cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Solid State Detector Experiment for Electron Measurements on OGO-F

A solid state detector system is described which has been developed for flight on an Orbiting Geophysical Observatory in polar orbit. Measurements will be made of the electron flux and spectra above 35 KeV, both for precipitating and locally mirroring electrons, as well as atmospheric backscatter. This paper reviews the physical need and the design requirements of such an experiment; and describes the detector and electronic implementation of the experiment including the methods of monitoring detector and electronic performance in flight.
A Manipulative Study of the Effect of Instructional Set on the Convergent and Discriminant Validity of Questionnaire Measures of Trait and State Anxiety: A Comparative Factor Analytic Approach.

Within the context of a manipulative, laboratory experiment, two hundred and forty-two college students completed an anxiety battery twice. Half the subjects were instructed to answer the trait ("as you feel generally") items differently than the state ("as you feel presently"). Half were given no differential instructions. Subjects were also randomly assigned to one of four treatments designed to simulate alterations in level of state anxiety. Separate factor analyses resulted in distinct trait and state factors under both instructional conditions. Analysis of variance of factor scores indicated that the simulations altered level of state anxiety but not level of trait anxiety. Results were interpreted as generally supporting the validity of the trait-state distinction, but continued refinement of existing measures was recommended.
Multipixel assessment of fluorescence uptake and lifetime in the detection of heterogeneous tissue volumes

The objective of this work is to identify an imaging modality which can best locate heterogeneous tissue volumes when designer contrast agents are used. We used a multi- pixel, homodyne, frequency-domain photon migration detection system to acquire images of 830 nm fluorescent heterogeneities immersed within a tissue-simulating phantom that contained 0.5 percent Intralipid solution. An expanded beam of 25 mW, 778 nm light modulated at 100 MHz illuminated the phantom surface. Specifically, we monitor fluorescence average intensity, modulation amplitude, phase, and modulation ratio resulting from micromolar concentrations of indocyanine green and DTTCI embedded within tissue- mimicking, highly scattering media. The results indicate that under conditions of perfect uptake, only phase and modulation distinguish dye solutions that possess equivalent fluorescence yield but unequal lifetime when both heterogeneities are located 0.5 cm from the illumination surface. Enhanced phase contrast was observed for fluorescent solutions with short lifetimes located within a surrounding of longer lived fluorophore and visa versa. These results have important implications for the development of contrast agents whose lifetimes depend on the local biochemical environment.
Ultrastructural changes of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells irradiated in vitro with a 137Cs source.

Abstract Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in culture were evaluated by phase-contrast and electron microscopy at various times after being irradiated with 137 Cs in vitro . Cells irradiated prior to reaching confluency showed vacuolization and increased numbers of lysosomes beginning at 48 hr after irradiation with 300–500 rad and at 24 hr after irradiation with 1500–5000 rad. After 7 days the morphological changes appeared to be reversible for cells receiving the lower doses, but were progressive for higher doses of radiation. The same qualitative changes, with a delayed onset, were observed for cells irradiated at confluency. An observed decrease in the endoplasmic reticulum and polysomes occurred only late in the course of radiation injury. There was no observable structural alteration of mitochondria even when there was evidence of otherwise marked cytoplasmic injury. We conclude that structural changes of the lysosomes constitute an early phase of injury by irradiation of the endothelial cell in culture, while decreases in endoplasmic reticulum and polysomcs occur relatively late. The mitochondrial structure of the endothelial cell appears to be relatively resistant to radiation. All morphological changes occur subsequent to impaired transport of α-aminoisobutyric acid, which is observed within 6 hr as previously reported (Kwock et al ., 1982).
Perceived responsibility and the least of evils principle

In a 3×3×2 factorial experiment subjects were asked to make a series of judgments about a hypothetical defendant. Varied in theinvestigation were the coercive characteristics of the situation for the defendant, the amount of harm done to the victim, and the legitimate alternatives available to the defendant to meet the demands of coercion. Observers judged the actor harshly for performing an illegal action when a legitimate alternative was available and when the amount of harm to the victim exceeded the level of coercion used against thedefendant. However, the defendant was exonerated from blame and punishment when legitimate alternatives were not available and when coercio level exceeded harm level. The implications of the findings were discussed in relationship to both jury decision making and the attribution of responsibility literature.
Cave archaeology in Southeast Asia

Archaeological research in caves and rockshelters has been the major source of data about cultural developments in Southeast Asia during late Pleistocene and early Holocene times. Despite the numerous cave excavations in nearly every Southeast Asian country over the last 100 years, however, the earliest general archaeological schemes were ironically based on rather cursory findings from poorly dated open air sites. In recent years ongoing excavations and analyses of archaeological materials from caves and rockshelters have finally come into their own, and newer interpretations have superseded some of the more speculative aspects of the earlier archaeological schemes. During Late Pleistocene times, caves were used only as brief campsites, often selected for their inaccessibility; in the early Holocene Epoch they were frequently used as dwelling sites; in the middle Holocene time the more accessible caves and rockshelters were often used as burial sites. One site, the Lang Rongrien Rockshelter, southwestern Thailand, serves as a case study for pointing out problems encountered in cave and rockshelter excavations in Southeast Asia. This 3500–>43000-year-old site is also used as the basis for exploring some more general issues concerning the lifeways of late Pleistocene Homo sapiens in the region and possibilities of preagricultural rainforest adaptation of their early Holocene descendants. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of aging on visual recognition memory in the rhesus monkey

