cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pair-field susceptibility and superconducting tunneling: A macroscopic approach

The dc $I\ensuremath{-}V$ characteristics of tunnel junctions between weak and strong superconductors characterized by transition temperatures ${T}_{c}$ and ${T}_{c}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, respectively ($T\ensuremath{\approx}{T}_{c}ll{T}_{c}^{\ensuremath{'}}$), exhibit an excess pair current. This current is proportional to the imaginary part of the generalized pair-field susceptibility $\ensuremath{\chi}(k,\ensuremath{\omega})$, which characterizes the dynamics of the weak superconductor, where $\ensuremath{\omega}$ and $k$ are proportional, respectively, to the voltage across and the magnetic field in the junction. We show here that this result follows in a simple way from the interaction that gives rise to the usual Josephson current below ${T}_{c}$, and can in fact be viewed as a second-order Josephson effect. Above ${T}_{c}$ the order parameter on the strong side acts as an effective conjugate field to induce an order parameter on the weak side, yielding a proportional Josephson current between the two electrodes. We also interpret this result to yield a charge-imbalance relaxation time for the effective gapless super-conductor on the weak side. Below ${T}_{c}$ the induced part of the order parameter interacts with the usual Josephson current to produce an excess current in a manner analogous to the way an external oscillator coupled to a junction results in a constant-voltage step in the $I\ensuremath{-}V$ characteristic. In both temperature regimes the magnitude of this excess current is related to an appropriate time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation. Finally, the effect of thermal voltage noise on the excess current is considered. Throughout, a heuristic approach is used to bring out new aspects of the problem and to make the physical content of the theory accessible.
Impact of endoscopic assessment and treatment on operative and non-operative management of acute oesophageal perforation.

Background: Surgeons have not typically utilized an endoscopic approach for diagnosis and management of acute oesophageal perforation, mainly due to fears of increased mediastinal contamination. This study assessed the evolution of endoscopic approaches and their effect on outcomes over time in acute oesophageal perforation. Methods: All patients with documented acute oesophageal perforation between 1990 and 2009 were enrolled prospectively in an Institutional Review Board-approved database. Results: Of 81 patients who presented during the study period, 52 had upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for diagnosis alone (12 patients; 23 per cent) or as a component of acute management (40 patients; 77 per cent). Use of endoscopy increased from four of 13 patients in the first 5 years of the study to 20 of 24 patients in the final 5 years. Endoscopy was used in conjunction with surgery in 28 patients, of whom 21 underwent primary repair, three had resection, and one a diversion; 12 patients in this group had hybrid operations (combination of surgical and endoscopic management). Primary endoscopic treatment was used in 15 patients (29 per cent), most commonly involving stent placement (7). Of those having endoscopy, complication rates improved (from 3 of 4 to 8 of 20 patients), as did mean length of stay (from 21·8 to 13·4 days) between the initial and final 5 years of the study. There were two deaths (4 per cent). Of 21 patients who had both endoscopic assessment and management in the operating room, endoscopy identified additional pathology in ten, leading to a change in management plan in five patients. Conclusion: Endoscopy is a safe and important component of the management of acute oesophageal perforation. It provides additional information that modifies treatment, and its wider use should result in improved outcomes. Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiac arrhythmias and ECG abnormalities in tricyclic antidepressant overdose

Tricyclic antidepressant overdose is widely felt to be associated with cardiac arrhythmias which may occur without warning, sometimes late in the clinical course. For this reason, many institutions routinely monitor cardiac rhythm in such patients for up to 72 h. A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical course of such patients with emphasis on cardiac complications. Thirty-eight cases of TCA overdose were reviewed. Fourteen patients (36.9%) were classified as lethargic or stuporous on admission while 23 (60.5%) were either comatose or semicomatose, nine requiring endotracheal intubation. Patients were continuously monitored an average of 60 h after admission. Admission ECG's were abnormal in a high number of cases, most common abnormalities being sinus tachycardia (43%) and intraventricular conduction defects (24%). Ventricular ectopy was less common (7.8%). ECG abnormalities, with the exception of sinus tachycardia and infrequent PVC's were associated with a severely depressed sensorium and disappeared with neurological improvement, usually in 24 h. No arrhythmias were noted after the patient had become alert. Overall mortality was 2.6%, with no deaths in the adult populations. After a search of the literature, we conclude that intensive care unit monitoring is not indicated for prolonged periods once the patient has otherwise recovered from his acute complications of drug overdose.
Electrophysiologic study of cultured neurons dissociated from spinal cords and dorsal root ganglia of fetal mice.

