cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the regularity of solutions of an operator Riccati equation arising in linear quadratic optimal control problems for hereditary differential systems

Abstract In this paper operator Riccati equations of evolution and algebraic types arising in the linear quadratic optimal control problem for hereditary differential systems are considered. Regularity results of their solutions are obtained. Especially, for the system with single point delay we show that the optimal feedback kernel function Π10 is C∞. This study is motivated by the numerical experiments of K. Ito and R. Teglas (“Legendre-Tau Approximation for Functional Differential Equations. Part II. The Linear Quadratic Optimal Control Problem,” SIAM J. Control and Optimization, 25, 1987 , 1379–1408) in computing the optimal feedback gain via an algebraic Riccati equation, which indicate that such a function is smooth. The regularity result is essential in obtaining a rate of convergence of numerical approximations of the optimal feedback gain operator.
What Does HRD Know About Organizational Crisis Management? Not Enough! Read on:

The problem and the solution. Organizational crises have become more complex, far-reaching, and prevalent in modern times. Disease outbreaks, investor fraud, terrorist acts, and natural disasters a...
New Interpretation of the Geology of Iceland

Two active transform faults are identified on land in Iceland. This observation leads to a new interpretation of the tectonics of Iceland that is generally consistent with the available geologic, geomorphic, and geophysical data. This new interpretation provides a framework that can be used to relate detailed geologic and geophysical studies in Iceland to worldwide processes at the crests of mid-ocean ridges. Nearly one-half of Iceland seems to have formed during a period of very slow spreading between about 9 and 20 m.y. B.P. The center of spreading within Iceland apparently shifted from western to eastern Iceland around 7 or 8 m.y. B.P. Iceland, the largest landmass on the mid-ocean ridge system, may have resulted from a change in the stress pattern on a broad fracture zone, allowing large volumes of lava to be erupted while there was little regional spreading.
Effects of Drone Comb on Brood and Honey Production in Honey Bee,Colonies

There is a long-established bias in beekeeping against drones on the grounds that they consume honey but do not contribute to its production. Colvin's statement (1863) is representative. It is logical that with 1500–3000 drones contributing nothing to the colony except body heat and an occasional mate for a queen, there should be a severe drain on honey stores collected by worker bees. Levenets (1956) calculated that it required 6.89 kg of honey to rear and feed 1000 drones during the season. Beekeeping manuals admonish the novice to sort his combs regularly, cutting out those with appreciable drone cells and substituting sheets of worker foundation on which the bees will draw out new combs. Such foundation left on a colony when the nectar flow ceases is nibbled at the edges and around embedded wires. Later these spaces are frequently filled with drone comb. Bretschko (1958) provided perforated foundation to colonies and found that during a flow only 20% of the perforations were filled with drone cells compared to 70% during the absence of a flow. Results were comparable on complete sheets of worker foundation. On the other hand, natural and artificial swarms (nuclei) built worker cells almost exclusively.
Nitric oxide suppression triggers apoptosis through the FKHRL1 (FOXO3A)/ROCK kinase pathway in human breast carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND The winged helix/forkhead transcriptional factor FKHRL1 (FOXO3a) triggers apoptosis, but its mode of action is not well understood. ROCK kinase is an effector molecule in human breast carcinoma cell apoptosis, but its relation to FKHRL1 is unknown. Because the human breast carcinoma T47D cell line releases a great amount of nitric oxide (NO), I investigated signaling of FKHRL1 to ROCK kinase during NO suppression. METHODS Expression of phosphorylated FKHRL1 in T47D cells was analyzed using Western blotting. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Transfection of FKHRL1-HA wild-type and mutant FKHRL1-HA T32A constructs were performed by lipofectamine plus reagent. Measurement of NO generation was performed by Griess reaction. RESULTS Nitric oxide suppression promotes FKHRL1 thr-32-enhanced phosphorylation, which was significantly (P < 0.005) sensitive to Y-27632, a specific inhibitor of the ROCK kinase, but not to capase-3 inhibitor or wortnannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphoinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K). Nitric oxide suppression by N-G-monomethyl-L-arginine, an inhibitor of NO synthase, causes a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the apoptosis of T47D cells. However, a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in NO generation and a significant (P < 0.01) increase in apoptosis were observed when FKHRL1-HA wild-type cells were transfected, which caused increased FKHRL1 thr-32 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS This novel unknown phenomenon of breast carcinoma cell apoptosis was triggered by NO suppression, which promotes FKHRL1 thr-32-enhanced phosphorylation and initiates signaling of FKHRL1 to ROCK kinase as an effector molecule. This apoptotic signalling process is caspase-3 as well as PI3K/Akt independent. Cancer 2003;97:1358–63. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10081
Isolation of isoelectrically pure cholera toxin for crystallization

