cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel Fiber‐Optic Sensors

This article reviews novel fiber-optic sensors for the measurement of strain and temperature that are based on recently developed optical fiber technologies. Sensors based on surface relief gratings and sapphire optical fibers for high-temperature environments are presented. Additionally, the response of fiber Bragg gratings in extremely low-temperature environments is discussed. The optical and mechanical response of newly developed single-mode polymer optical fibers over large-strain ranges is explained, along with the fabrication of FBGs in such fibers. As compared to conventional silica fibers, single-mode polymer optical fibers demonstrate increased phase sensitivity to strain and negative phase sensitivity to temperature. Recently fabricated microstructured optical fibers, which demonstrate little or no temperature sensitivity and can incorporate a variety of sensors with novel properties, are also reviewed. Multicore optical fibers, which have been applied for the measurement of local curvatures and networked for the measurement of the shape of flexible structures, are also discussed. Finally, recent examples of the application of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology to the fabrication of optical fiber sensors, including focused ion beam machining, are presented. Keywords: high temperature; low temperature; large deformation; polymer optical fiber; fiber Bragg grating; multicore optical fiber; shape sensing
Adaptive Finite Difference Methods in Fluid Dynamics

An adaptive method to solve partial differential equations in fluid mechanics is presented. The approach requires internal boundary conditions that must be conservative, data structures for keeping track of several layers of fine grid patches, error estimation, and heuristics for automatic grid generation. In practical calculations gains in computer efficiency up to 10 over nonadaptive methods are observed. The whole procedure takes 3000 lines of FORTRAN code.
Manganese: The Oxygen-Evolving Complex & Models

In this article, we give an overview of nature's singular biological process for producing oxygen gas by the oxidation of water in photosynthetic organisms. The harnessing of light to accomplish the splitting of water was arguably nature's most successful experiment in biological innovation. It enabled global proliferation of oxygenic photosynthesis and created the biogeochemical cycles of oxygen and carbon on earth. We review the atomic structure of the metalloenzyme, the photosystem II water splitting complex (PSII-WOC), as revealed by X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. We describe: 1) The electronic structure of its inorganic core, Mn4Ca1OxCl1–2(HCO3)y, based upon spectroscopic and magnetic susceptibility measurements, 2) the organization of the protein subunits as revealed by X-ray diffraction and the role of select amino acid residues as revealed by site-directed mutagenesis, and 3) the kinetic sequence of steps during assembly of the inorganic core to the cofactor-depleted apo-protein and the functional consequences of substitution of the inorganic cofactors. We use these data together with physico-chemical data describing the formation of light-induced intermediates, the exchange rates between substrate and free water molecules, the stoichiometry of electron and proton release and the activation energies to discuss possible mechanisms for photosynthetic water splitting. The chemistry of photosynthetic water splitting is energetically demanding and mechanistically complex. The lessons learned from nature have guided chemists seeking to incorporate these design principles within catalysts suitable for abiotic water splitting. We end with a description of the few synthetic manganese complexes that have been found to produce oxygen gas from water and discuss the chemical mechanisms by which they appear to function. Keywords: bioinorganic chemistry; calcium; catalysis; manganese; oxygen evolution; photosynthesis; photosystem II; water splitting
Causation and Explanation in Aristotle

Aristotle thinks that we understand something when we know its causes. According to Aristotle but contrary to most recent approaches, causation and explanation cannot be understood separately. Aristotle complicates matters by claiming that there are four causes, which have come to be known as the formal, material, final, and efficient causes. To understand Aristotelian causation and its relationship to explanation, then, we must come to a precise understanding of the four causes, and how they are supposed to be explanatory. Aristotle’s discussion of the causes, however, is compact, and he typically presents them without arguing for them. He thus leaves us with a number of questions, ranging from the highly specific to the highly general. One question in particular has captured the attention of scholars and philosophers over the last century, and it has had a strong influence on recent treatments of the four causes – namely, whether we are right to understand Aristotle as committed to a plurality of kinds of causation, or rather a plurality of kinds of explanation. Sometimes the question is raised as one of whether it would be more accurate to speak of the four ‘becauses’ rather than the four ‘causes’. This worry is highly general, and there are in fact several ways in which it might be formulated; nonetheless, it is important to clarify the precise nature of the problem, and the possible ways of responding to it. At issue is not just whether Aristotle’s notions are sufficiently like the modern notion of causation to be relevant to our concerns, but, more importantly, whether the distinctions he draws are ultimately metaphysical or epistemological in character.
Venus: Vertical Transport Rates in the Visible Atmosphere

The cloud particles on Venus are sufficiently small for their vertical distribution to be strongly affected by atmospheric turbulence. Reasonably firm estimates of the vertical distribution of cloud particles can be made from current interpretations of refraction, polarization, and absorption band data. These enable very firm upper limits to be placed on average vertical mass diffusion coefficients in the visible atmosphere. These upper limits are independent of the cloud particle composition or mode of formation, and of changes in the particle size distribution with altitude.
Impact Factor Conundrum