Abstract Spontaneously occurring action potentials and postsynaptic potentials were recorded intracellularly from mouse spinal cord (SC) neurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in mixed SC and DRG cell cultures. In some SC cells, excitatory postsynaptic potentials were evoked by electrical stimulation of a nearby SC or DRG cell. SC and DRG neurons had distinguishing morphologic and electrophysiologic properties. SC neurons usually were elliptical or stellate and had several branched processes whereas DRG cells were most commonly round and had on the average only one process, but occasionally 3 or 4. Calculations from cell measurements revealed that SC neurons had less soma surface area and more process surface area than DRG cells, with a similar total surface area for each class. Lower resting membrane potentials were recorded from SC neurons, but when the capability for action potential generation was tested at comparable steady membrane potentials, most SC and less than half of DRG neurons fired repetitively to electrical stimulation. During the depolarizing and repolarizing phases of SC cell action potentials the rates of change of membrane potential were lower than for DRG cells, which had rapidly rising action potentials and a markedly negative afterpotential. An initially delayed repolarization phase was characteristic of the DRG cell action potential. Cell cultures were prepared by trypsin dissociation of spinal cords with attached spinal ganglia from fetuses of 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17 days gestational age. Cell cultures grown on plastic or collagen were studied electrophysiologically at times from 16 to 94 days.
Bacillus subtilis dnaF: a mutation of the gene specifying the structure of DNA polymerase III.

The characteristics of Bacillus subtilis dnaF, a mutation specifying a temperature sensitive phenotype, were examined to determine its relationship to polC, the gene specifying the structure of DNA polymerase III (pol III). Exposure of growing cells bearing dnaF to non-permissive temperature inhibited replicative DNA synthesis and specifically depressed the expression of pol III activity in crude extracts. Highly purified pol III derived from cells bearing dnaF was temperature sensitive in its polymerase activity, indicating that dnaF is a specific, polC mutation which specifies a structurally altered enzyme.
Immunochemical studies on a laminaribiosyl-azoprotein conjugate.

Abstract Laminaribiose ( 3-o-β- d -glucopyranosyl- d -glucose ) was coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by an azophenyl linkage to provide the synthetic antigen BSA-p-phenylazo-β-laminaribioside. The behavior of antisera prepared in rabbits immunized with the β-laminaribiosyl conjugate was examined by immunodiffusion, quantitative precipitation and hapten inhibition. Anticonjugate absorbed with carrier protein showed the greatest reactivity with the homologous β-laminaribiosyl-BSA antigen, but also showed some cross precipitation with β-cellobiosyl, β-sophorosyl and β-gentiobiosyl-BSA conjugates. Glucobioses linked through the β-(1 → 2), β-(1 → 3), β-(1 → 4) and β-(1 → 6) positions, as well as laminaridextrins and tri and tetrasaccharides of β-linked glucose possessing a laminaribiose moiety either at a nonreducing end location or at a subterminal location, were assayed for their ability to inhibit antilaminaribioside precipitation. Hapten inhibition data showed anticonjugate a possess a high degree of specificity directed against the terminal nonreducing β-laminaribiosyl end group.
ABNORMAL RESULTS OF LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IN PATIENTS WITH GRAVES' DISEASE

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the frequency of liver dysfunction in patients with hyperthyroidism. Methods We analyzed the clinical records of 30 consecutive patients with Graves’ disease to identify the spectrum of abnormal results of liver function tests. The values for alkaline phosphatase (AP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), y-glutamyltrans- ferase (GGT), and total bilirubin were examined. Results The frequencies of increased levels of AP, AST, ALT, GGT, and bilirubin in the current study group were similar to but somewhat lower than those reported in previous studies. Of the 30 study patients, 11 (37%) had at least one abnormal result of a liver function test. All 30 patients in the study had determinations of AP (not fractionated), of which 10 values (33%) were above normal (range, 124 to 283 U/L). Of the 30 patients who had determinations of AST, 5 (17%) had increased values that ranged from 36 to 71 U/L. Six of the 23 patients (26%) with determinations of ALT had increased values that ranged from 45 to 157 U/L. Of the 25 patients who had measurements of GGT, 6 had above normal results (range, 69 to 331 U/L). In addition, 2 of the 24 patients (8%) with determinations of total bilirubin had increased levels. Conclusion These findings indicate that abnormal results of liver function tests are common in patients with hyperthyroidism and make the diagnosis of concomitant, unrelated liver disease difficult until the euthyroid state has been established. (Endocr Pract. 2000;6:367-369)
Cerebral cortical inhibition of pituitary-adrenal secretion.

Dogs with chronic adrenal vein cannulas were bilaterally decorticated and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid outputs were determined in the post-operative period. “Resting” corticosteroid outputs in decorticate dogs were markedly elevated compared to normal, with return to baseline levels following Nembutal anesthesia. Sciatic nerve stimulation in the anesthetized decorticated animal resulted in a significant adrenal cortical response which was not further increased by exogenous ACTH. These studies indicate that the cerebral cortex exerts a tonic inhibition on lower central nervous system areas which are involved in the control of ACTH release.
Multifocal fiber loss in proximal sciatic nerve in symmetric distal diabetic neuropathy.

