cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel near-field optical probe for 100-nm critical dimension measurements

Although the theoretical resolution for a conventional optical microscope is about 300 nm, it is normally difficult to obtain satisfactory critical dimension (CD) measurements below about 600 nm. E-beam technology has been popular for sub-500 nm metrology but also has well known limitations. Scanning probe and near-field optical methods have high spatial resolution. Yet they are ill-suited for routine CD metrology of high aspect ratio features because of a combination of short working distances (< 10 nm) and large tips. In this paper the authors present the concept and initial modeling results for a novel near-field optical probe that has the potential of overcoming these limitations. The idea is to observe resonance shifts in a waveguide cavity that arise from the coupling of the evanescent field of the waveguide to perturbations beneath the waveguide plane. The change in resonance frequency is detected as a change in the transmission of a monochromatic probe beam through the waveguide. The transmitted intensity, together with the appropriate signal processing, gives the topography of the perturbation. The model predicts that this probe is capable of determining the width of photoresist lines as small as 100 nm. The working distance is much more practical than othermore » probe techniques at about 100 to 250 nm.« less
Spontaneous CP violation in the supersymmetric Higgs sector.

Spontaneous CP violation in the minimal supersymmetric standard model with a gauge singlet and a cubic superpotential is examined. Although the tree-level Higgs potential conserves CP, it is shown that with the inclusion of the one-loop top-quark radiative effects CP may be broken spontaneously. The CP-violating minimum requires two neutral (${\mathit{h}}_{1}$,${\mathit{h}}_{2}$) and one charged (${\mathit{H}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$) Higgs boson to be relatively light with ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{h}1}$+${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{h}2}$\ensuremath{\lesssim}100 GeV and ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{H}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$\ensuremath{\lesssim}110 GeV. The electric dipole moment of the electron is in the observable range of (1/3 to 3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}27}$e cm.
Simulation of Water Sources and Precipitation Recycling for the MacKenzie, Mississippi and Amazon River Basins

An atmospheric general circulation model simulation for 1948-1997 of the water budgets for the MacKenzie, Mississippi and Amazon River basins is presented. In addition to the water budget, we include passive tracers to identify the geographic sources of water for the basins, and the analysis focuses on the mechanisms contributing to precipitation recycling in each basin. While each basin s precipitation recycling has a strong dependency on evaporation during the mean annual cycle, the interannual variability of the recycling shows important relationships with the atmospheric circulation. The MacKenzie River basin has only a weak interannual dependency on evaporation, where the variations in zonal moisture transport from the Pacific Ocean can affect the basin water cycle. On the other hand, the Mississippi River basin has strong interannual dependencies on evaporation. While the precipitation recycling weakens with increased low level jet intensity, the evaporation variations exert stronger influence in providing water vapor for convective precipitation at the convective cloud base. High precipitation recycling is also found to be partly connected to warm SSTs in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The Amazon River basin evaporation exhibits small interannual variations, so that the interannual variations of precipitation recycling are related to atmospheric moisture transport from the tropical south Atlantic Ocean. Increasing SSTs over the 50-year period are causing increased easterly transport across the basin. As moisture transport increases, the Amazon precipitation recycling decreases (without real time varying vegetation changes). In addition, precipitation recycling from a bulk diagnostic method is compared to the passive tracer method used in the analysis. While the mean values are different, the interannual variations are comparable between each method. The methods also exhibit similar relationships to the terms of the basin scale water budgets.
Thermal fluid multiphysics optimization of spherical tokamak centerpost

An experimental Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF) is required that will create the environment that simultaneously achieves high energy neutrons and high ion fluence necessary in order to bridge the gaps from ITER to the realization of a fusion nuclear power plant. One concept for achieving this is a high duty cycle spherical torus. This study will focus on thermal modeling of the spherical torus centerpost using computational fluid dynamics to effectively model the thermal transfer of the cooling fluid to the centerpost. The design of the fluid channels is optimized in order to minimize the temperature in the centerpost. Results indicate the feasibility of water cooling for a long-pulse spherical torus FNSF.
Lipoidal Derivative of Estradiol: The Biosynthesis of a Nonpolar Estrogen Metabolite*

The incubation of estradiol with human breast tumors as well as several estrogen-responsive tissues of the rat, including dimethylbenzanthracene-induced mammary tumors, leads to the formation of a nonpolar metabolite. This compound has been called a lipoidal derivative of estradiol because of its nonpolar characteristics and because it is converted back into estradiol with alkali. The properties of this metabolite are similar to those of the endogenous lipoidal derivatives of the Δ5-3βhydroxysteroids, pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, and dehydroisoandrosterone, that were found in the adrenal. When estrone was incubated in a similar manner, a nonpolar metabolite was formed, but it was the lipoidal derivative of estradiol, not estrone. The lipoidal derivative of estradiol was not oxidized by treatment with CrO3, which showed that the lipoidal moiety is linked to the C-17 of the steroid nucleus. Unlike other estrogen metabolites, the lipoidal derivative of estradiol is found only within the tissue and c...
The functions of the lumbar spine during stepping in the cat.

