cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Focused and divided attention in stereoscopic depth

Two experiments are described which examine the effect of distance in the depth plane, as defined operationally by binocular disparity, on focused and divided attention. In both experiments, disparity was manipulated with a Tektronix stereoscopic 3D display system. In Experiment 1 (focused attention), 10 subjects classified letter stimuli presented at zero disparity. The targets were surrounded, either vertically or horizontally, by two irrelevant stimuli. The distractors were presented at 7 different depth planes relative to the target (i.e., 3 in front, 3 behind, and 1 at the same depth). The distractors showed evidence of being processed when at the same depth plane as the central relevant stimulus, but diminished processing when presented at different depth planes. This pattern of data provides evidence for a fairly "narrow" attentional bandwidth in depth, for focused attention. In Experiment 2 (divided attention), 8 subjects performed a one-axis pursuit tracking task at 0 disparity, while concurrently responding to stimuli presented immediately below, and at 5different depth planes (1 at the same disparity as the tracking task, 2 in front of, and 2 behind the tracking display). While there was considerable interference between the two tasks, there was no evidence that this interference was modulated by similarity of depth when the depth plane of stimulus presentation was known in advance (i.e., was "blocked"). These results suggest that in divided attention, where stimulus location is known in advance, the attentional bandwidth in depth is sufficiently broad to accommodate the same range of depth planes over which filtering had been observed in focused attention. When however the depth plane was randomized and unpredictable, evidence for a depth gradient of divided attention was found. The results are discussed in terms of attentional theory and the usefulness of stereoscopic displays.
Primary congenital bladder diverticula in boys

Abstract Three male patients ranging in age at diagnosis from eight to seventeen years were found to have presumed primary congenital bladder diverticula. All 3 patients had a solitary documented urinary tract infection (Staphylococcus 2, Escherichia coli 1), I patient presented with gross hematuria, and in 1 patient the diverticulum was an incidental finding. In all cases, there was no radiologic evidence on voiding cystourethrography of physiologic or anatomic ureteral or bladder outlet obstruction. In a nine-year-old boy there was ipsilateral renal agenesis, an intra-abdominal undescended testis, and an atretic ureter arising from the diverticulum. The older boy had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. If the diverticulum is enlarging, compromises the ureterovesical valve mechanism, or by virtue of incomplete bladder emptying is believed to promote urinary tract infection, it should be removed. A surgically conservative course is followed in the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome because of the bleeding tendency and tissue abnormalities.
Production and Absorption of S-Wave Pions at Low Energy by Two Nucleons

The cross sections for the reactions $p+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ and $p+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p+p+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ are calculated for $s$-wave pions at threshold. The pion is produced by either nucleon and emitted directly or rescattered in an $s$ wave by the second nucleon, through a modified static interaction. The two nucleons interact through a phenomenological potential. For the Hamada-Johnston potential both calculated cross sections agree with experimental results. Application of the method of calculation to the nuclear absorption of $s$-wave pions is discussed.
Hereditary spherocytosis in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia

OBJECTIVES: Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is the most common inherited hemolytic disease among people of Northern European decent. Neonates with HS can develop significant hyperbilirubinemia, but we suspect that HS is underrecognized as a cause of neonatal jaundice. METHODS: We used electronic record repositories of Intermountain Healthcare to identify all neonates with a diagnosis of HS in a recent 5-year period. We compared these with the number of new HS cases anticipated on the basis of national prevalence and also with the number who had elevations in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW), and bilirubin. We compared MCHC and RDW values of neonates who had direct antiglobulin test–positive (DAT[+]) and DAT(−) results and jaundice with values of neonates who had HS. RESULTS: Eight neonates received a diagnosis of HS; however, we may have failed to diagnose 90% of cases. To assess whether some with a missed diagnosis of HS developed significant hyperbilirubinemia, we examined records of all 670 with a bilirubin level of ≥20 mg/dL. Records of the 20 with the highest MCHC and RDW values suggested that HS was present but unrecognized in at least 7. Follow-up revealed a subsequent diagnosis of HS in 5; the other 2 are no longer in our health system. MCHC and RDW values were highest in those with HS, intermediate in the DAT(+) group, and lowest in the DAT(−) group. An MCHC of ≥36.0 g/dL had 82% sensitivity and 98% specificity for identifying HS. CONCLUSION: We speculate that HS is underrecognized as a cause of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. We speculate further that an MCHC of ≥36.0 g/dL can alert caregivers to the possibility of HS.
DIVORCE RELATED MALICIOUS MOTHER SYNDROME

With the increasing commonality of divorce involving children, a pattern of abnormal behavior has emerged that has received little attention. The present paper defines the Divorce Related Malicious Mother Syndrome. Specific nosologic criteria are provided with abundant clinical examples. Given the lack of scientific data available on the disorder, issues of classification, etiology, treatment, and prevention appear ripe for investigation.
Traumatic extradural spinal cysts: a case report and review of the literature.

