cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Institute For Computer Sciences And Technology At The National Bureau Of Standards (NBS/ICST) Optical Digital Data Disk (0D3) Standardization Activities

This presentation will describe optical digital data disk (0D3) standardization activities including the NBS-sponsored Federal Council on Computer Storage Standards and Technology (FCCSSAT); the National Bureau of Standards/National Security Agency Workshop on Standardization Issues for OD3 Technology; and the NBS/ICST participation in the voluntary OD3 standards process. All of these NBS/ICST activities provide a forum for discussion among current and potential OD3 users and suppliers, regarding the prospects for OD3 data interchange standardization. The status of these standardization programs will be presented, along with their objectives for determining the directions for the development of OD3-related standards and guidelines for the U.S. government.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Progesterone metabolism in twins: Progesterone biosynthesis in placenta in vitro

Abstract The concentration of progesterone in the placenta in the last trimester of pregnancy was determined quantitatively. The values in eleven pairs of twins and one triplets were 1.14–4.30 μg/g, wet wt. The placenta of two twins in the 14th week of gestation contained progesterone, 3.14 μg/g and 5.28 μg/g, respectively. No difference was found between the progesterone concentration of different sexes of fetus or between those of single ovum and double ovum twins. Progesterone synthesis by slices of placenta of normal and twin pregnancies was measured in vitro . During de novo biosynthesis by slices of placenta, cholesterol-4- 14 C was incorporated into the steroid. Both the amount of progesterone synthesized(measured photometrically)and the incorporation of radioactivity were significantly increased by exogenous addition of an NADPH-generating system, However, in the present in vitro experiment no incorporation of acetate-1- 14 C into the progesterone was observed.
Time series modeling of coastal currents

Time and frequency domain models that relate a vector time series at any location to a measured series at another location are presented and evaluated by application to the prediction of coastal currents. The time domain model belongs to the general class of cross‐autoregressive integrated (CARI) models based on classical time series analysis methods. The frequency domain model is a spectral component (SC) model, which relates the Fourier spectrum at different stations. The errors resulting from the use of both model types to predict measured currents off San Francisco, California, were computed. It was found that of the CARI models, a six parameter model was best, although a simpler three parameter model was almost as good. The main drawback to the CARI model was the nonstationarity of the formulation, requiring several years of data to develop a stationary model for a particular season. The SC model was more stationary and had smaller errors than the best CARI model. It is concluded that frequency domai...
Ultrafast 'picket fence' pulse shapes to enhance frequency conversion of ICF laser drivers

Summary form only given.Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets generally require a high-contrast UV drive pulse shape, which varies from a very low power foot at the pulse beginning to high peak power near the pulse end. As a result of frequency conversion, including /spl sim/10% transport losses to the fusion target, one obtains a high contrast pulse is typically only /spl sim/50% In the picket fence scheme, which has been discussed for many years,' one replaces the continuous low power foot with a train of short, high-intensity square-pulse 'pickets'. Here this concept is extended to the sub-ns regime; where pickets of duration of 10-100 ps are separated by an interval of only a few 100 ps.
Grain-Size Sorting in Meander Bends Containing Large Woody Debris

Few studies have investigated the effects of large woody debris (LWD) on patterns of grain-size sorting in meander bends. In unobstructed meander bends, a characteristic pattern of sediment sorting has been observed in which the coarse and fine particles "cross over" through a bend. This field-based study examines the influence of LWD on spatial patterns of grain-size sorting in three meander bends of a low-energy stream in northern Illinois. The results of this study indicate that, in some cases, LWD substantially modifies patterns of grain-size sorting in low-gradient meander bends. Grain-size patterns in one study bend generally correspond with those observed in studies of other meander bends, but patterns in the two other bends are lacking the clear, characteristic crossover pattern of coarse and fine sediments. The detailed nature of the modifications appears to be highly dependent on the particular arrangement of LWD in a bend.
A Numerical Study of Separating Supersonic Laminar Boundary Layers

