cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pseudo-atomic-orbital band theory applied to electron-energy-loss near-edge structures

La structure dans la spectroscopie de la couche interne est un produit de l'element matriciel variant lentement et de la densite d'etat projetee de facon appropriee. On utilise la methode de calcul de la structure de bande de l'orbitale pseudo-atomique auto-coherente afin de produire la densite projetee exacte des etats. Les calculs sont en bon accord avec la structure du diamant, du silicium, de SiC cubique et de Be 2 C, de Si et SiC
A 5/4-approximation algorithm for minimum 2-edge-connectivity

A 5/4-approximation algorithm is presented for the minimum cardinality 2-edge-connected spanning subgraph problem in undirected graphs. This improves the previous best approximation ratio of 4/3. It is shown that our ratio is tight with respect to current lower bounds, and any further improvement is possible only if new lower bounds are discovered.
Growth and Characterization of Titanium Silicide Films on Natural Diamond C(001) Substrates

Initial results pertaining to the growth and characterization of TiSi2 films deposited on natural single crystal insulating and semiconducting diamond C(001) substrates are reported. The TiSi2 films were formed by the co-deposition of Si and Ti in ultra-high vacuum by electron-beam evaporation. From an analysis of the Raman scattering spectra, both the orthorhombic metastable C49 and stable C54 crystallographic phases of TiSi2 have been identified. As evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) the TiSi2 films exhibit a faceted surface morphology indicative of polycrystalline growth. Moreover, the TiSi2 films exhibit excellent adhesion properties with the underlying diamond substrate. Corresponding current-voltage (I-V) measurements conducted at room temperature have demonstrated rectifying characteristics for the TiSi2 films deposited on natural p-type semiconducting diamond substrates. Consistent with the small turn-on voltage of ~0.2 V, the corresponding I-V measurements recorded at 400°C exhibit ohmic-like behavior. However, upon subsequent annealing of the TiSi2 contacts at 1100°C, stable rectifying I-V characteristics were observed in the 25-400°C temperature range.
A Whale Shark rammed by a Steamer off Colombo, Ceylon

EARLY on the morning of November 23, 1932, the Dutch steamer Johan van Oldebarnevelt, Captain Julsing commanding, caught a whale shark on her bow in lat. 7° 5 N., long. 77° 50 E.—about 150 miles west of Colombo, Ceylon. The shark (size not noted) was killed, and when the vessel was slowed down it sank. Captain Julsing knows the whale shark and states that this fish in size, shape and colour markings was a counterpart of the other which his vessel killed in 1933—presently to be noted. This phenomenon seems worthy of brief record for a number of reasons. It is an extraordinary thing in itself. Also, it is the second time that this vessel has impaled a whale shark on her bow, and it makes the fifth record of such an extraordinary happening. Finally, it adds another Rhineodon typus to the roster of this fish recorded for Ceylonese waters.
Consistency tests for start-up and cessation deformations of viscoelastic fluids

The time-dependent shear stress and first normal stress difference were measured for a polystyrene solution for start-up and cessation-flow experiments over a relatively wide range of shear rate. Consistency tests for the K-BKZ model were applied to the data, and it was concluded that the K-BKZ equation generally does not satisfactorily describe the start-up and cessation data. Modified consistency tests were developed using a strain-coupling constitutive equation, and the evidence suggests that most of the differences between the predictions of the K-BKZ theory and experiment can be explained by including a strain-coupling effect in the rheological constitutive equation.
Diazo Groups Endure Metabolism and Enable Chemoselectivity in Cellulo

We introduce a stabilized diazo group as a reporter for chemical biology. ManDiaz, which is a diazo derivative of N-acetylmannosamine, is found to endure cellular metabolism and label the surface of a mammalian cell. There its diazo group can undergo a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with a strained alkyne, providing a signal comparable to that from the azido congener, ManNAz. The chemoselectivity of diazo and alkynyl groups enables dual labeling of cells that is not possible with azido and alkynyl groups. Thus, the diazo group, which is approximately half the size of an azido group, provides unique opportunities for orthogonal labeling of cellular components.
Global growth deficiencies in mice lacking the ribosomal protein HIP/RPL29.

Because of their deleterious effects on developing organisms, ribosomal protein (RP) mutations have been poorly described in mammals, and only a few heterozygous mutations have been shown to be viable. This observation is believed to be due to the fact that each RP is an essential component in the assembly of a functional stable ribosome. Here, we created gene targeted mutant mice lacking HIP/RPL29, an RP associated with translationally active ribosomes in eukaryotes. In contrast to other RP mutants, HIP/RPL29 null mice are viable but are up to 50% smaller than their control littermates at weaning age. In null embryos, delayed global growth is first observed around mid-gestation, and postnatal lethality due to low birth weight results in distortion of the Mendelian ratio. Prenatal growth defects are not fully compensated for during adulthood, and null animals display proportionately smaller organs and stature, and reach sexual maturity considerably later when compared with their control siblings. Additionally, HIP/RPL29 null embryonic fibroblasts have decreased rates of proliferation and protein synthesis and exhibit reduced steady state levels of core RPs. Altogether, our findings provide conclusive genetic evidence that HIP/RPL29 functions as an important regulator of global growth by modulating the rate of protein synthesis. Developmental Dynamics 236:447–460, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Single-Stage Multistring PV Inverter With an Isolated High-Frequency Link and Soft-Switching Operation

