cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation and Loss of Hierarchical Structure in Two-dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Wave-driven Turbulence in Interstellar Clouds

Two-dimensional compressible magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations run for ~20 crossing times on a 800 × 640 grid with two stable thermal states show persistent hierarchical density structures and Kolmogorov turbulent motions in the interaction zone between incoming nonlinear Alfven waves. These structures and motions are similar to what is commonly observed in weakly self-gravitating interstellar clouds, suggesting that these clouds get their fractal structures from nonlinear magnetic waves generated in the intercloud medium; no internal source of turbulent energy is necessary. The clumps in the simulated clouds are slightly warmer than the interclump medium as a result of magnetic dissipational and compressive heating when the clumps form. Thus, the interclump medium has a lower pressure than the clumps, demonstrating that the clumps owe their existence entirely to transient compressive motions, not pressure confinement by the interclump medium. Clump lifetimes increase with size and are about one sound crossing time. Two experiments with this model illustrate a possible trigger for star formation during spontaneous cloud evolution driven by self-gravity and increased self-shielding. A first test is of the hypothesis that a low ionization fraction and enhanced magnetic diffusion lead to the disappearance of clumps smaller than an Alfven wavelength. Two identical models are run that differ only in the magnetic diffusion rate. The results show a significant decrease in the magnetic wave amplitude as the diffusion rate increases, in agreement with expectations for wave damping, but there is virtually no change in the density structure or amplitude of the density fluctuations as a result of this increased diffusion. This is because all of the density fluctuations are essentially sonic in nature, driven by the noise from Alfven wave motions outside and at the surface of the cloud. These sonic disturbances travel throughout the cloud parallel to the mean field orientation and are not affected by the local magnetic wave dissipation rate. This result implies that low ionization fractions in molecular clouds do not necessarily lead to increased cloud smoothing. The second experiment tests the hypothesis that enhanced density alone in a self-gravitating cloud leads to wave self-shielding and loss of incident turbulent energy. Three models with identical conditions except for the presence or lack of an imposed plane-parallel gravitational field confirm that externally generated magnetic waves tend to be excluded from the densest regions of self-gravitating clouds, and as a result these clouds show a significant loss of density substructure. This loss of turbulent energy and density substructure may trigger star formation in the relatively quiescent gas pools that contain a thermal Jeans mass or more. Such a model fits well with the hypothesis that the stellar initial mass function comes from the structure of turbulent hierarchical clouds.
Positivity in healthcare: relation of optimism to performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the linkage between nurses' levels of optimism and performance outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – The study sample consisted of 78 nurses in all areas of a large healthcare facility (hospital) in the Midwestern United States. The participants completed surveys to determine their current state of optimism. Supervisory performance appraisal data were gathered in order to measure performance outcomes. Spearman correlations and a one‐way ANOVA were used to analyze the data.Findings – The results indicated a highly significant positive relationship between the nurses' measured state of optimism and their supervisors' ratings of their commitment to the mission of the hospital, a measure of contribution to increasing customer satisfaction, and an overall measure of work performance.Research limitations/implications – This was an exploratory study. Larger sample sizes and longitudinal data would be beneficial because it is probable that state optimism levels w...
Molecular dynamics simulations of the lipid bilayer edge.

Phospholipid bilayers have been intensively studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in recent years. The properties of bilayer edges are important in determining the structure and stability of pores formed in vesicles and biomembranes. In this work, we use molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the structure, dynamics, and line tension of the edges of bilayer ribbons composed of pure dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or palmitoyl-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (POPE). As expected, we observe a significant reorganization of lipids at and near the edges. The treatment of electrostatic effects is shown to have a qualitative impact on the structure and stability of the edge, and significant differences are observed in the dynamics and structure of edges formed by DMPC and palmitoyl-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine. From the pressure anisotropy in the simulation box, we calculate a line tension of ∼10–30 pN for the DMPC edge, in qualitative agreement with experimental estimates for similar lipids.
The effects of selective glutamate receptor antagonists on synchronized firing bursts in layer III of rat visual cortex

