cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experience with ATLAS MySQL PanDA Database Service

The PanDA distributed production and analysis system has been in production use for ATLAS data processing and analysis since late 2005 in the US, and globally throughout ATLAS since early 2008. Its core architecture is based on a set of stateless web services served by Apache and backed by a suite of MySQL databases that are the repository for all PanDA information: active and archival job queues, dataset and file catalogs, site configuration information, monitoring information, system control parameters, and so on. This database system is one of the most critical components of PanDA, and has successfully delivered the functional and scaling performance required by PanDA, currently operating at a scale of half a million jobs per week, with much growth still to come. In this paper we describe the design and implementation of the PanDA database system, its architecture of MySQL servers deployed at BNL and CERN, backup strategy and monitoring tools. The system has been developed, thoroughly tested, and brought to production to provide highly reliable, scalable, flexible and available database services for ATLAS Monte Carlo production, reconstruction and physics analysis.
Chafee Educational and Training Voucher Programs: System Coordination in Rural New England

This paper explores service providers’ perspectives on a series of issues associated with systemic coordination in the implementation of the Chafee Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Program in three relatively rural states. Findings derived from mail surveys (N = 105) and in-depth interviews (N = 17) with child welfare and educational service providers highlight challenges and innovations related to working with Chafee ETV eligible youth. Findings suggest that raising awareness of the Chafee ETV program’s provisions, improving access to concrete services, and facilitating collaboration among service providers may aid the transition to post secondary education for youth in out-of-home care.
Role of dynamic changes in blood perfusion and optical properties in thermal coagulation of the prostate

The dynamic evolution of the coagulation front in laser irradiated prostate tissue is simulated using a nonlinear finite element method (NFEM) which takes into account the temperature and thermal damage dependence of blood perfusion rate and optical properties. Using this nonlinear model, it was found that the hyperemic ring formed at the periphery of the coagulation front reduces heat penetration significantly and the increased scattering near the tissue surface reduces the light energy deposition in the deep region. The final damage depth would be overestimated by about 50% if the effect of temperature and damage dependence of blood perfusion and optical properties modeling is disregarded.
Jupiter: The planet, satellites and magnetosphere: edited by Fran Bagenal, Timothy E. Dowling, and William McKinnon

Book Review: Jupiter: The Planet, Satellites and Magnetosphere, Fran Bagenal, Timothy E. Dowling, William McKinnon (Eds.). Cambridge University Press (2004).
Auxiliary pattern for cell-based OPC

The runtime of model-based optical proximity correction (OPC) tools has grown unacceptably with each successive technology generation, and has emerged as one of the major bottlenecks for turnaround time (TAT) of IC data preparation and manufacturing. The cell-based OPC approach improves runtime by performing OPC once per cell definition as opposed to once per cell instantiation in the layout. However, cell-based OPC does not comprehend inter-cell optical interactions that affect feature printability in a layout context. In this work, we propose auxiliary pattern-enabled cell-based OPC which can minimize the CD differences between cell-based OPC and model-based OPC. To enable effective insertion of auxiliary pattern (AP) in the design, we also propose a post-placement optimization of a standard cell block with respect to detailed placement. By dynamic programming-based placement perturbation, we achieve 100% AP applicability in designs with placement utilizations of < 70%. In an evaluation with a complete industrial flow, cell-based OPC with AP can match gate edge placement error (EPE) count of model-based OPC within 4%. This is an improvement of 90%, on average, over cell-based OPC without APs. The AP-based OPC approach can reduce OPC runtimes versus model-based OPC by up to 40X in our benchmark designs. We can also achieve reduction of GDSII file size and ORC runtimes due to hierarchy maintenance of cell-based OPC.
Conflating two polygonal lines

A basic technique in comparing and detecting changes in geographical spatial data from satellite images consists of identifying linear features or edges in the image and then matching those features. A chain of connected linear features which form a polygonal line is used as the basic unit for matching two images. We develop a distance measure between two polygonal lines and an efficient algorithm for conflating or optimally matching two polygonal lines based on this distance measure. We show that some of the alternative approaches used in the literature, including Hausdorff's distance, fail to satisfy the basic requirements of a distance measure for image conflation.
A fractal approach to the relationship between ore grade and tonnage

It is now recognized that a variety of natural processes exhibit scale invariance over a wide range of scales. Scale invariant processes often exhibit a fractal behavior. There are various ways to define fractal behavior; one is to relate the frequency of occurrence to size. Tonnage and grade relations for economic ore deposits exhibit a fractal behavior if the tonnage of ore with a mean grade is proportional to the mean grade raised to a power. We show that such a relation is a good approximation for mercury, copper, and uranium deposits in the United States; the respective fractal dimensions are 2.01, 1.16, and 1.48. The renormalization group approach is a quantitative method for studying scale-invariant processes. If it is assumed that the concentration of elements in ores is statistically scale invariant, the renormalization group approach can be used to derive a fractal relationship between tonnage and mean grade.
The relationship of attitudes, habit and loyalty to market share in relation to a staple good in a local grocery store: An exploratory study

