cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Description and evaluation of an intraoral cervical plexus anesthetic technique.

Unsuccessful anesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) may be due to supplementary innervations of mandibular molars from other branches, namely the cervical plexus (CP). The purpose of this prospective, randomized, doubleblind, controlled trial was to determine the effectiveness of an intraoral cervical plexus anesthetic technique (ICPAT) in mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIR) when the IAN and lingual nerve (LN) blocks failed, and to provide a description of the technique. Forty patients diagnosed with SIR received IAN and LN block anesthesia prior to treatment. After clinical signs of anesthesia, patients were subjected to an electrical pulp test (EPT) at 2-min cycles for 10 min post-injection. The anesthesia was considered unsuccessful if there was a positive EPT response ten minutes following profound lip numbness. The experimental group (n 5 20) were administered 2% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine using the ICPAT. The control group (n 5 20) were administered 0.9% sterile saline using the ICPAT. Success was defined as no response on two consecutive readings from an EPT. In the experimental group, 60% of subjects showed successful anesthesia, whereas none of the subjects in the control group had successful anesthesia. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the anesthesia success rate using the ICPAT method was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the control group, irrespective of molar tooth type. The ICPAT method may be useful as a supplementary anesthetic technique for mandibular molars with SIR in subjects whom the IAN and LN blocks do not provide adequate anesthesia. Clin. Anat. 00:000–000, 2015. V C
Subthreshold Activation of the Superior Colliculus Drives Saccade Motor Learning

How the brain learns and maintains accurate precision movements is currently unknown. At times throughout life, rapid gaze shifts (saccades) become inaccurate, but the brain makes gradual adjustments so they again stop on target. Previously, we showed that complex spikes (CSs) in Purkinje cells of the oculomotor cerebellum report the direction and amplitude by which saccades are in error. Anatomical studies indicate that this error signal could originate in the superior colliculus (SC). Here, we deliver subthreshold electrical stimulation of the SC after the saccade lands to signal an apparent error. The size of saccades in the same direction as the simulated error gradually increase; those in the opposite direction decrease. The electrically adapted saccades endure after stimulation is discontinued, exhibit an adaptation field, can undergo changes in direction, and depend on error timing. These electrically induced adaptations were virtually identical with those produced by the visually induced adaptations that we report here for comparable visual errors in the same monkeys. Therefore, our experiments reveal that an additional role for the SC in the generation of saccades is to provide a vector error signal that drives dysmetric saccades to adapt. Moreover, the characteristics of the electrically induced adaptation reflect those of error-related CS activity in the oculomotor cerebellum, suggesting that CS activity serves as the learning signal. We speculate that CS activity may serve as the error signal that drives other kinds of motor learning as well.
Perception of Risk and Knowledge of Risk Factors in Women at High Risk for Stroke

Background and Purpose— Women face a higher mortality after stroke and have different risk factors than men. Despite educational campaigns, women continue to underestimate their own risk for stroke. We present a theoretical model to understand risk perception in high-risk women. Methods— Eight hundred five women, ages 50 to 70 years, were selected from the University of Connecticut Cardiology Center with at least one risk factor for stroke. A 5-part questionnaire addressed stroke knowledge, risk perception, risk factors, access to health care, and demographics. Two hundred fifteen women responded by mail (28% response rate) and deidentified data were entered in SPSS. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate techniques assessed the proposed model. Results— The cohort was predominantly white (91.5%), higher income (33.1% of the population earned >$75 000), and well-educated (28.6% attended graduate or professional school). Only 2 of the 37 (5.4%) women with atrial fibrillation and 11 of the 71 women with he...
Search for electroweak interactions in amino acid crystals. II. The Salam hypothesis

In 1991, A. Salam proposed that the electroweak interaction might promote tunneling through the potential barrier existing between chiral molecules (i.e., a phase transition at a critical temperature, Tc), which could change the structure of d-amino acids into the reputedly more stable l-form of the enantiomer. A recent report by Wang et al. has presented experimental evidence for such a transition at Tc ≈ 270 ± 1 K in enantiomorphs of l- and d-alanine and -valine crystals using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), magnetic susceptibility, and Raman spectroscopy. Experimental verification of the Salam prediction has great implications for the origins of specific homochirality in biomolecules, that is, the exclusive use of l-amino acids in proteins. In this contribution, we reexamine these measurements, as well as present measurements of the temperature dependence of X-ray diffraction and C-13 solid-state NMR for alanine. While the DSC measurements show interesting features similar to those reported by...
Effects of task difficulty and interruption on goal valence

