cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization Criteria, Sensitivity and Robustness of Motion and Structure Estimation

The prevailing efforts to study the standard formulation of motion and structure recovery have been recently focused on issues of sensitivity and robustness of existing techniques. While many cogent observations have been made and verified experimentally, many statements do not hold in general settings and make a comparison of existing techniques difficult. With an ultimate goal of clarifying these issues we study the main aspects of the problem: the choice of objective functions, optimization techniques and the sensitivity and robustness issues in the presence of noise. We clearly reveal the relationship among different objective functions, such as "(normalized) epipolar constraints", "reprojection error" or "triangulation", which can all be be unified in a new "optimal triangulation" procedure formulated as a constrained optimization problem. Regardless of various choices of the objective function, the optimization problems all inherit the same unknown parameter space, the so called "essential manifold", making the new optimization techniques on Riemanian manifolds directly applicable. Using these analytical results we provide a clear account of sensitivity and robustness of the proposed linear and nonlinear optimization techniques and study the analyticaland practical equivalence of different objective functions. The geometric characterization of critical points of a function defined on essential manifold and the simulation results clarify the difference between the effect of bas relief ambiguity and other types of local minima leading to a consistent interpretations of simulation results over large range of signal-to-noise ratio and variety of configurations.
Extending an assumption based truth maintenance system to databases

A description is given of how information stored in databases can be used to support reasoning using an assumption-based reasoning system with truth maintenance. The basic notion behind this type of reasoning is that the problem solver can draw inferences on the basis of assumptions in the absence of information to the contrary. These inferences are nonmonotonic, in the sense they may be contradicted by update to the information base and hence lose their validity status. The objective is to describe some techniques for maintenance in databases to extend an assumption based truth maintenance system to make use of large amounts of data stored in databases. There are two levels of truth maintenance taking place in the system. Truth maintenance occurs at the level of the database and at the level of explicit facts derived or asserted. The focus is on the computational techniques that are necessary at the former level. >
Second-Generation Tags for Fluorous Chemistry Exemplified with a New Fluorous Mitsunobu Reagent†

A new fluorous DEAD reagent bearing two perfluoro-tert-butyloxy groups with propylene spacers shows excellent promise for use in fluorous Mitsunobu reactions. Pure target products were obtained in good yields after removing fluorous byproducts by FSPE. The new reagent serves as a prototype for a greener second generation of fluorous reagents bearing tags that are not expected to degrade in the environment to compounds that are highly persistent or that bioaccumulate in higher organisms.
Spectroscopy and lasing perfomance of Nd3+ doped Ca5(PO4)3F

Absorption and emission spectra and the fluorescence decay of Nd3+ doped Ca5(PO4)3F (FAP) are reported. A slope efficiency of 67% was obtained in pulse operation pumped by a long pulse Cr:LiSAF laser. Diode-laser-pumped lasing of Nd:FAP has been demonstrated for the first time. A slope efficiency of 25% was obtained without any optimization.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Attractions of the Ends of Chromosomes in Trivalents and Quadrivalents

I HAVE lately investigated the chromosome configurations at the metaphase of the first division in the pollen mother-cells of about sixty species and varieties of plants (including triploids, tetraploids, and 2n + 1 forms). The method used guaranteed perfect fixation, and the homologous chromosomes were usually clearly distinguishable at the metaphase. The following facts have been observed (omitting those few plants in which the pairs of chromosomes at the reduction metaphase were joined elsewhere than at the ends):
Found in translation: understanding impulsivity and related constructs through integrative preclinical and clinical research.

Addictions are amongst the most costly disorders, estimated at over $500 billion annually. The multi-dimensional construct of impulsivity has received increased attention recently as a potential endophenotype for addictions. As questions relating to how best to define and categorize addictions are being discussed in anticipation of DSM-V, a growing role for empirical, neurobiological understandings of addictions exists. Given that this process involves gathering, analyzing and synthesizing data from multiple lines of investigation, the importance of translational, interdisciplinary research has never been greater. Here, we highlight how the manuscripts in this issue inform a translational neurobiological understanding of impulsivity in addiction and identify existing challenges that await future investigation.
On the maximum deviation between the histogram and the underlying density

The limiting joint distribution of the location and size of the maximum deviation between the historgram and the underlying density is derived. For smooth densities, the location and size of the maximum are asymptotically independent. The size has a limiting double-exponential distribution and the location has a limiting normal distribution.
Handbook of Paediatric Problems

No abstract available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v34i2.11377 J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2014;34(2):170
Introduction to the special issue on the placebo concept in psychotherapy.