To examine the functional roles played by the lumbar spine during overground stepping, seven adult cats were run in electromyographic (EMG) experiments. Recordings were made bilaterally from mm. iliocostalis, longissimus dorsi and multifidus at a single vertebral level (L3 ) and from m. rectus abdominis. Stepping movements were monitored synchronously either by videotape or by high speed cinematography. During alternate use of the hindlimbs (walking and trotting), both epaxial and abdominal muscles were active bilaterally and biphasically. During in-phase use of the hindlimbs (galloping and half-bounding), single bursts of activity were observed. Phasic bursts of activity in rectus abdominus were reciprocal to those of epaxial muscles. Second bursts of activity in either group were noted infrequently. Recordings from the same back muscle at several vertebral levels indicated little difference from these patterns. Movements of the lumbar spine during galloping and half-bounding steps, both angular and linear, are easily correlated with muscle activity patterns. Movements of the lumbar spine during walking and trotting show no particular pattern. Only small angular and linear movements are found. It is concluded that the lumbar spine contributes substantially to step length and limb speed during galloping and half-bounding steps and the epaxial and abdominal musculature may also act as elastic bodies. During walking and trotting steps, the epaxial muscles are proposed to act to stabilize the pelvic girdle to provide a firm base for limb muscles which arise on the pelvis and are synchronously active.
Sleep onset abnormalities in depressed adolescents

Sleep measures were obtained in 16 depressed and 21 control adolescents following 1 week of adherence to a uniformly imposed and strictly enforced sleep/wake schedule. Three nights of baseline electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep on the same 10:00 pm to 7:00 am schedule revealed prolonged sleep latency and reduced rapid eye movement (REM) latency in the depressed adolescents. Following baseline measures, sleep was restricted for 2 nights (10:00 pm–4:00 am) and measures of recovery sleep were obtained showing further sleep latency differences. There was no evidence for delta sleep changes or sleep continuity differences in depressed adolescents. These results suggest that control over sleep/wake schedules is an important methodological issue in adolescent sleep studies. Furthermore, the findings are consistent with a larger body of evidence indicating that dysregulation near sleep onset represents a primary psychobiological change in early-onset depression.
Specific Heat of Lutetium Metal Between 0.38 and 4°K

The specific heat of lutetium metal has been measured in a ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ cryostat. Between 0.38 and 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K (in mJ/mole \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K) ${C}_{p}=0.210{T}^{3}+11.27T+0.094{T}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. Scatter of individual points from this curve is, except in a few isolated cases, less than 0.5%. The lattice specific heat corresponds to a Debye characteristic temperature $\ensuremath{\theta}=210\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K, which is considerably higher than $\ensuremath{\theta}'\mathrm{s}$ previously assigned to rare earths. The discrepancy is probably due to difficulties in determining $\ensuremath{\theta}$ accurately for those lanthanides which have large magnetic contributions to ${C}_{p}$. On the basis of this and other researches it is suggested that for all trivalent rare earths, $\ensuremath{\theta}$ can be calculated by linear interpolation, as a function of the atomic number, between $\ensuremath{\theta}=210\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K for Lu and $\ensuremath{\theta}=142\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K for La. An accuracy of \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K may be expected. The present value for the coefficient in the electronic specific heat ${C}_{E}$ for Lu and previous measurements on La, Sc, and Y suggest that within \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}7% accuracy we may write for all trivalent lanthanides ${C}_{E}=10.5T$. The small ${T}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ term in ${C}_{p}$ could be caused by interaction of the nuclear quadrupole moment with the crystalline field gradient or it may be due to long-range exchange-type coupling between the electronic moments of rare-earth impurities in our Lu sample. If the former interpretation is accepted, the electric field gradient, along the symmetry axis, becomes 2.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$.
Evaluation of electrophoretic protein extraction and database‐driven protein identification from marine sediments