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of instrumental task difficulty, delay, and interruption on goal attractiveness. In Experiment 1, subjects faced either an easy, difficult, or impossible task in order to win $1.00. Goal ($1.00) attractiveness was then assessed in immediate anticipation of task commencement or during a 30-min bogus delay. An interaction was found such that task difficulty affected ratings in a nonmonotonic fashion in the immediate condition (inverted U ) and in a negatively linear fashion in the delay condition. Based on these results, instrumental task difficulty was manipulated over two levels (easy and difficult) and cross-cut with a questionnaire length (short vs long) manipulation in Experiment 2. As predicted, goal ($1.00) attractiveness ratings, when obtained immediately prior to task commencement, were significantly higher upon a more salient interruption (i.e., the long questionnaire condition) only for those subjects assigned the easy task. In Experiment 3, task difficulty was manipulated in the same manner as Experiment 2 but was cross-cut with an interruption/no-interruption manipulation. Again as theoretically predicted, only in the easy task condition was goal attractiveness reliably higher when subjects were interrupted for dependent measure administration than when they were not. That is, goal ratings were a positive function of task difficulty in the no-interruption condition but were reliably higher and tended toward a negative pattern in the interruption condition. Theoretical and methodological implications of the three reliable interactions are discussed in terms of anticipatory energization and reactance arousal.
Architectures for catastrophic and delay fault tolerance

Wafer-scale architectures have defect tolerance as one of their primary goals. Anecdotal data and simulation experiments indicate that as geometries shrink, delay faults caused by spot defects will become increasingly important, and must be tolerated in order for wafer-scale architectures to have acceptable parametric yield. Approaches to designing architectures that possess both catastrophic and delay fault tolerance are presented. >
Novel hepatitis agents: The significance of clinical and experimental studies. An overview

A new virus with genomic organization similar to that of the family Flaviviridae was identified in patients with viral hepatitis and designated hepatitis G virus (HGV) or hepatitis GB virus C (GBV-C). HGV/GBV-C can be transmitted by blood and results in persistent infection, as shown in patients with posttransfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis, in transfusion recipients, and in donors of blood received by HGV-positive patients. The parenteral route of transmission of HGV/GBV-C infection was confirmed in experimentally infected chimpanzees. Epidemiologic studies of sporadic, community-acquired viral hepatitis have not indicated an association between HGV/GBV-C and acute non A-E hepatitis. Thus, the disease association of this new virus remains unconfirmed and its role in the etiology of acute and chronic hepatitis is unclear. The experimental model of HGV/GBV-C infection may define the biology of the virus replication.
Long-range interactions

A long-range potential is one whose range, the distance of effective influence, is unbounded or infinite. In this paper we show, using a definition of the range of a potential and certain other theoretical considerations, that the only long-range potential isV(r)=c/r, wherec is a constant.
Anisotropic critical fields in superconducting superlattices

The temperature and angular dependence of critical fields (${H}_{c}$) have been studied as a function of layer thickness for superconducting Nb/Cu superlattices. For layer thicknesses between 100 and 300 \AA{}, dimensional crossover has been observed in the temperature dependence of ${H}_{c}$. Associated with the crossover we find a change in the angular dependence of ${H}_{c}$ to that given by the effective-mass theory. This is the first time that a relationship has been found between dimensional crossover observed in the temperature dependence and that in the angular dependence of critical fields.
Reevaluation of the chromosome 4q candidate region for early onset periodontitis.

Evidence of linkage (lod=3.1, θ=0.05) was reported previously in one large kindred (the Brandywine genetic isolate) for an autosomal dominant form of early onset periodontitis (EOP) with a protein polymorphism in the vitamin D binding protein (GC) located on chromosome 4q12-q13. To evaluate the generality of this finding, 19 unrelated families (228 individuals), each with two or more EOP affected individuals, were ascertained and sampled. A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at the GC locus and eight other polymorphic DNA markers and two red blood cell antigens located on proximal chromosome 4q in the vicinity of the GC locus were typed. Twelve genetic models of EOP were evaluated, which varied in diagnostic classification, penetrance, and mode of disease transmission. Results for all models strongly exclude linkage between an EOP susceptibility gene and this chromosomal region assuming locus homogeneity. Our data statistically exclude (lod≤ -2.0) the possibility that more than 40% of our families are linked to this candidate region for one model tested. Linkage under heterogeneity was excluded less strongly for other models, but no significant evidence in support of linkage was obtained for any model. Our results indicate that either the previous report of linkage was a false positive, or that there are two or more unlinked forms of EOP, with the form located in 4q12-q13 being less common.
Population balance modelling of bubbling fluidized bed reactors—I. well-stirred dense phase

