cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strong-coupling parameters for superconductors

Abstract We have observed that the change in 2Δ/kTc from its BCS value of 3.5 is exponentially related to Tc/τD.
Prognosis After Change in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction During Mental Stress Testing in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Previous studies of patients with stable coronary artery disease have demonstrated that decreases in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during acute mental stress are predictive of adverse clinical outcomes. The aim of the present study was to examine the prospective relation of mental stress on clinical outcomes in a sample of 138 patients with stable coronary artery disease. Patients underwent mental stress testing and were followed for a median of 5.9 years to assess the occurrence of the combined end point of myocardial infarction or all-cause mortality. There were 32 events (17 nonfatal myocardial infarctions and 15 deaths) over the follow-up period. Of the 26 patients who exhibited myocardial ischemia during mental stress testing, 11 (42%) sustained subsequent clinical events, compared to 21 of the 112 patients (19%) who showed no mental stress-induced ischemia. LVEF change during mental stress was also related to the clinical events in a graded, continuous fashion, with each 4% decrease from the LVEF at rest associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.7, (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 2.6, p = 0.011). In conclusion, reductions in the LVEF during mental stress are prospectively associated with adverse clinical outcomes.
NAVIGATING NATION, SIGNIFYING SIKHISM: THE WORK OF ARPANA CAUR

This article situates the artwork of Arpana Caur within national and global contexts through such topics as the nature of the aesthetic process for Caur, the relations among affect, activism, and politics in her life and work, and the ways in which Indian art can be supported and made more visible on the Indian and global scales. The article presents The article presents the artist's views – the longest and most in-depth she has given to date – on topics central to her work, including Sikhism, Buddhism, Kabir, feminism, human rights, environmentalism, and the nature of time. This piece explores in particular how art can represent the timelessness of spirituality alongside the exigencies of contemporary issues and tragedies, such as communal violence. Central throughout this article is the concept of nation, exploring how an artist can represent nation both aesthetically and politically, and the ways in which nation can be both attractive and challenging.
Social support during premature labor: effects on labor and the newborn

Prematurity is the single most frequent abnormality associated with birth, and is associated with both neonatal deaths and developmental deficits. In uncomplicated labors at term, the presence of a supportive companion has been found to lead to reduced length of labor, reduced need for medication for pain management, and improved neonatal well being. The relationships have not been explored in premature labor. Women in premature labor between 26 and 37 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 11) or to a supported group (n = 14), who were accompanied during labor by a supportive companion. Support during labor was associated with fewer abnormally long labors, less frequent use of medication for pain management during labor, and improved neonatal wellbeing.
Lactation in mice fed endophyte-infected tall fescue seed.

Abstract This study was conducted to assess the effects of endophyte-infected Acremonium coenophialum tall fescue (KY-31) seed (80% infected) on lactation in CD-1 dams and suckling performance of pups as measured by pup survival and growth rates. Twenty-four pairs of mature CD-1 mice were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments: 1) 100% mouse chow ad libitum; 2) 40% endophyte-infected tall fescue seed and 60% mouse chow (w/w); 3) reduced intake (100% chow), adjusted daily to the intake level of Treatment 2; and 4) 60% infected tall fescue seed and 40% chow. The mice were preconditioned on their respective diets for 100 d prior to 96 h of cohabitation between pairs of males and females. At parturition the litters were removed, and each dam was given a litter of six pups of equal weight, size and sex ratio to suckle for 15 days. All pups given to all the dams were born to other mice that were not part of the study and had not been exposed to endophyte-containing diets. Dams and litter weights were measured daily for 15 consecutive days. The combined body weight measurements of litters from dams fed the tall fescue containing diets (Treatments 2 and 4) were significantly lower (2.07 ± 0.41 g/d) than that of litters from dams fed the chow containing diets (Treatments 1 and 3) during the suckling trial (P
Prediction of sudden cardiac arrest: Risk stratification by anatomic substrate

The prognostic importance of coronary artery anatomy to specific outcomes including ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation was evaluated in 372 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at University Hospital at Stony Brook between 1981 and 1984. The hypothesis that proximal left anterior descending artery narrowing before the first septal perforator had a specific relationship to survival was again tested in this cohort. The population was prospectively followed for 8 years, with all clinical management decisions made independently by the patient's primary or referring physician. Multivariate statistical and life table analyses were performed after comprehensive follow-up. Significant narrowing in the proximal left anterior descending artery was associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (p = 0.0002). Abnormalities of contractility in the diaphragmatic segment of the left ventricle in addition to an elevation of the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and the presence of congestive heart failure (p < 0.05) were other contributory variables. Outcome in patients with proximal left anterior descending coronary artery disease who underwent aortocoronary artery bypass to the artery demonstrated improved survival (p < 0.05). Risk stratification of patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death is possible and may allow identification for an aggressive approach or interventional trials.
On the architecture of Authentication, Authorisation, and Accounting for real-time secondary market services