Abstract : A numerical study has been made of the nature of the solution to the supersonic boundary-layer equations when the flow separates from the surface. To this end, implicit finite difference solutions t the governing equations are obtained for linearly and quadratically retarded flows over flat plates for a Mach number range of 2 to 15. Both extremely hot and cold wall conditions are considered. Also, solutions for flow on a compression ramp are obtained with and without including the boundary layer's free interaction with the local freestream. The results of this study indicate that non-interacting flows are singular at separation and that free interaction effects reduces singularity. An alternate means of numerically smearing out the singularity and proceeding past separation is also presented.
Modeling phase-shifting masks

An algebraic image perturbation model is introduced which used the point spread function of the lens and the mutual coherence of the illumination to give insight into the interactions of auxiliary patterns with features for the phase shifting mask technology. The model is based on adding electric field contributions and the cross term is shown to characterize the dominant interaction as a function of the number of auxiliary features, the relative coherence of the illumination, and the spreading of the image of the auxiliary pattern toward the feature. Data on the point/line spread functions and the mutual coherence are given and used to verify the accuracy of quantitative predictions of the change in peak intensity for lines and contacts when nonprinting phase shifting auxiliary patterns are added.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Role of Viscoelastic Adhesive Contact in the Sintering of Polymeric Particles

Abstract The sintering of polymeric particles is analyzed by considering the growth of contact between viscoelastic spheres driven by adhesive intersurface forces. This process is dominant during the initial phase of sintering and is succeeded by a viscous sintering step that is driven by surface tension and accommodated by viscous flow. The intersurface forces in this work are described by a cohesive zone model. A new formulation of adhesive contact that does not require the cohesive zone to be smaller than the contact radius, together with finite element simulations is used to study the growth of contact. The results of this paper establish conditions that determine the dominant mechanism of contact growth during sintering. These conditions are described using a “deformation map”. For a Maxwell material, if particle radius Rmax,≤20δc, where δc is a characteristic separation in the Dugdale–Barenblatt model, then the coalescence is driven by adhesive intersurface forces.
Organometallic chemistry XV. The reaction of phenylmagnesium bromide with 2-norbornene-2-carboxylic acid and methyl 2-norbornene 2-carboxylate☆☆☆

Abstract 2-Norbornene-2-carboxylic acid undergoes almost exclusive conjugate addition of phenylmagnesium bromide to provide a good yield of exo-3-phenyl-endo-and -exo-2-norbornanecarboxylic acids. Methyl 2-norbornene-2-carboxylate reacts with the Grignard reagent in the 1,2-, followed by the 1,4-manner, to yield as the major product endo-2-benzoyl-exo-3-phenylnorbornane. The structures of these addition products were verified by comparison with independently prepared samples.
A novel wideband microstrip fractal bandpass filter with a notch band at 5–6 GHz

This article presents a novel wideband Sierpinski fractal stub-based microstrip filter that provides a notch band at 5–6 GHz. The frequency bandwidth is 103% from 2.89 to 9.0 GHz, which has two passbands of 40 and 25% separated by the notch band. The filter has been designed using full wave analysis tools and has been experimentally verified. The simulated and measured results are found to be in acceptable agreement. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1413–1416, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25194
Transient Non-native Hydrogen Bonds Promote Activation of a Signaling Protein

Phosphorylation is a common mechanism for activating proteins within signaling pathways. Yet, the molecular transitions between the inactive and active conformational states are poorly understood. Here we quantitatively characterize the free-energy landscape of activation of a signaling protein, nitrogen regulatory protein C (NtrC), by connecting functional protein dynamics of phosphorylation-dependent activation to protein folding and show that only a rarely populated, pre-existing active conformation is energetically stabilized by phosphorylation. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) dynamics, we test an atomic scale pathway for the complex conformational transition, inferred from molecular dynamics simulations (Lei et al., 2009). The data show that the loss of native stabilizing contacts during activation is compensated by non-native transient atomic interactions during the transition. The results unravel atomistic details of native-state protein energy landscapes by expanding the knowledge about ground states to transition landscapes.
Molecular and genetic characterization of two pollen-expressed genes that have sequence similarity to pectate lyases of the plant pathogen Erwinia.