A detailed population balance model is presented for a fluidized bed reactor incorporating: the formation of bubbles at the grid plate, their rise with velocities governed by their sizes, random coalescence between bubbles, gas exchange between bubbles and the dense phase, and a first order chemical reaction in the dense phase under well-mixed conditions. Reaction conversion is calculated as a function of dimensionless parameters relating the rates of various competing processes such as coalescence, dense phase mixing, mass exchange between bubbles and dense phase and reaction rate. Comparison of conversions with those of Davidson et al. (1977) show significant variations indicating that the dynamics of bubble size distributions could have non-trivial effects on the extent of reaction. Fluctuations in bubble populations did not seem strong enough to translate to strong fluctuations in reaction conversion.
Cross‐axis sensitivity of accelerographs with pendulum like transducers—mathematical model and the inverse problem

SUMMARY A mathematical model for a three-component accelerograph is presented that accounts for the eects of transducer misalignment and cross-axis sensitivity. The former refers to departures in the alignment of the transducer penduli (typically of the order of few degrees) from an ideal orthogonal system, and the latter to a transducer recording components of motion in directions other than its principal sensitivity axis. Transducer misalignment magnies the eects of cross-axis sensitivity. These eects are signicant only for large amplitude recordings (peak acceleration close to 1g), for example in the near-eld of the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake. The misalignment angles and the angular amplication constant can be determined by a static tilt test, performed in the eld, and solving a generalized inverse problem. This paper presents an algorithm for solution of this inverse problem on a routine basis. Practical implementation of the algorithm and results for 76 instruments of the Los Angeles Strong Motion Array are presented in a separate paper. ? 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mating Type Inheritance at Conjugation in Variety 4 of Parameciurn aurelia

SUMMARY. The pattern of mating type distribution observed at conjugation under different conditions in stock 51, variety 4, of Paramecium aurelia is presented. When the two mating types (VII and VIII) found in this variety are crossed, each pair member usually gives rise to two caryonides of its own mating type. Either parent may, however, give rise to progeny unlike itself. When cytoplasmic fusion is induced by antiserum treatment, the two members of a pair characteristically yield progeny of the same mating type, and the progeny are usually mating type VIII. The direction of change can be influenced to some extent by the temperature at which conjugation occurs; changes from VII to VIII are more frequent at the higher temperatures. A modification of mating type distribution is observed when conjugation occurs in the unstable clones designated as “selfing caryonides”. Changes are frequent under these circumstances, but are predominantly from type VIII to type VII—precisely the reverse direction observed when pure clones are crossed. The relative frequencies of the changes in the two directions are again influenced by the temperature at which conjugation occurs. These observations indicate a separation of two normally correlated macronuclear functions—the activity in determining the phenotype (mating type) of the cell and the activity in determining the cytoplasmic conditions responsible for nuclear differentiation in the following generation. An interpretation of these results, based on macronuclear heterogeneity, is suggested.
Effects of status of attacker and intensity of attack on the intensity of counter-aggression.

Summary Male college students were exposed to a Same, Lower, or Higher status confederate, and to a small or large number of electric shocks from the stooge. Subjects in the Same and High status conditions were more counter-aggressive, both in terms of mean intensity and number of shocks, than subjects exposed to a Low status confederate. These results are in contradiction to the related human and animal data, which have generally indicated that more aggression is directed toward low rather than high status persons The major implications of the present data for other research in this area are (1) the importance of varying status of the attacked as well as status of the attacker, (2) the necessity for systematically varying the different dimensions of “status,” e g, functional (i e, powerful) vs. nonfunctional aspects of status, (3) the importance of looking at different kinds of aggression, e g, physical as well as verbal, (4) the importance of systematically assessing the subject's perceptions of the attacker and the subject's own emotions–arousal, anxiety, guilt, etc at the time of the attack, and (5) the potential for studying variables that determine aggressive and altruistic behavior within the same experimental context.
Characterization of phase transformation behavior in electrolytically produced indium-thallium shape memory alloy films

Abstract Indium-thallium alloys in the range 15–38 at. % Tl were electrodeposited from a sulfate electrolyte by using pulsed current. The relationship between composition and phase structure of the alloys deposited was investigated with regard to the shape memory effect. To date there have been no reported experimental studies describing the electrodeposition of InTl alloys capable of undergoing such transformations. Not only did the deposited alloys exhibit the shape memory effect, but the composition-phase relationship exhibited was shown to deviate from that reported for alloys in an equilibrium condition. The results show that the temperature and the temperature interval for the transformation of the electrodeposited alloys are substantially different from those of the thermally prepared alloys. The shape recovery for the electrodeposited alloys was also confirmed.
Television, Sex-Role Attitudes, and Sex-Role Behavior:

Amount of television viewing, sex-role attitudes, and sex-role behavior were measured at two points in time in a sample of 287 adolescents. The sex-role measures concern respondents' attitudes about the sex-specific appropriateness of various household chores and their own self-reported tendency to perform those chores. The data show that television viewing makes an independent contribution to adolescents' sex-role attitudes over time, but that television is not related to their actual behavior. The relationship between viewing and attitudes, however, is mediated by behavior, but in different directions for boys and girls. Finally, there is a reciprocal relationship between amount of viewing and the degree of congruence between sex-role attitudes and behavior.
A Reappraisal of Investing in Commodity Futures Markets