Extradural spinal cysts, although unusual, are well-documented entities. The majority are of congenital origin while only a few with a clear cut traumatic pathogenesis are reported. We present a case of a traumatic extradural spinal cyst which presented as a progressive radiculopathy following a penetrating injury. We also review the literature concerning traumatic extradural spinal cysts and show that they can occur following a wide variety of spinal trauma. The trauma must involve sufficient force to cause a dural rent and iatrogenic causes are included. The differences and simularities between traumatic and congenital cysts are shown, and treatment is discussed. The prognosis following surgical resection is shown to be excellent.
Planning for competitive port expansion on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard: the case of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project

With the expansion of the Panama Canal, port cities along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard are competing to attract the increased trade expected once the project is complete in 2015. Competition includes extensive investment in projects for port expansion, dredging, and multimodal transportation for greater hinterland connectivity, fueled in part by uncoordinated federal port investments without a larger strategic vision for national port and trade infrastructure. One of the competing ports is in Savannah, Georgia, which is the country’s fourth busiest container port. Savannah is about to embark on a $652 million project that will dredge thirty-two miles of the Savannah River from 42 to 47 feet to attract and accommodate Post-Panamax container ships. The paper analyzes the geographic coastal impacts of port competition, and looks at the unique circumstances of the Greater Savannah Metropolitan Region in planning for future growth of its port. The case illustrates the geographic tensions of uncoordinated maritime freight and logistics planning with fragile coastal and riparian ecologies. The dramatic interventions in port excavation also demonstrate how global forces of technological change and port expansions in other parts of the world are reshaping local geographies.
A micromechanical theory of fatigue crack initiation of an aluminum single crystal

Abstract A micromechanic theory of extrusions and intrusions in an aluminum single crystal with multiple fatigue bands under stress-controlled loading is presented. The micro-stress and strain fields of this crystal were analyzed as a three dimensional elastic–plastic solid using Boundary Element Method. From these microfields, the macroscopic stress and strain of the crystal at different stages of loading were calculated. The numerical analyses give the changes in hysteresis loop shapes and sizes with loading cycles. The incremental plastic strain distribution in each cycle depends on the initial shear stress. Two sets of initial shear stress are taken to show the dependence of the shape and size of the hysteresis loop on the initial stress. The details of the occurrence of the second slip system are shown. They compare well with the experimental results of the single crystal tests performed in Oxford.
LOCFES-B: a program for solving the one-dimensional particle transport equation with user selected CLOF methods (new version)

Abstract LOCFES provides automated estimation of the rate of convergence of the source iteration and the order of accuracy, i.e., the discretization error, of an arbitrary closed linear one-cell functional (CLOF) method used in solving the linear, steady-state, monoenergetic and azimuthally symmetric neutral-particle transport equation in one-dimensional plane-parallel geometry. LOCFES-B is not so much a new version of LOCFES as it is a new tool in the LOCFES suite. It is intended to solve the equation using any user-supplied CLOF method and to compare its solution (scalar or angular fluxes) at user-selected monitor points for any given problem to a set of user-supplied values obtained elsewhere (benchmark values). LOCFES-B uses multiple mesh refinements, as did LOCFES. However, to improve its performance in accomplishing its new purpose: (1) the source functional values from each mesh are passed to its successor and (2) an acceleration scheme for the source iteration has been developed by the authors and added to LOCFES. Tests indicate that more than a ten-fold speedup over the LOCFES performance was achieved by these enhancements on more slowly converging problems. LOCFES-B's output is also modified from a 132-column format to screen-iewable 80-column format. It is intended to be a tool for studying the performance of arbitrary spatial approximations, not a production code.
A Crown-Linked Donor–Acceptor Assembly Containing ReI(diimine)(CO)3Cl and Nitrobenzene Components

The structure of the title assembly, tricarbonylchloro[16-nitro-3,6,9,12,20,23,26,29-octaoxa-34,37-diazatetracyclo[34.3.1.114,18.131,35]dotetraconta- 1(39),14,16,18 (41),31,33,35 (42),36 (40),37-nonaene- 2,13,19,30-tetraone]rhenium(I), C35H33ClN3O17Re, has been determined via a single-crystal diffraction study. The rhenium ion is octahedrally coordinated. The bidentate bipyridine/crown ether/nitrobenzene assembly is folded such that the pyridyl rings and nitrobenzene moiety are almost coplanar.
Experimental structural health monitoring of Z-fibre reinforced co-cured composite pi-joints using Lamb wave propagation

