cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting point sources in EUVE survey skymaps

One of the primary goals of the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) all-sky survey is the detection and identification of new sources of extreme ultraviolet radiation. Here, the challenges involved in producing a catalog containing as many statistically significant detections as possible, with a small expected number of spurious detections, are reviewed. The discussion covers simulation and testing, early survey results, advanced detection techniques, and diffuse feature detection.
Seismic migration algorithms on multiprocessors

The authors study seismic migration algorithms in order to develop a general framework for analyzing such algorithms and to propose some coarse-grained paradigms for computation of parallel computers. They analyze a few typical examples of the various migration techniques existing in literature, and discuss methods to optimize their performance on distributed concurrently executing processors. The computational and communication requirements of the algorithms are discussed and diverse optimization techniques are proposed. The memory limitation, I/O bottleneck, and computational tradeoffs on hypercube multiprocessors are analyzed. >
Incentivize Me!—How Incumbent Carriers in the United States Attempt to Extract Greater Deregulation and Incentives in Exchange for Making Next Generation Network Investments

Incumbent carriers often vilify the regulatory process as a drain on efficiency and an unnecessary burden in light of robust marketplace competition. Some claim that regulation creates disincentives for investing in expensive next generation networks (“NGNs”), particularly if regulations mandate unbundling of services into composite parts, with burdensome interconnection and below market pricing of access by competitors. Both incumbents, prospective market entrants and recent market entrants may seek to tilt the competitive playing field to their advantage typically by securing a regulatory sanction that helps them reduce investment costs, delay having to make an investment, or secure a competitive advantage through reduced regulator-imposed costs. Without assessing the necessity to do so legislators, regulators and judges have accepted the premise that government must create incentives for NGN investment. Incumbent carriers in particular have seized upon the concept of uncertainty as a justification for refraining from making necessary infrastructure investments, despite the onset of declining revenues and market shares in core services. This paper will examine how incumbent carriers in the United States have gamed the incentive creation process for maximum market distortion and competitive advantage. The paper suggests that the U.S. government has rewarded incumbents with artificially lower risk, insulation from competition, and partial underwriting of technology projects that these carriers would have to undertake unilaterally. The paper provides recommendations on how governments can calibrate the incentive creation process for maximum consumer benefit instead of individual carrier gain.
Stochastic LIM for transient simulation of circuits with uncertainties

This paper presents a stochastic Latency Insertion Method formulation using the generalized Polynomial Chaos framework. The proposed method enables fast simulation of circuits with uncertain elements. When the mean and variance of circuit elements are provided in the netlist, this method can calculate the statistics of the transient response to arbitrary sources using an augmented state space system. Due to the underlying leapfrogging finite difference scheme, the computational complexity grows only linearly with the number of terms in the expansion. The formulation is verified using Monte Carlo on a random resistor network with inserted latencies.
Chronal Isomorphism, Singularities and Black Holes

The concept of Chronal Isomorphism was discussed in [1]. This paper discusses more properties which include images of past and future sets, naked singular points introduced by Penrose [7] and black holes. The validity of the singularity theorem of Joshi [10] in the image space is also discussed.
Zinc Concentration of Liver and Kidneys from Rat Pups Nursing Dams Fed Supplemental Zinc Dipicolinate or Zinc Acetate

The zinc concentration of liver and kidneys was determined in rat pups nursing dams given 10 micrograms Zn/ml as either zinc dipicolinate or zinc acetate in water solution during the last week of gestation and for 5 days of lactation. Dams were fed a casein-based diet that contained 8.5 micrograms Zn/g and 2.0 micrograms pyridoxine-HCl/g during this period. The zinc concentrations of both liver and kidneys from the 5-day-old pups nursing dams fed the zinc dipicolinate solution were significantly greater than the zinc concentrations of these tissues from pups nursing dams given a solution of zinc acetate. The results demonstrate that a greater quantity of dietary zinc is transferred from the intestine of the lactating female rat to the pups when zinc is fed in the form of zinc dipicolinate.
Maternal Obesity and Rectovaginal Group B Streptococcus Colonization at Term

Objective. To test the hypothesis that maternal obesity is an independent risk factor for rectovaginal group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization at term. Study Design. Retrospective cohort study of consecutive women with singleton term pregnancies admitted in labor at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (2004–2008). Maternal BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2 (obese) or <30 Kg/m2 (nonobese) defined the two comparison groups. The outcome of interest was GBS colonization from a positive culture. Baseline characteristics were compared using Student’s t-test and Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test. The association between obesity and GBS colonization was assessed using univariable and multivariable analyses. Results. Of the 10,564 women eligible, 7,711 met inclusion criteria. The prevalence of GBS colonization in the entire cohort was relatively high (25.8%). Obese gravidas were significantly more likely to be colonized by GBS when compared with nonobese gravidas (28.4% versus 22.2%, ). Obese gravidas were still 35% more likely than nonobese women to test positive for GBS after adjusting for race, parity, smoking, and diabetes (adjusted OR 1.35 [95% CI 1.21–1.50]). Conclusion. Maternal obesity is a significant risk factor for GBS colonization at term. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of this finding on risk-based management strategies.
Adjunctive intracardiac echocardiography imaging from the left ventricle to guide percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip in patients with failed prior surgical rings.