As research on the effectiveness of psychotherapy has flourished over the past two decades, scholars have increasingly borrowed various research strategies, including the placebo concept, from medicine. The recent movement toward evidence-based treatment in mental health has also highlighted psychological placebos as control conditions against which to define empirically supported psychotherapies. Nevertheless, the application of the placebo concept to psychotherapy is fraught with both conceptual and pragmatic problems. This special issue brings together leading psychotherapy scholars to explore the concept of the placebo to psychotherapy. Historical, theoretical, ethical, and practical issues are discussed from various perspectives, and recommendations are offered to guide future research. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 61: 787–790, 2005.
Characteristics of soft solar X-ray bursts

The burst component of the solar X-ray flux in the soft wavelength range 2 < λ < 12 A observed from Explorer 33 and Explorer 35 from July 1966 to September 1968 was analyzed. In this period 4028 burst peaks were identified.
Philosophy of history and a second Axial Age: Bernard Lonergan and the Differentiation of interiority

While post-modernist assaults on modernity correctly expose the pretensions of modernity – including its constructs of meaning in history, its abnegation of mystery, and its lapses into scientism, ...
The taxonomy and nomenclature of Crotalaria foliosa (Leguminosae) and related species.

Crotalaria foliosa Benth. is found to be a later homonym and the new nameCrotalaria mohlenbrockii is proposed to replace it. A new speciesCrotalaria paraguayensis is described andC. martiana Benth. is redefined.
Implications to and from Economic Theory in Models of Complex Systems

[3] and Laffer-Ranson vs. Brookings [29], DHL [38], DRI [13], Fair [18], and Wharton [55]. Aside from disagreements about particular theories, econometric models have been challenged on a number of fundamental issues. First, there is the question raised by Liu [52] whether the world, and models that depict it, is truly underidentified and whether it is possible to specify a set of structural equations that truly represent behavioral decisions of economic entities, large or small. Second, others have argued that since the true determinants of behavior cannot be observed or measured, it is useless to attempt to construct and estimate empirical systems. For instance, Basmann has averred that discussions about Keynesian-type consumption functions are moot because these equations only indirectly reflect utilities of quantities of income, leisure, and purchases, and their use. He has maintained that since the
Nylon 6/Graphite Fiber Composites by in Situ Polymerization:

The in situ polymerization of caprolactam to Nylon 6 was investigated as a method for making graphite fiber composites. It was necessary to find a co-catalyst (using sodium caprolactam as catalyst)...
Dependence of sound velocity on salinity and temperature in saline solutions

Abstract An ultrasonic velocimeter has previously been developed and tested for the measurement of salinity distributions in salt-gradient solar ponds. The results of the previous study were salinity relations for NaCl solutions as a function of speed of sound and temperature over the salinity and temperature ranges commonly encountered in solar ponds. The present work develops similar relations for several other common single salt solutions. Also, a general relationship which gives the change in sound speed as a function of salinity and temperature for a mixture of salts is developed. This relation allows the prediction of salinity as a function of speed of sound and temperature in any solar pond based only on the composition of salts in the pond and the individual constituent salt calibration relations. The present results show that the general relation accurately predicts sound speed behavior in bittern solutions. Extension of the results to mixtures with large fractions of constituent salts has yet to be demonstrated.
Reradiation from a grating coupler for a grounded dielectric slab waveguide

The reradiation characteristics of a grating coupler for a grounded dielectric slab waveguide are investigated for the transverse magnetic mode, taking into account the finite conductivity of the ground plane. A pair of canonical equations for the coupler are derived. Analyses based on the solution of the canonical equations show the effects of the finite conductivity on the minimum reradiation coefficient, the optimum modulation index of the grating, the optimum incident angle, and the sensitivity of the reradiation to the changes in the incident angle about the optimum value. The coupler with the grating on the conducting surface is compared with the coupler having the grating on the film-cover interface for both the transverse-magnetic and transverseelectric modes.
A two-stage approach for improving the convergence of least-mean-square adaptive decision-feedback equalizers in the presence of severe narrowband interference

It has previously been shown that a least-mean-square (LMS) decision-feedback filter can mitigate the effect of narrowband interference (L.-M. Li and L. Milstein, 1983). An adaptive implementation of the filter was shown to converge relatively quickly for mild interference. It is shown here, however, that in the case of severe narrowband interference, the LMS decision-feedback equalizer (DFE) requires a very large number of training symbols for convergence, making it unsuitable for some types of communication systems. This paper investigates the introduction of an LMS prediction-error filter (PEF) as a prefilter to the equalizer and demonstrates that it reduces the convergence time of the two-stage system by asmuch as two orders of magnitude. It is also shown that the steady-state bit-error rate (BER) performance of the proposed system is still approximately equal to that attained in steady-state by the LMS DFE-only. Finally, it is shown that the two-stage system can be implemented without the use of training symbols. This two-stage structure lowers the complexity of the overall systemby reducing the number of filter taps that need to be adapted, while incurring a slight loss in the steady-state BER.
CnC-Python: multicore programming with high productivity

We present CnC-Python (CP), an approach to implicit multicore parallelism based on Intel's Concurrent Collections model. CP enables programmers to achieve task, data and pipeline parallelism in a declarative fashion while only being required to describe the program as a coordination graph with serial Python code for individual nodes.
Loitering with intent: new evidence for the role of BRAF mutations in the proliferation of melanocytic lesions.