We have determined that the failure of cholera toxin to crystallize well results from its isoelectric heterogeneity, which is probably due to a post-translational process such as deamidation of its B subunit. Every sample of cholera toxin we have examined from commercial or academic suppliers has been heterogeneous; heterogeneous cholera toxin does not crystallize satisfactorily. We have overcome this problem by using ion-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) to obtain an isoelectrically homogeneous species of cholera toxin. Homogeneous cholera toxin crystallizes readily, forming single, nonmosaic crystals suitable for x-ray diffraction studies. For this process, protein was applied to a MonoQ ion-exchange column, then eluted with an isocratic low salt buffer followed by a linear salt gradient (0-100 mM NaCl). Column fractions were analyzed on isoelectric focusing gels, and those fractions containing the desired homogeneous species were pooled and concentrated. Crystals formed within 24 to 48 hours in a MOPS/PEG buffer, which made use of slow isoelectric precipitation to induce crystallization. 23 refs., 6 figs.
The use of a biodeposition collector for estimation of assmilation efficiency in oysters

Abstract A device is described that automatically separates and collects the feces and pseudofeces of oysters. This quantitative method allows accurate estimation of assimilation efficiency. Oysters were fed the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana at either of two algal concentrations, 1 × 10 6 and 4 × 10 6 μm 3 /ml of algae. Ingestion, and fecal and pseudofecal production were greater at the higher concentration but assimilation efficiencies were not significantly different (α = 0.05).
The Tempo of Sexual Activity and Later Relationship Quality

Rapid sexual involvement may have adverse long-term implications for relationship quality. This study examined the tempo of sexual intimacy and subsequent relationship quality in a sample of married and cohabiting men and women. Data come from the Marital and Relationship Survey, which provides information on nearly 600 low- to moderate-income couples living with minor children. Over one third of respondents became sexually involved within the first month of the relationship. Bivariate results suggested that delaying sexual involvement was associated with higher relationship quality across several dimensions. The multivariate results indicated that the speed of entry into sexual relationships was negatively associated with marital quality, but only among women. The association between relationship tempo and relationship quality was largely driven by cohabitation. Cohabiting may result in poorer quality relationship because rapid sexual involvement early in the romantic relationship is associated with entrance into shared living.
Negative interactions between Willamette mites and Pacific mites: possible management strategies for grapes

Willamette mites and Pacific mites are often negatively associated on grape vines. In particular, vineyards with early season infestations of the less damaging Willamette mite rarely develop high populations of the economically important Pacific mite. We report that Willamette mites had a negative effect on Pacific mite populations in both the greenhouse and field. In some experiments, the negative effect was more pronounced when vines had been damaged by previous feeding of Willamette mites and in other experiments concurrent feeding by both mite species was necessary to demonstrate a negative effect. Therefore, we cannot conclude if the mechanism of the response involves induced resistance against Pacific mites, more conventional interspecific competition, or both. Since predators were uncommon in our experiments, predator build up on Willamette mites did not cause the low Pacific mite population that we observed, although this mechanism may be important in many vineyards. Further, larger scale experiments are necesary to determine if growers can introduce Willamette mites to help control Pacific mites. Resume Effets antagonistes des interactions entre Eotetranychus willametti et Tetranychus pacificus: strategies eventuelles de protection des vignobles E. willametti et T. pacificus sont souvent antagonistes dans les vignobles. En particulier, dans les vignobles contamines tot dans la saison par E. willametti,- dont les degâts sont moins consequents-, on observe rarement des populations elevees de T. pacificus, dont les degâts sont economiquement importants. Nous avons constate que E. Willametti a reduit les populations de T. pacificus, tant en serres qu'a l'exterieur. Dans quelques cas, l'effet antagoniste etait plus marque quand les vignes avaient ete prealablement endommagees par l'alimentation de E. willametti. Dans d'autres experiences, la competition alimentaire entre les deux especes d'acariens etait necessaire pour produire un effet antagoniste. Cependant, nous ne pouvons pas en conclure que la reponse implique une resistance induite contre T. pacificus, ou une competition interspecifique plus classique, ou les deux a la fois. Puisque les predateurs etaient rares dans nos experiences, une explosion des predateurs sur E. willametti n'a pu provoquer le faible niveau de population observe avec T. pacificus, bien qu'un tel mechanisme puisse etre important dans certains vignobles. Quoi qu'il en soit, des experiences a plus grande echelle sont necessaires pour determiner si les vignerons peuvent introduire Eotetranychus willametti afin de limiter les populations de Tetranychus pacificus.
Rotation invariant bipolar filter design for object classification

A novel training technique for synthesizing a 3D rotation invariant bipolar filter has previously been presented (OSA Annual Meeting, October 1994). An extension of this idea is now presented. Previously, a training process using a simulated annealing algorithm for the filter was designed to yield optical correlations that were Gaussian-shaped for the preferred target and a null response for non-targeted objects. However, it is proposed that one may effectively choose other shapes for the output correlation by altering the computed filter response of the simulated annealing algorithm. A selection of basic geometric shapes may be chosen to correspond to particular classes of objects. As an illustrative example, the filter may be designed to yield a rectangular-shaped correlation in the output plane if the input object is a tank while yielding a triangular-shaped correlation for a truck input. These shaped correlations in the output plane of the optical processor may be more easily distinguished from each other and from spurious background noise through simple morphological processing of the output plane. Computer simulations of the correlation results of these filters are presented. The design of a photorefractive-based optical correlator that implements bipolar composite filters also is discussed.
Investigating Hydrogen Bonding in Phenol Using Infrared Spectroscopy and Computational Chemistry