Objectives We evaluated intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for adjunctively guiding the MitraClip procedure in patients with prior surgical rings. Background Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the standard imaging modality used to guide the MitraClip procedure (Abbott Vascular, CA). However, in patients with post-surgical anatomy, clear imaging of the mitral valve leaflets may be complex because of shadowing from the surgical ring. In these patients, TEE may be suboptimal for guiding the procedure, even using three-dimensional imaging. Methods This retrospective analysis included data from 121 consecutive patients with mitral regurgitation who underwent MitraClip procedures at the University of Virginia. ICE was used adjunctively when there was difficulty with TEE, particularly for assessing the insertion of the posterior leaflet into the MitraClip's arms. The ICE catheter was introduced transarterially into the left ventricle and flexed to obtain the short-axis view. Results Six patients had prior surgical rings, and in five, we used adjunctive ICE. The etiology of the mitral regurgitation was prolapse of the posterior leaflet in one patient and restriction of the posterior leaflet due to ischemic tethering in the remainder. All images were obtained from the left ventricle, and were adequate for assessing posterior leaflet insertion and the perpendicularity of the MitraClip arms. The procedural success rate was 80%. There was no adverse event related to the ICE procedure. Conclusions Mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system assisted by ICE is feasible in patients with prior surgical rings, achieving an excellent risk profile and satisfactory procedural success. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exact solution for phase shift of TE and TM modes in an optical fiber due to axial strain

Axial strain on an optical fiber can be determined by monitoring the phase shift of a variety of optical fiber sensors. The exact analytical solutions for optical fields that propagate in a circular core optical fiber are used here to determine the phase shifts that occur for TE and TM modes due to axial strain. Whenever an optical fiber is stressed, the optical path length, the index of refraction, and the propagation constant of each fiber mode change. In consequence, the modal phase term βz of the fields is shifted by an amount ΔΦ. In certain cases, it is desirable to control the phase sensitivity to make fibers that are either more or less sensitive to strain. We show that it can be accomplished by choosing appropriate fiber parameters.
Performance analysis of surrogate supervision multi-view learning linear classifiers in Gaussian data

Multi-view learning is a classification setting in which feature vectors consist of multiple views. The goal in this setting is to find a classifier for some or all of the views. We consider a limiting case of multi-view learning termed surrogate supervision multi-view learning (SSML). In the SSML setting, training data consists of two types: unlabeled two-view data examples and labeled single view examples. The goal in this setting is to find a classifier for the view for which no labels are available. In this paper, we analyze the case in which the data is Gaussian distributed and the classifiers on each view are linear. For this setting, we provide a theoretical analysis for the performance mismatch between the error associated with a classifier trained in the SSML setting and a classifier trained in the direct supervision setting.
Solvent dependence of the 2-naphthyl(carbomethoxy)carbene singlet-triplet energy gap.

The solvent dependence of the 2-naphthyl(carbomethoxy)carbene (2) singlet−triplet energy gap has been examined by time-resolved infrared (TRIR) and computational methods. The ground state of 2 changes from the triplet state in hexane to the singlet state in acetonitrile. Preferential stabilization of the singlet carbene is the result of its increased dipole moment in polar solvents. Variable-temperature TRIR experiments provide measurements of the enthalpic and entropic differences between 12 and 32 and suggest that solvent and geometry effects on the entropy of singlet and triplet carbenes can offset differences arising from spin multiplicity. B3LYP calculations using the polarizable continuum solvation model (PCM) reproduce the general trends in enthalpic differences seen experimentally.
Preparation and purification of carbamylated intermediates of human hemoglobin.

Summary The binding of organic phosphate to the amino terminal groups of hemoglobin has been exploited to develop a chromatographic method for preparing gram quantities of specifically carbamylated intermediates of human hemoglobin. The method does not require subunit separation or modification of sulfhydryl groups and it removes hemoglobin carbamylated at the e -NH 2 groups of lysine. It provides a separation of α 2 c β 2 c from α 2 c β 2 and from α 2 β 2 c by taking advantage of the alteration in net charge that results from the binding of organic phosphates to the unmodified beta subunits within the tetramer.
Application of the CEN draft building acoustics prediction model to a lightweight double leaf construction

Abstract The draft CEN building acoustics model, ‘Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of products: Part 1: Airborne sound insulation between rooms’, is used to evaluate a wood frame double leaf construction having an intentional flanking path. It is shown that the CEN model applied to a lightweight gypsum board construction underestimates the transmission loss of a flanking path if the transmission coefficient used in the CEN model contains both the resonant and non-resonant components. A method for determining the resonant transmission coefficient from common acoustic measures is given. The CEN model, when used with the calculated resonant transmission coefficient for the flanking path, is shown to have good agreement with measured sound isolation for both the flanking path and the measured net sound isolation. Measures of structural intensity in one receiving room wall indicate that there is strong and constant attenuation with propagation distance from the driving joint, suggesting that a double layer of gypsum board having staggered joints on studs behaves like a reasonably homogeneous plate for bending waves.
Two-generation reproduction study of sulfur mustard in rats.