The discovery that the somatic activating missense mutation T1796A, leading to the substitution of glutamate to valine (V600E—previously known as V599E1) in the kinase domain of BRAF, was found in 66% of human melanomas (Davies et al, 2002) has prompted much excitement in the melanoma community. Since this time there has been a great flurry of papers attempting to determine what this mutation means, both in terms of clinical significance, as well as the biochemical behavior of melanoma cells. As yet, we only have part of the answer, and it seems that BRAF, although important to this disease, is probably part of a more complex story. In biochemical terms, the effects of aberrant RAF activation in cancer are well characterized. BRAF is a key player in the Ras/Raf/MAP/ERK Kinase (MEK)/Extracellular Signal Related Kinase (ERK) pathway—a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade, whose activation is implicated in a host of cancers through its myriad effects upon cell growth, invasion, and survival (reviewed more extensively inSmalley, 2003).
Binding of l-[3H]glutamate to repeatedly frozen-thawed rat brain membranes

Abstract l -[ 3 H]Glutamate binding to synaptic plasma membranes from rat cerebral cortices was carried out at 2–4°C in 50 mM Tris-acetate buffer (pH 7.4) using a microfuge centrifugation method. Binding was increased by repeated freezing-thawing and washing in either crude or partially purified synaptic membranes. Scatchard analysis showed a single binding site (dissociation constant, K D = 697 nM; maximal binding capacity, B max = 7.5 pmol/mg protein) in four times distilled water washed crude synaptic membrane. After six times freezing-thawing and washing, a new high affinity site ( K D1 = 26 nM, B max1 = 1.8 pmol/mg protein) appeared and the number of low affinity site was increased with no apparent change in affinity ( K D2 = 662 nM, B max2 = 10.5 pmol/mg protein). l -[ 3 H]Glutamate binding was inhibited by acidic amino acid analogues that interact with N-methyl- d -aspartate- and quisqualate-sensitive sites of glutamate receptors. Binding was marginally inhibited by kainate and l -2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate. These results indicate that repeatedly frozen-thawed and washed synaptic plasma membrane is suitable for studying the subtypes and regulation of glutamate receptors.
Dynamic simulation of a pinned dislocation in an atomistic model

Abstract Three different models for a pinned dislocation under an applied stress are compared in this paper: (i) the continuous string model of Koehler, Granato and Lucke; (ii) a two-dimensional lattice model which represents the dislocation in its slip plane; (iii) a discrete string model which is obtained as an analytical approximation to model (ii). Good agreement is obtained for the quantities investigated for the three models. Comparison of models (i) and (iii) therefore provides an atomistic interpretation for the parameters appearing in the defining equation of the continuous string model. One result of interest is that these parameters cannot be expressed solely in terms of the characteristics of the interatomic law for atoms in the vicinity of their equilibrium sites for the perfect crystal but must also depend on aspects of the interatomic force law for atoms in configurations such as those which occur near the dislocation.
Experimental and analytical protocol for ignitabiilty of common materials

In this study, a protocol was developed to increase accuracy, generality and efficiency when determining piloted ignition properties. A new procedure for calibrating the radiative and convective heat flux profiles on exposed specimens, such as Douglas-fir plywood, has been implemented for the lateral ignition and flame spread test (LIFT) apparatus. The boundary conditions needed for heat transfer analysis are made unambiguous by including a simple, direct measure of surface emissivity. A new aluminum foil shutter improves accuracy for measuring ignition time. A recently developed theory of ignitability provides a formula to account for the transition from thick to thin thermal behavior, allowing specimens of finite thicknesses and a full range of test irradiances.
Bending a gel rod with an impermeable surface

Abstract When a gel rod is bent, a pressure gradient is created in the liquid; the liquid flows until the pressure goes to zero everywhere, and all the stress is transferred to the network. As a result of the flow, the force needed to hold the rod at a fixed deflection decreases with time. It has been shown [J. Non-Cryst. Solids 142 (1992) 18] that measurement of the time-dependent force permits calculation of the elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and permeability of the network. The original analysis allows for flow of liquid between the bar and the surrounding bath, as well as flow within the bar. In this paper, the surface of the bar is assumed to be impermeable, so that liquid flows only within the bar. This would be the case (for example) if there were a dense skin on the gel rod. The relaxation function is shown to be quite different in shape from that of a bar with a permeable surface, so that a skin would be detectable from the kinetics of stress relaxation.
Stability of the Jeffcott Rotor with Local Rubbing