The research community introduced the concept of real-time secondary markets, where licensees are allowed to temporarily lease the spectrum unused by the primary users to secondary users. To support this, an Authentication, Authorisation, and Accounting (AAA) mechanism must be in place to enable the licensees and secondary users to trade spectrum in a real-time manner. In this paper, we present an AAA system architecture, and propose a set of mechanisms to authenticate and authorise secondary users, synchronise multiple secondary devices, and manage real-time secondary market services. Furthermore, we address the accounting issue and examine the pricing strategies associated with accounting.
Effects of Primary Substrate Concentration on NDMA Transport during Simulated Aquifer Recharge

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is known to be highly carcinogenic and is present in drinking water, wastewater, and a variety of foods. Because of its presence in chloraminated water at nanogram per liter concentrations, NDMA has become an emerging issue for reclaimed water which may be used for aquifer recharge or irrigation. This research investigated the fate of NDMA in two soil column systems used to simulate subsurface transport. One column system was operated under aerobic conditions with increasing primary substrate concentration where the biodegradable organic carbon (BDOC) in reclaimed water was used as the primary substrate. The reclaimed water content in the influent was increased from 0 to 25% in the column to increase the BDOC concentration. Negligible NDMA removal was observed at 0% reclaimed water and increasing the primary substrate in the influent resulted in NDMA removal suggesting that biodegradation of NDMA might be a cometabolic process. The effects of redox conditions on NDMA fate was studied by operating a second column system with 100% reclaimed water under anoxic conditions and then changing the conditions to aerobic. It was observed that NDMA removal was similar under both aerobic and anoxic condition, however, much lower effluent concentrations were observed under aerobic conditions. Under anoxic condition, a normalized mass removal rate of 254 ng NDMA/mg DOC was observed which increased to 273-ng NDMA/mg DOC under aerobic conditions. The majority of NDMA and substrate removal occurred in the first of three columns in series column under both aerobic and anoxic conditions. Normalized mass removal rates of NDMA after the first, second, and third columns were 372, 30, and 20 ng NDMA/mg DOC, respectively. Since the majority of dissolved organic carbon was also removed in the first column, NDMA biodegradation was consistent with cometabolic activity. Batch tests verified the biodegradation removal potential of NDMA. Addition of a methylotrophic substrate, methanol and an aromatic substrate, toluene, did not increase NDMA removal.
The effects of cyproterone acetate on the elements in the intraluminal fluids of the testis and epididymis of the rat.

Spermatozoal maturation and the integrity of the epididymis are dependent on the action of androgen. Micropuncture techniques and electron probe microanalysis were used to investigate the effect of cyproterone acetate on the concentrations of seven elements in intraluminal fluids of the testis, rete testis, and epididymis.After 4 weeks of treatment with cyproterone acetate, the sodium concentration rose in the corpus epididymidis (74.4 ± 5.4 to 102 ± 6 mmol/L, p < 0.01). The concentration of potassium rose in seminiferous tubular fluid (33.9 ± 2.7 to 49.4 ± 4.4 mmol/L, p < 0.01) and caput epididymidal fluid (15.9 ± 1.4 to 25.7 ± 0.9 mmol/L, p < 0.01) after 8 weeks of cyproterone acetate treatment. The chloride concentration rose in the caput (23.7 ± 0.8 to 65.4 ± 12.5 mmol/L, p < 0.01) and distal cauda (39.4 ± 4.6 to 74.7 ± 10.8 mmol/L, p < 0.01) epididymidis after 8 weeks of treatment. Cyproterone acetate had no effect on the concentrations of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. The sulfur concentration ...
The role of lysine and arginine residues at the ferredoxin-binding site of spinach glutamate synthase

Treatment of ferredoxin-dependent, spinach glutamate synthase with either the arginine-modifying reagent phenylglyoxal or the lysine-modifying reagents N-acetylsuccinimide and dansyl chloride resulted in a significant loss of enzymatic activity when the physiological electron donor, reduced ferredoxin, was used as the electron-donating substrate. In contrast, the reagents caused no inhibition of enzyme activity when the non-physiological reductant, reduced methyl viologen, was used as the electron donor. Formation of an electrostatically-stabilized complex between glutamate synthase and ferredoxin prior to exposure of the enzyme to phenylglyoxal or N-acetylsuccinimide protected the enzyme against the loss of ferredoxin-dependent activity caused by either modifying agent. Treatment of glutamate synthase with either reagent resulted in a loss of ferredoxin-binding capacity, as assayed by affinity chromatography, gel filtration, spectral perturbations and by the ability of the enzyme to form an active cross-linked complex with ferredoxin. Absorbance and circular dichroism spectra indicated that neither of the modifying reagents produced major conformational changes in the enzyme. These results have been interpreted in terms of a ferredoxin-binding site on glutamate synthase, similar to those found on other ferredoxin-dependent chloroplast enzymes, that contains both lysine and arginine residues.
Frequency of measurement and data utilization as factors in standardized behavioral assessment of academic skill

