cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LII. On the production of a bright-line spectrum by anomalous dispersion and its application the “Flash-Spectrum”

(1901). LII. On the production of a bright-line spectrum by anomalous dispersion and its application the “Flash-Spectrum”. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 1, No. 5, pp. 551-555.
Monovalent Permeability, Rectification, and Ionic Block of Store-operated Calcium Channels in Jurkat T Lymphocytes

We used whole-cell recording to characterize ion permeation, rectification, and block of monovalent current through calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels in Jurkat T lymphocytes. Under physiological conditions, CRAC channels exhibit a high degree of selectivity for Ca2+, but can be induced to carry a slowly declining Na+ current when external divalent ions are reduced to micromolar levels. Using a series of organic cations as probes of varying size, we measured reversal potentials and calculated permeability ratios relative to Na+, PX/PNa, in order to estimate the diameter of the conducting pore. Ammonium (NH4+) exhibited the highest relative permeability (PNH4/PNa = 1.37). The largest permeant ion, tetramethylammonium with a diameter of 0.55 nm, had PTMA/PNa of 0.09. N-methyl-D-glucamine (0.50 x 0.64 x 1.20 nm) was not measurably permeant. In addition to carrying monovalent current, NH4+ reduced the slow decline of monovalent current ("inactivation") upon lowering [Ca2+]o. This kinetic effect of extracellular NH4+ can be accounted for by an increase in intracellular pH (pHi), since raising intracellular pH above 8 reduced the extent of inactivation. In addition, decreasing pHi reduced monovalent and divalent current amplitudes through CRAC channels with a pKa of 6.8. In several channel types, Mg2+ has been shown to produce rectification by a voltage-dependent block mechanism. Mg2+ removal from the pipette solution permitted large outward monovalent currents to flow through CRAC channels while also increasing the channel's relative Cs+ conductance and eliminating the inactivation of monovalent current. Boltzmann fits indicate that intracellular Mg2+ contributes to inward rectification by blocking in a voltage-dependent manner, with a z delta product of 1.88. Ca2+ block from the outside was also found to be voltage dependent with z delta of 1.62. These experiments indicate that the CRAC channel, like voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, achieves selectivity for Ca2+ by selective binding in a large pore with current-voltage characteristics shaped by internal Mg2+.
Small-sample properties of ML, COLS, and DEA estimators of frontier models in the presence of heteroscedasticity

The purpose of this paper is to examine the small sample properties of maximum likelihood (ML), corrected ordinary least squares (COLS), and data envelopment analysis (DEA) estimators of the parameters in frontier models in the presence of heteroscedasticity in the two-sided, or measurement, error term. Using Monte Carlo methods, we find that heteroscedasticity in the two-sided error term introduces substantial biases into ML, COLS, and DEA estimators. Although none of the estimators perform well, both ML and COLS are found to be superior to DEA in the presence of heteroscedasticity in the two-sided error.
Unsaturated fatty acids of blood serum from pigs with and without parakeratosis.

SummaryAs a part of nutritional studies on parakeratosis in swine, the content of essential fatty acids in blood serum of pigs with and without parakeratosis was determined. It is concluded that low levels of the essential fatty acids in the blood are not associated with the development of parakeratosis.
Division and sign detection algorithms for residue number systems

Abstract This paper is concerned with the operations of division and sign detection in residue number systems. CORDIC, a well-known iterative algorithm originally designed for conventional floating point representation, is adapted for residue division. Since sign detection is required by the division algorithm we have also considered this problem. A modified sign detection algorithm which yields a high degree of parallelism is introduced resulting in time efficient division and sign detection.
Origin of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 binding protein from tissue cytosol preparations.

Abstract The 6 S, cytosolic 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 binding protein found in several rat tissues reacts with an antibody directed to the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 transport protein. The 6 S “cytosolic” protein is not found in carefully washed intestinal mucosal cells isolated from chicks and rats, but can be made to appear by adding serum to the cytosol itself or to the cells prior to homogenization. On the other hand, the rat intestinal 3.2 S cytosol binding protein for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 does not react with the antibody to the serum transport protein. Thus the 6 S, 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 binding protein does not appear to be a physiologically significant substance, but rather the result of the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 transport protein interacting with a cytosolic protein in vitro .
An Expanded Eukaryotic Genetic Code

We describe a general and rapid route for the addition of unnatural amino acids to the genetic code of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Five amino acids have been incorporated into proteins efficiently and with high fidelity in response to the nonsense codon TAG. The side chains of these amino acids contain a keto group, which can be uniquely modified in vitro and in vivo with a wide range of chemical probes and reagents; a heavy atom-containing amino acid for structural studies; and photocrosslinkers for cellular studies of protein interactions. This methodology not only removes the constraints imposed by the genetic code on our ability to manipulate protein structure and function in yeast, it provides a gateway to the systematic expansion of the genetic codes of multicellular eukaryotes.
Multi-Couple Group Therapy With Members of the Military