The hydrogen bonding of phenol can be used as an introductory model for biological systems because of its structural similarities to tyrosine, a para-substituted phenol that is an amino acid essential to the synthesis of proteins. Phenol is able to form hydrogen bonds readily in solution, which makes it a suitable model for biological interactions. This laboratory experiment studies the phenol monomer, dimer, and trimer using geometry optimization and frequency calculations. The results are validated with the infrared spectra collected over the O–H stretching region (3100–3700 cm–1). Solutions of varying concentrations (0.5–2.0 M) are analyzed with the expectation that the contributions from the phenol dimer and trimer will become more significant as the concentration is increased. The observed peaks in the infrared spectrum are assigned as the “free” O–H stretch at 3579 cm–1 and “bound” O–H stretch at 3390 cm–1. As the concentration increases, the bound O–H stretch is enhanced because of a higher populat...
Optimal boundary feedback flow stabilization by model reduction

Abstract In this paper, we consider the optimal boundary feedback stabilization of fluid flows governed by Navier–Stokes equations using model reduction. The model reduction is carried out using a combination of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and Galerkin projection. The resulting reduced-order model is employed in the optimal linear quadratic regulator (LQR) design to derive a feedback control. The feedback control is then used in the nonlinear Navier–Stokes equation to stabilize the system. Sufficient conditions are derived for the linear control to stabilize the nonlinear system. Feasibility of the proposed boundary feedback stabilization design is numerically demonstrated on the problem of stabilizing the flow past an airfoil. The control is effected through unsteady blowing on the airfoil surface. The computational results show that the closed-loop system amplitudes converge to the desired equilibrium state showing the stability predicted by the theory. In addition, they show that downstream directed blowing on the upper surface of the airfoil near the leading edge is more efficient in stabilizing the state.
The Laskerian property in commutative rings

1. INTRODUCTION Primary decomposition is a venerable tool in commutative algebra; indeed, Emmy Noether studied rings with the ascending chain condition on ideals because primary decomposition was available there [9 J. Though many results for which it was once used are now proved by other means, primary decomposition itself is still finding new applications [ 15, 161, and provides an often informative representation of ideals [2]. In this paper we study the class of rings (always commutative with unity) in which primary decom- position holds, and related classes. Recall: DEFINITION. Let M be a finitely generated module over ring R. (1) A submodule N is primary if, for any r in R and m in M whose product rm is in N, either m E N or some power rk of r satisfies rkM G N. It is strongly primary if, in addition, the radical P = fl= {r E R : rkM L N for some k} has a power Pk which satisfies PkM E N. (2) M is a (strongly) Laskerian module if every submodule of M is an intersection of a finite number of (strongly) primary submodules. (3) M is a ZD module if, for every submodule N of M, the set Z,(M/N) = {r E R: rm E N for some m E M\N} of zero divisors on M/N in R is the union of a finite number prime ideals in R. Of course, a ring is Laskerian, or strongly Laskerian, or ZD, if it has the property as a module over itself. In Section 2 we prove the ascent of these properties in certain ring extensions; in particular, finite integral extensions.
The emerging roles of ribosome biogenesis in craniofacial development

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are a transient, migratory cell population, which originates during neurulation at the neural folds and contributes to the majority of tissues, including the mesenchymal structures of the craniofacial skeleton. The deregulation of the complex developmental processes that guide migration, proliferation, and differentiation of NCCs may result in a wide range of pathological conditions grouped together as neurocristopathies. Recently, due to their multipotent properties neural crest stem cells have received considerable attention as a possible source for stem cell based regenerative therapies. This exciting prospect underlines the need to further explore the developmental programs that guide NCC differentiation. This review explores the particular importance of ribosome biogenesis defects in this context since a specific interface between ribosomopathies and neurocristopathies exists as evidenced by disorders such as Treacher-Collins-Franceschetti syndrome (TCS) and Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA).
Women as rice sharecroppers in Madagascar

Abstract This case study, drawn from a rice‐growing region in Madagascar, demonstrates how gender and class differences shape individual access to and control of productive resources. Production strategies differ among the women and men who crop rice on shares and are primarily distinguished by class position and gender. Single women invariably share out the land they own to male croppers, whereas men of all classes may sharecrop land from or to other men. Only wealthy male farmers implement sharecropping as an accumulation strategy. Wealthy female farmers are concerned with mobilizing male labor power in their sharecropping strategies. Poor, landless, female heads of households are the only persons in this study who cannot and do not crop rice on shares and are the most disadvantaged and poorest.
Embarrassing Age Spots or Just Plain Ugly? Physical Attractiveness Stereotyping as an Instrument of Sexism on American Television Commercials.