A study was conducted to investigate the effects on students' spelling achievement of variations in teacher assessment procedures. Teachers measured student spelling performance at a constant level of task difficulty using different measurement frequencies and different rules to interpret the data. Each teacher wrote two consecutive 3-week goals for improved spelling performance for two sets of 100 spelling words and then measured student performance either daily or weekly by dictating randomly selected words from each 100-word list. Teachers were trained to apply either a predetermined set of decision rules or their own judgment to the data to decide if the spelling program they had implemented for the student was effective. Ineffective programs were changed or modified. Results indicated that daily measurement was significantly more effective than weekly measurement in increasing spelling achievement and that, under certain conditions, decision rules were more effective than teacher judgment in determining when to make program changes or modifications.
Numerically Implemented Constitutive Model for SMA Applications Experiencing General Loads Resulting in Plastic Deformation and Large Rotations

As active structures become more prominent, the use of more capable numerical modeling has gained importance as an aid to the design process. The need to accurately account for the response of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) under complex loading paths has become increasingly important. Such paths are general in a stress-temperature space and may induce irreversible deformation (plasticity). In addition, the structural utilization of active SMA components often includes large deformations, specifically large rotations. This is especially important in beam bending and torsional applications. This work proposes a new method for implementing a phenomenological SMA model originally formulated using small strains into a numerical framework which preserves objectivity given large rigid body rotations. The implementation is shown to be straightforward, and example analyses are performed which demonstrate the usefulness of this capability. An extension of the model to include the generation of plastic strains is also discussed. Alterations to the numerical algorithms are addressed which allow the analysis of simultaneous transformation and yielding. Additional analyses are performed on structural members undergoing transformation and yielding while at the same time moving through large rotations.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Observation of the formation of an optical intensity shock and wave breaking in the nonlinear propagation of pulses in optical fibers.

We have observed the formation of an optical intensity shock and the subsequent wave breaking in the nonlinear propagation of 1-psec pulses in an optical fiber. The wave breaking manifests itself as the appearance of oscillations trailing the shock, which are due to the beating of widely separated frequency components which bridge the shock. The experimental results are in good agreement with numerical solutions of the nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation.
Constraints on Titan's ionosphere

The near flyby of Saturn's moon Titan by Voyager 1 revealed a Venus-like interaction between the moon and Saturn's magnetospheric plasma. Although neither the radio science experiment occultation observation nor the in-situ measurements directly detected the ionosphere, plasma of ionospheric origin was observed as Voyager 1 passed through Titan's wake. Balancing the magnetic pressure in this low-beta region of Saturn's magnetosphere with ionospheric particle pressure yields an upper limit on the ionospheric density. Using an ionospheric temperature equal to the exospheric temperature of 200 K yields a charge density of about 3000/cu cm, which is consistent with the peak ionospheric electron density inferred from a balance of electron impact ionization of molecular nitrogen and recombination loss. Both of these quantities are consistent with limits derived from Voyager 1 observations. Good constraints on these quantities are important in planning the Cassini mission to orbit Saturn and probe Titan's ionosphere and atmosphere at the beginning of the next century.
Nonenzymatic glycation of mesangial matrix and prolonged exposure of mesangial matrix to elevated glucose reduces collagen synthesis and proteoglycan charge

Nonenzymatic glycation of mesangial matrix and prolonged exposure of mesangial matrix to elevated glucose reduces collagen synthesis and proteoglycan charge. Expansion of the mesangial matrix in diabetes occurs after prolonged exposure to the diabetic milieu. To mimic the long-term hyperglycemia of diabetes mellitus we developed tissue culture systems that might approximate the chronic state. This was accomplished in two ways: (1) by growing mesangial cells on extracellular matrix glycated and crosslinked in vitro and (2) by continuously growing cells on their own matrix on filters in elevated glucose medium (500 mg/dl) for up to eight weeks without passage. Synthesis of collagen and proteoglycans was evaluated in cells grown under these conditions. In both these situations, 3 H-proline incorporation into collagenase sensitive protein and 35 S incorporation into sulfated proteins were reduced compared to control cultures. Despite reduction in 35 S incorporation into proteoglycans in the high glucose cultures, total glycosaminoglycan content was unchanged. However, proteoglycans generated by mesangial cells grown in elevated glucose media were of a lower negative charge than controls. In mesangial cells continuously grown on filters, the levels of messenger RNA for collagen types I and IV, biglycan and TGF-β were not different in cells grown at elevated or standard glucose concentrations for two and four weeks. We conclude that crosslinking of mesangial matrix or continuous culture of cells for prolonged periods of time in high glucose medium, which may also crosslink matrix, suppresses collagen synthesis and reduces the negative charges on matrix proteoglycans without altering mRNA levels.
An enhanced asymptotic homogenization method of the static and dynamics of elastic composite laminates