This article examines the use of multi-couple group therapy treatment for couples in which at least one member has served in the military. Multi-couple group therapy could provide relief on a taxed system while improving the functioning and well-being of the Soldiers. The authors discuss trauma, the importance of the mission, military hierarchy, and frequent relocation as essential to understanding and working effectively with this population and how multi-couple group therapy could utilize the systemic influences to increase overall therapeutic efficacy. The article ends with a brief discussion on further research ideas.
Geometry of density matrices. V. Eigenstates

Constraints placed on a reduced density matrix or density by the requirement that it correspond to an eigenstate or ensemble of eigenstates of some operator are investigated. Linear conditions, including expectation value, commutator, hypervirial, and hierarchy equation conditions, may lead to linear constraints on lower-order reduced density matrices and densities or leave them unconstrained. A zero-dispersion condition for a $p$-electron operator defines a parabolic trough on which reduced density matrices of order $2p$ must lie, but usually does not restrict lower-order reduced density matrices or the density. Some properties of symmetrized and antisymmetrized matrix products, related to their reduction behavior, are also investigated.
Microstructure of LaB6-base thick film resistors

The microstructure of LaB6-base thick film resistors was investigated by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. The specimens were prepared by a technique that polished them to a thin wedge, thus avoiding ion-milling and permitting imaging over a distance of tens of microns. The resistor microstructure contained a finely divided electrically conductive phase of TaB2 and nonconducting crystals of CaTa4O11, formed during high temperature processing of glass and LaB6 ingredients of the thick film ink. Using higher surface area ingredients virtually suppressed the formation of CaTa4O11 crystals, and the microstructure became more uniform. Resistors made with higher surface area intermediates also had better voltage withstanding properties.
Pleckstrin Homology Domains: Two Halves Make a Hole?

In a recent issue of Nature , van Rossum et al. report binding of a "split" pleckstrin homology (PH) domain from phospholipase C-γ 1 to the TRPC3 ion channel. Through sequence analyses and in vitro studies, they suggest a novel mode of protein-protein interaction in which two PH domain fragments in distinct proteins associate to form an "intermolecular" PH domain that binds inositol phospholipids and is required for ion channel location and function.
Linear Electric Motors in Machining Processes

Application of linear electric motors to automation of manufacturing processes, gantry robots, machining processes, machining centers, additive manufacturing and laser scribing has been discussed. The paper focuses on replacement of ball lead screw mechanisms with linear electric motors, linear motor driven positioning stages, linear motor driven gantries, machining centers, machining of large objects and industrial lasers. The best linear electric motors for application to machining processes are permanent magnet (PM) linear synchronous motors (LSMs), especially those without PMs in the reaction tail, e.g., high thrust density linear (HDL) LSMs and PM flux switching (FS) LSMs.
Towards more natural functional programming languages

Programming languages are the way for a person to express a mental plan in a way that the computer can understand. Therefore, it is appropriate to consider properties of people when designing new programming languages. In our research, we are investigating how people think about algorithms, and how programming languages can be made easier to learn and more effective for people to use. By taking human-productivity aspects of programming languages seriously, designers can more effectively match programming language features with human capabilities and problem solving methods. Human factors methods can be used to measure the effects, so unsubstantiated claims can be avoided.This talk will present a quick summary of new and old results in what is known about people and programming, from areas that are sometimes called "empirical studies of programmers" and "psychology of programming." Much is known about what people find difficult, and what syntax and language features are especially tricky and bug-prone. Our new research has discovered how people naturally think about algorithms and data structures, which can help with making programming languages more closely match people's problem solving techniques.
Relativistic effects in photon-induced near field electron microscopy.

Electrons and photons, when interacting via a nanostructure, produce a new way of imaging in space and time, termed photon-induced near field electron microscopy or PINEM [Barwick et al. Nature2009, 462, 902]. The phenomenon was described by considering the evanescent field produced by the nanostructure, but quantification of the experimental results was achieved by solving the Schrodinger equation for the interaction of the three bodies. The question remained, is the nonrelativistic formulation sufficient for this description? Here, relativistic and nonrelativistic quantum mechanical formulations are compared for electron–photon interaction mediated by nanostructures, and it is shown that there is an exact equivalence for the two formulations. The nonrelativistic formulation was found to be valid in the relativistic regime when using in the former formulation the relativistically corrected velocity (and the corresponding values of momentum and energy). In the PINEM experiment, 200 keV electrons were utilized, giving the experimental (relativistically corrected) velocity to be 0.7c(v without relativistic correction is 0.885c). When this value (0.7c), together with those of the corresponding momentum (pc = mv) and energy (Ec = (1/2)mv2), is used in the first order solution of the Schrodinger formulation, an exact equivalence is obtained.
A Comparison of Two Methods of Formant Frequency Estimation for High-Pitched Voices