As part of an effort to develop a primate model of human age-related memory dysfunction, performance by six rhesus monkeys 26 to 27 years of age was compared to that of six young adult monkeys (four to five years of age) on a trial unique delayed nonmatching to sample (DNMS) task. This task assesses the monkey's ability to identify a novel from a familiar stimulus over a delay and resembles closely clinical tests that are used to assess memory function in geriatric patients. The task was presented in three stages: acquisition, delays and lists. As a group, aged monkeys were impaired relative to the young adult group on all three conditions. However, within the aged group, individual cases of efficient performance were observed. Error analyses of item positions of the lists condition revealed the absence of enhanced performance for items presented at the end of a list by aged animals, suggesting an abnormal sensitivity to proactive interference. The finding of a recognition impairment with age is in parallel with studies of normal human aging and lends support to the notion that the rhesus monkey is a suitable animal model of human aging.
The cost of inbreeding in Arabidopsis

Population geneticists have long sought to estimate the distribution of selection intensities among genes of diverse function across the genome. Only recently have DNA sequencing and analytical techniques converged to make this possible. Important advances have come from comparing genetic variation within species (polymorphism) with fixed differences between species (divergence). These approaches have been used to examine individual genes for evidence of selection. Here we use the fact that the time since species divergence allows combination of data across genes. In a comparison of amino-acid replacements among species of the mustard weed Arabidopsis with those among species of the fruitfly Drosophila, we find evidence for predominantly beneficial gene substitutions in Drosophila but predominantly detrimental substitutions in Arabidopsis. We attribute this difference to the Arabidopsis mating system of partial self-fertilization, which corroborates a prediction of population genetics theory that species with a high frequency of inbreeding are less efficient in eliminating deleterious mutations owing to their reduced effective population size.
Prostaglandins E1 and E2 stimulate the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

Prostaglandins E1 and E2 are thought to be inhibitors of the growth of systemic vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). However, their effect on the proliferation of SMC from the pulmonary artery (PA) has not been described and was the subject of this investigation. Cultures of bovine PA SMC were exposed to PGE1 and PGE2 under various conditions and their growth was assessed. PGE1 and PGE2 did not inhibit the growth of PA SMC in 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), but instead caused a dose dependent (10 ng - 1 microgram/ml) increase in [3H]-thymidine incorporation when added to cultures containing 0.5% FCS; the highest doses resulted in 95% and 75% increases in [3H]-thymidine uptake at 24 hours with PGE1 and PGE2 respectively. This was accompanied by a modest increase in actual cell numbers (e.g., 20% with 1 microgram/ml PGE1). Furthermore, PGE1 could mimic insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) by potentiating the stimulation of SMC growth by fibroblast growth factor, suggesting that PGE1 may act as a progression factor in the growth cycle of these cells. There was, however, no effect of PGE1 on the proliferation of bovine aortic SMC. We conclude that, contrary to most reported effects on systemic SMC, PGE1 and PGE2 do not inhibit the proliferation of PA SMC but rather stimulate it.
Metal-lined capillaries for efficient Raman gas sensing

We mathematically and experimentally examine the use of reflective silver-lined capillary waveguides that support a large number of EH 1n modes to efficiently collect Raman Stokes scattering from gaseous samples.
A novel approach based on differential scanning calorimetry applied to the study of tricalcium silicate hydration kinetics

Complex reactions taking place between Ca3SiO5 and water can be considered the main cause for setting and hardening of Portland cement pastes. The “in situ” kinetics of the “hydration” process has been recently studied, as a function of time, using neutron scattering to obtain the trend of the fraction of free water (free water index, FWI), i.e., the fraction of unreacted water. In this study we developed a novel and simple approach on the basis of differential scanning calorimetry to follow the hydration kinetics of Ca3SiO5 in real time from the decrease of the free water index. FWI has been obtained by measuring the fraction of water in the Ca3SiO5 paste that can solidify and melt. We report the trend of FWI as a function of Ca3SiO5 paste hydration and the results are compared to recent quasi-elastic neutron scattering experiments. The results account well for the hydration process described by two kinetic stages, the first according to an Avrami−Erofeev nucleation and growth law, and the second one to ...
Fluosol cardioplegia results in complete functional recovery: A comparison with blood cardioplegia