In the rat visual cortex in vitro, single-shock stimulations applied to the border between layer VI and the white matter evoke synchronized burst-firing by units in layer III. We have examined the effects of glutamate receptor antagonists on this activity, with antagonists applied via the bath to allow correlation of effects with concentrations. All synaptically driven components (recorded extracellularly as field potential 'S2' spikes, dipoles 'W1' and 'W2', and coinciding single-unit spikes) were inhibited by greater than 90% in 1.0 mM kynurenic acid and in 3 or 10 microM 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, which selectively blocks AMPA/kainate receptors). S2 spike amplitudes were reduced by half in 0.7 microM CNQX. 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV), a specific blocker of NMDA receptors, did not prevent S2 spike burst or horizontal spread of bursting within layer III. However, APV reduced the duration of synchronized bursts and the slower potentials which followed. In Mg(2+)-free medium, new components appeared which were APV-sensitive: (1) low amplitude spikes, distributed spatially like S2 spike, but recurring more slowly, and (2) slow potentials, distributed spatially like W1 and W2 potentials, but lasting for hundreds of milliseconds. The amplitudes of these spikes were reduced by half in 3 microM D-APV. Our data imply that: (1) glutamate receptors play a major role in mediating local, excitatory neurotransmission in the supragranular layers of neocortex, with NMDA and AMPA/kainate subtypes each subserving somewhat different functions; (2) AMPA/kainate receptors mediate rapid excitatory transmission between layer III neurons, responsible for driving the first 15 ms of synchronized bursts; (3) currents gated by NMDA receptors determine the duration of coherent firing bursts, and drive asynchronous neuronal firing following bursts; and (4) under conditions which circumvent block by extracellular Mg2+, activation of NMDA receptors greatly enhances and prolongs the response to single-shock stimulations. In vivo, activation of layer III neurons is likely to depend significantly upon currents gated by NMDA receptors whenever repetitively firing excitatory inputs summed over several tens of milliseconds provide enough depolarization to lift block by extracellular Mg2+.
Posterior Rhabdosphincter Reconstruction During Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Results From a Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: Posterior rhabdosphincter reconstruction following radical prostatectomy was designed to improve early urinary continence. We executed a randomized clinical trial to test this conjecture in men undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: We conducted a phase II randomized clinical trial intended to detect a 25% difference in 3-month continence outcomes defined by a patient response of 0 or 1 to question 5 of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire urinary domain, comparing standard running vesicourethral anastomosis (controls) to posterior rhabdosphincter reconstruction followed by standard running vesicourethral anastomosis (posterior rhabdosphincter reconstruction treated). Patients had clinically localized prostate cancer and were blinded. Surgeons were notified of computer randomization after prostate excision. Further continence outcomes were assessed by analysis of Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire questions 1 and 12, International...
The complete stable splitting for the classifying space of a finite group

for the classifying spaces of finite groups. In a previous paper [ 171, one of us determined a necessary and sufficient condition for a spectrum to be an indecomposable summand in BG, for G a p-group. In this paper we give the multiplicity of each indecomposablc summand thus giving complete splittings for all finite groups G. The result is given in terms of the rank of a certain matrix which depends only on the subgroups of G and on the modular representation theory of their outer automorphism groups. Splittings of BG arc equivalent to idcmpotcnt decompositions of the identity in the ring of homotopy classes of stable maps [ UG. ,!I(; ). Such decompositions, which are usually diflicult to obtain, can be partially studied via the ring homomorphism
The evolution of a new Craniofacial Procedure: From Concept to established Intervention. The 8 year history of Posterior Calvarial Osseodistraction and its use in Craniofacial Surgery

Introduction: Posterior Calvarial Osseodistraction was first presented at the annual scientific meeting BAOMS, Aviemore, 2007 by the lead author. Its indication was to alleviate raised intracranial pressure in syndromic craniosynostotic patients. Since then the procedure has been accepted and used in many craniofacial surgery units worldwide. In addition in some patients with Chiari malformation at the craniocervical junction, there is regression of the Chiari and improvement in symptoms when this technique is used. Method: We prospectively collected data for the 38 cases who have undergone this intervention in our unit in the 8 years since the inception of the technique. Parameters measured included age, diagnosis, indication, distraction distance achieved and complications. Results: There have been modifications in the technique and distractors used in the study period.. 22 patients had a confirmed craniofacial syndrome. The majority of patients required the procedure for raised intracranial pressure (n=24); other indications were Chiari malformation (n= 2) and Chiari malformation with syrinx (n=2). This will be discussed further. Complications of the procedure are discussed and include cerebro spinal fluid leaks (n= 5) and distractor loosening (n=5). Conclusion: Posterior Calvarial Osseodistraction is an accepted intervention for increasing intracranial volume in patients who have premature sutural fusion. It is used in our unit as an adjunct in the management of complex craniofacial patients.
Weak fluctuation modes of an electrically and thermally conducting viscous compressible flow in a homogeneous magnetic field