The goal of this research is to establish a methodology for damage detection in unreinforced and z-fiber reinforced cocured composite pi- joints using lamb wave based structural health monitoring technique. Because of the lack of natural reinforcement in the thickness direction, delamination has been a predominant failure mode besides other failure modes in laminated composites. Z-fiber reinforcement is one of the ways of controlling or delaying delamination and thus, delaying the failure. Here, DCB (Double Cantilever Beam) and Pi-Joint specimens, with and without z-fiber reinforcement, are considered for experimental analysis. Damage is experimentally induced in the specimen under static loading. Lamb wave propagation based structural health monitoring is performed using PZT sensors in a pitch-catch arrangement. Amplitude vs. time and amplitude vs. frequency response are plotted for various excitation frequencies. At lower frequencies (particularly at 20 KHz), pure A0 mode is generated, which is confirmed by out of phase response of simultaneous PZT sensors. From the response data analysis, presence of damage in unreinforced, z-fiber reinforced DCB and pi-joint specimens is confirmed.
Geometrically specific oxidation of β-arylacroleins catalyzed by xanthine oxidase: The preparative potential

Geometric specificity of xanthine oxidase in reactions with trans and cis isomers of two different β-arylacroleins, cinnamaldehyde and 3-(2-furyl) acrolein, has been investigated. The enzyme-catalyzed oxidation of the trans isomer in both cases is about two orders of magnitude faster than that of the cis isomer. This phenomenon can be used for separation of the geometric isomers.
Whether and Why? The Potential Benefits of Including Program Theory Evaluation in Meta-Analysis.

Even simple program theory evaluations could be used in meta-analysis to provide benefit. Several examples of ways to combine the two are explored, including a hypothetical model and an actual example of a federal funding program.
Decision fusion algorithm for target tracking in forward-looking infrared imagery

In this paper, we propose a novel decision fusion algorithm for target tracking in forward looking infrared (FLIR) image sequences recorded from an airborne platform. The algorithm allows the fusion of complementary ego-motion compensation and tracking algorithms. We identified three modes that contribute to the failure of the tracking system: (1) the sensor ego-motion failure mode, which causes the movement of the target more than the operational limits of the tracking stage; (2) the tracking failure mode, which occurs when the tracking algorithm fails to determine the correct location of the target in the new frame; (3) the distortion of the reference image failure mode, which happens when the reference image accumulates walk-off error, specially when the target is changing in size, shape or orientation from frame to frame. The proposed algorithm prevents these failure modes from developing unrecoverable tracking failures. The overall performance of the algorithm is guaranteed to be much better than any individual tracking algorithm used in the fusion. The experiments performed on the AMCOM FLIR data set verify the robustness of the algorithm.
Surgical education in the new millennium: a community hospital perspective

For many years, community hospitals have actively participated in the education of young surgeons. Until recently, community hospitals sponsored the majority of surgical residencies, and it has been estimated that these programs produced more than half of the graduates in general surgery residencies [1]. One of the chief characteristics of these programs was that almost all of the teaching faculty were ‘‘generalist’’ general surgeons who were engaged in the broad range of surgical procedures. Not surprisingly, most of the graduates of these programs proceeded to practice generalist general surgery in the 5000 hospitals throughout the country. In the past 20 years, the challenges to all teaching hospitals have increased enormously, and the number of programs has decreased. In 1984 there were 311 accredited general surgery programs, but in 2004 there are only 253 [2,3]. Some of these lost programs were unable to meet the required standards, although the vast majority were community programs that integrated with academic health centers or merged to form one program. The new millennium, with the advances in technology and the exponentially expanding volume of medical knowledge, challenges educators to reassess surgical training and evaluate possible opportunities to improve their methods. Breaking down these challenges, both positive and negative, and how they relate specifically to community hospital surgical residency programs is the goal and focus of this article. Change, although often initially perceived as bad, is frequently later looked upon as a significant improvement. In this
Variation in the Flora and Fauna of Tidal Freshwater Forest Ecosystems Along the Columbia River Estuary Gradient: Controlling Factors in the Context of River Flow Regulation

Tidal freshwater forested wetlands are dynamic, complex ecosystems that typically occur in large, floodplain river estuaries throughout the world. The estuarine portion of the Columbia River, in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, is exceptionally large and extends from the Pacific Ocean to the head of tide at Bonneville Dam, located at river kilometer (RKm) 233. Our study focused on the freshwater portion of the estuarine gradient (RKm 40 to RKm 233) of the Columbia River estuary and the corresponding continuum of hydrologic regimes and biotic communities. Several diverse forested wetland community types occurred along this freshwater estuarine gradient with major shifts in community composition corresponding to the transition from predominantly tidal to predominantly fluvial hydrologic regimes. We quantitatively characterized the floristic structure, species composition, and species richness of these tidal wetlands. Additionally, we documented variation in the avifaunal and insect assemblages associated with the floral structure. We found that freshwater tidal forested wetlands in the lower reaches of the estuary were characterized by high vegetation species richness and complex forest and scrub-shrub ecosystems, while tidal wetlands in the upper reaches of the estuary displayed a greater diversity of wetland ecosystems (forested, scrub-shrub, emergent, and aquatic bed) but comparatively lower species richness. A transitional area in the mid-estuary contained forested wetlands that exhibited some similarities to estuarine forested wetlands in both the upper and lower reaches. Likewise, avifauna and insect assemblage composition transitioned along the tidal freshwater estuarine gradient. Differences in geomorphological and hydrological regimes along the estuarine gradient appear to be the factors controlling the variation in tidal freshwater forested wetland characteristics and species composition. A thorough understanding of this complex and understudied system is necessary for predicting the potential impacts of hydrologic regime alterations and climate change and for guiding ongoing restoration efforts in the region.
The termination of callosal fibers in the paravisual cortex of the rat.