Abstract Blood cardioplegia is considered by many to be the preferred solution for myocardial protection. Proposed benefits include the ability to deliver oxygen and the ability to maintain metabolic substrate stores. However, the decreased capacity of blood to release oxygen at hypothermic conditions as well as the presence of deleterious leukocytes, platelets, and complement may limit complete functional recovery. Fluosol is an asanguineous solution with the ability to bind and release oxygen linearly at low temperatures. Neonatal piglet hearts (24 to 48 hours old) were excised and supported on an isolated, blood-perfused working heart model. After baseline stroke-work index was determined, hearts were arrested with either normocalcemic blood cardioplegia (group 1, n=8) or normocalcemic Fluosol Cardioplegia (group 2, n=8). Cold Cardioplegia was administered at 45 mm Hg every 20 minutes for 2 hours. Hearts were then reperfused with whole blood. Functional recovery, expressed as percent of control stroke-work index, was determined 60 minutes after reperfusion at left atrial pressures of 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm Hg. Functional recovery at 60 minutes was similar between group 1 (95%, 93%, 93%, 88%) and group 2 (100%, 94%, 94%, 95%) at left atrial pressures of 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm Hg, respectively. Mean lactate consumption 5 minutes after reperfusion was significantly greater ( p = 0.0001) in group 1 (31.8 ± 6.3 μg · min −1 · g −1 ) than in group 2 (−0.59 ± 0.1 μg · min −1 · g − ), indicating superior metabolic recovery in the blood cardioplegia hearts. Edema formation, as determined both by water content (group 1, 81.10%; group 2, 81.63%) and by electron microscopy, was not significantly different between groups. Tissue adenosine triphosphate levels 1 hour after reperfusion were also not significantly different. In conclusion, similar to blood cardioplegia, Fluosol results in complete functional recovery after cold ischemic arrest, despite inferior metabolic recovery. Because of the absence of injurious blood elements, Fluosol with added substrate may have a role as a cardioplegic agent when preoperative ischemia or hypoxia exists.
Imaging Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy: Translations to Human Clinical Studies

Stem cell therapy promises to open exciting new options in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Although feasible and clinically safe, the in vivo behavior and integration of stem cell transplants still remain largely unknown. Thus, the development of innovative non-invasive imaging techniques capable of effectively tracking such therapy in vivo is vital for a more in-depth investigation into future clinical applications. Such imaging modalities will not only generate further insight into the mechanisms behind stem cell-based therapy, but also address some major concerns associated with translational cardiovascular stem cell therapy. In the present review, we summarize the principles underlying three major stem cell tracking methods: (1) radioactive labeling for positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, (2) iron particle labeling for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and (3) reporter gene labeling for bioluminescence, fluorescence, MRI, SPECT, and PET imaging. We then discuss recent clinical studies that have utilized these modalities to gain biological insights into stem cell fate.
STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF CO-IRON(II) PROTOPORPHYRIN IX IN DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE

In this report we examine the steady-state optical absorption, steady state and transient vibrational structure, and ligand rebinding kinetics of (CO)FeII protoporphyrin IX ((CO)FeIIPPIX) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Steady state optical absorption and resonance Raman spectra of this complex are characteristic of heme iron that is six-coordinate and low-spin. Absorption maxima are observed at 415 nm (Soret), 568 nm (α-band), and 535 nm (β-band), and vibrational bands are observed at 1370 cm-1 (ν4), 1496 cm-1 (ν3), 1551 cm-1 (ν38), 1584 cm-1 (ν2), and 1626 cm-1 (νCC). The transient absorption difference spectrum subsequent to photolysis displays an absorption maximum at 433 nm and a minimum at 414 nm that decays biphasically with pseudo-first-order rate constants of (2.11 ± 0.024) × 106 s-1 and (2.29 ± 0.036) × 102 s-1. The corresponding transient resonance Raman spectrum displays vibrational bands at 1356 cm-1 (ν4), 1470 cm-1 (ν3), 1559 cm-1 (ν2), 1584 cm-1 (ν37), and 1618 cm-1 (νCC). These results are c...
Catalyzed Carbon Gasification Studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy

Several important catalyzed gas-carbon reactions are studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM): C/H2/Pt, C/H2/Pd, C/O2/V2O5, C/CO2/K2CO3, and C/ NO/Rh. Single-crystal graphite is used as a prototype of carbon in the reactions. STM and AFM provide atomic resolution in three dimensions, making possible the direct identification of monolayer and multilayer structures on the reacted graphite surface. Reactions take place on the basal plane of graphite through monolayer and multilayer channeling, pitting. and edge recession. Therefore, by examining the etched surface structures of graphite after different reactions, reaction pathways and reaction parameters can be determined. It has been found that channeling is the primary contribution to the gasification rate in all these reactions. Two different modes of channeling are found. For reactions in C/H2/Pt, C/H2/Pd, C/O2/V2O5 systems, catalyst particles remain unchanged in size. Thus, the resulting channels either have constant-width or form zig-zag structures due to the changes of the motion of catalyst particles. However, for reactions in the C/CO2/K2CO3 and C/NO/Rh systems, wedge-shaped channels are produced. This indicates that the catalyst particles are shrinking in size, either because of volatilization or deposition of catalyst at the step edge.
Predicting the Magneto-Mechanical Behavior of MSMAs Subject to Complex Load Paths