The homogenization method has been used often in analyzing the composite materials but has had limited use with the laminated structures. This is due to a limitation of the homogenization theory, which assumes the unit cell should be periodically represented in any specific area. The main attraction of the homogenization method is its systematic capability to develop the homogenized macroscopic constitutive relation of composite materials and to compute the stresses in the microstructure of composites. In other words, both the macro- and micromechanics can be treated in the same context. In this paper, we will develop an enhanced asymptotic homogenization method (EHM); this method is developed from the partial asymptotic expansion and the condensed third-order shear deformation theory. This theory uses the reduced matrix method to consolidate all the stiffness matrices into four stiffness matrices (the extension; coupling; bending and transverse shear stiffness matrices) in the same manner as with the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). Two FORTRAN programs PRELAM and POSTLAM [Int. J. Comput. Struct. 76 (2000) 319; An enhanced asymptotic homogenization method of elastic composite laminates, Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Michigan, 1999] were also developed from the finite element implementation of the enhanced homogenization method. The pre-processor, PRELAM, reads the unit cell model and generates the homogeneous material stiffness matrix for a laminated structure. The post-processor, POSTLAM, calculates the local stress distribution based on the strains and curvatures obtained from the global structure analysis generated by the commercial finite element software, i.e., ABAQUS or MSC/NASTRAN. By the nature of homogenization method, these computational methods are capable of handling geometrically complicated microstructures and predicting the microscopic stress distributions. Since, the number of unknown variables for EHM and FSDT are the same, this implies that the results from EHM is easily utilized by ABAQUS in the global analysis. Therefore, one of the main benefits to EHM is that it is readily applied in commercial FEM packages, but not that it is as accurate as other methods. Numerical examples are also presented to validate these two programs.
The environmental effects of crop price increases: Nitrogen losses in the U.S. Corn Belt

Abstract High corn prices cause farmers to plant more corn on fields that were planted to corn in the previous year, rather than alternating between corn and soybeans. Cultivating corn after corn requires greater nitrogen fertilizer and some of this nitrogen flows into waterways and causes environmental damage. We estimate the effect of crop prices on nitrogen losses for most fields in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana using crop data from satellite imagery. Spatial variation in these high-resolution estimates highlights the fact that the environmental effects of agriculture depend not only on what is grown, but also on where and in what sequence it is grown. Our results suggest that the change in corn and soybean prices due to a billion gallons of ethanol production expands the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico by roughly 30 square miles on average, although there is considerable uncertainty in this estimate.
Carotid intraplaque hemorrhage imaging at 3.0-T MR imaging: Comparison of the diagnostic performance of three T1-weighted sequences

At 3.0 T, the magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient-echo MR sequence appears to have higher diagnostic capability for the detection and quantification of relatively large intraplaque hemorrhages compared with the fast spin-echo and time-of-flight sequences.
Neuromuscular effects of rocuronium in children during halothane anaesthesia

Rocuronium bromide, a nondepolarizing muscle relaxant has been shown to have a short onset and intermediate duration of action in adults and young children. We evaluated onset time, intubating conditions, as well as duration of action of rocuronium in children ages four to 12 years during nitrous oxide-halothane anaesthesia. Following a stable recording of train-of-four (TOF) impulses at the ulnar nerve, patients were given rocuronium 600 micrograms.kg-1 intravenously. We found that the time to 90% and 100% neuromuscular (N-M) block of the (TOF) was 51 +/- 18 s and 66 +/- 32 s respectively. Intubation was achieved at 94 +/- 31 s and rated as good or excellent in all cases. Time to recovery of N-M transmission to 25%, 75% and 90% of control was 29 +/- 8 min, 42 +/- 14 min and 46 +/- 16 min respectively. Heart rate increased approximately 12 BPM after drug injection, while the blood pressure remained unchanged. From our data we conclude that, as in other age groups, rocuronium has a rapid onset, intermediate duration of action in children 4-12 years of age, and appears devoid of significant side effects.
1201 THE ROLE OF STEROIDS IN EARLY BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA (BPD)

Eleven premature infants with hyaline membrane disease, whose gestational ages were 27-36 weeks, required ventilatory support and supplemental oxygen. Their clinical course indicated irreversible lung damage. Due to advancing stage II BPD on Xray and continued oxygen and ventilator dependence, they were started on a course of Dexamethasone (Decadron, MSD). Within forty eight hours, each patient showed a clinical response with increasing pulmonary compliance, a diminishing oxygen and ventilator requirement and a halt in the progression of the disease on Xray. A double blind study is now being set up to evaluate the usefulness of steroids in BPD. Our present evidence indicates prompt clinical improvement in lung disease, but with associated risk and side effects including hypertension, susceptibility to sepsis, gastric ulcers, cushinoid syndrome and difficulties in weaning which complicate management. It appears that in the inflammatory phase of developing BPD, Decadron is a useful, but not benign, new approach to this life threatening lung disease.
Renewable energy for sustainable ocean sensors and platforms