Summary A light and electron microscope study of the callosal connections of the paravisual cortex of the rat has shown that the callosal axons entering this region terminate in all layers but with highest density in deeper layer I, throughout layer II, and in the upper half of layer III. The callosal endings contain round vesicles (following para-formaldehyde fixation) and form asymmetric contacts with dendritic branches and spines. In addition callosal endings contact non-pyramidal cell somata and their major dendritic trunks. Callosal terminals never contact pyramidal cell somata or their proximal axon segments and only extremely rarely do they contact their major dendritic trunks. This is consistent with the finding that with the paraformaldehyde fixation used in this study axo-somatic synapses and synapses onto proximal axon segments of the pyramidal cells of this region are formed by synapses containing flattened vesicles. While filamentous terminals and correlated neurofibrillar rings have been found occasionally, there is no evidence of a filamentous degenerative reaction of the callosal terminals. These most frequently undergo a dense degenerative reaction which is most evident from 3 to 7 days after a contralateral occipital lesion.
An efficient non-Markovian theory of non-equilibrium dynamics

Abstract A direct interaction (DI) approximation-like theory is developed. It effectively truncates the time history integrals of DI by explicitly allowing for non-Gaussian correlations. Numerical comparisons with DI for the case of the Zakharov equations are presented.
Changes in tree species composition, structure and growth in a bald cypress-water tupelo swamp forest, 1980-1990

Abstract Changes in forest vegetation during a 10 year period in a second growth bald cypress-water tupelo swamp were analyzed. The vegetation composition of this swamp forest is characteristic for deep-water alluvial river swamps in the southeastern United States. Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) dominates the lowest elevation sites, while water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) increases in importance with increasing elevation. Species composition and diameter at breast height (DBH) of the trees in the swamp forest were measured in permanent plots established in 1980 and growth rates were estimated from the change in DBH between 1984 and 1990. Repeated measures analyses indicated that forest canopy opening had no significant effect on density, basal area, or relative importance of the three dominant tree species. In the 10 years of the study, the densities of bald cypress and water tupelo have stayed relatively constant, while red maple (Acer rubrum) and ash (Fraxinus spp.) densities are declining rapidly. For all four tree species, mortality exceeded recruitment between 1984 and 1990. Since this 65–100 year old second growth forest has a closed canopy, low recruitment was expected. However, saplings of all species, except ash, were observed in all plots. The most important change in species composition in the study area was the large decrease in the number of red maple trees. Water tupelo growth rates were the highest at 9.8 ± 3.4 cm2 year−1, followed by bald cypress at 7.0 ± 1.5 cm2 year−1, and red maple at 1.4 ± 0.2 cm2 year−1. Bald cypress growth rate was significantly correlated with site elevation. Variation in growth rates of the three dominant tree species was not explained by total tree density or total basal area.
Application of the Papanicolaou stain to paraffin sections.

Routine paraffin sections from tissues fixed either in aqueous formalin, 80% alcohol (with or without 1% trichloracetic acid added), Carnoy's alcohol-chloroform-acetic (6:3:1) and Bouin's fixative were stained as follows: Harris' hematoxylin, 6 min; running water, 2-3 min; ascending grades of alcohol to 95%; orange G, 0.5% and phosphotungstic acid, 0.015% in 95% alcohol, 5 min; 95% alcohol, 2 changes; Papanicolaou's EA36, 2.5 min; dehydration, clearing, and covering in Permount. The results show morphology better than hematoxylin and eosin and the technic is recommended particularly for keratin, which always stains bright orange.
Characterization of Fatigue Dynamics Under Deterministic and Stochastic Excitation

Estimating and tracking dynamics of crack growth is essential for fatigue failure prediction. A new experimental system coupling structural and crack growth dynamics was used to show fatigue damage accumulation is different under chaotic and stochastic loading, even when both excitations have similar spectral and statistical signatures. Furthermore, conventional rain-flow counting method considerably overestimates damage in case of chaotic forcing. Important nonlinear loading characteristics are identified to guide the new fatigue model development.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A reply to Thomas Mulligan's “critique of Milton Friedman's essay ‘The Social Responsibility of Business to Increase Its Profits’”

