cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Updating as Communication

On many traditional theories of belief, your belief state is represented by an assignment of credences to propositions, or sets of possible worlds. If you are rational, your credence distribution will be a probability measure. Traditional theories of belief fit with a standard Bayesian theory of rational belief change: on learning a proposition, you must update your belief state by conditionalizing your credence distribution on the proposition you learn. That is, you must update by assigning 0 credence to those worlds incompatible with what you learn, and re-normalizing your credence distribution over the remaining worlds. Following Quine 1969, Lewis 1979 argues that we should instead represent your belief state by an assignment of credences to sets of centered worlds: world-timeindividual triples. For instance, if you have .5 credence that it is 3:00pm, your belief state should be represented by a measure that assigns .5 to the set of centered worlds with that time coordinate. Unlike traditional theories of belief, Lewis’s theory does not fit with a standard Bayesian theory of rational belief change. For instance, Bayesian conditionalization preserves certainties. If you update by conditionalizing on the set of centered worlds you learn, it follows that if you are ever certain that it is 3:00pm, you must always remain certain that it is 3:00pm. But clearly this is not what rationality requires. If we agree with Lewis about how to represent belief states, we must develop another set of principles governing rational belief change.
Building up strain in colloidal metal nanoparticle catalysts

The focus on surface lattice strain in nanostructures as a fundamental research topic has gained momentum in recent years as scientists investigated its significant impact on the surface electronic structure and catalytic properties of nanomaterials. Researchers have begun to tell a more complete story of catalysis from a perspective which brings this concept to the forefront of the discussion. The nano-‘realm’ makes the effects of surface lattice strain, which acts on the same spatial scales, more pronounced due to a higher ratio of surface to bulk atoms. This is especially evident in the field of metal nanoparticle catalysis, where displacement of atoms on surfaces can significantly alter the sorption properties of molecules. In part, the concept of strain-engineering for catalysis opened up due to the achievements that were made in the synthesis of a more sophisticated nanoparticle library from an ever-expanding set of methodologies. Developing synthesis methods for metal nanoparticles with well-defined and strained architectures is a worthy goal that, if reached, will have considerable impact in the search for catalysts. In this review, we summarize the recent accomplishments in the area of surface lattice-strained metal nanoparticle synthesis, framing the discussion from the important perspective of surface lattice strain effects in catalysis.
Arrays of dynamic circular loads moving on an infinite plate

Steady-state dynamic responses of a Kirchhoff plate resting on a viscoelastic Winkler foundation subject to arrays of moving constant and harmonic loads with uniform circular distribution is studied in this paper using Fourier transform and generalized Duhamel's integral. A computational schema is constructed based on a two-fold fast Fourier transform in a moving co-ordinate system. Numerical case studies using a single moving load as well as four moving loads mimicking four wheel-loads of a moving vehicle are conducted. Parameters of the plate are typical values of structural and material properties of highway pavements. Displacement responses of the plate to these five loading speeds seem to be very close to each other, though the vertical velocity and acceleration responses show considerable differences. The effect of load frequency on amplitude of response of plate is insignificant for parameters used in this study. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On-orbit performance of TOPEX/POSIEDON star trackers

The primary objective of the TOPEX/POSIEDON satellite is to monitor the world's oceans for scientific study of ocean circulation leading to weather and climate prediction, coastal storm warning and maritime safety. TOPEX/POSIEDON was launched on August 10, 1992 from the Kourou Space Center in French Guyana on a nominal circular orbit with an altitude of 1336 Km with a 66 degree inclination. Selection of this orbit imposed challenging requirements on the on- board electronics. At this altitude, South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) covers a large area. During many orbits the satellite may spend up to 40 minutes in the SAA region, all the time being bombarded by heavy protons and other charged particles. The on-board electronics were required to endure an estimated total dose radiation of 70 KRAD, with an RDM of 2, over the prime mission life of three years. In addition to the total dose radiation requirement, the spacecraft is required to perform within specifications in-spite of the heavy protons present at this orbit. TOPEX/POSIEDON is the first NASA satellite to carry two CCD based star trackers on a long duration mission. TOPEX/POSIEDON star trackers, known as advanced star tracker (ASTRA), were designed and built by Hughes Danbury Optical Systems (HDOS). These trackers have experienced single-event upsets and possible radiation induced radiation changes in their characteristics. One of the trackers has been in an in-operable state since being hit by a suspected SEU in November 1992. The second tracker has also had anomalies indicative of an SEU, but has managed to recover and is performing within the TOPEX specifications. JPL has been monitoring and evaluating the performance of these star trackers, during the last forty months. The data show change in certain tracker characteristics such as the magnitude of the detected stars, the background counts and the hot pixel data. This paper addresses the CCD tracker performance and the change in their characteristics in the high radiation environment.
How deep can one see into the sun