A grid-tied multistring photovoltaic (PV) inverter with a high-frequency ac (HFAC) link, soft-switching operation, and high-frequency (HF) galvanic isolation is introduced. This single-stage topology can handle an arbitrary number of PV strings with different electrical parameters, locations, and orientations. Using a dedicated maximum power point tracker for each PV string, this inverter can harvest the highest possible power from each string independently, even though they might be at dissimilar irradiance levels and operating temperatures. The isolated HFAC link is formed by the magnetizing inductance of a small-sized HF transformer and two small ac capacitors without the use of bulky short-life electrolytic capacitors. The link is responsible for transferring the PV strings' power to the grid along with creating zero-voltage switching for the power devices. Therefore, the converter has the advantages of high power density, high reliability, as well as high efficiency. After describing the control scheme and the operating algorithm of the proposed multistring inverter, a detailed analysis is carried out. The experimental results of the developed 1-kW two-string prototype with different PV strings at various PV conditions are also shown. The results verify the effectiveness of the topology in tracking the maximum power of each string independently without affecting the operating condition and control of the other string.
A combined remote Raman and LIBS instrument for characterizing minerals with 532 nm laser excitation.

Abstract The authors have developed an integrated remote Raman and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system for measuring both the Raman and LIBS spectra of minerals with a single 532 nm laser line of 35 mJ/pulse and 20 Hz. The instrument has been used for analyzing both Raman and LIBS spectra of carbonates, sulfates, hydrous and anhydrous silicates, and iron oxide minerals in air. These experiments demonstrate that by focusing a frequency-doubled 532 nm Nd:YAG pulsed laser beam with a 10× beam expander to a 529-μm diameter spot on a mineral surface located at 9 m, it is possible to measure simultaneously both the remote Raman and LIBS spectra of calcite, gypsum and olivine by adjusting the laser power electronically. The spectra of calcite, gypsum, and olivine contain fingerprint Raman lines; however, it was not possible to measure the remote Raman spectra of magnetite and hematite at 9 m because of strong absorption of 532 nm laser radiation and low intensities of Raman lines from these minerals. The remote LIBS spectra of both magnetite and hematite contain common iron emission lines but show difference in the minor amount of Li present in these two minerals. Remote Raman and LIBS spectra of a number of carbonates, sulfates, feldspars and phyllosilicates at a distance of 9 m were measured with a 532-nm laser operating at 35 mJ/pulse and by changing photon flux density at the sample by varying the spot diameter from 10 mm for Raman to 530 μm for LIBS measurements. The complementary nature of these spectra is highlighted and discussed. The combined Raman and LIBS system can also be re-configured to perform micro-Raman and micro-LIBS analyses, which have applications in trace/residue analysis and analysis of very small samples in the nano-gram range.
Respiratory and polysomnographic values in 3- to 5-year-old normal children at higher altitude.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine polysomnographic parameter differences in children living at higher altitude to children living near sea level. DESIGN AND SETTING Prospective study of non-snoring, normal children recruited from various communities around Denver, CO. In-lab, overnight polysomnograms were performed at a tertiary care children's hospital. All children required residence for greater than one year at an elevation around 1,600 meters. PARTICIPANTS 45 children (62% female), aged 3-5 years, 88.9% non-Hispanic white with average BMI percentile for age of 47.8% ± 30.7%. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Standard sleep indices were obtained and compared to previously published normative values in a similar population living near sea level (SLG). In the altitude group (AG), the apnea-hypopnea index was 1.8 ± 1.2 and the central apnea-hypopnea index was 1.7 ± 1.1, as compared to 0.9 ± 0.8 and 0.8 ± 0.7, respectively, (P ≤ 0.005) in SLG. Mean end-tidal CO2 level in AG was 42.3 ± 3.0 mm Hg and 40.6 ± 4.6 mm Hg in SLG (P = 0.049). The ≥ 4% desaturation index was 3.9 ± 2.0 in AG compared to 0.3 ± 0.4 in SLG (P < 0.001). Mean periodic limb movement in series index was 10.1 ± 12.3 in AG and 3.6 ± 5.4 in SLG (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION Comparison of altitude and sea level sleep studies in healthy children reveals significant differences in central apnea, apneahypopnea, desaturation, and periodic limb movement in series indices. Clinical providers should be aware of these differences when interpreting sleep studies and incorporate altitude-adjusted normative values in therapeutic-decision making algorithms.
Improved growth estimates from integrated analysis of direct aging and tag–recapture data: An illustration with bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) of the eastern Pacific Ocean with implications for management

