cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Joint face alignment with non-parametric shape models

We present a joint face alignment technique that takes a set of images as input and produces a set of shape- and appearance-consistent face alignments as output. Our method is an extension of the recent localization method of Belhumeur et al. [1], which combines the output of local detectors with a non-parametric set of face shape models. We are inspired by the recent joint alignment method of Zhao et al. [20], which employs a modified Active Appearance Model (AAM) approach to align a batch of images. We introduce an approach for simultaneously optimizing both a local appearance constraint, which couples the local estimates between multiple images, and a global shape constraint, which couples landmarks and images across the image set. In video sequences, our method greatly improves the temporal stability of landmark estimates without compromising accuracy relative to ground truth.
Evaluating the performance of group membership protocols

Group membership protocols are designed to achieve agreement among a set of replicated servers on a global service state, despite random message transmission delays, component failures, and server joins. This paper proposes a set of performance metrics for group membership protocols and investigates the performance characteristics of a suite of five asynchronous group membership protocols with regard to those metrics. After a brief description of the protocol suite, we propose a systematic procedure for determining the timeout delays used by the protocols, so as to achieve the best compromise between protocol stability and the speed with which failures are detected and joins are processed. The paper then discusses the measured performance of the membership protocols in an environment consisting of UNIX workstations interconnected by a 10 Megabit/sec Ethernet local area network.
Gastroparesis - a novel cause of persistent thyroid stimulating hormone elevation in hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is easily treated by levothyroxine therapy which has an 80 percent absorption rate, mostly in the jejunum. The replacement dose of daily levothyroxine is usually calculated at 1.6 mcg/kg body weight per day. We report a 77-year-old man who required supraphysiologic thyroxine replacement (>2.7 mcg/ kg/day) to treat his hypothyroidism. The patient was referred for persistent thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) elevation (40 mcIU/ml) while on 175 mcg of levothyroxine. Patient was compliant with medication. Medical history included diabetes mellitus type 2, cerebrovascular accident, depression, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, Addison’s disease, as well as a colostomy secondary to diverticulitis. He was taking aspirin, carvedilol, cholecalciferol, finasteride, fluoxetine, furosemide, ketoconazole, levothyroxine, prednisone, and albuterol/ipratropium inhaler. His height was 180.3 cm; weight, 107 kg. Thyroid was impalpable, and he was clinically euthyroid. Despite discontinuation of iron and statin which are known to interfere with thyroxine absorption and crushing of thyroxine tablets to enhance absorption, his TSH remained elevated. Celiac disease and Helicobacter pylori infection were ruled out with serological testing. There was no proteinuria and anti-parietal cell antibody was positive. Gastroparesis was confirmed by gastric emptying study. He continued to require increasing doses of thyroxine with increment to 300 mcg daily. To our knowledge, this is the first documented association between gastroparesis and thyroxine malabsorption. We recommend that gastroparesis be considered in any patient with persistent TSH elevation despite usual thyroxine doses.
Recent Advances in the Understanding and Treatment of Pediatric Leukemias

Key Points Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: significant progress made in all groups, genomic technologies increasing understanding and identifying new potential therapeutic targets. Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Risk group classification now applies to pediatric AML to help guide therapy and choice of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: therapy now with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, unclear role now for HSCT. HSCT: 1. improving morbidity risks, increasing use of unrelated adult and cord blood stem cell donors, current transplant approaches and current indications for transplant in pediatric leukemia.
Assessment of secondary cleft rhinoplasty using resorbable plates at the age of primary school.

BACKGROUND Secondary rhinoplasty after a cleft lip repair remains a significant challenge. We have developed a technique in which resorbable plates are used to support the cleft alar cartilage to minimize relapse. There are few guidelines by which one can objectively assess the outcome of cleft rhinoplasty over time. This study attempts to demonstrate a means by which the symmetry and form of the proposed rhinoplasty technique can be evaluated. METHODS Sixteen patients with unilateral cleft lip/palate repair had a secondary rhinoplasty performed at age 6 to 8 years, using a resorbable plate (resorption time, 2-3 years) placed between the nasal lining and cleft alar cartilage to simulate the shape of the noncleft cartilage. Photographs were taken preoperatively and postoperatively. Median follow-up was 9.6 +/- 2.8 months. Various angles and ratios were measured to demonstrate outcomes, comparing preoperative to postoperative measures, and symmetry between cleft and noncleft sides. RESULTS Postoperatively, the angle between the horizontal axis, drawn across the alar base and tangent to the alar rim on both sides, was significantly altered (P < 0.001); both sides were closer to 60 degrees (mean, 56.28 degrees), approximating the angle of the aesthetic norm. A measure of the angle between the horizontal axis and a line drawn from midpoint of axis to nasal tip was significantly closer to 90 degrees (P < 0.05). The shape of the affected nostril became more oval and symmetric relative to the unaffected side (P < 0.05). Angle between the horizontal axis and a line drawn through the widest point of each nostril was close to zero. (P < 0.001). The difference in nostril height between the cleft and noncleft sides was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION We have objectively evaluated the outcomes of our technique of secondary cleft rhinoplasty using resorbable plates for alar support. A careful geometric evaluation of preoperative and postoperative photographs can help determine the symmetry and overall quality of the result. These measures may help to evaluate long-term outcomes of cleft rhinoplasty over time.
Is a non-equilibrium supersolid possible in solid 4He?