A set of cDNAs that are expressed in tomato anthers were isolated [24]. We further characterized two of these cDNAs (LAT56 and LAT59) and their corresponding genomic clones. LAT56 and LAT59 show low levels of steady-state mRNA in immature anthers and maximal levels in mature anthers and pollen. The LAT56 and LAT59 genes are single-copy in the tomato genome, and are linked on chromosome 3, approximately 5 cM apart. Although these cDNAs did not cross-hybridize, their deduced protein sequences (P56 and P59) have 54% amino acid identity. The LAT56 and LAT59 genes each have two introns, but they are located in non-homologous positions. P56 and P59 show significant protein sequence similarity to pectate lyases of plant pathogenic bacteria. The similarity of P56 and P59 to the bacterial pectate lyases is equivalent to the homology described for different pectate lyase sequences of the genus Erwinia. We suggest that the pollen expression of LAT56 and LAT59 might relate to a requirement for pectin degradation during pollen tube growth.
Sequential equilibrium gated radionuclide angiocardiography for the detection of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.

Summary Right and left ventricular ejection fractions (RVEF and LVEF) were studied at rest, during exercise, and in the immediate post-exercise period (recovery) in 23 patients treated with doxorubicin. Ejection fractions were determined using equilibrium gated radionuclide angiography and non-interactive computer processing. Two effects of doxorubicin emerged: o (1)The LVEF at rest and the maximal LVEF reached during the stress test decreased as a function of the cumulative dose expressed in mg/m 2 . (2)When two measurements were performed before and after an interval dose of less than 100 mg/m 2 , the resting and maximal LVEF showed an increase, but at higher interval doses, those values showed a decrease. In general, the effect of an incremental dose was not a function of the cumulative dose. No significant changes were detected in RVEF, and LVEF at standardized exercise levels did not correlate with cumulative doses or change as a function of interval dosage.
The Placenta Theory and the Origin of Infantile Hemangioma

The pathogenesis of infantile hemangioma is unknown. In recent years, much of the focus has been placed at identifying the cell type(s) responsible for tumor initiation. New discoveries in infantile hemangioma suggest an involvement of progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of this vascular tumor. Both embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues have been postulated as potential sources for these progenitor cells. This review focuses on the placental theory, which proposes that a fetal placental progenitor is the cell type of origin for infantile hemangioma. Special emphasis will be placed on placental vasculogenesis and the presence and transit of placental progenitor cells during gestation.
Inviscid, Incompressible Flow Past Thin Airfoils

The solution of the inviscid, incompressible and irrotational (potential) two-dimensional flow past an arbitrary profile with a sharp trailing edge exists and can be obtained using complex variables and mapping techniques. However, this approach is very difficult in general, except for particular classes of profiles, such as the Joukowski airfoils.
Unions' Responsiveness to the Aging of the Workforce

The aging of the workforce in the United States has been well documented, and workplaces are beginning to consider the implications of this demographic shift with regard to employees' needs and preferences for specific types of benefits and human resource policies. The presence of unions, associations that have traditionally advocated for benefits and protections for their members, may be one factor that affects the readiness of workplaces to adapt to the aging of the workforce. A national study reported here has found that though workplaces with union presence are more likely to provide some of the benefits important to older workers, such as health insurance for the families of part-time employees, they are less likely to have a more comprehensive scope of flexible work options available to most of their employees.
Phylogenetic relationships among families of the Scaphopoda (Mollusca)

Phylogenetic relationships among families in the molluscan class Scaphopoda were analysed using morphological characters and cladistic parsimony methods. A maximum parsimony analysis of 34 discrete characters, treated as unordered and equally weighted, from nine ingroup terminal taxa produced a single most parsimonious tree; supplementary analyses of tree length frequency distribution and Bremer support indices indicate a strong phylogenetic signal from the data and moderate to minimally supported clades. The traditional major division of the class, the orders Dentaliida and Gadilida, is supported as both taxa are confirmed as monophyletic clades. Within the Dentaliida, two clades are recognized, the first comprised of the families Dentaliidae and Fustiariidae, the second of the Rhabdidae and Calliodentaliidae; together, these groups comprise a third clade, which has the Gadilinidae as sister. Within the Gadilida, a nested series of relationships is found among [Entalinidae, [Pulsellidae, [Wemersoniellidae, Gadilidae]]]. These results lend cladistic support to earlier hypotheses of shared common ancestry for some families, but are at variance with other previous hypotheses of evolution in the Scaphopoda. Furthermore, analysis of constituent Gadilinidae representatives provide evidence for paraphyly of this family. The relationships supported here provide a working hypothesis that the development of new characters and greater breadth of taxonomic sampling can test, with a suggested primary goal of establishing monophyly at the family level.
Parent Stars of Extrasolar Planets. IV. 14 Herculis, HD 187123, and HD 210277*