Eine Perturbationstheorie erster Ordnung zeigt, das die Gleichungen, die die Bewegung eines elektrisch und thermisch leitenden zahen kompressiblen Stromungsfeldes bestimmen, welches endliche elektrische Leitfahigkeit hat, vier verschiedene Typen von Storungsfeldern enthalten kann; diese werden von vier unabhangigen partiellen Differentialgleichungen bestimmt. Die drei ersten Typen sind: Wirbel-Stromdichte- und magnetisch-akustische Wellen-“Typen”. Sie sind hyperbolischer Art und pflanzen sich nicht isotrop als Wellen fort. Der vierte Typ ist ein Entropie-“Typ”, der sich nicht ausbreitet und der von einer parabolischen Gleichung bestimmt wird. Jeder dieser verschiedenen Typen kann nicht weiter zerlegt werden wie im Falle inkompressibler Stromung. Zusatzlich wird gezeigt, das die magnetisch-akustischen Wellen im Falle endlicher elektrischer Leitfahigkeit neue und interessante Eigenschaften besitzen.
The Impact of Immediate Extubation in the Operating Room After Cardiac Surgery on Intensive Care and Hospital Lengths of Stay

Objective: To determine if lengths of stay in intensive care and the hospital are associated with extubation in the operating room at the conclusion of cardiac surgery. Design: A nonrandomized, observational study with propensity score– guided case-control matching of prospectively collected data. Setting: Three interrelated, university-affiliated, community hospitals. Participants: Three thousand three hundred seventeen patients undergoing elective or urgent coronary artery, valve repair or replacement, or combined surgery between 2000 and 2006. Interventions: Tracheal extubation occurred, based on history and intraoperative events, either immediately in the operating room or in the intensive care unit. Measurements and Main Results: Of 3,317 patients in the institutions’ Society of Thoracic Surgeons database, 3,089 were extubated within 24 hours, 69% of them in the operating room. Only 0.6% of patients extubated in the operating room required reintubation, compared with 5.9% extubated in the intensive care unit (p < 0.0001). By logistic regression, 12 of 25 preoperative and intraoperative factors generated a propensity score for each of the 2,595 patients with complete data, representing the likelihood of immediate extubation (c-statistic 0.727). A “greedy 5 to 1” propensity scorematching technique created 713 matched pairs of patients by extubation pathway. Those undergoing immediate extubation had reductions in intensive care duration by 23 hours on average (median from 46 to 27 hours, p < 0.0001) and in hospital length of stay by 0.8 days on average (median 6 for each, p < 0.0001). Cox regression, using matched pairs as strata, identified the following independent predictors of length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital: immediate extubation in the operating room, need for reintubation, postoperative renal failure, and postoperative atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: Selection of patients for immediate extubation in the operating room by experienced clinicians was associated with shorter ICU and hospital stays. Immediate extubation rarely resulted in tracheal re-intubation. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Anticipating Words and Their Gender: An Event-related Brain Potential Study of Semantic Integration, Gender Expectancy, and Gender Agreement in Spanish Sentence Reading

Recent studies indicate that the human brain attends to and uses grammatical gender cues during sentence comprehension. Here, we examine the nature and time course of the effect of gender on word-by-word sentence reading. Event-related brain potentials were recorded to an article and noun, while native Spanish speakers read medium- to high-constraint Spanish sentences for comprehension. The noun either fit the sentence meaning or not, and matched the preceding article in gender or not; in addition, the preceding article was either expected or unexpected based on prior sentence context. Semantically anomalous nouns elicited an N400. Gender-disagreeing nouns elicited a posterior late positivity (P600), replicating previous findings for words. Gender agreement and semantic congruity interacted in both the N400 window—with a larger negativity frontally for double violations—and the P600 window—with a larger positivity for semantic anomalies, relative to the prestimulus baseline. Finally, unexpected articles elicited an enhanced positivity (500–700 msec post onset) relative to expected articles. Overall, our data indicate that readers anticipate and attend to the gender of both articles and nouns, and use gender in real time to maintain agreement and to build sentence meaning.
Contribution of earth oblateness to gravity torque on a satellite.

Earth oblateness effect on torque experienced in nonuniform geogravitational field by satellite with unequal principal moments of inertia
Cellular differentiation and dietary regulation of gene expression

The differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes is one of the few well characterized model systems available to study cellular differentiation in culture. We cloned and determined the genetic organization of two murine stearoyl-CoA desaturase genes (SCD1 and SCD2), both of which are transcriptionally activated during preadipocyte differentiation, but are regulated differentially by diet in liver and other tissues. These genes are now being used as a model to study mechanisms of cellular differentiation, tissue-specific gene expression, and dietary regulation of gene expression. It is the objective of this article to provide a brief overview of some of the studies on the regulation of the SCD1 and SCD2 genes during 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation, and also on their differential responses to dietary manipulations in liver tissue.
Compare: a Computer Program Which Performs the Analysis and Coding of Error Responses to Words Presented for Recognition

This paper describes a computer program which performs the comparison of oral response errors to stimulus words visually presented for recognition. Errors are compared and analyzed on 50 graphophonic featural dimensions. The merits of the program for facilitating certain aspects of word learning research are discussed.
Semiparametric estimation of a simultaneous game with incomplete information