Intact proteins comprise a major component of organic carbon and nitrogen produced globally and are likely an important fraction of organic matter in sediments and soils. Extracting the protein component from sediments and soils for mass spectral characterization and identification represents a substantial challenge given the range of products and functionalities present in the complex matrix. Multiple forms of gel electrophoresis were evaluated as a means of enhancing recovery of sedimentary protein before proteomic characterization and compared with a direct enzymatic digestion of proteins in sediments. Resulting tryptic peptides were analyzed using shotgun proteomics and tandem mass spectra were evaluated with SEQUEST. Multiple databases were then evaluated to examine the ability to confidently identify proteins from environmental samples. Following evaluation of electrophoretic extraction of proteins from sediments, the recovery of an experimentally added standard protein (BSA) from older (>1 ky) sediments was optimized. Protein extraction from sediments via direct electrophoresis of a slurry mixture and the specified extraction buffer resulted in the greatest number of confident protein identifications and highest sequence coverage of the BSA standard. Searching tandem mass spectral data against larger databases with a higher diversity of proteomes did not yield a greater number of, or more confidence in, protein identifications. Regardless of the protein database used, identified peptides correlated to proteins with the same function across taxa. This suggests that while determining taxonomic-level information remains a challenge in samples with unknown mixed species, it is possible to confidently assign the function of the identified protein.
Real-time monitoring of bovine serum albumin at femtogram/ml levels on antibody-immobilized tapered fibers

Abstract We report the use of a long wavelength (1550 nm) laser and a tapered fiber optic biosensor (TFOBS) to monitor the real-time attachment of model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the antibody-immobilized surface of the taper. Continuous biconical tapers were fabricated at various waist diameters in the range of 6–12 μm. The surfaces of the tapers were modified with an amine group to allow for the formation of a covalent bond between the amine and one of the carboxylic groups of the antibody. A 1550 nm distributed feed back laser was used to launch light at one end of the fiber with the optical throughput monitored on an optical spectrum analyzer. While cuvette measurements established that BSA was non-absorbing at 1550 nm showing no significant changes in optical throughput through the cuvette, tapered fibers with antibody-immobilized surfaces showed changes in optical throughput at bulk concentrations down to10 fg/mL of BSA. The kinetics of attachment is appropriately fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model and the estimated time required for attachment corresponds to those obtained in earlier studies. We postulate that the adsorption of the protein to the tapered fiber leads to changes in the optical characteristics of the taper. This affects the evanescent field leading to changes in optical throughput. Compared to the traditional use of short wavelength (300–400 nm) biosensors, longer wavelength (1550 nm) sensors offer a highly sensitive means of observing protein–protein interaction because of the increase in penetration depth of the evanescent field at 1550 nm.
Staying Smoke Free: An Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Relapse

This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of a nurse-delivered home-visiting program during the postpartum period that included a low-intensity smoking relapse-prevention intervention. A prospective two-group design was used. Participants were women who had quit smoking during their pregnancy. They were invited to participate during postpartum hospitalization on a university hospital postpartum ward. A brief intervention during postpartum hospitalization, a home visit, and two follow-up phone calls over a 1- to 2-month period were compared with a routine home visit without any prescribed focus on tobacco use. The main outcome was biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 3 and 6 months postenrollment. Abstinence was defined as a salivary cotinine level of 14 ng/ml or less. At 3 months postenrollment, 26.4% of the intervention group were classified as abstinent, compared with 12.4% of the comparison group (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.16-4.98). At 6 months, the proportion of the intervention group categorized as abstinent was 21.5%, compared with 10.2% of comparison group participants (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.13-5.71). Greater than three times as many in the intervention group remained abstinent at both times (18.2%), compared with the comparison group (5.2%; OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.16-4.93). The effectiveness of this brief, low-cost, and potentially replicable intervention in improving the rate of persistent postpartum smoke-free status for women who quit smoking during pregnancy is encouraging. A randomized trial of the approach is warranted.
Space Debris Issue at the United Nationsa

: The space debris issue has been discussed by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for many years. In recognition of its importance, at the 1994 session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of COPUOS, it became a separate agenda item. The Committee agreed that international cooperation is needed to evolve appropriate and affordable strategies to minimize the potential impact of space debris on future space missions. This paper summarizes discussions held during the last two sessions of the Subcommittee, including inter alia space debris measurement techniques, mathematical modelling of the debris environment, characterizing the space debris environment, and spacecraft design measures to protect against space debris. The focus of the 1995 session was on the subject of acquisition and understanding of data on the characteristics of the space debris environment, which is closely related to the observations of NEO.
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy: linking molecular dynamics to biological function in vitro and in situ

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a minimally invasive real-time fluorescence technique capable of detecting single molecules in vitro and in situ. By recording and correlating the fluctuations in fluorescence intensity measurements, it is possible to obtain information on molecular mobility and diffusion, hydrodynamic radii, local concentrations and photochemical and photophysical properties. By using dual-color cross-correlation spectroscopy, it is possible to monitor highly specific molecular-level interactions such as binding processes and chemical reactions. Recent advances in alternative detection schemes have allowed the extension of these techniques to the monitoring of slower timescales (e.g. Raster Image Correlation Spectroscopy — RICS) or higher concentrations (e.g. Total Internal Reflection — TIR-FCS). Given the versatility of these techniques, they have become commonplace tools used to specifically unravel the spatio-temporal dynamics of macromolecular entities in living biological systems.
Gauging web portals' impact on Supply Chain Management concepts