Abstract The lumbosacral spinal cord, lumber roots, L5 spinal ganglion, L5 segmental nerve and entire lengths of the sciatic, tibial, peroneal and sural nerves were taken at postmortem examination from 2 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and a predominantly sensory symmetric distal polyneuropathy and compared with 2 non-diabetic control patients. Sections from proximal to middle levels of sciatic nerves of these patients showed a remarkable variability in myelinated fiber (MF) density within and between fascicles. Roots and segmental nerves appeared to be unaffected. Sections of peroneal, tibial and sural nerves showed only severe and diffuse fiber loss. The findings suggest that multifocal lesions at upper levels of sciatic nerve can summate distally to produce a symmetric diabetic neuropathy. The findings, if confirmed by using quantitative approaches in larger numbers of patients, suggest an underlying interstitial pathological process rather than a metabolic process.
An improved draping method for otoplastic surgery.

An alternative method of draping of the ears is presented in which a mesh gauze dressing is used as an adjunctive method for restraining hair from the surgical field. It use is rapid and permits exposure and visibility of the ears bilaterally.
Quadratic Algebras Associated with the Union of a Quadric and a Line in P3

Abstract We define a family of graded quadratic algebras Aσ (on 4 generators) depending on a fixed nonsingular quadric Q in P 3, a fixed line L in P 3 and an automorphism σ ∈ Aut(Q ∪ L). This family contains O q(M2( C )), the coordinate ring of quantum 2 × 2 matrices. Many of the algebraic properties of Aσ are shown to be determined by the geometric properties of {Q ∪ L, σ}. For instance, when Aσ = O q(M2( C )), then the quantum determinant is the unique (up to a scalar multiple) homogeneous element of degree 2 in O q(M2( C )) that vanishes on the graph in P 3 × P 3 of σ|Q but not on the graph of σ|L. Following results of M. Artin, J. Tate, and M. Van den Bergh ("The Grothendieck Festschrift," Birkhauser, Basel, 1990; and Invent. Math.106, 1991, 335-388), we study point and line modules over the algebras Aσ, and find that their algebraic properties are consequences of the geometric data. In particular, the point modules are in one-to-one correspondence with the points of Q or L, and the line modules are in bijection with the lines in P 3 that either lie on Q or meet L. In the case of O q(M2( C )), when q is not a root of unity, the quantum determinant annihilates all the line modules M(l) corresponding to lines l ⊂ Q; the determinant generates the whole annihilator for such l ⊂ Q if and only if l and L = ∅.
Telemedicine and Pediatric Surgery

The practice of pediatric surgery has become increasingly demanding, requiring longer working hours with less reimbursement. Although manpower in this field is adequate, there are still areas that are underserved. Advances in technology offer the pediatric surgeon tools to improve efficiency of practice, cover wider areas of practice, and service underserved locations. The purpose of this report is to introduce the pediatric surgeon to telemedicine technology and its potential impact on the practice environment. The history, key components, and current applications of telemedicine are presented. The ability to integrate this technology in pediatric surgical practice holds great potential.
Bipedicle-conjoined perforator flaps in breast reconstruction.

Abstract Background For some patients seeking autologous breast reconstruction, there may be insufficient abdominal skin and soft tissue to reconstruct an adequately sized breast. Perfusion from a single-pedicle deep inferior epigastric perforator artery flap has a high degree of variability across the midline, and this further limits perfusion. We have found that bipedicle-conjoined abdominal perforator flaps are a novel and reliable technique for reconstruction in these women, and this study examines our experience. Materials and methods A retrospective review was performed over a 2-y period of bipedicle-conjoined abdominal perforator flaps in 28 patients. For each reconstruction, the pedicle of one flap was anastomosed to the anterograde internal mammary artery vessels and the pedicle of the second flap to a side branch of the primary flap or the retrograde internal mammary vessels. Results Mean age and body mass index were 50.2 y (standard deviation, 8.0) and 25.9 kg/m2 (standard deviation, 2.8), respectively. In total, 15 patients (53.6%) received radiation therapy before surgery. There were no flap losses; fat necrosis was found in one flap (3.2%). The large contiguous skin island of the bipedicle-conjoined deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps allowed for extensive replacement of damaged or absent breast skin when necessary. Aesthetically satisfactory results were achieved in all patients. Conclusions Bipedicle-conjoined abdominal perforator flaps represent a novel technique in select patients seeking breast reconstruction. The added complexity was safe and reliable in this series of patients. Compared to unipedicle flaps, the increased skin and volume allow greater flexibility to achieve the desired shape and projection.
Data assimilation and a pelagic ecosystem model: parameterization using time series observations

Variational adjoint assimilation of time series observations is used to estimate the optimal parameters of a nitrogen-budget, upper ocean, mixed-layer ecosystem model. Observations collected at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-Series Study (BATS) site are taken as an example of a time series. A twin experiment using simulated data of the same type and frequency as the BATS observations first demonstrates the adequacy of the observations to estimate the model parameters and model the ecosystem annual cycle. This experiment further shows that some of the model parameters cannot be estimated independently. This conclusion leads to a simplification of the model and a redefinition of its parameters. Based upon the success of the twin experiment to estimate all model parameters, an attempt to assimilate actual observations from BATS was undertaken. The assimilation of real data leads to the conclusion that, even though the frequency and type of observations is adequate to estimate the model parameters, the considered model is not appropriate for the annual cycle of the BATS ecosystem.
Detection and recognition of alphabetic characters: Simultaneous and contiguous