This study sought to compare formant frequencies estimated from natural phonation to those estimated using two methods of artificial laryngeal stimulation: (1) stimulation of the vocal tract using an artificial larynx placed on the neck and (2) stimulation of the vocal tract using an artificial larynx with an attached tube placed in the oral cavity. Twenty males between the ages of 18 and 45 performed the following three tasks on the vowels /a/ and /i/: (1) 4 seconds of sustained vowel, (2) 2 seconds of sustained vowel followed by 2 seconds of artificial phonation via a neck placement, and (3) 4 seconds of sustained vowel, the last two of which were accompanied by artificial phonation via an oral placement. Frequencies for formants 1-4 were measured for each task at second 1 and second 3 using linear predictive coding. These measures were compared across second 1 and second 3, as well as across all three tasks. Neither of the methods of artificial laryngeal stimulation tested in this study yielded formant frequency estimates that consistently agreed with those obtained from natural phonation for both vowels and all formants. However, when estimating mean formant frequency data for samples of large N, each of the methods agreed with mean estimations obtained from natural phonation for specific vowels and formants. The greatest agreement was found for a neck placement of the artificial larynx on the vowel /a/.
Photon-photon opacity constraints for relativistically expanding gamma-ray burst sources

Five bright gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) have also been detected at higher energies by EGRET. Four are consistent with power-law spectra extending to energies as high as, in the case of GRB930131, 1 GeV. The fifth, and most recent, GRB940217, has a more complex spectrum, with one photon detected at 18 GeV, the most energetic GRB photon detection to date. The optical depth to photon-photon pair production in these sources is extremely large for distances more than about 10pc away if the radiation is emitted isotropically in the observer's frame. This optical depth can be dramatically reduced if the source is moving with a relativstic bulk Lorentz factor Gamma, and recent calculations for this situation have been limited to cases of a beam with opening angle 1 Gamma, or expansions of infinitely thin spherical shells. This paper presents our extension of the pair production otpical depth calculation in relativistically expanding sources to more general geometries, including shells of finite thickness and arbitrary opening angle. We find that the minimum bulk Lorentz factors for the Energy Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) sources to be optically thin, i.e. display no spectral attenuation, is only moderately dependent on the shell thickness and its opening solid angle; these new limits on required velocity for given geometries will aid in placing realistic constraints on GRB source models.
Characterization of grinding wheel profiles by autoregressive-moving average models

Abstract The cutting profiles of three common grinding wheels, 32A80-H8, 32A80-L8, and 32A60-J8, were analyzed by Box-Jenkins autoregressive-moving average models. The analysis involves three stages, i.e., identification, estimation, and diagnostic checking. It was found that second-order autoregressive models represent the profiles of the three wheels fairly well. An analysis of replicate profiles taken from each wheel indicated that the profiles were ergodic. The models and their parameters were related to the qualitative characteristics of the profiles. The analysis was achieved through the use of many charts developed for engineering applications.
Protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes: Evidence for two forms of the Met-tRNAfMet binding factors

Summary Two forms of Met-tRNA f Met binding factors (IF1A and IF1B) were seperated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. These two forms can be distinguished by the stabilities of their respective Met-tRNA f Met :IF1:GTP complexes to Mg ++ . The Met-tRNA f Met :IF1B:GTP complex dissociates extensively in the presence of Mg ++ where as the Met-tRNA f Met :IF1A:GTP complex is distinctly more stable under similar conditions. The molecular weight of Met-tRNA f Met :IF1A:GTP complex as determined by sucrose density gradient centrifugation is 160,000 and that of the Met-tRNA f Met :IF1B:GTP complex is 65,000.
Knowledge-based approach to improving micromarketing decisions in a data-challenged environment