The influence of brand attitudes, brand loyalty and habit on market share is analyzed. The data were generated from a sample of bar soap purchasers in a store, where there were no variations in price or promotional displays during the field study. Results indicate that brand attitudes and habit are both directly and indirectly related to market share with the indirect path occurring through brand loyalty. The results are discussed in terms of their significance for researchers and managers.
Soil pore-water distributions and the temperature feedback of weathering in soils

Abstract A review of the literature suggests that large variations in pore-water chemistry exist within soils. The heterogeneity indicates that in soil microchemical environments, the chemistry of pore water evolves independently from one pore to another due to differences in surface area/volume ratios and water residence time. A plug-flow reactor model was developed to examine which size classes of pores contribute the most solute to water draining out of the soil profile, and to explore how temperature might affect a soil’s ability to generate solute. The model is based on the simplification that soil pores can be approximated as a suite of capillaries of varying diameter. The model simulates each size class of pores as a plug-flow reactor with an unique water residence time and surface area. In the model, the pores which drain at the highest water contents have low surface area to water volume ratios and contribute relatively little to the overall solute flux from a soil. The smallest pores that drain at the lowest water contents were found to have the highest surface area to volume ratios and contribute the most solute. The calculations also suggest that activation energy and water viscosity have competing effects on the temperature dependence of weathering. As the temperature increases, the dissolution rate constant increases and smaller pores drain; however, water residence time decreases. This decrease in the water residence time is due to decreasing water viscosity, which can be incorporated into the dissolution rate law for quartz with an activation energy of approximately −15 kJ/mole. Studies that parameterize the temperature dependence of weathering using the Arrhenius approach can account for this effect by reducing the predicted activation energy by an appropriate value.
Characterization of optimal pairs for hereditary control problems

In this paper, we characterize optimal pairs for a hereditary control process. We use relaxed controls, and the technique is penalization.
Designing collaborative learning places: Psychological foundations and new frontiers

Physical environment plays an important role in shaping human social interaction. This chapter explores this issue from a psychological perspective, drawing on theories and research from environmental and social psychology. It explores characteristics of effective collaborative work environments.
Novel carboxaldehyde mediated synthetic pathway for 5'-amino adenosine analogues.

Modifications of the 5′-position of adenosine have been prepared via a novel 5′-carboxaldehyde synthon. The described methodology should prove useful for making related compounds in which amine-derived moieties off the 5′-position of adenosine (or related nucleoside congeners) can be easily incorporated via reductive amination, especially for the incorporation of aromatic amines.
Effect of Antibiotics on the Incidence of Spoilage of Shell Eggs

Abstract The effect of various detergents, sanitizers and detergent-sanitizers on the preservation of shell eggs has been reviewed by Winter et al. (1955). Although some reduction of spoilage has been obtained, so-called “detergent-sanitizers” were not as effective in reducing the incidence of spoilage as the name might imply. The use of antibiotics has shown promise in certain fields of food preservation. This subject has been reviewed by Campbell and O’Brien (1955). Except for two papers, by Wrenshall (1953) and Kersey et al. (1953), concerning antibiotic additives to liquid and powdered egg products, no reports have appeared in the literature regarding the preservation of eggs with antibiotics. It seemed appropriate, therefore, that antibiotic-containing washes or post-wash dips be tested for their effect on the incidence of spoilage in shell eggs. Several preliminary experiments yielded results which were not consistent with published spectra of the antibiotics used. It appeared advisable to study the …
Visualization of viscous fingering in chromatographic columns

Abstract A 17 mm I.D. glass column, packed with YMC-15 (spherical C 1 8 silica, 30 μm particles) as the stationary phase and used with carbon tetrachloride as the mobile phase provided a suitable system for the visual observation of viscous fingering inside the packed bed, after the cylindrical lens effect had been canceled. Such a system appears nearly transparent due to the close matching of the refractive indices of the mobile and the stationary phases. The profiles of the bands obtained upon the injection of a flat pulses of a solvent of different refractive index were readily observed. On-column detection using a 35 mm photographic camera was employed for the direct recording of band profiles. A toluene UV marker was used to record subsequent elution profiles via UV detection. The influence of the sample viscosity, the mobile phase flow-rate, and the injection volume on the extent of viscous fingering and band broadening were studied. Viscous fingering was shown to increase with increasing difference between the viscosity of the sample injected and the mobile phase. Viscous fingers were more clearly delineated at higher flow-rates, but band distortion was observed even at flow-rates as low as 0.2 ml min −1 . The degree of band distortion was observed to increase with increasing volume injected. Finally, viscous fingering was found to be a reversible process, as previously reported.
TWO NEW EUCARPIC INOPERCULATE CHYTRIDS FROM MARYLAND