Abstract The growth modeling framework to integrate age-at-length and tag–recapture length-increment data sources is well established in fishery science. Surprisingly, the use of the so-called “Laslett–Eveson–Polacheck (LEP)” statistical approach has been infrequent since its development in the early 2000s. Likely, this is due to the complex treatment of process error by the methodology and its resulting high computational demands. Using bigeye tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean as an example, this research presents a modified LEP method to strengthen the benefits of integrating the two sources of data into a single-step modeling approach. The bigeye tuna case study is typical in the tuna world in which age estimates from direct otolith readings commonly cover the young segment of the species life-cycle only, causing growth model predictions extrapolated beyond the data to be unreasonably high and contain uncertain values of the asymptotic length parameter L ∞ . In the case of bigeye, several improvements resulted from integration of an auxiliary tag–recapture dataset containing recoveries from large (older) fish: the estimated growth curve “bent” over toward a much lower and more plausible value of L ∞ in order to explain the tag–recapture observations from older adult bigeye and the uncertainty (precision) of most growth parameters was greatly reduced (increased). The estimate of variability of the length-at-age was lower and estimated with greater precision. It is argued that it is reasonable to relax the complex assumptions made in the original LEP approach of treating L ∞ as a random variable and assuming dependency between the lengths at tagging (l1) and recovery (l2) while treating the unknown age at release (A) for each tagged fish as a random variable. These modifications greatly reduce computational demand, potentially making the LEP approach more widely used, and simplifying the interpretation of variation of length-at-age for use in stock assessment models that fit to length composition data. In addition, opportunities are opened to integrate the methodology inside modern statistical stock assessment models.
AN EVALUATION AND EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE DISCLOSURE OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES IN PUBLISHED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

s of Doctoral Dissertations 1161 (97%). This substantial agreement among respondents indicated strong approval of the disclosure of specific information in financial statements. Approximately 58 per cent of the respondents indicated that they favored a flexible format for the disclosure of accounting policies in financial statements. The preference for a flexible format concurs with the recommendation of the APB Opinion 22. More than 64 per cent of the respondents indicated that they preferred that the disclosure of significant accounting policies appear before rather than after the financial statements. Furthermore, a vast majority of the respondents indicated that they made adjustments to net income when they were confronted with alternate accounting methods. Although asked, none of the respondents provided any specific procedures for adjusting net income when confronted with alternate accounting methods in comparing financial statements. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.156 on Sat, 10 Sep 2016 05:38:01 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Influence of hygrothermal aging on carbon nanofiber enhanced polyester material systems

Abstract Four polyester composites (neat polyester, polyester reinforced with glass fibers, polyester reinforced with carbon nanofibers, and polyester reinforced with both glass fibers and carbon nanofibers) were prepared with the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process. These material systems were exposed to 60 °C/60% RH for 3600 h. Diffusivity was determined using moisture uptake curves. And, it was discovered that the addition of glass fibers (GFs) increased diffusivity, while the addition of carbon nanofibers (CNF) decreased diffusivity. Optical analysis was performed on the manually delaminated glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) and nano-enhanced GFRP. This analysis indicated that the addition of CNF retarded the degradation of the matrix after exposure to elevated heat and humidity. Thermo-mechanical analysis was performed across material systems during various stages of the environmental preconditioning to determine alterations in properties such as storage modulus (SM) and glass transition temperature (Tg). The addition of GF to the system initially increased the maximum storage modulus, it also increased degradation from elevated heat and humidity exposure In contrast with GF, the addition of CNF retarded SM degradation and increased thermal stability. Upon re-drying, the nano-enhanced material systems recouped more than 90% of the maximum SM and maintained a Tg between the baseline and saturated hygrothermal treatments. This indicated both a reversible plasticization and an irreversible retarded degradation which could be potentially attributed to the addition of CNF.
Computational complexity of one-step methods for systems of differential equations

Abstract : The problem is to calculate an approximate solution of an initial value problem for an autonomous system of N ordinary differential equations. Using fast power series techniques, we exhibit an algorithm for the pth-order Taylor series method requiring only O((p to the N power) ln p) arithmetic operations per step as p goes to plus infinity. (Moreover, we show that any such algorithm requires at least O(p to the N power) operations per step.) We compute the order which minimizes the complexity bounds for Taylor series and linear Runge-Kutta methods, and show that in all cases, this optimal order increases as the error criterion epsilon decreases, tending to infinity as epsilon tends to zero. Finally, we show that if certain derivatives are easy to evaluate, then Taylor series methods are asymptotically better than linear Runge-Kutta methods for problems of small dimension N. (Author)
Response: Multiple myeloma is universally preceded by a prolonged premalignant stage: novel clinical insights and future directions

Go and Doyle address important clinical questions based on our recent study showing that multiple myeloma (MM) is universally preceded by a prolonged premalignant stage.[1][1] Although the questions raised are not directly related to our paper, which focused primarily on a key biologic question,
Synthesis of the pentamethylcyclopentadienylruthenium dithiolate complex Cp∗Ru(NO)(dmit). Electrochemical properties and extended Hückel molecular orbital calculations