Abstract Comprehensive data are not available to evaluate the potential risk to reproduction from exposure to sulfur mustard (HD), [bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide]; thus, the reproductive effects of HD were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Groups, of rats (27 females and 20 males/group/generation) were gavaged with 0, 0.03, 0.1, or 0.4 mg/kg HD 5 d/week for 13 weeks prior to mating and throughout gestation, parturition, and lactation in a 42-week, 2-generation study. Growth of adult F 1 rats of both sexes was reduced by the 0.4 mg/kg exposure. There were no significant effects on reproductive function or pregnancy outcome in either generation, except for an altered sex ratio in the 0.4 mg/kg group. Although not different at birth, growth of the 0.4 mg/kg F 1 and F 2 offspring was depressed during lactation. A dose-related lesion of the squamous epithelium of the forestomach was observed in adults of both sexes and both the F 1 and F 2 generation. For a given treatment, the incidence was approximately the same for each sex at each generation. When animals were pooled by sex and generation, approximately 70% (66 out of 94) of the low dose group had only mild microscopic lesions, 72% (68 out of 94) of the intermediate dose group had moderate lesions, and 81 % (76 out of 94) of the high group had marked lesions. The lesion, acanthosis, was characterized by thickening of the squamous musoca with varying degrees of hyperkeratosis. Benign neoplasms of the forestomach were found in about 10% of the intermediate and high dose groups in both F 0 and F 1 generations. Based on these results, the No-Observable-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) is 0.1 mg/kg/d.
Infrared spectra of a model phenol-amine proton transfer complex in nanoconfined CH3Cl.

The vibrational spectra of a model phenol-amine proton transfer complex dissolved in CH3Cl solvent confined in a 12 A radius spherical hydrophobic cavity were calculated using mixed quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulations. The reaction free energy of the proton transfer complex was varied in order to explore the contributions to the vibrational absorption band from product and reactant species. The vibrational spectra of the model proton transfer complex resulted in motionally narrowed spectral linewidths with two distinct peaks for products and reactants in cases where the system undergoes chemical exchange. It was found that the n = 1 and n = 2 vibrational excited states combine to form diabatic states such that the spectra have contributions from both n = 0 → n = 1 and n = 0 → n = 2 transitions. A strong relationship between the instantaneous vibrational frequency and a collective solvent coordinate was found that assists in understanding the origin of the spectral features.
Spinor representations of Clifford algebras: a symbolic approach

Abstract Clifford algebras Cl(B) of an arbitrary, not necessarily symmetric, bilinear form B provide an important computational tool for physicists and an interesting mathematical object to study. In this paper we explain step by step how to compute spinor representations of real Clifford algebras Cl(Q) of the quadratic form Q, Q(x) = B(x,x), with a new version of CLIFFORD, a Maple package for computations with Clifford algebras of an arbitrary bilinear form. New procedures in the package follow standard mathematical theory of such representations. When Cl(Q) is simple (resp. semisimple) its spinor representation is realized faithfully in a minimal left ideal S = Cl(Q)f (resp. S ⊕ S ) for some primitive idempotent |. The ideal S (resp. S ⊕ S ) is a right K -module (resp. K ⊕ Ǩ-module) where K is a subalgebra of Cl(Q) isomorphic with R, C or H depending on the dimension of V and the signature of Q. We show examples how gamma matrices with entries in K representing basis one-vectors of Cl(Q) and scalar products on spinor spaces S for various signatures of Q may be derived with CLIFFORD.
A Numerical Investigation on Counterflow Flames of Biodiesel/Diesel Surrogate Blends

There is significant interest in increasing the use of biodiesel fuels especially by blending them with petroleum diesel. Biodiesels typically consist of long-chain saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons along with an alkyl (methyl, ethyl or butyl) ester functional group. Previous studies have demonstrated that the combustion and emission characteristics of biodiesel fuels are mostly determined by the hydrocarbon chain length and the number and location of unsaturated bonds in their molecular structure. The present study aims to characterize the combustion and emission behavior of biodiesel/diesel surrogate blends by simulating PPFs burning blends of n-heptane, methyl decanoate and methyl-9-decenoate. A recently developed reduced mechanism for these blends is employed, and the effects of the blend composition on NOx and PAH emissions from these flames are examined. Results indicate that NOx emissions are only slightly reduced by the addition of C10 methyl esters. However, the formation of PAH precursors is noticeably affected by the surrogate blend. Results also indicate the need for further improving the reduced mechanism, especially with regards to some key reactions and species, which are important for accurately predicting the intermediate hydrocarbon species including PAH precursors.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
From Lot's Wife to a Pillar of Salt: Evidence that Physical Object is a Sortal Concept