AMONG THE NUMEROUS chytrids and other simple fungi isolated by the author (1949a,b,c,d,e) from soil and water from various parts of Maryland occurred two monocentric eucarpic chytrids which resemble species of Rhizidium in the family Rhizidiaceae (Whiffen, 1944). The first of the species to be described here occurred on small bits of onion skin which had been floated on the surface of a water and soil sample, and appears to be limited in occurrence to cellulosic substrata in nature. Its structure and method of development are quite variable, and although most of its thalli resemble those of Rhizidium species its taxonomic position and relationships are uncertain and confusing. The sporangia of this species are inoperculate with the rhizoids usually attached at the base, and the zoospores swarm in a vesicle outside of the sporangium before dispersing as in species of Rhizidium. However, the rhizoids rarely consist of a large central axis with relatively sparse, stiff-looking and abruptlytapering branches as is reported to be characteristic of this genus. Furthermore, they mav frequently arise from several points on the periphery of the sporangium as in species of Rhizophlyctis. Then to complicate the problem of classification further the sporangia and resting spores may develop sometimes from the germ tube instead of directly from the zoospore as in species of the family Entophlyctaceae, or the thalli often become polycentric as in the family Cladochytriaceae. Such developmental characteristics have not been reported so far in species of Rhizidium or Rhizophlyctis. Obviously, the present species combines the structural and developmental characteristics of a number of genera and even families, and the present generic distinctions of Rhizidium and Rhizophlyctis are too limited to accommodate it adequately. However, since the majority of thalli are monocentric with most of the sporangia and resting spores developing directly from the zoospore, and have their rhizoids attached at the base of the sporangium or resting spore, this species is placed provisionally in the genus Rhizidium. Apparently, as will become obvious from the description to follow, the concepts of this genus must be broadened considerably if the present species is to be retained in it. Nevertheless, it is included here to avoid adding another genus to a group of fungi which are so imperfectly known as the Chytridiales. Because of the high degree of variation exhibited this species is named R. varians.
Chlamydia trachomatis, monoclonal antibody testing, wet mount screening, and the university health service.

Abstract This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of vaginal wet mount screening in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis using the diagnostic technique of direct immunofluorescent monoclonal antibody (Microtrak) and to determine any correlation between history, physical findings, and laboratory testing. These techniques revealed that 41% of symptomatic patients and 17% of asymptomatic patients were diagnosed as having chlamydia. History and physical examination findings were not significant selective features. It was further demonstrated that a significant number of cases (30% yield) can be detected when the Microtrak technique is combined with simple screening criteria based on wet mount evaluation of white blood cells. The absence of a positive history in 17% of the cases confirms that Chlamydia trachomatis cervicitis is frequently a silent disease and requires effective screening and diagnostic techniques.
A variant of the glucocorticoid receptor gene is not associated with adrenal androgen excess in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract Objective: To determine whether the frequency of the N363S variant of the glucocorticoid receptor ( GRL ) was increased in women with PCOS and adrenal androgen (AA) excess. Design: Prospective case-control study. Setting: University reproductive endocrinology laboratory and outpatient clinic. Patient(s): Consecutive patients of non-Hispanic white race diagnosed with PCOS ( n = 114) and healthy controls ( n = 92). Intervention(s): Blood and DNA sampling before hormonal therapy. Main Outcome Measure(s): PCOS patient and healthy control genotypes, with the N363S allele representing a variant of GRL . Result(s): Fifty-four PCOS patients with (DHEAS ≥ 3000 ng/mL) and 55 without (DHEAS ≤ 2,500 ng/mL) AA excess, respectively, were studied. Six of 109 (5.5%) patients studied were found to be heterozygous carriers of the A→G base pair substitution at cDNA position 1220, resulting in the missense mutation N363S. Of these six, four had excessive AA secretion (i.e., excess DHEAS levels). There was no significant difference in the allele frequency of the GRL variant between PCOS patients with and without AA excess and controls (3.7% [95% confidence interval: 1.0%–5.7%], 1.8% [0.2%–6.0%], and 3.3% [2.3%–6.0%]). None of the subjects were found to be homozygous for the N363S allele. Conclusion(s): The N363S variant of GRL was an uncommon occurrence in our population of healthy women and PCOS patients and did not appear to play a major role in the genetic predisposition to PCOS or to AA excess in PCOS.
The Magic of the Many: Josiah Quincy and the Rise of Mass Politics in Boston, 1800-1830

This text traces the history of a popular revolt against an entrenched ruling elite. Led by an unlikely popular patrician Josiah Quincy, the rebellion against the reigning Federalist party not only altered the political landscape of Boston but also signalled the advent of the Jacksonian Age.
Episodic-like memory in animals

Episodic memory consists of representations of unique past events. It has been argued that episodic memory is grounded in a temporal framework, meaning that we remember when an event occurred. The ability to model the temporal aspects of episodic memory in non-human animals has been challenging and controversial. This article briefly reviews the theoretical perspective in which temporal processing plays a prominent role in episodic memory. Next, the article reviews experimental attempts to identify temporal processes of episodic memory in animals. Recent studies suggest that, at the time of memory assessment, rats remember a unique earlier event, including when it occurred, what happened, and where it took place, referred to as what-where-when memory.
Growth-related lipid peroxidation in tumour microsomal membranes and mitochondria.