Conventional wisdom dictates that the 1.642 μm H− ‘opacity minimum’ is the best window to the depths of the solar photosphere. However, the violet continuum near 0.4 μm exhibits a larger intensity response to small thermal perturbations at depth, and thus might offer an even better view of the subsurface roots of granulation cells and magnetic flux tubes.
An (8,3)-a 3D Coordination Network and Concomitant Three-Connected Supramolecular Isomers

An unprecedented (8,3)-a 3D coordination network was synthesized using crystal engineering strategies as one of three concomitant supramolecular isomers of the general formula [Cu2(tae)(bipy)2]·2NO...
Identifying and Describing Tutor Archetypes: The Pragmatist, the Architect, and the Surveyor

In this article, the authors identify and anecdotally describe three tutor archetypes: the pragmatist, the architect, and the surveyor. These descriptions, based on observations of remedial mathematics tutors at a land-grant university, shed light on a variety of philosophical beliefs regarding and pedagogical approaches to tutoring. An analysis of these archetypes is beneficial not only to tutors and tutor supervisors but also to mathematics instructors at all levels. By considering these archetypes, tutors and instructors should recognize their personal strengths and the areas in which they could improve. Supervisors should encourage balanced approaches that incorporate the strengths of each of these archetypes. The authors hope this discussion will serve as a stepping-stone for future research in this critical area.
A Deep Chandra Observation of the Distant Galaxy Cluster MS 1137.5+6625

We present results from a deep Chandra observation of MS 1137.5+66, a distant (z = 0.783) and massive cluster of galaxies. Only a few similarly massive clusters are currently known at such high redshifts; accordingly, this observation provides much needed information on the dynamical state of these rare systems. The cluster appears both regular and symmetric in the X-ray image. However, our analysis of the spectral and spatial X-ray data in conjunction with interferometric Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect data and published deep optical imaging suggests that the cluster has a fairly complex structure. The angular diameter distance we calculate from the Chandra and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect data assuming an isothermal, spherically symmetric cluster implies a low value for the Hubble constant for which we explore possible explanations.
The Genomic Record of Humankind's Evolutionary Roots

Taxa above the genus level that are referred to in the text are indicated here in boldface. Order Primates (63 Ma) Semiorder Strepsirhini (50 Ma) Suborder Lemuriformes (45 Ma) Infraorder Chiromyiformes Family Daubentoniidae, Daubentonia: aye-ayes Infraorder Eulemurides Superfamily Lemuroidea (28 Ma) Family Cheirogaleidae (22 Ma) Subfamily Microcebinae, Microcebus: mouse lemurs Subfamily Cheirogaleinae, Cheirogaleus: dwarf lemurs Family Indridae, Propithecus: sifakas Family Lemuridae, Eulemur: brown lemurs Suborder Loriformes Family Loridae (23 Ma) Subfamily Galagoninae, Otolemur: bush babies Subfamily Perodicticinae, Perodicticus: pottos Subfamily Lorinae, Nycticebus: slow lorises Semiorder Haplorhini (58 Ma) Suborder Tarsiiformes Family Tarsiidae, Tarsius: tarsiers Suborder Anthropoidea (40 Ma) Infraorder Platyrrhini Superfamily Ceboidea (26 Ma) Family Cebidae (22 Ma) Subfamily Cebinae (20 Ma) Tribe Cebini, Cebus: capuchin monkeys Tribe Saimiriini, Saimiri: squirrel monkeys Subfamily Aotinae, Aotus: night monkeys Subfamily Callitrichinae Tribe Callitrichini (13 Ma) Subtribe Saguinina, Saguinus: tamarins Subtribe Leontopithecina, Leontopithecus: golden lion tamarins Subtribe Callimiconina, Callimico: goeldi's monkeys Subtribe Callitrichina Callithrix (Callithrix): marmosets (jacchus group) Callithrix (Cebuella): pygmy marmosets Callithrix (Mico): marmosets (argentata group) Family Pitheciidae Subfamily Pitheciinae (19 Ma) Tribe Callicebini, Callicebus: titi monkeys Tribe Pitheciini Subtribe Pitheciina (11 Ma) Pithecia: saki monkeys Chiropotes (Chiropotes): bearded saki monkeys Chiropotes (Cacajao): uacari monkeys Family Atelidae Subfamily Atelinae (17 Ma) Tribe Alouattini, Alouatta: howler monkeys Tribe Atelini (12 Ma) Subtribe Atelina, Ateles: spider monkeys Subtribe Brachytelina (10 Ma) Lagothrix: woolly monkeys Brachyteles: woolly spider monkeys Infraorder Catarrhini Superfamily Cercopithecoidea (25 Ma) Family Cercopithecidae Subfamily Cercopithecinae (15 Ma) Tribe Colobini (10 Ma) Subtribe Colobina, Colobus: colobus monkeys Subtribe Presbytina (7 Ma) Trachypithecus: langurs Nasalis: proboscis monkeys Tribe Cercopithecini (10 Ma) Subtribe Cercopithecina (9 Ma) Cercopithecus: guenons Erythrocebus: patas monkeys Chlorocebus: green monkeys Subtribe Papionina (9 Ma) Macaca: macaques Cercocebus (Cercocebus): terrestrial mangabeys Cercocebus (Mandrillus): mandrills, drills Papio (Papio): baboons (hamadryas group) Papio (Theropithecus): gelada baboons Papio (Lophocebus): arboreal mangabeys Family Hominidae Subfamily Homininae (18 Ma) Tribe Hylobatini Subtribe Hylobatina (8 Ma) Symphalangus: siamangs Hylobates: gibbons Tribe Hominini (14 Ma) Subtribe Pongina, Pongo: orangutans Subtribe Hominina (7 Ma) Gorilla: gorillas Homo (Homo): humans Homo (Pan): chimpanzees, bonobosAdditional relevant references are included in a Supplemental Reading List, which appears, in the electronic version of this article, immediately after the References.
Phosphatidic Acid-mediated Phosphorylation of the NADPH Oxidase Component p47-phox EVIDENCE THAT PHOSPHATIDIC ACID MAY ACTIVATE A NOVEL PROTEIN KINASE