The stability and bifurcation behavior of Jeffcott rotor with local rubbing are investigated in terms of Hartman-Grobman theorem in this paper. The case with double zero real part of eigenvalues is analyzed by means of the theory of center manifold and n-dimension Hopf bifurcation. Along with discussion for the effects of parameters on system stability and bifurcation behavior, numerical simulation of rotor locus is conducted and the stability condition is derived.
Electrical characteristics of a metal-semiconductor contact. III

Abstract The treatment of the nonequilibrium excess concentration of electrons and holes at a metal-semiconductor ohmic contact by Patterson is extended and used to interpret the experimental studies of the Dember effect and the behavior of thin diodes. The application of Patterson's model to the observed behavior of ohmic contacts of thin diodes leads to a surprisingly long relaxation time for the concentration of excess electrons injected into a metal, an effect which, if real, is obviously significant.
Dark adaptation of children in relation to dietary levels of vitamin A.

Summary The purpose of this investigation was to determine the reliability ofthe adaptometer test and its validity as a measure of the nutritional status of children with respect to vitamin A. Three groups of children from different socio-economic levels were tested and accompanying dietary studies were made on two of the groups to determine the amount of vitamin A in their diets. It was found that: 1. The mean rod thresholds of the three groups of children known tohave had widely different vitamin A intakes were almost identical. 2. Approximately the same per cent of the subjects in each group had subnormal dark adaptation. 3. There was no correlation between adaptometer readings and daily vitamin A intakes although a number of children were apparently receiving less than 20 international units per kilogram per day in their diets. Fifty matched pairs of children were selected from the group whose subjects were found to have the lowest vitamin A intake. One of each pair was given 25,000 international units of vitamin A each school day for a period of nine weeks while the other served as a control. Both control and experimental subjects were retested after two weeks and again after nine weeks of supplementation. Analysis of the results showed that: 1. A slight but significant improvement was found in the mean rodplateaus of the experimental children when compared with those of their control partners. 2. The effect of supplementation was most pronounced in individualswhose original rod thresholds were in the subnormal zone. 3. Significant improvement in rod thresholds was found in only eleven experimental as against six control subjects. 4. A slightly larger number of children had vitamin A labile thresholdsat the end of two weeks' supplementation than originally had thresholds in the subnormal zone, but, in general, the same children were classed as deficient by both methods. The above findings indicate either that the adaptometer does not measure the first signs of a vitamin A deficiency or that such a deficiency is uncommon among children in this area.
AN ONGOING ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY IN MONITORING OIL SPILLS

ABSTRACT The U.S. Congress has directed NASA to conduct an assessment of the potential use of space technology in the monitoring of oil spills and ocean pollution. As a result, laboratory studies, aircraft missions, and spacecraft studies are underway to perform this assessment with the cooperation of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing. Primary emphasis in the space system will be directed toward all-weather remote sensing and surveillance in which the space system would provide information to regulatory agencies for closer investigation with aircraft or ships. Laboratory and aircraft missions will be directed toward understanding and obtaining simultaneous microwave and optical imagery of oil spills on the sea with instruments of potential usefulness in the modeling of the movement of spills, along with detection and surveillance ...
Control of Multivalent Interactions by Binding Epitope Density

Receptor clustering by multivalent ligands can activate signaling pathways. In principle, multivalent ligand features can control clustering and the downstream signals that result, but the influence of ligand structure on these processes is incompletely understood. Using a series of synthetic polymers that vary systematically, we studied the influence of multivalent ligand binding epitope density on the clustering of a model receptor, concanavalin A (Con A). We analyze three aspects of receptor clustering: the stoichiometry of the complex, rate of cluster formation, and receptor proximity. Our experiments reveal that the density of binding sites on a multivalent ligand strongly influences each of these parameters. In general, high binding epitope density results in greater numbers of receptors bound per polymer, faster rates of clustering, and reduced inter-receptor distances. Ligands with low binding epitope density, however, are the most efficient on a binding epitope basis. Our results provide insight into the design of ligands for controlling receptor-receptor interactions and can be used to illuminate mechanisms by which natural multivalent displays function.
Time-dependent structure in the discharge rate of human motor units.