Abstract Microsomes and mitochondria isolated from Morris hepatomas 3924A (fast-growing) and 44 (slow-growing) and Ehrlich ascites tumour cells exhibit a NADPH-dependent peroxidation of endogenous lipids lower than that of the corresponding fractions from rat liver. Moreover, the O2−, and ascorbate-dependent lipid peroxidations are decreased in microsomes from the two Morris hepatomas. The peroxidative activity appears to be inversely related to the growth rate of the tumours. It is suggested that the low susceptibility of tumour membranes to peroxidative agents may be a factor responsible for the high mitotic activity of this tissue.
miR-124 function during Ciona intestinalis neuronal development includes extensive interaction with the Notch signaling pathway

The nervous system-enriched microRNA miR-124 is necessary for proper nervous system development, although the mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, through a comprehensive analysis of miR-124 and its gene targets, we demonstrate that, in the chordate ascidian Ciona intestinalis, miR-124 plays an extensive role in promoting nervous system development. We discovered that feedback interaction between miR-124 and Notch signaling regulates the epidermal-peripheral nervous system (PNS) fate choice in tail midline cells. Notch signaling silences miR-124 in epidermal midline cells, whereas in PNS midline cells miR-124 silences Notch, Neuralized and all three Ciona Hairy/Enhancer-of-Split genes. Furthermore, ectopic expression of miR-124 is sufficient to convert epidermal midline cells into PNS neurons, consistent with a role in modulating Notch signaling. More broadly, genome-wide target extraction with validation using an in vivo tissue-specific sensor assay indicates that miR-124 shapes neuronal progenitor fields by downregulating non-neural genes, notably the muscle specifier Macho-1 and 50 Brachyury-regulated notochord genes, as well as several anti-neural factors including SCP1 and PTBP1. 3'UTR conservation analysis reveals that miR-124 targeting of SCP1 is likely to have arisen as a shared, derived trait in the vertebrate/tunicate ancestor and targeting of PTBP1 is conserved among bilaterians except for ecdysozoans, while extensive Notch pathway targeting appears to be Ciona specific. Altogether, our results provide a comprehensive insight into the specific mechanisms by which miR-124 promotes neuronal development.
Preconditioned iterative methods for block Toeplitz systems

An examination is made of the spectral clustering property of the preconditioned matrix R/sup -1/ T, with T generated by two-dimensional rational functions T (z/sub x/, z/sub y/) of order (p/sub x/, q/sub x/, p/sub y/, q/sub y/). A direct consequence of the analysis is that the computational complexity for solving an M N*M N rational block Toeplitz system by the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method is bounded above by O((M/sup 2/N+M N/sup 2/) log M N), which is much smaller than that required by direct methods, O(M/sup 3/ N/sup 2/). Furthermore, for solving well-conditioned M N*M N block Toeplitz systems, the PCG method requires only O(M N log M N) operations. >
Calcium signaling in cold cells studied in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Abstract Thermosensitive cold cells were identified in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons from newborn rats. The neurons were loaded with a calcium indicator, Fura-PE3, and the change in intracellular Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) of the neurons was measured with microfluorimetry. Thirteen per cent of the cells responded to the cold stimulation. The diameter of the responder cells was 16.3±3.2 μm (mean±S.D., n =25). The lowering of the temperature from 35°C to 20°C increased [Ca 2+ ] i from 59.6±10.6 nM to 203.4±14.8 nM ( n =25). The [Ca 2+ ] i response was dependent on the intensity of the cold stimulation. The depletion of extracellular Ca 2+ diminished the Ca 2+ elevation. However, a Na + -free condition did not influence the response. We concluded that the cold stimulation opens Ca 2+ -permeable channels in putative cold cells from dorsal root ganglion neurons.
Confirmation of a thin sheet toughening mechanism and anisotropic fracture in Al-Fe-X alloys

The fracture toughness,K c, of two rapid-solidification powder-metallurgy Al-Fe-X alloys, Al-8Fe-1.4V-1. 7Si and Al-8Fe-2Mo-1V, has been measured as a function of specimen thickness. The former alloy has been found to exhibit crack-divider delamination and aK IC value independent of specimen thickness, while an opposite behavior is found in the latter alloy. The results confirm the presence of a thin sheet toughening mechanism in the Al-Fe-V-Si alloy. The orientation dependence ofK IC and an unusual anisotropy fracture behavior observed in some, but not all, Al-Fe-X alloys have also been studied and their origins identified. It is shown that both thin sheet toughening and anisotropic fracture in Al-Fe-X alloys arise from interface delamination and void nucleation at oxide fragments aligned along prior powder-particle bound-aries (PPB’s).
Estimate of the impact of absorbing aerosol over cloud on the MODIS retrievals of cloud optical thickness and effective radius using two independent retrievals of liquid water path