Abstract This paper studies the problem of estimating the normal-form payoff parameters of a simultaneous, discrete game where the realization of such payoffs is not common knowledge. The paper contributes to the existing literature in two ways. First, by making a comparison with the complete information case it formally describes a set of conditions under which allowing for private information in payoffs facilitates the identification of various features of the game. Second, focusing on the incomplete information case it presents an estimation procedure based on the equilibrium properties of the game that relies on weak semiparametric assumptions and relatively flexible information structures which allow players to condition their beliefs on signals whose exact distribution function is unknown to the researcher. The proposed estimators recover unobserved beliefs by solving a semiparametric sample analog of the population Bayesian–Nash equilibrium conditions. The asymptotic features of such estimators are studied for the case in which the distribution of unobserved shocks is known and the case in which it is unknown. In both instances equilibrium uniqueness is assumed to hold only in a neighborhood of the true parameter value and for a subset Z of realizations of the signals. Multiple equilibria are allowed elsewhere in the parameter space and no equilibrium selection theory is involved. Extensions to games where beliefs are conditioned on unobservables as well as general games with many players and actions are also discussed. An empirical application of a simple capital investment game is included.
Large-scale magnetic-field structure in the spiral galaxy M83

THE large-scale structure of magnetic fields in spiral galaxies, as deduced from the linear polarization of scattered starlight1 and from the intensity and linear polarization of continuum synchrotron radio emission2, tends to follow the visible spiral arm structure. Both axisymmetric (in the galaxies IC342 and M31; refs 3 and 4) and bisymmetric (in M81; ref. 5) patterns are seen, the latter showing a field reversal between the arms. We have measured the linear polarization at a spatial resolution of ∼2 kpc in VLA (Very Large Array) observations of 20-cm continuum radio emission from the bright, nearly face-on, spiral galaxy M83 (NGC5236). The strongest linearly polarized emission is from two giant arcs, ∼30 kpc long, situated roughly opposite each other in the dark outer regions of the galaxy, ∼12 kpc from the centre. These regions do not coincide with any prominent spiral arm tracers, and from a comparison with earlier results at 6-cm wavelength, we conclude that the low polarization in the centre of the galaxy indicates disorder in the interstellar magnetic field, probably connected with star formation activity observed there.
Aggregated P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells as a simple in vitro model to study the molecular regulations of mesoderm formation and axial elongation morphogenesis

Because of their capacity to give rise to various types of cells in vitro, embryonic stem and embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells have been used as convenient models to study the mechanisms of cell differentiation in mammalian embryos. In this study, we explored the mouse P19 EC cell line as an effective tool to investigate the factors that may play essential roles in mesoderm formation and axial elongation morphogenesis. We first demonstrated that aggregated P19 cells not only exhibited gene expression patterns characteristic of mesoderm formation but also displayed elongation morphogenesis with a distinct anterior–posterior body axis as in the embryo. We then showed by RNA interference that these processes were controlled by various regulators of Wnt signaling pathways, namely β-catenin, Wnt3, Wnt3a, and Wnt5a, in a manner similar to normal embryo development. We further showed by inhibitor treatments that the axial elongation morphogenesis was dependent on the activity of Rho-associated kinase. Because of the convenience of these experimental manipulations, we propose that P19 cells can be used as a simple and efficient screening tool to assess the potential functions of specific molecules in mesoderm formation and axial elongation morphogenesis.
Morphological granulometric analysis of electrophotographic images--size distribution statistics for process control

Size distributions of particles within a binary image can be generated by morphological filtering processes known as granulometries. Granulometries filter the image by structuring elements of ever-increasing size, the result being a distribution whose statistics carry information regarding the shape and size of particles within the image. A granulometric approach to the analysis of the microstructure of electrophotographic images is discussed. The method is applied to both simulated and real images, the former being generated in a manner consistent with existing magnetic brush development and optical density transform models. Size distribution statistics are analyzed in terms of feedback control and copier quality control.
Effects of a Contextual Change upon Retroactive Inhibition

It was predicted that retroactive inhibition could be produced using meaningful passages of prose. In addition, it was hypothesized that if the interpolated session took place in a context which was markedly different from the room used during original learning, the amount of retroactive inhibition would be less. Also, if there was a contextual change between the original learning and the recall session, retention would be less. A passage describing Jim as an extravert was first presented, followed by one describing him as an introvert. A classroom and cafeteria served as contrasting contexts. The hypotheses were confirmed.
Hall C raster veto/flag generator

