cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control-oriented modeling of sheet and film processes

Sheet and film processes pose a challenging identification and control problem due to high complexity, poor conditioning, and limited input-output data. The interaction between model accuracy and closed-loop performance is explored for sheet and film processes using a model decomposition in terms of two static orthogonal matrices in series with a diagonal transfer-function matrix. It is shown that the accuracy of the diagonal elements of the transfer-function matrix directly specifies the closed-loop performance achievable by a model-based controller. This motivates the development of a combined identification and control procedure in which the controller is designed to be robust to model inaccuracies quantified during identification. The resulting controller is compared to an industrially accepted controller design method for two examples, including a simulated blown-film process. Based on the theoretical results and simulations, it was concluded that the poor performance often reported for existing industrial sheet and film process-control systems is likely due to signs of the model gains being incorrectly identified.
Liquid contact resonance AFM: analytical models, experiments, and limitations

Contact resonance AFM (CR-AFM) is a scanning probe microscopy technique that utilizes the contact resonances of the AFM cantilever for concurrent imaging of topography and surface stiffness. The technique has not been used in liquid until recently due to analytical and experimental difficulties, associated with viscous damping of cantilever vibrations and fluid loading effects. To address these difficulties, (i) an analytical approach for contact resonances in liquid is developed, and (ii) direct excitation of the contact resonances is demonstrated by actuating the cantilever directly in a magnetic field. By implementing the analytical approach and the direct actuation through magnetic particles, quantitative stiffness imaging on surfaces with a wide range of stiffness can be achieved in liquid with soft cantilevers and low contact forces.
Sector-specific minimum wages, economic growth, and some policy implications

Abstract Economic growth is introduced in the urban unemployment model of Harris and Todaro. It is shown that in the steady state, the optimal savings ratio is greater than the golden rule savings ratio under full employment. Also the optimal proportion of total investment allocated to the urban sector is not necessarily higher than the optimal proportion under full employment.
Coverage dependent changes in the barium overlayer electronic structure on Ni(111)

Abstract We have investigated barium overlayers on Ni(111). We have been able to observe the barium 5s to 6p photoemission resonance. From resonant photoemission we can identify changes in the barium electronic structure at the Fermi energy with coverage. There is a 0.8±0.2 eV binding energy increase in the barium 5p shallow core levels with increasing overlayer thickness akin to a surface to bulk core level binding energy shift.
Crosslinking of membranes: the effect of dimethylsuberimidate, a bifunctional alkylating agent, on mitochondrial electron transport and ATPase.

Abstract Isolated mitochondrial inner membranes were treated with dimethylsuberimidate, a bifunctional alkylating agent, and the effect on electron transport and ATPase activity was determined. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that treatment resulted in the polymerization of membrane polypeptides. Electron transport and ATPase activity was strongly inhibited by this reagent. However, at comparable levels of amidination, a monofunctional imidate, ethylacetimidate, was less inhibitory than the bifunctional reagent. Furthermore, dimethylsuberate, a hydrolysis product of dimethylsuberimidate, caused minimal inhibition of activity. Dimethylsuberimidate treatment resulted in a decrease in the apparent K m of the ATPase, while the monoimidate did not alter the K m . The results obtained suggest that inhibition by dimethylsuberimidate may be due, in part, to the molecular crosslinking of inner membrane components.
Exploration of pension funding in case of exact vesting

Abstract A pension plan is said to be exactly vested if it provides in addition to the benefit available upon retirement, a benefit, upon termination for any cause prior to retirement, which is exactly equivalent to the actuarial accured liability for the terminating participant. The concept of exact vesting has simple application in defined contribution plans such as those of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association. It is also feasible to develop the exact vesting concept for a defined benefit plan which uses an individual type of actuarial cost method. An exactly vested plan would have more individual equity than is available under customary vesting and early retirement provisions of defined benefit plans. In this paper, theory is developed for an exactly vested model plan in parallel to the theory for a pure pension model plan discussed in previous papers on pension funding dynamics.
A PLL-based BFSK transmitter with reconfigurable and PVT-tolerant class-C PA for medradio & ISM (433MHz) standards

An RF transmitter that uses closed-loop PLL-based BFSK modulation and is reconfigurable for both the MedRadio (402-405MHz) and 433 MHz ISM bands is introduced. Innovations include the first reconfigurable class-C PA, the first class-C PA with automatic calibration against PVT variations, and a low-power NMOS delay-based ring-VCO PLL. Several performance records are achieved: (1) The PA realizes a peak efficiency of 47% in the high-power (ISM) (-2 dBm) mode and 43% (33%) in the MedRadio -12 dBm (-16 dBm backoff) modes. (2) The PLL dissipates only 72 μW with a phase noise of-111 dBc/Hz @ 1 MHz, and (3) the overall transmit efficiencies are 29% and 17% for the -12 dBm and -16 dBm backoff levels for the MedRadio band and 44% for the ISM (433 MHz) bands.
The power of knowledge: a critical analysis of the depiction of ethnic minorities in China’s elementary textbooks