Abstract Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine the influence of visual and motor processes on the deterministic and stochastic structure of force output and motor unit discharge variability. Methods : Young adult subjects produced continuous, isometric force at 3, 6, 12, and 24% of their maximal voluntary contraction at low and high visual gain levels through abduction of the index finger. Force and fine-wire intramuscular electromyography were recorded. Results : There was a linear increase in discharge irregularity with increases in the mean motor unit discharge rate (8–30Hz). Recurrence analysis showed that the percentage of deterministic structure in discharge variability remained high, but decreased linearly with increased motor unit discharge rate. Surrogate analyses confirmed that the motor unit discharge variability was inconsistent with an uncorrelated and linearly correlated Gaussian noise process. Spectral analysis revealed that both the force output and the mean time-varying motor unit discharge time series had a dominant frequency of 0–2Hz. Visual feedback gain did not affect the individual motor unit discharge patterns. Conclusions : The motor unit discharge rate has deterministic time-dependent structure. The motor unit discharge rate is modulated at multiple time scales likely by pre- and post-synaptic induced fluctuations from spinal level pathways impinging on the motor neuron.
Distinct roles of mitochondria- and ER-localized Bcl-xL in apoptosis resistance and Ca2+ homeostasis

Bcl-2 proteins are major regulators of cellular responses to intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic stimuli. Among them, overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-x(L) modulates intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and organelle-specific apoptotic signaling pathways. However, the specific activities of Bcl-x(L) at mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) have not been fully defined. To further explore this, we generated mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell lines deficient in Bcl-x(L) expression (Bcl-x-KO). Deficiency in Bcl-x(L) expression did not induce compensatory changes in the expression of other Bcl-2 proteins, and Bcl-x-KO MEF cells showed increased sensitivity to various apoptotic stimuli compared with wild-type MEF cells. Targeting Bcl-x(L) at mitochondria but not at the ER restored apoptosis protection in Bcl-x-KO MEF cells to the degree observed in wild-type MEF cells. However, expression of ER-targeted Bcl-x(L) but not mitochondrially targeted Bcl-x(L) was required to restore Ca(2+) homeostasis in Bcl-x-KO MEF cells. Of importance, ER-targeted Bcl-x(L) was able to protect cells against death stimuli in the presence of endogenous Bcl-x(L). These data indicate that mitochondrial Bcl-x(L) can regulate apoptosis independently of ER Bcl-x(L) and that when localized exclusively at the ER, Bcl-x(L) impinges on Ca(2+) homeostasis but does not affect apoptosis unless Bcl-x(L) is present in additional cellular compartments.
Optimum design of vibrating cantilevers: a classical problem revisited

Optimum design of vibrating cantilevers is a classical problem widely used in the literature and textbooks in structural optimization. The problem, originally formulated and solved by Karihalloo and Niordson (Ref. 5), was to find the optimal beam shape that will maximize the fundamental vibration frequency of a cantilever. Upon reexamination of the problem, it has been found that the original analysis and solution procedure can be simplified and improved substantially. Specifically, the time-consuming inner loop devised for solving the Lagrange multiplier in the original work has been proved to be tolally unnecessary and thus should not be considered in the problem solution. This conclusion has led to a new set of simplified equations for the construction of iteration schemes. New asymptotic expressions for the optimum design solution have been obtained and verified by numerical results. Numerical analysis has shown a significant improvement in convergence rate by the proposed new procedure. Also some obvious numerical errors in the original paper have been identified and corrected.
Determination Of The Most Probable Point From Non-Concurrent Lines

From a given camera position and orientation we can draw a ray from the camera focus through a point in the image plane (this gives two equations). To locate a three-dimensional point (three unknown coordinates) on the ray at least one more equation is required. When another camera or another perspective is used, the number of equations becomes four and the system is overdetermined, and is to be solved in terms of the best estimation. This work compares the application to the point triangulation problem of the least squares method as opposed to the frequently used linear regression method. Since all coefficients of the equations are subject to error, the linear regression method is not conceptually correct. However, it is commonly used because its straightforward computations provide reasonable solutions in most cases. In our approach the least squares method is formulated by equally weighting the coefficients, thereby obtaining a solution from the principal components of the scatter matrix of the coefficients. Since we have four equations for the three unknowns, we can have four exact solutions from combinations of three out of the four equations. Geometrically each equation represents a plane in 3-D space, and each exact solution represents a vertex of a tetrahedron formed by the four equations. After normali zing the solutions to be scale-invariant, we compute the volume of the normalized tetrahedron. When the volume is greater than one, our least squares approach is significantly different from the usual linear regression method. In other words, when the residual error sum is very large, the usual method fails to give a correct solution, and, therefore, should be considered valid only for relatively small or purely random errors.
Non-wound-induced suberization of tuber parenchyma cells: a physiological response to the wilt disease pathogen Verticillium dahliae