Frequencies of attractiveness-based messages were examined on 4,294 network television commercials. As expected, attractiveness statements appeared to be associated more with food and drink and personal care ads, and with female performers and with male voice-overs. Implications of an association of women and attractiveness on television are explored.
Sequential hTERT Knockdown and Apigenin Treatment Inhibited Invasion and Proliferation and Induced Apoptosis in Human Malignant Neuroblastoma SK-N-DZ and SK-N-BE2 Cells

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) plays a key role in conferring immortality to human malignant neuroblastomas. We first determined differential expression of hTERT in four human malignant neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y, SK-N-DZ, SK-N-BE2, and IMR-32 cell lines. We then used SK-N-DZ and SK-N-BE2 cell lines, which showed the highest expression of hTERT, to investigate the therapeutic effects of sequential hTERT knockdown and apigenin (APG) treatment. We performed cell invasion assay and studied alterations in expression of matrix metalloproteinases and cell cycle regulatory molecules after this combination therapy. We also investigated induction of apoptosis by using in situ Wright staining, Annexin V staining, and Western blotting. Sequential hTERT knockdown and APG treatment significantly downregulated expression of hTERT so as to cause over 90 % inhibition of cell invasion and 70 % induction of apoptosis in both SK-N-DZ and SK-N-BE2 cell lines. Western blotting demonstrated downregulation of the molecules involved in cell invasion and proliferation, but upregulation of the cell cycle inhibitor and apoptosis-inducing molecules. In conclusion, our current results clearly showed that sequential hTERT knockdown and APG treatment could be a promising therapeutic strategy for effective inhibition of invasion and proliferation and induction of apoptosis in hTERT overexpressing malignant neuroblastoma cells.
Response of Yellow Perch and the Benthic Invertebrate Community to a Reduction in the Abundance of White Suckers

Abstract Competitive interactions between white suckers Catostomus commersoni and yellow perch Perca flavescens were evaluated in a whole-lake manipulation experiment with one treatment lake and one reference lake. After a 2-year pretreatment period, 80% of the adult white sucker population was removed from Douglas Lake, Michigan, with trap nets set during the spring spawning season of 1987. Following white sucker removal, the abundance of chironomid larvae and the mayfly Caenis sp. increased 13–18-fold in Douglas Lake, In Little Bear Lake, the control lake, Caenis sp. showed a 20% decline in abundance during the study period (1985–1989), and chironomid larvae showed a 2.2-fold increase over the same time period. Associated with the increase in benthic invertebrate abundance in Douglas Lake, the diet of adult (>age-0) yellow perch shifted from predominantly zooplankton to predominantly benthos. This shift was accompanied by an increase in mean stomach content weight and feeding rate, eventually becoming a...
Cell proliferation in bovine mammary epithelium: identification of the primary proliferative cell population

Histologic analyses indicate that a lightly staining cell population present in mammary parenchyma may function as mammary stem cells. We performed an analysis of mammary epithelial cell proliferation in prepubertal bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-injected Holstein heifers to investigate this hypothesis. We observed light, dark, and intermediate staining cells in histologic sections stained with basic fuschin and azure II. Light cells comprised 10% of the total parenchymal cell population but accounted for 50% of the cell proliferation. Intermediate cells comprised 60% of the cell population and 43% of proliferating cells. Dark cells comprised 30% of the parenchymal cell population but only 7% of proliferating cells. The distribution of BrdU+ cells across basal, embedded, and lumenal parenchymal cell layers was correlated with the fraction of total parenchymal cells present in each layer (r=0.99). However, the proportion of mitotic cells observed in the basal cell layer was only half of what would be predicted by the BrdU-labeling data. This observation suggests that some basal cells either arrest in G(2) or migrate into the suprabasal epithelial layers before undergoing mitosis. These results strongly support the concept that lightly staining mammary parenchymal cells are the primary proliferative cell population.
Respiratory Quotient Predicts Fat Mass Gain in Premenopausal Women

High respiratory quotient (RQ) has been associated with fat mass (FM) gain in some, but not all studies. Variability among results may reflect differences in the RQ variable measured (fasting vs. 24-h) or may be due to differences in control for factors that affect RQ, such as diet, energy balance, circulating insulin, and insulin sensitivity. The objective of this study was to determine whether different RQ values (fasting, sleeping, nonsleeping, and 24-h) would predict change in FM over 2 years in obesity-prone women, controlling for diet and adjusting for energy balance, circulating insulin, and insulin sensitivity. Participants were 33 previously overweight premenopausal women. Fasting, sleeping, nonsleeping, and 24-h RQ values were measured during controlled-diet conditions by respiratory chamber calorimetry. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were also performed to adjust for fasting insulin, acute insulin response to glucose, and insulin sensitivity. Over the following 2 years, changes in FM were tracked annually by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. High nonsleeping RQ (NSRQ) predicted 2-year change in FM independently of energy balance, circulating insulin, and insulin sensitivity. This observation suggests that low postprandial fat oxidation may uniquely predispose obesity-prone individuals to accrual of adipose tissue.
#SLOPCAB: is the party over?