With the growing popularity of micromarketing strategies, more companies are tailoring their marketing efforts to meet individual consumer need based on analysis of consumer-level data. However, there are two major obstacles in the way to effective micromarketing strategies: (1) data limitation at the consumer-level making it difficult to construct robust and accurate promotional response function and (2) misplaced usage of a resource allocation approach effective in a data-rich environment to data-challenged environment. These obstacles lead to suboptimal marketing resource allocation decisions. This paper presents a knowledge-based approach specifically designed for effectively allocating marketing resources in the micromarketing environment. A team of domain experts provide knowledge in refining and imputing data to overcome data limitation issues, as well as identifying consumer-level constraints to strengthen the integer programming model's performance. Results indicate that this approach is transparent to all levels of management, adaptable to changes in environment, and easy to implement. In addition, there is tremendous potential for improving not only profitability but also growing the company's intellectual capital. When this approach is applied to a random sales territory, it outperforms the traditional method by more than 19% in profit.
Biosynthesis of ergot alkaloids. Origin of the oxygens of chanoclavine-I and elymoclavine

The oxygen of the hydroxyl groups of chanoclavine-I and elymoclavine has been shown not to be derived from water. This indicates that these hydroxyl groups do not originate from the reaction of an allylic carbonium ion with water, but may be introduced by direct hydroxylation.
Successful Medical Management of a Patient with Multiple Hepatic Abscesses Due to Edwardsiella tarda

Isolation of Edwardsiella tarda in humans has been associated with an asymptomatic carrier state as well as mild, self-limited diarrheal illness. Extraintestinal manifestations have included soft-tissue infections, meningitis, osteomyelitis, cholangitis, and sepsis. Only three cases of patients who had documented hepatic abscess due to E. tarda have been reported in the English-language literature; two patients died, and the third required a laparotomy and drainage. We report what is, to our knowledge, the first autochthonous case of hepatic abscess due to E. tarda in the United States and the first case that was successfully managed with antibiotic therapy alone.
A scheme for hybrid molecular dynamics/finite element analysis of thin film lubrication

Abstract Impressive strides have recently been made in the field of tribology through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A convergence of MD and experiment has led to optimism in scientific circles that the mechanisms of friction and boundary lubrication, studied for centuries, can soon be understood and predicted by first principles. However, from the engineering point of view, practical predictive ability seems far away. Toward the eventual goal of applying MD analysis to practical tribological design, we propose a hybrid molecular dynamics–finite element method. Similar approaches have been used in simulating dislocations and other defects in crystalline solids under nano-indenting, and in simulation of reacting flows. In our preliminary study, linkage to MD is established through a variable effective viscosity which increases near the surfaces due to molecular forces. Preliminary results are presented showing an increase in pressure due to the presence of nearby surfaces.
Exploring and developing graduate teaching assistants' pedagogies via lesson study

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) teach many undergraduates in introductory science courses in the USA. Previous literature suggests that GTAs would prefer more context-dependent opportunities to learn to teach more effectively. This study explores the impact of participation in a lesson study cycle with GTAs responsible for an undergraduate introductory course in Earth Science. Data were analyzed via a theoretical perspective of situated cognition and lesson study. Findings indicate GTAs felt limited by current contexts in the degree to which they could change the laboratory, their talk about teaching largely focused on logistical issues, yet via the lesson study process they began to discuss the learner in their seminars. Implications are presented that explore the applicability of lesson study in this context, the role of a science educator as a facilitator for reform in college science teaching, and the potential impact of this process on GTAs’ relationships with other faculty.
Diastereofacial selectivity via aldol reactions using ethyl dithioacetate and ethyl dithiopropionate enolates

Abstract The lithium enolate of ethyl dithioacetate reacts with α-methyl aldehydes to yield the aldol products in which the syn configuration in the positions β and γ to the thiocarbonyl of the product is favored over the anti configuration. This selectivity is solvent-dependent, and is enhanced at lower temperatures. In most cases, syn:anti product ratios obtained under these conditions varied from 57:43 to >99:1, depending upon the structure of the α-methyl aldehyde. When the lithium enolate of ethyl dithiopropionate was allowed to react with α-methyl aldehydes, only two out of the four possible diastereomers were detected in the product mixtures.
Modeling test and measurement equipment for simulated testing: bridging the gap between simulation and reality

It is important to incorporate the concept of manufacturability and testability into the engineering curriculum. Incorporating state-of-the-art computer-controlled test and measurement equipment in the curriculum requires an efficient and cost-effective solution to deal with access to this level of equipment. The concept of simulated testing as an innovative solution to this problem is presented. >
Transgender Identity Development as Represented by a Group of Transgendered Adults