Abstract Due to the high intensity and small size of the continuous electron beam produced at Jefferson Lab, 1 one must raster it over the target to keep the properties of the target stable during an experiment. Rastering the beam using sign-wave control signals to produce a Lissajous pattern, however, causes the beam to remain at the edges of the target longer than the center. In these regions, the local heating can be much higher than the central region generating considerable luminosity losses affecting the quality of the data. This circuit tracks the X and Y raster waveforms and sends out NIM and TTL VETO/FLAG pulses when X2+Y2 is greater than a user set threshold based on the percentage of the peak voltage on the Y input. The VETO/FLAG can be used to limit the acquisition/analysis of the data to a circular region in the center of the raster pattern. This circuit automatically compensates for changing frequency and voltage to maintain a constant percent trigger from 0.4 to 5 V peak to the peak of the raster waveform.
An engineering economy expression analyzer

Abstract Students and practitioners of engineering economy are faced with the unenviable task of evaluating engineering economy expressions. If the example expression: 1000 ∗ ( P/F ,10,5) − 500 ∗ ( P/F ,6,20) + 100 ∗ ( P/A ,8,20) were solved manually, it would require three table look-ups to determine the values of the cash flow factors. This paper discusses the automation of engineering economy expression analysis. A public domain program has been developed that solves engineering economy expressions. The above expression can be entered into the program exactly as written, and the computer will respond with the evaluated result. The program also has an integral editor and the ability to solve for unknowns such as interest rates.
Stress Concentration Factors for Oblique Holes in Pressurized Thick-Walled Cylinders

Elastic stress concentration factors (SCFs) for internally pressurized thick cylindrical vessels with oblique circular crossholes are reported. Results of finite-element analyses for two wall ratios (k equal to 2.25 and 4.5) and a range of crosshole ratios (d from 0.1 to 0.5) show that SCFs sharply increase with the inclination a of the crosshole axis. These findings are consistent with earlier empirical design guidelines based on experimental investigations.
Objectively Measuring Route-To-Park Walkability in Atlanta, Georgia

Many people fail to achieve recommended levels of physical activity. Neighborhood parks serve as locations in which physical activity often occurs, and walking to parks provides added opportunity for leisure-time activity. The authors examine environmental characteristics of shortest pedestrian routes to parks to determine how route walkability affects park use. Using an objective environmental audit, the authors found that routes of park users were measurably more walkable than those of nonpark users and that each unit increase in total walkability score associated with a 20% increase in the likelihood of walking to the park, controlling for education and route length (odds ratio = 1.20; 95% confidence interval = [1.07, 1.34]). The most significant elements measured included route distance, traffic, neighborhood maintenance, street maintenance, safety, and aesthetics. Pedestrian scale environmental characteristics are associated with individuals' use of neighborhoods for physical activity. Understanding these relationships can contribute to evidence-based design interventions to increase physical activity. Language: en
Comparison of mortality risk for electrocardiographic abnormalities in men and women with and without coronary heart disease (from the Cardiovascular Health Study).

Mortality risk associated with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities has been commonly reported to be lower in women than in men. We compared coronary heart disease (CHD) and all-cause mortality risk for ECG variables during a mean 9.1-year follow-up in 4,912 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study who were ≥65 years of age. The hypothesis was that mortality risk for ECG abnormalities is not lower in women than in men. Five ECG variables were significant mortality predictors in Cox regression models that were adjusted for demographic, clinical, and medication variables. Gender differences were significant and mortality risk was higher in women for ECG estimates of left ventricular mass for both end points and for nondipolar QRS voltage for all-cause mortality. When evaluated simultaneously in multiple ECG variable risk models in subgroups that were stratified by baseline CHD status, no gender difference was significant. In the latter models, ST depression was a strong predictor of CHD mortality in groups with and without previous CHD. Other significant ECG predictors were previous myocardial infarction in the previous CHD group and nondipolar QRS voltage in the CHD-free group. Four ECG abnormalities were significant predictors of all-cause mortality in the CHD-free group, with risk increases of 18% to 50%. The risk of all-cause mortality in the previous CHD group was significantly increased for ST depression (by 64%), the ECG estimate of left ventricular mass (by 48%), and previous myocardial infarction (by 34%). In conclusion, we found no evidence that the relative risk of mortality for ECG abnormalities is lower in women than in men.
Critical paths to coal utilization

The present dilemma of energy producers, converters, and policy decision makers is presented. the consequences of environmental control regulations, coupled with the need for conservation and energy, and of energy resources on the increased utilization of coal, are discussed. Several recent technical accomplishments which make possible increased utilization of coal for power generation are described. Groundwork is laid for discussion of the technical development which must occur if the United States is to retain its energy viability.
Construction of the partition function for lattice gauge theory