FIGURE 1. The subanalysis from the Danish On-pump versus Offpump Randomization Study (DOORS) shows significantly lower graft patency after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) versus on-pump coronary artery bypass, as assessed by angiography 6 months postoperatively (86% of grafts open on-pump vs 79% open off-pump, P 1⁄4 .01). Of note, equivalent intraoperative heparinization protocols were used. Patients undergoing OPCAB also received fewer total grafts in all territories, and twice as many patients undergoing OPCAB received fewer grafts than planned. Taken at face value, this is more bad news for OPCAB advocates! The only good news is that intracoronary shunts appear benign. Before quibbling over the details, readers of every bias should stand and applaud the authors for having the energy and tenacity to attempt a randomized trial on this complex clinical comparison. Even the best clinical trial has vulnerabilities. In this one, angiography in only 57% of patients is a serious shortcoming. Defense of their conclusions requires a serious attempt by the authors to analyze the propensity for receiving follow-up angiography, with inclusion of key perioperative variables (eg, smoking, diabetes, postoperative complications, number of grafts, territories grafted, degree of proximal stenosis, and conduit selection), cumulative mortality as a competing variable to determine the balance of graftocclusion risk factors between cohorts, and whether the cohorts had equivalent propensity to undergo angiography. The authors have thoroughly and thoughtfully undertaken such an analysis, to the satisfaction of the Journal’s fastidious statistical reviewers. They conclude that the propensity to undergo follow-up angiography, although not perfectly balanced, did not affect the overall results or conclusions. To quibble over the details, it is worth nothing that the minimum requirement for ‘‘experience’’ with OPCAB
Polarization-Induced Interfacial Reactions Between Nickel and Selenium in Ni/Zirconia SOFC Anodes and Comparison with Sulfur Poisoning

Three distinctly different characteristic responses of a nickel/yttria-stabilized zirconia (Ni/YSZ) cermet anode to the presence of hydrogen selenide in synthetic coal gas were observed, depending on temperature (650-800oC), H2Se concentration (0-40 ppm), and especially on the extent of anodic polarization (0 to ~0.5 V). The first level of response was characterized by a rapid but modest decrease in power density to a new steady state, with no further degradation observed in tests up to 700 hours in duration. Mostly observed at high temperatures, low H2Se concentrations, and low anodic polarizations, this response level was similar to effects caused by the presence of H2S, but with slower onset and lower reversibility. Higher anodic polarization at a constant current could trigger a second level of response characterized by oscillatory behavior involving cycles of rapid performance loss followed by rapid recovery. Oscillations at the constant current density were accompanied by the appearance and disappearance of a new feature in the electrochemical impedance spectrum with a summit frequency of ~100 Hz. Oscillatory behavior ceased when the current density was lowered. Such behavior was not observed for cells operated at a constant potential of similar magnitude, though. A third level of response, irreversible cell failure,more » could be induced by further increases in anodic polarization, additionally favored by low temperature and high H2Se concentration. Post-test analyses of failed cells by electron microscopy revealed the extensive microstructural changes including the appearance of nickel oxide and nickel selenide alteration phases, only at the anode/electrolyte interface. From bulk thermochemical considerations the formation of nickel selenides could not be expected. Local chemical conditions created at the anode/electrolyte interface appear to be of overriding importance with respect to the extent of Ni/YSZ anode interactions with H2Se in coal gas.« less
MAGICTRAC, a novel method for conversion of whispering-gallery modes into a free-space Gaussian-like beam

A novel device, MAGICTRAC, is described for efficient conversion at millimeter wavelengths of the TEm,n whispering-gallery mode into a linearly polarized, free-space Gaussian-like beam. MAGICTRAC uses a mode-converting waveguide taper and three mirror optics, one of which incorporates a twist reflector to linearly polarize the output beam. An example design is presented for the TE15,2 mode at 140 GHz with a calculated efficiency of 96%. Related possible applications include (1) installation of the MAGICTRAC within the vacuum envelope of a gyrotron to separarate the spent e-beam from the generated rf, (2) generation of a whispering-gallery mode by injection of a Gaussian-like beam into the output end, and (3) conversion of TEm,n modes into TE0n modes for low-loss transmission in smooth-wall waveguide.
Comparison of the pathologic features and DNA ploidy value of prostate cancers detectable by sonography and by palpation