The world of persons who identify as transgendered is complex making its representation in an article challenging. This article represents work done to raise awareness among all health professionals about the lives and experiences of transgendered persons, who receive little coverage in our textbooks, professional journals, or student experiences. Transgendered lives cannot be simply summed up as a community of people who feel like they are "in the wrong body." Their experiences, issues, and identities are complex, but worthy of the time, energy, patience, and caring it takes to learn about them. We took a postmodern feminist stance to explore transgendered adults' first-hand accounts of identity development. The research question guiding the analysis presented here was: How do transgendered individuals describe their experiences of recognizing, acknowledging, and developing their identity as transgendered? Participants' stories about how they came to recognize and experience their identity as transgendered, analyzed from a lifespan perspective, displayed a similar pattern of life experience, reflected in three prominent themes: an early sense of body-mind dissonance, negotiating and managing identities, and the process of transition. The process that participants describe, beginning with childhood and ending with transition and the resolution of bodily discomfort, appears to be staged and developmental in nature. Further exploration into this process and comparison with other developmental theories may yield a model of normal, non-pathological development as transgendered.
A probabilistic model for identifying protein names and their name boundaries

This paper proposes a method for identifying protein names in biomedical texts with an emphasis on detecting protein name boundaries. We use a probabilistic model which exploits several surface clues characterizing protein names and incorporates word classes for generalization. In contrast to previously proposed methods, our approach does not rely on natural language processing tools such as part-of-speech taggers and syntactic parsers, so as to reduce processing overhead and the potential number of probabilistic parameters to be estimated. A notion of certainty is also proposed to improve precision for identification. We implemented a protein name identification system based on our proposed method, and evaluated the system on real-world biomedical texts in conjunction with the previous work. The results showed that overall our system performs comparably to the state-of-the-art protein name identification system and that higher performance is achieved for compound names. In addition, it is demonstrated that our system can further improve precision by restricting the system output to those names with high certainties.
Experimental cryptorchidism induces testicular germ cell apoptosis by p53-dependent and -independent pathways in mice.

Cryptorchidism is associated with male infertility: germ cell loss occurs by apoptosis in response to elevated temperature. Since the tumor suppressor p53 is highly expressed in the testis and is known to induce apoptosis, an investigation was undertaken to establish whether heat stress causes p53-mediated germ cell apoptosis. Using a mouse model of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism, it was observed that testicular weight reduction, germ cell loss, and DNA fragmentation all began in the crypt-orchid testes on Day 6-7 in wild-type mice. In contrast, these changes were delayed by 3 days in p53-/- mice. These results suggest that abdominal heat stress induces germ cell loss through two apoptotic pathways: a p53-dependent pathway responsible for the initial phase of germ cell apoptosis, and a p53-independent pathway that accounts for subsequent apoptosis.
Continuum models for electrical breakdown in photoconductive semiconductor switches

In this paper, continuum models for electrical breakdown are described. These models are based on calculations of the carrier distribution function as a function of electric field and carrier density. In these continuum models, the impact ionization rate is approximated in the extremes of low and high carrier density. These continuum models are used for calculations of electrical breakdown in GaAs. In particular, these models are applied to the operation of photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) devices. This comparison with data suggests that a new physics mechanism is required to explain the PCSS data, a new mechanism is hypothesized.
What is there left to learn about the Drosophila clock

Circadian rhythms offer probably the best understanding of how genes control behavior, and much of this understanding has come from studies in Drosophila. More recently, genetic manipulation of clock neurons in Drosophila has helped identify how daily patterns of activity are programed by different clock neuron groups. Here, we review some of the more recent findings on the fly molecular clock and ask what more the fly model can offer to circadian biologists.
Methane Activation with Rhenium Catalysts. 1. Bidentate Oxygenated Ligands

Trends in methane activation have been explored for rhenium-based catalysts in conjunction with bidentate oxygenated ligands of the form (L1)(L2)Re(OH)(OH2) [L1, L2 = acac, catechol, glycol]. When placed in acidic media, the equilibrium for this reference catalyst shifts to the protonated forms (L1)(L2)Re(OH2)(OH2) in almost all cases. In all cases the activation of the reference complex proceeds through a concerted metathesis type transition state, and only one of the 13 reference complexes proceeds with methane activation through a barrier of less than 35 kcal mol-1. Study of the identity complexes (L1 = L2) revealed that protonation of the ligand oxygens is unfavorable for acac and catechol, but favorable for glycol; however in only one case is the barrier for methane activation improved by this route. Electron density on the central rhenium is the best predictor for the magnitude of the methane activation barrier; namely, increased electron density (obtained by considering lower oxidation states) on t...
Analysis of Carrier Sensing's Influence on the Performance of Routing Protocols in Multi-Hop, Multi-Rate Wireless Networks