The microstructure of magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs) is comprised of tetragonal martensite variants, each with their preferred internal magnetization orientation. In the presence of an external magnetic field, the martensite variants tend to reorient so that the preferred internal magnetization aligns with the external magnetic field. As a result, MSMAs exhibit the shape memory effect when there is a magnetic field in the vicinity of a material point. Furthermore, the tetragonal nature of the martensite variants allows for a compressive stress to cause variant reorientation. This paper studies the magneto-mechanical behavior of MSMAs under various load paths, including complex loading conditions where both the applied magnetic field and compressive stress vary simultaneously.Typically, MSMAs have been studied experimentally and modeled mathematically with either axial compressive stress or transverse magnetic field varying and the other remaining constant. For each load case, the mathematical models are calibrated with a set of experimental data that mimics those to be predicted. Model parameters have been found to be quite different when the calibration was performed with experimental results from different load cases.This work investigates if current models, namely the Kiefer and Lagoudasmodel or the Waldauer et al. model, are capable of predicting both of the typical loading configurations mentioned above with a single calibration. Furthermore, this work uses the Waldauer et al. model to simulate more complex loading, where an MSMA element is subject to simultaneously varying stress and field; this type of loading might occur if an actuator is being designed to displace a variable load over a controlled distance.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Towards a unified model for the analysis of timing-based covert channels

Covert channels are a network security risk growing both in sophistication and utilization, and thus posing an increasing threat. They leverage benign and overt network activities, such as the modulation of packet inter-arrival time, to covertly transmit information without detection by current network security approaches such as firewalls. This makes them a grave security concern. Thus, researching methods for detecting and disrupting such covert communication is of utmost importance. Understanding and developing analytical models is an essential requirement of covert channel analysis. Unfortunately, due to the enormous range of covert channel algorithms available it becomes very inefficient to analyze them on a case-by-case basis. Hence, a unified model that can represent a wide variety of covert channels is required, but is not yet available. In other publications, individual models to analyze the capacity of interrupt-related covert channels have been discussed. In our work, we present a unique model to unify these approaches. This model has been analyzed and we have presented the results and verification of our approach using MATLAB simulations.
Acetylcholine receptor dimers are stabilized by extracellular disulfide bonding

Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AcChR) exists predominantly as dimers, formed by two monomers held together by a disulfide bridge(s). The dimers are easily cleaved to monomers by reducing agents. 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid is shown to be a membrane-impermeant reducing agent which cleaves receptor dimers when it is present only on the outside of intact membrane vesicles. There is no increase in the extent of cleavage when 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid is also loaded inside the vesicles. Therefore the disulfide bond(s) involved in the dimerization of the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor is(are) formed by cysteine residues which are exposed on the extrallular side of the membrane.
The co-precipitation of protactinium with the dioxides of manganese, lead, and tin

The scavenging of Pa/sup 233/ from thorium-nitric acid solutions was studied with a variety of adsorbents and as a function of pertinent solution variables. Co-formed MnO/sub 2/, PbO/sub 2/, and SnC/sub 2/ were particularly effective. High concentrations of thorium or nitric acid and high radiation levels were detrimental. Fluoride, phosphate, and zirconium ions also interfered with protactinium precipitation. These results implied the formation of 1: 1 protactinium- fluoride and protactinium-phosphate complexes which were about 60 and 10/sup 3/ times more stable than the corresponding thorium complexes. (auth)
The angle dependence of singly scattered wavefields

Abstract In this paper we present an analysis of the single scattering of an arbitrary wavefield. The results, while not strictly new, give the geometrical dependence of the scattered wavefield in a simple form. We first perform a general analysis in which we make no a priori assumptions about directionality of the spectral density function (or autocorrelation function) that characterizes the irregularities. We then introduce an irregularity model that allows anisotropy along two mutually perpendicular axes and show by direct computation that the orientation of the scattering layer does not alter the effects of diffraction provided that the correlation distance normal to the scattering layer is small compared to the layer thickness. We also show that the scan effect produced by relative motion of the source and the scattering medium acts to select only spatial frequencies normal to the line of sight. Motion along the line of sight causes a ‘Fresnel smearing’ effect that usually can be ignored.
Genetics of Sleep and Its Disorders