Nobody envisioned in 1955, when Eugene Garfield introduced the concept of impact factor (IF) as ametric tomeasure the average number of citations published in a particular scientific journal (Garfield 1955), that this simple mathematically based idea would eventually be completely blown out of proportion. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, the definition of IF for a specific journal is computed according to the following straightforward equation:
Complexity-adaptive universal signal estimation for compressed sensing

References and acknowledgements Thanks to NSF and ARO for generous support Journal submission available at http://arxiv.org/pdf/1204.2611 [1] D. Donoho, “Compressed sensing,” IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory, vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 1289–1306, Apr. 2006. [2] D. Baron and M. F. Duarte, “Universal MAP estimation in compressed sensing,” in Proc. 49th Annual Allerton Conf. Comm., Control, Computing, Sep. 2011. [3] J. Rissanen, “A universal data compression system,” IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 656–664, Sept. 1983. [4] S. Jalali and T. Weissman, “Block and sliding-block lossy compression via MCMC,” IEEE Trans. Comm., vol. 60, no. 8, pp. 2187–2198, Aug. 2012. Noisy compressed sensing (CS) [1]
Malpighian tubules of Aedes aegypti: Five tubules, one function

Abstract Urine formation in the yellow fever mosquito begins by secretion of Na, K, Cl and water in the distal, blind-ended portions of five Malpighian tubules. The tubules appear structurally similar. To answer the question whether the tubules are also functionally similar, the transport activities of all five distal Malpighian tubules in each of eight mosquitoes were evaluated in vitro by measuring the rates of transepithelial fluid secretion and the concentrations of Na, K and Cl in secreted fluid. Two-way analysis of variance revealed no differences between the functions of distal tubules in a single mosquito but highly significant differences between distal tubules from different mosquitoes. To confirm these results we repeated the experiment in mosquitoes placed on Na and K diets. Distal tubules isolated from mosquitoes on the Na and K diet respectively secreted significantly more Na and K than those of mosquitoes on the control diet. Two-way analysis of variance of the data showed again no significant differences between tubules in a single mosquito but significant differences between mosquitoes. We conclude that the five distal Malpighian tubules present in the yellow fever mosquito are functionally homogeneous. They display the properties of a functional unit that responds in a unified fashion to meet the salt and water problems of the animal.
Design and Manufacture of a Solar-Electric Snow Melting Device for Making Potable Water on Mt. Rainier

Every Spring and Summer, thousands of hikers attempt to summit Mt. Rainier. Many of those hikers stop at Camp Muir, a base camp at 10,000 feet, where they can use restrooms, camp overnight, or refill water bottles before continuing their climb. Camp Muir currently uses a gas system to melt snow into potable water, requiring a tank of propane to be flown by helicopter to the camp at the beginning of each season. This system is costly and not environmentally-friendly. International Mountain Guides (IMG), one group who organizes trips in small groups, wants to replace this water production system with one that incorporates green energy. This publication examines possible designs of a new snow-melting device, describes the selected design, and outlines future testing and evaluation. Several models were considered in the design process that use readily available resources and provide constant power output. During hiking season, Camp Muir is often clear and sunny but can have high winds, meaning solar and wind energy are viable options as energy sources. However, wind speeds could be fast enough at high altitudes to damage a small device, resulting in solar energy as the selected power method. Since water production could not be limited by environmental conditions like cloudy weather, the device was designed to convert and store electrical energy. The current design of the device is portable, utilizes one solar-electric cell, and increases efficiency by recirculating melted water in addition to directly heating the snow. It requires minimal interaction and maintenance by the user. Solar-PV panels are used with rechargeable batteries to provide a constant source of power any time of day. Charged batteries are connected to the heating tank. Then, users fill the tank with snow and close the lid. The battery connects to a heating device that melts contacting snow. The melted snow is then recirculated using a pump over the top of the remaining snow. A filter with larger grating is used in the tank to filter larger debris, such as sticks and small stones, while a hand pump with a finer filter is used to both clean and extract the produced water. Early prototypes of the device are currently being constructed, tested, and evaluated. The first renditions of this design will be analyzed to ensure that they meet the desired water output using the available power input from the solar panels. The final device will be completed in September of 2013.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Microspectrography of respiratory enzymes within the single, mammalian cell under different metabolic conditions.