This study critically analyzes knowledge about: (1) ethnic minority groups; (2) the dominant Han group; and (3) the interaction between ethnic minorities and Han presented in three types of elementary textbooks used in China. The analysis reveals that the knowledge about and the values and beliefs of the Han people are overwhelmingly dominant in all reviewed textbooks. At the same time, ethnic minority groups are marginalized and the knowledge about them is incomplete and stereotypical. In addition, most of the knowledge about ethnic minorities are constructed and presented from the perspective of the Han people. The results indicate that the dominant ideology and unequal power relations are reflected and reinforced through the strategic construction, selection, and presentation of knowledge in textbooks. It also calls for a need to incorporate more accurate and complete knowledge in textbooks for students to develop a critical understanding of the society.
Reversible ligand-induced dissociation of a tryptophan-shift mutant of phosphofructokinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus.

The biophysical properties of a tryptophan-shifted mutant of phosphofructokinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus (BsPFK) have been examined. The mutant, designated W179Y/Y164W, has kinetic and thermodynamic properties similar to the wild-type enzyme. A 2-fold decrease in kcat is observed, and the mutant displays a 3-fold smaller K0.5 for the substrate, fructose-6-phosphate (Fru-6-P), as compared to the wild-type enzyme. The dissociation constant for the inhibitor, phospho(enol)pyruvate (PEP), increases 2-fold, and the coupling parameter, Qay, decreases 2-fold. This suggests that while the mutant displays a slightly decreased affinity for PEP, PEP is still an effective inhibitor once bound. The new position of the tryptophan in W179Y/Y164W is approximately 6 A from the Fru-6-P portion of the active site. A 25% decrease in fluorescence intensity is observed upon Fru-6-P binding, and an 80% decrease in fluorescence intensity is observed with PEP binding. In addition, the intrinsic fluorescence polarization ...
A simple grating spectrometer for the infrared.

This paper describes a simple and relatively inexpensive modification of the Perkin-Elmer Model 112 spectrometer for use as a grating instrument. The grating spectrometer has been used to 180 cm−1 wavenumbers in single-pass operation and in double-pass use data have been obtained to 260 cm−1. The wavenumber spread at 200 cm−1 was about 1.5 cm−1; this is gratifying in that the original thermocouple detector was used.
Strategies for the Preflight Circadian Shifting of Space Shuttle Crews

In June, 1990, a workshop was put together at NASA/Johnson Space Center to address difficulties the astronauts were having in adjusting their wake and sleep schedule, both immediately before and during Space Shuttle missions. The workshop members, prominent investigators in human circadian research, developed a number of strategies by which astronauts could tackle the problem of circadian adaptation within the demanding timetable of a Space Shuttle mission. The strategies included both abrupt and gradual methods, and some approaches used artificial "very bright lights" to reset the physiologic circadian pacemaker. The strategies have since been operationally implemented on Space Shuttle flights, with good success. This is a report of the problems addressed by the workshop and its recommendations.
Defensive use of an acquired substance (carminic acid) by predaceous insect larvae

Larvae of two insects, a coccinellid beetle (Hyperaspis trifurcata) and a chamaemyiid fly (Leucopis sp.), feed on cochineal insects and appropriate their prey's defensive chemical, carminic acid, for protective purposes of their own.H. trifurcata discharges the chemical with droplets of blood (hemolymph) that it emits when disturbed;Leucopis sp. ejects the compound with rectal fluid. Ants are thwarted by these defenses, which are compared with the previously-described defense of a pyralid caterpillar (Laetilia coccidivora) that disgorges carminic acid-laden crop fluid. The defensive fluid of all three larvae contains carminic acid at concentrations spanning a range (0.2–6.2%) proven deterrent to ants. Many insects are known to appropriate defensive substances from plants. Insects that acquire defensive chemicals from animal sources may be relatively rare.
Parental history of chronic pain may be associated with impairments in endogenous opioid analgesic systems.

A family history of chronic pain has previously been linked to increased incidence of spontaneous acute pain and risk for chronic pain. Mechanisms underlying these associations are unknown, although similar effects on both acute and chronic pain suggest that central endogenous analgesic system differences may be relevant. This study tested whether a positive parental chronic pain history (PH+) was associated with impaired endogenous opioid analgesic responses to acute pain. Seventy-three chronic low back pain patients (LBP) and 46 pain-free controls received opioid blockade (8mg naloxone i.v.) and placebo blockade (saline) in randomized, counterbalanced order in separate sessions. During each, subjects participated in a 1-min finger pressure pain task followed by an ischemic forearm pain task, providing pain intensity ratings during and immediately following each task. To assess opioid analgesic function, blockade effects were derived by subtracting placebo from blockade condition pain responses. Placebo condition analyses indicated that both PH+ subjects and LBP subjects reported greater acute pain sensitivity than respective comparison groups (p's .10). The possible heritability of endogenous opioid analgesic dysfunction observed in individuals with a positive parental chronic pain history remains to be investigated.
Tissue-Specific Expressed Antibody Variable Gene Repertoires

