with the log P term very closely parallels that found for a variety of biopolymers. The mechanism of hydrophobic binding seems to be the same in both the synthetic and natural polymers.
Seeking Europa's Ocean

Galileo spacecraft data suggest that a global ocean exists beneath the frozen ice surface Jupiter's moon Europa. Since the early 1970s, planetary scientists have used theoretical and observational arguments to deliberate the existence of an ocean within Europa and other large icy satellites. Galileo magnetometry data indicates an induced magnetic field at Europa, implying a salt water ocean. A paucity of large craters argues for a surface on average only ∼40-90 Myr old. Two multi-ring structures suggest that impacts punched through an ice shell ∼20 km thick. Europa's ocean and surface are inherently linked through tidal deformation of the floating ice shell, and tidal flexing and nonsynchronous rotation generate stresses that fracture and deform the surface to create ridges and bands. Dark spots, domes, and chaos terrain are probably related to tidally driven ice convection along with partial melting within the ice shell. Europa's geological activity and probable mantle contact permit the chemical ingredients necessary for life to be present within the satellite's ocean. Astonishing geology and high astrobiological potential make Europa a top priority for future spacecraft exploration, with a primary goal of assessing its habitability.
Cationic metal-specific structures adopted by the poly(dG) region and the direct repeats in the chicken adult βA globin gene promoter

Naturally occurring contiguous deoxyguanine residues and their surrounding sequences in the chicken adult beta A globin gene promoter were analyzed for their inherent potential to adopt non-B DNA structures in supercoiled plasmid DNA. In particular, cationic effects on structure were studied by treating the supercoiled plasmid DNA harboring the chicken adult beta A globin 5' flanking sequence with an unpaired DNA base-specific probe, chloroacetaldehyde in the presence of either Mg++, Cu++, Zn++, Ca++ or Co++ ions. The chloroacetaldehyde-reactive bases were mapped at a single base resolution by a chemical cleavage method that specifically cleaves DNA at the chloroacetaldehyde modified sites. These experiments revealed that while Mg++ and Ca++ ions induce a dG.dG.dC triple helix structure at the contiguous dG residues, Zn++, Cu++ and Co++ ions induce yet another structure at the direct repeats immediately 5' of the dG residues. When Mg++ and Zn++ ions are both present, Zn++ inhibits the dG.dG.dC triplex at the contiguous dG residues and induces a particular non-B DNA structure at the adjacent direct repeats. The specific induction of non-B DNA structures by metal ions at the two adjacent sequences within the promoter region may be of biological significance.
Measures of treatment efficacy.

Abstract Measures of treatment efficacy are those numbers we think about when we decide whether one treatment is “better” than another. Such measures quantify the differences between treatments and help patients and clinicians make informed choices. The usual measure of treatment efficacy in periodontal research has been the mean difference between treatments in probing level measures. This measure has frustrated clinicians and researchers alike for its failure to communicate the size of the association between treatment and clinical outcome. How-does one interpret the clinical relevance of a small mean difference between treatments, such as 0.4 mm? This report compares the advantages and disadvantages of the different measures of treatment efficacy: the mean difference, the relative risk, significance levels (P-values), the risk difference, and, the preventable fraction.
Hyperbolic Metamaterial route to engineer the photonic density of states

We demonstrate the decrease in the spontaneous emission lifetime of dye molecules due to the enhanced photonic density of states (PDOS) of a hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM), opening the route to PDOS engineered HMM devices.
Consequences of violation of frozen‐in‐flux: Evidence from OpenGGCM simulations

[1] It is widely believed that during a substorm, plasma instabilities occur before the onset of magnetic reconnection, signaling the end of the growth phase. Despite many years of effort, however, the details of how the instability and the onset of reconnection develop from closed field line configuration with finite normal magnetic field are not well understood. In this paper, we study an idealized simulation of a substorm that occurred on 23 March 2007, based on the Open Geospace General Circulation Model (OpenGGCM). Our analysis emphasizes the time development of the distribution of the entropy parameter and its convective time derivative, which should be zero in ideal MHD. In the late growth phase, the simulation exhibits, over a range of local times, a systematic violation of conservation of entropy that corresponds to what is called “antidiffusion.” Out of this background, a more localized disturbance develops in a region of high magnetic stretching, resulting in formation of a strong reduction of entropy (bubble) earthward of a local enhancement (blob). The process is accelerated when the current density exceeds a threshold for triggering an explicit resistivity in the code. The bubble moves earthward and the blob tailward, which leads to a reduction of the normal magnetic field and a thinning of the current sheet between them, making the magnetospheric configuration more conducive to tearing and other instabilities (we do not address specifically which instability has occurred). This positive feedback gives rise to increased violation of the perfect conductivity relation and eventually reconnection.
In utero transplantation: baby steps towards an effective therapy