The present experiment was designed to examine the temporal ordering of detection performance and recognition performance in the perception of alphabetic characters, employing a visual backward-masking by noise paradigm. The results suggest that the encoding processes that lead to a correct “detection” response are completed earlier than the encoding processes that lead to a correct “recognition” response.
HaploBuild: an algorithm to construct non-contiguous associated haplotypes in family based genetic studies

UNLABELLED We have created a program that searches densely genotyped regions for associated non-contiguous haplotypes using a standard family based haplotype association test. This program was designed to expand upon the 'sliding window' methodologies commonly used for haplotype construction by allowing the association of subsets of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to drive the construction of the haplotype. This strategy permits HaploBuild to construct more biologically relevant haplotypes that are not constrained by arbitrary length and contiguous orientation. AVAILABILITY http://snp.bumc.bu.edu.
Fragmentation of gold by pions and protons

Abstract The excitation function for the formation of 24 Na in the interaction of gold with protons has been determined between 200 and 800 MeV and the 24 Na cross section measured for 294 MeV π + .
Minimizing the Computation Time for Using the Technique of Sectioning for Digital Filtering of Pictures

This note considers the problem of minimizing the computation time required for digital filtering of pictures by the technique of sectioning. Direct enumeration on a computer was used to tabulate the optimum section size, and tables of the optimum section sizes are presented. The tables are compared with previously tabulated optimum sections for one-dimensional filtering; the optimal two-dimensional section sizes have linear dimensions twice as great as the optimal one-dimensional sections. To explain this discrepancy, analytical models are developed for the optimum one-and two-dimensional sections. The analytical models verify the tabulated data on optimum section size, and demonstrate why optimal two-dimensional sections are greater in size than corresponding one-dimensional sections.
New indexing methods improve the computer retrieval of information on chemical separations

Abstract Finding a suitable method for a chemical separation in the literature is difficult. A new keywording/indexing method makes retrieval of information on a specific separation easy.
Evaluation and comparison of biocontrol and conventional fungicides for control of postharvest potato tuber diseases

Abstract Two biocontrol fungicides (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus) and three conventional fungicides (phosphorous acid, azoxystrobin and hydrogen peroxide) were evaluated in two storage trials over 2 years for efficacy in suppressing tuber infection caused by Phytophthora infestans, Phytophthora erythroseptica, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium sambucinum. A chip-processing cultivar, FL 1879, stored at 10 °C was used for the two trials. Tubers were inoculated followed by treatment with the fungicides prior to storage. Disease incidence was assessed after 120 d in storage. The biocontrol fungicides had limited control of the storage pathogens compared to the conventional fungicides. Phosphorous acid, hydrogen peroxide and azoxystrobin were moderately effective in controlling diseases caused by the oomycete pathogens. Although none of the products evaluated completely controlled the storage diseases, the conventional fungicides showed a higher potential for suppressing tuber infection in storage than the biocontrol fungicides. Use of these biocontrol fungicides could be integrated with other management strategies.
MorphiDex® (MS:DM) Double-Blind, Multiple-Dose Studies In Chronic Pain Patients

Abstract Preclinical and double-blind single-dose placebo-controlled studies demonstrated that MorphiDex® (MS:DM), a 1:1 ratio of morphine sulfate (MS) to dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM), provides significantly greater analgesia than an equal dose of immediate release MS, with a faster onset, and a duration of ≥8 h. The analgesic effect of MS:DM compared to MS was evaluated in 2 double-blind, multiple-dose studies in 321 patients with cancer and other chronic pain: a crossover study that consisted of two 2-wk periods and a 4-wk parallel study. As specified in the study protocols, patients took sufficient MS or MS:DM to achieve satisfactory pain control. In the crossover study, the MS:DM group required half as much morphine as the MS group to achieve satisfactory pain control (80 mg and 162 mg, respectively). The interval between doses and the time from the last dose of the day to the first dose of the next day were significantly longer for MS:DM compared to MS. In the parallel study, MS:DM also provided pain control at a significantly lower dose. After four weeks of treatment, the mean daily dose of MS increased, while there was little change in the MS:DM mean daily dose (P = 0.025) to maintain satisfactory pain control. More patients preferred MS:DM to run-in MS than preferred MS to run-in MS (P = 0.026). The addition of DM to MS did not increase the incidence of adverse events, which were those commonly associated with opioid use. These studies confirm that MS:DM provides satisfactory pain relief but at a significantly lower morphine daily dose.
Transdermal absorption of steroids