Recent developments in genetic technologies allow deep analysis of the sequence diversity of immune repertoires, but little work has been reported on the architecture of immune repertoires in mucosal tissues. Antibodies are the key to prevention of infections at the mucosal surface, but it is currently unclear whether the B cell repertoire at mucosal surfaces reflects the dominant antibodies found in the systemic compartment or whether mucosal tissues harbor unique repertoires. We examined the expressed antibody variable gene repertoires from 10 different human tissues using RNA samples derived from a large number of individuals. The results revealed that mucosal tissues such as stomach, intestine and lung possess unique antibody gene repertoires that differed substantially from those found in lymphoid tissues or peripheral blood. Mutation frequency analysis of mucosal tissue repertoires revealed that they were highly mutated, with little evidence for the presence of naive B cells, in contrast to blood. Mucosal tissue repertoires possessed longer heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 loops than lymphoid tissue repertoires. We also noted a large increase in frequency of both insertions and deletions in the small intestine antibody repertoire. These data suggest that mucosal immune repertoires are distinct in many ways from the systemic compartment.
The evolution of crustacean and insect optic lobes and the origins of chiasmata

Abstract In malacostracan crustaceans and insects three nested optic lobe neuropils are linked by two successive chiasmata that reverse and then reverse again horizontal rows of retinotopic columns. Entomostracan crustaceans possess but two retinotopic neuropils connected by uncrossed axons: a distal lamina and an inner plate-like neuropil, here termed the visual tectum that is contiguous with the protocerebrum. This account proposes an evolutionary trajectory that explains the origin of chiasmata from an ancestral taxon lacking chiasmata. A central argument employed is that the two optic lobe neuropils of entomostracans are homologous to the lamina and lobula plate of insects and malacostracans, all of which contain circuits for motion detection—an archaic attribute of visual systems. An ancestral duplication of a cell lineage originally providing the entomostracan lamina is proposed to have given rise to an outer and inner plexiform layer. It is suggested that a single evolutionary step resulted in the separation of these layers and, as a consequence, their developmental connection by a chiasma with the inner layer, the malacostracan-insect medulla, still retaining its uncrossed connections to the deep plate-like neuropil. It is postulated that duplication of cell lineages of the inner proliferation zone gave rise to a novel neuropil, the lobula. An explanation for the second chiasma is that it derives from uncrossed axons originally supplying the visual tectum that subsequently supply collaterals to the opposing surface of the newly evolved lobula. A cladistic analysis based on optic lobe anatomy of taxa possessing compound eyes supports a common ancestor of the entomostracans, malacostracan crustaceans, and insects.
The history of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists

The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) evolved from a group of psychiatric and neurologic specialists known as the "Conference of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists" that met at the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) Annual Meetings. These meetings served as a once a year opportunity for networking, recruitment of residency and fellowship candidates, and a venue to brainstorm and problem solve. The discussions eventually turned towards establishing an organization for those pharmacists with the common interest of serving as advocates for the treatment and medication therapy management of those with mental illness and neurologic complications.
Observation of Oxidation and Mechanical Strain in Cr Nanoparticles Produced by Ball‐Milling

Nanoparticles of Cr, produced by ball-milling a commercial chromium powder for up to 70 h in Ar-filled glove box, are characterized by room temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) and magnetization (M) studies as a function of temperature from 5 to 300 K. Analysis of the XRD linewidths in terms of particle size (L) and mechanical strain (η) shows that with increase in milling-time, L decreases and η increases. However, for milling times >40 h, saturation in L (at 20 nm) and η is reached and presence of Cr 2 O 3 becomes evident in the XRD patterns. In the magnetic studies, M increases as L decreases, also reaching saturation values for milling time > 40 h. The variations of M versus T are indicative of nanoparticles effects such as blocking. However, it is evident that the effect of Cr 2 O 3 is present even for samples for which XRD patterns do not show the presence of Cr 2 O 3 (samples milled for less than 40 h). The question of the observed large magnitudes of M for Cr nanoparticles vis-a-vis bulk Cr in terms of undetected surface oxides and uncompensated surface moments is discussed.
Near-infrared diode laser absorption sensor for rapid measurements of temperature and water vapor in a shock tube

A fast-response (100 kHz) tunable diode laser absorption sensor is developed for measurements of temperature and H2O concentration in shock tubes, e.g. for studies of combustion chemistry. Gas temperature is determined from the ratio of fixed-wavelength laser absorption of two H2O transitions near 7185.60 cm-1 and 7154.35 cm-1, which are selected using design rules for the target temperature range of 1000–2000 K and pressure range of 1–2 atm. Wavelength modulation spectroscopy is employed with second-harmonic detection (WMS-2f) to improve the sensor sensitivity and accuracy. Normalization of the second-harmonic signal by the first-harmonic signal is used to remove the need for calibration and minimize interference from emission, scattering, beam steering, and window fouling. The laser modulation depth for each H2O transition is optimized to maximize the WMS-2f signal for the target test conditions. The WMS-2f sensor is first validated in mixtures of H2O and Ar in a heated cell for the temperature range of 500–1200 K (P=1 atm), yielding an accuracy of 1.9% for temperature and 1.4% for H2O concentration measurements. Shock wave tests with non-reactive H2O–Ar mixtures are then conducted to demonstrate the sensor accuracy (1.5% for temperature and 1.4% for H2O concentration) and response time at higher temperatures (1200–1700 K, P=1.3–1.6 atm).
Vibronic coupling in ionized organic molecules: structural distortions and chemical reactions