Investments into commodity-linked products have grown considerably in recent years. Unlike investments in equities, commodity futures markets produce no earnings; the source of returns is thus unclear. This paper examines returns to static long-only U.S. commodity futures investments over five decades and finds that returns to individual futures markets are zero, and the returns to futures market portfolios depend critically on portfolio weighting schemes. Historical portfolio returns are not statistically different from zero and are driven by price episodes such as that of 1972-1974. In other periods, portfolio returns are zero or negative. Overall, the case for long-only investment in commodities may not be as strong as that implied in some studies (e.g., Gorton and Rouwenhorst, 2006a). If so, the growth in long-only commodity investments may naturally subside and ease the policy debate regarding speculative position limits.
Coronal fat suppression fast spin echo images of the knee: evaluation of 202 patients with arthroscopic correlation.

We optimized fat-suppressed fast spin echo (FS-FSE) parameters for coronal imaging of the knee and then evaluated the technique in a clinical setting. Five volunteers and 12 patients were used to evaluate various repetition (TR), echo (TE), and echo train lengths (ETL). Then, 202 patients underwent both knee MR imaging using coronal plane FS-FSE and arthroscopy. The coronal FS-FSE images were compared with radial multiplanar gradient-recalled echo (MPGRE), axial T1-weighted SE, and parasagittal double echo SE images. Proton density images (200019) with an ETL of 2 best depicted the menisci, ligaments, and capsules. The conspicuity of osteochondral abnormalities depicted by the coronal FS-FSE imaging was significantly higher than for axial T1-weighted SE (p < .003) and parasagittal double echo SE images (p < .003). The accuracy of the coronal FS-FSE imaging for medial and lateral meniscal tears was 91.6% and 87.6%, respectively. Combined imaging interpretation of the coronal FS-FSE, axial T1-weighted SE, and radial MPGRE imaging improved the accuracy for meniscal tears slightly over any sequence used alone, but the difference was not statistically significant. Fourteen capsular injuries were demonstrated by the coronal FS-FSE imaging. FS-FSE imaging in the coronal plane is a useful complementary sequence in MR examinations of the knee for the evaluation of meniscal tears, capsular injuries, and osteochondral abnormalities.
Improved Student Writing in Business Communication Classes: Strategies for Teaching and Evaluation

Students in business communication classes are expected to write various types of documents. Research has illustrated that undergraduate student writing skills have not improved even though most states have begun writing proficiency tests at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. By the time students enroll in college, students are expected to be proficient writers. In some cases, this is true. In far too many cases, students continue to need writing development. In business communication classes, these weaknesses cannot be ignored. This article's purpose is to give guidance to instructors to motivate their students to produce better written products. The difficulty is how to do this most effectively. The authors present some ideas on how to improve student writing through some creative teaching and evaluation strategies.
SOME RELIGIOUS-ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN INTERACTION RATES'

psychology. In the theory of these two disciplines contrary stresses occur with relation to the importance of gross background characteristics and their effect on the determination of small group behavior. There is some indication that the background variables should be disregarded and the human group dealt with as a thing in itself in order that a framework of evidence be compiled regarding the group as a formal entity. In contrast, the sociological orientation places emphasis on the norms and expectations brought to the situation as the major variables in the formation of action. Little evidence has been found describing the small group to support either orientation as an explanation of the relationship between these sets of variables. Gyr (7) has shown that there are different patterns of committee behavior peculiar to different national groups in the way that they get their business of government done. The committee members have different sets of responsibilities and patterns of interaction in the separate groups. In Husband And Wife Interaction Over Revealed Differences, Strodtbeck (8) observed couples in discussion situations arranged to afford maximum disagreement between married couples. Three cultural backgrounds (Navaho, Mormon, and Texas Presbyterian) were observed using Bales' Interaction Process Analysis. Significantly differing profiles were found between the groups. This study follows Strodtbeck's in comparing the interaction profiles of seven different subsamples defined by background characteristics. It is also relevant to examine whether the members of different "cultural" groupings perceived their behavior or were perceived by others as different in significant areas. In two studies done by Borgatta, one with Cottrell and Mann, the rankings of self and others on 40 behavioral characteristics were factor
A role for natural killer T cells in asthma

The importance of T helper 2 cells in asthma has long been known. Now, new evidence indicates that invariant natural killer T cells might have a distinct and crucial role in the development of asthma. In several mouse models, natural killer T cells have recently been found to be required for the development of airway hyper-reactivity, a cardinal feature of asthma. Moreover, in patients with chronic asthma, natural killer T cells with a T-helper-2-like phenotype (that is, that express CD4 and produce T helper 2 cytokines) are present in the lungs in large numbers. In this Opinion article, we suggest that natural killer T cells, which express a restricted T-cell receptor and respond to glycolipids rather than protein antigens, have a previously unsuspected but crucial role, distinct from that of T helper 2 cells, in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Shear stress augments the enhanced adhesive phenotype of cells expressing the Pro33 isoform of integrin β3