Professor Thomas Mulligan undertakes to discredit Milton Friedman's thesis that “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits.” He attempts to do this by moving from Friedman's paradigm characterizing a socially responsible executive as willful and disloyal to a different paradigm, i.e., one emphasizing the consultative and consensus-building role of a socially responsible executive. Mulligan's critique misses the point, first, because even consensus-building executives act contrary to the will of minority shareholders, but even more importantly, because he assumes that the mandate of a shareholder majority brings legitimacy to efforts of corporate managers to utilize corporate wealth in solving social problems. It is the role of our democratic institutions to deal with national agenda issues such as inflation, unemployment, and pollution, not that of the private sector. Corporations and private individuals do have a role to play in enhancing the quality of the human environment, however, and the author suggests a coherent means of developing that role in an effort “rescue” corporate social responsibility from Mulligan no less than from Friedman.
THE INITIAL STEPS IN INFECTION WITH COLIPHAGE M13.

Abstract Infection of Escherichia coli with the rod-shaped DNA bacteriophage M13 begins with an irreversible attachment of the phage to one of a very limited number of sites on the cell surface. The attachment rate is maximal in media of molar ionic strength of about 0.1. Temperature influences the rate only to the extent that it affects the rate of phage diffusion. Following attachment, the phage DNA penetrates into the cell, leaving behind over 90% of the protein. The penetration process is extremely temperature sensitive, with an energy of activation of about 25,000 cal, can occur in less than 20 seconds at 37°, and depends on the host cell metabolism. Thus, the initial steps of infection with M13 fir into the general pattern known for other bacteriophages. The penetration is not analogous to the release of M13 phage from infected cells, where intact virus particles pass through the cell wall.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of depression in Christian patients with medical illness

Psychotherapy and religion are two widely utilised resources among people suffering from mental and physical illness. Intervention studies have found that integrating clients’ spiritual and religious beliefs in therapy is at least as effective, if not more effective, in reducing depression than secular treatments for religious clients. The medically depressed are at heightened risk of negative medical outcomes. One unexplored question is whether or not religious psychotherapy is more effective in treating depression in religious patients with physical illness. This article will present theoretical and empirical evidence to support the hypothesis that Christian cognitive behavioural therapy (C-CBT), which utilises the religious resources of patients in the treatment of depression, may boost the effects of conventional CBT in Christian patients with medical illness. Potential evidence and explanatory factors for this hypothesis will be explored. A description of major theoretical principles of C-CBT and fut...
Conformational stability and self-association of zinc-free bovine insulin at neutral pH

Abstract Zinc-free bovine insulin has been studied by sedimentation equilibrium and circular dichroism. At pH 7.4, ionic strength 0.368, and a temperature of 20 °C, the peptide hormone appears to form a monomer-dimer-hexamer system characterized by a second virial coefficient of 8·10 -6 mol·dl·g -2 , and association constants of 2.2·10 4 M -1 and 8.6·10 9 M -2 for monomer-dimer and dimer-hexamer formation, respectively. The dimerization free energy is —5.8 kcal/mol and the free energy for hexamer formation per (dimer) contact site is —4.4 kcal/mol. Guanidinium chloride induces marked changes in the self-association, the far ultraviolet circular dichroic spectrum, and the near ultraviolet circular dichroic spectrum. In the presence of 1.5 M guanidinium chloride Zn 2+ -free insulin exists mainly as a monomer-dimer system, and above 3.5 M guanidinium chloride the hormone forms a non-ideal monodisperse system. A broad transition, indicated by changes in the far ultraviolet circular dichroic spectrum between 2 and 6 M guanidinium chloride, probably results from a loss of secondary structure with increasing denaturant concentration. Under the conditions used, the near ultraviolet circular dichroic spectrum of native Zn 2+ -free insulin was not dependent on hormone concentration, although an apparent transition midpoint, measured as a decrease in the ellipticity at 270 nm with increasing guanidinium chloride concentration between 0 and 2 M, was dependent on insulin concentration. These results suggest that major changes in insulin secondary and tertiary structure occur over a range of denaturant concentrations in which insulin exists principally in the monomeric form. Thus, these data suggest that the maintenance of the insulin quarternary structure is not a prerequisite for the preservation of a considerable degree of secondary structure in the insulin molecule.
Anaplerotic molecules: Current and future

This review presents the concepts of anaplerosis and cataplerosis in relation to the regulation of citric acid cycle operation. Anaplerosis is the re-filling of the catalytic intermediates of the cycle that carry acetyl-CoA as it is oxidized. The main anaplerotic substrates are pyruvate, glutamine/glutamate and precursors of propionyl-CoA (odd-chain fatty acids, specific amino acids, C5-ketone bodies). Cataplerosis balances anaplerosis by removing excess intermediates from the citric acid cycle. The properties of the main anaplerotic substrates are reviewed from the point of view of potential clinical applications to the treatment of some inherited and acquired conditions.
Atenolol and short umbilical cords