Two independent satellite retrievals of cloud liquid water path (LWP) from the NASA Aqua satellite are used to diagnose the impact of absorbing biomass burning aerosol overlaying boundary-layer marine water clouds on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) retrievals of cloud optical thickness (tau) and cloud droplet effective radius (r(sub e)). In the MODIS retrieval over oceans, cloud reflectance in the 0.86-micrometer and 2.13-micrometer bands is used to simultaneously retrieve tau and r(sub e). A low bias in the MODIS tau retrieval may result from reductions in the 0.86-micrometer reflectance, which is only very weakly absorbed by clouds, owing to absorption by aerosols in cases where biomass burning aerosols occur above water clouds. MODIS LWP, derived from the product of the retrieved tau and r(sub e), is compared with LWP ocean retrievals from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS (AMSR-E), determined from cloud microwave emission that is transparent to aerosols. For the coastal Atlantic southern African region investigated in this study, a systematic difference between AMSR-E and MODIS LWP retrievals is found for stratocumulus clouds over three biomass burning months in 2005 and 2006 that is consistent with above-cloud absorbing aerosols. Biomass burning aerosol is detected using the ultraviolet aerosol index from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on the Aura satellite. The LWP difference (AMSR-E minus MODIS) increases both with increasing tau and increasing OMI aerosol index. During the biomass burning season the mean LWP difference is 14 g per square meters, which is within the 15-20 g per square meter range of estimated uncertainties in instantaneous LWP retrievals. For samples with only low amounts of overlaying smoke (OMI AI less than or equal to 1) the difference is 9.4, suggesting that the impact of smoke aerosols on the mean MODIS LWP is 5.6 g per square meter. Only for scenes with OMI aerosol index greater than 2 does the average LWP difference and the estimated bias in MODIS cloud optical thickness attributable to the impact of overlaying biomass burning aerosol exceed the instantaneous uncertainty in the retrievals.
The Chase epicardial stabiliser as an adjunct tool for the management of penetrating cardiac injuries

TECHNIQUE For patients arriving in cardiopulmonary arrest, emergency department thoracotomy is indicated. For those patients arriving stable enough to be transported to the operating room, median sternotomy is the incision of choice. Penetrating injuries to the heart will inevitably cause bleeding of the myocardium, mandating repair to prevent cardiac tamponade. Suture repair of a cardiac laceration is usually carried out with simple interrupted or horizontal mattress sutures but this is quite challenging in beating hearts. At times, rapid manipulation and elevation of the heart during repair results in complex dysrhythmias and even cardiac arrest.4
New Chemical Constituents of Euphorbia quinquecostata and Absolute Configuration Assignment by a Convenient Mosher Ester Procedure Carried Out in NMR Tubes

Two new compounds, an ent-isopimarane-type diterpene, 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-ent-8(14),15-isopimaradien-18-al (1), and a dihydrobenzo[b]furan neolignan, (-)-trans-9-acetyl-4,9'-di-O-methyl-3'-de-O-methyldehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (2), along with five known compounds, 7,7'-dihydroxy-6,8'-bicoumarin (bicoumol) (3), 3,4-dimethoxycinnamaldehyde (4), 6-hydroxy-7-methoxycoumarin (isoscopoletin), N-butylaniline, and vanillin, have been isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the stem wood of Euphorbiaquinquecostata. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was used to confirm the structure and relative stereochemistry of 1. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by a convenient Mosher ester procedure in which the sample was treated with MTPA chlorides in deuterated pyridine directly in NMR tubes. All isolates were evaluated for the induction of quinone reductase in Hepa1c1c7 hepatoma cells and for the inhibition of the transformation of murine epidermal JB6 cells.
In vitro colony-forming characteristics of chronic granulocytic leukemia in childhood.

Peripheral blood from a child with adult-type (Philadelphia chromosome positive) chronic granulocytic leukemia was found to contain large numbers of cells capable of colony formation in tissue culture. The majority of the colonies contained granulocytic cells. The source of these granulocytic colonies was found in a population of myeloblasts, promyelocytes, and myelocytes which could be separated from the more mature granulocytic cells of the peripheral blood by sedimentation of the buffy coat on Ficoll-Hypaque. The predominance of granulocytic colonies is in contrast to our observations previously made on the peripheral blood of children with “juvenile” type (Ph1 chromosome negative) CGL in which large numbers of exclusively monocytic colonies were produced in tissue culture. These current studies, when interpreted in light of relevant clinical data, suggest that the “juvenile” and “adult” types of CGL represent two very different forms of chronic leukemia in childhood. The Ph1 chromosome negative form may be classified as a monocytic leukemia with a granulocytic component but the Ph1 chromosome positive adult form, even when it occurs in a child, appears to be a true granulocytic leukemia.
Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Clevidipine for the Perioperative Control of Acute Hypertension