Abstract The new compound Cp ∗ Ru(NO)(dmit) has been prepared from Cp ∗ Ru(NO)Cl 2 and 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate (dmit), prepared in situ from 4,5-bis(benzoylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-thione in ethanolic sodium ethoxide, in moderate yield. The product has been isolated and characterized in solution by IR and NMR ( 1 H and 13 C) spectroscopies. The solid-state structure of Cp ∗ Ru(NO)(dmit) has been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrochemical behavior of Cp ∗ Ru(NO)(dmit) has been studied by cyclic and rotating disk electrode voltammetries, revealing the existence of two well-defined one-electron responses that have been assigned to the 0/+1 and 0/−1 redox couples. The composition of the HOMO and LUMO levels in the model compound CpRu(NO)(dmit) has been determined by carrying out extended Huckel molecular orbital calculations. The MO data indicate that the HOMO in CpRu(NO)(dmit) is best described as a dmit-based orbital (78%) which contains a small amount of Ru (d x 2 − y 2 )/NO (py) character, while the LUMO is best represented by an antibonding overlap of the Ru ( d xy ) and π ∗ NO ( p x ) orbitals. A comparison of the MO and electrochemical data from Cp ∗ Ru(NO)(dmit) with the structurally related dithiolate compounds Cp ∗ Ru(NO) (mnt) and Cp ∗ Ru(NO)(tdas) is presented. It has been found that Cp ∗ Ru(NO)(dmit) exhibits a more easily oxidized 0/+1 redox couple as compared to the mnt and tdas compounds. This results from the presence of a high-lying [dmit] 2− donor orbital that leads to a high-energy antibonding interaction between the Cp ∗ Ru(NO) and dmit fragments, which in turn produces a destabilized HOMO.
‘Evidence’ as an idealized cognitive model

(1994). ‘Evidence’ as an idealized cognitive model. Social Epistemology: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 163-175.
Antiallergic drug cromolyn may inhibit histamine secretion by regulating phosphorylation of a mast cell protein

Cromolyn inhibited histamine release from mast cells that was induced by a classic secretagogue and correspondingly increased incorporation of radioactive phosphate into a 78,000-dalton protein. These effects on histamine secretion and on protein phosphorylation were rapid in onset and both showed tachyphylaxis. Cromolyn may therefore act by altering the phosphorylation of a protein involved in the regulation of secretion.
Modelling, simulation and experimental verification of contact/impact dynamics in flexible multi-body systems

Contact/impact in flexible multibody systems that undergo pre-contact free motion, contact/impact and post-impact constraint motion is modelled. The shortcomings of using coefficients of restitution, penalty parameters and Lagrange multipliers are overcome by using a methodology for modelling non-holonomic hybrid parameter multiple body systems (HPMBS). The minimum set of equations required for the systems were developed using the methodology. All the dynamics of the manipulator (elaborated in the section below) are modelled with very few degrees of freedom. The model was experimentally validated via a planar two-link flexible manipulator that undergoes the complete motion regime. The comparisons show that the model predicts the complete dynamics of the manipulator accurately and the transition between the different modes of motion is seamless.
Small Changes in Nutrition and Physical Activity Promote Weight Loss and Maintenance: 3-Month Evidence from the ASPIRE Randomized Trial

Current obesity interventions use intensive behavior changes to achieve large initial weight loss. However, weight regain after treatment is common, and drop out rates are relatively high. Smaller behavioral changes could produce initial weight loss and be easier to sustain after active treatment. We examined the efficacy of an intervention that targeted small but cumulative participant-chosen changes in diet and physical activity (ASPIRE) and compared this treatment to standard didactic and wait-list control groups. The primary outcome measures were body weight, waist circumference, and intra-abdominal fat. Fifty-nine overweight or obese sedentary adults were randomized to one of three groups: (1) the ASPIRE group (n = 20), (2) a standard educationally-based treatment group (n = 20), or (3) a wait list control group (n = 19) for 4 months. Active treatment groups received identical resistance and aerobic training programs. Intention-to-treat analyses showed that participants in the ASPIRE group lost significantly more weight than the standard and control groups (−4.4 vs. −1.1 and +0.1 kg, respectively), and the greater initial weight loss in the ASPIRE group was sustained 3 months after active treatment (4.1 kg). An alternative analytic strategy (0.3 kg/month weight gain for those lost to follow-up) showed continued weight loss (−0.2 kg after active treatment; −4.6 kg from baseline) at follow-up in the ASPIRE group. Similar patterns were observed for the other adiposity measures. More modest behavioral changes are capable of promoting weight loss, decreasing adiposity markers and sustaining these changes over 3 months. Longer-term studies comparing this approach with traditional behavioral weight loss treatments are warranted.
Sampling and Analytical Variability Associated with the Determination of Total Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Powdered Ginger Sold As a Dietary Supplement in Capsules