Abstract Microspectrographic techniques have been developed which permit measurements of specific absorptions of about a per cent in the long-wave ultraviolet and visible wavelength region from intact, living-cell areas of 1.5 μ in diameter. Absorption bands due to the respiratory hemoprotein enzymes could be recorded from localized areas in single liver and kidney parenchyma cells. The oxygen tension in the micro-preparations was controlled by respiring yeast cells and checked by the hemoglobin absorption spectra of single human red cells. The results showed that the metabolic state of the respiratory system of small parts in the single, intact mammalian cell could be analyzed.
Edward H. Angle versus Calvin S. Case: Extraction versus nonextraction. Historical revisionism. Part II

S i n c e Angle had a school for training orthodontists, his philosophy became the predominant one and such was the power accorded him, none dared to say otherwise. Not only did he dominate the philosophy of treatment, but his students and disciples carried it on. This idea is substantiated by Pollock who points out that "Many of Angle's followers became teachers in dental schools, and for years the doctrine of the full complement of teeth was widely disseminated. ''3t I remember being told that this power carried over to his widow who exerted great influence in seeing that the teachings and principles of her deceased husband remained inviolate. Jackson, as late as 1952, still had to defend his use of extractions for in describing his treatment of a case says, "Fortunately, we have as one of our greatest allies the natural unaided readjustment of the tissues themselves which follows that most controversial [emphasis mine] of all subjects, the 'judicious extraction' of teeth.,'J-' He also probably recognizes the influence of Angletrained people dominating the universities as evidenced in his lengthy espousal of preceptorship training. This is accompanied by a frontal assault on university-dominated orthodontic training as exemplified by the following statements:
A survey of the use of antiepileptic and muscle relaxant medication in a sample of children with neuromotor disorders

A survey of 424 children with neuromotor disorders served by a children's rehabilitation center was conducted to determine the number who were receiving muscle relaxant or anticonvulsant medication, and the average daily dosage. An increase in the number of antiepileptic prescriptions was found. The implications of these findings are discussed.
The Impact of Racial Microaggressions on Mental Health: Counseling Implications for Clients of Color

This study examined the relationship between racial microaggressions (subtle and unintentional forms of racial discrimination) and mental health. Results from a large sample (N = 506) indicated that higher frequencies of racial microaggressions negatively predicted participants' mental health and that racial microaggressions were significantly correlated with depressive symptoms and negative affect. Differences in the types of microaggressions experienced by various racial groups (Asian, Latina/o, Black, White, and multiracial) and counseling implications are discussed.
Collagenase Production by Cloned Populations of Rabbit Synovial Fibroblasts

Monolayers of rabbit synovial fibroblasts treated experimentally with phorbol myristate acetate produce large amounts of collagenase and prostaglandin E2 and have been a suitable experimental model for the proliferative/destructive lesion of rheumatoid arthritis. We used X-irradiation to prolong the in vitro lifespan of these cells so that cloned populations could be studied. By a number of criteria, X-irradiation did not alter the cells to make them unrepresentative of synovial fibroblasts. With limiting dilution techniques, we simultaneously isolated three clones. These clones were shown to have different growth rates and to produce different amounts of collagenase and prostaglandin E2. Rates of protein synthesis, measured by incorporation of 3H-leucine, were similar for all three clones. Our data support the concept that particular populations of synovial cells may contribute selectively to the joint destruction seen in rheumatoid disease.
The future of thermal analysis

Abstract It is well recognized today that materials characterization plays a key role in research, development and manufacturing. For this reason, thermal analysis came into the forefront of interest. The application of thermal analysis spread rapidly from traditional areas of inorganics to organics, including the immense field of polymers, and now it is broadly used in biology, medicine and agriculture. The future depends mainly on the availability of well educated and trained specialists. This lecture addresses, among others, the following questions: Are we sufficiently prepared to satisfy the worldwide demand for thermal analysts? Are we doing the necessary steps to fill the gap between demand and supply? What is (and what should be) the role of universities and societies with local, regional, national and international participation? Interaction with the industry, government institutions, international organizations (such as UNESCO and UNIDO) and other potential sources of financial, promotional and organizational assistance is discussed. It is shown how important it is to increase coordinated efforts at national and international levels. Suggestions are presented for setting priorities to achieve immediate and long-term goals in reducing the alarming shortage of thermal analysts.
Mechanisms of murine dendritic cell antitumor dysfunction in aging.

Effective cancer immunotherapy depends on the body’s ability to generate tumor antigen-presenting cells and tumor-reactive effector lymphocytes. As the most potent antigen presenting cells (APCs), dendritic cells (DCs) are capable of sensitizing T cells to new and recall antigens. Clinical trials of antigen-pulsed autologous DCs have been conducted in patients with a number of hematological and solid cancers, including malignant melanoma, lymphoma, myeloma, and non-small cell lung cancer. These studies suggest that antigen-loaded DC vaccination is a potentially safe and effective cancer therapy. However, the clinical results have been variable. Since the elderly are preferentially affected by diseases targeted by DC-directed immunotherapy, it is quite striking that few studies to date have focused on the effect of aging on DC function, a key aspect of optimal immunotherapy design in an aging population. In the present paper, we will discuss the consequences of aging on murine bone marrow-derived DC function and their use in cancer immunotherapy.
Two-reservoir model of quantum error correction