Carrier sensing has been used as an effective way to reduce collisions and exploit spatial reuse in wireless networks. Previous research has attempted to tune the carrier sensing range to maximize the network throughput. However, the impact of carrier sensing threshold on the probability of successful transmission has been ignored. In this paper, we derive an analytical model to calculate the successful transmission probability. We then calculate the throughput of routing protocols using different link metrics. To the best of our knowledge, this perhaps is the first attempt to derive the throughput of routing protocols like expected transmission count (ETX) [1] and expected transmission time (ETT) [2] in wireless networks. We also investigate the impact of some other important factors, such as node density, average contention window size and packet length. Our results show that optimal routing protocols that are using ETT as the path metric can achieve around 30% more throughput than those using ETX and End-to-end delay. Compared to the minimum hop count protocols such as DSR and AODV, the optimal routing protocol can improve the throughput by up to 100%.
Structured Variation Management in Software Product Lines

Variation management is one of the key challenges associated with software product lines. Much is written about this topic. There are methods and tools available, home-grown and commercial, which attempt to make handling product line variations practical. The focus of these methods is on supporting software development; that is, handling variations in the code core assets. However, there are non-code core assets and they also have variations. For example, there are marketing roadmaps, requirement specifications, test cases, process definitions, and all kinds of documentation including user guides, to name just a few. These core assets also have to implement the required variations of the product line and need to do so in a consistent way or there will be incompatible implementations and resultant inefficiencies. The approach to variation we are suggesting takes an organization-wide perspective, covering the entire gamut of core assets not just the code We describe the definition, implementation, and management, including tools support, of a few essential variations throughout the organization to make handling product line variations more efficient and effective.
Hypersonic plasma particle deposition—A hybrid between plasma spraying and vapor deposition

In the hypersonic plasma particle deposition process, vapor phase reactants are injected into a plasma and rapidly quenched in a supersonic nozzle, leading to nucleation of nanosize particles. These particles impact a substrate at high velocity, forming a coating with grain sizes of 10 to 40 nm. As previously reported, coatings of a variety of materials have been obtained, including silicon, silicon carbide, titanium carbide and nitride, and composites of these, all deposited at very high rates. Recent studies have shown that slight modifications of the process can result in nanosize structures consisting of single crystal silicon nanowires covered with nanoparticles. These nanowires are believed to grow in a vapor deposition process, catalyzed by the presence of titanium in the underlying nanoparticle film. However, simultaneously nanoparticles are nucleated in the nozzle and deposited on the nanowires, leading to structures that are the result of a plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process combined with a nanoparticle spray process. The combination of these two process paths opens new dimensions in the nanophase materials processing area.
The global forum for bioethics in research: report of a meeting, November 1999.

The first meeting of the Global Forum for Bioethics in Research was initiated by the Fogarty International Centre of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the NIH. Held in Bethesda on November 7-10,1999, the intent was to bring together individuals involved in medical research in low- and middle-income nations to share views with each other and with organisations that support clinical research. Approximately 120 persons from 34 countries participated, including individuals from developing countries, pharmaceutical organisations, and communities where medical research is under way. The participants addressed the partnerships required between research sponsors and investigators involved in clinical trials in developing countries and the long-term needs for international multicentred training programs.
Electrothermal Model Evaluation of Grain Size and Disorder Effects on Pulsed Voltage Response of Microstructured ZnO Varistors

Time-dependent, two-dimensional, electrothermal simulations based on random Voronoi networks have been developed to study the internal heating, current distributions and breakdown effects in ZnO varistors in response to high-voltage pulsing. The simulations allow for dynamic predictions of internal failures and to track the progression of hot-spots and thermal stresses. The focus is on internal grain-size variations and relative disorder including micropores. Our results predict that parameters such as the hold-off voltage, internal temperature, and average dissipated energy density would be higher with more uniform grains. This uniformity is also predicted to produce lower thermal stresses and to allow for the application of longer duration pulses. It is shown that the principal failure mechanism arises from internal localized melting, while thermal stresses are well below the thresholds for cracking. Finally, detrimental effects of micropores have been quantified and shown to be in agreement with experimental trends.
A comparative study of differential and noncoherent direct sequence spread spectrum over underwater acoustic channels with multiuser interference

Spread spectrum communication provides a robust solution for underwater acoustic communication over noisy or otherwise unfavorable channels while allowing multiple users to occupy the same bandwidth at the same time. In this study we compare two variants, differential and noncoherent, of direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) side-by-side on their performance over a range of channel conditions. Analysis of experimental data collected from the UNET06 experiment in St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, reveals a tradeoff in performance between these two methods when the interference level and data rates change. Through further simulations we develop a good picture of the range of channel conditions for which one method will outperform the other. These results depend largely on the channel coherence value and the interference level: specifically, the differential scheme is better suited to coherent channels with low interference levels while the noncoherent scheme achieves better performance in high-interference scenarios and as the channel coherence decreases. Further, we observe that the noncoherent scheme is more robust relative to the differential alternative when the rate increases from 1 bit to 2 bits per symbol transmission.
Rearrangement and Extremal Results for Hermitian Matrices.

