cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical observations of the growth and day‐to‐day variability of equatorial plasma bubbles

[1] A new narrow-field ionospheric imaging system, the Portable Ionospheric Camera and Small-Scale Observatory, has been installed at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory near La Serena, Chile (geographic 30.17°S, 289.19°E; geomagnetic 16.72°S, 0.42°E). We present observations of the naturally occurring nightglow emission at 630.0 nm on three consecutive nights demonstrating the day-to-day variability in the occurrence of equatorial plasma bubbles or depletions. On two nights, large-scale undulations with a wavelength on the order of 300–600 km are observed in the emission regions magnetically connected to the bottomside of the equatorial F layer. We demonstrate that at each crest of these large-scale waves, zero, one, or multiple depletions may grow. Thus, the presence of a large-scale wave on the bottomside alone is not sufficient for irregularity growth. This variability is presumably due to the presence, or lack, of small-scale seed waves or some other mechanism needed to increase the instability growth rate past the critical threshold.
GWAPower: a statistical power calculation software for genome-wide association studies with quantitative traits

In designing genome-wide association (GWA) studies it is important to calculate statistical power. General statistical power calculation procedures for quantitative measures often require information concerning summary statistics of distributions such as mean and variance. However, with genetic studies, the effect size of quantitative traits is traditionally expressed as heritability, a quantity defined as the amount of phenotypic variation in the population that can be ascribed to the genetic variants among individuals. Heritability is hard to transform into summary statistics. Therefore, general power calculation procedures cannot be used directly in GWA studies. The development of appropriate statistical methods and a user-friendly software package to address this problem would be welcomed. This paper presents GWAPower, a statistical software package of power calculation designed for GWA studies with quantitative traits, where genetic effect is defined as heritability. Based on several popular one-degree-of-freedom genetic models, this method avoids the need to specify the non-centrality parameter of the F-distribution under the alternative hypothesis. Therefore, it can use heritability information directly without approximation. In GWAPower, the power calculation can be easily adjusted for adding covariates and linkage disequilibrium information. An example is provided to illustrate GWAPower, followed by discussions. GWAPower is a user-friendly free software package for calculating statistical power based on heritability in GWA studies with quantitative traits. The software is freely available at: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10502931/GWAPower.zip
Barriers to Creativity in Engineering Education: A Study of Instructors and Students Perceptions

This paper studies “creativity” in engineering education, by examining the perception of instructors and students. We aims to identify factors that impede a creative environment (creativity blockers). The study entails review of established research in the fields of psychology and educational psychology to identify factors which create an educational environment conducive to creativity. These factors are formalized in the Ten Maxims of Creativity in Education, a set of criteria that constitute an educational environment conducive to fostering creativity in students. These maxims form the basis for our work in examining the contemporary engineering education. Extensive surveys are designed, created, distributed and statistically quantified to study the perceptions of engineering educators and students, in comparison to non-engineering educators and students. The results unfortunately show that the current engineering student experiences almost none of the Ten Maxims of Creativity as a part of their academic experience.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
To agree or not to agree: Legal issues in online contracting

Abstract E-commerce for merchants and consumers is more than just establishing or visiting an attractive Web site to conduct business over the Internet. For companies and consumers alike, conducting business in cyberspace entails not only the traditional risks of sales and contracting, but also a new set of risks related to the electronic environment. For entities of all sizes, important components of those risks involve legal issues: jurisdiction, contract formation, contract validity, contract changes and errors, authentication and attribution, message integrity, and non-repudiation. Becoming familiar with these issues can help avoid costly disputes in e-business.
Effects of angiotensin, prostaglandin E2 and indomethacin on the early and late steps of aldosterone biosynthesis in isolated adrenal cells.

The involvement of prostaglandins in the regulation of aldosterone biosynthesis was investigated in isolated adrenal glomerulosa cells. Cells were treated with cyanoketone to inhibit the 3β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase and isolate the early step of aldosterone synthesis and the late step. Angiotensin II and PGE2 stimulated the synthesis of aldosterone in a concentration-related manner. The stimulation by both compounds was inhibited by indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor. Indomethacin also inhibited arachidonic acid-stimulation of 6-keto PGF1α synthesis, whereas cyanoketone was without effect. Both angiotensin II and PGE2 stimulated the synthesis of pregnenolone (the early step) in a concentration-related manner. At higher concentrations, angiotensin II also stimulated the conversion of [3H]corticosterone to [3H]aldosterone (the late step). PGE2 did not alter the late step significantly. Indomethacin had no effect on either biosynthetic step when added alone. However, it inhibited the angiotensin- and PGE2-stimulated pregnenolone synthesis by 41 and 59%, respectively (P < 0.05). Indomethacin did not alter angiotensin stimulation of the conversion of corticosterone to aldosterone. These findings indicate that PGE2 increases the synthesis of aldosterone by stimulating the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone. Indomethacin inhibits angiotensin II- and PGE2-induced steroidogenesis at the same early biosynthetic step. These findings suggest that indomethacin may act by a mechanism other than a reduction in the concentration of prostaglandins.
Simultaneous masking interactions between chromatic and luminance gratings