As the utilisation of web-based portals continues to increase in modern businesses, adoption and use of efficient, reliable, secure, and cost-effective enterprise web-based portal modules amongst key departments will be crucial to companies striving to compete in the ever-evolving global economy. This paper will examine Business-to-Business (B2B) web-based portals and their role in business transactions. One of the tools that are allowing this expanding segment of e-commerce to grow is web-based portal applications. An empirical examination was conducted of web portals to illustrate how they can be used as a tool to communicate, share and exchange rich information across wide networks that may span across the globe. Today, web-based portals are used in business to aid in design, manufacturing and production processes, and a key component in business functions like Supply Chain Management (SCM). Web-based portals must provide security, reliability, functionality, usability, and also be cost-effective in order to add value to the organisation as well as provide a competitive advantage. Web-based portals and their use in SCM in its role in the Information Technology applications and its effect on major stakeholder groups like vendors, suppliers, management and employees are explored.
Naturalistic change after 2 years in neurotic depressive disorders (RDC categories)

Abstract Follow-up data over a 2-year period were obtained for 169 persons with a diagnosed depressive disorder (RDC categories) and who were not in or planning to enter treatment. Clinical outcome data is reported separately for nine depressive disorder categories separated into episodic disorders only, characterologic disorders only, and episodic disorders superimposed on characterologic disorders (“double diagnoses”). The subjects with the best outcome (100% improved) were those with major depressive disorder; those with the worst outcome (100% no change or worse) were those with a chronic depression with a superimposed major depression. Othe diagnostic groupings showed intermediate outcomes. Fifty-three percent sought some treatment during the 2 years; in general there was little or no relationship between the treatments received and outcome, although it is emphasized that the design of this study does not permit assessment of treatment efficacy. The results stress the importance of paying attention to diagnosis—specific diagnostic categories and “double diagnosis”—as a predictor variable in outcome studies.
A technique for the removal of pyroglutamic acid from the amino terminus of proteins using calf liver pyroglutamate amino peptidase

Abstract An improved technique has been developed which can quickly and easily unblock proteins and peptides containing pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) or pyroglutamic acid in the amino terminal position utilizing commercially available pyroglutamate amino peptidase isolated from calf liver. The successful application of the technique to five immunoglobulin polypeptide chains including two heavy chains and three light chains is demonstrated. Description of the deblocking procedure under stabilizing enzyme conditions and biochemical properties of the enzyme are given.
The normality of products with one compact factor, revisited

Abstract A simpler proof of the following theorem by Rudin is given: If C is compact, X × C normal, and Y a closed image of X , then Y × C is normal.
Effects of ration on somatotropic hormones and growth in coho salmon

We examined the response of growth hormone (GH), total plasma insulin-like growth-factor I (IGF-I), and growth rate to a change in ration in coho salmon. Tanks of individually tagged fish were placed on high, medium, or low ration, and sampled every 2 weeks for 8 weeks to create a range of growth rates. Some fish received non-lethal blood draws, while others were sampled terminally. Plasma IGF-I levels were higher in high ration fish than in low ration fish from 4 weeks after the beginning of experimental diets to the end of the experiment. GH levels were low and similar in all fish after changing rations, except for the fish in the low ration group at week 2. IGF-I was strongly correlated with specific growth rate in weight in terminally sampled fish after 4 weeks. GH did not correlate with growth rate or IGF-I levels. Growth parameters (length, weight, specific growth rates in weight and length, and condition factor) responded to ration. Serial sampling reduced growth rates and hematocrit, but did not change hormone levels. This study shows that IGF-I responds to changed rations within 2-4 weeks in salmonids.
Effects of prenatal phencyclidine on 3H-PCP binding and PCP-induced motor activity and ataxia

Either phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP) (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) or saline was administered by subcutaneous injection to gravid CF-1 mice during either Mid (E6-15) or Late (E12-18) gestation. A nontreated control group (UTC) was left undisturbed during pregnancy. All treated and control litters were fostered at birth to untreated dams. Although postnatal challenge of PCP increased motor activity and ataxia in a dose-related manner, prenatal PCP had no effect on postnatal motor activity, ataxia or 3H-PCP binding. However, treatment period did have a significant effect on ataxia and 3H-PCP binding. In response to challenge doses of 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg PCP, ataxia scores of the Late gestation offspring were significantly greater than the UTC offspring which in turn were significantly greater than the ataxia scores of the Mid gestation group. The results are discussed in relation to other animal and clinical reports of prenatal PCP exposure.
Morphological and Compositional Evolution of Pt−Si Intermetallic Thin Films Prepared by the Activated Adsorption of SiH4 on Pt(111)