Abstract We review a new method to study lattice simulations of a gauge theory. The method is based on a direct numerical construction of the partition function of the system by computing its spectral density function. This leads to a knowledge of the partition function for a large range of couplings simultaniously including couplings that are complex. This allows for a study of various properties of the system which includes locating phase transitions as well as the determination of their critical exponents using the finite size scaling properties of the relevant nearest zeros of the partition function in the complex coupling plane. We restrict our discussion here to SU(2) lattice gauge theory and give results for its finite temperature phase transition.
"Bioethics in action" and human population genetics research

Recent disputes about human population genetics research have been provoked by the field's political vulnerability (the historic imbalance of power between the geneticists and the people they study) and conceptual vulnerability (the mismatch between scientific and popular understandings of the genetic basis of collective identity). The small, isolated groups often studied by this science are now mobilizing themselves as political subjects, pressing sovereignty claims, and demanding control over the direction and interpretation of research. Negotiations between the geneticists and the people asked to donate DNA have resulted not only in explicit bioethics protocols but also in diffuse anxiety over the incommensurability between expert and non-expert views about genetic evidence for identity claims. This article compares two disputes over genetics research: the Human Genome Diversity Project and the use of genetics to prove identity claims among the Melungeons of Tennessee. The case studies illustrate “bioethics in action”: how particular controversies and interests drive the production of bioethics discourses and techniques (such as informed consent protocols). They also illustrate some limits on the usual apparatus of bioethics in overcoming this science's multiple vulnerabilities.
Ultradense gold nanostructures fabricated using hydrogen silsesquioxane resist and applications for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Metal nanostructures have been routinely fabricated by lift-off process using electron-beam lithography. However, for ultradense structures, this method has been limited by metal film thickness with resulting poor pattern quality. The authors report an alternative approach for the fabrication of ultradense gold (Au) nanostructures using hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ). Due to the high resolution and excellent etch durability of HSQ resists, ultradense Au gratings with high quality were fabricated. As a promising application, they demonstrate that these structures can be applied to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for bioanalysis. Ultradense Au structures fabricated using HSQ resists have proven to be a robust and effective SERS-active substrate.
Does reticence mean just talking less? Qualitative differences in the language of talkative and reticent preschoolers

In our recent efforts to understand individual variation in the language acquisition process, the existence and nature of the communicative behaviors that differentiate reticent from talkative children have been virtually ignored. This study provides a preliminary investigation of this issue by analyzing the spontaneous language produced by four children who varied in degree of talkativeness in free-play dyadic interactions with a total of 28 different adults. Both structural complexity and discourse features analyses of the children's language revealed significant, difference between the talkative and reticent children. A further question considered the influence of the children's degree of talkativeness on their adult conversational partners. While the structural complexity of the adults' language was not influenced by child talkativeness, several discourse parameters did reveal significant adjustments. Implications for the concept of reticence and for language acquisition theory are explored.
Feasibility of global tropospheric and total ozone monitoring using a double-etalon Fabry-Perot interferometer

Monitoring of the global distribution of tropospheric ozone (O 3 ) is desirable for enhanced scientific understanding as well as to potentially lessen the ill-health impacts associated with exposure to elevated concentrations in the lower atmosphere. Such a capability can be achieved using a satellite-based device making high spectral resolution measurements with high signal-to-noise ratios; this would enable observation in the pressure-broadened wings of strong O 3 lines while minimizing the impact of undesirable signal contributions (i.e., from the terrestrial surface and interfering species). The Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) provides high spectral resolution and high throughput capabilities that are essential for this measurement task. Through proper selection of channel spectral regions, the FPI optimized for tropospheric O 3 measurements can simultaneously observe a stratospheric component and thus the total O 3 column abundance. A conceptual instrument design to achieve the desired measurement is presented. It involves a double-etalon fixed-gap series configuration FPI along with an ultra-narrow bandpass filter to achieve single-order operation with an overall spectral resolution of approximately .068 cm -1 , sampling a narrow spectral region within the strong 9.6 micrometers ozone infrared band from a nadir-viewing satellite configuration. A retrieval technique has been implemented and is demonstrated for a tropical atmosphere possessing enhanced tropospheric ozone amounts. An error analysis assessing the impact on retrieved O 3 amounts of the most significant uncertainties associated with this particular measurement has been performed for several different types of atmospheres. Results show the proposed instrumentation to enable a good measurement of absolute ozone amounts and an even better determination of relative changes.
Phase diagrams of arsenic, antimony, and bismuth at pressures up to 70 kbars