Abstract Ionized organic molecules (radical cations) in radiation chemistry are liable to undergo vibronic coupling whenever there is a relatively small energy gap (≈0.5–1.5 eV) between their ground and excited states. As a result of this mixing, the force constant for the symmetry-allowed vibrational mode that couples these states is lowered in the ground state of the radical cation so that deformation can take place more easily along this specific mode. This pseudo-Jahn–Teller effect can then result in a permanent structural distortion of the radical cation relative to the symmetry of the parent neutral molecule. It can also bring about an energetically favored pathway for a facile chemical rearrangement along a reaction coordinate defined by the coupling mode. Examples taken from matrix-isolation studies are used to illustrate these dramatic consequences of vibronic coupling in radical cations. Thus, the bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene and tetramethylurea radical cations are found to have twisted structures departing from the C 2v symmetry of their parent molecules, while the oxirane and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane radical cations undergo ring-opening rearrangements along reaction coordinates that correspond to the deformational modes predicted by the pseudo-Jahn–Teller effect.
A practical questionnaire for predicting denture success or failure

The need and value to predict success and failure in treatment of denture patients are great. The psychological and emotional factors involved are just as important as if not more important than the oral and systemic findings. The value of a simple questionnaire for the edentulous and immediate denture patients has been presented. The authors believe that all schools should present advanced information on the psychological aspects of dental care.
31P NMR spectroscopic and near infrared spectrophotometric studies of effects of anesthetics on in vivo RIF-1 tumors. Relationship to tumor radiosensitivity.

Mice with subcutaneous RIF-1 tumors were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (PB) or ketamine plus acepromazine (KA) before acquisition of in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra from tumors. The area of the inorganic phosphate resonance was significantly greater (relative to phosphomonoesters or the alpha-phosphate resonance of nucleoside triphosphate) in spectra obtained under PB anesthesia, suggesting that the hypoxic fraction of the tumor increased following PB anesthesia. In vivo near-infrared laser spectroscopy directly demonstrated that tumor oxyhemoglobin was reduced by more than 20% following PB but was not significantly affected by KA. Total hemoglobin (tumor blood volume) was reduced by 11% following PB anesthesia, but was not significantly affected by KA. Tumor growth delay induced by gamma-irradiation was shorter when tumors were irradiated under PB anesthesia than when irradiated under KA, showing that PB anesthesia had a radioprotective effect. These studies demonstrate that both the 31P NMR and near infrared methods can detect metabolic or physiological changes associated with an increase in tumor radioresistance (i.e., an increase in the radiobiological hypoxic fraction).
Fractal representations of Cayley graphs

Abstract The visualization of Cayley graphs for many groups is possible using 3-D models. Most of our examples are Cayley graphs of infinite groups where we exploit automatic structures to efficiently produce computer images of the Cayley graphs. The infinite groups are visualized using fractal rescaling so that the infinite graph projects into a bounded domain. Varying the color choice for these fractal representations of the Cayley graphs allows the visual recognition of features such as positivity of the total exponent of the words.
The reinterpretation of Western pharmaceuticals among the Mende of Sierra Leone.

Abstract The inappropriate use of Western medicines among the Mende of Sierra Leone is addressed as a cultural issue. We show that traditional beliefs about diseases and treatments have provided the explanatory framework for the contemporary Mende in reinterpreting the function of many Western medicines that are available to them. People appear to base their treatment decisions largely on traditional notions of the efficacy of a medicine of a particular color, consistency, taste, size and reputed success in treating analogous illnesses. This helps to explain why people's uses of these medicines are often at odds with Western manufacturer's assumptions about their appropriate uses. Implications of these usesfor local as well as international health are drawn.
The Spectre of Disproportionate Auditor Liability in the Savings and Loan Crisis

Abstract The auditor liability case emanating from the savings and loan crisis threaten to disrupt the US system of independent auditing by increasing auditor's difficulties with disproportionate liability. In these cases, auditors are in danger of being driven further from their traditional role of providing assurance about the conformity of financial information with accounting standards and more toward the role of being de facto commercial insurers of client financial performance. Courts and governments often operate under the impression that auditors are capable of providing a financial safety net for investors. In this study we argue that auditors may well be incapable of performing in this capacity to the extent demanded by the courts in their present environment, nor should they be required to as a matter of either fairness or social desirability. Analysis of the legal, economic and social issues related to auditor liability suggests that courts need to apply proportionate liability rules in the S&L cases to avoid exacerbating auditor's disproportionate liability problem and substantially increasing the cost of auditing and diminishing its quality.
Inapplicability of a simply parameterized threshold current in Sb-based IR lasers