We have investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) the growth and structural evolution of Pt−Si intermetallic phases formed via a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) mediated process. The Pt silicide thin films were prepared though the exposure of a Pt(111) crystal to silane (SiH4) followed by various annealing treatments. The deposition of Si via the decomposition of silane at room temperature preferentially forms clusters at step edges that avoid the centers of Pt terraces. The sizes and coverages of the clusters increases with silane exposure. The clusters are of intermetallic character (composed of both Si and Pt) and coarsen to give cluster heights much larger than a Pt(111) step height. These observations implicitly establish that Si interdiffusion in the near-surface region is weakly activated. Studies performed as a function of the silane exposure and annealing temperature reveal a complicated phase behavior that incorporates seven separate atomically ...
Glanders: off to the races with Burkholderia mallei

Burkholderia mallei, the etiologic agent of the disease known as glanders, is primarily a disease affecting horses and is transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals. The use of B. mallei as a biological weapon has been reported and currently, there is no vaccine available for either humans or animals. Despite the history and highly infective nature of B. mallei, as well as its potential use as a bio-weapon, B. mallei research to understand the pathogenesis and the host responses to infection remains limited. Therefore, this minireview will focus on current efforts to elucidate B. mallei virulence, the associated host immune responses elicited during infection and discuss the feasibility of vaccine development.
Fracture mechanics in creep situation interpretation of results on a test specimen

Abstract Fracture mechanics in creep situation is a difficult challenge for the 1990s. In France, CEA Saclay has conducted experimental tests on compact tension (CT) specimens at 650°C in order to investigate crack initiation under creep situations. The constitutive material is the 316SPH austenitic stainless steel used for most LMFR structures. Numerical simulations using SYSTUS code and simplified method analysis were performed on one of the tests (CT specimen at 650°C under constant load) to compare some parameters (notch opening, initiation time) with experimental values. The material constitutive law was represented by the complete elasto-viscoplastic CHABOCHE model for systus computation. Owing to geometrical characteristics such as thickness, the situation of the CT specimen was likely to be intermediate between plane stress and plane strain assumptions. From C ∗ parameter, incubation time obtained using the R5 rule was conservative in comparison with the test result. The continuum damage model developed at Ecole des Mines de Paris has also been used to assess creep damage in the notch tip area. The crack initiation time has been deduced from critical damage at characteristic distance ( X c = 0.05 mm). Considering critical damage specifically, for a CT specimen ( D c = 0.05), initiation time obtained was higher than the test result. The results of this study will contribute to the development of a methodology for nocivity analysis of cracks in creep situation.
Superiorly‐based chondromucosal septal flap: A novel technique in the transseptal sublabial approach to the sphenoid sinus

We have found the this superiorly-based chondromucosal flap provides outstanding surgical exposure for transseptal sublabial resection of hypophyseal tumors. We have utilized this technique regularly in patients who have undergone prior transseptal sublabial approaches to the sellar region with resection of the quadrangular cartilage, prior septoplasty or septorhinoplasty, and in those with pre-existing septal perforations. It is notable that none of our patients have experienced post-operative septal perforations or enlargement of existing perforations after undergoing surgery in which this technique was employed.
The aperiodic crystal picture and free energy barriers in glasses

The aperiodic crystal picture associates the glass transition with freezing into a nonperiodic structure. Dynamics in the glassy state involves activated jumps between different aperiodic free energy minima. Activation barriers may be estimated through the use of freezing theory and the theory of dense solids. The results resemble, but are distinct from, free volume theory. Reasonable fits to experimental data are obtained.
Collection development for popular culture: the recovery movement

Describes the recovery movement collection in the General Research Division of the New York Public Library. States that although these materials are purchased for their future research value, they are frequently requested by library users. Lists the contents of the recovery movement collection.
A Molecular Link Tethering Neuronal Responses with the Past

Neurons need to alter their response to a given stimulus over time in order for the animal to modify its behavior within a changing environment. Chen et al. now demonstrate that neuronal structure and function are altered coordinately by the history of the cell's activity through an unexpected molecular pathway.
Pressure‐ and electroosmotically‐driven flow in capillaries packed with nonporous particles for high‐Speed separations

The chromatographic performance of capillaries with 20 and 50 μm inner diameter (i.d.) packed with 4.5 and 3.0 μm nonporous particles was evaluated under conditions of pressure- and electroosmotically-driven flow for unretained analytes with the goal of determining column configurations suitable for fast separations with both types of flow. Decreasing column diameter to particle diameter ratio (ρ) enhanced performance for pressure-driven flow but not for electroosmotically-driven flow. The improved performance with decreasing ρ seen for pressure-driven flow was attributed to a decrease in the A term of the Knox equation. It was concluded that decreasing ρ in pressure-driven columns enhances the uniformity of the column, allowing for improved performance; however, the use of electroosmotic flow masks heterogeneous flow and thus no benefit in performance is seen from reducing ρ. The best performance was with a 20 μm i.d. column packed with 3.0 μm particles. This column generated hmin of 0.30 and 3,310 plates/s at the highest electroosmotic flow rate tested (reduced velocity of 41) whereas with pressure-driven flow the same column had hmin of 0.96 and 1,200 plates/s at the maximum flow velocity tested (reduced velocity of 29). ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep 11: 723–728, 1999
Reproducibility of 1H-MRS measurements in schizophrenic patients.