Simultaneous masking using test and mask gratings composed of isochromatic luminance variations and isoluminant chromatic variations was studied. Masking of chromatic gratings by chromatic gratings shows less spatial-frequency specificity than does masking of luminance gratings by luminance gratings. Luminance gratings mask chromatic gratings of identical space-average luminance and chromaticity little and only when the spatial frequencies of the test and mask gratings are similar. Chromatic gratings, however, profoundly mask luminance gratings with a degree of spatial-frequency specificity akin to that of luminance-luminance masking. The insensitivity of the luminance-color masking results to the relative phase of the chromatic and luminance gratings indicates that the observed asymmetry is not due to local interactions.
Influence of cortisone on experimental viral infection. II. Effects on antibody formation and acquired immunity.

Summary1) The formation of neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies was suppressed by cortisone administered during infection of mice with influenza A viruses. 2) Suppression of antibody was dependent on prolonged administration of cortisone and was not effected by large doses given at the onset of infection. 3) Acquired active immunity induced by infection of mice with avirulent virus was partially surmounted by administration of cortisone with a challenge inoculum of virulent virus. 4) Cortisone in doses insufficient to suppress antibody formation induced lesions and persistence of pulmonary virus following challenge of mice with previously acquired immunity.
Correlation of behavioral and cerebrovascular functions in the aging rat.

Abstract Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), maze performance and the influence of environmental enrichment on these parameters were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6, 12 and 24 months. Learning ability in a complex sequential T-maze (Stone maze) progressively declined with increasing age in rats which were normally housed in standard caging. Environmental enrichment significantly improved maze performance but did not prevent the age-dependent impairment. Following completion of the learning studies, rCBF was measured in each of 13 brain regions in conscious, unrestrained, resting animals. In the absence of any significant change in cardiac output over the entire age range, rCBF was lower in all brain regions by an average of 16% in 12–14 month old rats and 8% in aged rats (24–26 months old); the occipital cortex, inferior and superior colliculi and hypothalamus were particularly affected regions in both age groups. The sharp reduction of rCBF that occurred between 6 and 12 months of age did not reflect, and probably preceded the progressive decline in maze performance. Such highly significant age-related changes in rCBF were not affected, however, by environmental enrichment procedures. This contrasts with the substantial influence of enrichment on maze performance. Finally, mean brain blood flow and mean cortical blood flow correlated inversely and significantly with average daily numbers of errors made by 24 month old rats during Stone maze acquisition.
Prediction of the thermal conductivity of refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures

Abstract We use an extended corresponding states model to predict the thermal conductivity of pure halocarbon refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures. The model uses R134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) as the reference fluid, and we present a correlation, including critical enhancement, for the thermal conductivity of R134a. We give sample results comparing the model predictions with experimental data for pure halocarbon refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures; typically, the uncertainty of the predictions is 5–10 percent.
Triassic amphibian from Antarctica.

A fossil bone fragment—the first record of tetrapod life from Antarctica—was found near Graphite Peak in the upper Beardmore Glacier area (85°3.39S; 172°199E). The fragment was embedded in a pebbly quartzose sandstone, probably of fluvial origin, in the lower part of the Triassic Fremouw Formation (as yet undefined), which contains Dicroidium in the upper part. The fossil horizon is only 76 meters, stratigraphically, above the Glossopteris-bearing Buckley Formation, a coal-bearing sequence of Permian age. The bone fragment is the back portion of a left mandibular ramus of a labyrinthodont amphibian. This identification is based on the characteristic labyrinthodont external surface sculpturing, with indications of "mucous grooves," as well as on other osteological features.
LL-Z1271α: An Interleukin-1β Production Inhibitor

Abstract LL-Z1271α, a fungal metabolite, dose-dependently inhibited interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human whole blood. Oral administration of LL-Z1271α to LPS-challenged mice caused significant lowering in the IL-1β levels in peritoneal cavity. Data presented suggest that LL-Z1271α inhibits IL-1β production by a novel mechanism as the inhibitory activity was not due to effects on caspase-1 (IL-1β converting enzyme), the ATP-induced release mechanism or a lysosomotrophic effect.
A Practitioner's Guide to Analyzing Reliability Experiments with Random Blocks and Subsampling

ABSTRACT Reliability experiments provide important information regarding the life of a product, including how various factors affect product life. Current analyses of reliability data usually assume a completely randomized design. However, reliability experiments frequently contain subsampling, which represents a restriction on randomization. A typical experiment involves applying treatments to test stands, with several items placed on each test stand. In addition, raw materials used in experiments are often produced in batches, leading to a design involving blocks. This article proposes a method using Weibull regression for analyzing reliability experiments with random blocks and subsampling. An illustration of the method is provided.
Modelling broad‐band poroelastic propagation using an asymptotic approach