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is studying the need to monitor dietary supplements for mycotoxins such as total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. An effective mycotoxin-monitoring program requires knowledge of the sampling and analytical variability associated with the determination of total aflatoxins (AF) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in dietary supplements. Three lots of ginger sold as a powder in capsule form and packaged in individual bottles were analyzed for both AF and OTA. The total variability associated with measuring AF and OTA in powdered ginger was partitioned into bottleto-bottle, within bottle, and analytical variances. The variances were estimated using a nested design. For AF and OTA, the within-bottle variance associated with the 5 g laboratory sample size was the largest component of variability accounting for about 43% and 85% of the total variance, respectively; the analytical variance accounted for about 34% and 9% of the total variability, respectively; and the bottle-to-bottle variance accounted for about 23% and 7% of the total variance, respectively. When the total variance is converted into the coefficient of variation (CV or standard deviation relative to the mean concentration), the CV is lower for AF (16.9%) than OTA (24.7%).
High-precision reflectometry of multilayer coatings for extreme ultraviolet lithography

Synchrotron-based reflectometry is an important technique for the precise determination of optical properties of reflective multilayer coatings for Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL). Multilayer coatings enable normal incidence reflectances of more than 65% in the wavelength range between 11 and 15 nm. In order to achieve high resolution and throughput of EUVL systems, stringent requirements not only apply to their mechanical and optical layout, but also apply to the optical properties of the multilayer coatings. Therefore, multilayer deposition on near-normal incidence optical surfaces of projection optics, condenser optics and reflective masks requires suitable high-precision metrology. Most important, due to their small bandpass on the order of only 0.5 nm, all reflective multilayer coatings in EUVL systems must be wavelength-matched to within +/- 0.05 nm. In some cases, a gradient of the coating thickness is necessary for wavelength matching at variable average angle of incidence in different locations on the optical surfaces. Furthermore, in order to preserve the geometrical figure of the optical substrates, reflective multilayer coatings need to be uniform to within 0.01 nm in their center wavelength. This requirement can only be fulfilled with suitable metrology, which provides a precision of a fraction of this value. In addition, for the detailed understanding and the further development of reflective multilayer coatings a precision in the determination of peak reflectances is desirable on the order of 0.1%. Substrates up to 200 mm in diameter and 15 kg in mass need to be accommodated. Above requirements are fulfilled at beamline 6.3.2 of the Advanced Light Source (ALS) in Berkeley. This beamline proved to be precise within 0.2% (rms) for reflectance and 0.002 nm (rms) for wavelength.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transient Fields of Pulsed Transducers in Solids

The radiation and propagation of elastic waves in solid media are of fundamental importance in ultrasonic NDE. Due to the limitation of analytical approaches, numerical procedures are most appropriate for solving the governing equations. In this paper, the finite element method is used to predict the transient fields of pulsed transducers in a solid medium with axisymmetric geometry. Comparisons with other models are performed. The transducer field interactions with spherical voids are also presented.
Korean American caregivers: who are they?

Purpose: To describe the caregiving role in the Korean American family. Design: Descriptive study. Method: Thirty Korean American female caregivers were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire related to sociodemographic background, caregiving history, filial responsibility, family network, cognitive status, dependency level, job-caregiving conflict, family conflict, economic strain, and negative life-style changes. Findings: The Korean American caregivers were elderly wives who were sharing households only with their elderly husbands, and these women were low-income, unemployed, less educated, and regarded their caregiving activity as a final assignment of obligation and duty given to them as spouse. Discussion: The Korean traditional cultural norm of filial piety plays a significant role for caregiving activities among Korean American caregivers. Implication: Understanding cultural norms may enable health care providers to look below the surface even though caregivers may not express problems.
Lymphocyte Function-associated Antigen-1 (LFA-1) Interaction with Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is One of At Least Three Mechanisms for Lymphocyte Adhesion to Cultured Endothelial Cells

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on the surface of cultured umbilical vein and saphenous vein endothelial cells was upregulated between 2.5- and 40-fold by rIL-1, rTNF, LPS and rIFN gamma corresponding to up to 5 X 10(6) sites/cell. Endothelial cell ICAM-1 was a single band of 90 kD in SDS-PAGE. Purified endothelial cell ICAM-1 reconstituted into liposomes and bound to plastic was an excellent substrate for both JY B lymphoblastoid cell and T lymphoblast adhesion. Adhesion to endothelial cell ICAM-1 in planar membranes was blocked completely by monoclonal antibodies to lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) or ICAM-1. Adhesion to artificial membranes was most sensitive to ICAM-1 density within the physiological range found on resting and stimulated endothelial cells. Adhesion of JY B lymphoblastoid cells, normal and genetically LFA-1 deficient T lymphoblasts and resting peripheral blood lymphocytes to endothelial cell monolayers was also assayed. In summary, LFA-1 dependent (60-90% of total adhesion) and LFA-1-independent basal adhesion was observed and the use of both adhesion pathways by different interacting cell pairs was increased by monokine or lipopolysaccharide stimulation of endothelial cells. The LFA-1-dependent adhesion could be further subdivided into an LFA-1/ICAM-1-dependent component which was increased by cytokines and a basal LFA-1-dependent, ICAM-1-independent component which did not appear to be affected by cytokines. We conclude that ICAM-1 is a regulated ligand for lymphocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, but at least two other major adhesion pathways exist.
Evaluation of plethysmography findings as a diagnostic method for patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS)