The reproducibility of single-voxel spectroscopic measures in a stable schizophrenic patient population is reported. Spectra acquired 1 week apart, in the left frontal white matter and left caudate nucleus of 12 patients, were analyzed using both frequency and time-domain techniques. No significant change in mean concentrations for N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), and creatine (Cre) were found between sessions. Variation from scan to scan was low for the left frontal white matter, with coefficients of variation (CV) < 5% for all three metabolites. NAA measures from the left caudate nucleus had similar reproducibility (CV = 5%), but Cho and Cre were poorer by comparison (CV = 16-18%). The two methods used for spectral analyses produced similar results, indicating that both techniques are appropriate. These results extend previous studies of healthy, normal subjects, and establish that it is possible to obtain reliable measures of brain metabolites in clinical populations.
Aggregation error in Bayesian analysis of reliability systems

Perfect aggregation in Bayesian system reliability analysis has been shown to be extremely unlikely. In other words, aggregation error is almost inevitable. Consequently, analysts have to deal with the following dilemma: on one hand, an aggregate analysis i.e., an analysis at the system level, while relatively inexpensive, may be misleading. On the other hand, a disaggregate analysis i.e., at the component level provides more accurate results, but may be costly and impractical. Therefore, simple techniques to estimate the size of aggregation error are necessary to help analysts choose the most appropriate level of detail for an analysis. In this paper, reasonable bounds on the aggregation error are derived for a variety of reliability models. In particular, these bounds will never be more than twice the actual error. Tools to compute these bounds and in some cases the actual error are also provided.
L'Acide Polymyxine Méthylène Sulfonique (A.P.M.S.) dans les infections à germes gram négatif

Resume L'etude de 14 malades traites par l'APMS montre que l'efficacite de cet antibiotique est certaine sur les bacilles Gram negatif, notamment dans les infections urinaires, mais elle peut etre egalement reconnue dans les septicemies (4 cas sur 8). La tolerance du produit est excellente. Une etude attentive de la fonction renale nous a permis de constater la survenue d'une insuffisance renale chez 3 malades credibles d'un fonctionnement renal normal prealable, mais traites auparavant ou simultanement par Gentamicine. Les fonctions renales se sont normalisees dans les 3 semaines apres l'arret du traitement. Par contre, nous avons constate avec interet que, chez 3 insuffisants renaux patents, l'utilisation de l'APMS a dose reduite a pu etre poursuivie sans incident et, en particulier, sans que se majore le degre d'insuffisance renale.
Scan timing considerations in indicator dilution analysis of dynamic CT image sequences

Dynamic computed tomography (CT) provides the advantages of sampling in many regions within an organ where a sampling catheter could not be introduced and eliminates superposition. However, dynamic CT is generally slow. An important aspect of the indicator dilution curve generation is the sampling frequency and sample duration. The indicator dilution curves generated with a CT scanner must behave like the `conventional' indicators. The contrast agent passes sequentially through the heart chambers and in doing so the duration of the bolus increases and the peak opacification of the bolus diminishes. The pattern of progressive dispersal of the dilution curve, somewhat in proportion to the duration of the curve's transit along the circulation, conveys something about the structure-to-function relationship of the circulation through which the indicator passes. The standard deviation to mean transit time relationship in the aortic root appears to be along a different regression line than does that relationship in the myocardium.
Global Convergence of Radial Basis Function Trust-Region Algorithms for Derivative-Free Optimization

We analyze globally convergent, derivative-free trust-region algorithms relying on radial basis function interpolation models. Our results extend the recent work of Conn, Scheinberg, and Vicente [SIAM J. Optim., 20 (2009), pp. 387--415] to fully linear models that have a nonlinear term. We characterize the types of radial basis functions that fit in our analysis and thus show global convergence to first-order critical points for the ORBIT algorithm of Wild, Regis, and Shoemaker [SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 30 (2008), pp. 3197--3219]. Using ORBIT, we present numerical results for different types of radial basis functions on a series of test problems. We also demonstrate the use of ORBIT in finding local minima on a computationally expensive environmental engineering problem involving remediation of contaminated groundwater.
Partitioning net ecosystem carbon exchange with isotopic fluxes of CO2