Umbilical cord length may be a function of fetal movement. Agents that cause decreased fetal movement may cause short umbilical cords. This investigation examined the effect of the beta-blocker atenolol on umbilical cord length in rabbits. Fetuses of rabbits treated with atenolol had significantly shorter cords than control animals (p less than or equal to 0.0005). Since short cords are associated with problems in labor, low Apgar scores, and abruption, we recommend careful surveillance of mothers and fetuses who are given beta-blocking agents in the first 30 weeks of pregnancy.
Quantum dot photodetectors with metallic diffraction grating: Surface plasmons and strong absorption enhancement

We report our theoretical study of the effect of metallic diffraction grating on the sensitivity of quantum dot photodetectors in terahertz frequency. We have found that the effect of diffraction grating is much stronger for s-polarization than for p-polarization. For s-polarization the sensitivity of photodetectors can be enhanced by metallic diffraction grating by a few orders of magnitude. Due to strongly inhomogeneous distribution of electromagnetic field the quantum dots should be placed at special points, i.e. hot spots, where the field intensity is maximum.
Is Intelligence Stable in Learning-Disabled Children?:

This study investigated the stability of the WISC-R over a 3-year span for 60 students classified as learning disabled and who were receiving special education services. The subjects were identified as learning disabled by use of an ability/achievement discrepancy formula between the WISC-R and the Metropolitan Achievement Test. The initial hypothesis was that learning-disabled subjects would exhibit stable WISC-R scores and, consequently, may not require repeated WISC-R evaluations. The learning disabled subjects demonstrated stable WISC-R scores, and correlation coefficients were significant, but generally lower than previous WISC-R stability studies. Implications for the special education reevaluation process are discussed.
Covariance Analysis of Maximum Likelihood Attitude Estimation

An attitude determination covariance measurement model for unit vector sensors with a wide field-of-view is analyzed and compared to the classic QUEST covariance model. The wide field-of-view model has been previously proposed as a more realistic alternative for sensors where measurement accuracy depends on angular distance from the boresight axis. Both QUEST and the wide field-of-view models are evaluated relative to a measurement model that uses the two-dimensional sensor focal plane measurements directly, rather than first converting them to unit vectors. The Fisher information matrix is derived for attitude determination based on such direct sensor measurements, and the wide field-of-view measurement model is shown to have the same Fisher information matrix. Numerical simulations confirm that an extended Kalman filter based on the wide field-of-view model outperforms a filter based on the QUEST measurement model, and also that the wide field-of-view 3σ bounds are effectively identical to those of a filter based on the direct two-dimensional sensor measurements.
Digital Architecture for Driving Large LED Arrays with Dynamic Bus Voltage Regulation and Phase Shifted PWM

This paper introduces a digital architecture suitable for driving a large number of High Brightness Light Emitting Diodes (HB-LEDs) with improved system efficiency and reduced EMI. Key advantages are achieved by combining and coordinating control of the power converter and LED strings, resulting in a system with deterministic load behavior. Uniform phase shifting of LED strings is performed to minimize load current variations, resulting in reduced output capacitance, improved converter efficiency and reduced system EMI. LED string voltages are detected online and used in a feedforward path for dynamic bus voltage scaling, resulting in improved system efficiency at low dimming levels. Experimental results are presented for a 15 W boost converter with FPGA based digital control driving a 64 LED array with 8 LED strings.
Further Comments on "An Optimal Solution for the Channel- Assignment Problem"

In the above paper1Gupta, Lee, and Leung present a new algorithm for making an optimal assignment of wire segments to channels on a PC board. The new algorithm has a running time of 0(N log N) in the general case, but can be executed in 0(N) time if the wire segment endpoints are close to uniformly distributed.
Optimal Treatment of Dyslipidemia in High-Risk Patients: Intensive Statin Treatment or Combination Therapy?

A recent update to the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines suggests low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals of 30%-40%) than with moderate therapy. Until data from ongoing trials of combination therapy are available, however, monotherapy with a potent statin should be initiated to lower LDL-C. Nonetheless, for residual elevation in triglycerides and/or reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adding a second agent (eg, fenofibrate, niacin) is a reasonable option.
Mitochondrial and microsomal derived reactive oxygen species mediate apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor‐β1 in immortalized rat hepatocytes