Clevidipine is a third generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is an emerging option for management of perioperative hypertension. This intravenous medication has several properties that may be advantageous when rapid and safe blood pressure control is required, including fast onset, short duration of action and the lack of renal or hepatic metabolism. Clevidipine has been demonstrated to be safe and efficacious for the management of perioperative hypertension in the cardiac surgery population, with minimal excursions outside of the target blood pressure range. Despite the fact that clevidipine does have certain advantages over alternative agents, it has some distinct limitations associated with its use, including higher associated costs and limited data in non-cardiac surgery patients. While clevidipine may serve as an additional option, further research is required to fully establish the role of clevidipine in the management of perioperative hypertension.
Neural correlates of working memory performance in primary insomnia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To examine neural correlates of working memory performance in patients with primary insomnia (PIs) compared with well-matched good sleepers (GSs). DESIGN Twenty-five PIs and 25 GSs underwent functional MRI while performing an N-back working memory task. SETTING VA hospital sleep laboratory and University-based functional imaging center. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS 25 PIs, 25 GSs. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Although PIs did not differ from GSs in cognitive performance, PIs showed the expected differences from GSs in both self-reported and objective sleep measures. PIs, relative to GSs, showed reduced activation of task-related working memory regions. This manifested both as an overall reduction in activation of task-related regions and specifically as reduced modulation of right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with increasing task difficulty. Similarly, PIs showed reduced modulation (i.e., reduced deactivation) of default mode regions with increasing task difficulty, relative to GSs. However, PIs showed intact performance. CONCLUSIONS These data establish a profile of abnormal neural function in primary insomnia, reflected both in reduced engagement of task-appropriate brain regions and an inability to modulate task-irrelevant (i.e., default mode) brain areas during working memory performance. These data have implications for better understanding the neuropathophysiology of the well established, yet little understood, discrepancy between ubiquitous subjective cognitive complaints in primary insomnia and the rarely found objective deficits during testing.
Environmental controls on ground cover species composition and productivity in a boreal black spruce forest

Boreal black spruce forests typically have a dense ground cover of bryophytes. The two main bryophyte groups in boreal black spruce forests, feathermoss and Sphagnum, have ecophysiological characteristics that influence the biogeochemical cycles of black spruce forests differently. The objective of this study was to examine the environmental controls of ground cover composition and net primary production (NPP) of feathermoss and Sphagnum in a boreal black spruce forest in central Saskatchewan. The fraction of Sphagnum ground cover was positively correlated to canopy photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance (r2=0.48, P=0.03), but the fraction of feathermoss ground cover was negatively correlated to canopy PAR transmittance in plots where Sphagnum was present (r2=0.87, P<0.0001). Sphagnum presence was inversely correlated (P=0.0001) to water table index, defined as water table depth relative to the peat layer, while feathermoss occurred in a wider range of microenvironments. Average NPP for 1998 was more than three times greater for Sphagnum (77 g C m–2 year–1) than feathermoss (24 g C m–2 year–1), but the average bryophyte NPP for 1998 was 25 g C m–2 year–1 because feathermoss was the dominant ground cover. The large, but differing, peat carbon content of Sphagnum- versus feathermoss-dominated boreal forests and peatlands necessitates the need to accurately quantify fraction ground cover. Additional validation of the empirical models between environmental variables and fraction ground cover of bryophytes is necessary, but the reported relationships offer an approach to model carbon dynamics of bryophytes in boreal forests and peatlands.
Operation of the Alkaline Direct Formate Fuel Cell in the Absence of Added Hydroxide

The direct formate fuel cell (DFFC) has recently been demonstrated as a viable alkaline direct liquid fuel cell (DLFC) that does not require addition of hydroxide to the fuel stream for operation. In this work, we report that the DFFC can produce significant power at low temperatures without added hydroxide, especially when compared with other alkaline DLFCs powered by alcohols. Using oxygen at the cathode, the DFFC powered by 1 M HCOOK achieves a maximum power density of 106 mW cm–2 at 50 °C and 64 mW cm–2 at 23 °C. Using air at the cathode, the same DFFC achieves a maximum power density of 76 mW cm–2 at 50 °C and 27 mW cm–2 at 23 °C. These power densities were achieved without addition of hydroxide to the fuel stream. Constant current operation demonstrates that the maximum power density can be maintained at least for several hours of operation. Finally, we use electrochemical analysis to demonstrate that the formate oxidation reaction is not dependent on pH between 9 and 14, which permits the use of formate fuel without added hydroxide in the DFFC. An alkaline DLFC that does not require added hydroxide is promising for safe and practical operation.
Psychosocial treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: a practice-friendly review of outcome research.

A review of the treatment research indicates that several forms of therapy appear to be useful in reducing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Strongest support is found for the treatments that combine cognitive and behavioral techniques. Hypnosis, psychodynamic, anxiety management, and group therapies also may produce short-term symptom reduction. Still unknown is whether any approach produces lasting effects. Imaginal exposure to trauma memories and hypnosis are techniques most likely to affect the intrusive symptoms of PTSD, while cognitive and psychodynamic approaches may address better the numbing and avoidance symptoms. Treatment should be tailored to the severity and type of presenting PTSD symptoms, to the type of trauma experience, and to the many likely comorbid diagnoses and adjustment problems.
Physiological analysis of Rasmussen's encephalitis: patch clamp recordings of altered inhibitory neurotransmitter function in resected frontal cortical tissue