In utero transplantation (IUT) offers the potential to treat a large number of diseases by transplantation of healthy cells into a fetus with a birth defect. Prenatal diagnosis is feasible for many diseases prior to the full development of the fetal immune system offering the opportunity to introduce foreign cells and antigens into the developing fetus. At least 45 cases of IUT have been performed for a variety of diseases. IUT has successfully treated severe combined immunodeficiency and there are indications that it may be effective in treating some nonhematopoietic diseases. However, many diseases remain resistant to fetal therapy owing to the low levels of chimerism that can be achieved. Promising efforts to improve the levels of engraftment are focusing on optimizing the graft and developing donor-specific tolerance in the fetal recipient. Mounting evidence suggests that donor T cells can aid in achieving clinically significant levels of chimerism. The use of fetal donor cells may also offer some benefit. Animal experiments suggest that even low-level chimerism can lead to tolerance, which can be exploited by booster transplants in the neonate. Continued research appears likely to succeed in developing IUT into an effective form of therapy for a variety of diseases.
Lower bounds for the partitioning of graphs

Let a k-partition of a graph be a division of the vertices into k disjoint subsets containing m1 ≥ m2,..., ≥mk vertices. Let Ec be the number of edges whose two vertices belong to different subsets. Let λ1 ≥ λ2, ..., ≥ λk, be the k largest eigenvalues of a matrix, which is the sum of the adjacency matrix of the graph plus any diagonal matrix U such that the suomf all the elements of the sum matrix is zero. Then Ec ≥ 1/2Σr=1k-mrλr. A theorem is given that shows the effect of the maximum degree of any node being limited, and it is also shown that the right-hand side is a concave function of U.C omputational studies are madoef the ratio of upper bound to lower bound for the two-partition of a number of random graphs having up to 100 nodes.
Velocity-gauge theory for the treatment of strong-field photodetachment

A recent experimental study of the photodetachment of negative fluorine ions by a strong, circularly polarized laser field has been used as a test case for comparison of different gauges in a strong-field theory. Earlier studies concluded that the length gauge was the more suitable theory, but it was necessary to view the experimental peak intensity as a fitting parameter, and this had to be altered to 145% of the measured peak intensity. That amount of variation is not possible. There were two independent experimental measurements of the peak intensity: one direct and the other through a measurement of the momentum distribution of the photodetached electron. These two measurements give the same result for the peak intensity, and so the 45% increase required to have a fit to the length gauge is not an acceptable theoretical explanation for the experimental results. In contrast, the velocity gauge calculation provides a good match to the spectrum peak with no alteration necessary for the measured peak intensity. The theoretical spectrum is somewhat narrower than the measured spectrum, but that is consistent with the fact that the intensity parameters are not quite large enough to ensure detailed accuracy of the strong-field approximation.
Structural Deformation Characteristics of Installed HDPE Circular Pipelines

This study presents a survey of deformation characteristics of the installed high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines. Video and laser inspections are carried out on over 15,000 ft (4,572 m) of buried HDPE pipelines installed across the nation. Different types of deformation failure modes observed in the buried HDPE pipelines are identified in this paper. The results show that the majority of buried HDPE pipelines have deformations in excess of the commonly acceptable limits along multiple locations within each pipeline.
Turbulence, Entrainment, and Mixing in Cloud Dynamics

The various models that have been proposed for describing the dynamical development of small cumuli are discussed in terms of how well they predict the observed distribution of liquid water. The entrainment concept is examined and shown to involve contradictions when applied to growing blobs. An alternative process is offered in which the dominating factor in the cloud dynamics is the mixing in of drier overlying air down through the cloud until temporary static equilibrium is established. Consideration of the mixing process and calculations of the required dilution show this process can lead to the observed liquid water distributions.
Toward the content validity of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: do anger and irritability more than depressed mood represent treatment-seekers' experiences?