cl in ic s. co m In this issue there are reviews of many aspects of the genetics of sleep and its disorders. As the reviews point out, there are major opportunities for genetic research. Many aspects of normal sleep are heritable—sleep duration, timing of sleep, response to sleepdeprivation,ECGcharacteristics. Moreover, many of the common sleep disorders such as insomnia, parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and obstructive sleep apnea are heritable. Thus, there are many, many opportunities for genetic research.Moreover, as described throughout these reviews, therehavebeendramatic improvements in the technological approaches available for genotyping and continued development of these technologies. Another major advantage for studies of the genetics of sleep and its disorders is that over the last decade, a sleep-like state has been identified in model systems, in particular, Drosophila, zebra fish, and Caenorhabditis elegans (for discussion of these, see Raizen and Zimmerman). This complements studies in rodent models described by Summa and Turek. Thus, sleep research is ideally positioned to first identify genes responsible for particular aspects of the phenotype in model systems and transfer findings to human studies. Identification of clock genes in Drosophila andmice with subsequent identification of variants of these genes leading to circadian rhythm disorders is a good example of this (see Chang and Zee). But the reverse is also possible, ie, identifying mutants in human studies and then assessing their functional significance by expressing these human mutations in model systems. The
The P2X7 receptor channel pore dilates under physiological ion conditions.

Activation of the purinergic P2X7 receptor leads to the rapid opening of an integral ion channel that is permeable to small cations. This is followed by a gradual increase in permeability to fluorescent dyes by integrating the actions of the pannexin-1 channel. Here, we show that during the prolonged agonist application a rapid current that peaked within 200 ms was accompanied with a slower current that required tens of seconds to reach its peak. The secondary rise in current was observed under different ionic conditions and temporally coincided with the development of conductivity to larger organic cations. The biphasic response was also observed in cells with blocked pannexin channels and in cells not expressing these channels endogenously. The biphasic current was preserved in N-terminal T15A, T15S, and T15V mutants that have low or no permeability to organic cations, reflecting enhanced permeability to inorganic cations. In contrast, the T15E, T15K, and T15W mutants, and the Δ18 mutant with deleted P2X7 receptor–specific 18–amino acid C-terminal segment, were instantaneously permeable to organic cations and generated high amplitude monophasic currents. These results indicate that the P2X7 receptor channel dilates under physiological ion conditions, leading to generation of biphasic current, and that this process is controlled by residues near the intracellular side of the channel pore.
Nitrogen-induced levels in GaAs 1 − x N x studied with resonant Raman scattering

Resonant Raman scattering is used to study the nature of the recently discovered nitrogen-induced level E{sub +} located in the conduction band of GaAs{sub 1-x}N{sub x} (0.001{<=}x{<=}0.022). Our data demonstrate that the E{sub +} state is derived from the nitrogen-induced {gamma}-L mixing of the bulk GaAs states and that it is not an isolated nitrogen impurity level. A broadening of the GaAs-like longitudinal-optical phonon line and an enhancement of the transverse-optical phonon line is observed near resonance, which is interpreted as being due to resonance with strongly localized states. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
The positivity conditions in general relativity

We extend the usual treatment of constraints in the canonical formalism to cases where the restrictions on the canonical variables take the form of inequalities. The result is a general prescription for eliminating such restrictions from the canonical formalism. We apply this prescription to eliminate the positivity conditions in a model theory and in general relativity. In the case of the model we find that elimination of the positivity conditions makes the construction of observables much simpler; in the full theory, however, the spatial constraints introduce complications, and we have not been able to carry out all the calculations explicitly.
Taste-aversion retention: an animal experiment with implications for consummatory-aversion alcoholism treatments.

Abstract Inquiries into the longevity of illness-induced aversions (TAs) in animals are relevant to consummatory-aversion (CA) treatments of human alcoholism. The range of nausea reactions that accompanied the relapses of some alcoholics who had acquired alcohol aversions during covertsensitization (verbal aversion) alcoholism treatment has implicated CA forgetting as one probable contributor to recidivism. CA forgetting is operationalized as aversion diminution during postconditioning periods in which S s abstain from contact with the target substance. TAs of varying strengths were induced in groups of Sprague-Dawley rats that received low, medium or high doses of the illness-inducing drug cyclophosphamide following saccharin-solution ingestion. TA retention was assessed following saccharin-free intervals of 2–40 days. Each S s' retention interval was followed by 30 days of two-bottle preference testing, thereby additionally permitting an assessment of TA extinction following differing degrees of TA forgetting. Low-dose S s displayed moderate strength TAs that were forgotten within 20 days and that had little resistance to extinction when testing began shortly after conditioning. Medium-dose S s displayed stronger TAs having greater resistance to both forgetting and extinction. Unlike these low- and medium-dose TAs, high-dose TAs were impervious to aversion degradation as a result of forgetting. This finding is interpreted as supporting the attempted induction of intense nausea during covert-sensitization and chemical aversion (emetic therapy) alcoholism treatment. Other related conditioning procedures that may contribute to effective treatment are also discussed.
The rat: a laboratory model for studies of the diving response

Underwater submersion in mammals induces apnea, parasympathetically mediated bradycardia, and sympathetically mediated peripheral vasoconstriction. These effects are collectively termed the diving ...
On the Balmer: Paschen ratio in prominences