Abstract Theoretical calculations have shown that an equilibrium supersolid state is possible in a number of systems. The most studied system is solid 4 He, but experimental searches have failed to find evidence for supersolid behavior. However, it is possible to create a non-equilibrium supersolid state through Bose condensation of a non-thermal distribution of vacancies. In this paper, I discuss the relevant properties of solid 4 He to determine the feasibility of creating such a state in this system. While the relevant vacancy parameters are not known with certainty, there is a range of allowed values that would allow the creation of a non-equilibrium supersolid in 4 He.
Molecular Recognition of Oligosaccharide Epitopes by a Monoclonal Fab Specific for Shigella flexneri Y Lipopolysaccharide: X-ray Structures and Thermodynamics

The antigenic recognition of Shigella flexneri O-polysaccharide, which consists of a repeating unit ABCD [→2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→3)-α-l-Rhap-(1→3)-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1→], by the monoclonal antibo...
Characteristics of Functional Gait among People with and without Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract It is advantageous from a rehabilitation standpoint to determine physiological factors associated with functional gait. These factors may be fundamentally different in those with peripheral neuropathy (PN) compared to age-matched healthy individuals. The purpose of this investigation was to examine associations between functional gait and measures of leg strength, standing balance, and locomotor kinematics in people with and without PN. Methods Individuals with PN and age-matched controls were assessed for functional gait by the 6-min walk and timed up-and-go tests. Leg strength was measured as isokinetic peak torque of the knee extensors. Standing balance was assessed by center-of-pressure sway velocity and area during quiet stance. Locomotor kinematics from treadmill walking were used to compute stride duration variability and local instability (i.e., finite-time Lyapunov exponents), which estimate kinematic divergence caused by small-scale perturbations. Results Leg strength and locomotor kinematics – in particular local instability – correlated with functional gait performance in controls. Conversely, reduced functional gait performance in the PN group was primarily mediated by impaired standing balance control. Discussion Locomotor kinematics predicts functional gait, and the magnitude of variability and local instability should be calculated to fully evaluate locomotor system health. The observation that different factors associated with functional gait between groups speaks to the uniqueness of the PN-related movement disorder. Functional gait-related rehabilitation programs for PN patients should be tailored toward this uniqueness.
A Serial Study of the Effects of Finger-Sucking

RTHODONTISTS have long been interested in the distorting effects of _J finger habits upon the denture. With little detailed study and with little collected evidence, clinicians have developed several, often contradictory, viewpoints about the probable and actual effects of these finger habits. Since finger habits are widely practiced by young children, for short or long periods of time, it is important to ascertain the impact of these habits upon the denture and to establish their contribution to the etiology of malocclusion. The serial orthodontic models in the laboratory of child development at the University of Michigan are sufficiently extensive to begin a systematic attack upon this problem.
On washing the fur without wetting it: Quine, Carnap, and analyticity

Despite its centrality and its familiarity, W. V. Quine's dispute with Rudolf Carnap over the analytic/synthetic distinction has lacked a satisfactory analysis. The impasse is usually explained either by judging that Quine's arguments are in reality quite weak, or by concluding instead that Camap was incapable of appreciating their strength. This is unsatisfactory, as is the fact that on these readings it is usually unclear why Quine's own position is not subject to some of the very same arguments. A satisfying and surprising account is here presented that stitches together the puzzling pieces of this important philosophical exchange and that in turn leads to an explanation of why it is so difficult to say whether anything of substance is at stake.
Computer studies of mode-spacing statistics in reverberation rooms

Abstract Normal mode-spacing statistics have been computed in third-octave bands for 200 m 3 reverberation chambers having dimension ratios in ranges that have previously been found to be satisfactory. The results are compared with those obtained by Sepmeyer using a different normalization procedure, and contour plots are presented that can be used to identify rooms having optimum dimension ratios.
The Impact of Distance Learning on Graduation Rates for Information Systems Students

The study examines a 10-year history of undergraduate students majoring in information systems at a Midwestern public university. The results are useful to faculty and administrators interested in evaluating the role of distance learning with respect to graduation rates. The research investigates whether students that have taken various amounts of distance learning courses persist to graduation. In addition, the analysis looks at the role of gender in those students who graduated. The findings clearly indicate that students taking distance learning courses persist to graduation and that there is a relationship between gender and the amount of distance learning courses taken to persist to graduation.
The Role of a Maintenance Processor for a General-Purpose Computer System