Phosphatidic acid (PA), generated by phospholipase D activation, has been linked to the activation of the neutrophil respiratory burst enzyme, NADPH oxidase; however, the intracellular enzyme targets for PA remain unclear. We have recently shown (McPhail, L. C., Qualliotine-Mann, D., and Waite, K. A. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 92, 7931-7935) that a PA-activated protein kinase is involved in the activation of NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system. This protein kinase phosphorylates numerous endogenous proteins, including p47-phox, a component of the NADPH oxidase complex. Phospholipids other than PA were less effective at inducing endogenous protein phosphorylation. Several of these endogenous substrates were also phosphorylated during stimulation of intact cells by opsonized zymosan, an agonist that induces phospholipase D activation. We sought to identify the PA-activated protein kinase that phosphorylates p47-phox. The PA-dependent protein kinase was shown to be cytosolic. cis-Unsaturated fatty acids were poor inducers of protein kinase activity, suggesting that the PA-activated protein kinase is not a fatty acid-regulated protein kinase (e.g. protein kinase N). Chromatographic techniques separated the PA-activated protein kinase from a number of other protein kinases known to be activated by PA or to phosphorylate p47-phox. These included isoforms of protein kinase C, p21 (Cdc42/Rac)-activated protein kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Gel filtration chromatography indicated that the protein kinase has an apparent molecular size of 125 kDa. Screening of cytosolic fractions from several cell types and rat brain suggested the enzyme has widespread cell and tissue distribution. The partially purified protein kinase was sensitive to the same protein kinase inhibitors that diminished NADPH oxidase activation and was independent of guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate and Ca2+. Phosphoamino acid analysis showed that serine and tyrosine residues were phosphorylated on p47-phox by this kinase(s). These data indicate that one or more potentially novel protein kinases are targets for PA in neutrophils and other cell types. Furthermore, a PA-activated protein kinase is likely to be an important regulator of the neutrophil respiratory burst by phosphorylation of the NADPH oxidase component p47-phox.
How should alternative medicine be taught to medical students and physicians

ABSTRACTAdvocates of alternative medicine are critical of current medical curricula, and have proposed fundamental changes, including the introduction of “integrative medicine” programs to teach alternative medicine. Medical educators have not replied to these criticisms, and have not developed basi
Awareness of the CS-UCS contingency and classical conditioning of skin conductance responses with olfactory CSs

The possibility of demonstrating acquisition of classically conditioned responses without awareness of the conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus (CS-UCS) contingency using olfactory stimuli with 58 college student subjects was tested. A classical discrimination delay conditioning paradigm was employed, with electric shock as the UCS and two pleasant odors (perfumes) as the conditioned stimuli (CS+ and CS-). Trial-by-trial measures of skin conductance conditioned responses served as dependent variables. A masking task in the form of an olfactory memory task was employed for the purpose of delaying the onset of awareness of the conditioning contingency. Awareness of the conditioning contingency was assessed by a concurrent and a post hoc measure, and subjects who satisfied both criteria were considered aware of the CS-UCS contingency. Conditioning was observed only in the aware subjects, and only after the onset of awareness of the CS+-UCS contingency. Respiratory activity, measured as a check against possible artifacts, had no effect on the SCR measures. It was concluded that the awareness of the CS-UCS contingency is necessary for acquisition of discriminative conditioned responses in humans, regardless of the sensory modality in which CSs are presented. Sex differences in skin conductance measures and performance on the olfactory memory task were observed.
Aspartic protease activities of schistosomes cleave mammalian hemoglobins in a host-specific manner