Introduction: PITS is a serious disease can caused many diagnostic problems. It caused by cuff pressure during tracheal intubation. Generally, invasive diagnostic methods, based on fiber-optic or rigid bronchoscopy, are suggested for initial treatments. Aims and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the plethysmography findings, as a diagnostic method for PITS; and assess the relationship between plethysmography and bronchoscopy findings in patients with PITS. Methods: The sample included 30 patients, who were admitted to an ICU or in a surgical ward during the course of a year and had been diagnosed with PITS. All patients after taken an history underwent plethysmography and then rigid bronchoscopy; and the relation between plethysmography and bronchoscopy findings was able to be examined. Results: Regarding the relationship of the variables under evaluation by bronchoscopy with plethysmography findings, stricture intensity had the highest correlation with SRaw (resistance of upper airways) with a p-value=0.001.The relationship of the length of stricture with FEV1, MEF 50 and MEF 75 was significant (P-value = 0.039, 0.042 and 0.036 respectively) in the univariate and with RV% and TLC% in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Significant relationships were found between plethysmography and rigid bronchoscopy findings in patients with PITS; some statistical formulas were developed which allow medical practitioners additional opportunities to estimate the stricture intensity without bronchoscopy. Other significant relationships were also found - regarding the length of stricture - which affirmed the effectiveness of plethysmography for evaluation of patients with PITS.
Estimates of the Number of Human Infections With Influenza A(H3N2) Variant Virus, United States, August 2011–April 2012

BACKGROUND Thirteen human infections with an influenza A(H3N2) variant (H3N2v) virus containing a combination of gene segments not previously associated with human illness were identified in the United States from August 2011 to April 2012. Because laboratory confirmation of influenza virus infection is only performed for a minority of ill persons and routine clinical tests may not identify H3N2v virus, the count of laboratory-confirmed H3N2v virus infections underestimates the true burden of illness. METHODS To account for this underascertainment, we adapted a multiplier model created at the beginning of the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic to estimate the true burden of H3N2v illness. Data to inform each of these parameters came from the literature and from special projects conducted during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the 2010-2011 influenza season. The multipliers were calculated as the simple inverses of the proportions at each step, and we accounted for variability and uncertainty in model parameters by using a probabilistic or Monte Carlo approach. RESULTS We estimate that the median multiplier for children was 200 (90% range, 115-369) and for adults was 255 (90% range, 152-479) and that 2055 (90% range, 1187-3800) illnesses from H3N2v virus infections may have occurred from August 2011 to April 2012, suggesting that the new virus was more widespread than previously thought. CONCLUSIONS Illness from this variant influenza virus was more frequent than previously thought. Continued surveillance is needed to ensure timely detection and response to H3N2v virus infections.
Field Spectroscopy of Agricultural Crops

The design, implementation, and results of multisite multiyear experiments to measure and model the multispectral reflectance of agricultural crops in relation to their biophysical characteristics are described. The experimental approach involved multitemporal reflectance measurements together with detailed measurements of the agronomic characteristics of crop canopies. One result of the field measurements and analyses was a quantitative description of the complex relationships among crop canopy, soil, atmosphere, and illumination and sensor geometries. Leaf area index was identified as a key biophysical parameter linking crop physiology and multispectral remote sensing. Quantitative understanding and models of this relationship led to the development of spectral-temporal profile models for crop species identification and development stage estimation. A second key development has been the development of conceptual approaches and models for spectral estimation of leaf area index and light interception of crop canopies as inputs to crop growth and yield models. Other results include quantification of the effects of soil background, cultural practices, moisture stress, and nutrient deficiencies on crop reflectance, and the effects of sun angle and sensor view angle on measured canopy reflectance. The field measurements of canopy reflectance and geometry also provided data bases to test and validate canopy radiation models. In summary, the AgRISTARS field research on agricultural crops has provided a critical link between satellite and leaf spectral data.
Monolithic tunable laser based on selectively intermixed GaAs/AlGaAs QW structure

We demonstrate a monolithic 10nm tunable integrated laser on a QW structure. Wavelength switching is achieved by steering an optical gain media laterally over two adjacent quantum well regions selectively intermixed to varying extents.
ANOTHER VIEW OF FORMULA PLANNING

FORMULA PLANNING is often put forth as an investment technique for taking advantage of stock market fluctuations. Formula planning involves taking a position in a diversified list of common stocks (the aggressive portion) in combination with a position in non-volatile fixed income securities (the defensive portion).1 The proportions invested in stocks or bonds are determined by the relative dearness or cheapness of the aggressive portion.
Experiments with calculated therapeutic and toxic doses of digitalis: III. Effects on the coronary blood flow☆