In the future, networks of unmanned and unattended sensor systems will replace many of these manned assets and will become pervasive and highly connected in many maritime areas. Unmanned mobile surveillance systems will be able to operate with a high degree of autonomy and weather tolerance with minimum cost and manpower risk. Low cost, highly sustainable underwater power sources, for both stationary sensors systems and mobile surveillance platforms, are required for this vision. This paper presents a description of interim results of investigations into technologies and systems for generating renewable energy from coastal and open ocean areas. A range of technologies have been investigated from low power systems deriving energy from the microbial fuel cells and the direct bacterial conversion of methane gas to methanol liquid to larger power systems deriving energy from ocean waves, methane hydrate deposits, and hydrothermal vents.
Wound healing modeling: investigating ambient gas plasma treatment efficacy

Chronic wounds are thought to be caused, in part, by the presence and persistence of aerobic microbes that deplete the local oxygen concentration and prevent or slow the rate of oxygen-dependent healing. Atmospheric-pressure gas plasmas have been shown to be strong bactericidal agents and there is evidence that plasma treatment can safely kill bacteria in wounds and speed wound healing. In this study, we adapted a six-species reaction?diffusion model of epithelial wound healing and used it to predict the efficacy of various plasma treatment protocols. We assume that the only effect of plasma application to the wound is to reduce the bacterial load and that this in turn reduces the bacterial oxygen consumption in the wound. The model follows the spatial and temporal concentration or density profiles within the wound of oxygen, chemoattractants, capillary sprouts, blood vessels, fibroblasts and extracellular matrix material. We highlight the importance of the effects of plasma application on the rate of bacterial regrowth in the wound. Even a relatively large initial reduction in the bacterial wound population may not be sufficient for improved healing if bacterial regrowth is not limited. Although it is clear that current efforts to model wound healing in general and the effects of plasma in particular are in their early stage, the present results suggest several important directions for coupling plasma models with models of tissue biochemical responses.
The nature of organic phosphorus in marine sediments: New insights from 31P NMR

Abstract Different classes of organic phosphorus compounds have been identified in marine sediment samples taken at depth in cores from pelagic, lower slope, and continental shelf depositional environments using solution and solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Phosphate esters have been identified as the major form of organic phosphorus in all sediment extracts and in separated bulk organic matter. Phosphonates, a form of organic P previously unreported in marine sediments, were identified in all but one of the samples. The persistence of both phosphate esters and phosphonates at depth in sediment cores suggests that these compound classes include undegradable forms of organic phosphorus that represent an important sink for phosphorus in the ocean.
Snip Punctoplasty Offers Little Additive Benefit to Lower Eyelid Tightening in the Treatment of Pure Lacrimal Pump Failure

Lacrimal pump failure refers to epiphora due to reduced tear outflow in the presence of a patent lacrimal drainage system and well-positioned puncta. This condition has been managed with dacryocystorhinostomy and lower eyelid tightening, which carry success rates of 50–94% and 84–91%, respectively. In this retrospective study, 23 eyes with symptomatic epiphora attributed to lacrimal pump failure underwent the lateral tarsal strip procedure and lower eyelid snip punctoplasty, and 20 eyes (87%) experienced complete or nearly complete resolution of tearing. This success rate is quite similar to that of prior studies of eyelid tightening alone for lacrimal pump failure, suggesting that the addition of the snip punctoplasty may not offer any additional benefit in patients with little or no punctal stenosis. All patients displayed some degree of lower eyelid laxity on lid distraction testing preoperatively, and those with only mild lid laxity responded at least as well as those with more severe laxity.
A comparison of invasive and cytotoxic Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain-induced corneal disease responses to therapeutics.

Purpose. During corneal infection, cytotoxic Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains remain mostly extracellular, while invasive strains can enter corneal cells and replicate within them. We tested the hypothesis that ofloxacin, which easily penetrates host cell membranes, would be more effective than the less cell-permeable antibiotic tobramycin, for treatment of corneal infection by an invasive P. aeruginosa strain. Methods. A murine model of P. aeruginosa keratitis was used to compare the response to ofloxacin, tobramycin, prednisolone acetate, and non-preserved saline treatment, as well as combination antibiotic-corticosteroid therapy for infection caused by a cytotoxic strain (6206) and an invasive strain (PAO1). Treatment involved hourly eye drop administration for 12 hours. Results. As expected, tobramycin was less effective at eradicating viable bacteria from corneas infected with the invasive strain. Despite rapid sterilization of corneas in other antibiotic treated groups, disease progression occurred du...
NASA Mission to Measure Global Plant Physiology and Functional Types