We consider a two-reservoir model of quantum error correction with a hot bath causing errors in the qubits and a cold bath cooling the ancilla qubits to a fiducial state. We consider error correction protocols both with and without measurement of the ancilla state. The error correction acts as a kind of refrigeration process to maintain the data qubits in a low entropy state by periodically moving the entropy to the ancilla qubits and then to the cold reservoir. We quantify the performance of the error correction as a function of the reservoir temperatures and cooling rate by means of the fidelity and the residual entropy of the data qubits. We also make a comparison with the continuous quantum error correction model of Sarovar and Milburn [Phys. Rev. A 72, 012306 (2005)].
Acylation of β-Lactams by Class A β-Lactamase: An ab Initio Theoretical Study on the Effects of the Oxy-Anion Hole

The initial acylation step in the β-lactamase catalyzed hydrolysis of β-lactams is studied using an ab initio quantum mechanical approach. The computational model incorporates a simple β-lactam substrate and key residues found in the active site in order to assess the plausibility of a specific mechanism originally proposed by Strynadka et al.1 and to estimate the stabilizing effects of the oxy-anion hole components founds in these enzymes. The computational model was constructed using information obtained from a high resolution X-ray crystal structure of unbound native β-lactamase, isolated from Staphylococcus aureus PC1. Within this model, the overall acylation reaction was found to occur with modest activation energy <26 kcal mol-1 (<109 kJ mol-1) through a microscopic pathway characterized by discrete proton transfer steps between the substrate and the active site residues Ser-70, Lys-73, and Ser-130. These energetic results are considerably lower than the activation energies found for the uncatalyzed...
Methods of Developing UWIN, the Modified American Urological Association Symptom Score

Purpose: The American Urological Association symptom score instrument is widely used to assess lower urinary tract symptom severity in men. We describe the methods used to develop a shorter form of the American Urological Association symptom score that may provide symptom score assessment with minimal compromise in accuracy.Materials and Methods: Complete American Urological Association symptom score data were collected on 8,731 men who attended Prostate Cancer Awareness Week in 2003 or 2004. Correlation analysis and area under the ROCs were used to determine the best reduced index and cutoff points in scores for the severity categories of mild, moderate and severe.Results: The number of responses in the original 7 American Urological Association symptom score items was lowered from 6 to 4 and for the bothersome index it was lowered from 7 to 3. Four of the original 7 items were retained. Cronbach's α was 0.851 for the symptom score items in our data. The combination of items with the best joint correlati...
An atom probe study of the substitutional behavior of beryllium in NiAl

Abstract Stoichiometric NiAl doped with 0.24 at% beryllium has been studied using atom probe field ion microscopy (APFIM). Composition measurements revealed that almost all the beryllium remained in solid solution in the matrix. Atom probe analysis of the (100) alternating pure nickel and pure aluminum planes determined the occupancy of beryllium to be almost exclusively at aluminum sites. A low number density of coarse MC precipitates, originating from trace impurities in the alloy, were found along the grain boundaries and within the grains. These coarse MC precipitates occurred in too low a number density to make any significant contribution to the observed increase in yield strength. The small increase in the yield strength that accompanied the beryllium addition to NiAl was from a weak solid solution strengthening mechanism from the substitutional beryllium atoms in the matrix.
Interference coefficients for overlapping oxygen lines in air

Abstract Interference coefficients describe the non-Lorentzian effect that arises as pressure broadening causes lines to overlap. These coefficients, one for each line, are at moderate pressures related linearly to absorption and dispersion. They are determined here for the 5-mm wavelength oxygen lines broadened by air. The method includes four a priori constraints on off-diagonal elements of the relaxation matrix, which produce the interference effect: (1) detailed balance; (2) intra-branch submatrices are assumed to be identical; (3) coupling between the + and - branches is ignored; (4) coupling between the (positive-frequency) resonances and the nonresonant and negative-resonant branches is represented by a small bias term in the interference coefficients. The linear equations relating measured dispersion to the interference coefficients are solved by the Twomey-Tikhonov method, which minimizes a cost function, subject to the condition of constant measurement-error variance. The cost function is chosen to minimize the variation of elements along diagonals of the intra-branch relaxation submatrix. Implications for atmospheric radiative transfer are briefly discussed.
Interventions with Challenging Behavior of Persons with Developmental Disabilities: A Review of Current Research Practices.

The published intervention research on the remediation of challenging behavior of persons with developmental disabilities was reviewed. A total of 179 studies over a recent 5-year period (1988 thro...
A high temperature piezoelectric sensor for structure health monitoring

High temperature sensors play a significant role in aerospace, automotive and energy industries. In this paper, a shearmode piezoelectric accelerometer using YCa 4 O(BO 3 ) 3 single crystals (YCOB) was designed and fabricated for high temperature sensing applications. The prototype sensor was tested at the temperature ranging from room temperature to 1000°C. The sensitivity of the sensor was found to be 1.9±04 pC/g throughout the tested frequency and temperature range. Moreover, YCOB piezoelectric accelerometers remained stable performance at 1000°C for a dwell time of three hours.
Meyer's loop and the optic radiations in the transsylvian approach to the mediobasal temporal lobe