Vidicon data for the intensities of Balmer and Paschen lines for n = 11 to 18 indicate a line ratio within 1σ of the theoretical value of 3.27, calculated with the assumptions of an optically thin atmosphere and angular momentum substates populated according to their statistical weights. The observed value is not consistent with the value of 8 reported in some early work, or with the model that higher angular momentum states have low populations.
Left ventricular outflow tract gradient variability in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background The presence and magnitude of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction directs the management algorithm in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Although it is well known that the degree of LVOT obstruction is dynamic and dependent upon ventricular load and contractility, the magnitude and potential impact of the day-to-day variability seen in practice has not been well appreciated. Hypotheses We hypothesized that LVOT gradient variability in HCM has an impact on clinical decision-making. Methods A total of 100 HCM patients (mean age, 58 ± 13 years; 47% male) underwent comprehensive 2-dimensional Doppler transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac catheterization with transseptal measurement of left-sided pressures. All studies were performed within 48 hours of one another. Results The correlation of LVOT gradients from both methods performed at different times had a wide scatter with the 95% confidence limits of agreement being ± 84 mm Hg. For classifying patients as having severe LVOT obstruction on the basis of either method (<30 vs ≥ 30 mm Hg), discrepant results occurred in 21% of patients. To confirm the accuracy of Doppler measurements, 15 studies were performed with simultaneous measurement of LVOT gradient, which revealed a very strong correlation (r = 0.98, p < 0.0001) with 95% confidence limits of agreement ± 12 mm Hg. Conclusions In patients with HCM, LVOT gradient measurements are routinely obtained to characterize the severity of obstruction. However, these data demonstrate the marked variability of the LVOT obstruction, which must be considered when determining appropriate therapy in symptomatic patients. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stiffness and strength behaviour of woven fabric composites

This paper presents three analytical models for the investigation of the stiffness and strength of woven fabric composites. The “mosaic model” is effective in predicting the elastic properties of fabric composites. The “fibre undulation model” takes into account fibre continuity and undulation and has been adopted for modelling the “knee behaviour” of plain weave fabric composites. The “bridging model” is developed to simulate the load transfer among the interlaced regions in satin composites. The theoretical predictions coincide extremely well with experimental measurements. The elastic stiffness and knee stress in satin composites are higher than those in plain weave composites due to the presence of the bridging regions in the weaving pattern.
Measurement Error Associated With Surveys of Fish Abundance in Lake Michigan

In fisheries, imprecise measurements in catch data from surveys add uncertainty to the results of fishery stock assessments. The USGS Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) began to survey the fall fish community of Lake Michigan in 1962 with bottom trawls. The measurement error was evaluated at the level of individual tows for nine fish species collected in this survey by applying a measurementerror regression model to replicated trawl data. It was found that the estimates of measurement-error variance ranged from 0.37 (deepwater sculpin, Myoxocephalus thompsoni) to 1.23 (alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus) on a logarithmic scale corresponding to a coefficient of variation = 66 to 156%. The estimates appeared to increase with the range of temperature occupied by the fish species. This association may be a result of the variability in the fall thermal structure of the lake. The estimates may also be influenced by other factors, such as pelagic behavior and schooling. Measurement error might be reduced by surveying the fish community during other seasons and/or by using additional technologies, such as acoustics. Measurement-error estimates should be considered when interpreting results of assessments that use abundance information from USGS-GLSC surveys of Lake Michigan and could be used if the survey design was altered. This study is the first to report estimates of measurement-error variance associated with this survey.
Factors affecting bird strikes on aircraft at a coastal airport

Abstract I examined the species involved in bird strikes on the runways at J. F. Kennedy International Airport, Long Island, New York from 1973 to 1981. One-hundred-and-forty-two strikes were recorded although 1202 carcasses were found on the runways. Gulls Larus accounted for 47% of the pilot-reported strikes and 70% of the carcasses. Most of the other pilot-reported strikes were shorebirds, small passerines, or were unidentified. During the period 49 species were found as carcasses. Other than gulls, ducks (9%), shorebirds (4%) and owls (3%) were most common. Over half of the gull strikes involved herring Larus argentatus , followed by laughing L. atricilla , ring-billed. L. delawarensis and great black-backed L. marinus gulls. Herring and great black-backed gulls were hit less than expected on the basis of their percent occurrence. Young gulls were hit proportionally more often than expected. Bird strikes and carcass counts were highest in 1975, decreased in 1976 and 1977, increased from 1978 through 1980, and decreased in 1981. For all years pilot-reported strike rates were low (usually less than 1 per 10 000 movements) compared to other airports. Pilot-reported strike rates peaked in May and November during the spring and autumn migration although carcass counts were high from May through December. Over 50% of the pilot-reported gull strikes occurred from 0500–0900 h, although non-gull strikes occurred evenly throughout the day, despite the fact that 70% of plane movements occurred after 1300 h. The pattern of pilot-reported strikes is similar to that reported from Canadian airports.
Bronchopleurocutaneous Fistula Due to Infection with Histoplasma Capsulatum