The meltings under pressure of arsenic, antimony, and bismuth have been determined up to nearly 70 kbar by means of differential thermal analysis (DTA). Arsenic initially melts with a positive $\frac{\mathrm{dT}}{\mathrm{dP}}$, the fusion curve flattening out near 940\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C at the highest pressures attained. The fusion curve of antimony exhibits practically no change with pressure initially, but takes on a slightly negative slope at higher pressures until a triple point is encountered near 57 kbar and 567\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C; the high-pressure polymorph melts with a positive slope of 4.3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C/kbar. For bismuth, a triple point between the liquid and polymorphs IV and V occurs near 38.0 kbar and 296\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, in addition to the well-studied liquid-I-II and liquid-II-IV triple points at lower pressures. DTA was also used to determine the solid-solid phase boundaries in bismuth, triple points occurring between II, III, and IV near 24.0 kbar and 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and between III, IV, and V near 53 kbar and 174\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The III-IV transition occurs at different temperatures upon heating and cooling and this hysteresis interval increases with pressure. No hystereses were observed for the IV-V and III-V transitions. At room temperature and at pressures beyond the well-known I-II and II-III transitions, the III-V transition is next encountered near \ensuremath{\sim}78-82 kbar (as estimated by extrapolation). Suggestions are made for the structures of the high-pressure Bi polymorphs and analogies are drawn between Bi, Sb, and As for the melting and distortion under pressure of the normal rhombohedral structure.
Postsynaptic dopamine D3 receptor modulation of evoked IPSCs via GABAA receptor endocytosis in rat hippocampus

Dopamine is known to be an important modulator of learning and memory processes, but its mechanisms of action at the cellular level are diverse and are not fully characterized. In the hippocampus, pharmacologically isolated monosynaptic IPSCs were measured using the whole-cell voltage-clamp recording technique. Both electrically evoked and spontaneous miniature GABA(A) receptor currents were recorded from CA1 pyramidal neurons in slices obtained from mature rats in the presence of the D3-selective agonist PD128907. The activation of D3 receptors inhibited synaptic GABAergic input without affecting presynaptic function or passive membrane properties. Inhibition of IPSCs evoked from stratum radiatum occurred via regulation of dynamin-dependent trafficking of the GABA(A) receptor, as inclusion of dynamin inhibitory peptide (50 microM) in the recording solution prevented the inhibitory effects of PD128907 (1 microM). This effect of D3 receptor activation could be prevented by intracellular application of either an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKI, 20 microM) or an activator of protein kinase A (8-OH-cAMP, 50 microM). Neither synchronous IPSCs evoked from the stratum oriens nor asynchronous miniature IPSCs recorded from the stratum radiatum were affected by D3 agonist. The induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) of the extracellular field response in both the stratum radiatum and stratum oriens demonstrated that only potentiation in the stratum radiatum was significantly enhanced by PD128907 (1 microM). Our results suggest that the activation of D3 receptors can modulate GABA(A) receptor endocytosis in the hippocampus in a lamina specific manner, and thereby alter the efficacy of GABAergic transmission in the stratum radiatum of the CA1 region through a postsynaptic mechanism of action.
Specificity of diastereomers of [99mTc]TRODAT-1 as dopamine transporter imaging agents

Recently, we reported the first human study of [99mTc]TRODAT-1, technetium, 2-[[2-[[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2- yl]methyl](2-mercaptoethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]-ethanethiolato(3-)-o xo- [1R-(exo-exo)]-, as an imaging agent of central nervous system (CNS) dopamine transporters. Due to the existence of several chiral centers on this molecule, upon the formation of [99mTc]TRODAT-1 complex (2) several diastereomers could be created. Two major diastereomers of [99mTc]TRODAT-1 (2), designated as peak A (2A) and peak B (2B), were separated by HPLC. Biodistribution of the purified diastereomers 2A,B was evaluated in rats. It appears that 2A displayed a higher lipophilicity than 2B (PC = 305 and 229, respectively), and a similar trend was observed for the initial brain uptake at 2 min postinjection (0.50% and 0.28% dose/organ for 2A,B, respectively). At 60 min post-iv-injection, the specific uptakes, as measured by [striatum - cerebellum]/cerebellum ([ST-CB]/CB) ratio, were 1.72 and 2.79 for 2A,B, respectively. The higher [ST-CB]/CB ratio observed for 2B was corroborated by the results of an in vitro binding assay. Higher binding affinity for dopamine transporters was observed for 3B (Ki = 13.87 and 8.42 nM for the analogous rhenium complexes 3A,B, respectively). The structure of the [99mTc]TRODAT-1 complexes was deduced using nonradioactive rhenium as a surrogate for radioactive technetium complex. Reacting free TRODAT-1 ligand with [Bu4N][ReOCl4] yielded two major complexes: Re-TRODAT-1A (3A) and Re-TRODAT-1B (3B) (corresponding with peaks A and B of [99mTc]TRODAT-1, respectively), whose structures were determined by X-ray analysis. The X-ray structures show that both complexes have a pseudo-square-pyramidal structure of [RevO]3+N2S2 core with oxygen occupying the apical position and the N-alkyl substitution in syn-configuration to the oxo-rhenium bond. In conclusion, TRODAT-1 formed at least two diastereomers after complexing with a metal(V)-oxo (M = 99mTc, Re) center core. The two isomers display different binding affinities toward dopamine transporters and distinct properties of localization in the striatum area of the brain where the transporters are located.
Laboratory Diagnostic Techniques for Patients with Early Lyme Disease Associated with Erythema Migrans: A Comparison of Different Techniques