Abstract Calculated therapeutic doses of digitalis did not produce a significant change in the coronary blood flow of the dog. This confirms the results of Essex, Herrick, Baldes, and Mann. 28 Calculated toxic doses of digitalis decreased the coronary blood flow of dogs four to six hours after the drug had been administered. The diminution of flow persisted for several days after a single toxic dose of the drug. No myocardial lesions were observed after a therapeutic dose of digitalis, nor were they observed in one animal which received a toxic dose of digitalis. In the latter animal the coronary blood flow returned to the preinjection level within two days. Myocardial lesions were observed in one animal in which the coronary blood flow was kept well below the control level for twelve days by repeated injections of digitalis (toxic range). The diminution of coronary blood flow after the injection of toxic doses of digitalis could not be correlated consistently with changes in the pulse rate or systemic blood pressure. After the injection of toxic doses of digitalis the coronary blood flow returned to the control level in several experiments, and the animals recovered completely.
Diagnostic markers for hepatitis virus infection

Background: Accurate diagnosis and characterization of hepatitis viruses are essential from a public health perspective and for clinical management. Objective: To review recent advances in the diagnosis of viral hepatitis A – D and their clinical utilities. Methods: Review of the literature published up to 2007. Result/conclusion: Recent advances in the sensitivity and ease of serologic and molecular diagnostics have improved our understanding of the natural history of viral hepatitis, are helpful in the pretreatment evaluation and provide guidance to antiviral therapy. As the technology improves, this will be reflected in an increased reliance and expanded role of these tests in clinical management and improved safety of the blood supply.
Malaria and growth

The authors explore the two-sided link between malaria morbidity and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita growth. Climate significantly affects cross-country differences in malaria morbidity. Tropical location is not destiny, however: greater access to rural health care and greater income equality are associated with lower malaria morbidity. But the interpretation of this link is ambiguous: does greater income inequality allow for improved anti-malaria efforts, or does malaria itself increase income inequality? Allowing for two-sided causation, the authors find a significant negative causal effect running from malaria morbidity to the growth rate of GDP per capita. In about a quarter of their sample countries, malaria is estimated to reduce GDP per capita growth by at least 0.25 percentage point a year.
Helicobacter pylori Growth and Urease Detection in the Chemically Defined Medium Ham's F-12 Nutrient Mixture

Obstacles continue to hinder in vitro studies of the gastric human pathogen Helicobacter pylori , including difficulty culturing the organism in the absence of serum or blood, rapid loss of viability following exponential growth due to autolysis, and the necessity for using high starting inocula. We demonstrate that H. pylori grows in the chemically defined broth medium Ham9s F-12 nutrient mixture (F-12) in the absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS); this represents a breakthrough for studies in which serum components or proteins interfere with interpretation of results. Cultures can be continually passaged in fresh, FBS-free F-12 medium at an initial inoculum of only ∼10 3 CFU/ml. All H. pylori strains ( n = 21), including fresh clinical isolates, grew in serum-free F-12. H. pylori grew poorly in the related medium, F-10, unless additional zinc was supplied. Enhanced growth of H. pylori in F-12 broth was obtained by addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) (1 mg/ml), β-cyclodextrin (200 μg/ml), or cholesterol (50 μg/ml). H. pylori also grew in several simplified versions of F-12 broth lacking glucose and most vitamins but containing hypoxanthine, pyruvate, and all 20 amino acids. On F-12 medium solidified with agar, H. pylori only grew when BSA (98% pure; 1 mg/ml), cholesterol (50 μg/ml), β-cyclodextrin (200 μg/ml), or FBS (2 to 4%) was added; addition of urea and phenol allowed colorimetric detection of urease activity. Thus, F-12 agar plus cholesterol or β-cyclodextrin represents the first transparent chemically defined agar and the first urease indicator agar for H. pylori . Several lines of evidence suggested that BSA itself is not responsible for H. pylori growth enhancement in F-12 containing BSA or FBS. Taken together, these innovations represent significant advances in the cultivation and recovery of H. pylori using chemically defined media. Use of F-12 or its derivatives may lead to improved understanding of H. pylori metabolism, virulence factors, and transmission, and result in improved recovery and identification of H. pylori from clinical specimens.
Sensitivity matrix calculation for fast 3-D electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) of flow systems

We discuss an improved three-dimensional sensitivity matrix calculation and measurement approach for electrical capacitance tomography of flow systems employing neural-network-based reconstruction algorithms. The experimental apparatus involved, the sensor design, and the forward and inverse numerical techniques are also discussed. Simulation results of the imaging of flow systems are provided to illustrate the capabilities of the technique.
Nonlinear robust variable structure control of pointing and tracking with operator spline estimation