Research and development in fault-tolerant computing has shown that a dedicated processor, called a maintenance processor, can efficiently monitor, control, and maintain the operation of its host computer. This paper presents the general system structure and common functional capabilities of the maintenance processor, and illustrates its utilization with a survey of actual implementations available in the general-purpose computer industry. An analytical model is then presented to evaluate the impact of the maintenance processor on the host system reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS). Examples given show negligible additional downtime and system failures due to the unavailability of a typical maintenance processor. This observation, plus others included in the paper, strongly indicate that a maintenance processor can be designed and used as the focal point of most system support activities. The approach simplifies the hardware and software structure of the host computer, and improves the total system RAS.
Providing quality care to the sexual assault survivor: education and training for medical professionals

Health care providers who perform sexual assault examinations can assist patients who report experiencing a sexual assault by increasing their knowledge and skills in sexual assault care, and serving as Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) coordinators, or as SART team members, in their communities. With little additional material, this training could be provided as a component of basic midwifery and/or advanced practice nursing education programs. This article reviews the essential steps and required training for conducting sexual assault examinations.
Invariant tryptophan at a shielded site promotes folding of the conformational unit of spectrin.

Abstract The tryptophan that is highly conserved among repeating structural units of spectrin is reported to promote the conformational stability of one such unit of chicken brain alpha-spectrin. Four constructs were inserted into pET vectors for overexpression in Escherichia coli of the following spectrin peptides: (i) two adjacent but separately expressed "conformationally phased" repeating units, R16 and R17, one of which (R17) contains a single tryptophan; (ii) a mutant, M17, of the single tryptophan-containing unit with alanine substituted for the tryptophan; and (iii) a conformationally unphased unit, 1617, composed of half of each of the phased units. Both the mutant unit and the unphased unit were much more readily digested by chymotrypsin and by elastase than the phased units and exhibited only 38% and 54% as much alpha-helical structure, respectively, as the phased units by their far UV CD spectra; 90 degrees light scattering measurements revealed the folded peptides to be predominantly monomeric in solution, whereas the unfolded, protease-sensitive peptides consisted of dimers and/or trimers. This trend was corroborated by their dynamic light scattering. Both the blue-shifted wavelength of maximal emission and the relative inaccessibility to acrylamide of the single tryptophan in the folded unit indicate that the invariant tryptophan occupies a site that is shielded from the aqueous phase.
Exploring new near-infrared fluorescent disulfide-based cyclic RGD peptide analogs for potential integrin-targeted optical imaging

We synthesized disulfide-based cyclic RGD pentapeptides bearing a near-infrared fluorescent dye (cypate), represented by cypate-c(CRGDC) (1) for integrin-targeted optical imaging. These compounds were compared with the traditional lactam-based cyclic RGD counterpart, cypate-c(RGDfK) (2). Molecular modeling suggests that the binding affinity of 2 to integrin α(v)β(3) is an order of magnitude higher than that of 1. This was confirmed experimentally, which further showed that substitution of Gly with Pro, Val and Tyr in 1 remarkably hampered the α(v)β(3) binding. Interestingly, cell microscopy with A549 cells showed that 1 exhibited higher cellular staining than 2. These results indicate that factors other than receptor binding affinity to α(v)β(3) dimeric proteins mediate cellular uptake. Consequently, 1 and its analogs may serve as valuable molecular probes for investigating the selectivity and specificity of integrin targeting by optical imaging.
Diagonally scaled permutations and circulant matrices

Abstract If R is an n × n matrix over the complex field which is the product of a diagonal matrix D and a permutation matrix P, then R is called a diagonally scaled permutation matrix. We present the eigenstructure of R by observing that R is permutation similar to the direct sum of diagonally scaled permutation matrices of the form DC where D is a diagonal matrix and C is the circulant permutation. 0 1 0 0 ⋯ 0 0 0 1 0 ⋯ 0 ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ 0 0 0 0 ⋯ 1 1 0 0 0 ⋯ 0 The matrix DC is called a scaled circulant permutation matrix. We consider two cases for R = DC: when the scaling matrix D is nonsingular, and when D is singular. In the singular case R is nilpotent, and we are able to obtain upper and lower bounds on the index of nilpotency of R. We conclude with information about matrices that commute with a scaled permutation matrix. We are also able to represent an arbitrary n × n Toeplitz matrix as a sum of matrices of the form D(k,α,β)Ck for k = 1, …, n where D(k,α,β) is a diagonal matrix.
Spectroscopic properties of 5-aza-2,8-dioxa-1-stannocyclooctanes

Abstract The spectroscopic properties (1H-NMR, IR and mass spectra) of compounds with formula, Sn(OC2H4)2NR(I) (R = Me, Et, n-Bu and Ph) are examined. The data are best interpreted in terms of the presence of a transannular, Sn(II)←N dative bond. Variable temperature proton NMR spectra indicate an equilibrium between conformational forms (chair-boat) of the bicyclic cage structure. The coalescence temperature is approximately the same as for a similar interconversion noted previously for organostannatranes and suggests a similar inversion barrier. The moderately intense IR absorption in the region of 200 cm−1 is tentatively assigned to the Sn←N stretching frequency.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Marriage after the Birth of a Child

This article uses new data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study to examine the reasons why white, Mexican American, and other Hispanic parents are approximately 2.5 times more likely than African American parents to marry within the 30 months after a nonmarital birth. Combining Fragile Families microdata with 2000 U.S. Census data shows that marriage market conditions exert a large influence on marriage decisions, even among couples that already have formed a romantic relationship and had a child together. The findings also show that an undersupply of employed African American men can explain a large portion of the racial and ethnic differences in marriage after a nonmarital birth. The current findings support the theory that marriage markets are influential not only during the search for romantic partners but also in determining whether romantic relationships, once formed, will lead to marriage.
Exact Markovian kinetic equation for a quantum Brownian oscillator.