Verticillium spp. wilt pathogens enter the root and eventually penetrate xylem vessels of the plant where they can spread into the vascular tissue of the potato tuber. Infected tuber vessel elements often become discolored creating a serious internal tuber quality defect that prevents sale of raw product to its primary market. Despite the costly losses and disease issues created by these infections, the physiological responses to colonization of tuber vessel elements are poorly described, and a model system to study these responses in the laboratory has not been developed. The objectives of this research were to develop such a model system by determining if tuber vessel elements could be infiltrated withVerticillium spp. in a laboratory setting and if a detectable physiological response could be elicited and identified. Results demonstrated that tuber vessel elements in the model system could be infiltrated and that infiltration ofVerticillium dahliae Kleb. conidia into these vessel elements induced a suberization response on the walls of neighboring parenchyma cells. However, the walls of the infiltrated tuber vessel elements did not suberize. A similar suberization response was found in tubers that had been naturally infected byVerticillium dahliae in the field. The suberization response was histochemically determined by assessing the accumulation of suberin poly(aliphatics) and poly(phenolics). This process of internal suberization of tuber parenchyma cells occurred without induction by a wound signal. Consequently, the suberization signal was derived by introduction of the plant-pathogen into the tuber vessel elements. This simple model system provides a versatile tool to investigate the physiological responses of potato tuber to colonization of vessel elements. This is believed to be the first report for such a physiological response toVerticillium spp. in potato tuber.
Rapid Concerted Evolution via Gene Conversion at the Drosophila hsp70 Genes

We analyzed nucleotide variation in the hsp70 genes of Drosophila melanogaster (five genes) and D. simulans (four genes) to characterize the homogenizing and diversifying roles of gene conversion in their evolution. Gene conversion within and between the 87A7 and 87C1 gene clusters homogenize the hsp70 coding regions; in both D. melanogaster and D. simulans, same-cluster paralogues are virtually identical, and large intercluster conversion tracts diminish 87A7/87C1 divergence. Same-cluster paralogues share many polymorphisms, consistent with frequent intracluster conversion. Shared polymorphism is highly biased toward silent variation; homogenizing conversion interacts with purifying selection. In contrast to the coding regions, some hsp70 flanking regions show conversion-mediated diversification. Strong reductions of nucleotide variability and linkage disequilibria among conversion-mediated sites in hsp70Ab and hsp70Bb alleles sampled from a single natural population are consistent with a selective sweep. Comparison of the D. melanogaster and D. simulans hsp70 genes reveals whole-family fixed differences, consistent with rapid propagation of novel mutations among duplicate genes. These results suggest that the homogenizing and diversifying roles of conversion interact to drive dynamic concerted evolution of the hsp70 genes.
Measurement of Nanometer Aerosols

This paper is a review of my work during the past 18 years on nanometer, i.e., submicrometer, aerosols. These aerosols scatter negligible light so they are difficult to study and must be observed by indirect methods such as diffusion batteries and condensation nucleus counters. Several diffusion batteries are described: “cluster tube” batteries, 5.5 km of 1-mm-diam. straight tubing mounted in clusters; collimated holes structures containing 5.1 km of holes, 1/4 mm in diameter; honeycomb structures containing 3.5 km of holes 1/3 mm in diameter; screen batteries containing 55 stainless steel screens in 10 sections; reticulated vitreous carbon batteries containing 60 k interconnected pores per cm5. From theory, the diffusion battery is shown to be only slowly discriminating, so a series of batteries and measurements is required for particle size analysis. Measurements were made with a continuous flow condensation nucleus counter developed to provide the steady flow required by diffusion battery theory. The m...
Mechanical and structural changes of the rat cervix in late-stage pregnancy.

Dysregulated remodeling of the cervix precedes preterm birth, a major cause of infant mortality and morbidity. The goal of this work was to identify changes in the mechanical properties of the cervix in late gestation. The tensile and load relaxation properties of cervices from rats 15–21 days (full term) post-conception were measured. Stiffness and load at 25% circumferential strain decreased with gestational age and correlated with the initial circumference of the cervix. Load–relaxation curves were accurately described by a seven parameter quasi-linear viscoelastic model, where three parameters associated with stiffness and load capacity decrease with gestational age and correlate with initial circumference. Time-dependent parameters did not depend on age or structure. Mechanical properties correlated with water content, but unexpectedly not with measures of collagen content, solubility, or organization. Quantitative measurements of cervical stiffness and structure will lead to a more accurate description of cervical remodeling and prediction of preterm birth.
Suppression of photorefractive beam fanning using achromatic gratings

We show that achromatic grating techniques, using the 488- and 514.5-nm lines of the argon-ion laser, can suppress beam fanning while still allowing two-beam coupling to occur. The suppression is studied as a function of the ratio of the two colors used to form the achromatic grating.
Unmasking MASC: Bringing to Light the Unique Morphologic, Immunohistochemical and Genetic Features of the Newly Recognized Mammary Analogue Secretory Carcinoma of Salivary Glands