Summary form only given. Variable control (VSC) in effect consists of designing a control input based on a simplified or inaccurate dynamic model, to which a variable correction is added, based on estimates of the model errors, sufficient incipiently to overshoot the desired controlled trajectory (sliding manifold). To suppress chattering, an optimally time-varying boundary layer can be generated to contain the sliding surface, within which the corrected control is continuously interpolated. An explicit design rule (tradeoff) can then be established between tracking error tolerance and effective control bandwidth, determined by the imposed model error bounds. For rapid rotation of a deformable body, the elastic response can be moded by oscillators driven by angular acceleration, where stiffness and damping coefficients are also angular-velocity- and acceleration-dependent. Bandwidth-limited VSC has been generated for pointing and tracking with such deformable vehicles, with the operator spline estimate used in the design of the nominal part (the equivalent control estimate), and the operator spline error bound in that of the control correction. >
Intersensory redundancy educates selective attention in bobwhite quail embryos

We assessed whether exposure to amodal properties in bimodal stimulation (e.g. rhythm, rate, duration) could educate attention to amodal properties in subsequent unimodal stimulation during prenatal development. Bobwhite quail embryos were exposed to an individual bobwhite maternal call under several experimental and control conditions during the day prior to hatching. Experimental groups received redundant auditory and visual exposure to the temporal features of an individual maternal call followed by unimodal auditory exposure to the same call immediately or after a 2-hr or 4-hr delay. Control groups received (1) the same exposure but in the reverse sequence (unimodal → redundant bimodal), (2) asynchronous bimodal → unimodal, (3) only unimodal exposure, or (4) only bimodal exposure. All experimental groups showed a significant preference for the familiar maternal call over a novel maternal call when tested 2 days after hatching, whereas none of the control groups showed a significant preference for the familiar call. These results indicate that intersensory redundancy can direct attention to amodal properties in bimodal stimulation and educate attention to the same amodal properties in subsequent unimodal stimulation where no intersensory redundancy is available.
Robotic abdominal sacrocolpopexy/sacrouteropexy repair of advanced female pelvic organ prolaspe (POP): utilizing POP-quantification-based staging and outcomes.

Objectives To assess the management of advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with robotic-assisted abdominal sacrocolpopexy (RASC) and evaluate outcomes using the POP quantification scale (POP-Q). Patients and methods Women with symptomatic stages III and IV POP were evaluated at our institution. After complete clinical assessment, including POP-Q-based physical examination and urodynamic studies, the patients underwent RASC with or without anti-incontinence surgery in the presence (sacrouteropexy) or absence of uterus (sacrocolpopexy). Follow-up examinations at 3 and 6 months included a POP-Q-based examination. Results Fifteen women were consented for RASC; 12 underwent successful RASC, one required conversion to laparoscopic ASC, one to open ASC, and one to transvaginal repair. The mean (range) patient age was 64 (50-79) years. Before surgery, the mean POP-Q stage was 3.1 (3-4) and the POP-Q values for the anterior (Aa, Ba), posterior (Ap, Bp) and apex (C) of the vagina were: Aa - 0.9, Ba + 1.0, Ap - 1.0, Bp + 1.3, and C +2.1. After surgery, the mean POP-Q stage was 0 and the POP-Q values had improved to Aa - 2.29, Ba - 2.29, Ap - 2.65, Bp - 2.65, and C - 8.28. The mean (range) estimated blood loss during surgery was 81 (50-150) mL. The mean hospital stay was 2.4 (1-7) days. Seven patients had concurrent placement of a mid-urethral sling and one patient had a concurrent Burch colposuspension. Conclusions These early results show that RASC is safe and efficacious, and that its anatomical outcomes compare favourably to the reported results for open or laparoscopic ASC.
A Rapid Chromatographic Method for Quality Control of Technetium-99m-Bicisate

The purpose of this work was to develop a simple and rapid method to determine the radiochemical purity of 99mTc-bicisate. Methods: A rapid paper chromatographic (PC) method was developed to determine the radiochemical purity of 99mTc-bicisate and compare the results with those of the manufacturer’s recommended method. The present PC method included Whatman 3MM paper as the solid phase and ethyl acetate as the solvent. Results: The time for chromatography by this technique was 4–5 min compared to about 23 min by the manufacturer’s method. The Rf, value of 99mTc-bicisate (Rf = 0.9–1.0) was widely different from those of 99mTcO4− and reduced 99mTc (Rf = 0.0 for both) so the chromatographic strip after development could be readily cut into two segments, in order to determine the labeling yield. Conclusion: No significant difference in labeling yields was found between the present method and the manufacturer’s method. The PC method using Whatman 3MM paper and ethyl acetate is a simple and fast technique to determine the radiochemical purity of 99mTc-bicisate and may be substituted for the manufacturer’s recommended method to save time.
Institutionalizing passion in world politics: fear and empathy

Emotions are a ubiquitous intersubjective element of world politics. Yet, passions are often treated as fleeting, private, reactive, and not amenable to systematic analysis. Institutionalization links the private and individual to the collective and political. Passions may become enduring through institutionalization, and thus, as much as characterizing private reactions to external phenomena, emotions structure the social world. To illustrate this argument, I describe how fear and empathy may be institutionalized, discuss the relationship between these emotions, and suggest how empathy may be both a mirror and potential antidote to individual and institutionalized fear.