An asymptotic method, valid in the presence of smoothly varying heterogeneity, is used to derive a semi-analytic solution to the equations for fluid and solid displacements in a poroelastic medium. The solution is defined along trajectories through the porous medium model, in the manner of ray theory. The lowest order expression in the asymptotic expansion provides an eikonal equation for the phase. There are three modes of propagation, two modes of longitudinal displacement and a single mode of transverse displacement. The two longitudinal modes define the Biot fast and slow waves which have very different propagation characteristics. In the limit of low frequency, the Biot slow wave propagates as a diffusive disturbance, in essence a transient pressure pulse. Conversely, at low frequencies the Biot fast wave and the transverse mode are modified elastic waves. At intermediate frequencies the wave characteristics of the longitudinal modes are mixed. A comparison of the asymptotic solution with analytic and numerical solutions shows reasonably good agreement for both homogeneous and heterogeneous earth models. Journal compilation © 2009 RAS No claim to original US government works.
Model selection in stochastic frontier analysis with an application to maize production in Kenya

This paper shows how to compute the standard errors for partial effects of exogenous firm characteristics influencing firm inefficiency under a range of popular stochastic frontier model specifications. We also develop an R2-type measure to summarize the overall explanatory power of the exogenous factors on firm inefficiency. The paper also applies a recently developed model selection procedure to choose among alternative stochastic frontier specifications using data from household maize production in Kenya. The magnitude of estimated partial effects of exogenous household characteristics on inefficiency turns out to be very sensitive to model specification, and the model selection procedure leads to an unambiguous choice of best model. We propose a bootstrapping procedure to evaluate the size and power of the model selection procedure. The empirical application also provides further evidence on how household characteristics influence technical inefficiency in maize production in developing countries.
Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus: Protocol for a Standard Challenge to Brook Trout

Abstract A protocol for experimental challenge with infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) virus was defined with brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis as the model species. Fish were exposed by immersion for 5 h in water containing IPN virus at a concentration of 105 plaque-forming units per milliliter. We propose the protocol as a standard challenge based on our studies of exposure methods and host response to virulent virus. Immersion challenge induced higher and more consistent mortality than did challenge by hyperosmotic infiltration. Challenge virus should be sequentially transferred no more than five times in cell culture because further transfers reduced the virulence of the virus. At 12°C, mortalities due to primary infection occurred 6–12 d after immersion challenge and were highest (≥70%) in fish 27–56 d old. Susceptibility to lethal infection was enhanced by nutritional stress.
Addictive agents and intracranial stimulation: Daily morphine and lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation

Rats were allowed to press for electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus on days before, during, and after daily morphine or placebo injections. During tests 1 h after morphine injections, press rates were initially depressed at doses of 10 mg/kg or greater. As days of testing under daily morphine doses of 10 or 15 mg/kg continued, pressing gradually increased 1 h after injections. Four hours after morphine injections with doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg, pressing rates were greater than rats’ previous rates of pressing and control groups’ pressing, and this facilitation did not wane across 20 days of injections. With termination of 20 days of injections, pressing rates generally returned to levels seen prior to days of injections. The facilitation of intracranial self-stimulation at 4 h after injections of moderate doses of morphine might reflect processes germane to morphine’s positively reinforcing properties.
Adsorption and Diffusion Behavior of Ethane and Ethylene in Sol-Gel Derived Microporous Silica

High surface area silica (500 m2/g) was synthesized by the sol-gel method from tetraethyl orthosilicate. The total porosity of the sample was 37% and most of the pores were well below 2 nm in size. The adsorption characteristics of ethylene and ethane in the silica were measured from 300–350 K by gravimetry, and Langmuir adsorption constants and enthalpies and entropies of adsorption were determined. Quasielastic neutron scattering was used to determine the translation and rotational diffusivities of both adsorbates from 200–270 K. Based on the adsorption and translational diffusion characteristics of ethylene and ethane, separation factors of 1.1–2 for olefin to paraffin are predicted.
Ontogenetic changes in erythrocytic organic phosphates in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

The metamorphosis of anuran tadpoles includes adjustments to different respiratory media and involves changes in all components of the respiratory system. Increased concentrations of erythrocytic organic phosphates decrease blood oxygen affinity in vertebrates. Nucleoside triphosphates (NTP), 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (DPG), inositol polyphosphate (I-poly-P) and total phosphate were measured in different stages of tadpoles, juveniles and adults. The concentrations of NTP, DPG, and I-poly-P were, respectively: 4.35, 1.90 and 1.12 μmol ml−1 RBC in tadpoles, and 1.80, 1.10 and 0.393 μmol ml−1 RBC in juveniles and adults. Molar ratios also decreased at metamorphosis: NTP/Hb from 1.83 to 0.49, DPG/Hb from 0.814 to 0.296, and I-poly-P/Hb from 0.483 to 0.061. The decrease in NTP occurs simultaneously with the transition from tadpole to adult hemoglobin type. The decrease in DPG parallels the decline in blood pH during metamorphosic climax. Levels of I-poly-P were not correlated with developmental changes of the respiratory system. The developmental stages of the decrease in red cell organic phosphate concentrations coincide with the suite of adaptive adjustments which lead to aerial respiration in metamorphosing bullfrogs.
Phased-array antenna, maximum-compression, reversible photonic beam former with ternary designs and multiple wavelengths.