: A number of philosophers of language have proposed that people do not have conceptual access to‘bare particulars’, or attribute-free individuals (e.g. Wiggins, 1980). Individuals can only be picked out under some sortal, a concept which provides principles of individuation and identity. Many advocates of this view have argued that object is not a genuine sortal concept. I will argue in this paper that a narrow sense of‘object’, namely the concept of any bounded, coherent, three-dimensional physical object that moves as a whole (Spelke, 1990) is a sortal for both infants and adults. Furthermore, object may be the infant's first sortal and more specific sortals such as cup and dog may be acquired later in the first year of life. I will discuss the implications for infant categorization studies, trying to draw a conceptual distinction between a perceptual category and a sortal, and I will speculate on how a child may construct sortal concepts such as cup and dog.
ABSCISIC ACID EFFECTS ON SPORE GERMINATION AND PROTONEMAL GROWTH IN THE FERN, MOHRIA CAFFRORUM

SUMMARY The effects of abscisic acid (ABA) and its interaction with gibberellic acid (GA), indoleacetic acid (IAA) and kinetin on the germination of spores and growth of protonemata of the fern, Mohria caffrorum Sw. were studied. ABA did not affect the initial divisions of the spore protoplast leading to the formation of rhizoid and protonema, but inhibited the subsequent elongation of the latter. The apparent reversal of ABA-induced inhibition of protonemal elongation by GA appears to be due to an overall growth promotion by GA, rather than due to its interaction with ABA. On the other hand, both IAA and kinetin, which by themselves did not promote protonemal growth, reversed to some extent the inhibitory effect of ABA on the growth of the protonema.
Hospital Librarians' Perceptions Related to Evidence-Based Health Care

According to the 2006 needs assessment conducted by the Hospital Libraries Section (HLS) of the Medical Library Association (MLA), 30.4% of the members responding to the assessment considered evidence-based medicine (EBM) the most important issue they would face in their workplace over the next three years [1]. The responsibilities and support systems of hospital librarians desiring to foster clinicians' practice of evidence-based health care (EBHC) might vary significantly from those of academic librarians. Scherrer et al. reported, “The academic librarian who supports active evidence-based practice curricula in health professions colleges will need teaching approaches that are appropriate for instruction of students in a classroom, while the hospital librarian may be looking for point-of-need instructional techniques that would be effective with residents and clinicians” [2]. While the EBHC support–related needs of individual librarians in either the academic or hospital settings will likely include other approaches as well, the specific needs and attitudes of hospital librarians toward EBHC have not been well explored. This paper reports data collected via a larger survey of hospital librarians regarding hospital librarians' perceptions of the skills required to support EBHC. Results of the survey may be used to inform exploration of the extent to which EBHC has penetrated beyond the academic medical library sphere into the domain of the hospital library and indicate areas for further training for librarians.
Kinetics of Ag nanoparticle growth in thick SiO2 films: An in situ optical assessment of Ostwald ripening

Abstract Significant progress in understanding physico-chemical changes of noble metal species embedded in dielectrics can be achieved from the real-time monitoring of material optical properties during processing. In this work, in situ optical microspectroscopy is employed in a real-time assessment of the kinetics of Ag nanoparticle (NP) growth in the Ostwald ripening stage for NPs embedded in thick SiO2 films on soda glass, heat-treated in air atmosphere. The remarkable plasmonic evolution allows for following the variation in NP size in the framework of Mie extinction and crystal growth theories. An Arrhenius-type analysis yields an activation energy of 1.8 eV in association to aforementioned regime of NP growth. The data is discussed in the context of the atmosphere/film/substrate physico-chemical interactions alongside with previously reported results obtained by the proposed novel application of in situ optical microspectroscopy.
ULTRAFINE CLAY MINERALS OF THE PLEISTOCENE OLORGESAILIE FORMATION, SOUTHERN KENYA RIFT: DIAGENESIS AND PALEOENVIRONMENTS OF EARLY HOMININS