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a recently described salivary gland neoplasm that is characterized by its striking morphologic and molecular similarities to secretory carcinoma of the breast. This review highlights the characteristic clinical, histologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular features of MASC, and draws attention to the differential diagnosis of this increasingly recognized tumor.
Rat spinal cord neurons contain nitric oxide synthase

Abstract We describe the distribution and characteristics of nitric oxide synthase-containing neurons in rat spinal cord using a polyclonal affinity-purified antibody against rat cerebellar nitric oxide synthase. Numerous neurons were stained throughout the entire rostrocaudal extent of the spinal cord. Cell bodies, dendrites and axons stained in a uniform manner. Nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity was intense in neurons of laminae I–IV and X throughout the entire spinal cord. Neurons in the intermediolateral cell column of the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord were also intensely stained for nitric oxide synthase. The sacral cord demonstrated substantial nitric oxide synthase immunostaining within lamina VII. For the entire cord, scattered neurons in laminae V, VI, VII, and VIII were weakly positive. In addition, punctate nitric oxide synthase staining throughout laminae I, III and surrounding some large motor neurons in the ventral horn suggested the presence of nitric oxide synthase at synapses. Axons and dendritic terminals located in the gray and white matter were also stained. The majority of nitric oxide synthase positive neurons in the intermediolateral cell column were double-labelled by subcutaneously injected FluoroGold confirming that these cells were preganglionic autonomic neurons. Most NADPH-diaphorase-stained neurons were also nitric oxide synthase-positive. The distribution of nitric oxide synthase-containing neurons in spinal cord suggests that nitric oxide plays a role in spinal cord neurotransmission including: preganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic, somatosensory, visceral sensory and possibly motor pathways. In particular, the autonomic nervous system appears enriched with nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity. The precise role of each neuron type remains to be demonstrated in physiologic and pathophysiologic paradigms.
Titania, silicon dioxide, and tantalum pentoxide waveguides and optical resonant filters prepared with radio-frequency magnetron sputtering and annealing.

Mixing dielectric materials in solid-thin-film deposition allows the engineering of thin films’ optical constants to meet specific thin-film-device requirements, which can be significantly useful for optoelectronics devices and photonics technologies in general. In principle, by use of radio-frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering, it would be possible to mix any two, or more, materials at different molar ratios as long as the mixed materials are not chemically reactive in the mixture. This freedom in material mixing by use of magnetron sputtering has an advantage by providing a wide range of the material optical constants, which eventually enables the photonic-device designer to have the flexibility to achieve optimal device performance. We deposited three combinations from three different oxides by using rf magnetron sputtering and later investigated them for their optical constants. Each two-oxide mixture was done at different molar ratio levels. Moreover, postdeposition annealing was investigated and was shown to reduce the optical losses and to stabilize the film composition against environmental effects such as aging and humidity exposure. These investigations were supported by the fabricated planar waveguides and optical resonant filters.
Nonparametric Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Features in Spatial Point Processes Using Voronoï Tessellation

Abstract This article addresses the problem of estimating the support domain of a bounded point process in presence of background noise. This situation occurs, for example, in the detection of a minefield from aerial observations. A maximum likelihood estimator for a mixture of uniform point processes is derived using a natural partition of the space defined by the data themselves: the Voronoi tessellation. The methodology is tested on simulations and compared to a model-based clustering technique.
Effects of field service on software reliability

The reliability of a program, when many copies are run in a multisite environment with the support of a software service organization, depends on the inherent reliability of the program and certain characteristics of the service organization. Here, a small number of parameters that determine the relevant characteristics of the service organization are identified, and their effects on the reliability of the program as it is experienced at an average site are analyzed. This is done with two software reliability models, a first (defect) discovery model and a total (defect) discovery model. >
Polymeric micro-cantilever array for auditory front-end processing

A polymeric micro-cantilever array has been developed that mimics the biological front-end processing in the mammalian cochlea, and is intended for use in applications of auditory prostheses. Made of optical epoxy polymer molded over a silicon substrate, the micro-cantilevers have similar mechanical performance as the basilar membranes in the mammalian ears. The polymeric cantilevers, which are transparent, are used as optical waveguides to guide and modulate a light beam, which is initiated from a light emitting diode (LED) and collected by a photo diode, to produce a signal suitable for human hearing when the sound wave excites them. The polymeric cantilevers have Q10 values of 9.38, 10.11, 11.56, and 14.01 for resonant frequencies at 286, 720, 2868, and 6948 Hz, respectively. These values are similar to those obtained by direct measurement of the basilar membrane. Furthermore, they have a linear dynamic range of more than 80 dB sound pressure level (SPL) with less than 15% total harmonic distortion (THD). This polymeric micro-cantilever array has low power consumption, short processing time, high sensitivity, high frequency resolution, small size, is insensitive to electromagnetic interference, and is suitable for a totally implantable device in the human ear. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A computational technique for tuning the LAMPF high-energy pion channel

Abstract A computational technique used in tuning the LAMPF high-energy pion channel is described. In the tune-up procedure the trajectories of individual particles are measured using multi-wire proportional counters interfaced to a PDP-11/20 computer. Constraints upon the beam parameters are imposed in a form of error functions representing the deviation of the measured parameters from the ones calculated by the beam design code TRANSPORT 2 ). A search is carried out on-line to minimize the error functions and find the optimum quadrupole magnet currents.
Academic Achievement through FLES: A Case for Promoting Greater Access to Foreign Language Study among Young Learners.