A novel, switched, photonic delay-line ternary design combined with a wavelength-multiplexed transmit–receive beam-former architecture is proposed. One-dimensional antenna beam steering by use of a single-channel, wavelength-dependent switched photonic delay line in cascade with a multichannel wavelength-independent switched photonic delay line is proposed for hardware-compressed, phased-array antenna control with subarray antenna partitioning. Beam-former architecture extensions to two-dimensional antenna beam steering are described.
Generation of input data for simulations

An algorithm is given to generate additional input data for simulations when some, but insuficient, historical data are available. The additional data generated are statistically "similar" to the historical. Motivation and application of the algorithm are demonstrated by means of a problem related to the monthly water inflow to Lake Tiberias which had to be resolved in connection with the "Israeli Integrated Water Supply" project now under construction. The algorithm is a variant of a method previously used by Thomas and Fiering in hydrological studies.
8.3.2 A Perspective on System Engineering Under the New US Department of Defense Acquisition Policy

The Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition policy, as stipulated in federal documents reissued in 2003, include substantive changes to the manner by which systems are to be defined and developed. Requirements have been replaced by integrated architectural views as the preferred means for documenting the capabilities of a system, and detailed procedures have been defined for converting user needs into required capabilities. The intent is to facilitate integration and interoperability and to assure technology development needs are identified and addressed at the appropriate time during the system development process. This paper provides the viewpoint of its authors on how system engineering might be applied at various times during the DoD requirements and acquisition process in support of these reforms. Challenges associated with implementation of the new policy guidance are highlighted, and tools that might facilitate development for each phase are listed.
Cooperative Regulation of the Activity of Factor Xa within Prothrombinase by Discrete Amino Acid Regions from Factor Va Heavy Chain

The prothrombinase complex catalyzes the activation of prothrombin to alpha-thrombin. We have repetitively shown that amino acid region (695)DYDY(698) from the COOH terminus of the heavy chain of factor Va regulates the rate of cleavage of prothrombin at Arg(271) by prothrombinase. We have also recently demonstrated that amino acid region (334)DY(335) is required for the optimal activity of prothrombinase. To assess the effect of these six amino acid residues on cofactor activity, we created recombinant factor Va molecules combining mutations at amino acid regions 334-335 and 695-698 as follows: factor V(3K) ((334)DY(335) --> KF and (695)DYDY(698) --> KFKF), factor V(KF/4A) ((334)DY(335) --> KF and (695)DYDY(698) --> AAAA), and factor V(6A) ((334)DY(335) --> AA and (695)DYDY(698) --> AAAA). The recombinant factor V molecules were expressed and purified to homogeneity. Factor Va(3K), factor Va(K4/4A), and factor Va(6A) had reduced affinity for factor Xa, when compared to the affinity of the wild-type molecule (factor Va(Wt)) for the enzyme. Prothrombinase assembled with saturating concentrations of factor Va(3K) had a 6-fold reduced second-order rate constant for prothrombin activation compared to the value obtained with prothrombinase assembled with factor Va(Wt), while prothrombinase assembled with saturating concentrations of factor Va(KF/4A) and factor Va(6A) had approximately 1.5-fold reduced second-order rate constants. Overall, the data demonstrate that amino acid region 334-335 together with amino acid region 695-698 from factor Va heavy chain are part of a cooperative mechanism within prothrombinase regulating cleavage and activation of prothrombin by factor Xa.
The Noninvasive Determination of Bone Mineral Content by Photon Absorptiometry

The human endoskeleton is composed of a collagen-containing organic matrix upon which is deposited a crystalline mineral phase. The strength and structural properties of bone depend on its resiliency, tensile properties, and compressive strength. Bone weakness thus develops whenever there are changes in the formation of the organic matrix, in the deposition or resorption of the mineral phase, or in the cells that form and remodel bone. 1 Bone is a dynamic living tissue that is constantly being formed and remodeled. The mineral phase deposited within the organic matrix contains 99% of body calcium, 80% to 85% of body phosphate, and most of the magnesium. Bone serves as the main depot of these minerals. It is utilized to maintain stable values of these ions in the extracellular fluid and is particularly necessary to stabilize the electrical potential of neural membranes. 2 In order to estimate the total body calcium
Lumen diameter of normal human coronary arteries. Influence of age, sex, anatomic variation, and left ventricular hypertrophy or dilation.