The Pleistocene Olorgesailie Formation in the southern Kenya Rift has yielded a remarkable assemblage of Acheulean artifacts and vertebrate fossils, including hominin specimen KNM-OG 45500. Members 1 and 7 both contain clay-rich deposits that have been pedogenically modified into paleosols (UM1p and UM7p, respectively). This study provides the first detailed mineralogical and geochemical analyses of the clays of this important Pleistocene basin. The smectitic clays, which show abundant evidence for pedogenesis, were apparently originally deposited under lacustrine conditions. They have an average structural formula of (Ca0.01Na0.32K0.26)(Si3.76Al0.24)(Al0.86Ti0.04Fe0.68Mg0.42)O10(OH)2. The high layer charge clays indicate diagenetic alteration of detrital clay derived from the volcanic drainage basin, probably involving alkaline waters of variable salinity. Despite overall lower salinity compared to other Plio–Pleistocene basins of the region (e.g. Olduvai Gorge), the basin still shows evidence for authigenic clay mineral precipitation. Clay chemistry and bulk geochemical indicators of pedogenesis imply that UM1p clays more closely reflect depositional paleo-waters, whereas UM7p clays have been more pedogenically altered due to subaerial exposure. UM1p smectites show some Mg enrichment near the western Lava Hump locality, consistent with discharge of Mg-bearing paleo-waters from a volcanic aquifer into a siliceous and alkaline (though not highly saline) paleo-lake. UM7p smectites were deposited in a more saline paleo-lake, but have lost substantial amounts of Mg due to post-depositional weathering. Locally abundant artifacts and vertebrate fossils found in these deposits accumulated at times following deposition of the lacustrine clay, probably concurrent with pedogenesis. The limnological conditions associated with initial clay deposition, therefore, preceded hominin occupation of the exposed surfaces.
Modelling alternative residential peak-load electricity rate structures

Abstract We specify a model of consumer behavior that permits the simultaneous estimation of effects of time-of-use rates having a demand charge, differential energy charges, and any combination of such charges. The model employs a flexible functional form and thus does not impose restrictions on substitution possibilities among types of usage. We estimate the model using data from the Wisconsin Residential Electricity Pricing Experiment for eight system peak days. The most surprising finding of our empirical application is that the two types of time-of-use rates employed in the Wisconsin experiment have similar effects on patterns of household electricity usage.
Getting Off to a Good Start: Discussing Goals and Expectations With Medical Students

The next several articles by the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) will describe the strategies and skills that great clinical teachers use to enhance medical student learning, regardless of the clinical setting, and illustrate ways to incorporate these strategies and skills into daily practice. This article begins the series and explores the role of orientation to a learning environment. We all remember the first day of a clinical rotation during medical school or residency or even the first day of a new job. We wanted to know important information to help prepare us for the experience. An orientation should align the expectations of the student, preceptor, and educational program to help create a successful and enjoyable learning environment. Medical students face a particularly difficult challenge, because they usually begin their clinical experiences in pediatrics with no knowledge of a particular office or clinic and limited clinical experience with children. Furthermore, the preceptor rarely knows the student and usually did not design the educational curriculum, which creates a tenuous beginning for the student-preceptor relationship. Yet, by the end of the clinical experience, the student is expected to accomplish certain tasks and the preceptor must submit an evaluation of the student. One of the most common suggestions that medical students offer preceptors is that they spend time orienting students.1 During orientation, a preceptor introduces the student to the mechanics and processes of the health care team. Mechanics describe the facilities, working hours, patient flow, and duties, among others. Processes provide the framework for learning through explicit expectations, clearly defined performance standards, and assessment. Because clinical teaching occurs in … Address correspondence to William V. Raszka Jr, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Given Courtyard, Burlington, VT 05405. E-mail: william.raszka{at}uvm.edu
Incorporating lane blockages by trucks in intersection analysis and signal timing

Abstract This paper presents a modified method of intersection analysis that considers the operational effects of random lane blockages by the pickup and delivery vehicles that dominate the downtown arterial system. The paper provides a summary of the research that developed the presented tool, but concentrates on the findings related to mean arterial speed reduction caused by lane blockages. It then develops a method of determining an equivalent volume to represent the induced delays by the lane blockages. The paper subsequently presents a method of incorporating this equivalent volume effect into the standard critical lane method for signal timing. The author also makes suggestions on how the results could be used in other methods of intersection analysis.
Timing in the communication of pain among nursing home residents, nursing staff, and clinicians.

Background The management of nursing home (NH) residents' pain requires adequate nursing assessment and clinician knowledge of pain therapies. However, the timely communication of pain from residents to nurses and from nurses to clinicians is equally necessary. Using a 4-step model (nursing assessment of pain, notification of clinicians regarding pain assessment, clinicians' assessment of pain and intervention), and nursing reassessment following an intervention, we describe the timing with which each of these steps occur. Methods In a telephone survey of directors of nursing from 63 of the 68 nursing homes in New Haven County, Connecticut, we determined (1) how often nurses assess pain in residents, (2) when nurses notify clinicians about residents' pain, (3) how often clinicians assess pain, and (4) when nurses reassess pain after a clinician's intervention. Results Whereas in 76% of NHs nurses assessed pain in residents without pain at least "quarterly," only in 46% of NHs was pain assessed in residents with pain at least "every shift." In 42% of NHs nurses notified clinicians at least when the regimen was "ineffective." Only 55% of directors of nursing reported that clinicians assessed pain at least every 30 to 60 days. Finally, in 73% of NHs nursing reassessment occurred at least 1 hour after intervention. Conclusions There is considerable variability in how frequently nurses and clinicians assess pain, when clinicians are notified about pain, and how frequently nurses reassess pain. Studies are needed to determine optimal timing in the communication process of pain to allow better pain management outcomes and quality of care for NH residents.
Optimal vs the Stiffened Circular Plate