ABSTRACT We examine theoretically the influence of temperature and composition on the thresholdcurrent densities of mid-wave infrared lasers with active regions consisting of InAs/InGaSbsuperlattices. Temperature shifts of the bands may result in significant variations in in-tersubband absorption and Auger recombination rates, giving rise to a threshold currentdensity that is not well parameterized by a characteristic temperature To. Superlatticesthat are optimized to have minimal threshold current densities are shown to require3.5A accuracy in InGaSb layer thicknesses, and 0.25A accuracy in InAs layer thicknessin order to retain optimum operating characteristics.Keywords: laser threshold, superlattice active region, temperature sensitivity 1. INTRODUCTION Interest in mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) lasers is motivated by applications in theatmospheric transparency window from 3 to 5 tm. In conventional high quality infrared semiconductor lasers, where the gain originates from conduction band to valence band tran-
The Role of Long-Acting Bronchodilators in the Management of Stable COPD

Bronchodilators form the foundation of symptomatic treatment of COPD. Several long-acting bronchodilators are now available for use in COPD, but publications of large-scale studies of their efficacy have, for the most part, postdated the publication of major clinical guidelines. This article provides a critical review of large (≥ 50 patients), double-blind, clinical trials of three long-acting bronchodilators in COPD (the once-daily anticholinergic tiotropium, and the twice-daily β 2 -agonists formoterol and salmeterol) within the context of the objectives of treatment defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. Fourteen published studies were identified, of which 12 studies were published since the release of the GOLD guidelines. All three long-acting bronchodilators were found to effectively improve lung function; however, they differed in their effects on outcomes other than bronchodilation, with salmeterol demonstrating inconsistent efficacy compared with placebo in preventing exacerbations and improving health status, and only tiotropium demonstrating consistent superiority to the short-acting bronchodilator ipratropium. Based on this review, a treatment algorithm for the introduction of long-acting bronchodilators to patients with COPD is proposed, which includes the use of long-acting bronchodilators early in the treatment algorithm.
On Damocles serratus, nov. gen. et sp. (Elasmobranchii: Cladodontida) from the Upper Mississippian Bear Gulch Limestone of Montana

ABSTRACT An ontogenetic series of spines smaller than but very similar to the form taxon Physonemus attenuatus Davis have been found to be anterior dorsal spines of a cladodont chondrichthyan. The specimens, from the Upper Mississippian (Chesterian) Bear Gulch Limestone of Montana, are closest to the Stethacanthidae although they lack a modified dorsal fin following the spine and have prominent metapterygia in the pelvic fins. The new genus and species Damocles serratus is erected for them and they are provisionally included within the Stethacanthidae together with the referred species Damocles attenuatus (Davis).
The effect of diet on immune responsiveness and aging.

Abstract Immunologic changes which occur during aging include decreased responsiveness to exogenous antigens and increased autoimmune responses. Autoimmune reactions to autologous antigens may interfere with the physiologic function of these antigens and be a factor in the ‘wearing out’ of tissue during aging. Amelioration of age associated autoimmunity may result in an increased life span. Dietary manipulation has been shown to produce changes in the immune system of experimental animals. Some benefits include a decreased propensity to spontaneous autoimmune disease with a resultant increased life span. Dietary changes may be capable of producing similar beneficial effects in humans.
Effect of particle size on thermal residual stress in WC-Co composites

Abstract Thermal residual stresses (TRS) were studied in a series of tungsten carbide (WC)–cobalt (Co) composites using neutron powder diffraction. Samples with 10, 20, and 40 wt.% Co and WC particle sizes of 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 μm were used. As expected, the mean WC TRS increased in magnitude as the Co content increased, i.e. as the WC content decreased. The corresponding stresses in the Co phase were computed from force balance equilibrium requirements. For fixed Co content, the mean (compressive) stresses in the WC increased in magnitude with decreasing WC particle size. The change was most dramatic for the 40 wt.% Co samples, where the mean TRS increased in magnitude from −440 to −1137 MPa as the WC particle size varied from 5 to 0.5 μm, respectively. The stress distribution in the WC phase was studied using the breadths of the WC diffraction peaks. The full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) values indicate a broad range of strain within WC particles that increases with increasing stress in the WC and is attributed primarily to point-to-point variation in the angular WC particles.
VIBRATIONALLY ENHANCED FOUR-WAVE MIXING IN 1,8-NONADIYNE

Abstract The vibrationally enhanced third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility, χ (3) , of the acetylenic C–H stretch of 1,8-nonadiyne is measured using infrared four-wave mixing spectroscopy. Two tunable infrared and a visible laser generate four-wave mixing by a nonparametric process that is enhanced by the infrared absorption. The measurement uses the lineshape changes caused by interference between a coherent anti-Stokes Raman process and the nonparametric infrared four-wave mixing. The vibrational enhancement is 7-times larger than the nonresonant electronic χ (3) . This enhancement is sufficient for achieving multiresonant infrared four-wave mixing with vibrational resonances.
Amphiphilic growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) analogs: peptide design and biological activity in vivo.