BACKGROUND Precise knowledge of the expected "normal" lumen diameter at a given coronary anatomic location is a first step toward developing a quantitative estimate of coronary disease severity that could be more useful than the traditional "percent stenosis." METHODS AND RESULTS Eighty-three arteriograms were carefully selected from among 9,160 consecutive studies for their smooth lumen borders indicating freedom from atherosclerotic disease. Of these, 60 men and 10 women had no abnormalities of cardiac function, seven men had idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, and six men had left ventricular hypertrophy associated with significant aortic stenosis. Lumen diameter was measured at 96 points in 32 defined coronary segments or major branches. Measurements were scaled to the catheter, corrected for imaging distortion, and had a mean repeat measurement error of 0.12 mm. When sex, anatomic dominance, and branch length were accounted for, normal lumen diameter at each of the standard anatomic points could usually be specified with a population variance of +/- 0.6 mm or less (SD) and coefficient of variation of less than 0.25 (SD/mean). For example, the left main artery measured 4.5 +/- 0.5 mm, the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) 3.7 +/- 0.4 mm, and the distal LAD 1.9 +/- 0.4 mm. For the LAD, lumen diameter was not affected by anatomic dominance (right versus left), but for the right coronary artery, proximal diameter varied between 3.9 +/- 0.6 and 2.8 +/- 0.5 mm (p less than 0.01) and for the left circumflex, between 3.4 +/- 0.5 and 4.2 +/- 0.6 mm (p less than 0.01). Women had smaller epicardial arterial diameter than men (-9%; p less than 0.001), even after normalization for body surface area (p less than 0.01). Branch artery caliber was unaffected by the anatomic dominance but increased with branch length, expressed as a fraction of the origin-to-apex distance (p less than 0.001). Lumen diameter was not affected by age or by vessel tortuosity but was significantly increased among men with left ventricular hypertrophy (+ 17%; p less than 0.001) or dilated cardiomyopathy (+ 12%; p less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This is a reference normal data set against which to compare lumen dimensions in various pathological states. It should be of particular value in the investigation of diffuse atherosclerotic disease.
Stability and Fatigue Analysis of Long-Span Continuous Band Saw Blades

Long span, unsupported, continuous steel band saw blades are commonly used for cutting in a number of industries worldwide. A model of the stresses generated in the blade under several loading scenarios are developed and used to evaluate the potential for fatigue failure with different support pulley and blade designs. Torsional blade stability is modeled and used to determine the critical in-plane cutting force above which the blade will twist. The effects of blade thickness and tension on stability are examined. Results indicate that stability can be improved with increasing thickness and tension at the expense of fatigue life. For spans greater than 1.5m, blade tensions required for stability are not practical, and suggest that a blade guide is necessary to achieve required cutting forces.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Physics of the Glassy State II: The Transformation Range

The concept of fictive temperature as a means of describing nonequilibrium states of glass is described. Activation energies and the modern views of chemical rate processes are discussed in relation to the kinetics of the approach of these nonequilibrium states to equilibrium.
Biosensors for environmental applications

Abstract The high cost and slow turnaround times typically associated with the measurement of regulated pollutants clearly indicates a need for environmental screening and monitoring methods which are fast, portable, and cost-effective. To meet this need, a variety of field analytical methods have been introduced, a number of which are commercially available or under development. Because of their unique characteristics, however, technologies such as biosensors might be exploited to fill specific niche applications in the environmental monitoring area. Although the potential environmental market is large, there are a number of technical and commercial obstacles which must be addressed before biosensors or other field analytical technologies have a significant impact on environmental monitoring. Some of these obstacles include the large number of potential pollutants and broad range of their chemical classes; the broad range and complexity of environmental matrices; the variety of possible co-contaminants; the wide dynamic range of pollutant concentrations; lack of well-established data quality expectations by potential users; lack of sufficient markets for specific applications; and regulatory acceptance requirements. This paper will focus primarily on challenges and possible opportunities for the development of biosensors for environmental monitoring applications.
Cylindrical halbach magnet array for electromagnetic vibration energy harvesters

This paper reports the design, optimization, and test results of a new magnetic structure for kinetic energy harvesters allowing seven-fold increase in power density compared to single-magnet configuration. Electromagnetic energy harvesters with “single cylindrical Halbach array” and “double-concentric Halbach array” magnetic structures composed of NdFeB magnets with 1.4 T residual flux density were fabricated and tested: respectively 5 mW and 15 mW power was measured and generated at low-amplitude (1 mm) low-frequency (<10 Hz) vibrations. These structures yield respectively a maximum power density of 14 mW/cm3/g2 and 26 mW/cm3/g2.
Trends Influencing Future Delivery of Mental Health Services in Large Healthcare Systems