We derive an exact Markovian kinetic equation for an oscillator linearly coupled to a heat bath, describing quantum Brownian motion. Our work is based on the subdynamics formulation developed by Prigogine and collaborators. The space of distribution functions is decomposed into independent subspaces that remain invariant under Liouville dynamics. For integrable systems in Poincar\'e's sense the invariant subspaces follow the dynamics of uncoupled, renormalized particles. In contrast, for nonintegrable systems, the invariant subspaces follow a dynamics with broken time symmetry, involving generalized functions. This result indicates that irreversibility and stochasticity are exact properties of dynamics in generalized function spaces. We comment on the relation between our Markovian kinetic equation and the Hu-Paz-Zhang equation.
Hydrogen isotope exchange between clay minerals and sea water

The D/H ratios of separated size fractions of clay minerals in two deep sea sediments taken from depths of 30 and 1100cm in a North Pacific Ocean core were measured to investigate the extent of hydrogen isotope exchange between detrital clay minerals and sea water. The D/H ratio of each size fraction of the shallower sample was compared with that of the corresponding size fraction of the deeper sample. No differences were detected between D/H ratios of corresponding size fractions from the two levels in the core except for the <0.1μm size fraction, which makes up only 5% of the sample. Even in this size fraction only about 8–28% D/H exchange is apparent. This is interpreted as indicating that no significant hydrogen isotope exchange between clay minerals and sea water has occurred during the past 2–3 Myr. Therefore information concerning the provenance and mode of formation of detrital clay minerals can be obtained from the D/H ratios of deep sea sediments younger than 2–3 Myr.
Thermal sensitivity of DASH interferometers: the role of thermal effects during the calibration of an Echelle DASH interferometer.

The use of a Doppler asymmetric spatial heterodyne (DASH) interferometer with an Echelle grating provides the ability to simultaneously image the 558 and 630 nm emission lines (e.g., at grating orders of n=8 and n=7, respectively) of atomic oxygen in the thermosphere. By measuring the Doppler shifts of these lines (expected relative change in wavelength on the order of 10−8), we are able to determine the thermospheric winds. Because the expected wavelength changes due to the Doppler shift are so small, understanding, monitoring, and accounting for thermal effects is expected to be important. Previously, the thermal behavior of a temperature-compensated monolithic DASH interferometer was found to have a higher thermal sensitivity than predicted by a simple model [Opt. Express18, 26430, 2010]. A follow-up study [Opt. Express20, 9535, 2012] suggested that this is due to thermal distortion of the interferometer, which consists of materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion. In this work, we characterize the thermal drift of a nonmonolithic Echelle DASH interferometer and discuss the implications of these results on the use of only a single wavelength source during calibration. Furthermore, we perform a finite element analysis of the earlier monolithic interferometer in order to determine how distortion would affect the thermal sensitivity of that device. Incorporating that data into the model, we find good agreement between the modified model and the measured thermal sensitivities. These findings emphasize the fact that distortion needs to be considered for the design of thermally compensated, monolithic DASH interferometers.
Subjective Probabilities and Scoring Rules: Experimental Evidence

This paper provides an articulation of the theory of scoring rules that leads to a testable hypothesis about strategic behavior under an improper rule. Subjects in a laboratory setting were first screened for linear utility in the range of rewards. Those that passed this test were used as subjects in a probability forecasting experiment. Results suggest that theory holds when subjects forecast over many periods, although inexperienced subjects may fail to exploit the dominant strategy in the initial periods.
Erythrose sesqui-acetals as electrophiles. 2-Deoxy-C-nucleosides from D-glucose.