Recently, a number of refinements in diagnostic modalities for detection of Borrelia burgdorferi infection have been developed. These include large-volume blood cultures, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, and 2-stage serologic testing. In the present study, we compared 6 diagnostic modalities in 47 adult patients who had a clinical diagnosis of erythema migrans. Quantitative PCR on skin biopsy-derived material was the most sensitive diagnostic method (80.9%), followed by 2-stage serologic testing of convalescent-phase samples (66.0%), conventional nested PCR (63.8%), skin culture (51.1%), blood culture (44.7%), and serologic testing of acute-phase samples (40.4%). Results of all assays were negative for 3 patients (6.4%). We conclude that the clinical diagnosis of erythema migrans is highly accurate in an area where B. burgdorferi is endemic if it is made by experienced health care personnel, but some patients with this diagnosis may not have B. burgdorferi infection. No single diagnostic modality is suitable for detection of B. burgdorferi in every patient with erythema migrans.
A Coordinated Approach to Partitioning and Test Pattern Generation for Pseudoexhaustive Testing

In this work, we propose a circuit partitioning and test pattern generation algorithm for built-in pseudoexhaustive self-testing of VLSI circuits. The circuit partitioning process is to partition a given circuit into a set of subcircuits such that pseudoexhaustive self-testing will be possible, while the test pattern generation process is to generate the pseudoexhaustive test patterns for each subcircuit using a linear feedback shift register (LFSR). Both problems are considered and solved in the same phase and lead to an efficient and well-coordinated solution. Experiments using computer simulation have been conducted. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is very good, especially for circuits that are highly locally connected.
Applying Mid-level Vision Techniques for Video Data Compression and Manipulation

Most image coding systems rely on signal processing concepts such as transforms, VQ, and motion compensation. In order to achieve significantly lower bit rates, it will be necessary to devise encoding schemes that involve mid-level and high-level computer vision. Model-based systems have been described, but these are usually restricted to some special class of images such as head-and-shoulders sequences. We propose to use mid-level vision concepts to achieve a decomposition that can be applied to a wider domain of image material. In particular, we describe a coding scheme based on a set of overlapping layers. The layers, which are ordered in depth and move over one another, are composited in a manner similar to traditional “cel” animation. The decompos ition (the vision problem) is challenging, but we have attained promising results on simple sequences. Once the decomposition has been achieved, the synthesis is straightforward.
The compilation of the Montpellier Codex

The manuscript Montpellier, Bibliotheque Interuniversitaire, Section Medecine, H 196 (hereafter called Mo) has long claimed a place as one of the musical monuments of the thirteenth century. It is one of the most comprehensive sources of the early motet and is by far the largest anthology of French three-voice motets. It has long been thought that Mo was compiled in a number of stages that reflect gradual changes in musical notation and style during the second half of the thirteenth century. This assumption has been used to date repertory, theorists and composers.
A built-in self-test method for write-only content addressable memories

A novel and pragmatic built-in self test technique provides cost-effective and thorough testing and diagnosis of content addressable memories (CAMS). The method is particularly attractive for write-only CAMS, as neither the presence of a read port nor direct observability of CAM match-lines are required or testing. The underlying test algorithm uniquely exploits little known inherent properties of pseudorandom patterns generated by linear feedback shift registers in a test-time and hardware-efficient BIST implementation.
Global optimization for molecular conformation problems

A primal-relaxed dual global optimization algorithm is presented along with an extensive review for finding the global minimum energy configurations of microclusters composed by particles interacting with any type of two-body central forces. First, the original nonconvex expression for the total potential energy is transformed to the difference of two convex functions (DC transformation) via an eigenvalue analysis performed for each pair potential that constitutes the total potential energy function. Then, a decomposition strategy based on the GOP algorithm [1–4] is designed to provide tight upper and lower bounds on the global minimum through the solutions of a sequence of relaxed dual subproblems. A number of theoretical results are included which expedite the computational effort by exploiting the special mathematical structure of the problem. The proposed approach attainse-convergence to the global minimum in a finite number of iterations. Based on this procedure global optimum solutions are generated for small Lennard-Jones and Morse (a=3) microclustersn≤7. For larger clusters (8≤N≤24 for Lennard-Jones and 8≤N≤30 for Morse), tight lower and upper bounds on the global solution are provided which serve as excellent initial points for local optimization approaches.