A NASA Earth mission concept has been developed that focuses on a set of science objectives related to the measurement of plant physiology and functional type for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The NRC Decadal Survey specifically calls for the HyspIRI mission to measure terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. A review of the literature in conjunction with analysis of ongoing ecosystem research established imaging spectroscopy in the solar reflected portion of the spectrum as the appropriate approach to address these objectives. For these topics a detailed requirement analysis was performed that specified the measurement objectives, measurement requirements, instrument requirement and other requirements. These were distilled into a single set of spectral, radiometric, spatial, uniformity and temporal requirement. Key among these are: spectral coverage from 380 to 2500 nm at 10 nm sampling, radiometric resolution and precision giving high signal-to-noise ratios for dark aquatic targets, spatial sampling of 60 m, spectral and spectral IFOV uniformity > 95%, and temporal coverage with a 19 day repeat at the equator.
A 16-bit 250-MS/s IF Sampling Pipelined ADC With Background Calibration

This paper describes a 16-bit 250 MS/s ADC fabricated on a 0.18 BiCMOS process. The ADC has an integrated input buffer with a new linearization technique that improves its distortion by 5-10 dB and lowers its power consumption by 70% relative to the state of the art. It demonstrates a new background calibration technique to correct the residue amplifier (RA) gain errors and lower its power consumption. This summing node sampling (SNS) calibration technique is based on sampling the summing-node voltage of the residue amplifier and using it with the corresponding residue to estimate the amplifier open loop gain. The ADC achieves an SNDR of 76.5 dB and consumes 850 mW from a 1.8 V supply, while the input buffer consumes 150 mW from a 3 V supply. Up to 125 MS/s, the SFDR is greater than 100 dB for input frequencies up to 100 MHz and 90 dB up to 300 MHz input frequency. At 250 MS/s, the SFDR is greater than 95 dB up to 100MHz and 85 dB up to 300 MHz.
Oculomotor tonus and visual adaptation.

Abstract The contribution of oculomotor efference to visual perception and performance can be clarified by considering the functions of tonus. Accommodation and vergence typically ‘relax’ at an intermediate distance, reflecting tonic innervation of the ciliary and extraocular muscles, which varies widely among individuals who have normal vision. In many situations, especially when stimulation is degraded, fixation and focusing responses are biased toward the individual's resting state. Moreover, unusual circumstances, such as alteration of the relation of eye position and distance or prolonged exposure to near work, induce adaptive modification of the resting posture. These normal variations of oculomotor toms affect the accuracy and the effort required to fixate objects, and they may help explain problems of space perception and visual fatigue.
From Prelife to Life: How Chemical Kinetics Become Evolutionary Dynamics

Life is that which evolves. Living systems are the products of evolutionary processes and can undergo further evolution. A crucial question for the origin of life is the following: when do chemical kinetics become evolutionary dynamics? In this Account, we review properties of “prelife” and discuss the transition from prelife to life. We describe prelife as a chemical system where activated monomers can copolymerize into macromolecules such as RNA. These macromolecules carry information, and theirphysicalandchemicalpropertiesdependtoacertainextentontheirparticularsequenceofmonomers.Weconsiderprelifeas a logical precursor of life, where macromolecules are formed by copolymerization, but they cannot replicate. Prelife can undergo “prevolutionary dynamics”, including processes such as mutation, selection, and cooperation. Prelife selection, however, is blunt: small differences in rate constants lead to small differences in abundance. Life emerges with the ability of replication. In the resulting evolutionary dynamics, selection is sharp: small differences in rate constants can lead to large differences in abundance. We also study the competition of different“prelives”and find that there can be selection for those systems that ultimately give rise to replication. The transition from prelife to life can occur over an extended period of time. Instead of a single moment that markstheoriginoflife,prelifemayhaveseededmanyattemptsfortheoriginoflife.Eventuallylifetakesoveranddestroysprelife.
Reflection and transmission interference filters; experimental, comparison with theory, results.

Reflection and transmission filters have been constructed by the evaporation process, and their properties have been measured and shown to conform with the theory developed in Part I of this paper. A more extended set of curves of the reflection and transmission coefficients and the phase shift angles of a single metal film are given. From these curves, and from measurements made on the transmission filter, the optical constants of silver films are deduced and shown to be in agreement with other published data. A typical spectrogram of an infra-red reflection filter is also given, showing a minimum reflection coefficient of less than one percent at the odd overtones of the fundamental frequency.
Transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia: yes, no, maybe so. . . An Oregon perspective.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic stem cell disorder in which allogeneic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative option, but its use is limited by donor availability and treatment-related morbidity and mortality. Imatinib mesylate is a targeted agent for CML with efficacy to date, which is superior to all other nontransplant therapy and has limited toxicity. The curative potential of imatinib remains to be proven and may be limited to a small number of patients. Optimal decision making regarding the use of these divergent therapies has not been defined. This paper reviews critical data relevant to these treatment options and provides an approach to current management of the CML patient.
Effectiveness of Physical and Virtual Carrier Sensing in IEEE 802.11 Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