The simply supported circular plate has been optimized by other investigators for both uniform pressure and uniform compression. The objective of the optimization in both cases is to improve the load carrying capability of the plate by finding the proper distribution of material. In the present paper the author presents a comparison between the "optimal plate" and a stiffened plate for both load cases. Closed form solutions are given for the stiffened plate by using the following special geometry: a) the stiffeners are one-sided and with constant eccentricity and b) the smeared extensional and flexual stiffnesses are the same along both the radial and circumferential directions and constant. The comparison shows that this particular stiffened plate geometry has better load carrying capability than the corresponding optimal plate geometry of the same volume and radius.
Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of benzene and hexafluorobenzene as a function of photon energy

Abstract Angle-resolved photoelectron spectra of benzene have been recorded using synchrotron radiation as the photon source. From these results the angular dis the first three orbitals; 1 e 1g (π), 3 e 2g (σ) and 1 a 2u (π). Calculations of β employing the MS X α method have also b and theory for the first two orbitals is excellent. Poor agreement in the core of the third orbital is believed to be due to overlap of the second and has been verified by data obtained for perfluorobenzene. The universality of the energy dependence of β for π orbitals, noted previously for unsatu aromatic systems. The importance of the results for benzene for the future application of angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to complex molecule
Counterflow centrifugation apheresis for the collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells from patients with malignancies: a comparison with a standard centrifugation apheresis procedure

Two apheresis methods used to collect hematopoietic stem cells from peripheral blood were compared in eight patients with a variety of malignancies. The standard lymphocyte collection method was alternated with the counterflow centrifugation or lymphocyte surge protocol. The number of clonogenic cells (CFU-GM and BFU-E), the red cell volume, and the number of mononuclear cells in each collection were assessed as well as the changes in circulating leukocytes, platelets, and blood hemoglobin produced by each apheresis procedure. There was no statistically significant difference found in the number of clonogenic cells collected with either method, but the number of mononuclear cells collected with the standard procedure was significantly higher (P = 0.001). The red cell volume collected with the standard procedure was significantly higher, (P = 0.0001), but corrected for the number of mononuclear cells the difference was not significant. The counterflow centrifugation apheresis produced significantly less thrombocytopenia (P = 0.005). The counterflow centrifugation apheresis procedure used collected fewer mononuclear cells than the standard procedure, however, with less red cell contamination but a comparable number of CFU-GM and BFU-E in four hour apheresis procedures. Each collection method resulted in a comparable amount of anaemia and leukopenia but the lymphocyte surge method produced less thrombocytopenia following the collection.
Suggestions for Use of Behavioral Measures in Treating Bruxism

Nonfunctional grinding and gnashing of teeth during sleep is a behavior known as nocturnal bruxism, which affects a significant number of persons. It may lead to serious dental problems. Current practices by dentists and psychologists involve EMG monitoring of masseter muscle tension and contingent arousal for bruxing. Here assumed efficacy of arousal combined with overcorrection procedures rather than use of arousal alone guides treatment. Intermittent contingency schedules have been effective in long-term maintenance and generalization of behaviors.
Antigenic specificities on murine sarcoma cells. Reciprocal relationship between normal transplantation antigens (H-2) and tumor-specific immunogenicity.

Five methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas were compared for their capacity to ( a ) absorb monospecific H-2 antisera, ( b ) induce tumor-specific immunity in syngeneic mice, and ( c ) metastasize early to the lungs. Comparison of the uptakes of monospecific H-2 antisera by the five different tumors showed that each of the tumors had a high, intermediate, or low surface representation of all of the seven specificities tested. No antigenic specificity was completely absent from any tumor, and no tumor had an unusually large or small amount of any individual specificity. The tumors could be placed in the sequence from one to five with respect to their H-2 antigenicity. The same five tumors were also ranked with respect to their capacity to induce a tumor-specific immune response in syngeneic mice. The tumor-specific immunogenicity had an inverse relationship to the H-2 antigenicity in that highly immunogenic tumors were those that had quantitatively less H-2 antigen on their surface and vice versa. Early metastases to the lung was associated with low levels of tumor-specific immunogenicity and high levels of H-2 antigenicity.
Waterfront Workers of New Orleans: Race, Class, and Politics, 1863-1923