Objective In the transsylvian approach to the mediobasal temporal structures, the temporal horn is approached through the floor of the sylvian fissure. The anterior bundle of the optic radiations (Meyer's loop) courses between the floor of the sylvian fissure and roof of the temporal horn and could be damaged in this approach. This study was designed to define the route through the floor of the sylvian fissure least likely to damage the optic pathways. Methods Meyer's loop was dissected by applying Klingler's fiber dissection technique in 10 formalin-fixed human hemispheres. Several measurements quantified the relationship of the Meyer's loop to surgically important structures. Results This study identified a triangular safe area below the floor of the sylvian fissure through which the temporal horn could be accessed in the transsylvian approach with a low risk of damaging the optic radiations. An incision in the floor of the sylvian fissure directed downward at the level of limen insula and the adjacent 5 mm of the inferior insular sulcus would avoid the optic radiations. An incision directed straight downward 10, 15, and 20 mm behind the limen in the inferior insular sulcus would cross Meyer's loop and would need to be directed downward and medially as much as 80 degrees from the sagittal plane to avoid Meyer's loop. Conclusion In the transsylvian approach to the temporal horn, incisions at the level of the limen, or adjacent 5 mm of the inferior insular sulcus, are less likely to damage Meyer's loop and the optic radiations than more posterior incisions along the inferior insular sulcus. Incision at this safe level commonly opens into the amygdala, a portion of which is removed to provide entry into the temporal horn for removal of the mediobasal structures.
Structuring and Documenting Interactions with Subject–Matter Experts

We have developed interviewing techniques for knowledge elicitation based on (1) relevant research and techniques from the social sciences, (2) the nature of expertise, and (3) a desire to avoid reductive bias, one of the pitfalls associated with the acquisition of highly complex knowledge. Our approach consists of four interviewing phases, with guidelines for questions suited to each stage. Descriptive Elicitation reveals important domain concepts as reflected in terms and specialized language. Structured Expansion probes the relationships between these concepts and the organization of the expert's knowledge. Scripting relies on the declarative knowledge found in the two previous stages to uncover procedural knowledge. Validation is important throughout the process of knowledge elicitation to ensure that the knowledge being elicited is correct and adequate to solve the intended class of problems. A prototype “knowledge editor” has been developed to document the knowledge elicited from an expert.
Warfarin-induced skin necrosis

Skin necrosis is an uncommon complication of warfarin (Coumadin; Dupont Pharma, Wilmington, DE) therapy. The presentation may mimic other disorders. This article reports a case of a 72-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department complaining of swelling and ecchymosis to her left breast and right foot. The patient had been hospitalized for coronary artery bypass grafting, and had been discharged from the hospital earlier that day. This article reviews the pathophysiology and clinical features of warfarin-induced skin necrosis.
Hydrogen Bonding in Anion Recognition: A Family of Versatile, Nonpreorganized Neutral and Acyclic Receptors.

The diamides and disulfonamides m-C6H4(CONHAr)2 (Ar = Ph, 1; p-n-BuC6H4, 2, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2, 3), m-C6H4(SO2NHPh)2, 4, and 2,6-C6H3N(CONHPh)2, 5, readily synthesized on a multigram scale, bind strongly to halides and acetate in organic solvents with Ka's as high as 6.1 × 104 (NMR spectroscopy). The binding stoichiometry is 1:1 in solution for all cases except for the 4·F- and 4·OAc- complexes, where both 1:1 and 1:2 binding stoichiometries were found. The association constants in CD2Cl2 (1H NMR) follow the trend Cl- > Br- > I- for all the receptors. F- and OAc- binding may be stronger or weaker than Cl- depending on the nature of the receptor. The presence of the pyridine nitrogen in 5 and of the more rigid amide in 1−3 and 5 vs the less rigid sulfonamide structure in 4 increases selectivity for smaller anions. The enthalpy and entropy of formation for 2·Cl- were ΔH = −31 kJ/mol; ΔS = −23 J/(mol·K) (VT-NMR). The X-ray structure of [PPh4]2[1·Br][Br]·CH2Cl2, shows 1:1 complexation of Br- via two N−H···Br- hydr...
Evaluation Of Automatic Target Recognition Algorithms

In this paper we briefly review the techniques used to solve the automatic target recognition (ATR) problem. Emphasis is placed on the algorithmic and implementation approaches. The evaluation of ATR algorithms such as target detection, segmentation, feature evaluation and classification are discussed in detail and several new quantitative criteria are suggested. The evaluation approach is discussed and various problems encountered in the evaluation of algorithms are addressed. Strategies to be used in the data base design are outlined. New techniques such as the use of semantic and structural information, hierarchical reasoning in the classification and incorporation of multisensor in the ATR systems are also presented.
Trends in nonlinear programming software

Abstract Nonlinear programming is an important tool in many scientific, engineering and financial applications. Because of the inevitable delays in spreading knowledge from one field to another, practitioners not specializing in optimization may be unable to take advantage of the latest developments in optimization software. In order to improve this situation, we highlight selected key aspects of past and future optimization software, in the hope that potential users may become aware of significant advances.
Comparison of aircraft noise measured in flight test and in the NASA Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel.