Summary Because biological and physical processes alter the stable isotopic composition of atmospheric CO2, variations in isotopic content can be used to investigate those processes. Isotopic flux measurements of 13CO2 above terrestrial ecosystems can potentially be used to separate net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) into its component fluxes, net photosynthetic assimilation (FA) and ecosystem respiration (FR). In this paper theory is developed to partition measured NEE into FA and FR, using measurements of fluxes of CO2 and 13CO2, and isotopic composition of respired CO2 and forest air. The theory is then applied to fluxes measured (or estimated, for 13CO2) in a temperate deciduous forest in eastern Tennessee (Walker Branch Watershed). It appears that there is indeed enough additional information in 13CO2 fluxes to partition NEE into its photosynthetic and respiratory components. Diurnal patterns in FA and FR were obtained, which are consistent in magnitude and shape with patterns obtained from NEE measurements and an exponential regression between night-time NEE and temperature (a standard technique which provides alternate estimates of FR and FA). The light response curve for photosynthesis (FA vs. PAR) was weakly nonlinear, indicating potential for saturation at high light intensities. Assimilation-weighted discrimination against 13CO2 for this forest during July 1999 was 16.8–17.1‰, depending on canopy conductance. The greatest uncertainties in this approach lie in the evaluation of canopy conductance and its effect on whole-canopy photosynthetic discrimination, and thus the indirect methods used to estimate isotopic fluxes. Direct eddy covariance measurements of 13CO2 flux are needed to assess the validity of the assumptions used and provide defensible isotope-based estimates of the component fluxes of net ecosystem exchange.
Estimating the intelligibility of speakers with dysarthria.

Many speakers with dysarthria have reduced intelligibility[,] and improving intelligibility is often a primary intervention objective. Consequently, measurement of intelligibility provides important i
A Finite Element Approach for Evaluating the Risk of Endograft Migration

Evaluating the risk of endograft migration is important for long-term durability of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) technique. In this paper we apply a step-wise coupled finite element approach to evaluate the risk of endograft migration in representative aorta models subjected to in-vivo hemodynamic displacement forces. Device stability is observed to be a strong function of aortic geometry (tortuosity, proximal fixation) with increased tortuosity or lower proximal fixation leading to greater risk of device migration.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Experimental studies of vortex disconnection and connection at a free surface

An experimental study is presented that examines the interaction of a vortex ring with a free surface. The main objective of this study is to identify the physical mechanisms that are responsible for the self-disconnection of vortex filaments in the near-surface region and the subsequent connection of disconnected vortex elements to the free surface. The understanding of those mechanisms is essential for the identification and estimation of the appropriate spatial and temporal scales of the disconnection and connection process. In this regard, the velocity and vorticity fields of an obliquely approaching laminar vortex ring with a Reynolds number of 1150 were mapped by using Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV). The evolution of the near-surface vorticity field indicates that the connection process starts in the side regions of the approaching vortex ring where surface-normal vorticity already exists in the bulk. A local strain rate analysis was conducted to support this conclusion. Disconnection in the near-surface tip region of the vortex ring occurs because of the removal of surfaceparallel vorticity by the viscous flux of vorticity through the surface. Temporal and spatial mapping of the vorticity field at the surface and in the perpendicular plane of symmetry shows that the viscous flux is balanced by a local deceleration of the flow at the surface. It is found that the observed timescales of the disconnection and connection process scale with the near-surface vorticity gradient rather than with the core diameter of the vortex ring.
Stomatal Closure during Leaf Dehydration, Correlation with Other Leaf Physiological Traits

The question as to what triggers stomatal closure during leaf desiccation remains controversial. This paper examines characteristics of the vascular and photosynthetic functions of the leaf to determine which responds most similarly to stomata during desiccation. Leaf hydraulic conductance (K(leaf)) was measured from the relaxation kinetics of leaf water potential (Psi(l)), and a novel application of this technique allowed the response of K(leaf) to Psi(l) to be determined. These "vulnerability curves" show that K(leaf) is highly sensitive to Psi(l) and that the response of stomatal conductance to Psi(l) is closely correlated with the response of K(leaf) to Psi(l). The turgor loss point of leaves was also correlated with K(leaf) and stomatal closure, whereas the decline in PSII quantum yield during leaf drying occurred at a lower Psi(l) than stomatal closure. These results indicate that stomatal closure is primarily coordinated with K(leaf). However, the close proximity of Psi(l) at initial stomatal closure and initial loss of K(leaf) suggest that partial loss of K(leaf) might occur regularly, presumably necessitating repair of embolisms.
Alveolar septal structure in different species.