The content validity of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV–TR) has been questioned in the literature. We tested whether mood-related symptoms reported by 26 women seeking treatment for premenstrual disorders were among the proposed criteria. These women were asked to list their premenstrual symptoms and rate the severities of listed symptoms daily for two menstrual cycles before treatment. They completed semistructured interviews to differentiate symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder from those of other psychiatric disorders in women who had other disorders. All participants reported functional interference due to the symptoms. 19 symptoms of or similar to those of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder were among the 22 most frequent premenstrual symptoms experienced. Premenstrual depressed mood was less frequent than premenstrual irritability or anger when other psychiatric disorders such as major depression ...
The Impact of SST Specification on ECMWF Surface Wind Stress Fields in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Abstract The impact of SST specification on low-level winds in the operational ECMWF numerical weather prediction model is investigated in the eastern tropical Pacific from comparisons of ECMWF wind stress fields with QuikSCAT satellite scatterometer observations of wind stress during the August–December cold seasons of 2000 and 2001. These two time periods bracket the 9 May 2001 change from the Reynolds SST analyses to the Real-Time Global SST (RTG_SST) analyses as the ocean boundary condition in the ECMWF model. The ocean–atmosphere interaction in the eastern tropical Pacific that is clearly evident in QuikSCAT wind stress divergence and curl fields is also evident in the ECMWF winds, but is more than twice as strong in the 2001 cold season as in the 2000 cold season, due primarily to the improved spatial and temporal resolution of the RTG_SST analyses compared with the Reynolds SST analyses. While a significant improvement compared with 2000, the response of the 2001 ECMWF wind stress field to SST is o...
Case study: Lessons learned in the care of a 63-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes

Control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has deteriorated rather than improved during the last decade in the UnitedStates, despite a greater understanding of the disease and the availability of various therapeutic options. Achieving recommended glycemic targets in patients with type 2 DM requires overcoming several barriers, including the fear of hypoglycemia and its associated consequences. Insulin analogues offer new options in diabetes management and may help patients achieve better glycemic control while limiting the incidence of hypoglycemic episodes. Greater awareness of the symptoms of hypoglycemia, intensified blood glucose self-monitoring, and new diabetes treatment options allow for achievement of glycemic targets without increased risk of hypoglycemic episodes. A case study of a 63-year-old woman with type 2 DM offers important lessons learned in diabetes management.
Strong, blue, room-temperature photoluminescence of spark-processed silicon

Abstract This paper reports on photoluminescence (PL) and Raman-shift measurements of spark-processed silicon which has been prepared under various conditions. It is observed that spark-processing conducted in a continuous air stream leads to PL spectra whose maxima are shifted substantially into the blue region (i.e., 410 nm) compared to spectra of similar samples prepared in stagnant air or nitrogen. The PL intensity of the blue-luminescing samples was found to be comparable with that of the most efficient, anodically-etched (red-luminescing) porous Si. Possible mechanisms causing the observed PL in spark-processed Si are critically discussed.
Absorbance—pH Relationship in the Steroid—Tetrazolium Reaction

The absorbance produced by a given weight of corti-costeroid in the blue tetrazolium method is shown to be a function of the apparent pH as measured by a glass and saturated calomel electrode. In general, the absorbance decreases as the apparent pH decreases, irrespective of the cause of the apparent pH change. An equation is derived which relates the absorbance to the apparent pH for hydrocortisone solutions, and the relationship is shown to be similar for several representative corticosteroids. It is recommended that the apparent pH be determined on all samples that are run without a prior acidic or basic extraction to determine if low readings are due to interference or to lower than expected quantities.
Effect of extensional viscosity and wall quenching on modeling of mold fillings