Abstract Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE) is a progressive, rare childhood disease characterized by severe epilepsy, hemiplegia, dementia, and inflammation of the brain. While one mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of RE has been hypothesized to be mediated by production of excitotoxic GluR3 autoantibodies to the AMPA receptor, other neuropathological etiologies have also been indicated. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings of GABA A receptor mediated responses were conducted in neurons acutely isolated from an RE patient, and compared to properties of non-focal human temporal cortical neurons. RE neurons appeared similar anatomically to control cortical neurons. Significant differences in GABAergic responses were evident between RE and control neurons. GABA was significantly more potent in RE than in control cortical neurons (EC 50 of 13 μM vs 23 μM, respectively). In addition, the overall efficacy of GABA was significantly decreased in RE neurons, associated with a decrease in postsynaptic GABA current density in RE neurons (5.1 pA/μm 2 ) in comparison to controls (9.2 pA/μm 2 ). Augmentation of GABA responses by the benzodiazepine, clonazepam (CNZ), was significantly reduced in RE in comparison to control neurons (34% vs 99% augmentation at 100 nM). The RE-associated reduced functional efficacy and altered pharmacology of neuronal GABA A receptors is consistent with overall disinhibition in RE neurons, and could contribute to the generation of the severe epileptic activity evident in this disorder.
Laser-Patterned Desorption Of GaAs In An Inverted Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition Reactor

A new laser-assisted processing technique for thinning or removing GaAs and AlGaAs quantum well (QW) layers during epitaxial growth is demonstrated. In the particular application reported here, epitaxial growth of an optoelectronic device structure is interrupted while the QW active layer is locally heated with superimposed Ar+ and Nd:YAG laser beams. The evaporation rate of the GaAs or AlGaAs is greatly increased by the optically induced heating, resulting in a local thinning of the QW. After exposure, epitaxial growth is resumed, burying the patterned QW within the crystal. Transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence are used to characterize the spatial variation of the energy bandgap. Broad area and high power laser diodes are fabricated from the modified region of the wafer. As expected, the wavelength of operation varies from laser to laser, consistent with the spatial variation in the energy bandgap.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Trithionate and Tetrathionate Oxidation at Low pH by Hydroxyl Radicals

The oxidation kinetics of trithionate (S3O 6 2- ) and tetrathionate (S4O 6 2- ) with hydroxyl radicals (OH*) have been investigated in systems analogous to acid mine drainage (AMD) environments. The discovery of hydroxyl radical (OH*) formation on pyrite surfaces (Borda et al., 2003) suggests hydroxyl radicals may affect the oxidation kinetics of intermediate sulfur species such as tetrathionate. Cyclic voltammetry experiments in acidic solutions indicate that the reaction of S4O 6 2- with OH* goes through an unknown intermediate, tentatively assigned as S3O 4 n- . An outer-sphere electron transfer mechanism for the reaction of S4O 6 2- with OH* to form S3O 4 n- is proposed based on experimental results. Oxidation rates for trithionate and tetrathionate in the presence of Fenton's reagent (which forms hydroxyl radicals) are too fast to be directly measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, electrochemical, or stop-flow spectrophotometry methods. Competitive reaction kinetics within the context of the Haber—Weiss mechanism suggests that the rate constant for the oxidation of trithionate and tetrathionate with OH* is in excess of 108 M-1 sec-1.
Antinuclear Antibodies in Pleural Fluid

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently involves the pleura with resultant pleural effusion. Previous studies have reported that detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in pleural fluid using animal tissue as substrate was a sensitive and specific method for distinguishing SLE pleural effusions from other etiologies. The HEp-2 ANA, which uses a human cell line as substrate, is now the preferred ANA test; however, to our knowledge, no studies on pleural fluid using this assay have been reported. To determine its sensitivity and specificity, when measured in pleural fluid, HEp-2 ANA levels were determined in pleural effusion samples associated with a variety of different etiologies, including SLE, malignancy, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and a miscellaneous group of diseases. Pleural fluid ANA results were positive in 14 of 82 samples. Six of the eight (75 percent) pleural fluid samples collected from patients with SLE were ANA positive, and all but one had high titers (>1:160) with a homogenous staining pattern. The remaining two patients with SLE with negative pleural fluid ANA had recurrent pulmonary emboli and congestive heart failure, rather than lupus pleuritis. Eight of 74 patients (10.8 percent) without clinical evidence of SLE had a positive pleural fluid ANA, with the majority having a speckled pattern. High titers were noted in three. These results indicate that a negative or low titer ANA and a speckled staining pattern in pleural fluid from a patient suspected of lupus pleuritis suggest an alternative diagnosis. High pleural fluid titers (up to 1:640) were seen occasionally in patients with inflammatory pleural effusions in the absence of SLE.
Electron spin resonance of localized moments in metals

Abstract Magnetic resonance of localized moments in metals probes not only the local magnetic moment, but also the conduction electron magnetization and sites in the metal which do not participate directly in the resonance behavior. A brief introduction to the magnetic resonance bottleneck is given, followed by a discussion of what one can learn about conduction electron dynamics as a result of this effect. More concentrated systems exhibit the effects of interactions. An analysis of resonance in spin glasses and interacting alloys in the superconducting state is presented.
Differentiating Suicide Ideators from Attempters: Violence—A Research Note