Abstract The transport mechanisms of selected steroids in the presence of a series of aqueous ethanol solutions have been probed in vitro using hairless mouse and human tissue, as well as in vivo using the unique human skin sandwich flap model. Permeation and biophysical studies have also been performed under similar conditions in order to elucidate the biophysical alterations in hairless mouse and human stratum corneum induced by the vehicle solutions that contribute to the percutaneous transport mechanisms of steroids. Progesterone, estradiol and hydrocortisone transport across hairless mouse skin under the same conditions was examined to explore the effects of permeant properties. Steroid uptake and in vitro permeability coefficients across both skin species decreased with decreasing steroid lipophilicity. The polar character of the steroids influences not only partitioning, but also the effective diffusivity in the stratum corneum, as suggested from permeability coefficients calculated with a mathematical model. As steroids become more polar, the effective diffusivities decrease and the degree to which the stratum corneum controls overall diffusion increases. Estradiol permeability coefficients in vivo with the human skin sandwich flap were 10-fold higher than with human epidermis in vitro. Estradiol uptake and permeability coefficients decreased with the presence of increasing ethanol concentrations. Similarities in estradiol permeation in vitro through hairless mouse skin and human epidermis were further reflected in similarities of the human and hairless mouse stratum corneum lipid domain biophysical structures.
Evaluation of indicated suicide risk prevention approaches for potential high school dropouts.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the efficacy of 2 indicated preventive interventions, postintervention and at 9-month follow-up. METHODS: Drawn from a pool of potential high school dropouts, 460 youths were identified as being at risk for suicide and participated in 1 of 3 conditions randomly assigned by school: (1) Counselors CARE (C-CARE) (n = 150), a brief one-to-one assessment and crisis intervention; (2) Coping and Support Training (CAST) (n = 155), a small-group skills-building and social support intervention delivered with C-CARE; and (3) usual-care control (n = 155). Survey instruments were administered pre-intervention, following C-CARE (4 weeks), following CAST (10 weeks), and at a 9-month follow-up. RESULTS: Growth curve analyses showed significant rates of decline in attitude toward suicide and suicidal ideation associated with the experimental interventions. C-CARE and CAST, compared with usual care, also were effective in reducing depression and hopelessness. Among females, reductions in anxiety and anger were greater in response to the experimental programs. CAST was most effective in enhancing and sustaining personal control and problem-solving coping for males and females. CONCLUSIONS: School-based, indicated prevention approaches are feasible and effective for reducing suicidal behaviors and related emotional distress and for enhancing protective factors. Language: en
Scheduling using Superposition Coding: Design and Software Radio implementation

Cellular base stations typically orthogonalize downlink transmissions, although this approach is not always throughput-optimal. Indeed, it can be shown that removing the orthogonality constraint (as in Superposition Coding) can provide significant benefits in some scenarios. Based on this principle, we propose a scheduling algorithm for a two-user downlink that leverages the disparity in their respective channel qualities. By a judicious reallocation of the transmit power and bandwidth, this algorithm improves the throughput to both users vis-a-vis an orthogonal scheme. We design a software-defined radio platform to implement the scheduler and experimentally verify the gains promised by theory.
So You Say You Want a Revolution A Game Theoretic Explanation of Revolution in Repressive Regimes

Existing models of revolutions tend to focus only on the behavior of the revolutionaries and do not account for government actions. This article presents a model that captures the decision making of a repressive government, career dissidents, and revolutionary participants. The model shows that (a) governments rarely offer concessions to protesters, (b) dissident activity is more likely to be successful in motivating large-scale protest under highly repressive conditions, and (c) Kuran's hypothesis that regimes collapse suddenly with little warning is confirmed. The authors use the model to interpret the different outcomes that occurred during the successful Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia and the failed revolution in China during the Tiananmen Square democracy protests.
Compilation of stream programs for multicore processors that incorporate scratchpad memories

The stream processing characteristics of many embedded system applications in multimedia and networking domains have led to the advent of stream based programming formats. Several multicore processors aimed at embedded domains incorporate scratchpad memories (SPM) due to their superior power consumption characteristics. The paper addresses the problem of compiling stream programs on to multi-core processors that incorporate SPM. Performance optimization on SPM based processors requires effective schemes for software based management of code and/or data overlay. In the context of our problem instance the code overlay scheme impacts both the stream element to core mapping and memory available for inter-processor communication. The paper presents an integer linear programming (ILP) formulation and heuristic approach that effectively exploit the SPM to maximize the throughput of stream programs when mapped to multicore processors. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques by compiling StreamIt based benchmark applications on the IBM Cell processor and comparing against existing approach.
Improving lateral and vertical resolution of seismic images by correcting for wavelet stretch in common-angle migration