Adhesion of platelets to the exposed extracellular matrix proteins at sites of vascular injury is partly regulated by the local fluid shear stress. Because the Leu33Pro (PlA) polymorphism of integrin β3 confers only a modest increase in adhesion under static conditions, we used CHO and 293 cells expressing the Leu33 or Pro33 isoform of β3 in flow chamber experiments to test whether shear forces would alter the PlA adhesive phenotype. We found that shear force augmented the Pro33-mediated enhanced adhesion to fibrinogen. This Pro33-dependent enhancement was aspirin-sensitive and was also observed on immobilized von Willebrand factor and cryoprecipitate, but not fibronectin. Thus, shear stress enhances the adhesive phenotype of the Pro33 cells to multiple physiologic substrates.
Measuring the displacement and replacement of government health expenditure: a panel analysis

Abstract Background Government health expenditure is a primary means of financing health services in many countries. Research assessing the relation between government health expenditure and development assistance for health channelled to governments (DAH-G) has produced contradictory conclusions. This research aims to credibly estimate displacement and measure if the DAH-G effect is symmetric or if increases and decreases in DAH-G have distinct effects. Methods This study measures the effect of DAH-G on government health expenditure as source (GHE-S). We construct a panel of financial flows data spanning 107 countries and 16 years. General method of moments and two-stage least squares provide evidence that DAH-G causes the displacement of GHE-S. Furthermore, we show that GHE-S is dynamic, meaning that the current level of GHE-S is a function of past levels. To explain why, we disaggregate the average effect of DAH-G by separately identifying the effects of increases versus decreases in DAH-G. Findings In the short-run, US$1 of DAH-G displaces on average $0·62 (95% CI 0·21 to 1·02) of GHE-S, leaving only $0·38 (–0·02 to 0·79) of DAH-G additional. Furthermore, the effects of DAH-G shocks persist over time. Disaggregating increases and decreases in DAH-G; we find that a $1 year-over-year increase in DAH-G leads to a $0·68 (95% CI 0·21 to 1·15) decrease in GHE-S, while a $1 year-over-year decrease in DAH-G does not have an effect on GHE-S that is statistically different from zero (–0·15 to 0·79). Simulation shows that the irregular disbursement of DAH-G between 1995 and 2010 led to exacerbated displacement, foregoing 26% of DAH-G, roughly $11·6 billion of resources. Interpretation Short-run fluctuations in DAH-G have long-run implications for the amount of government resources available for health. This research highlights the importance of predictable and stable development assistance. Sporadic aid disbursement leads to fewer resources available for health in the long run. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, interpretation of data, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The corresponding author had full access to all data analysed and had final responsibility for the decision to submit this original research paper for publication.
Transparent self-cleaning and antifogging silica nanoparticle films

Abstract Self-cleaning and antifogging coatings are of great interest for application in outdoor solar cell installations to mitigate the performance loss and associated maintenance costs due to environmental contamination. These coatings, applied to the cover glass of solar panels, can remove contaminants when wetted with rain water and transmit more sunlight in foggy weather. Herein, we report a superhydrophilic silica nanoparticle film that exhibits the self-cleaning effect without relying on photocatalytic materials. When wetted with simulated light raining conditions, the coated glass removed 90% of surface contaminants, compared to only 48% removed from the bare glass. The deposited film created an antifogging surface in addition to increasing the solar transmittance (AM 1.5) of glass substrates by 4.3% over bare glass in the wavelength range of 350–1100 nm.
Evaluation of concentration-response relationships for histamine and sulfuric acid aerosols in unanesthetized guinea pigs for their effects on ventilatory response to CO2

Abstract Through the addition of aerosols to 10% CO2 mixtures, acute respiratory responses can be detected in unanesthetized guinea pigs. This conclusion was supported by results from a previous study conducted in our laboratory in which animals were exposed to nebulized histamine or sulfuric acid while placed in a whole-body plethysmograph. In that study, only one concentration of each agent was examined. The present data were collected over a wider range of histamine and sulfuric acid exposure concentrations and the results served to reinforce the previous conclusion regarding the ease in detecting acute responses with this approach. Again, inspiratory volume (VI) and pressure changes (ΔP), proportional to inspired volume, were measured continuously and significant decreases in these parameters occurred during aerosol challenges. In addition, respiratory frequency (f) was evaluated during all exposures but few changes in frequency were observed other than the increases induced by 10% CO2 alone. Measurements of VI and ΔP indicated similar levels of response to the tested aerosols, except during intense bronchoconstriction evoked by higher concentrations of histamine. In such constricted states, VI was a more sensitive indicator. Concentration-response relationships for histamine and sulfuric acid using VI measurements were comparable to those of other investigators who measured airflow resistance. Therefore, the new method offers many advantages over previous methods through its noninvasive and simple features yet there is comparable sensitivity to detect acute responses, as demonstrated by this study.
On stochastic learning in predictive wireless ARQ