Because the retractive forces due to surface tension decrease with increasing radius of curvature, there should be a greater contribution to lung recoil attributable to the stress-bearing role of e...
Image model for computer simulation of sound wave behavior in an enclosure

An image model using the ray tracing method has been developed to calculate the multipath in an enclosure up to a prescribed order of images. Non-uniform wall reflectivities can be included. For the special case of rectangular enclosures, the algorithm efficiently calculates the incident angle for each arriving signal and its associated reflection points. The performances of gradient microphones in an enclosure can be evaluated. It is noted that the number of images for a given order more nearly resembles an arithmetic series instead of a geometric series. The model is also extended to calculate the impulse response when obstacle planes are inside the enclosure.
Identification of an H2-M3-restricted Listeria epitope: implications for antigen presentation by M3.

Using expression cloning, we have identified an H2-M3-restricted epitope of the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Picomolar concentrations of an amino-terminal N-formylated hexapeptide, fMIGWII, targeted cells for lysis by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, while the nonformylated peptide was approximately 100-fold less active. The sequence of the 185 aa protein source of this epitope predicts a transmembrane protein that retains its N terminus and assumes an Nout–Cin topology. This membrane orientation offers an explanation for the protection of the epitope from deformylases present in the bacterial cell and suggests an explanation for the ability of phagocytes to present H2-M3-restricted bacterial epitopes via a vacuolar TAP-independent mechanism.
Profiling iron corrosion coating on iron grains in a zerovalent iron system under the influence of dissolved oxygen

Rapid oxidation of Fe(0) by O(2) occurred when Fe(0) grains were bathed in 0.54 mM FeCl(2) solution saturated with dissolved oxygen (DO), forming a substantial corrosion coating on Fe(0) grains. A sonication method was developed to strip the corrosion coating off the iron grains layer by layer. The transformation of the constituents and the morphology of the corrosion coating along its depth and over reaction time were investigated with composition analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that the sonication method could consistently recover >90% iron oxides produced by the Fe(0)-DO redox reaction. Magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) and lepidocrocite (gamma-FeOOH) were identified as the corrosion products. Initially, lepidocrocite was the preferential product in the presence of DO. As the oxide coating thickened, the inner layer transformed to magnetite, which retained as the only stable corrosion product once DO was depleted. The study confirms the phase transformations between gamma-FeOOH and Fe(3)O(4) within a stratified corrosion coating. The sonication technique exemplifies a new approach for investigating more complicated processes in Fe(0)/oxides/contaminants systems.
The Welfare State, Citizens, and Immersed Civil Servants

Working from an Aristotelian perspective, the author argues that the welfare state, although able to meet social needs, cannot be very effective in solving complex social problems. The latter requires sensitivities to particular people in particular situations, which can only be acquired communally. This is the level at which citizens, in their pursuit of self-government, count as much as or more than public policies and agencies. However, citizens, on their own, may often lack the skills and wherewithal to tackle difficult social dilemmas. The article suggests experimenting with a strategy of immersing public administrators in communities to lend a noncoercive hand to citizen problem solvers.
Subfornical organ disconnection alters Fos expression in the lamina terminalis, supraoptic nucleus, and area postrema after intragastric hypertonic NaCl

The lamina terminalis was severed by a horizontal knife cut through the anterior commissure to determine the effects of a disconnection of the subfornical organ (SFO) on drinking and Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) in the rat brain in response to an intragastric load of hypertonic saline (5 ml/kg of 1.5 M NaCl by gavage). After an initial load, knife-cut rats drank significantly less water than sham-cut rats, thus confirming a role for the SFO in osmotic drinking. After a second load at least 1 wk later, the rats were not allowed to drink after the gavage and were perfused for analysis of Fos-ir at 90 min. Compared with sham-cut rats, the knife-cut rats displayed significantly elevated Fos-ir in the main body of the SFO, in the dorsal cap of the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, and in the ventral median preoptic nucleus after the hypertonic load. The knife cut significantly decreased Fos-ir in the supraoptic nucleus. Fos-ir was expressed mainly in the midcoronal and caudal parts of the area postrema of sham-cut rats, and this expression was greatly reduced in knife-cut rats. These findings strengthen the case for the presence of independently functioning osmoreceptors within the SFO and suggest that the structures of the lamina terminalis provide mutual inhibition during hypernatremia. They also demonstrate that the Fos-ir in the area postrema after intragastric osmotic loading is heavily dependent on the intact connectivity of the SFO.
Extension of three theorems For Fourier series on the disc to the torus

Abstract : The author extends three well-known facts of Fourier series on the disc to Fourier series on the torus, a theorem of Riesz, a theorem of Szego, and the fact that any function in H sub 1 can be factored as the product of two functions in H sub 2. Here the role of negative integers is played by the lattice points in the third quadrant. In earlier extensions of these theorems this role was played by half-planes. Additional keywords: stochastic processes; stationary fields; measures on torus; Fourier coefficients; factorization theorem. (Author).