Abstract This paper contains extreme value results for concave and convex symmetric functions of the eigenvalues of B + P ∗ AP as functions of the partial isometry P . The matrices A and B are Hermitian.
Amplifying fluorescent polymer sensors for the explosives taggant 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB)

Structural and electronic effects on the efficiency of DMNB detection with fluorescent conjugated polymers are described.
Differential expression of interleukin-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 by human gingival epithelial cells in response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans or Porphyromonas gingivalis infection

Little is known regarding the molecules expressed by gingival epithelial cells that are involved in initiating and maintaining inflammation following the interaction with periodontal pathogens. Thus, we investigated the effect of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis infection on the expression of neutrophil chemoattractant interleukin 8 (IL-8) and the adhesion molecule intercellular adhesion molecule-1 by gingival epithelial cells. The data revealed that both IL-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression increased after infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans (IL-8: 2- to 7-fold; intercellular adhesion molecule-1: 2.5- to 3.7-fold). IL-8 secretion reached a maximal level 6 h after the infection and the expression subsequently decreased to basal level. The increased cell surface intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression started at 4 h after infection and reached a maximal level 14 h after the infection. In contrast, the expression of both molecules rapidly decreased 2 h after challenge with P. gingivalis. This opposite influence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis infection on the expression of IL-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 by gingival epithelial cells suggests that A. actinomycetemcomitans infection may initiate the recruitment of neutrophils, whereas the P. gingivalis infection may retard this process and therefore demonstrate a distinct perspective of virulence.
Developmental learning on a humanoid robot

This paper addresses a broad spectrum of machine learning problems. Actions by embodied agents automatically generate training data for the learning mechanisms, so that a humanoid robot develops categorization autonomously. Cognitive capabilities of the humanoid robot are developmentally created, starting from abilities for detecting, segmenting, and recognizing objects. Such mature abilities are integrated with the deeper developmental learning mechanisms required to create those abilities out of the robot's physical experiences. This work presents strategies for learning task sequences and to recognize objects employed on such tasks from human-robot interaction cues. Learning strategies are also presented for the control of both oscillatory and non-oscillatory movements for the execution of these learned tasks. Self-exploration of the world automatically introduces the robot to new training data.
Spiral microstructures for the measurement of average strain gradients in thin films

Spirals made from LPCVD polycrystalline silicon and sputtered-tungsten films have been observed both to wind up and to curl after etching of underlying sacrificial oxide layers. A theory that identifies the gradient of in-plane residual strain (through the thickness of the film) as the cause of deformation of spiral rings is developed. The angular rotation (wind-up) and lateral contraction of Archimedean spirals are predicted as a function of the average strain gradient in the film. The lateral contraction and rotation can be determined easily and accurately by means of an optical micrograph, making the Archimedean spiral attractive for measurement of average strain gradients. The predicted results are shown to correspond well with the behavior of an experimental sample. Analysis suggests that strain gradients in deposited films may possibly by exploited to extend structures made using surface micromechanics into greater dimensions away from the substrate. >
The Neural Bases of Placebo Effects in Anticipation and Pain

Numerous studies of experimental and clinical pain show that placebo treatments reduce reported pain and that expectancies play a key role in their effectiveness. However, very little is known about the neurobiological mechanisms of either placebo analgesia or the generation of expectancy that enables it. To address this issue, I used functional magnetic resonance imaging to quantify placebo-induced changes in pain-processing brain regions during the experience of pain. Results show placebo-induced decreases in contralateral thalamus, anterior insula, and anterior cingulate, and increases in prefrontal brain regions that may maintain expectations for pain relief. These findings are discussed in light of several proposed neuropsychological mechanisms of placebo analgesia: altered appraisal of threat, diversion of attention, and activation of descending opioid systems for spinal control. These results suggest that placebo treatment alters the appraisal process, reducing the subjective distress caused by pain. Semin Pain Med 3:22-30 © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Nonstationary fluctuations of arterial pressure in sino-aortic deafferented rats

Sinaortic deafferented (SAD) rats, in which the baroreflex is removed, exhibit increased fluctuations in arterial pressure (AP) compared to sham-operated (SHM) rats. The power spectrum of AP variability is estimated using the method of averaged periodograms. The relatively short interval over which the AP time series is stationary prevents resolution of spectral components below 1 Hz by this method. An autoregressive (AR) model is used, allowing resolution of spectral peaks at frequencies below 1 Hz. Choice of model order was guided by the Akaike information criterion. A peak at 0.4 Hz was found in the SHM but not the SAD rats, suggesting that it may represent oscillations associated with neural and/or humoral component of the baroflex. A smaller peak near 2 Hz is thought to represent respiratory influences on AP. >
Religion, Social Support, and Life Satisfaction Among American Indian Older Adults