Traditional automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocols are channel unaware. That is, they react to channel errors by simply retransmitting erroneous packets and do not proactively decide whether or not to transmit a packet in a given slot based on past channel conditions. Clearly, ARQ protocols operating in this mode are not energy efficient. For example, continuously retransmitting erroneous packets when the wireless channel is in deep fade would cause significant wastage of transmission energy. In this paper, we present a stochastic learning automaton-based wireless channel state aware ARQ protocol. The learning automaton learns to predict and track the time-varying wireless channel conditions based on past observations. A Markov chain model for the channel state transitions is used. No a priori knowledge about the state transition probabilities is required by this predictor. Stochastic convergence of the learning algorithm is proved. The proposed ARQ protocol utilizes the predictions to compute transmission-retransmission policies in an online fashion. No pilot (training) symbols are used by the protocol for channel state prediction thereby avoiding any energy wastage due to the transmission of these symbols. Simulation results show that depending on the channel memory significant energy savings can be attained when compared with standard ARQ protocols. We also discuss the transmission energy versus delay trade-off. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
REBL DPG lenslet structure: design for charging prevention

KLA-Tencor is currently developing Reflective Electron Beam Lithography (REBL), targeted as a production worthy multiple electron beam tool for next generation high volume lithography. The Digital Pattern Generator (DPG) integrated with CMOS and MEMS lenslets is a critical part of REBL. Previously, KLA-Tencor reported on progress towards a REBL tool for maskless lithography below the 10 nm technology node. However, the MEMS lenslet structure suffered from charging up during writing, requiring the usage of a charge drain coating. Since then, the TSMC multiple e-beam team and the KLA-Tencor REBL team have worked together to further develop the DPG for direct write lithography. In this paper, we introduce a hollow-structure MEMS lenslet array that inherently prevents charging during writing, and preliminary verification results are also presented.
Magnetic bead based immuno-detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii from infant formula and leafy green vegetables using the Bio-Plex suspension array system

Listeriosis, a disease contracted via the consumption of foods contaminated with pathogenic Listeria species, can produce severe symptoms and high mortality in susceptible people and animals. The development of molecular methods and immuno-based techniques for detection of pathogenic Listeria in foods has been challenging due to the presence of assay inhibiting food components. In this study, we utilize a macrophage cell culture system for the isolation and enrichment of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii from infant formula and leafy green vegetables for subsequent identification using the Luminex xMAP technique. Macrophage monolayers were exposed to infant formula, lettuce and celery contaminated with L. monocytogenes or L. ivanovii. Magnetic microspheres conjugated to Listeria specific antibody were used to capture Listeria from infected macrophages and then analyzed using the Bio-Plex 200 analyzer. As few as 10 CFU/mL or g of L. monocytogenes was detected in all foods tested. The detection limit for L. ivanovii was 10 CFU/mL in infant formula and 100 CFU/g in leafy greens. Microsphere bound Listeria obtained from infected macrophage lysates could also be isolated on selective media for subsequent confirmatory identification. This method presumptively identifies L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii from infant formula, lettuce and celery in less than 28 h with confirmatory identifications completed in less than 48 h.
Enhanced Structural Encoding Algorithm for Database Retrievals of Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Chemical Shifts

An enhanced version of an algorithm is discussed which encodes a description of the chemical environment of carbon atoms in a manner that correlates to carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) chemical shifts. The encoding algorithm uses a vector-based approach in which the first dimension of the vector represents the chemical shift of the carbon atom, the second dimension represents the collective influence of atoms one bond away from the carbon on its chemical shift, and each successive dimension represents the influence of the atoms one bond further away. This encoding algorithm is a key component of a 13C NMR spectrum simulation procedure in which each of the carbons in a large database of known structures and spectra is represented as a vector. Database search methods based on vector comparisons are used to find the closest matching chemical environments and associated chemical shifts for each of the carbons in a structure input by a user. Enhancements to the original algorithm include an expan...
Correction of Rockerbottom Deformity Using the Butt Frame

Rockerbottom deformities, secondary to diabetic neuropathic arthropathy, remain a complex deformity to surgically correct. These are severe deformities that involve hindfoot equinus with midtarsal dorsal dislocation. The Butt frame, a foot-specific Taylor Spatial Frame, can be employed to correct these acutely or gradually.
The Squid and the Whale à la russe: Navigating the “Uncanny” in Dmitry Bykov's ZhD