We examined the efficiency of digestion of hemoglobin from four mammalian species, human, cow, sheep, and horse by acidic extracts of mixed sex adults of Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni. Activity ascribable to aspartic protease(s) from S. japonicum and S. mansoni cleaved human hemoglobin. In addition, aspartic protease activities from S. japonicum cleaved hemoglobin from bovine, sheep, and horse blood more efficiently than did the activity from extracts of S. mansoni. These findings support the hypothesis that substrate specificity of hemoglobin-degrading proteases employed by blood feeding helminth parasites influences parasite host species range; differences in amino acid sequences in key sites of the parasite proteases interact less or more efficiently with the hemoglobins of permissive or non-permissive hosts.
Neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency occurs in 1:16,000-1:20,000 births. If not promptly diagnosed and treated, CAH can cause death in early infancy from shock, hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Affected girls usually have ambiguous genitalia but boys appear normal; therefore, newborn babies are commonly screened for CAH in the US and many other countries. By identifying babies with severe, salt-wasting CAH before they develop adrenal crises, screening reduces morbidity and mortality, particularly among affected boys. Diagnosis is based on elevated levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, the preferred substrate for steroid 21-hydroxylase. Initial testing usually involves dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescence immunoassay that has a low positive predictive value (about 1%), which leads to many follow-up evaluations that have negative results. The positive predictive value might be improved by second-tier screening using DNA-based methods or liquid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry, but these methods are not widely adopted. Cost estimates for such screening range from US$20,000 to $300,000 per life-year saved. In babies with markedly abnormal screen results, levels of serum electrolytes and 17-hydroxyprogesterone should be immediately determined, but the most reliable way to diagnose CAH is measurement of levels of steroid precursors after stimulation with cosyntropin.
Low Power, Reconfigurable Computing Platform for Spacecraft

This paper describes a project undertaken to explore reconfigurable computing as a means to achieve high-throughput, low-power on-board computing for spacecraft. The solution consists of a reconfigurable data processor chip, a reconfigurable memory module, reconfigurable interconnect, and dynamic power management. The reconfigurable processor chip was fabricated in a 0.25µ bulk CMOS process using a radiation-hard-by-design standard cell library. Two challenge algorithms were demonstrated in hardware, and a dozen others in software simulation. It was shown to achieve up to 3 giga- operations/second-watt. This architecture is well-suited to future generations of ultra-low-power, low-voltage processors and memories, as the extensibility offsets the loss in throughput due to low-voltage
Investigating UHMWPE wear mechanisms by decomposing wear debris distributions

Abstract The precise mechanisms involved in the wear of UHMWPE are poorly understood. Wear debris image analysis has proven useful in characterizing the mechanisms and performance of metal wear, but applying these techniques to UHMWPE may not be appropriate. In this study, debris was collected after UHMWPE pins were worn against counterfaces of three different roughnesses, then imaged in a scanning electron microscope. The debris was characterized using standard analysis techniques: equivalent circle diameter (ECD), roundness factor, and Richardson fractal dimension. Rough counterfaces produced a greater quantity of large, irregular shaped debris, and the image analysis of these particles revealed they were comparable to known abrasive wear values, suggesting that these analysis techniques are valid for UHMWPE, at least over a certain range. Smaller, rough particles appeared to be caused by fatigue processes, both in terms of analysis and visual inspection. Small, smooth particles were not easily classified, and may be particles that were plastically deformed as third bodies in the wear interface.
An Early Look at the Deutsche Bank Alternative Investment Survey, 2002–2009

This article presents a time-series analysis of the evolution of hedge fund investor characteristics and expectations based on the Deutsche Bank Alternative Investment Survey (DBAIS): 2002–2009. Interesting findings include the following: 1) new hedge fund allocations are primarily determined by a common factor, rather than by specific views on particular strategies; 2) allocations to credit-sensitive strategies are negatively correlated with allocations to noncredit strategies;3) investor strategy allocations tend to chase returns and do a poor job of timing future strategy returns; and 4) the use of managed accounts has dramatically increased.
Inhibition of cellular atp-hydrolyzing activity by tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazine tranquilizers.

Abstract In a variety of cellular and subcellular preparations, total ATP-hydrolyzing activity was potently inhibited by tricyclic antidepressants (TA) and phenothiazine tranquilizers (PT). In leukocytes, preincubation of the cells with 5 × 10 −4 M TA and 1 x 10 −4 M PT resulted in up to 87% and 94% inhibition of the ATPase activity. Among TA, dibenzocycloheptadienes were somewhat more potent inhibitors than were derivatives of dibenzazepine. Substitution, at the position 2 of the phenothiazine nucleus, by a halogen and particularly by the CF 3 group, increased the inhibitory strength of PT. However, most effective in inhibiting ATPase was thioridazine, structurally differing from mesoridazine, the weakest inhibitor in this study, by a methylmercapto group instead of a methylsulfinyl substituent. The inhibition by the drugs was markedly reduced in the presence of millimolar ATP. The results indicate a possible adverse effect of these drugs on the cellular energy-yielding capacity.
Polynomial bases for quadratic and cubic polynomials which yield control points with small convex hulls