We report the case of a patient admitted with a draining sinus tract of the chest wall, which was shown to be a bronchopieurocutaneous fistula. Numerous colonies of both albino and brown filamentous Histoplasma capsulatum were demonstrated subsequently from both sputum and sinus tract drainage material. Exhaustive cultural procedures were negative in an attempt to establish an etiologic relationship of the fistula with other bacterial or fungal organisms. Therapy was instituted with intravenous amphotericin B followed by subsidence of symptoms and healing of the fistulous tract We believe this to be the first case report of pulmonary histoplasmosis presenting in this manner.
The variable rate-of-growth effect in the life cycle saving model.

The rate of growth in real GNP g affects the aggregate saving rate positively in life-cycle saving models. This rate of growth effect is invariably estimated as the coefficient of g in the saving function. We show that other determinants of the saving rate influence the rate of growth effect. In other words, the rate of growth effect is not constant. Specifically, the real rate of return on financial assets and the population dependency ratio determine the timing of saving over the life cycle and, hence, alter the rate of growth effect. The dependency ratio also has an effect on the saving rate which is independent of g because it, together with the foreign saving rate, determines the level of saving over the life cycle.
Cationic copolymerization of tetrahydrofuran with epoxides. III. Synthesis of block copolymers

Polymerization of various cyclic ethers by BF3·O(C2H5)2 in the presence of polymeric glycol leads to the formation of hydroxyl terminated block copolymers. Where poly(oxyethylene glycol) is used as the polymeric glycol, fission of the poly(oxyethylene glycol) chain occurs, and block copolymers, containing shorter ethylene oxide unit sequences are obtained. With poly(oxypropylene glycol), on the other hand, the polymer chain remains intact. This may be due to the steric influence of the pendant methyl groups. The cyclic oligomers formed as by-products in the polymerizations are easily removed.
Ba4CaCu3Ox, a new phase in the Ba-Ca-Cu-I system Preliminary phase relationships

Abstract The new compound Ba 4 CaCu 3 O x has been identified in the Ba-Ca-Cu-O system. Preliminary single-crystal X-ray diffraction data revealed that this phase crystallizes in an ordered cell based on a cubic perovskite framework, but with doubled unit cell constants. The compound, which is not superconducting, is isomorphic with the known Ba 4 YCu 3 O x . Equilibrium relationships to and near Bz 4 CaCu 3 O x in the Ba-Ca-Cu-O phase diagram are reported.
Meniscal repair using the FasT-Fix all-inside meniscal repair device.

Purpose: We performed a prospective study of meniscal repair using a new all-inside suture meniscal repair device to evaluate its clinical efficacy. Type of study: Prospective case series. Methods: The results of 42 meniscal tears in 37 patients who underwent meniscal repair using the FasT-Fix device (Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA) were prospectively evaluated. All cases were performed by 1 surgeon (A.A.S.). Preoperative and follow-up evaluation was performed using the objective and subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) criteria as well as Lysholm functional questionnaires. Statistical significance was determined to be P t test. Relook arthroscopy was performed in 8 patients (9 repairs). Any patient who had a hybrid repair was excluded. Results: The patient population studied, 37 patients comprising 42 meniscal repairs, had an average age of 27 years (range, 13 to 48 years), and an average follow-up of 24.3 months (range, 22 to 27 months). There were 20 male and 18 female patients with 23 medial and 9 lateral repairs; 5 patients had both menisci repaired. All patients had tears in Cooper radial zones 1 and 2 and, thus, had a peripheral meniscal rim of at least 2 mm. All tears were predominantly in the middle and posterior third of the meniscus and 8 tears extended into the posteriormost aspect of the anterior third of the meniscus. An average of 2.8 suture devices was used (range, 1 to 5), predominately in a vertical or vertical oblique mattress configuration. Forty-two percent were isolated meniscal injuries and 58% had a concurrent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Concomitant procedures were ACL reconstruction in 22, excision of loose body in 1, and excision of a large meniscal cyst in 1. Tear length averaged 2.9 cm (range, 1.5 to 4.5 cm). The success rate by objective IKDC score was 86% (73% normal, 13% nearly normal, and 14% abnormal). Of the 5 clinical failures, 3 were in the isolated group (80% success rate), and 2 were in the ACL group (91% success rate). Both the subjective IKDC and the Lysholm scores statistically improved (IKDC average, 59 preoperative and 92 postoperative; Lysholm average, 69 preoperative and 94 postoperative). There were 8 relook arthroscopies; 5 for failures and 3 for other procedures at which time complete healing was noted. In no case was there articular scuffing from the knots. Removal of a device at the time of surgery was necessary in 5 instances for failure of engagement of the T-Fix bar. An additional FasT-Fix device was then inserted without difficulty in each case. No case of postoperative extra-articular or intra-articular complications was encountered. Conclusions: The FasT-Fix suture device affords an all-inside method of meniscal repair using a strong vertical or horizontal mattress suture configuration and appears to be a safe and effective technique for meniscal repair for tears with at least a 2-mm peripheral rim. It has a high success rate and low complication rate and has results comparable to classic suture repair techniques. Level of evidence: Level IV.
Large-angle and high-efficiency tunable phase grating using fringe field switching liquid crystal