Ultrasonography of the prostate detects some cancers that are not palpable, but the pathologic features of such cancers have not been well described. Since screening trials consistently find sonography more sensitive (though less specific) than digital rectal examination, nonpalpable cancers that are visible as hypoechoic lesions on ultrasound have been postulated to be early cancers of limited malignant potential and may not require aggressive treatment. To test this hypothesis, we determined the pathologic features and DNA ploidy value of prostate cancers in 63 radical prostatectomy specimens taken from patients with clinical stage T1 (n = 28) and T2 (n = 35) prostate cancer. In 40 patients (63%), the cancer appeared hypoechoic on ultrasound. The median volume of these cancers was 4.19 cm3 (range 0.45-19.22); 80% exhibited extra-capsular extension (ECE); 30% had seminal vesicle invasion (SVI); and 95% were nondiploid by nuclear image analysis (CAS 200 system). In patients with isoechoic cancer, tumor volume was significantly less (median 0.38 cm3) and ECE and SVI occurred less frequently (13% and 0%, respectively). Only seven (30%) had nondiploid tumors. In 35 patients, the tumor was palpable, and the pathologic features and DNA ploidy values (94% nondiploid) of these cancers were similar to those of the tumors that were visible on ultrasound. In seven patients, the cancer was visible by ultrasound but not palpable by digital rectal examination. Median tumor volume was 1.72 cm3 (range 0.45-18.98); four patients (57%) had ECE; one (14%) had SVI, and six (86%) had nondiploid cancers. We conclude that most cancers that appear hypoechoic on ultrasound are clinically important and exhibit aggressive pathologic features. Palpable cancers and sonographically visible cancers are similar and should be staged and treated similarly.
Influenza vaccination attitudes and practices among US registered nurses.

Background The influenza vaccination rate among US health care personnel (HCP) remains low and may vary by occupational categories. The objective of this study was to explore knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs associated with influenza vaccination in a broad population of registered nurses. Methods The study used a cross-sectional mail survey, administered January-March 2006, of 2000 registered nurses in 4 US states. Results Of the 2000 surveys sent, 1310 (72%) were returned, and 1017 (67%) were eligible for analysis. The majority of respondents (59%) reported receiving influenza vaccine during the 2005-2006 influenza season. The most common reason for being vaccinated was protecting oneself from illness (95%), and the most common reason for not being vaccinated was concern about adverse reactions (39%). Respondents who reported their patient population as high risk related to influenza were more likely to be vaccinated and to agree with statements regarding influenza disease and influenza vaccination of HCP. Conclusion Concerns about adverse reactions and vaccine effectiveness continue to be barriers to influenza vaccination among registered nurses. Those most knowledgeable about influenza vaccination of HCP have higher vaccination rates. Future efforts to improve vaccination rates should include data on vaccine effectiveness and adverse effects, as well as descriptions of high-risk populations.
Science Signaling Podcast: 22 February 2011

This is a conversation with Alexander Hoffmann about a Research Article published in the 22 February 2011 issue of Science Signaling . Hoffmann discusses his group’s report on how homodimers of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p50 regulate the innate immune response. The study revealed that NF-κB homodimers compete with interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) for binding to guanine-rich interferon response elements (G-IREs) to restrict the activation of antiviral genes to only the appropriate stimuli.
The vegetation and flora of Platt Park, Southbury, Connecticut

Abstract Platt Park is a 43.3-hectare (107-acre) natural area situated in the Southwest Hills Eco-region of Southbury, in New Haven County, Connecticut. Characterized by Triassic sandstone and trap rock ridges, the area offers a diversity of habitats for plant life. This investigation of the vegetation types of Platt Park provides information relevant to the preservation and management of natural areas and critical habitats. Abundance data derived from 263 quadrats were analyzed by the computer program TWINSPAN, circumscribing seven cover types. These cover types are: the Wolffia spp. Cover Type, the Bromus inermis Cover Type, the Juniperus virginiana–Carex pensylvanica Cover Type, the Acer saccharum–Ostrya virginiana Cover Type, the A. saccharum–Berberis thunbergii–Lindera benzoin Cover Type, and the Tsuga canadensis Cover Type. A Shrubland–Woodland Cover Type was also represented, comprising mainly introduced and cultivated species. Each cover type and its corresponding habitat are discussed in the cont...
A Perfectly Matched Layer Approach to the Linearized Shallow Water Equations Models

Abstract A limited-area model of linearized shallow water equations (SWE) on an f plane for a rectangular domain is considered. The rectangular domain is extended to include the so-called perfectly matched layer (PML) as an absorbing boundary condition. Following the proponent of the original method, the equations are obtained in this layer by splitting the shallow water equations in the coordinate directions and introducing the absorption coefficients. The performance of the PML as an absorbing boundary treatment is demonstrated using a commonly employed bell-shaped Gaussian initially introduced at the center of the rectangular physical domain. Three typical cases are studied: A stationary Gaussian where adjustment waves radiate out of the area. A geostrophically balanced disturbance being advected through the boundary parallel to the PML. This advective case has an analytical solution allowing one to compare forecasts. The same bell being advected at an angle of 45° so that it leaves the domain through ...
Religiosity and spirituality during the transition to adulthood