Summary The first twenty-nine amino acids of human Growth Hormone Releasing Factor (hGRF) possess a distinct amphiphilic character. This is seen as twisted hydrophobic and hydrophilic bands in the helical net projection. Four amidated analogs were designed by optimizing amphiphilic and helical potentials of the native sequence. These designed analogs, with up to eight-amino acid changes, were tested in sheep via intravenous injection. The growth hormone-stimulating activities of the analogs were significantly higher when compared to bovine Growth Hormone Releasing Factor (bGRF44-NH2). This suggests that the amphiphilic conformation of GRF(1-29) is important to the receptor.
Explaining third-party success in gubernatorial elections: The cases of Alaska, Connecticut, Maine and Minnesota

Abstract In the 1990s alone, four states elected third-party governors. Walter Hickel of Alaska and Lowell Weicker of Connecticut were elected in 1990. Maine elected Angus King in 1994. And Jesse Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998. In this article, I examine these four cases in an attempt to identify the factors that contribute to third-party electoral success. I apply two models to these cases. The first model, “alternative culture,” holds that certain voters—regardless of specific context—are predisposed to support alternative candidates. The second model, “institutional context,” looks at factors such as name recognition, resources, and access to media as explanations of third-party success. I find that except for the influence of “partisan independence,” there is little evidence to support the persistence of an alternative culture of third-party voting. Rather, these four cases are linked by a context particularly favorable to these alternative candidates.
Fat-suppressed fast spin-echo mid-TE (TE[effective]=34) MR images: comparison with fast spin-echo T2-weighted images for the diagnosis of tears and anatomic variants of the glenoid labrum.

Objective. To compare the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of fat-suppressed fast spin-echo (FSE) mid-TE (TE[effective]=34) images with fat-suppressed FSE T2-weighted images for the diagnosis of labral abnormalities.
An interesting bug in FORMAC

The zoology of bugs allows us to classify the species of programming bugs into two subspecies: those that are unwholesome to a program's results; and those that lead a peaceful symbiosis, not affecting the results but living on time and space. We are going to describe one of the latter kind.
Biosynthesis of Parathyroid Hormone

General Aspects of the Synthesis of Secretory Proteins A matter of great interest has been the physiologic role of biosynthetic precursors in the pathway of the formation of parathyroid hormone and...
18F-FDG positron emission tomography: potential utility in the assessment of Crohn's disease.

Computed Tomography Enterography (CTE) and Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE) are currently the dominant imaging tests used in the assessment of patients with Crohn’s disease. More recently, the possibility of utilizing F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or PET/CT has been explored in several preliminary studies. 18F-FDG PET appears to enable reliable detection of moderate to severe inflammation in bowel segments involved by Crohn’s disease. Perhaps more importantly, 18F-FDG PET has the potential to provide a noninvasive, quantitative measure of inflammation that dynamically reflects changes in Crohn’s disease activity. If 18F-FDG PET proves useful in monitoring responses to medical therapy within a few days of therapy initiation, an important new role for imaging in the management of patients with Crohn’s disease could emerge.
Biomechanical adaptation of ulnar cross-sectional morphology in brachiating primates.

The forelimbs of hylobatids (gibbons and siamang) are distinctive among tetrapods in that they are loaded in overall tension during normal locomotion. While hylobatid ulnae must also encounter bending stresses in the course of their full range of locomotor behavior, their loading regime differs from that of quadrupedal anthropoids in that these bending stresses are distributed evenly along the bone, are not exerted in a preferred plane, and are probably of generally lower magnitude. This study examines the degree to which hylobatid ulnae are adapted to this suspensory loading regime. We obtained cross-sections of ulnae at various increments along the length of the bone using CAT scans. The sample comprises 476 cross-sections representing the ulnae of 25 individuals from five species of comparable body size. We show that in gibbons and siamang, the patterning of ulnar cross-sectional area and resistance to bending in the dorsoventral plane along the ulnar diaphysis differ from that of similarly sized quadrupedal anthropoids in the manner predicted by a suspensory loading regime. We also find the same pattern for the ulnae of Ateles, whose loading regime may be fairly similar to that of hylobatids. However, we find that the cross-sectional shape of the ulnar diaphysis in hylobatids and Ateles does not differ from that of quadrupedal monkeys in the manner predicted by a suspensory loading regime. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Patterning the heart's left‐right axis: From zebrafish to man

Normal left-right asymmetry is highly conserved among vertebrates. Errors in the proper patterning of this axis are believed to lead to congenital anomalies of the heart and abdominal viscera, often with profound clinical consequences. We review briefly the nature of potential signals and signaling sources that lead to the break in left-right symmetry. The evidence suggests that left-right reversal, or homogenization, of these signals may lead to different consequences, and we explain some malpositions and malalignments of the atria, ventricles, and/or outflow tract that are seen in a variety of congenital cardiac diseases. We speculate that there are units of organ assembly responsive to laterality signals, and these units may be driven independently. One crucial source of signals appears to be the notochord and floorplate. In order to examine the clinical relationship of these midline structures to putative disorders of laterality, we review all patients with disturbances of normal laterality seen at the Massachusetts General Hospital over the past 20 years. We find a significant association between laterality defects and anomalies of the spine and other midline structures.
Severe T- and B-cell immune deficiency associated with malignant thymoma