A method to determine free-field aircraft noise spectra from wind-tunnel measurements has been developed. The crux of the method is the correction for reverberations. Calibrated loud speakers are used to simulate model sound sources in the wind tunnel. Corrections based on the difference between the direct and reverberant field levels are applied to wind-tunnel data for a wide range of aircraft noise sources. To establish the validity of the correction method, two research aircraft - one propeller-driven (YOV-10A) and one turbojet-powered (XV-5B) - were flown in free field and then tested in the wind tunnel. Corrected noise spectra from the two environments agree closely.
Treatment of canine hemangiopericytomas with photodynamic therapy

Background and Objective Canine hemangiopericytomas are a commonly occurring neoplasm with a clinical course of recurrence after surgical removal. This study sought to evaluate Photochlor (HPPH) photodynamic therapy (HPPH-PDT) as an adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence of tumor after surgical removal. Study Design/Materials and Methods Sixteen dogs with naturally occurring hemangiopericytomas were treated with surgical removal of the tumor followed by PDT using Photochlor as the photosensitizer. Photochlor was injected intravenously at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg. Forty-eight hours later the treatment consisted of surgical removal of the tumor followed by HPPH-PDT. Results Nine dogs (56%) had recurrence of tumor from 2 to 29 (median 9) months after treatment. These results are comparable or not as good as other forms of therapy. Conclusions Photochlor photodynamic therapy applied after surgery appears to have no advantage over other forms of therapy in regards to preventing recurrence. Delayed wound healing and infections are problematic and make HPPH-PDT an undesirable addition to surgery for the treatment of this tumor type. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:23–26, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Index of refraction and optical absorption in amorphous Ge1−xSnxSe2

Abstract Null ellipsometry has been used to determine the index of refraction of amorphous Ge1−xSnxSe2 in the composition range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0·6 at the wavelength 632·8 nm. The index n increases from 2·61 to 2·84 as x increases in the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0·30. For higher values of x, n is essentially constant at 2·88. Optical absorption has been used to measure the optical band gap, which decreases from 2·11 eV to 1·62 eV as x increases from 0 to 0·60. An anomaly at x ∼ 0·30 is associated with a change in the glass structure. These results are interpreted in a virtual-crystal picture, in which the band edges shift rigidly.
TNFα-308A allele in juvenile dermatomyositis: Association with increased production of tumor necrosis factor α, disease duration, and pathologic calcifications

Objective To characterize the association between the TNFα-308A allele and 1) duration of active disease, 2) peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) synthesis of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in vitro, and 3) pathologic calcifications in patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (DM). Methods The TNFα-308 alleles were determined by polymerase chain reaction in 37 white patients with juvenile DM and in 29 control subjects. Patients were grouped according to duration of immunosuppressive therapy: long (≥36 months) or short (<36 months). Unstimulated PBMC were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for TNFα production in vitro. Sixty-five white patients with juvenile DM were examined for pathologic calcifications. Results TNFα-308A was identified in 18 of 37 patients with juvenile DM, in contrast with 5 of 29 controls (P = 0.009). Sixteen of the 18 patients with juvenile DM who had the TNFα-308A allele had a disease course ≥36 months, compared with 6 of 19 patients with TNFα-308G (P = 0.001). PBMC from 16 of the 18 juvenile DM patients with TNFα-308A synthesized more TNFα (median 53 pg/ml) compared with PBMC from 9 of 19 patients with TNFα-308G (median 19 pg/ml) (P = 0.007). Nineteen of 22 juvenile DM patients requiring therapy for ≥36 months produced more TNFα (median 20.5 pg/ml) in comparison with 6 of 15 juvenile DM patients with a <36-month treatment course (median TNFα 0.0 pg/ml) (P = 0.005). Detectable calcifications were present in 3 of 8 children with juvenile DM who had TNFα-308AA, compared with 2 of 21 children with TNFα-308AG and 1 of 36 children who had TNFα-308GG (P = 0.017). Conclusion A long course of juvenile DM and the presence of pathologic calcifications were associated with the TNFα-308A allele and with the increased production of TNFα, which may perpetuate the inflammatory response.
Continuum theory of 4mm-2mm proper ferroelastic transformation under inhomogeneous stress.

We have studied a model square-rectangular proper ferroelastic transition in an inhomogeneous stress field {sigma}({bold R}) with nonzero deviatoric stress component. This stress field can induce spatially heterogeneous transformations. Quasi-one-dimensional solutions for the lattice displacement fields {bold u} are derived both analytically and numerically for some special choices of stress functions. We find that the local instability is influenced by three factors: temperature, the magnitude of the applied stress, and the stress size. A critical strength {sigma}{sub {ital c}}(=0.801 in dimensionless units) exists such that for {vert bar}{sigma}({bold R}){sub max}{gt}{sigma}{sub {ital c}} a local transition can occur without an activation energy. The constraints of boundary conditions on the allowed solutions are also examined, and single-phase or twinned embryos may be formed through local transitions for free boundary conditions or fixed ends, respectively.
The roles of biologic and nonbiologic factors in cultural differences in vasomotor symptoms measured by surveys.