Emerging adults (approximately 18 to 25 years of age) experience heightened self-exploration regarding their beliefs and values, including those concerning religiosity and spirituality. The purpose of this article is to review the literature regarding religiosity and spirituality in emerging adulthood. First, we document developmental advances in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development that support this exploration along with theoretical and empirical work on how religiosity and spirituality develop during this time period. Second, we examine the research on prevalence rates for and correlates of religiosity and spirituality. Third, we examine socializing agents of religiosity and spirituality that document parents’ indirect role relative to other adults, peers, and the media. Next, we examine the role that culture, community, and gender play in the development and socialization of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. Lastly, future research directions and implications of the findings ...
Beyond Design Review Implications for Design Practice, Education, and Research

Preconstruction public evaluation of proposed interventions in the physical environment (and postoccupancy evaluations of built projects) involve the lay public to an unprecedented degree as both virtual participants in the design process and as preeminent factors in the design considerations. The implications of these developments include the necessity for more specific identification of user groups and more experientially oriented means of performance specifications, environmental representation, and user response elicitation. The consequences will significantly affect design practice, education, and research as well as provide an empirical basis fordesign theory.
Evaluation and treatment of covert stereotypy

The treatment of behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement (e.g. stereotypy) can present a unique challenge if practitioners cannot control delivery of the maintaining reinforcer. Further, some individuals might engage in stereotypy only when care providers are absent. In the current evaluation, an adolescent boy's hand flapping was demonstrated to occur in the absence of social contingencies and care providers. To reduce the behavior, two treatment strategies were assessed. In the first approach, verbal reminders to refrain from hand flapping were delivered on time-based schedules. In the second approach (differential reinforcement of other behavior, DRO), we provided access to a preferred item contingent on prespecified time lengths with no hand flapping when the participant was alone in a room. Results of the investigation indicated that the verbal reminders were unsuccessful, whereas the DRO program resulted in near-zero levels of stereotypy. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microcrystalline Piezoresistive Polysilicon Film Obtained by Aluminum Induced Crystallization

Polycrystalline silicon films with relatively large grain size were obtained by aluminum-induced crystallization (AIC) of amorphous silicon films. Unlike conventional deposition techniques which require high temperatures, crystallization was accomplished by annealing at temperatures ranging from 475degC to 550degC, for 90 minutes. Polysilicon films thus obtained exhibited piezoresistive properties. XRD characterization of the film verified good polycrystalline structure. Electrical characterization of the film verified high conductivity polysilicon film thus eliminating further doping steps. The fabrication technique described here would be suitable for attaining polycrystalline silicon films on substrates or structures with stringent thermal budget constraints.
Egypt under Mu āwiya Part I: Flavius Papas and Upper Egypt

Papyri from Egypt constitute the largest body of contemporary documentary evidence for the reign of Mu'āwiya. Most notable among them are the 107 texts in the archive of Flavius Papas, a local official of Upper Egypt in the 670s. Most are in Greek and provide insight into the administration, society and economy of a provincial centre. Since many deal with taxes and requisitions, they illustrate the incessant demands of the Islamic regime in Fustāt and the way local officials dealt with them. In particular, the archive shows the importance of Egypt for providing the men, materials and supplies essential for the war fleet of the caliphate. A few other documents from Upper Egypt hint at the economic role of the Church. This is the first of two parts, the second dealing with Middle Egypt, Fustāt and Alexandria.
Estimation of statistical parameters of rough surfaces suitable for developing micro-asperity friction models

Abstract Numerical models of surface micro-topography find applications in the development of multiscale models for friction and wear between two interacting surfaces. Although much work has been dedicated to developing such multiscale models, they have been hampered by the strong dependence of surface statistics on the resolution of surface topography measurements. The objective of this study is to develop a systematic approach to reduce this dependence so that the resulting statistical parameters are suitable for developing micro-asperity based continuum friction models. The approach significantly reduces but does not eliminate the dependence of surface statistics on the measurement resolution. It is based on fitting a Gaussian function to numerically calculated autocorrelation functions for randomly selected profiles from a surface. The use of a Gaussian function filters out very small scale asperities that affect the statistical parameters but are not tribologically significant. The distributions of the resulting parameters allow us to calculate the spectral moments using Monte Carlo simulations. The approach is applied to numerically generated surfaces as well as micro-topography measurements of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) surface. Results show that the proposed approach is considerably less sensitive to the measurement resolution, especially in comparison to standard statistical sampling methods. We argue that the Gaussian autocorrelation function used in our work is a better choice compared to other forms for continuum-level applications.
Notes on Electron Gun Saturation and Stabilization…An Older Man's Lectures

Steve Chapman's “An Old Man's Saga” in the May 2009 issue of Microscopy Today about the various methods he has used for determining when saturation is achieved in the common self-biased electron gun prompts me to share with Microscopy Today's readers my experience in lecturing to my students about the characteristics of this remarkable device.
Why study electromagnetics: the first unit in an undergraduate electromagnetics course