We propose a switchable phase grating using fringe field switching (FFS) cells. The FFS phase grating possesses several attractive features: large diffraction angle, high diffraction efficiency, fast response time, and high contrast ratio. It can diffract >32% light to ± 2nd orders with a large diffraction angle of 12.1°. Meanwhile, its response time remains relatively fast even at −40°C. A simulation model is developed to explain the experimental results and good agreement is obtained. We also demonstrate a blazed phase grating to achieve tunable beam steering between 0th, 1st and 2nd orders.
Deregulation of Specific Sets of Genes Detected by Microarray Analysis of Marrow Stromal Fibroblast Cells Stimulated by IR and VR Light

Conflicting reports have questioned whether low level laser treatment can have an effect on bone. Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine how light affects gene expression. Methods: Clones of marrow fibroblast stem cells were isolated from human bone marrow and used for primary cell cultures. The cells were grown without light as a control and with light under eight different conditions: two wavelengths of light(830-IR and 633nmVR) at four different energy levels(0.5.1.0,1.5 and 2.0 joules /cm2). Results: Light stimulated some cultures to proliferate up to 40% faster depending on the type of light stimulation using BrdU markers. For the light-stimulated cultures, western blot data for osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase and RUNX 2, markers of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, did not show a pattern of increased or early gene expression compared to control cultures. Affymetrix Human exon microarrays of 22,000 protein-encoding genes (40 markers per gene) showed distinct sets of genes being deregulated for each of the eight experimental conditions. A two-fold screen for gene expression differences between control and light-stimulated cultures revealed a complex network of gene expression interactions involving dose response and silencing of inhibitor genes for candidate genes such as RANKL, IL-1A and MMP10. Pathway analysis showed the top VR biological gene networks were skeletal and muscular system development and function, tissue development and amino acid metabolism, consistent with bone turnover. The top biological functions associated with IR stimulation are skin condition, genetic disorders, cancer, immune response. Conclusion: This study provides strong evidence for light stimulating different sets of genes according to wavelength and energy level that can alter bone turnover. The data provides a molecular explanation for the conflicting reports in the current literature.
Crack propagation in fused silica during UV and IR nanosecond-laser illumination

The functional lifetime of large-aperture optical components used on a laser such as the National Ignition Facility is an important engineering parameter. To predict the lifetime of fused silica transmissive optics, it is necessary to measure the rate of damage propagation as a function of fluence and understand the effects of the laser parameters. In order to begin such predictions without a large-area flat-top laser beam, damage growth experiments were conducted using a small Gaussian beam. Damage was initiated by producing mechanical flaws on the surface of the optic. Since output surface damage in transmissive topics can propagate at least two orders of magnitude faster than input surface damage, the experiments were focused on damage initiated at the output surface. The experiments showed that if damage was initiated, it could not grow at fluences below a threshold of about 5 and 8 J/cm 2 at 355 and 1064 nm, respectively. When damage was able to propagate under laser irradiation, the phenomenon occurred in two stages. Initially, the damage grew both laterally and along the optical axis at a rate varying linearly with fluence. Lateral growth stopped in areas where the fluence was lower than the growth threshold. At this point, the area of damage typically filed the size of the beam and the rate of axial damage propagation significantly decreased. During this stage, laser irradiation drilled at constant rate a channel through the window. During stage I, the damage area grew much faster at 355 nm than at 1064 nm. During stage II, 355 nm light drilled four to five times faster than 1064 nm light. At given fluence at 1064 nm, the drilling rate did not change between 3 ns and 10 ns. Finally, drilling at 1064 nm produced a well-defined cylindrical damaged region while 355 nm light generated less regular clusters of cracks.
“I’m not as Thin as You Think I Am”: The Development and Consequences of Feeling Discrepant from the Thinness Norm

This research examines whether people feel discrepant from others in terms of their attitudes and behaviors related to valued social norms as well as the development and consequences of this perceived discrepancy. To examine these issues, the authors chose a prevalent social norm, namely, the norm of thinness for women. As predicted, participants believed that, compared to themselves, other women are thinner, want to be thinner, exercise more frequently and for more aesthetic reasons (e.g., weight loss, attractiveness), and are more aware of and influenced by the thinness norm. Moreover, upper-class women showed more evidence of perceiving a discrepancy on behavioral norms than first-year women, and women who felt discrepant from the norm showed more symptoms of eating disorders. Discussion focuses on the theoretical and applied implications of these findings.