The delivery of mental health services, particularly psychotherapy and other psychosocial care, is being increasingly limited by financial constraints. We briefly review three trends that will play an increasingly important role in the delivery of mental health services in large organizations such as health maintenance organizations. These are (a) an increasing role for self-help and bibliotherapy interventions, both in traditional and electronic formats; (b) mental health services being offered in settings other than mental health specialty clinics; and (c) an increased emphasis on mechanisms for improving the quality and type of services offered, including quality improvement methods and pay-for-performance.
Theory of the interfacial tension between liquid metals

We present a method for calculating the interfacial tension between two immiscible liquid metals with use of an ionic density-functional formalism in conjunction with pseudopotential theory. The method is applied to ${\mathrm{Li}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Na}}_{x}$ at 452 K. The resulting tension is found to be 10.5 dyn/cm, much smaller than the free-surface tensions of the constituents, and the width of the interfacial profile is calculated to be about 6.7 \AA{}.
Towards robust acoustic echo cancellation during double-talk and near-end background noise via enhancement of residual echo

This paper examines the technique of using a noise suppressing nonlinearity in the adaptive filter error feedback loop of the acoustic echo canceler (AEC) based on the least mean square (LMS) algorithm when there are both double-talk and white background noise at the near-end. By combining the previously introduced noise suppressing technique with a compressive nonlinearity derived from the theory of robust statistics, consistently better results are obtained during double-talk as well as during single-talk when compared to the traditional approach of using only the compressive nonlinearity. It is shown that a compressive form of noise reducing nonlinearity can be derived also from the signal enhancement point of view when the noise probability density (pdf) is tailed more heavily and has a higher kurtosis than the Gaussian pdf. A combination of such a noise compressing nonlinearity and a noise suppressing nonlinearity is capable of producing results that are similar to that of the robust statistics approach during double-talk along with an added benefit of increased robustness during single-talk when there is only the background noise.
Echinocandins in the management of invasive fungal infections, part 2

Purpose. The chemistry, pharmacology, spectrum of activity, resistance, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, drug interactions, dosage and administration, cost, and place in therapy of echinocandins are reviewed. Summary. Three echinocandins are currently available: caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin. The principal mechanism of action of the echinocandins is the noncompetitive inhibition of β-(1,3)-d-glucan synthase, an essential component of the cell wall of many fungi that is not present in mammalian cells. Echinocandins exhibit fungicidal activity against Candida species, including triazole-resistant isolates, and fungistatic activity against Aspergillus species. While fungistatic against mold, echinocandins may hold promise for the treatment of these pathogens when given in combination with amphotericin B or broad-spectrum triazoles, such as voriconazole. To date, resistance to echinocandins has been reported in only two patients. Echinocandins exhibit concentration-dependent activity against Candida species. In clinical trials, caspofungin has demonstrated efficacy in treating candidemia, esophageal candidiasis, and febrile neutropenia. Micafungin has demonstrated efficacy as antifungal prophylaxis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and in the treatment of esophageal candidiasis. Anidulafungin received approved labeling from the Food and Drug Administration in February 2006. Clinical efficacy data will be forthcoming. Conclusion. Echinocandins are fungicidal against yeast and fungistatic against mold. Their limited toxicity profile and minimal drug–drug interactions make them an attractive new option for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. Their cost may limit their use as initial therapy for patients with fungemia in medical centers or intensive care units with a high rate of triazoleresistant Candida infections.
MR imaging-guided cryoablation for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract A patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia presented with chronic lower urinary tract symptoms despite prior surgery and continued medical therapy. Using a magnetic resonance imaging–guided transperineal approach, two cryoprobes were placed into the transition zone of the prostate gland, and two cryoablation freeze-thaw cycles were performed. At 10 weeks after treatment, the frequency of nocturia had decreased from once every 1.5 hours to once per night, urinary peak flow rates had increased from 5.1 mL/s to 10.3 mL/s, and postvoid residual urinary bladder volume had decreased from 187 mL to 58 mL. Improved flow rates and symptoms remained stable 16 weeks after treatment.
Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response for chronic pain reduction and relapse prevention.

We developed Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response (TIVR) as an automated, telephone-based tool for maintenance enhancement following group cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic pain. TIVR has four components: a daily self-monitoring questionnaire, a didactic review of coping skills, pre-recorded behavioral rehearsals of coping skills, and monthly personalized feedback messages from the CBT therapist based on a review of the patient’s daily reports. The first three components are pre-recorded and all four can be accessed remotely by patients via touch-tone telephone on demand. Following 11 weeks of group CBT, 51 subjects with chronic musculoskeletal pain were randomized to one of two study groups. Twenty-six subjects participated in 4 months of TIVR, while a control group of 25 subjects received standard care only. The TIVR group showed maximum improvement over baseline at the 8-month follow-up for seven of the eight outcome measures; improvement was found to be significant for all outcomes (p 6 .001). Between-group analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed significantly greater improvement for the experimental group at both 4- and 8-month follow-ups for most of the outcomes. Results demonstrate that TIVR can be used to decrease pain, improve coping and decrease likelihood of relapse into pain behavior. Preliminary analysis of medication usage suggests that the superior outcome of the TIVR group was unlikely to be a consequence of differential medication use. 2007 International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A Fast Algorithm for Approximate Quantiles in High Speed Data Streams