Maxwell's equations represent a fundamental unification of electric and magnetic fields, predicting electromagnetic wave phenomena. It may seem a little odd to devote so much effort to study solutions of the 19th century's best equations. Thus we ask the question: "Of what relevance is the study of electromagnetics to our modem society? "The goal of this unit is to help answer this question. Whereas the study of electromagnetics has been motivated in the past primarily by the requirements of military defense, the entire field is shifting rapidly toward important commercial applications in high-speed communications and computing that touch everyone in their daily lives. Ultimately, this will favorably impact the economic well-being of nations as well as their military security.
The Effect of Exhaust Gas Recirculation and Turbulence on the Burning Velocity, Dead Space Thickness, and Minimum Ignition Energy in Premixed Methane-Air Combustion

Abstract The dilution of a homogeneous combustible mixture with products of combustion has proven to be a successful method of reducing the oxides of nitrogen produced by a combustion process. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) affects the flame velocity, ignition energy, and quenching behavior. An experimental program has been conducted to determine the effects of EGR on these fundamental aspects of a turbulent methane/air flame in a constant volume bomb. Data are presented showing that the decrease in flame velocity caused by the EGR can to some extent be compensated for by an increase in the turbulence intensity at a price of increased ignition difficulty. The effect of the EGR, as determined from both heat transfer and ionization measurements, is to increase the single-wall quenching distance.
A role for a light-harvesting antenna complex of photosystem II in photoprotection.

High light (beyond what is needed for maximum photosynthesis) is a major plant stress. Under extreme high-light conditions, the photosynthetic apparatus can be damaged irreversibly, but plants and algae have devised various strategies to protect themselves (photoprotection) ([Bjorkman and Demmig-
Evaluation of the adaptation of the glucose oxidase-peroxidase-3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone-N,N-dimethylaniline procedure to the Technicon "SMA 12-60," and comparison with other automated methods for glucose.

We have evaluated the Technicon SMA 12/60 modification of a glucose oxidase/peroxidase-3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone- N, N -dimethylaniline method, and find it acceptable. Added bilirubin, creatinine, dextrans, and uric acid did not interfere. We compared values for patients’ sera by this method to those by the glucose oxidase/peroxidase-2,2'-azinodiethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, neocuproine, o -toluidine, ferricyanide, and hexokinase methods. For comparisons to the hexokinase method (which we used as a reference method), n = 371, slope = 1.00, y-intercept = 1.57 mg/dl, and bias = 2.05 mg/dl. For the method being evaluated, the run-to-run average monthly standard deviation was 2.9 mg/dl for a control product for which the mean was 85 mg of glucose per deciliter, and 4.3 mg/dl for a product for which the mean was 240 mg/dl. All six methods were compared for effects of uremic sera, icteric sera, and sera from patients receiving ascorbic acid therapy or hypoglycemic drugs.
New processable polyaromatic ether-keto-sulfones as colorless, clear film-forming materials

New processable polyaromatic ether-keto-sulfones were prepared from 4,4′-diphenoxydiphenyl sulfone, terephthaloyl chloride, isophthaloyl chloride, and bis-p-carboxyphenylacetylene dichloride (IV) in a Friedel-Crafts-type polymerization. The white polymers obtained form colorless, transparent, strong films and can be cast into a glass-fiber laminate. One polymer was prepared which incorporated biphenylene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid dichloride as crosslinking sites; this heat-cured polymer was completely insoluble in sulfuric acid.
The structure of human olfactory space

We analyze the responses of human observers to an ensemble of monomolecular odorants and mixtures. Each odorant is characterized by a set of 146 perceptual descriptors obtained from a database of odor character profiles. Each odorant is therefore represented by a point in a highly multidimensional sensory space. In this work, we study the arrangement of odorants in this perceptual space. We argue that odorants densely sample a two-dimensional curved surface embedded in the multidimensional sensory space (Figure ​(Figure1).1). This surface can account for more than half of the variance of the perceptual data. We also show that only 12% of experimental variance cannot be explained by curved surfaces of substantially small dimensionality (<10). We demonstrate that the space of mixtures can be approximated by the monomolecular curved manifolds of similar dimensionality, thus suggesting that the geometry of the perceptual space is similar for both mixtures and monomolecular odorants. We propose that these curved manifolds represent the relevant spaces sampled by the human olfactory system, thereby providing surrogates for olfactory sensory space. For the case of 2D approximation, we relate the two parameters on the curved surface to the physico-chemical parameters of odorant molecules. We show that one of the dimensions is related to eigenvalues of molecules' connectivity matrix, while the other is correlated with measures of molecules' polarity. For a higher dimensional curved manifold, we establish mapping between the space of odorant physico-chemical properties and the coordinates in the olfactory space. This allows building de novo predictor for the odorant perceptual quality on the basis of a molecule's structure. This method proves accurate for a substantial fraction of tested monomolecular odorants. Figure 1 Odorants in the perceptual space. (A) Each of the 144 odorants can be represented as a point in the 146D space of perceptual (semantic) descriptors. The odorants are shown by blue crosses placed in this projection onto the 3D space of principal components. ...