IEEE 802.11 defines physical and virtual carrier sensing mechanisms to avoid interference in wireless local area networks for the kind of interference originating from within the receiving range of a receiver. However, in wireless ad hoc networks most interference comes from outside of this range. So, the effectiveness of IEEE 802.11 carrier sensing mechanism in ad hoc networks has attracted many studies. Prior research has attempted to evaluate effectiveness from a spatial viewpoint only, using an analytical model to estimate the size of the interference area of an ongoing communication based on the transmitter-receiver distance. Unlike this, the temporal effectiveness of the carrier sensing mechanism has been ignored. This paper proposed an analysis combining spatial and temporal viewpoint to study the effect of interference on the performance of IEEE 802.11 protocol in ad hoc networks. The authors also compare the effectiveness of physical and virtual carrier sensing mechanisms, known as RTS/CTS mechanism, in wireless ad hoc networks.
Spin crossover iron(II) complexes as PARACEST MRI thermometers

We demonstrate the potential utility of spin crossover iron(II) complexes as temperature-responsive paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (PARACEST) contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) thermometry. This approach is illustrated in the two molecular complexes [Fe(3-bpp)2]2+ (3-bpp = 2,6-di(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine) and [(Me2NPY5Me2)Fe(H2O)]2+ (Me2NPY5Me2 = 4-dimethylamino-2,6-bis(1,1-bis(2-pyridyl)ethyl)pyridine). Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data collected for aqueous solutions of these complexes reveal that they exhibit spin crossover behaviour in H2O over the temperature range 20–60 °C. Selective presaturation of pyrazolyl and coordinated water protons in these complexes, respectively, leads to a significant decrease in the NMR signal intensity of bulk water protons through CEST. The corresponding Z-spectra reveal a strong linear temperature dependence of chemical shift of those protons, 0.23(1) ppm °C−1 and 1.02(1) ppm °C−1, respectively, arising from thermal conversion between low-spin S = 0 and high-spin S = 2 iron(II), representing 23- and 100-fold higher sensitivity than that afforded by conventional proton resonance frequency shift thermometry. Finally, temperature maps generated for an aqueous solution containing [(Me2NPY5Me2)Fe(H2O)]2+ show excellent agreement with independently measured temperatures of the solution.
Dynamics and equilibrium in a structural model of wide-body commercial aircraft markets

SUMMARY This paper develops and estimates a dynamic equilibrium model of the market for new and used commercial aircraft. The model is estimated by maximum simulated likelihood using data on wide-body aircraft owners and prices for transactions occurring 1978-1997. The importance of explicitly modeling dynamics and equilibrium in new and used markets for durable goods is illustrated in two counterfactual experiments. Estimates of the structural model are used to show that implementing an investment tax credit not only increases demand for new wide-body aircraft by the airlines that receive the tax credit, but also increases the number of new wide-body aircraft owned by airlines not directly affected by the policy. Further, the model indicates that a policy which improves the efficiency of secondary markets for used wide-body aircraft will also stimulate demand for new wide-body aircraft. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New methods for treatment effect calibration, with applications to non-inferiority trials

In comparative effectiveness research, it is often of interest to calibrate treatment effect estimates from a clinical trial to a target population that differs from the study population. One important application is an indirect comparison of a new treatment with a placebo control on the basis of two separate randomized clinical trials: a non-inferiority trial comparing the new treatment with an active control and a historical trial comparing the active control with placebo. The available methods for treatment effect calibration include an outcome regression (OR) method based on a regression model for the outcome and a weighting method based on a propensity score (PS) model. This article proposes new methods for treatment effect calibration: one based on a conditional effect (CE) model and two doubly robust (DR) methods. The first DR method involves a PS model and an OR model, is asymptotically valid if either model is correct, and attains the semiparametric information bound if both models are correct. The second DR method involves a PS model, a CE model, and possibly an OR model, is asymptotically valid under the union of the PS and CE models, and attains the semiparametric information bound if all three models are correct. The various methods are compared in a simulation study and applied to recent clinical trials for treating human immunodeficiency virus infection.
N-acetyl-L-cysteine ameliorates the inflammatory disease process in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats.

We report that N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) treatment blocked induction of TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ and iNOS in the CNS and attenuated clinical disease in the myelin basic protein induced model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats. Infiltration of mononuclear cells into the CNS and induction of inflammatory cytokines and iNOS in multiple sclerosis (MS) and EAE have been implicated in subsequent disease progression and pathogenesis. To understand the mechanism of efficacy of NAC against EAE, we examined its effect on the production of cytokines and the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the CNS. NAC treatment attenuated the transmigration of mononuclear cells thereby lessening the neuroinflammatory disease. Splenocytes from NAC-treated EAE animals showed reduced IFN-γ production, a Th1 cytokine and increased IL-10 production, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Further, splenocytes from NAC-treated EAE animals also showed decreased nitrite production when stimulated in vitro by LPS. These observations indicate that NAC treatment may be of therapeutic value in MS against the inflammatory disease process associated with the infiltration of activated mononuclear cells into the CNS.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, A New Approach to EMC

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been utilized to provide a stable AM and FM modulated oscillator having far less undesired output, yet considerably greater versatility and frequency range than other sigal sources. This oscillator has been exhaustively studied in theory and experiment; however, only a brief but comprehensive review of theory as it interests the electronic engineer is given. The basic design of this oscillator is discussed along with the reasons why other NMR designs have failed.
Oxidant-antioxidant balance in acute lung injury.