Abstract Cleavage of glucosides with NalO 4 in MeOH furnishes sesqui-acetals (protected dialdehydes). Olefination of these substrates, followed by endocyclic oxymercuration-demercuration furnishes substituted tetrahydrofurans (1,2-dideoxy-1-aryl-D-ribofuranoses). Proper choice of protecting groups can affect the face selectivity of the oxymercuration step to provide only the desired β-C-anomer.
Wavelength selection and total growth of Gortler vortices

This paper investigates a wavelength selection mechanism under ideal and nonideal flow conditions. The conditions of the total streamwise growth of Gortler vortices generated under ideal and nonideal flow conditions and its effect on the laminar-turbulent transition process is also examined. The stabilizing effects of suction on the total growth of these vortices are analyzed. It is demonstrated that the wavelength selection mechanism and the total growth of the vortices are affected by the departures from ideal flow conditions. It is shown that under ideal flow conditions, a wavelength selection mechanism can be based on the maximum amplification rate of the disturbances. However, this mechanism is easily affected by the departures from ideal flow. The case of streamwise vorticity in the basic flow is analyzed and is shown to affect disturbances through a subharmonic resonance.
Prime ideals in normalizing extensions

Abstract In this paper we offer a new approach to the study of prime ideals in finite normalizing extensions of rings. We introduce a “primitivity machine” which translates certain problems on prime ideals to analogous questions on primitive ideals. We then use the well-known Clifford theory of irreducible modules to study these primitive ideals.
Understanding symptoms of medical frontal lobe disorder: A clinical case study

A case of anterior communicating artery aneurysm with damage to inferior medial frontal areas (Brodmann areas 25, 32, 24-inferior) is presented. Four prominent deficits are discussed: (1) anterograde amnesia, (2) inert perseverative card sorting, (3) motor stereotypies, and (4) reduplicative paramnesia. These four deficits are discussed as negative or positive symptoms, related either to damage in inferior medial frontal (Brodmann areas 25, 32, 24-inferior) regions or release phenomena of superior medial frontal (Brodmann areas 6-medial and 24-superior) regions. It is concluded that the inferior and superior medial frontal regions act as opponent processors, with the inferior (B25, 32) area functioning to switch current mental set while the superior (B24-superior, 6-medial) region functions to maintain current mental set. Testable hypotheses about the opponent processor mechanism are suggested, as applied to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Visual acuity and ERG-CFF in relation to the morphologic organization of the retina among diurnal and nocturnal primates

Abstract Visual acuity and ERG critical flicker frequency (CFF) of 4 diurnal and 2 nocturnal primate species were related to the morphologic organization of photoreceptors and the retina. Acuity thresholds of the diurnal squirrel monkey, marmoset, lemur and tree shrew ranged from 0.5 to 1.5′ and of the nocturnal aotus and galago from 3.5 to 8.0′ of visual angle. Species differences in ERG-CFF included high response rates and fast recovery of cone dominated in contrast to duplex or rod dominated eyes. In the temporal retina, there was a trend toward a differentation of an avascular area coinciding with the fovea of the duplex primate eye. Rods, cones and fovea were observed in the squirrel monkey and marmoset. Mostly rods and an area centralis were found in the aotus and galago. Cones were observed predominantly in the tree shrew. The maximum number of ganglion cells was located around the fovea and the area centralis. The electron microscope indicated similarities in ultrastructure of receptor outer segments. Species differences were found in the inner segments and synaptic contacts of photoreceptors. Significant differences were also observed in visual discrimination learning capacity. From the multidisciplinary comparisons it was concluded that similarities in acuity were associated with the convergence of receptors on ganglion cells, whereas visual learning capacity was associated with differences in visual projection and association areas in the brain.
Knowledge Systems and Islamic Discourses: A Genealogy of Keywords on the Development of Science and Technology in Transcultural Context

This article reviews the elements of social production of scientific knowledge in the Islamic world in the context of the political discourse of modernity. Elements such as institutional building, educational programs, and the development of the modern secular state underwent changes during the 20th century. I discuss the effect of the Muslim encounter with the political discourse of modernity upon these elements. I argue that the development of technoscientific enterprise in the Islamic world has been communicative and dialogical in relation to the West, in part, through the process of cultural translation. I discuss how ‘keywords’ such as sahwa(awakening) and asala (authenticity) have played deconstructive roles in the Muslim encounter with modernity in Iran and Malaysia.
Chiropractic for children.

I recently received a telephone call from a concerned mother of an 18-year-old white man (from an upper-middle-class family) who had not been seen for medical care in our facility for 3 years. He had been in good health, was about to start college on a basketball scholarship, and believed that he was too old to see his pediatricians of many years. When he had begun to complain of lower back pains 2 months earlier, his parents had taken him to their chiropractor. The chiropractor took x-ray films of the patient's spine and "carefully demonstrated" to him and his parents a spinal malalignment and hip asymmetry. He prescribed an orthotic lift and recommended chiropractic treatment 3 times per week. During the 2-month course of treatment, the back pain aggravated, becoming daily, continuous, and only mildly relieved with regular ibuprofen use. There was no radiation of pain and no perceived weakness.
Production of High-Energy Plasmas by Magnetically Driven Shock Waves

High-voltage discharges (5-100 kilovolts) with peak currents in 0.3 to 5 microseconds have been used to produce shock waves in deuterium plasmas. The discharge is struck in a transverse magnetic field and the resultant Lorentz force drives the plasma out of the region of the discharge into a quartz side arm. Velocity measurements of the magnetically driven plasma are discussed in relation to the parameters of the discharge. These measurements indicate that deuterium plasma with ion energies g100 ev/ion at densities g5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{16}$ ions/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ can be produced by this method.
Simulations of Flow in Crystalline Rock and Recharge from Overlying Glacial Deposits in a Hypothetical New England Setting