Background Immunodeficiency with thymoma syndrome is a rare disorder that generally occurs after the fourth decade of life. Typically, thymic tumors are benign, and gradually developing immunodeficiency consists of hypogammaglobulinemia with low B-cell counts and an inverted CD4 + /CD8 + T-cell ratio due to excessive CD8 + T cells. Objectives To report the case of a 32-year-old, white man with an invasive malignant thymoma and profound combined T- and B-cell immunodeficiency associated with a normal CD4 + /CD8 + T-cell ratio, absence of circulating B cells, and infection with an unusual organism. Methods The patient presented with a superior vena cava syndrome caused by a malignant thymoma. During chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he experienced recurrent episodes of pulmonary infections due to Haemophilus influenza and Serratia marcescens and persistent oral thrush. He was diagnosed as having thymoma and underwent immunological evaluation. Results Sixteen months after the diagnosis of thymoma, the immunological evaluation revealed profound lymphopenia, eosinopenia, very low counts of both CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells, and a normal CD4 + /CD8 + ratio with negative delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test results. Hypogammaglobulinemia and absent specific antibody responses were associated with a lack of peripheral blood CD19 + B cells. Despite treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, the patient died of respiratory insufficiency and sepsis secondary to a chronic pulmonary infection. Conclusions Malignant thymoma may be associated with severe combined immunodeficiency. A normal CD4 + /CD8 + ratio and the absence of peripheral B cells suggest a bone marrow defect that affects both T and B cells in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. Comprehensive immunological evaluation should be performed when thymoma is diagnosed to initiate an early and effective treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
Charge Trapping in Imidazolium Ionic Liquids

Room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs) are a promising class of solvents for applications ranging from photovoltaics to solvent extractions. Some of these applications involve the exposure of the ILs to ionizing radiation, which stimulates interest in their radiation and photo- chemistry. In the case of ILs consisting of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium cations and hydrophobic anions, ionization, charge transfer and redox reactions yield charge-trapped species thought to be radicals resulting from neutralization of the constituent ions. Using computational chemistry methods and the recent results on electron spin resonance (ESR) and transient absorption spectroscopy of the ionized ILs, we argue that electron localization in the imidazolium ILs yields a gauche dimer radical cation with the elongated C(2)−C(2) bond. This species is shown to absorb in the near-infrared and the visible regions and accounts for the observed ESR spectra. We suggest that the excess electron in these aromatic ILs is localized as such a dimer...
Increased yields of IgG2a- and IgG3-secreting hybridomas after fusion of B cells from mice with autoimmune diseases.

Abstract Hybridoma technology has made the production of antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies feasible and almost routine, but the production of certain biologically desirable antibody isotypes has remained difficult. Three strains of autoimmune mice (MRL/1, NZB, and BXSB) were compared to a normal strain (BALB/c), in fusions with a BALB/c myeloma (NS-1) in order to study the rescue of relevant isotypes with the desired antigenic specificities. Mice from these four strains were immunized with colon carcinoma cells, and the hybridoma supernatants from thirty fusions were analyzed for (1) reactivity with cell surface determinants on the immunizing cell line; and (2) Ig class and subclass isotypes. We found that compared to BALB/c mice, MRL/1 mice produced greater numbers, and NZB and BXSB mice comparable numbers, of cell surface-reactive hybridoma clones per fusion. MRL/1 mice produced the largest number and highest percentage of cell-surface reactive IgG2a (22.4%) and IgG3 (10.6%) producing clones, followed by NZB mice which produced predominantly IgG2a clones (12.3%). BXSB mice, which have latent autoimmune disease, showed no significant difference from normal BALB/c controls (IgG2a:0.7% and IgG3:1.9% vs. IgG2a:4.8% and IgG3:4.8%). The increase in IgG2a and IgG3 clones derived from MRL/1 mice was age-dependent, correlating with the age at which abnormal proliferation of T cell and splenic enlargement occurs (2–4 months). We conclude that MRL/1 mice are useful for generating monoclonal antibodies of the IgG2a or IgG3 isotype, provided fusions are performed at the time of maximal lymphoproliferation.
Team structure and adverse events in home health care.