Long-offset or high-incident-angle seismic reflections provide us with improved velocity resolution, better leverage against multiples, less contamination by ground roll, and information that is often critical when estimating lithology and fluid product. Unfortunately, high-incident-angle seismic reflections suffer not only from nonhyperbolic moveout but also from wavelet stretch during imaging, resulting in lower-resolution images that mix the response from adjacent lithologies. For an arbitrary acoustic medium, wavelet stretch from prestack migration depends only on the cosine of the reflection angle, such that the amount of wavelet stretch will be the same for all samples of a common-reflection-angle migrated trace. Thus, we are able to implement a wavelet stretch correction by applying a simple stationary spectral shaping operation to common-angle migrated traces. We obtain such traces directly by a prestack Kirchhoff migration algorithm. Correcting for stretch effectively increases the fold of imaged data, far beyond that achieved in conventional migration, resulting in improved signal-to-noise ratio of the final stacked section. Increasing the fidelity of large incident angles results in images with improved vertical and lateral resolution and with increased angular illumination, valuable for amplitude variation with angle (AVA) and amplitude variation with offset (AVO) analysis. Finally, such large-angle images are more sensitive to and therefore provide increased leverage over errors in velocity and velocity anisotropy. These ideas were applied to prestack time migration on seismic data from the Fort Worth basin, in Texas.
SERS aptasensor from nanorod–nanoparticle junction for protein detection

A multicomponent nanostructure comprising of gold nanorod–nanoparticle (AuNR–AuNP) composites was fabricated to detect thrombin at subnanomolar concentrations in diluted human blood serum. Simulation and experiments revealed that the strong electromagnetic coupling resonance at the nanorod–nanoparticle junction of these probes can be used to construct highly sensitive SERS aptasensors.
Effect of hypoxia on small vessel blood content of rabbit brain.

Abstract The small vessel blood content (SVBC) of several brain areas was determined in anesthetized rabbits exposed to various forms of hypoxia using [ 59 Fe-]siderophilin labeling of plasma. Under control conditions SVBC was significantly higher in cortical gray matter (1.00 ml/100 grams) than in cortical white matter (0.60), pons (0.61), or medulla (0.75). Inhalation of 10%O 2 , 8%O 2 plus 5%CO 2 , 1%CO in 40%O 2 , or asphyxia resulted in increasing levels of average brain SVBC, in that order, from a control value of 0.77 to 2.04 during asphyxia. Estimation of regional capillary density from these data suggests that although total capillary number (i.e., during asphyxia) is similar in forebrain and hindbrain, a greater portion of total capillaries are perfused during moderate hypoxia in the forebrain than in the hindbrain.
A scalable H.264/AVC deblocking filter architecture using dynamic partial reconfiguration

This paper presents a scalable H.264/AVC deblocking filter architecture based on FPGA using dynamic partial reconfiguration. This desirable feature of FPGAs makes it possible for different hardware configurations to be implemented during run-time. Architectural scalability to adapt to different users' requirements intelligently is demonstrated through dynamic self-reconfiguration on the reconfigurable hardware fabric. When exploiting the full capability of the proposed design, filtering operations up to four different edges at the same time can be performed resulting in significant reduction of total processing time. The architecture can easily support the required computing capability for different resolutions and frame rates of video sequences. The implemented architecture has been evaluated using Xilinx Virtex-4 ML410 FPGA board. The design can operate at a maximum frequency of 103 MHz. The reconfiguration is done through Internal Configuration Access Port (ICAP) to achieve maximum performance needed by real time applications.
Use of Real-Time PCR and Molecular Beacons To Detect Virus Replication in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Individuals on Prolonged Effective Antiretroviral Therapy

We have designed a novel, precise, and sensitive assay to measure unspliced (US) human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-1-infected individuals by using real-time PCR and molecular beacons. Individuals were classified as either well suppressed (WS) or partially suppressed, based on longitudinal measurements of plasma HIV-1 RNA. The proportion of individuals with US mRNA undetectable over time was significantly higher among WS individuals; however, 30% of WS subjects still had detectable US mRNA after 24 months of effective antiviral therapy.
A virtual environment-based paradigm for improving attention in TBI

Attention deficits are one of the most profound problems facing the traumatic brain injured individual. The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) inpatient population in the rehabilitation unit is difficult to study with new technology because it is often very difficult to render and evaluate such interventions in the short time span when a patient is still in the hospital, even though that is precisely the time when clinical attentional therapy is considered most critical. We developed and performed a preliminary test of a haptic/graphic paradigm for improving attention and concentration in early stages of recovery in the TBI inpatient population. Six TBI patients and three healthy controls were exposed to a minimal distraction/minimal interaction environment while reaching for a visual target. Our initial results showed (1) the subjects tolerated the experience, (2) the number of targets acquired in successive one-minute intervals indicated a sustained attention for the task, and (3) haptic interaction in such an environment was well tolerated, engaging, and enjoyable -- often considered a game. These findings have provided the foundation for a larger, intensive, protracted study with repeated treatment.
Prolonged action of regular insulin in diabetic patients: lack of relationship to circulating insulin antibodies.