Cross-sectional, finite-difference, steady-state ground-water-flow models of a generalized New England landscape were constructed to examine the effects of hydraulic conductivity and topography on bulk-fluid flow processes in fractured crystalline rock. The generalized landscape consists of a flat hilltop, a hillside that has a slope of 0.17 ft/ft, and a flat river valley. It includes three hydrogeologic units, stratified drift in the river valley, glacial till, and underlying crystalline rock. Distribution of recharge to and discharge from bedrock is affected by the presence of small topographic features, such as terraces on the hillside. Most of these terraces consist partly or entirely of sand, and they create localized areas of recharge to and discharge from bedrock. Maximum recharge to bedrock commonly occurs at downward inflections of the water table, and discharge occurs at upward inflections of the water table. These inflections of the water table are associated with inflections in topography because the shallow depth of water on hilltops and hillsides resemble the configuration of the land surface. Regional ground-water flow in crystalline rock and distribution of bedrock recharge and discharge are also affected by heterogeneities in hydraulic conductivity of the bedrock. Vertical heterogeneity creates short, shallow flow paths in high-relief terrain. Horizontal heterogeneity causes large variations in the size of bedrock recharge areas; in some cases the difference from homogeneous conditions is more than 50 percent.
The boiling crisis phenomenon. Part I: nucleation and nucleate boiling heat transfer

Abstract This paper (Part I) and the companion paper (Part II, Exp. Therm. Fluid. Sci. 26 (6–7) (2002) 793–810) present results of an experimental study on nucleate pool boiling. The experiments were conducted under highly-controlled conditions, using electrically heated, vapor-deposited sub-micron metallic films. A high-speed, high-resolution infrared camera was used to visualize dynamic thermal patterns on the heater's surface over a broad range of heat fluxes, starting from the onset of nucleation and up to boiling crisis. Both fresh heaters and aged heaters were experimented with. The heaters' surface nanomorphology and chemistry were characterized with atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. First-of-a-kind experimental data on nucleation and boiling heat transfer at high heat fluxes are presented, and a stark difference between fresh and aged heaters is revealed. Remarkable are the origin, evolution and dynamics of the heater dryout process (leading to burnout), identified quantitatively and captured in action for the first time.
Competency Issues for Alcohol/Other Drug Abuse Counselors

Coexisting disabilities involve persons with physical, cognitive, and psychiatric disabilities together with alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse concerns. Prevalence rates of coexisting disabilities are high and access to treatment is limited. This study examined the attitudes of AOD abuse counselors as well as their perceptions of competency in working with people with coexisting disabilities. A significant negative relationship was found between counselor competence and their knowledge of the impact of coexisting disabilities (r = −.519). A significant relationship was also found between counselor attitude toward the problems associated with coexisting disabilities in treatment and both their accurate responses (r = .784) and their inaccurate responses on the impact of coexisting disabilities (r = .726).
Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Splenocyte Apoptotic Cell Death After Burn Injuries

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is a multifunctional cytokine that mediates apoptotic cell death in human lymphocytes in vitro. To better understand the mechanism through which TGF-β1 exerts its apoptotic effect, we investigated the role of TGF-β1 in the relationship between burn injury and cell death of splenocytes in a mouse model of either 0%, 25%, or 40% full-thickness burns. Mice were killed and spleens were harvested at 15 and 30 minutes and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after the burn. The spleens were divided and used for both histologic analyses with H-E stain and TUNEL stain and for total messenger RNA isolation and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction amplification. Amplified polymerase chain reaction products were analyzed for signal strength by electrophoresis. TGF-β1 RNA expression was highest at 2 hours after the burn injuries in the 40% full-thickness burns and at 4 hours after the burn injuries in the 25% full-thickness burns. The relative increase in TGF-β1 RNA was 3 times greater with the larger burn than with the smaller burn. In histologic analysis, splenocyte apoptotic cell death was observed at 4 to 24 hours after the burn in the 40% full-thickness burns but at only 4 to 12 hours in the 25% full-thickness burns. TGF-β1 RNA peak expression was observed at different times after the burn in 25% and 40% full-thickness burns. Histologic analysis showed apoptotic cell death in proportion with respective messanger RNA expressions. This suggests that TGF-β1 may be associated with apoptosis of splenocytes in vivo and that the effect of TGF-β1 after a burn injury may be important in the immune system.
Effect of subpixel-sized cloud on target discrimination from satellite data

The paper reports results of a study of the effects of subpixel-sized clouds on remotely sensed radiance; the NOAA-7 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer was used in the study. It is noted that it is quite possible that clouds could exist with dimensions of less than 1 x 1 km, which will not be resolvable as discrete pixels filled only by cloud, but which will be recorded as pixels with radiance values not characteristic of the ground target. It is shown that for a clear atmosphere the presence of even 20% cloud produces a fivefold decrease or worse in vegetative index at all scan angles for both pure and mixed targets. These effects are large and show that undetected cloud can produce drastic changes in combinations of recorded radiance used for vegetative assessment.
Utilization of sperm banking and barriers to its use in testicular cancer patients