Abstract Of the many useful properties of Bezier curves and surfaces, one used very often in computer graphic render operations is the convex hull property. That is, a Bezier curve or surface lies within the convex hull of its control points. However, this convex hull is a very poor approximation to the space occupied by the curve. We present here, a polynomial basis for the quadratic and cubic curves whose convex hulls contain the curve, but with a size of about 77% and 42% of the respective Bezier convex hulls. We then show how to convert between Bezier and this small convex hull representation, and how to subdivide these curves. Such curve representations may allow large savings in rendering techniques which depend on the convex hull of the control points.
Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Frail Elderly

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder of the aged. This article briefly reviews the literature on the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with the elderly, and suggests some changes in using CBT with the elderly based on the authors' clinical experiences. Recommended changes in technique and common themes when dealing with the frail elderly are described, including the use of "supportive CBT" for patients with mild cognitive impairment. The authors' experiences suggest that CBT is an effective treatment for depression and other affective disorders of the frail elderly, and is especially useful when somatic treatments are contraindicated or produce intolerable side effects.
Glycopeptides prepared from mouse cerebrum inhibit protein synthesis and cell division in baby hamster kidney cells, but not in their polyoma virus-transformed analogs.

Abstract Glycopeptides isolated from mouse cerebral cortex cell surfaces (BCSG) were shown to inhibit cell growth and protein synthesis in baby hamster kidney (BHK)-21 cells, whereas polyoma virus-transformed BHK-21 cells (pyBHK-21) were refractory to the inhibitory activity of the glycopeptides. Growth inhibition was shown to be reversible and non-lethal to BHK-21 cells. Despite that difference in sensitivity to the action of the glycopeptides, both cell lines could bind the inhibitor in a saturable fashion and in similar quantities. After trypsinization, BHK-21 cells appeared refractory to the inhibitor, whereas pyBHK-21 cells became sensitive. The data suggested the presence of a receptor for BCSG on the cell surface of both cell lines. Incubating BCSG with conditioned medium from pyBHK-21 cells resulted in loss of the glycopeptide's inhibitory activity. In contrast, medium conditioned by BHK-21 cells had no effect on the inhibitory activity of BCSG. We hypothesize that the refractoriness of pyBHK-21 cells to BCSG is related to their autonomous growth characteristics and failure to respond to topo-inhibitory growth control. BCSG may be a naturally occurring growth regulator whose function can be explored by use of the BHK-21/ pyBHK-21 model system.
The relationship of the frequency of masturbation to several aspects of personality and behavior

The need for a psychological approach to masturbation is inherent throughout the literature (Kinsey, Pomeroy, and Martin, 1948; Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, and Gebhard, 1953; Hare, 1962; and Masters and Johnson, 1966). Kinsey et al. (1948) found that, for young men, masturbation provides a regular sexual outlet which alleviates nervous tensions. They also conclude that in many cases these young men lead more balanced lives than young men who are more sexually restrained. Although they emphasize the positive factors of masturbation, they also point out that more information is needed in regard to its effect on personality development and adjustment in view of their conclusion that masturbation is, to a degree, an escape from reality, and that its effect upon the ultimate personality of the individual is something that needs consideration (Kinsey et al., 1948). The importance of masturbation for sexual responsiveness in the female is evident in the fact that among all types of sexual activity, masturbation is the one by which the female most frequently reaches orgasm. In ninety-five per cent or more of all her masturbation, she reaches orgasm. It is the most specific and quickest means for achiev-ing orgasm (Kinsey et al., 1953). The effect of masturbation on sexual behavior is evident in the fact that masturbators (especially females) often tend to be more orgasmicand less frigid than non-masturbators (Ell is, 1 955) . Kinsey et al. (1953) conclude that the frequencies of masturbation provide a significant measure of the level of a female's interest in sexual activity. They have also found that most females masturbate for the sake of the immediate satisfactions they may obtain and as a means of resolving
Natural History and Treatment of Hepatitis C in Liver Transplant Recipients

Hepatitis C is not cured with liver transplantation. Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have reduced graft and patient survivals compared with non-HCV patients following liver transplantation. Both HCV recurrence and fibrosis are accelerated under the influence of transplantation and immunosuppression. Antiviral therapy has been shown to reduce fibrosis progression and graft loss. The goal of therapy is sustained virologic response and reduction of damage. However, the optimal timing and treatment regimen for patients with HCV following transplant is unclear. Following transplant, sustained virologic response rates are reduced and patient tolerance is limited. Improved treatment strategies are needed to reduce patient side effects and increase efficacy in this population of patients.
A phonon heat bath approach for the atomistic and multiscale simulation of solids

We present a novel approach to numerical modelling of the crystalline solid as a heat bath. The approach allows bringing together a small and a large crystalline domain, and model accurately the resultant interface, using harmonic assumptions for the larger domain, which is excluded from the explicit model and viewed only as a hypothetic heat bath. Such an interface is non-reflective for the elastic waves, as well as providing thermostatting conditions for the small domain. The small domain can be modelled with a standard molecular dynamics approach, and its interior may accommodate arbitrary non-linearities. The formulation involves a normal decomposition for the random thermal motion term R(t) in the generalized Langevin equation for solid–solid interfaces. Heat bath temperature serves as a parameter for the distribution of the normal mode amplitudes found from the Gibbs canonical distribution for the phonon gas. Spectral properties of the normal modes (polarization vectors and normal frequencies) are derived from the interatomic potential. Approach results in a physically motivated random force term R(t) derived consistently to represent the correlated thermal motion of lattice atoms. We describe the method in detail, and demonstrate applications to one- and two-dimensional lattice structures. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical Hit Or Miss Morphological Transforms For ATR