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) is a multifunctional cytokine that is over expressed during liver hepatocytes injury and regeneration. SV40-transformed CWSV-1 rat hepatocytes that are p53-defective undergo apoptosis in response to choline deficiency (CD) or TGFbeta1, which mediates CD-apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential mediators of apoptosis. We have shown that apoptosis induced by TGFbeta1 is accompanied by ROS generation and the ROS-trapping agent N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits TGFbeta1-induced apoptosis. While persistent induction of ROS contributes to this form of apoptosis, the source of ROS generated downstream of TGFbeta1 is not clear. The mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum both harbor potent electron transfer chains that might be the source of ROS essential for completion of TGFbeta1-apoptosis. Here we show that CWSV-1 cells treated with cyclosporine A, which prevents opening of mitochondrial membrane pores required for ROS generation, inhibits TGFbeta1-induced apoptosis. A similar effect was obtained by treating these cells with rotenone, an inhibitor of complex 1 of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain. However, we demonstrate that TGFbeta1 induces cytochrome P450 1A1 and that metyrapone, a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 1A1, inhibits TGFbeta1-induced apoptosis. Therefore, our studies indicate that concurrent with promoting generation of ROS from mitochondria, TGFbeta1 also promotes generation of ROS from the cytochrome P450 electron transfer chain. Since inhibition of either of these two sources of ROS interferes with apoptosis, it is reasonable to conclude that the combined involvement of both pathways is essential for completion of TGFbeta1-induced apoptosis.
Calculation and Correction of Coupling-Induced Resonance Frequency Shifts in Traveling-Wave Dielectric Resonators

We study the CIFS effect in traveling-wave resonators. The physical source of CIFS is revealed and an efficient semi-analytical approximation method for 3-D structures is provided. Method to correct CIFS is also proposed.
Operation and performance of the mid-infrared camera, NOMIC, on the Large Binocular Telescope

The mid-infrared (8-13 μm) camera, NOMIC, is a critical component of the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer search for exozodiacal light around near-by stars. It is optimized for nulling interferometry but has general capability for direct imaging, low resolution spectrometry, and Fizeau interferometry. The camera uses a Raytheon 1024x1024 Si:As IBC Aquarius array with a 30 μm pitch which yields 0.018 arc-second pixels on the sky. This provides spatial resolution (λ/D) at a 10 μm wavelength of 0.27 arc-seconds for a single 8.4 meter LBT aperture and of 0.10 arcseconds for Fizeau interferometry with the dual apertures. The array is operated with a differential preamplifier and a version of the 16 channel array controller developed at Cornell University for the FORCAST instrument on the Sofia Observatory. With a 2.4 MHz pixel rate the camera can achieve integration times as short as 27 milliseconds full array and 3 milliseconds partial array. The large range of integration times and two array integration well sizes allow for a wide range of background flux on the array. We describe the design and operation of the camera and present the performance of this system in terms of linearity, noise, quantum efficiency, image quality, and photometric sensitivity.
A global analysis of the electrodynamic interactions between a space station and the ionospheric plasma environment

A general analysis of the electrodynamic interactions between a space station with two biased platforms and the ionospheric plasma is presented. This problem can be separated into a far-field problem, concerned with the electromagnetic interference surrounding the entire space station, and a near-field problem, concentrated on the interactions in the vicinity of the biased platforms. The far-field problem is solved by application of plasma fluid theory. The space station will generate a radiation field composed mainly of the Alfven waves. This far-field radiation depends on the details of the near-field current collection. Computer particle simulations were performed in the near-field of the biased platform to study the plasma flow field, the sheath structure and the current collection. Approximate analytical solutions to the near-field are also obtained. The far-field and near-field solutions are coupled to provide a global description of the electrodynamic interactions.
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor warnings and trends in exposures reported to poison control centres in Texas

Summary Objectives Since January 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a number of advisories about the use of antidepressants, including selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These advisories may have influenced the number of SSRI exposures reported to poison control centres. The purpose of this study was to examine time trends in SSRI exposures reported to poison control centres in Texas with respect to the timing of the various advisories. Study design Retrospective review of data from poison control centres. Methods Cases were divided into two groups: (1) paroxetine exposures and (2) other SSRI exposures reported to poison control centres in Texas between 1998 and 2006. The month and year of the call, and patient age and gender were identified. The mean monthly number of ingestions for the two groups was calculated for six time periods related to the FDA advisories. Results The mean monthly number of total paroxetine ingestions between January 2002 and June 2003 was 77.6. This declined by 23.3% to 59.6 in July 2003–March 2004 after an advisory about the risk of suicidality in youths using paroxetine. Comparable mean monthly numbers for patients aged Conclusions The FDA advisory in June 2003 appeared to initiate a decline in paroxetine ingestions, particularly among patients aged
2D grid architectures for the DFT and the 2D DFT

New algorithms for the DFT and the 2-dimensional DFT are presented. The DFT and the 2-dimensional DFT matrices can be expressed as the Kronecker product of DFT matrices of smaller dimension. These algorithms are synthesized by combining the efficient factorization of the Kronecker product of matrices with the highly hardware efficient recursive implementation of the smaller DFT matrices, to yield these algorithms. The architectures of the processors implementing these algorithms consist of 2-dimensional grid of processing elements, have temporal and spatial locality of connections. For computing the DFT of sizeN or for the 2D DFT of sizeN=N1 byN1, these algorithms require 2N multipliers and adders, take approximately $$2\sqrt N $$ computational steps for computing a transform vector, and take approximately $$\sqrt N $$ computation steps between the computation of two successive transform vectors.
Children’s drinks ‐ what children really think