This is an account of the New Orleans dockworkers and their formation of an inter-racial labour movement from 1880 to 1894, and again from 1901 to 1923. After the Civil War, Louisiana had no social group that exercised a clear and sustained cultural and political hegemony over the others, and sharp conflicts over racial and class issues marked the struggle for political control. This was particularly acute in New Orleans, which had what was in effect a long-standing black middle class. These free people of colour, along with ex-slaves under their guidance, fostered legislation that dismantled the segregated streetcar system and opened schools and jobs to blacks. For the dockworkers, however, solidarity came not only from other blacks, but from white co-workers as well, as they formed trade unions and eventually brought together a single union federation. This volume describes how the newly-formed Dock and Cotton Council successfully resisted efforts by employers to separate black and white unions, diminish workers' control over jobs, and restructure the organization of labour on the waterfront.
Autoradiographic Localization of Specifically Bound 125I-Labeled Follicle-Stimulating Hormone on Spermatogonia of the Rat Testis

In a previous study, we used autoradiography to demonstrate specific FSH-binding sites on Sertoli plasma membranes in the basal compartment of rat seminiferous tubules. The present study was undertaken to determine whether spermatogonia in the rat testis also possess FSH-binding sites. Approximately 1 Mg [l25I]hFSH was administered as an intratesticular injection to 40-day-old rats that had been hypophysectomized 10 days earlier; a second group of rats received a 500-fold excess of cold hormone along with the [I25I]- hFSH, and served as a control for specificity of binding. Subsequently, all testes were perfused with a hyperosmotic fixative, which produces preferential shrinkage of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells in the basal compartment. The resulting separation of the cells from one another allowed us to determine whether spermatogonia were the source of any autoradiographic grains. In the absence of excess cold hormone, some grains were clearly localized to spermatogonial surfaces, although the majorit...
Multi-scale image enhancement using a second derivative-like measure of contrast

Image enhancement algorithms attempt to improve the visual quality of images for human or machine perception. Most direct multi-scale image enhancement methods are based on enhancing either absolute intensity changes or the Weber contrast at each scale, and have the advantage that the visual contrast is enhanced in a controlled manner. However, the human visual system is not adapted to absolute intensity changes, while the Weber contrast is unstable for small values of background luminance and potentially unsuitable for complex image patterns. The Michelson contrast measure is a bounded measure of contrast, but its expression does not allow a straightforward direct image enhancement formulation. Recently, a second derivative-like measure of contrast has been used to assess the performance of image enhancement algorithms. This measure is a Michelson-like contrast measure for which a direct image enhancement algorithm can be formulated. Accordingly, we propose a new direct multi-scale image enhancement algorithm based on the SDME in this paper. Experimental results illustrate the potential benefits of the proposed algorithm.
CD4+ T Cells Sensitized by Vascular Smooth Muscle Induce Vasculitis, and Interferon Gamma Is Critical for the Initiation of Vascular Pathology

Primary vasculitis is the result of idiopathic inflammation in blood vessel walls. T cells are believed to play a critical role, but the nature of the pathological T-cell response remains obscure. In this study, we provide evidence that CD4 + T lymphocytes, activated in the presence of syngeneic vascular smooth muscle cells, were sufficient to induce vasculitic lesions after adoptive transfer to recipient mice. Additionally, the disease is triggered in the absence of antibodies in experiments in which both the donors of stimulated lymphocytes and the transfer recipients were mice that were deficient in B cells. Tracking and proliferation of the transferred cells and their cytokine profiles were assessed by fluorescence tagging and flow cytometry. Proliferating CD4 + T cells were evident 3 days after transfer, corresponding to the occurrence of vasculitic lesions in mouse lungs. The transferred T lymphocytes exhibited Th1 and Th17 cytokine profiles and minimal Th2. However, 1 week after vasculitis induction, effector functions could be successfully recalled in Th1 cells, but not in Th17 cells. Additionally, in the absence of constitutive interferon-γ expression, T cells sensitized by vascular smooth muscle cells failed to induce vasculitis. In conclusion, our results show that Th1 cells play a key role in eliciting vasculitis in this murine model and that induction of the disease is possible in the absence of pathogenic antibodies.
Agrammatism as Evidence About Grammar

A variety of experimental paradigms has yielded surprisingly fine-grained evidence about the kinds of syntactic information to which agrammatic aphasics are sensitive. This paper contrasts three accounts of agrammatism which draw quite different conclusions about the implications of this disorder for normal function: the chain-disruption, trade-off, and mapping hypotheses. Counterarguments to the chain disruption and trade-off hypotheses are presented, and it is argued that agrammatism provides considerable support for the modularity of syntax but provides no evidence more specific than that regarding the psychological reality of government binding theory vis-a-vis other current theories of grammar.
Differential response of angiotensin peptides in the urine of hypertensive animals