We present a fast algorithm for computing approximate quantiles in high speed data streams with deterministic error bounds. For data streams of size N where N is unknown in advance, our algorithm partitions the stream into sub-streams of exponentially increasing size as they arrive. For each sub-stream which has a fixed size, we compute and maintain a multi-level summary structure using a novel algorithm. In order to achieve high speed performance, the algorithm uses simple block-wise merge and sample operations. Overall, our algorithms for fixed-size streams and arbitrary-size streams have a computational cost of O(N log(1/epsivlogepsivN)) and an average per-element update cost of O(log logN) if epsiv is fixed.
Primary hepatic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type in a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Primary lymphoma of the liver is rare. Recently, marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type have been described in the liver. Most of these cases occurred without known underlying liver disease, while others were seen in patients with chronic hepatitis. A case of primary hepatic MALT lymphoma in a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis was reported recently. Some authors have proposed that chronic persistent immunogenic stimulation causes development of acquired MALT and subsequently MALT lymphoma, based on the observation of MALT lymphoma in association with infectious agents, such as Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis C virus, and autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and Sjogren syndrome. Primary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic, progressive, cholestatic liver disease characterized by destruction of intrahepatic small to medium-sized bile ducts; this disease is mediated by a cytotoxic T-cell reaction. The prolonged immune activation in primary biliary cirrhosis may play a role in the lymphomagenesis of hepatic MALT lymphoma. We describe another case of primary hepatic MALT lymphoma, which was found incidentally in a patient with end-stage primary biliary cirrhosis. This case further supports the role of immunogenic stimulation in the pathogenesis of this particular low-grade B-cell lymphoma.
Can the birth certificate yield clues to parental occupational exposures

An analysis of reported birth record variables by parental occupation suggests that certain birth outcomes may identify toxic or carcinogenic occupational exposures of the parents. Fathers coded to an asbestos and insulation worker rubric sired fewer plural births, and more stillbirths than expected. A number of other fathers' occupations with putative exposure to asbestos and increased lung cancer mortality also showed a deficit of plural births.
A New HOPE for Aldosterone Blockade

Aldosterone is increasingly recognized to play an important role in the pathophysiology of heart failure due to systolic left ventricular dysfunction (SLVD) and aldosterone blockade (AB) to be effective in reducing mortality and morbidity in patients with severe chronic heart failure and heart failure due to SLVD after myocardial infarction.1,2 AB has also been shown to reduce blood pressure and target-organ damage in patients with essential hypertension.3 The effect of AB on mortality and morbidity will soon be investigated in patients with mild to moderate heart failure due to SLVD and in patients with heart failure with preserved left ventricular systolic function. Although AB has been shown to be effective in patients with SLVD and in those with essential hypertension without SLVD, increasing evidence suggests that it may have an even greater role in patients with atherosclerosis of the coronary and other vascular beds. See p 1819 It is reasonable to assume that aldosterone influences vascular function because mineralocorticoid receptors are expressed in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells as well as in cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes.4 Many of the pathophysiological effects of angiotensin II on the myocardium and vascular wall may, in a large part, be due to aldosterone and can be blocked by AB as well as by an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB); however, it appears that the combination of an AB with an ACE-I or ARB may be more effective than either alone in preventing myocardial and vascular inflammation and remodeling. Although angiotensin II is a major stimulus for the production of aldosterone, other stimuli such as potassium are also important (“aldosterone escape”), as illustrated by the ability to stimulate aldosterone production in the angiotensinogen-knockout mouse.5 These data suggest that AB could add to the benefits of ACE-I …
A small-signal equivalent circuit model for heterostructure acoustic charge transport devices

A linear time-invariant small-signal circuit model for heterostructure acoustic charge transport (HACT) devices is presented. This model includes noise sources for the various physical processes that occur within the device. The linear circuit elements are derived from variations about the quiescent operating point of the device. Expressions for the noise sources are derived in terms of operating conditions, device architecture, and material parameters. An expression for the midband noise figure is presented. It agrees within 10% of measured data for a 160 tap HACT device, and within 5% of published data on similar 20, 160, and 320 tap devices. The circuit model frequency response is simulated using Libra. Model predictions show good agreement with measured HACT device performance. >
Desensitization of Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Receptors in Muscle Fibers of the Crab Cancer borealis