Testicular cancer is the most common carcinoma in 20- to 40-year-old men. Eighty percent of patients with metastases achieve disease-free status with chemotherapy with or without surgical resection. Standard first-line chemotherapy is bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) for three to four courses or etoposide and cisplatin (EP) for four courses. Forty percent of patients receiving chemotherapy will have permanently reduced sperm counts impairing future fertility. Sperm banking is an effective method of maintaining fertility. This retrospective study was performed to assess utilization and results from sperm banking, as well as the barriers to its use. Patients 18 and older who had received chemotherapy were given a five-item questionnaire on follow-up visit. This questionnaire included a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions. Two hundred patients enrolled in the study, and all 200 completed the questionnaire. Of the two hundred, 139 (70 %) patients chose not to bank sperm; 71 (51 %) of those were not interested, 25 (18 %) declined due to desire to start chemotherapy, 24 (17 %) were not offered, 12 (9 %) declined due to cost, and 7 (5 %) answered “other.” The average age at cancer diagnosis of patients who banked sperm was 28.4 as opposed to 32.6 for patients who did not (p = 0.003). The percentage of patients that had children before their diagnosis was 21 % in the sperm banking group, and 50 % in the group that did not (p = 0.0002). Sixty-one (30 %) chose to bank sperm; 11 of 61 patients (18 %) utilized the banked sperm; 9 of 11 (82 %) patients that utilized were successful; and 3 of 9 (33 %) successes resulted in multiple gestations. Sperm banking provides the opportunity for paternity in testicular cancer patients with reduced sperm counts following treatment. However, the majority of these patients chose not to bank sperm or were not offered the opportunity. A range of factors such as time, emotional state, patient age, disease stage, prior children, institutional practices, and cost all influence whether banking is offered to patients and taken up. The authors provide recommendations to help clinicians overcome some of these barriers.
Geosynchronous environment for severe spacecraft charging

A survey of data from the first year of the P78-2 (SCATHA) satellite operations showed that severe spacecraft frame charging (fy) both in sunlight (-340 V) and in eclipse (> -8 kV) occurred on 24 April 1979. Analysis of the data indicates that if the sunlight charging environment had been present during eclipse, the vehicle would have charged in excess of 15 kV, which is above any known charging level observed to date for the SCATHA satellite. Therefore, the environment at the peak of the sunlight charging at -0650 UT 24 April 1979 was chosen for this "worst case" study. The environment at this time is characterized by an injection of high-energy (30-335 keV) electron fluxes whose combined current correlates with 0y with a correlation coefficient of 0.95. The fluxes were highly anisotropic, maximizing perpendicular to the magnetic field. The low-energy (<4 keV) electron population had a density <1 cm~ 3 and the low-energy ions were near background. The measured electron distribution functions, when fitted to double Maxwellians by a least-squares technique, show that throughout the sunlight charging period the high and low temperatures remained nearly the same, while the density of the high-energy component followed the charging levels. The injection occurred simultaneously with the rapid return of the magnetospheric magnetic field to a more dipolelike configuration.
A microlaparoscopic technique for Pomeroy tubal ligation.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of performing Pomeroy tubal ligation using microlaparoscopic techniques. Methods: Thirty-eight consecutive women desiring permanent sterilization underwent laparoscopic Pomeroy tubal ligation using small (2 or 5 mm) transumbilical laparoscopes and secondary midline sites (5 mm and 14 gauge). The procedures were performed under general anesthesia (n = 28) or local anesthesia with conscious sedation (n = 10). Results: The mean operative time ± standard deviation (SD) in minutes was 33.0 ± 10.3. The mean recovery time ± SD in minutes was 104.3 ± 41.6. There were no operative complications, and no cases required conversion from the microlaparoscopic technique to a traditional method. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the Pomeroy tubal ligation may be performed using microlaparoscopic techniques. Furthermore, in selected cases, this technique can be performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.
Quadratic program solution of communication links under jamming

In this paper we use a game theoretic approach to model a packetized wireless communication link under jamming. In contrast to the widely used zero-sum framework, we use the bimatrix framework. In bimatrix games each player has his own utility function, this in contrary to the zero-sum games where the sum of players payoffs is always zero. Hence, a much larger class of jamming problems, and many other applications, can be modeled using this framework. Furthermore, in many practical situations, players' strategies must satisfy some additional constraints. To consider these situations, in our model we restrict players' strategies to hyper-polyhedrons defined by linear inequalities. We prove that the Nash equilibrium solution of this constrained game corresponds to the global maximum of a quadratic program. Finally, we study jamming of a packetized wireless link and show that the game theoretic analysis of this typical jamming problem yields rather surprising results.
Perturbation theory for a Dirac particle in a central field

We present a perturbation theory for an arbitrary bound state of a Dirac particle in a central field by reducing the Dirac equation to a Ricatti equation, following a method first introduced by Mikhailov and Polikanov. All corrections to the energies and wave functions, including corrections to the positions of the nodes in excited states, are expressed in quadrature in a hierarchical scheme, without the use of either the Green's function or the sum over intermediate states.
Metabolism of urea and glucose in normal and diabetic pregnancy.