Morphological processing operations are necessary for many difficult automatic target recognition (ATR) problems. All of the basic morphological functions can be performed on an optical correlator. This paper emphasizes the hit-or miss morphological transform and how it provides improved part recognition.
The behavior of the plasma membrane following osmotic contraction of isolated protoplasts: Implications in freezing injury

Following osmotic contraction of isolated rye protoplast (Secale cereale L. cv. Puma) that results in nearly a 50% reduction in volume, the plasma membrane was smooth, with no folding or pleating. Instead, deletion of plasma membrane occurred and numerous cytoplasmic vesicles were observed. As a result, the area of the plasma membrane was reduced by approximately 40%. Thin sections revealed that the cytoplasmic vesicles were membrane bound and not merely voids in the cytoplasm. High resolution video microscopy revealed the extent of vesiculation showing large clusters of cytoplasmic vesicles following osmotic contraction. Labeling the plasma membrane with fluorescein-Con-A prior to hypertonic contraction suggested that the cytoplasmic vesicles were derived from the plasma membrane. Freeze-fracture particle density on both the protoplasmic (PFp) and exoplasmic face (EFp) of the plasma membrane remained unchanged following contraction, which is consistent with a unit-membrane deletion into cytoplasmic vesicles. Upon partial re-expansion of the protoplasts, thin sections showed that the vesicles remained in the cytoplasm. These results using osmotic manipulation confirm earlier observations of isolated protoplasts at the light microscope level. Upon contraction plasma membrane is deleted into cytoplasmic vesicles, which are not readily reincorporated into the plasma membrane upon expansion. Lysis occurs before the original volume and surface area are regained.
High-efficiency 35-GHz GaAs MESFET's

Ka-band GaAs FET's with power output in excess of 200 mW and with efficiencies of more than 20 percent are described. Both ion-implanted and VPE-grown wafers were used. Deep UV (300-nm) lithography and chemical etching was employed to obtain a final gate length of 0.5 µm. These FET chips were flip-chip mounted and had a very low thermal resistance of 50°C/W for a total source periphery of 0.6 mm. At 35 GHz an output power of 220 mW with 21-percent efficiency at 3-dB gain was obtained from a 0.6-mm cell.
MDMA: a social drug in a social context

Rationale The drug ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy,” “molly”) is thought to produce prosocial effects and enhance social interaction. However, in most laboratory studies to date, the participants have been tested under nonsocial conditions, which may not simulate the effects the drug produces in more naturalistic social settings.
Prolonged neuromuscular blockade following vecuronium infusion

Administration of vecuronium by infusion is an increasingly common technique, both in the operating room and in the intensive care unit (ICU), for patients requiring prolonged neuromuscular blockade and mechanical ventilation. The major advantage of vecuronium over older neuromuscular blocking agents is its rapid excretion and intermediate duration of action. Prior to the current case report, the longest reported continuous paralysis after the cessation of a vecuronium infusion was 90 hours. A case of an 81-year-old patient with renal failure and subclinical chronic cirrhosis of the liver, who remained paralyzed for 13 days following a vecuronium infusion, is described. Intensive monitoring of neuromuscular function is recommended whenever muscle relaxants are administered by continuous infusion.
Germanium and Silicon Linking Strategies for Traceless Solid-Phase Synthesis

Here we describe the development and application of germanium and silicon linkage strategies for the solid-phase synthesis of aromatic compounds, as demonstrated for 1,4-benzodiazepine derivatives....
Beyond the mean: sensitivities of the variance of population growth

Populations in variable environments are described by both a mean growth rate and a variance of stochastic population growth. Increasing variance will increase the width of confidence bounds around estimates of population size, growth, probability of and time to quasi-extinction. However, traditional sensitivity analyses of stochastic matrix models only consider the sensitivity of the mean growth rate. We derive an exact method for calculating the sensitivity of the variance in population growth to changes in demographic parameters. Sensitivities of the variance also allow a new sensitivity calculation for the cumulative probability of quasi-extinction. We apply this new analysis tool to an empirical dataset on at-risk polar bears to demonstrate its utility in conservation biology We find that in many cases a change in life history parameters will increase both the mean and variance of population growth of polar bears. This counterintuitive behaviour of the variance complicates predictions about overall population impacts of management interventions. Sensitivity calculations for cumulative extinction risk factor in changes to both mean and variance, providing a highly useful quantitative tool for conservation management. The mean stochastic growth rate and its sensitivities do not fully describe the dynamics of population growth. The use of variance sensitivities gives a more complete understanding of population dynamics and facilitates the calculation of new sensitivities for extinction processes.
Capillary plasma lipid profiles.