Which factors distinguish suicide attempters from suicide ideators is a relatively neglected question in suicidology. Data from the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, encompassing 1,439 youth suicide ideators and 1,097 attempters, was used to explore which factors best differentiate suicide attempters from ideators, with a focus on violence involvement. Measures of violence include the contexts of fights, dating, and weapons carrying. Controls were incorporated for psychiatric disorders, risky sexual behavior, school integration, and demographics. Controlling for the other variables, violence differentiated attempts from ideation: fighting (OR = 2.18) and weapon carrying (OR = 1.13). Psychiatric factors that predicted attempts over ideation included major depression (OR = 1.86), use of cocaine (OR = 2.34), and having a suicide plan (OR = 2.69), while demographic factors included gender, age, residence in the Midwest, and Hispanic, African American, or Asian ethnicity. A supplementary analysis (N = 11,546) determined that violence also helped to differentiate suicide ideators from nonsuicidal youth. Four factors (including violence involvement, eating disorders, and gender consistently) differentiated both between suicide attempts and ideation, and also between suicide ideators and nonsuicidal youth. The link between violence involvement and suicidality is interpreted in terms of the capability for suicide from the interpersonal theory of suicide.
Beating the Uncertainties: Ensemble Forecasting and Ensemble-Based Data Assimilation in Modern Numerical Weather Prediction

Accurate numerical weather forecasting is of great importance. Due to inadequate observations, our limited understanding of the physical processes of the atmosphere, and the chaotic nature of atmospheric flow, uncertainties always exist in modern numerical weather prediction (NWP). Recent developments in ensemble forecasting and ensemble-based data assimilation have proved that there are promising ways to beat the forecast uncertainties in NWP. This paper gives a brief overview of fundamental problems and recent progress associated with ensemble forecasting and ensemble-based data assimilation. The usefulness of these methods in improving high-impact weather forecasting is also discussed.
A constitutive-microdamage model to simulate hypervelocity projectile-target impact, material damage and fracture ☆

Abstract A set of constitutive-microdamage equations are presented that can model shock compression and the microdamage and fracture that can evolve following hypervelocity impact. The equations are appropriate for polycrystalline metals. For impact at a projectile velocity of 6.0 km/s, numerical simulations are preformed that describe the impact of spherical soda-lime glass projectiles with aluminum 1100 rectangular target plates. Three ratios of the projectile diameter to the target thickness are chosen for the simulations, providing a wide range of damage features. The simulated impact damage is compared with experimental damage of corresponding test specimens, illustrating the capability of the model.
Electrical and gas sensing properties of polyaniline functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes

Electrical and gas sensing properties of single-walled carbon nanotube networks functionalized with polyaniline (PANI–SWNTs) were systematically investigated to understand the gas sensing mechanisms and optimize sensing performance. The temperature-dependent electrical resistance and field-effect transistor (FET) transfer characteristics indicated that the electrical properties of PANI–SWNTs are dominated by the PANI coating. The FET transfer characteristics of PANI–SWNTs exposed to different NH3 concentrations indicated that the dominant sensing mechanism is the deprotonation of PANI by NH3. Sensing experiments with different gas analytes revealed that PANI–SWNTs responded positively to NH3, and negatively to NO2 and H2S with sensitivities of 5.8% per ppmv of NH3, 1.9% per ppmv of NO2, and 3.6% per ppmv of H2S. The lower detection limits were 50, 500, and 500 ppb for NH3, NO2, and H2S, respectively.
Effects of infant cries on alcohol consumption in college males at risk for child abuse

This analog study examines the effect of hearing a child's cries on alcohol consumption, comprising one link in a possible association between drinking and child abuse. Thirty-two male undergraduate volunteers were preselected by age, drinking practices, and abuse potential. Subjects were assigned to either a high or low abuse potential group and were then randomly assigned to hear either an infant cry or a smoke alarm. Blood pressure was measured during each of three stimulus presentations. Following each presentation, the subject was asked to rate the stimulus on a number of different dimensions (e.g., soothing-arousing). Additionally all subjects participated in a subsequent taste-rating task as an unobtrusive measure of alcohol consumption. The results indicate that, regardless of risk group, subjects who listened to the infant cry consumed significantly more alcohol (M = 206 ml, SD = 126.43) during the taste-rating task than did those who heard only the smoke alarm (Mr = 95.68 ml, SD = 62.94) which was also rated as aversive. There was no relationship between abuse potential and alcohol consumption. Although diastolic blood pressure did not differ between groups, analysis of the infant rating scales revealed that, regardless of risk group, subjects who heard the infant cry reported feeling more aversion, arousal, and distress, than did those who heard the smoke alarm. These results lend additional support to studies depicting the infant cry as a stressful and aversive event, capable of eliciting increased drinking. Implications for arousal reduction by alcohol and a model of alcohol-induced child abuse are discussed. Language: en