Carcinus muscle fibers respond to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with a conductance increase that subsides rather rapidly. In the larger fibers which have low input resistance the decrease may disappear within 2 min. The inhibition of the excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP's) by GABA nevertheless persists as long as the drug is applied. The subsidence of the increased conductance indicates that the membrane of the inhibitory synapses has become desensitized to GABA. The persistence of inhibition of the EPSP's appears to be due to an action of the drug on the presynaptic terminals of the excitatory axons which reduces or blocks the secretory activity that releases the excitatory transmitter.
Explicit Shintani base change and the Macdonald correspondence for characters of GLn(k)

Let {Kd }d1 denote the set of unramified extensions of a local field K and {kd }d1 the respective residual field extensions. The authors recall Macdonald’s parameterization [I.G. Macdonald, Zeta functions attached to finite general linear groups, Math. Ann. 249 (1980) 1–15] of the irreducible characters of GLn(kd ) in terms of “I -equivalence classes” of tame n-dimensional representations of the Weil–Deligne group W � (Kd ). Using Zelevinsky’s PSH Hopf algebra theory [A. Zelevinsky, Representations of Finite Classi
Using conic curves to classify pathomechanical biostructures of the metatarsus

Based on radiographic points and their coordinates, there is constructed a composite of radiographic measures that produce a numerical classification of variations of the metatarsal biostructure. These measures are derived primarily from conic curves. The classification is of sufficient refinement that specific variations of metatarsal biostructure may be clinically significant, i.e. associated with certain pathomechanical lesions. Clinical verification could establish a mathematical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of pathomechanical lesions of the human forefoot.
Interaction of cholesterol ester and triglyceride in human plasma very low density lipoprotein.

The properties of human plasma very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and their extracted lipids were compared using calorimetric, X-ray scattering, and polarizing microscopy techniques. Intact LDL, and cholesterol esters isolated from LDL and VLDL each undergo reversible changes in their physical state around body temperature. These transi- tions are associated with ordered liquid crystalline to liquid phase changes of the cholesterol esters. In contrast to LDL, VLDL has no reversible transitions and shows no evidence of ordered liquid crystalline structures between 10 and 45°C. Therefore, unlike LDL, VLDL does not con- tain a separate cholesterol ester region capable of under- going cooperative melting. Solubility studies at 37°C of cholesterol esters and triglyceride isolated from VLDL show that even at a weight ratio of 1: 1, which greatly exceeds the relative amount of cholesterol esters in VLDL, cholesterol ester is completely soluble in triglyceride. Thus, the cholesterol ester in VLDL is not sequestered in a separate domain within VLDL, but is dissolved in the liquid core of the particle.
Competitive Density and the Customer Acquisition–Retention Trade-Off:

Abstract The authors build on conceptual and analytic evidence to argue that firms can increase performance by shifting emphasis away from customer retention strategies toward customer acquisition strategies as competitive density (i.e., the number of competitors) increases and the marketplace becomes more dynamic. Empirical research using four data sources for a single artistic industry produces strong support for the moderation hypotheses. When competitive density is low, a customer retention strategy emphasizing close relationships with customers and adaptive learning enhances performance. When competitive density is high, a customer acquisition strategy emphasizing innovation and competitor learning enhances performance. Four key takeaways emerge. As competitive density increases, (1) the financial impact of choosing the right mix of resources and capabilities increases; (2) close customer relationships become liabilities, providing no revenue benefits and exerting a negative effect on net income; (3)...
Effects of protein supplementation and parasympathetic stimulation with slaframine on utilization of low quality roughage fed to goats and sheep

Eighteen Angora goats (average BW 14 kg) and 18 Barbados Blackbelly X Dorset sheep (average BW 24 kg), all wethers, were fed chopped coastal bermudagrass hay (84% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 6% crude protein (CP)) ad libitum and offered only alfalfa hay or cottonseed meal as protein supplement during an 84-day feeding trial. From day 28, animals received daily injections of physiological saline with or without the parasympathomimetric slaframine (SF) at 30 μg kg−1 BW. Digestibility and digesta kinetics measurements were made during a 7-day fecal collection period. Goats had lower (P< 0.05) intakes of DM, NDF and CP than sheep. There were no differences in digestibility of DM, NDF or CO between species. Protein supplementation increased digestibility of DM (P< 0.05), NDF (P< 0.10), and CP (P< 0.01) without affecting intake. No differences were due to type of supplement in intake and digestibility. SF depressed (P< 0.05) intake of DM, NDF and CP and tended (P<0.10) to lower DM and CP digestibility. Protein supplementation increased (P<0.05) and SF decreased (P< 0.01) weight gain. Animals receiving protein supplement lost less body weight (BW) after SF treatment than those receiving no supplement. Goats and sheep apparently utilized low quality roughages differently but responded similarly to protein supplementation. SF was not effective in altering ruminal liquid dilution rate or enhancing nutrient digestibility in goats and sheep fed high fiber diets.