A combined finite element and finite difference approach has been developed to include the capability to model fluid and thermal transport for the filling of a die cavity by a fluid that has differing sensitivities to extensional and shear deformation rates. This is referred to here as a dual viscosity fluid. For the case of mildly convergent or divergent quasi two-dimensional flows, a viscosity model is described that has such a dual-viscosity character and in which shear and extension rate sensitivities are nearly separated. Filling simulation results can be generated rapidly in a modest computational environment. The range of cavities and molding materials that may be modeled realistically is widened by the inclusion of a dual viscosity model. The effect of wall quenching (freezing) increased with decreasing filling rate, while the effect of dual viscosity increased with increasing filling rate.
Platinum(II) diimine diacetylides : Metallacyclization enhances photophysical properties

The synthesis, structural characterization, and photoluminescence properties of a new platinum(II) diimine complex bearing the bidentate diacetylide ligand tolan-2,2‘-diacetylide (tda), Pt(dbbpy)(t...
P-glycoprotein-based drug-drug interactions: preclinical methods and relevance to clinical observations.

Multiple drug administration is common in elderly, HIV, and cancer patients. Such treatments may result in drug-drug interactions due to interference at the metabolic enzyme level, and due to modulation of transporter protein functions. Both kinds of interference may result in altered drug distribution and toxicity in the human body. In this review, we have dealt with drug-drug interactions related to the most studied human transporter, P-glycoprotein. This transporter is constitutively expressed in several sites in the human body. Its function can be studiedin vitro with different cell lines expressing P-glycoprotein in experiments using methods and equipment such as flow cytometry, cell proliferation, cell-free ATP as activity determination and Transwell culture equipment.In vivo experiments can be carried out by mdr1a(-/-) animals and by noninvasive methods such as NMR spectrometry. Some examples are also given for determination of possible drug-drug interactions using the above-mentioned cell lines and methods. Such preclinical studies may influence decisions concerning the fate of new drug candidates and their possible dosages. Some examples of toxicities obtained in clinics and summarized in this review indicate careful consideration in cases of polypharmacy and the requirement of preclinical studies in drug development activities.
Role of angiotensin II in renal hemodynamic functions during the initial stages of acute ureteral obstruction.

Abstract This investigation examines the role of Angiotensin II in renal hemodynamic functions during acute unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in a dog model. An electro magnetic flow probe was utilized to assess renal blood flow while the arteriovenous extraction technique of technetium 99m DTPA was utilized for the assessment of changes in filtration fraction and glomerular filtration rate. The effects of Angiotensin II receptor blockade on renal hemodynamic functions during acute UUO was evaluated in six dogs and compared to acute ureteral obstruction without receptor blockade in seven dogs. Angiotensin II blockade with (Sar1, Thr8)-Angiotensin II during UUO led to a striking increase in renal blood flow that was significantly different in comparison to normalized values from UUO alone (+Δ63±17 vs.+ Δ22±6% at 30 min; p
System-on-a-chip for Portable Audio Player

The software system for portable devices include audio playback, radio application, audio record, movie playback, image viewer applications. In addition, the portable systems can contain gaming and navigation applications. The portable audio players demand low-power and small form-factors differentiated by wide array of audio effects like equalizer, time scale modification (TSM), and cross-fade. This paper describes the system-on-a-chip (SoC) for portable audio players.
Three-dimensional alumina nanotemplate

Cylindrically and pentagonally shaped three-dimensional (3-D) alumina nanotemplates were fabricated by electrochemical anodization of high purity aluminum. Crack-free 3-D nanotemplates were achieved by anodizing various aluminum pre-formed structures through their concave surfaces. A critical parameter for obtaining crack-free 3-D nanotemplates was manipulating the stress at the aluminum/aluminum-oxide interface, because tensile stress at this interface can cause radial cracks. Two different cathode configurations were used to produce 3-D nanotemplates: inner and outer cathode configuration. The outer cathode configuration allowed fabrication of 3-D alumina templates with smaller diameters ( 500 μm). A larger pore density was observed at the inner surface of 3-D template than at the outer surface due to the curvature of the template. The pore diameter of alumina nanotemplate was strongly depended on the applied current density. No defect was observed independent of anodizing solutions and applied current density. This cost-effective and manufacturable method can be utilized for preparation of hierarchical nanostructures.
The role of liquid-substrate interactions on wetting in metallic embedded atom method systems