Objective: To review evidence of cultural differences in both biologic and nonbiologic factors as possible explanations for variation across cultures in self-reported vasomotor symptoms from surveys. Design: Literature review and cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons of ethnic groups with respect to patterns of symptom reporting from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Results: The evidence to date indicates that cultural differences in vasomotor symptom reporting on surveys reflect both differences in the underlying biology, which are likely to influence vasomotor symptom occurrence, and differences in nonbiologic sociocultural factors such as attitudes toward menopause, which are likely to be related to vasomotor symptom perception and reporting. Conclusions: It is important to consider interactions of culture and biology in studies of vasomotor symptoms. Recommendations for future studies include using both open- and closed-ended questions, providing concrete definitions of relevant symptoms and response choices for closed-ended questions, including measurements of objective indicators such as reproductive hormone concentrations, measuring both culturally related biologic and nonbiologic factors related to vasomotor symptom occurrence or reporting, and using the same general study protocol for multiple cultural groups being compared.
Intermolecular [2+2] photocyclization of ethyl 5-oxo-1a,2,5,5a,6,6a-hexahydro-2,6-methano-2aH-indeno-[5,6-b]oxirene-2a-carboxylate

The photodimer, 7, of ethyl 5-oxo-1a,2,5,5a,6,6a-hexahydro-2,6-methano-2aH-indeno-[5,6-b]oxirene-2a-carboxylate has been isolated and structuraally characterized. Triclinic,P −1,a=9.7783(6),b=11.2782(7),c=11.3445(7) A, α=105.461(9), β=113.3759(10), γ=92.9155(11)o,V=1089.36(12) A3,R=0.049 for 3557 unique observed reflections. Two independent molecules lying on inversion centers occupy the unit cell. The influence of the orientation of the ester group on the polycyclic skeleton is discussed.
Cation dependence of the electronic structure of AlAs and GaAs

Effects of the cation potential on the electronic structure of AlAs and GaAs are studied using the ab initio pseudo-potential method. Differences between the band gaps and one-electron levels of AlAs and GaAs are explained in terms of the s, p and d angular components of the Al and Ga potentials. Substituting the s- and d-channels of Ga for the corresponding channels in the Al potential reduces the AlAs direct gap by 0.7 and 0.5 eV, respectively. A reduction in the ionicity of GaAs compared to AlAs is mostly due to the stronger Ga-s potential. Comparisons are made to a previous analysis of cation effects in the III–V nitrides.
Factors Influencing the Use of Intensive Procedures at the End of Life

Objectives: To examine individual and regional factors associated with the use of intensive medical procedures in the last 6 months of life. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: The Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a longitudinal nationally representative cohort of older adults. Participants: HRS decedents aged 66 and older (N = 3,069). Measurements: Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between individual and regional factors and receipt of five intensive procedures: intubation and mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, gastrostomy tube insertion, enteral and parenteral nutrition, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the last 6 months of life. Results: Approximately 18% of subjects (n = 546) underwent at least one intensive procedure in the last 6 months of life. Characteristics significantly associated with lower odds of an intensive procedure included aged 85–94 (vs 65–74, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.51–0.90), Alzheimer's disease (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54–0.94), cancer (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.43–0.85), nursing home residence (AOR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.50–0.97), and having an advance directive (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.57–0.89). In contrast, living in a region with higher hospital care intensity (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.48–3.13) and black race (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.52–2.69) each doubled one's odds of undergoing an intensive procedure. Conclusion: Individual characteristics and regional practice patterns are important determinants of intensive procedure use in the last 6 months of life. The effect of nonclinical factors highlights the need to better align treatments with individual preferences.
Relative role of abdominal pelvic CT and lymphangiography in staging of testicular seminoma

Sixty patients with testicular seminoma were reviewed regarding the evaluation of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Thirty-four of these patients had both abdominal pelvic computerized tomography (APCT) scan and bipedal lymphangiography (LAG). In 21 patients, the results of the two studies were in agreement. However, 11 patients had positive LAG and negative APCT, while only 2 had a positive APCT and negative LAG. We recommend that patients with testicular seminoma have an APCT. If findings are negative, LAG should be done.
An institutional dinosaur: Austrian corporatism in the post‐industrial age

While the Austrian party system, based on a competitive electoral logic, is able to absorb the wide‐ranging changes created by modernisation in the last 25 years, the corporatist system, based on a ‘protective’ logic insulates itself from societal change. Corporatist organisations are designed to create societal stability. As societies experience dynamic change, the corporatist institutional structure not only becomes obsolete but also hinders evolutionary institutional adaptation to a changing society. Corporatist institutions are increasingly ‘out of touch’ with popular demands. The sources for this maladaptation reside within the central institutional features of corporatism themselves: organisation of interests in peak associations, compulsory membership to three of the four ‘strategic actors’, and the decision rule of unanimity.
Additive Phase Noise in Linear and High-Efficiency X-Band Power Amplifiers