In ZhD, Bykov tests what happens when a nation defines itself in terms of the ethnic community. In doing so he borrows from the demographic theories of Lev Gumilev, Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, and Nicolas Marr, which pose modern Russians as a relatively recent and, therefore, non-native population while placing them in a long historical battle for primacy with the Jews. If Western literature of colonialism, such as Coetzee's Waiting for the Barbarians, often conceives of the native populations as symbolically necessary to the ruling minority's self-image, Bykov creates a silent majority whose deliberate disengagement from politics is the lynchpin of their survival. This attitude mocks contemporary Russians' aversion to self-governance. The novel also parodies the “Nordic” spirit of the Russian army, whose main goal is to destroy itself (a dead soldier is a perfect soldier), and the Khazars (Jews) who deal in moral usury by making everyone feel indebted to them. The natives' values, in the typical fashion of the “noble savage,” consist in cyclical time, shamanism, transparent language, personification of the land, and animal-like closeness to nature. What does this collection of cliches strive to accomplish? Perhaps to demonstrate that the “founding lies” of our “imagined communities” are so interwoven that any attempt at reification leads to absurdity. This article will examine the ways in which Bykov negotiates the different cultural narratives that comprise Russian identity by following Slavoj Zizek's advice that the best way to subvert the racist attitude is by means of overidentification.
What do stochastic frontier cost functions tell us about inefficiency

Abstract Recent studies using the stochastic frontier approach have suggested high levels of inefficiency in nursing home and hospital facilities. This paper makes two observations. First, one could falsely estimate high levels of inefficiency if a statistical assumption — zero skewness of the random component of the cost residual — is violated. Second, an inefficient industry may be difficult to distinguish either statistically or visually from an industry free of inefficiency. If available, panel data yields more robust estimates of cost differences among nursing homes or hospitals.
Effects of chronic treatment with valproate on serotonin-1A receptor binding and function.

Valproate is effective in treating bipolar disorder characterized by rapid cycling or acute mania, although the mechanism of action is unclear. In contrast to other treatments for depression, 21 days of treatment in rats with valproate (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) did not significantly alter the hypothermia induced by 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl)aminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT), an agonist at serotonin-1A receptors. Treatment with valproate also had no effect on radioligand binding to serotonin-1A, serotonin-2 or β-adrenergic receptors. Based on these animal studies in frontal cortex and hippocampus, the therapeutic benefit of valproate in mood disorders does not appear to involve adaptive changes in serotonin-1A, serotonin-2 or β-adrenergic receptor number.
Partial derivative—Based sensitivity analysis of models describing target-mediated drug disposition

Sensitivity analysis is commonly used to characterize the effects of parameter perturbations on model output. One use for the approach is the optimization of an experimental design enabling estimation of model parameters with improved accuracy. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a sensitivity analysis of selected target-mediated pharmacokinetic models, ascertain the effect of parameter variations on model predictions, and identify influential model parameters. One linear model (Model 1, control) and 2 target-mediated models (Models 2 and 3) were evaluated over a range of dose levels. Simulations were conducted with model parameters being perturbed at the higher and lower ends from literature mean values. Profiles of free plasma drug concentrations and their partial derivatives with respect to each parameter vs time were analyzed. Perturbations resulted in altered outputs, the extent of which reflected parmater influence. The model outputs were highly sensitive to perturbations of linear disposition parameters in all 3 models. The equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) was less influential in Model 2 but was influential in the terminal phase in Model 3, highlighting the role ofKD in this region. An equation for Model 3 in support of the result forKD was derived. Changes in the initial receptor concentration [Rtot(0)] paralleled the observed effects of initial plasma volume (Vc) perturbations, with increased influence at higher values. Model 3 was also sensitive to the rates of receptor degradation and internalization. These results suggest that informed sampling may be essential to accurately estimate influential parameters of target-mediated models.
Advanced laser sensing receiver concepts based on FPA technology.

The ultimate performance of any remote sensor is ideally governed by the hardware signal-to-noise capability and allowed signal-averaging time. In real-world scenarios, this may not be realizable and the limiting factors may suggest the need for more advanced capabilities. Moving from passive to active remote sensors offers the advantage of control over the illumination source, the laser. Added capabilities may include polarization discrimination, instantaneous imaging, range resolution, simultaneous multi-spectral measurement, or coherent detection. However, most advanced detection technology has been engineered heavily towards the straightforward passive sensor requirements, measuring an integrated photon flux. The need for focal plane array technology designed specifically for laser sensing has been recognized for some time, but advances have only recently made the engineering possible. This paper will present a few concepts for laser sensing receiver architectures, the driving specifications behind those concepts, and test/modeling results of such designs.
Predictive guidance for systems with controllability indexn

A more general and complete predictive guidance problem is considered using optimal control theory. The optimal control law for interception and rendezvous is developed for a system with controllability indexn. The implementation scheme and the effect on miss distance due to errors in guidance are discussed. Finally, an example for a system with controllability index 4 is presented for an interceptor with damping ratio and natural frequency. The solution is presented in closed form.
Differential effects of glucocorticoids on DNA synthesis in normal and virus-transformed chick embryo cells.