Abstract We examined the atomistic mechanisms involved in metal-on-metal wetting using an embedded atom method (EAM) silver–copper system as a model of a generic metallic system. In simulations of liquid silver wetting a static copper substrate, the formation of an adsorbed layer of silver on the substrate preceded true wetting. In contrast, no adsorbed layer formed in simulations of liquid copper wetting a static silver substrate. We examined structural correlations in these systems and found that the silver-on-copper system had a more favorable liquid–substrate interaction than the copper-on-silver system. We show that the substrate plus adsorbate represents the equilibrium substrate surface during “moist” spreading treated by the Young equation and we compare the thermodynamics of wetting in these two systems.
The perturbative calculation of jet structure in e + e - annihilation

Abstract We calculate the O(αs2) corrections to the event shape in e+e− annihilation due to the parton processes e + e − → q q G , e + e − → q q qq and e + e − → q q GG . The event shape is characterized in an invariant way in terms of eigenvalues of an infrared-finite tensor. Working in the MS renormalization prescription the correction to the number of three-jet events is large. Reliable perturbative results will require the summation of large terms.
Optical Probe Responses on Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Oxacarbocyanines as Probes of Membrane Potential

The relationship between Ca2+ fluxes and the ion diffusion potential was analyzed on saracoplasmic reticulum membranes using oxacarbocyanine dyes as optical probes for membrane potential. 3.3′-Diethyloxodicarbocyanine responds to ATP-induced Ca2+ uptake by isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles with a decrease in absorbance at 600 nm. The optical change is reversed during Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum induced by KCl or by ADP and inorganic phosphate. The absorbance changes are largely attributable to the binding of accumulated Ca2+ to the membrane. There is no indication that sustained changes in membrane diffusion potential would accompany pump-mediated Ca2 fluxes. A large change in the absorbance of 3,3′-diethyloxodicarbocyanine was observed on sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles under the influence of membrane potential generated by valinomycin in the presence of a K+ gradient or by ionophore A23187 in the presence of a Ca2+ gradient. The maximum of the potential-dependent absorbance change is at 575–580 nm. The potentials generated by valinomycin or ionophore A23187 are short-lived due to the high permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes for cations and anions. There is no correlation between the direction and magnitude of the artifically imposed membrane potential and the rate of Ca2+ uptake or release by isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles.
Effects of tillage on microbial populations associated to soil aggregation in dryland spring wheat system.

Abstract Tillage may influence the microbial populations involved in soil aggregation. We evaluated the effects of no till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT, tillage depth about 7 cm) continuous spring wheat system on culturable heterotrophic bacterial communities predominant in microaggregates (0.25–0.05 mm) and on soil-aggregating basidiomycete fungi in aggregate-size classes (4.75–2.00, 2.00–0.25, and 0.25–0.05 mm) at 0–20 cm depth of a Williams loam (fine-loamy, mixed, Typic Argiustolls) in dryland Montana, USA. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay used to quantify antigenic response to basidiomycete cell walls, was higher in NT than in CT in 4.75–2.00 mm size class in 2007 and higher in all classes and years at 0–5 cm depth, but was not different between tillage, years, and classes at 5–20 cm. The culturable bacteria from microaggregates were subjected to a soil sedimentation assay to determine their soil binding capability. The proportion of isolates which can function as soil aggregators was higher in NT than in CT at 0–5 cm but was not different at 5–20 cm. Our results provide a first insight into the beneficial effects of dryland NT compared to CT in reducing soil disturbance and residue incorporation and enriching the proportion of microorganisms responsible for aggregation, especially at the soil surface.
Hierarchical image caching for accelerated walkthroughs of complex environments

We present a new method that utilizes path coherence to accelerate walkthroughs of geometrically complex static scenes. As a preprocessing step, our method constructs a BSP-tree that hierarchically partitions the geometric primitives in the scene. In the course of a walkthrough, images of nodes at various levels of the hierarchy are cached for reuse in subsequent frames. A cached image is reused by texture-mapping it onto a single quadrilateral that is drawn instead of the geometry contained in the corresponding node. Visual artifacts are kept under control by using an error metric that quantifies the discrepancy between the appearance of the geometry contained in a node and the cached image. The new method is shown to achieve speedups of an order of magnitude for walkthroughs of a complex outdoor scene, with little or no loss in rendering quality. CR
Symposium. Effects of affect and traits in U.S. presidential candidates. Leadership quality and follower affect. Role of measurement error in assessing qualities of presidential candidates. The authors respond. Perception is reality—in the minds of the voters: An interview with David Albritton