This paper compares additive (residual) phase noise of linear and highly saturated high-efficiency MESFET and HBT 10GHz power amplifiers (PA). A custom discriminator measurement system is developed to characterize the PAs and exhibits a phase noise floor of ?164 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset for a 10GHz fundamental. The additive phase noise measurements show a phase noise of ?120dBc@1 kHz for the class-E MESFET PA, a roughly 10-dB increase when compared to the class-A PA with the same device. The HBT amplifier exhibited nearly the same phase noise in class E and linear class A.
Stroke and cerebrovascular complications in childhood cancer survivors

The outcomes for childhood cancer have drastically improved over the last several decades. Previously, irradiation was commonly used for blood-borne (leukemia, lymphoma) cancers and neck and brain tumors. Radiation therapy remains the mainstay of treatment for highly malignant cancers of head and neck and for some primary central nervous system tumors. Unfortunately, radiation therapy has been implicated as a contributor to many late effects of treatment, including cerebrovascular disease from large-vessel vascular injury, stroke, moyamoya, mineralizing microangiopathy, to stroke-like migraine. This review summarizes the pathophysiology of these disorders in relationship to treatment with and without radiation as well as the relevant manifestations of radiation-induced cerebrovascular disease. Patient populations at highest risk and current recommendations for health providers and patient education are emphasized when possible.
Analysis of the brittle fragmentation of an expanding ring

Abstract The current research extends our previous work on brittle fragmentation of a one-dimensional bar [F. Zhou, J.-F. Molinari, K.T. Ramesh, A cohesive-model based fragmentation analysis: effects of strain rate and initial defects distribution, International Journal of Solids and Structures 42 (2005) 5181–5207] to a circular ring that is dynamically expanded (e.g. by explosive loading). The expanding ring test is a convenient and effective technique to study the dynamic fracture and fragmentation properties of materials under high strain rate tensile loading. In this paper we describe the basic elastodynamic equations that govern the expansion of the ring, and develop a numerical integration scheme based on characteristic line differential relationships to solve these equations. A dynamic crack initiation criterion and a cohesive crack growth model are used to describe the failure and fracture process. With this methodology we investigate the fragmentation processes of rings under two typical loading conditions: forced constant velocity expansion and free expansion. The effects of ring size and the fracture properties of the material are investigated. The Rayleigh distribution function is used to describe the statistical characteristics of the fragment populations. Finally we discuss the energy conversions during the fragmentation process.
Evaluation of acute cervical spine imaging based on ACR Appropriateness Criteria

The objectives of this study were to determine the rate of acute blunt cervical spine injury at an academic urban level 1 trauma center and to evaluate the utilization of cervical spine imaging based on the established American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria®. We retrospectively reviewed all radiography and CT imaging of the cervical spine performed over a year period in adult patients presenting with acute blunt cervical spine trauma. Exclusion criteria were children ≤17 years, non-acute trauma of ≥72 h, and penetrating trauma. Any fracture, dislocation, or ligamentous instability demonstrated by diagnostic imaging and requiring stabilization or specialized follow-up was defined as clinically significant cervical spine injury. A total of 1,325 cervical spine studies were reviewed in 1,245 patients; 32.7% (433/1,325) were cervical spine radiographs and 67.3% (892/1,325) were CT examinations. Approximately 1.5% (19/1,245) of the patients demonstrated clinically significant acute cervical spine injury. There were 6.4% (80/1,245) patients who received both cervical spine radiographs and CT as imaging evaluation. Based on the ACR Appropriateness Criteria®, all of the cervical spine radiographs performed (433) were determined to be “inappropriate” imaging in the setting of acute cervical spine injury.
Template free and large-scale fabrication of silica nanotubes with centrifugal jet spinning

Silica nanotubes are widely used in nanotechnology because of their unique properties. In this paper, silica nanotube fibers with wall thickness less than 100 nm and outer diameters ranging between 300 nm and 500 nm are fabricated using the centrifugal jet spinning (CJS) technique with two steps: spinning and annealing. Polyvinylpyrrolidone-silica (PVP-silica) composite fibers are initially spun with engineered spinning solutions. By controlling the degree of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) hydrolysis, unreacted excess TEOS is introduced into spinning solutions to form a dual-solvent system with ethanol. Because of the differential vapor pressures of TEOS and ethanol as well as their differential solubility of PVP and dispersion of silica, dual-solvent evaporation induces phase separation in the spinning solution. This promotes the formation of hollow structure in PVP-silica fibers during spinning. Silica nanotube fibers are obtained with subsequent thermal annealing of PVP-silica composite fibers. The diameter and wall thickness of the silica nanotubes can be controlled by tuning the content of TEOS in the initial spinning solutions. The mechanism of tubular structure formation is also explained and examined with the help of elemental analysis. The method used in this paper can provide a new direction for efficient and large-scale fabrication of nanomaterials with controlled morphologies.