Abstract Urinary excretion rates of angiotensin I (Ang I), angiotensin II (Ang II), and angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] were determined in normotensive Sprague Dawley (SD), spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), and mRen-2 transgenic hypertensive animals before and following blockade of Ang II synthesis or activity for two weeks. This study was performed to determine for the first time whether inhibition of Ang II alters the excretion of angiotensin peptides in the urine. Rats were given either tap water or water medicated with lisinopril, losartan or both agents in combination. Blood pressure was monitored at regular intervals during the experiment by the tail-cuff method, and once again at the end of the study with a catheter implant into a carotid artery. Metabolic studies and 24 h urinary excretion variables and angiotensin peptides were determined before and during the procedures. While all three treatments normalized the blood pressure of hypertensive animals, therapy with either lisinopril or the combination of lisinopril and losartan had a greater antihypertensive effect in both SHR and [mRen-2]27 transgenic hypertensive rats. In the urine, the concentration of the angiotensins (normalized by 24-h creatinine excretion) was several-fold higher in the untreated hypertensive animals than in normotensive SD rats. In SD rats, lisinopril or lisinopril and losartan produced a sustained rise in urinary levels of Ang-(1–7) without changes in the excretion of Ang I and Ang II. In contrast, Ang I and Ang-(1–7) were significantly elevated in SHR medicated with lisinopril alone or in combination with losartan. Only losartan, however, augmented urinary levels of Ang II in the SHR. The antihypertensive effects of the three separate regimens had no effect on the urinary excretion of angiotensin peptides in [mRen-2]27 transgenic hypertensive rats. These data show that Ang I and Ang-(1–7) are excreted in large amounts in the urine of SD, SHR and [mRen-2]27 hypertensive rats. The unchanged Ang-(1–7) excretion in transgenic hypertensive (Tg + ) rats after inhibition of the renin–angiotensin system agrees with the previous finding of a reduced plasma clearance of the peptide in this model of hypertension. The data suggest that this form of hypertension may be associated with increased activity of an endogenous converting enzyme inhibitor.
How many lymphadenectomies does it take to cure one patient

Eric A. Klein *, Michael Kattan , Andrew Stephenson , Andrew Vickers c Glickman Urologic and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA Departments of Urology and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA avai lab le at www.sciencedi rect .com journa l homepage: www.europeanurology.com
The re-examination of Spallanzani's interpretation of the role of the spermatic animalcules in fertilization.

In the year 1784, the Abbe Spallanzani (1729-1799) performed a filtration experiment on diluted seminal liquid taken from frogs. In the course of the experiment, Spallanzani obtained two fractions from the ifitered semen: a liquid portion which, through the process of ffitration, was found to be denuded of its fertilizing power, and a thick residue containing spermatic animalcules (i.e. spermatozoa) left behind on the filter paper, which, upon subsequent suspension in water, was able to fertilize frog eggs. In spite of these experimental results, Spallanzani continued to believe that the fertilizing capacity of the semen lay not with the spermatic animalcules but rather in the fluid portion. The question invariably asked by historians of science and biologists is how Spallanzani could have obtained such results from this filtration experiment and yet maintain a conclusion which was so obviously erroneous? The answer often given is that Spallanzani was so completely under the influence of the theory of the preformationist-ovists (who maintained that the emerging embryo did not develop de novo from an unformed mass of homogeneous material, but was already preformed in the egg, only awaiting the stimulus of the semen to activate it to completion of its growth) that he could not possibly acknowledge the role of the sperm in fertilization. A representative statement is given by Jean Rostand, the French historian:1.
Twelve-Month Use of Mental Health Services in the United States Results From the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

Background Dramatic changes have occurred in mental health treatments during the past decade. Data on recent treatment patterns are needed to estimate the unmet need for services. Objective To provide data on patterns and predictors of 12-month mental health treatment in the United States from the recently completed National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Design and Setting Nationally representative face-to-face household survey using a fully structured diagnostic interview, the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Survey Initiative version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, carried out between February 5, 2001, and April 7, 2003. Participants A total of 9282 English-speaking respondents 18 years and older. Main Outcome Measures Proportions of respondents with 12-monthDSM-IVanxiety, mood, impulse control, and substance disorders who received treatment in the 12 months before the interview in any of 4 service sectors (specialty mental health, general medical, human services, and complementary and alternative medicine). Number of visits and proportion of patients who received minimally adequate treatment were also assessed. Results Of 12-month cases, 41.1% received some treatment in the past 12 months, including 12.3% treated by a psychiatrist, 16.0% treated by a nonpsychiatrist mental health specialist, 22.8% treated by a general medical provider, 8.1% treated by a human services provider, and 6.8% treated by a complementary and alternative medical provider (treatment could be received by >1 source). Overall, cases treated in the mental health specialty sector received more visits (median, 7.4) than those treated in the general medical sector (median, 1.7). More patients in specialty than general medical treatment also received treatment that exceeded a minimal threshold of adequacy (48.3% vs 12.7%). Unmet need for treatment is greatest in traditionally underserved groups, including elderly persons, racial-ethnic minorities, those with low incomes, those without insurance, and residents of rural areas. Conclusions Most people with mental disorders in the United States remain either untreated or poorly treated. Interventions are needed to enhance treatment initiation and quality.