ARDS is a disease process that is characterized by diffuse inflammation in the lung parenchyma. The involvement of inflammatory mediators in ARDS has been the subject of intense investigation,12 and oxidant-mediated tissue injury is likely to be important in the pathogenesis of ARDS.3 In response to various inflammatory stimuli, lung endothelial cells, alveolar cells, and airway epithelial cells, as well as activated alveolar macrophages, produce both nitric oxide and superoxide, which may react to form peroxynitrite, which can nitrate and oxidize key amino acids in various lung proteins, such as surfactant protein A, and inhibit their functions. The nitration and oxidation of a variety of crucial proteins present in the alveolar space have been shown to be associated with diminished function in vitro and also have been identified ex vivo in proteins sampled from patients with acute lung injury (ALI)/ARDS. Various enzymes and low-molecular-weight scavengers that are present in the lung tissue and alveolar lining fluid decreased the concentration of these toxic species. The purpose of this brief chapter is to review the results from various studies demonstrating increased levels of reactive oxygen-nitrogen intermediates in the alveolar spaces of patients with ALI/ARDS.
The Influence of Streambed Heterogeneity on Hyporheic Flow in Gravelly Rivers

Deposits of open-framework gravel occurring in gravelly streambeds can exert a significant influence on hyporheic flow. The influence was quantified using a numerical model of the hyporheic zone. The model included open-framework gravel stratasets represented with commonly observed characteristics including a volume fraction of about one-third of the streambed sediment, a hydraulic conductivity two orders of magnitude greater than other strata present, and a spatial connectivity forming preferential-flow pathways. The influence of open-framework gravel stratasets on hyporheic flow was much greater than the influence of the channel morphology including meanders, point bars, dunes, and ripples. Seventy percent of the total hyporheic exchange occurred across 30% of the channel boundary at locations of open-framework gravel stratasets. The maximum local interfacial flux rates occurred at these locations, and were orders of magnitude greater than those at other locations. The local flux rates varied by six orders of magnitude over the channel boundary. The composite flow rate through the model with open-framework gravel stratsets was an order of magnitude greater than that through an equivalent but homogeneous model.
High-performance tandem mass spectrometry in metabolism studies

1. High-performance tandem mass spectrometry provides unit resolution in both selection of precursor ions and analysis of fragment ions, and extensive and reproducible fragmentation through collisional activation at high energy. 2. Metabolites can be analysed that occur as minor components in h.p.l.c. peaks or other mixtures. Homogeneous isotopic species can be selected for unambiguous analysis of distributions of isotope labels. Fragmentation may be significantly enhanced to provide structural information. Overall, the signal to noise ratio is greatly improved and the spectrum is simplified. 3. These points are illustrated by isotope-labelling studies of the mechanisms of glutathione conjugation of the anti-tumour agent cyclophosphamide, the cytotoxic agent phosphoramide mustard and dimethylbilirubin, an analogue of bilirubin designed to be distinguishable from endogenous bilirubin. Analysis of isomeric mixed disulphides formed between glutathione and a peptide with an internal disulphide bond is discussed. 4. Reaction-induced decomposition is presented as an alternative to collisionally induced decomposition with more efficient energy transfer.
A Shallow Shear-Wave Velocity Transect across the Reno, Nevada, Area Basin

In October and November 2001, we performed an urban shear-wave velocity transect across 16 km of the Reno, Nevada, area basin. Using the refraction microtremor method of Louie (2001) we determined shear-wave velocity versus depth profiles at 55 locations. Shear-wave velocity averaged to 30 m depth (Vs30) is one predictor of earthquake ground-motion amplification in similar alluvium-filled basins, and it is the basis of site hazard classification under National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program-Uniform Building Code (NEHRP-UBC) provisions. A geologic map-based NEHRP classification along nearly all of our transect line would be NEHRP-D, but our measurements of Vs30 revealed that 82% of the transect is classified NEHRP-C. Relatively stiff Tertiary sediments underlie the surface of the Reno basin, and weaker soils occur east of downtown Reno in the floodplain of the Truckee River. Although 53 of our locations were on the geologically youngest and most active fluvial units, these sites showed Vs30 values ranging from 286 m/sec (NEHRP-D) to 849 m/sec (NEHRP-B). Mapped geologic and soil units are not accurate predictors of Vs30 measurements in this urban area. A test model based on gravity results showed Quaternary-alluvium depth can be combined with transect Vs30 mea- surements to predict Vs30 across the Reno basin.