LOOSE connective tissue fibroblasts in the mouse become markedly non-motile and refractile and lose pinocytotic activity within about an hour of hydrocortisone infusion. Only minutes are required to mimic this response in culture1. These responses of fibroblasts are well correlated with the topical anti-inflammatory potency of the glucocorticoids2. Glucocorticoids inhibit the multiplication in primary cultures of rat and mouse fibroblasts and of human epithelial cells3–6. In marked contrast, they stimulate multiplication of 3T3 cells7. Some investigators regard the 3T3 cell as a prototype for the study of growth regulation in cultured fibroblasts, although this line has been identified as tumorigenic in some conditions8.
Differential roles of proteasome and immunoproteasome regulators Pa28αβ, Pa28γ and Pa200 in the degradation of oxidized proteins

The response and functions of proteasome regulators Pa28αβ (or 11S), Pa28γ and Pa200 in oxidative-stress adaptation (also called hormesis) was studied in murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), using a well-characterized model of cellular adaptation to low concentrations (1.0-10.0 μM) of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), which alter gene expression profiles, increasing resistance to higher levels of oxidative-stress. Pa28αβ bound to 20S proteasomes immediately upon H(2)O(2)-treatment, whereas 26S proteasomes were disassembled at the same time. Over the next 24h, the levels of Pa28αβ, Pa28γ and Pa200 proteasome regulators increased during H(2)O(2)-adaptation, whereas the 19S regulator was unchanged. Purified Pa28αβ, and to a lesser extent Pa28γ, significantly increased the ability of purified 20S proteasome to selectively degrade oxidized proteins; Pa28αβ also increased the capacity of purified immunoproteasome to selectively degrade oxidized proteins but Pa28γ did not. Pa200 regulator actually decreased 20S proteasome and immunoproteasome's ability to degrade oxidized proteins but Pa200 and poly-ADP ribose polymerase may cooperate in enabling initiation of DNA repair. Our results indicate that cytoplasmic Pa28αβ and nuclear Pa28γ may both be important regulators of proteasome's ability to degrade oxidatively-damaged proteins, and induced-expression of both 20S proteasome and immunoproteasome, and their Pa28αβ and Pa28γ regulators are important for oxidative-stress adaptation.
Fourier transform spectroscopy of the A3Π-X3Σ− transition of NH

Abstract The A3Π-X3Σ− transition of NH has been observed using a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer. The first three vibrational levels in each state were observed and the vibrational, fine structure, and rotational constants obtained.
Marketing’s contribution to strategy: The view from a different looking glass

The 1970s and '80s were interesting as well as challenging times for marketing academics whose interests spanned the myriad facets and nuances of marketing, business, and corporate strategy. During this period, the strategy literature significantly benefitted from the confluence and integration of conceptual, theoretical, and methodological perspectives from a number of research streams including marketing, business policy and strategy, organization theory, finance, and industrial organization economics. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the evolution of strategy literature during the last two decades, both a critical assessment of marketing's past contributions to the strategy literature and a prognosis of the nature of contributions it is equipped to make and/or is likely to make in the years ahead were long overdue. Day's (1992) provocative and insightful article focusing on these issues is indeed timely and is bound to generate considerable debate and discussion among marketing academics. In Day's assessment, neither is marketing's contribution to the academic discourse about strategy during the eighties something to be proud of, nor is the prognosis regarding marketing's likely future contribution encouraging. Chief among Day's critical observations are:
Models of primary generalized epilepsy

The most important recent development in primary generalized epilepsy has been the use of in-vitro and in-vivo models to delineate the neuronal populations and intrinsic mechanisms, which generate the synchronized thalamocortical burst-firing of absence seizures. Candidate molecular mechanisms, which may be critically involved in the pathogenesis of absence seizures in selected animal models, include the following: altered biophysical properties of T-type calcium channels in the genetic absence epilepsy rat of Strasbourg (GAERS) model; increased numbers of gamma-aminobutyric acid, B subtype receptors in the lethargic mouse (lh/lh mouse) model; and changes in the subunit composition of gamma-aminobutyric acid, A subtype receptors in the GAERS model. Regarding generalized convulsive seizures, neuronal populations within the inferior and superior colliculi appear to regulate seizures in the genetic epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR) model, and subpopulations within the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) appear to regulate seizures in the fluorothyl model. Deficiencies in the function of GABAergic and noradrenergic receptors may underlie generalized convulsive seizures in the GEPR model.