We previously reported that in insulin-treated diabetic subjects the time course of action of regular insulin injected sc is different from that reported in standard textbooks. The present studies evaluated the role of insulin antibodies (Abs) in the altered pharmacokinetics of regular insulin by comparing the time course of insulin action in 10 patients receiving chronic insulin therapy and having insulin Abs with that in 15 previously untreated patients without detectable Abs. After an overnight fast, the patients were given an infusion of 5% dextrose in water at 100 ml/h. Regular insulin (15 U) was then injected sc in the deltoid region of the arm. The onset of action of sc insulin, as indicated by a 10% fall in serum glucose, was similar in both patient groups [1.9 ± 0.1 (±SEM) hour in Ab-negative and 1.8 ± 0.1 h in Ab-positive patients]. The peak effect of insulin action, as determined by the nadir of serum glucose, was 4.6 ± 0.2 h in the previously untreated patients, not significantly different fro...
Azobenzene-based light-responsive hydrogel system.

A deoxycholic acid-modified β-cyclodextrin derivative (2) and an azobenzene-branched poly(acrylic acid) copolymer (3) were prepared, and the association and dissociation of 2 with the trans/cis-azobenzene units in 3 were characterized by UV/vis spectroscopy, induced circular dichroism, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that the trans-azobenzene units are bound strongly within the cavities of 2 whereas the cis-azobenzene is not bound at all. A supramolecular inclusion complex (1), formed by 2 and 3, is accompanied by the formation of a hydrogel. The light-responsive gel-to-sol and sol-to-gel phase transitions of the hydrogel, induced by trans-cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene units, were investigated. In the hydrogel system, the trans-azobenzene units in 3 are included inside the hydrophobic cavity of 2. Upon photoirradiation with UV light of 355 nm, the hydrogel is converted efficiently to the sol phase because the trans-azobenzene units are converted photochemically to the...
Abstract 466: Metabolome Profile of Experimental Abdominal Aortic Abdominal Aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a degenerative inflammatory disease involving multiple metabolic and signaling pathways. To date, no circulating biomarker accurately identifies AAAs in asymptomatic persons or predicts AAA progression or response to treatment following endovascular exclusion. This study sought to define the serum metabolome, the complete set of small molecule metabolites in experimental AAAs. Methods: AAAs were created via intra-aortic porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) infusion in male C57BL/6J mice or 28-day subcutaneous infusion of angiotensin (Ang) II in male ApoE knockout (KO) mice. PBS was infused as the controls. Aortic diameter was measured via ultrasonography. Sera were prepared at sacrifice (14 (PPE) or 28 (Ang II) days following AAA initiation). Serum metabolites were identified via ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and analyzed via O2PLS method using SIMCA software. Results: Substantial aortic enlargement occurred in C57BL/6J and ApoE KO mice...
Roberto Mangabeira Unger and Collectivism

Knowledge and Politics, by Roberto Mangabeira Unger, came out in the same year, 1975, as The Limits of Liberty by James M. Buchanan. While Buchanan attempts to ground our understanding of liberty and the role of government upon methodological individualism, Unger attacks the whole individualist body of thought that has grown up in the modern West from Thomas Hobbes in the seventeenth century onward. Unger elucidates this tradition of thought and, in drawing out its background assumptions more thoroughly than was done in the last chapter, argues that individualism is in a state of crisis, similar to the one in ancient and medieval thought which led to individualism in the first place. Unger argues that individualism, taken as a whole, fails both to be internally consistent and to correspond with life as it is in fact lived. He offers an alternative to both ancient and medieval thought and modern individualism which may be regarded as collectivist, and thus a suitable adversary to Buchanan’s individualism, but which is, as we shall argue, more muddled than collectivist. In the next chapter, we shall expound the ontology of Mario Bunge and later apply his systemic world view to discuss social justice, natural rights and federalism, taking the best features from atomistic individualism and holistic collectivism, the better to have a common framework to discuss all viewpoints.
Individual Cardiac Mitochondria Undergo Rare Transient Permeability Transition Pore Openings

Rationale:Mitochondria produce ATP, especially critical for survival of highly aerobic cells, such as cardiac myocytes. Conversely, opening of mitochondrial high-conductance and long-lasting permeability transition pores (mPTP) causes respiratory uncoupling, mitochondrial injury, and cell death. However, low conductance and transient mPTP openings (tPTP) might limit mitochondrial Ca2+ load and be cardioprotective, but direct evidence for tPTP in cells is limited. Objective:To directly characterize tPTP occurrence during sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in adult cardiac myocytes. Methods and Results:Here, we measured tPTP directly as transient drops in mitochondrial [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]mito) and membrane potential (ΔΨm) in adult cardiac myocytes during cyclic sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca release, by simultaneous live imaging of 500 to 1000 individual mitochondria. The frequency of tPTPs rose at higher [Ca2+]mito, [Ca2+]i, with 1 μmol/L peroxide exposure and in myocyte from failing hearts. The tPTPs were suppress...
Employer Mandates and ERISA Preemption in the Ninth Circuit

The author takes a critical look at San Francisco's new law requiring employers that don't provide health insurance for their employees to pay a fee to the city to provide health care coverage.
What is Strategic Management

Brief introduction to the field of strategic management, including basic concepts, competititve advantage.
Recovery of Copper, Iron, and Sulfur from Chalcopyrite Concentrate using a Ferric Chloride Leach