This paper discusses the findings of a market research programme carried out by SMRC ChildWise on behalf of Tetra Pak UK Ltd, examining use of and attitudes to soft drinks among children and mothers. This is a product field of increasing interest to children as they grow, and their appreciation develops from being totally product‐focused, to include packaging and then brand considerations. The research examined behaviour across the key drinking occasions that make up the child’s day, looking in detail at drinks consumed at school. It is at school that a child’s freedom of choice develops, and awareness of peer group influences becomes increasingly important. Children are highly receptive to new brands and flavours, but also demand professional packaging and promotional input for brands to be credible. Younger children appreciate having their own individual carton with a straw but, for older boys, a can is preferred, whilst girls like the practicalities of resealable bottles.
Effects of Interspersing Rates on Students Performance on and Preferences for Mathematics Assignments: Testing the Discrete Task Completion Hypothesis.

The current study investigated the discreet task completion hypothesis presented by C. H. Skinner (2002) by investigating how the rate of interspersing affects performance on and preferences for academic assignments. Specifically, 70 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students were presented with four assignment pairs of multiplication problems. Each pair consisted of a control assignment (i.e., no interspersing) and an experimental assignment (i.e., interspersing) that interspersed at one of four rates (i.e., no interspersing, every other problem, every third problem, or every fifth problem). After working on each assignment pair, assignment acceptability was measured. Results indicated that although students completed the same number of target problems with the same level of accuracy within assignment pairs, total problem completion rates were affected by the rate of interspersing. In addition, students' acceptability of the assignments was strongly related to the discrepancy in total problems completed across assignment types within assignment pairs. Discussion focuses on predicting students' preferences for academic assignments, implications for practitioners, and directions for future research. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Androgen administration to aged male mice increases anti-anxiety behavior and enhances cognitive performance.

Although androgen secretion is reduced with aging, and may underlie decrements in cognitive and affective performance, the effects and mechanisms of androgens to mediate these behaviors are not well understood. Testosterone (T), the primary male androgen, is aromatized to estrogen (E2), and reduced to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is converted to 5α-androstane, 3α, 17β-diol (3α-diol). To ascertain whether actions of the neuroactive metabolite of T, 3α-diol, mediates cognitive and affective behaviors, intact, aged male C57/B6 mice (24 month old) as well as young, intact and gonadectomized (GDX; 12 week old) mice were administered s.c. T, 3α-diol, E2, or sesame oil vehicle (1 mg/kg; n=4–5/group) at weekly intervals and 1 h later mice were tested in the activity box, roto-rod, open field, elevated plus maze, zero maze, mirror maze, dark-light transition, forced swim, or Vogel tasks. Mice were trained in the inhibitory avoidance or conditioned contextual fear and were administered hormones following training and then were tested. After the last test occasion, tissues were collected for evaluation of hormone levels and effects on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-stimulated chloride flux. T, 3α-diol, or E2 increased anti-anxiety and antidepressant behavior of aged, intact mice in the open field, light-dark transition, mirror maze, and forced swim tasks. T or 3α-diol, but not E2, enhanced anti-anxiety behavior in the elevated plus maze, zero maze, and the Vogel task, and increased motor behavior in the activity monitor, latency to fall in the Roto-rod task, and cognitive performance in the hippocampally-mediated, but not the amygdala-mediated, portion of the conditioned fear task and in the inhibitory avoidance task. Anti-anxiety and enhanced cognitive performance was associated with regimen that increased plasma and hippocampal 3α-diol levels and GABA-stimulated chloride flux. Similar patterns were seen among young, adult GDX but not in intact mice. Thus, 3α-diol can enhance affective and cognitive behavior of male mice.
Ultrasound-based imaging of nanoparticles: From molecular and cellular imaging to therapy guidance

The effectiveness of an imaging technique is often based on the ability to image quantitatively both morphological and physiological functions of the tissue. Here we present several ultrasound-based imaging techniques capable of visualizing both structural and functional properties of living tissue. Each imaging system utilizes custom-made, targeted nanoparticles developed to probe specific molecular events. Therefore, images of these nanoparticles display molecular processes in the body. Furthermore, the developed nanoparticle contrast agents can also be used for image-guided molecular therapy. For each imaging system, the basic physics and principles behind each approach are described. Experimental aspects of each imaging system including fabrication of integrated imaging probes and associated imaging hardware, and design of targeted contrast agents are discussed. Finally, biomedical and clinical applications of the developed imaging approaches ranging from microscopic to macroscopic imaging of cardiovascular diseases, cancer detection, diagnosis, therapy and therapy monitoring are demonstrated and discussed.