In the Winter, 2008 issue of JLS, authors David Albritton, Sharon Oswald, and Joseph Anderson presented their research regarding the relationship between perceived leader traits of U.S. presidential contenders and both voter-perceived leadership quality and behavior. The Abstract from that article serves as an introduction for the three responses from Appa Rao Korukonda, C. Dean Pielstick, and Brian Sloboda. To further enhance the discussion, Albritton, Oswald, and Anderson revisit their work. An interview conducted by Allan Ament with David Albritton concludes this Symposium.
Missing the multiple dimensions of water? Neoliberal modernization in Mexico City and Buenos Aires

Abstract Private participation in the management of water and sanitation has been firmly promoted and concentrated in a handful of countries and their urban centers. Latin America became one of the main recipients of investment in infrastructure projects involving private participation. However, private participation has accomplished neither the scale nor the benefits anticipated by its promoters. Not only have water and sanitation received only a tiny part of the total investment. These reforms and the theories from which they draw have failed to improve water sustainability and associated social values in urban areas of Latin America. This paper combines a theoretical framework drawing on neoliberalism with evidence from Mexico City and Buenos Aires to explore and reflect on some of the reasons why private participation has neither fulfilled its promoters’ expectations nor improved the multiple dimensions of urban water system management. It finds that the main outcomes of the neoliberal water reform were economic (improvements in registered connection and billing). Yet, other dimensions of water such as overexploitation and contamination (environmental value), unequal access to water, and fragmented and weak institutional settings (political dimension) remain. The main lesson from the reform is that the multiple values of water cannot be addressed by merely passing water utilities along with their complex set of social and environmental problems over to private companies or public utilities.
Imaging a linearly or circularly polarized scene:micro-components and shrimp

Polarimetric imaging captures the polarization state of light from all the points of a scene. Snapshot polarimetric imaging collects the Stokes' parameters spatial distribution simultaneously. We will discuss state-of-the-art achievements and some fundamental diffraction limitations in polarimetric imaging with an array of micro-components. We will also look at the natural vision system of the mantis shrimp, with many of these same sensing abilities. The evolved and exquisite vision system possesses a recently-discovered circular polarization capability. This comprehensive polarization vision may enable imaging/communicating advantages in the underwater environment as well as more general turbid environments such as smoke and fog.
Carcinoma of the esophagus: a comparison of the results of transhiatal versus transthoracic resection.

Abstract The cases of 78 patients with primary esophageal carcinoma treated from 1977 to mid-1987 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-two of the patients underwent transthoracic esophagogastrectomy (TTE) and 26, transhiatal esophagectomy (THE). The two groups were statistically similar in preoperative characteristics except that more of the THE group had received chemotherapy; this group had relatively more tumors of the upper esophagus; and 20 (77%) of the THE group, compared with 50 (96%) of the TTE group, had tumors in stages III and IV. The incidence of major postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. There were five (19%) anastomotic leaks in the THE group, but only one led to a prolongation of hospital stay by more than 14 days, whereas all three (6%) of the leaks in the TTE group caused hospital stay to be prolonged several weeks. Overall morbidity was high: 75% ( 39 / 52 ) for the TTE patients and 85% ( 22 / 26 ) for the THE patients ( p > 0.10). Hospital mortality was 6% ( 3 / 52 ) in the TTE group and 8% ( 2 / 26 ) in the THE patients ( p > 0.10). There was no significant difference in actuarial survival either between the two groups as a whole or between those patients in each group who had stage III or IV tumors. We conclude that THE, among the types of patients for whom we used the procedure, provides long-term survival comparable with that provided by TTE without causing a significant increase in hospital mortality or morbidity. In our hands, THE has been particularly useful in extending the indications for resection to poorrisk patients, such as those with chronic pulmonary disease, whom we formerly did not regard as being surgical candidates.
If intelligence is a cause, it is a within-subjects cause

Borsboom, Mellenbergh, and van Heerden argue that latent variables such as intelligence should be given a between-subjects causal interpretation, but not a within-subjects causal interpretation. Th...