Smelting of copper concentrates results in the discharge of millions of tons of SO, to the atmosphere each year. Because of increasing concern with air pollution, the Bureau of Mines has developed a hydro-metallurgical procedure to obtain elemental sulfur from chalcopyrite by means of the following reaction: CuFeS2 + 3FeCl3 → CuCl + 4FeCl2 + 2S. Under optimum conditions, 99.9% of the copper and 73.7% of the iron was extracted in 2 hr from a typical mill concentrate containing ~ 75% CuFeS2 and 15% FeS2. At the same time, 70.5% of the sulfur was oxidized to the elemental form. The leach was highly selective; gangue minerals, including pyrite, were not attacked, thus accounting for the relatively low recoveries of iron and sulfur.
Geographical Variation in Flights of the Mole Cricket, Scapteriscus spp. (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae)

Scapteriscus acletus Rehn and Hebard and S. vicinus Scudder were accidentally introduced to the United States from South America, and between 1920 and 1960 they spread from northernmost to southernmost mainland Florida, a north-south distance of 600 km (= 5.7° lat.). Latitudinal variation in the life cycles of these recently established populations was studied by monitoring seasonality of flight for 1 to 3 + years at nine stations in peninsular Florida. Flights of both species generally showed a large spring peak and a small fall peak annually, with the fall peak of one year and the spring peak of the next attributable to a single generation of adults. Geographical variations in S. vicinus flights were minor, with the median cricket of both spring and fall flights captured at stations in north Florida several weeks later than in south Florida. Flights of S. acletus were likewise similar along the latitudinal gradient, except that at three stations in south Florida a summer peak of flight occurred that rivaled or exceeded the spring and fall peaks. This suggests that S. acletus has, in less than 40 years, made the transition from one to two generations per year, a latitudinal change that is rare in native eastern North American crickets.
Study on Path Planning for UAV Based on Improved A~* Algorithm

A path planning scheme for UAV is studied based on improved A* algorithm,which resolves the problem that the A* algorithm needs much more time when searching in big space.Results of simulation show the the computing speed is fast and it's wieldy realization.
An Explanation on Contemporary Business Management from the Perspective of Ecological Ethics

At present,the study on business management is much active in different level and types,but the combination of ecological environment ethics with enterprise management is still immature.With the improvement of human environment awareness,contemporary business management should pay more attention to ecological environment and human life.This study analyzes a series of issues in business management from the perspective of ecological ethics.then some suggestions are proposed on how to solve these problems and to realize the sustainable development of society.
Administrative Law Judges in the US SEC Securities Enforcement

Modern capital market demands a unified and independent securities enforcement framework with high degrees of efficiency and authority.The US has developed the sound institution of SEC administrative law judges and stricken a balance amongst the aforesaid pursuits.While effective and responsive,the independence and justice have not been compromised substantially,thanks to various check-and-balances from appointment,scope of authorities,to procedures and judicial review.
Hierarchical Division and Correlation of Base-level Cycle-Taking Chang 4+5-Chang 6 Oil Formations in Pingbei Oilfield for Examples

Based on hierarchical interface and bodies of base-level cycles, the hierarchy of base-level changes and characteristics of cyclical sequences of different base levels are discussed. By taking Chang 4 + 6-Chang 6 oil formations for examples, division and correlation of different base-level cycles are conducted, a framework of stratigraphic constant-time correlation of different hierarchical base-level cycles are established, and development and distributional characteristics of sandbodies within the stratigraphic framework are analyzed.
Streams, structures, spaces, scenarios, and societies (5s): a formal digital library framework and its applications

Digital libraries (DLs) are complex information systems and therefore demand formal foundations lest development efforts diverge and interoperability suffers. In this dissertation, we propose the fundamental abstractions of Streams, Structures, Spaces, Scenarios, and Societies (5S), which allow us to define digital libraries rigorously and usefully. Streams are sequences of arbitrary items used to describe both static and dynamic (e.g., video) content. Structures can be viewed as labeled directed graphs, which impose organization. Spaces are sets with operations that obey certain constraints. Scenarios consist of sequences of events or actions that modify states of a computation in order to accomplish a functional requirement. Societies are sets of entities and activities, and the relationships among them. Together these abstractions provide a formal foundation to define, relate, and unify concepts—among others, of digital objects, metadata, collections, and services—required to formalize and elucidate “digital libraries”. A digital library theory based on 5S is defined by proposing a formal ontology that defines the fundamental concepts, relationships, and axiomatic rules that govern the DL domain. The ontology is an axiomatic, formal treatment of DLs, which distinguishes it from other approaches that informally define a number of architectural invariants. The applicability, versatility, and unifying power of the 5S theory are demonstrated through its use in a number of distinct applications including: (1) building and interpreting a DL taxonomy; (2) informal and formal analysis of case studies of digital libraries (NDLTD and OAI); (3) utilization as a formal basis for a DL description language, digital library visualization and generation tools, and a log format specific for DLs; and (4) defining a quality model for DLs.