Since the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) [1,2] recommended that all adults have total cholesterol measured (in physicians’ offices), there has been increased emphasis on cholesterol sampling and methodology. Capillary plasma lipid profiles [3-91 provide results within 15 min, and require only 400 ~1 fingerstick blood. Whether they are as accurate and precise as the slower turnaround, venous blood, enzymatic techniques is a central question [9]. In 430 hyperlipidemic outpatients, our specific aim in the current study was to compare accuracy, precision, interchangeability of results, costs, and utility of the capillary plasma fasting lipid profile (AbbottVision) vs our Lipid Research Clinics (LRC) standardized [lo], central laboratory enzymatic method [l l] on the Hitachi 736-plus instrument using venous blood plasma.
A spatially explicit network-based model for estimating stream temperature distribution

Abstract The WET-Temp (Watershed Evaluation Tool – Temperature) model is designed to estimate stream temperature distribution using spatially explicit data sets. Spatial data sets describing vegetation cover, stream network locations, elevation, stream discharge, and channel characteristics are utilized by WET-Temp to quantify geometric relationships between the sun, stream channel and riparian areas. These relationships are used in conjunction with air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed data to estimate the energy gained or lost by the stream via various heat flux processes (solar and longwave radiation, evaporation, convection and advection). The sum of these processes is expressed as a differential energy balance applied at discrete locations across the stream network. The model describes diurnal stream temperature dynamics at each location and thus temperature distribution across the entire network. WET-Temp was calibrated to McDowell Creek in the western Oregon Cascade Range. Differences between observed and simulated values of maximum daily temperature in McDowell Creek were less than 0.3 °C. The model was then used to estimate temperature distributions in an adjacent watershed, Hamilton Creek, where differences in maximum daily temperature were 1 °C or less. WET-Temp advances the subject of stream temperature modeling through direct incorporation of spatially explicit data sets and treatment of temperature as a network phenomenon.
Economic impacts of energy development

This article examines the economic impacts of offshore petroleum extraction and production on communities in Louisiana. The study extends previous work concerning the economic impacts of energy development by including all phases of petroleum development, by accounting for the degree and type of involvement of the community in petroleum production, by using analysis of variance to determine the effect of the rate and direction of change in as well as level of petroleum activity, and by using time series regression to examine the effect of year‐to‐year changes in activity on year‐to‐year changes in economic impacts. The findings show an initial improvement in economic conditions followed by serious economic decline. The results also point out the need for a diversified involvement in petroleum production and the necessity of mitigation programs during the boom and decline in petroleum activity.
From Pictorial Collage to Intermedia Assemblage: Variations V (1965) and the Cagean origins of VanDerBeek’s Expanded Cinema

Post 1964, after a half-dozen years pursuing an increasingly successful career as an independent producer of animated films, Stan VanDerBeek began to devote himself to a more performative and interdisciplinary practice he termed ‘expanded cinema’. This article contends that the most significant moment and motivation in this transition was the artist’s close collaboration with John Cage and Merce Cunningham in the production of Variations V, and that an examination of VanDerBeek’s Movie-Mural in the context of that production helps us to understand the important role played by his former Black Mountain College teachers in the genesis of this vision. The author proposes that an interdisciplinary rhetoric of ‘assemblage’ in this period can help bridge the aesthetic and conceptual gap between the artist’s early practice of collage animation and his later turn to expanded cinema and intermedia performance.
The effect of the controllability of auditory discriminative stimuli in the performance of go/no-go discriminations by pigeons

Compared with their performance with localized (on-key) visual stimuli, pigeons are notoriously poor at performing go/no-go discriminations when keypecking for food in the presence of auditory discriminative stimuli. The difference might reflect the fact that an aversive visual onkey stimulus signaling nonreward can be escaped by looking away and not pecking, which contributes to the measure of good discriminative performance, while an auditory stimulus cannot be escaped. In Experiment 1, discriminative performance was significantly improved by providing pigeons with a response incompatible with keypecking by which they could escape a tone S+ and a tone S−. However, the pattern, frequency, and duration of escape responses were found to be insufficient to explain the improvement. In Experiment 2, it was found that the capacity to escape only S+ or only S− enhanced discriminative performance as much as the capacity to escape both. It is theorized that the Pavlovian relationship between the absence of the discriminative stimuli and the nonoccurrence of food might transfer to the instrumental relationships learned in a go/no-go discrimination. The possibility that intermittent stimuli command more attention than continuous stimuli is also considered.
Mechanism for carbachol-induced secretion of lacritin in cultured monkey lacrimal acinar cells.