Abstract Quantitative estimation of rates of urea synthesis, urea and nitrogen excretion and glucose production were done in ten normal, seven insulin-dependent diabetic and three gestationally diabetic subjects, after an overnight fast during the third trimester of pregnancy. Studies were repeated on three normal, three insulin-dependent diabetic, and two gestationally diabetic subjects during postpartum. [15N2]urea and [6,6-2H2]glucose tracers were infused simultaneously at constant rate for five hours from 12–17 hr of fasting. Plasma [15N2]urea and [2H2] glucose enrichments were measured by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry. Rates of urea synthesis and glucose production were estimated during steady state by tracer dilution. Overnight fast resulted in a decline in plasma glucose. Extension of the fast by another 5 hr resulted in a further decrease in the levels of circulating glucose and rise in the level of betahydroxybutyrate in both normal and diabetic pregnant subjects. There was no significant difference in the plasma concentration of amino acids after 12 hr of overnight fast, between the normal and diabetic subjects during antepartum. However, a significant increase in the plasma concentration of amino acids occurred during the postpartum period. The plasma urea nitrogen concentration was reduced by 60% during antepartum period (8.22 ± 2.24 and 11.49 ± 3.16 mg/dl; mean ± SD). There was a corresponding decrease in the rate of urea nitrogen synthesis (4.17 ± 1.28 and 6.84 ± 2.52 mg/kg hr). In addition, the rates of urinary urea nitrogen and total nitrogen excretion were attenuated during pregnancy. In contrast, the ammonia excretion rate remained unchanged (0.24 ± 0.09 versus 0.23 ± 0.12 mg/kg hr) in the antepartum and postpartum period. Rigorous regulation of diabetes in pregnancy resulted in normalization of urea and glucose metabolism after an overnight fast. The plasma glucose concentration was reduced during pregnancy, while the rate of glucose production expressed per unit body weight was unchanged. The decreased urea synthesis rate during pregnancy resulted in an altered relationship between urea and glucose production rates. These data suggest conservation of amino nitrogen during pregnancy in humans, apparently for tissue protein synthesis. As ureogenesis is a concomitant of gluconeogenesis from amino acids, these data further suggest an attenuated hepatic gluconeogenesis following a brief 17 hr fast. The mechanism of these observations appears to be via decreased delivery of substrate to the liver for ureogenesis possibly as a result of diversion to the fetus.
Photoexcited Electron Capture by Ionized and Neutral Shallow Impurities in Silicon at Liquid-Helium Temperatures

The capture rates for photoexcited electrons due to ionized phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth donors as well as neutral boron, aluminum, gallium, and indium acceptors in silicon have been determined in the liquid-helium temperature region, using combined optical and paramagnetic-resonance techniques. The ionized-donor capture rates exceed by about an order of magnitude the values predicted from the theories of Lax and of Ascarelli and Rodriguez for capture of thermalized electrons. The capture rates are independent of temperature between 1 and 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, at variance with both theories, and their dependence on the ionization energy of the different donors also does not conform to the theoretical predictions. These results, as well as photoconductivity measurements as a function of charged-impurity concentration, demonstrate the inadequacy of any existing model of the low-temperature donor capture process for photoexcited electrons in silicon. Possible explanations of the results in terms of nonrandom impurity clusters or capture from hotelectron states are presented. The neutral-acceptor rates are about two orders of magnitude smaller than those of the ionized donors, are also independent of temperature between 1 and 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and show a small dependence of about ${I}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ on the hole ionization energy of the impurities, compared with expected ${T}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ and ${I}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{3}{2}}$ dependences from the theory for thermalized-electron capture by neutral centers. As in the case of the ionized donors, no presently available model appears adequate to explain the results.
Poly(iminocarbonates) as potential biomaterials

Poly(iminocarbonates), based on diphenols such as hydroquinone or Bisphenol A were synthesized. Poly(iminocarbonates) degraded under physiological conditions. Compression moulded discs of poly-(hydroquinone-iminocarbonate) showed near zero-order release for low loadings (1%, w/w) of Eosin Y. Poly(Bisphenol A-iminocarbonate) formed transparent films and strong fibres. It is a tough polymer with high tensile strength. Under physiological conditions complete erosion of a thin film of poly(Bisphenol A-iminocarbonate) required about 200 d. The release profile for p-nitroaniline from solvent cast films of poly(Bisphenol A-iminocarbonate) was characterized by a lag period (20 d), followed by near zero-order release for 90 d. Initial toxicological studies revealed no inflammatory cell response after implantation in the corneas of rabbits or subcutaneously in mice.