This study examined the associations among religion, social support, and life satisfaction with 233 older American Indians in the Northern Plains region. Hierarchical regression indicated that those with higher religiousness and greater social support were found to have greater life satisfaction. Findings suggest that religion and social support provide promising pathways to build upon existing strengths to ameliorate mental health disparities. Health professionals must be sensitive to the complexities of religion and social support, and consider ways to incorporate cultural practices into health education and interventions to promote the quality of life for older American Indians.
Plio-Pleistocene Rodents of Thailand. Thai Studies in Biodiversity No. 3

Y. Chaimanee 1998. Plio-Pleistocene Rodents of Thailand. Thai Studies in Biodiversity No. 3. Biodiversity Research and Training Program, BIOTEC, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, 303 pp. ISBN 974-7577-80-1, price (paper), US$20.00 plus postage. Prior to this study, relatively little research had been done on the later Cenozoic rodents of Thailand. The study of fossil rodents from this time period is of interest for several reasons. The fossil fauna from this period need to be documented, providing a platform from which to address the question of the development of the modern fauna; whether it is structured most from in situ evolution and extinction, from immigration of allochthonous taxa, or from a combination of the 2 processes. Species composition may also be used as a proxy for climate. In a study analyzing multiple faunas of different geologic ages and from different geographic areas, climatic pattern may be revealed through time and space. Study of Plio-Pleistocene faunas from Thailand has the potential for illuminating the history of the current subdivision of Thailand into 2 zoogeographic subregions: the Indochinese subregion to the north of the Isthmus of Kra (10°30′N) and the Sundaic subregion to the south. The author collected rodent fossils from 20 fissure fills and cave deposits, primarily from the central portion of northern Thailand and from peninsular Thailand. Rodents belonging to 3 families are represented: Muridae, Sciuridae, and Hystricidae. The murids (excluding rhizomyines) and sciurids are …
Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the gallbladder diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare entity that can exist independently or in conjunction with underlying plasma cell myeloma (PCM). When there is underlying multiple myeloma, the presence of EMP portends a poor prognosis. The most common locations for an EMP include the gastrointestinal tract, pleura, testis, skin, peritoneum, liver, endocrine glands and lymph nodes; involvement of the gallbladder is exceedingly rare with only five other cases reported and only one of which was associated with PCM. EMP of the gallbladder can manifest as acute cholecystitis, biliary obstruction, or may be asymptomatic. Treatment is traditionally surgical resection plus adjuvant chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplant. We present a case of a 53-year-old man with PCM who was found to have a gallbladder mass on imaging and underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the mass, which was diagnostic of a plasma cell neoplasm.
Assembling the Puzzle: The Insurance Performance Measure

The property and casualty insurance industry has historically focused on the underwriting or combined ratio as the measure of performance. Many dramatic changes have occurred in the industry and its operating environment over the past 30 years, however. These changes may have altered some of the assumptions regarding the use of the underwriting ratio. An alternative performance measurement system, the Insurance Performance Measure, is presented and illustrated.
Intra-arterial nitrogen mustard in advanced pelvic malignancies

Abstract A group of 20 patients with pelvic malignancies were treated with intraarterial nitrogen mustard with a one- or two-injection technique to administer the entire dosage. The patients had cervical, fundal, and ovarian carcinomas but in each instance the lesion had spread beyond the confines of the organ of origin. Fifteen of these patients had been treated “to tolerance” and had evidences of active recurrence, giving them an exceedingly limited prognosis initially. Five patients were selected for treatment prior to the administration initially. Five patients were selected for treatment prior to the administration of the radiation. With 3 of the patients still living—2 without evidence of disease and one with evidence of disease—the average survival for the entire group is approximately twelve months. The posttreatment morbidity was considerably more marked, however, in the patients whose radiation had preceded the administration of the HN2. The animal studies using rabbits failed to indicate an increased mortality rate when sublethal doses of radiation and mustard were used together without regard for the sequence of administration or the time interval. Clinically, it is not felt that this particular technique of mustard administration yields enough benefit, even in the far-advanced pelvic malignancies, to merit the risk of morbidity which it entails.
Drug Prophylaxis Against Lethal Effects of Severe Anoxia. II. Alcohol, Amytal and Pentobarbital

SummaryFull narcotic doses of ethyl alcohol significantly reduce the lethal effects of severe acute anoxic anoxia in mice if administered 1 hour prior to exposure to anoxia but not if administered 14 hours before exposure. Amytal and pentobarbital do not produce comparable prophylactic effects.