PURPOSE Lacritin protein is highly expressed in the lacrimal gland, secreted into tear fluid, and detected only in primates. The mechanism for lacritin secretion has not been fully investigated, because a system for culturing primate lacrimal acinar cells had not been established. The purposes of the present study were (1) to develop a procedure to culture lacrimal acinar cells from monkey and (2) to determine the mechanism for the secretion of lacritin in the culture system. METHODS Acinar cells from monkey lacrimal gland were cultured and characterized. Lacritin and other proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblot analysis. Secreted proteins were also detected in the medium from stimulated acinar cells. mRNAs were determined by microarray and qPCR. Intracellular calcium levels were measured by calcium-4 assay. RESULTS Acinar cells cultured for 1 day contained adequate amounts of lacritin, lactoferrin, and lipocalin for use in lacritin secretion studies. The cholinergic agonist carbachol (Cch) stimulated the secretion of lacritin and increased intracellular Ca2+. Cch-induced lacritin secretion was inhibited by the store-operated calcium (SOC) channel inhibitor YM58483 and the PKC inhibitors GF109203 and Ro-32-0432. Cch-induced lacritin secretion was not inhibited by MAPKK inhibitor U0126, although p42/p44 MAPK was phosphorylated. Cch also enhanced gene transcription, which was inhibited by U0126, GF109203, and calcium chelators. CONCLUSIONS Successful culture of monkey lacrimal acinar cells showed that, among the prevalent tear proteins, the secretion of lacritin involved the PKC/Ca2+ pathway, not the p42/p44 MAPK pathway. Induction of transcription by Cch involved the independent p42/p44 MAPK and PKC pathways.
Socioeconomic and hospital-related predictors of amputation for critical limb ischemia

Objective Disparities in limb salvage procedures may be driven by socioeconomic status (SES) and access to high-volume hospitals. We sought to identify SES factors associated with major amputation in the setting of critical limb ischemia (CLI). Methods The 2003-2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for discharges containing lower extremity revascularization (LER) or major amputation and chronic CLI (N = 958,120). The Elixhauser method was used to adjust for comorbidities. Significant predictors in bivariate logistic regression were entered into a multivariate logistic regression for the dependent variable of amputation vs LER. Results Overall, 24.2% of CLI patients underwent amputation. Significant differences were seen between both groups in bivariate and multivariate analysis of SES factors, including race, income, and insurance status. Lower-income patients were more likely to be treated at low-LER-volume institutions (odds ratio [OR], 1.74; P Conclusions After controlling for comorbidities, minority patients, those with lower SES, and patients with Medicaid were more likely receive amputation for CLI in low-volume hospitals. Addressing SES and hospital factors may reduce amputation rates for CLI.
Role of central command in carotid baroreflex resetting in humans during static exercise

The purpose of the experiments was to examine the role of central command in the exercise-induced resetting of the carotid baroreflex. Eight subjects performed 30 % maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) static knee extension and flexion with manipulation of central command (CC) by patellar tendon vibration (PTV). The same subjects also performed static knee extension and flexion exercise without PTV at a force development that elicited the same ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) as those observed during exercise with PTV in order to assess involvement of the exercise pressor reflex. Carotid baroreflex (CBR) function curves were modelled from the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to rapid changes in neck pressure and suction during steady state static exercise. Knee extension exercise with PTV (decreased CC activation) reset the CBR-HR and CBR-MAP to a lower operating pressure (P 0.05) suggesting the response was determined primarily by CC activation. However, the CBR-MAP function curves were reset to operating pressures determined by both exercise pressor reflex (EPR) and central command activation. Thus the physiological response to exercise requires CC activation to reset the carotid-cardiac reflex but requires either CC or EPR to reset the carotid-vasomotor reflex.
Tomographic Imaging Based on Hyperspectral Absorption Spectroscopy

An inversion method is developed to exploit the increased spectral information content enabled by recent advancement in laser technologies. This method should lay the groundwork for the expanded use of hyperspectral lasers in imaging measurements.
Artin rings of global dimension two

In this paper, we show that a left artin ring A of global dimension at most two has Loewy length at most 2” - 1, where n is the number of simple components of A/rad(A). We assume that the reader is familiar with the trends (but not necessarily the details) of contemporary representation theory of artin rings. Let us record a few conventions. The rings discussed here will be left artinian, unless otherwise specified, and will sometimes be finite-dimensional algebras over an algebraically closed field, henceforth denoted by k. Modules will be finitely generated left modules unless otherwise specified. The radical of A will usually be denoted by r; the Loewy
Novel topical fluoride-delivery system for remineralization of dental enamel: optimization studies

Abstract Further studies have been conducted on a calcium fluoride delivery system with a view to optimizing its ability to remineralize dental enamel. The influence of particle size and load of calcium fluoride used, as well as treatment time, was evaluated in vitro on prior demineralized bovine enamel. Initial studies with the original singlemembrane system did not allow an unambiguous interpretation of efficacy, due to persistent interference from calcium fluoride particles. To overcome this problem, the system was modified to include a second membrane as protection for the enamel surface. This double-membrane system revealed a marked particle size and load effect on fluoride delivery. The performance of a high load of small size calcium fluoride particles was significantly better than previous results obtained with the system and approached the most effective remineralizing conditions established with solution fluoride.