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 established foreign languages as a core curricular content area; however, instructional emphasis continues to be placed on curricular areas that factor into state educational accountability programs. The present study explored whether foreign language study of first-year Grade 3 foreign language students who continued their foreign language study through Grade 5 in Louisiana public schools contributed to their academic achievement in curricular areas tested on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) and the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program for the 21st Century (LEAP 21) test. Notable findings emerged. First, foreign language (FL) students significantly outperformed their non-FL peers on every test (English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies) of the Grade 4 LEAP 21. Second, the present research suggested that regardless of the test, whether the Grade 4 criterion-referenced LEAP 21 or the Grade 5 norm-referenced ITBS, at each grade level FL students significantly outperformed their non-FL counterparts on language achievement tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Challenges in Pain Management Among Persons with AIDS in a Long-Term-Care Facility

Objective Opiate-resistant pain has been studied in cancer for many years; however, its existence in end-stage acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has captured little attention. This paper examines the existence, prevalence, and characteristics of opiate-resistant pain among persons with AIDS receiving end of life care at Bailey-Boushay House, an AIDS-skilled nursing facility in Seattle, WA. Methods A retrospective chart review of consecutive discharges during 1996 to 1999 examined patients near the end of life with advanced AIDS who had used opioid patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain relief. The patients were divided into a control group (n = 97) and an opiate-resistant group (ongoing, severe pain with morphine use of greater than 100 mg/hr in an alert patient with no response to doubling doses, n = 12). The two groups were compared on the basis of current diagnosis of depression, history of injection drug abuse, peripheral neuropathy, or central nervous system involvement. Results Out of a total of 740 AIDS admissions during the study period, 226 patients were admitted for terminal care. Of these, 109 utilized a PCA for pain control for at least a day before death. Twelve (1.6% of all admissions, 5% of terminal patients, 11% of PCA users) experienced opiate-resistant pain. No associations with injection drug abuse, central nervous system involvement, depression, or peripheral neuropathy were found. Conclusions Opiate-resistant pain is rare and can be relieved by aggressive use of adjuvants for pain treatment. There are no distinguishing characteristics that are predictive of this pain syndrome among AIDS patients near the end of life. The recognition of, and prompt attention to, opiate-resistant pain remains a challenge for medical providers.
Theoretical studies of proton magnetic shielding anisotropies

Abstract Proton magnetic shielding tensors are calculated using a gauge-invariant molecular orbital approach. Calculated chemical shifts determined from the isotropic values of such tensors are in excellent agreement with the observed results for some simple polyatomic molecules. Theoretical values of proton anisotropies are presented in a principal axis system and with respect to an XH bond axis framework. Such anisotropies for the protons in simple, acyclic polyatomic molecules show poor agreement with most of the available experimental data. Reasons for these discrepancies are discussed. This theoretical study suggests that, in general, proton magnetic shielding tensors are not axially symmetric when referred to an XH bond axis coordinate system.
Low-frequency variabilities for widely different basic flows

The internal dynamics associated low-frequency variabilities (LFVs) with timescales between 7 days and 31 days, relevant to the potential predictability of monthly means, are investigated. Using observed data and a set of general circulation model produced data, it is shown that the LFV characteristics are distinct for widely different basic flows: much smaller variability for north Pacific cyclonic basic flows than anti-cyclonic basic flows. Their preferred development locations are also distinct. The dynamical processes leading to this large difference is examined in the light of the local barotropic energy conversion between basic flow and low-frequency components. Over the eastern North Pacific where the LFVs are primarily located, the energy conversion decays more from the low-frequency disturbances into the cyclonic basic flows, while much more extraction of LFV energy from the anti-cyclonic basic flows takes place. The internal LFVs considered here are closely related to the climate noise pertaining to the prediction of monthly means. A dynamical link between the phase of El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the potential predictability of monthly means can therefore be established: during the warm phase of ENSO when the mean north Pacific flow is usually cyclonic, the potential predictability of the monthly means can be expected to be higher than during the cool phase, due to the substantially different magnitudes of unpredictable noise being generated through barotropic instability of these different zonally varying basic flows. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1995.00102.x