Objective:To identify relationships between variations in team structure and risk-adjusted adverse events across 86 teams in a large US home health care organization.Methods:Patient episode data were collected for two 6-month periods, January–June 2002 (N = 54,732 episodes) and January–June 2003 (N
Design for a compact field-deployable tropospheric ozone lidar

It has become clear that in order for lidar technologies to gain wider acceptance outside the research community, they must be smaller, less expensive, and more autonomous. ERIM International has conducted a design study to determine the minimum package size for a fieldable tropospheric ozone lidar. After considering several different wavelength pairs for the differential absorption lidar measurement, a design was selected based on Raman shifting the 4th harmonic of an Nd:YAG laser from 266 nm to 289 nm using deuterium and from 266 nm to 299 nm using hydrogen. Model results indicate that the three wavelengths used in concert will allow measurements of ozone out to a range of nearly 5 km with an accuracy of 5 ppb or better with a one hour integration time. The overall system design consists of a sensor head mounted inside a small shipping crate with the laser, Raman shift tubes, receiving telescope, and detectors and separate data collection/control module in a rugged case. It is anticipated that the system could be built in a combined package occupying less than 2 m 3 .
Greek and Arabic constructions of the regular heptagon

This paper deals with the exact constructions of the regular heptagon in Greek and Arabic geometry, which are preserved in a number of mainly unpublished Arabic manuscripts. Appended are editions of the Arabic texts and English translations of Propositions 17 and 18 of the “Book of the Construction of the Circle, Divided into Seven Equal Parts”, attributed to Archimedes, and of the “Book on the Construction of the Heptagon in the Circle and the Division of the Rectilineal Angle into Three Equal Parts” by the 10th century geometer Al-Sijzi.
Effect of low dose gamma radiation on lipids in five different meats

Five types of meats were irradiated by gamma radiation up to a dose of 10 kGy. The m. longissimus dorsi from pork, lamb and beef was irradiated as well as turkey leg and turkey breast muscle. After irradiation, the lipids were extracted from the muscles to ascertain the effect of irradiation. Peroxide and iodine values along with malonaldehyde concentration were used to assess any damage made to the lipids, and to note any significant differences in these compounds due to the type of muscle tissue. Peroxide and iodine values showed that at low irradiation dose, <10 kGy, there was no significant change in any of the meat lipids. Malonaldehyde concentration changed significantly at the micromolar level due to irradiation dose, but only in turkey breast muscle.
Ambiguity Resolution for Machine Translation of Telegraphic Messages

Telegraphic messages with numerous instances of omission pose a new challenge to parsing in that a sentence with omission causes a higher degree of ambiguity than a sentence without omission. Misparsing induced by omissions has a far-reaching consequence in machine translation. Namely, a misparse of the input often leads to a translation into the target language which has incoherent meaning in the given context. This is more frequently the case if the structures of the source and target languages are quite different, as in English and Korean. Thus, the question of how we parse telegraphic messages accurately and efficiently becomes a critical issue in machine translation. In this paper we describe a technical solution for the issue, and present the performance evaluation of a machine translation system on telegraphic messages before and after adopting the proposed solution. The solution lies in a grammar design in which lexicalized grammar rules defined in terms of semantic categories and syntactic rules defined in terms of part-of-speech are utilized together. The proposed grammar achieves a higher parsing coverage without increasing the amount of ambiguity/misparsing when compared with a purely lexicalized semantic grammar, and achieves a lower degree of ambiguity/misparses without decreasing the parsing coverage when compared with a purely syntactic grammar.
Teleconferencing for cost-effective sharing of radiology educational resources: potential and technical development.

To develop a cost-effective method of sharing educational resources, a dial-up teleconferencing network was implemented between three radiologic sites for a 30-day period of evaluation. By means of standard dial-up telephone channels, compressed video and audio signals displayed radiologic images, slides, and text, allowing residents and faculty from the three sites to participate in sight and sound interactions. Each of the three sites used compressed video/audio coder-decoders (codecs) conforming to the Consultative Committee on International Telegraphy and Telephony H.261 standard. Four video cameras were used at each site, and the audio was run in full duplex mode. A multipoint video bridge was used to broadcast codec output signals to the input lines of the other codecs. Our evaluation found audio quality to be suboptimal, but capable of being improved; diagnostic image quality was adequate when a video zoom mode was used; the digital-archive mode of the codec proved advantageous; the H.261 codec per...
Ion channeling studies of low energy ion bombardment induced crystal damage in silicon

Abstract Helium ion channeling has been used to measure the amount of crystalline damage produced by low energy(⩽ 1 keV) argon, neon and hydrogen ion bombardment of single crystal Si as a function of dose and energy. Using a glancing exit geometry, with a scattering angle of 98°, has allowed an estimate of the damage depth profile particularly for hydrogen ion bombardment. The total damage expressed as an equivalent amorphous silicon thickness was found to be 65 A for argon, 80 A for neon and 275 A for hydrogen for 1 keV ions after a dose of 2–3 × 10 17 cm −2 . Under these conditions, crystalline damage produced by hydrogen ions is detected by ion channeling down to a depth of ⪢475 A. For argon and neon, the total damage scaled with the square root of the ion energy and reaches a near saturation level after an ion dose of 2–3 × 10 15 cm −2 . For hydrogen ion bombardment, damage is still clearly increasing even after a dose of 5 × 10 17 cm −2 . These results are compared to the predictions of a model based on a calculation of energy deposition per unit volume using the low energy nuclear stopping power of Wilson, Haggmark and Biersack.