Spectroscopic analyses of 14 Her, HD 187123, and HD 210277, recently reported to harbor planets, reveal that these stars are metal rich. We find [Fe/H]=0.50 ± 0.05, 0.16 ± 0.05, and 0.24 ± 0.05 for 14 Her, HD 187123, and HD 210277, respectively. This is the first spectroscopic analysis of HD 187123; our results for 14 Her and HD 210277 are in agreement with published studies. It is shown that 14 Her and ρ1 Cnc are nearly identical in their bulk physical characteristics. This result, combined with their extreme metallicities, suggests that their physical parameters have been affected by the process that formed their planets. These two stars join a group of about half a dozen stars in the solar neighborhood with [Fe/H] ≥ 0.4. It is also shown that 51 Peg and HD 187123, which have companions with similar orbital periods and masses, are nearly identical. We find v sin i ≈ 2.0 km s-1 for HD 210277 from a high-resolution spectrum.
Effects of varying haptic feedback on driver distraction during vehicular window adjustment

Haptic-enabled rotary control knobs are increasingly being integrated within vehicles to manage vehicular instrumentation. By doing so, driver safety and performance is increased as a result of the distraction reductions associated with such a system. The integration of window adjustment within such a vehicular instrumentation management system is examined through human factors studies for the purpose of reducing driver distraction. Additional focus is placed on examining the ability of haptic feedback alone to eliminate reliance on visual feedback when adjusting window height. Results indicate that eliminating such reliance is possible by means of a rotary control knob providing varying intermediate haptic feedback as the window is adjusted.
Comparative courtship behaviour in two species of the parasitic chalcid wasp Melittobia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Abstract Timing and form of courtship behaviour elements constitute a major isolating mechanism for two morphologically and ecologically similar parasitic wasps. Because males are blind, the complex courtship of Melittobia chalybii and a new as yet undescribed species previously confused with it, designated as M. sp. A , depends upon tactile and chemical cues. In both species, after the female orients to the male's abdomen, the male turns in the direction of contact and mounts. However, chalybii males antennate females continuously, lifting mesothoracic legs at regular intervals, while in sp. A male antennation alternates with metathoracic leg pumping. Courtship and copulation duration are greater in Chalybii than in sp. A .
Environmental photochemistry of single layered graphene oxide in water

Graphene oxide (GO) is a carbonaceous nanomaterial that is a precursor material in the preparation of graphene, and because of its unique properties, it will likely be used in a number of industrial and consumer products in the future. Despite its name, it contains many epoxy, hydroxyl, and carboxyl functional groups on its edges and surface, making it easy to suspend in water. However, how it is transformed or mineralized in natural aquatic environments and its effects on natural processes within these environments remain largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we report on the photochemical reactivity of single layered GO dispersed in water and irradiated with light within the solar spectrum that reaches the water bodies at the earth's surface (λ ≥ 300 nm). Upon irradiation, the visible color of a 5 mg L−1 GO suspension shifted from pale to dark brown, possibly indicating the repair of some of the π-bond structures; however, Raman spectroscopy indicated an increase in nonaromatic defects. To further examine how oxidation or reduction of the GO surface may occur upon solar light irradiation, we probed the production of various reactive oxygen species (ROS). By monitoring ROS production with selective and highly reactive chemical probes, formation of superoxide anions (O2˙−), but not single oxygen (1O2) or hydroxyl radicals (·OH), was detected, indicating electron transfer from GO to dissolved molecular oxygen (O2). However, further electron transfer through reduction of O2˙− did occur, as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was found to accumulate, forming 3 μM H2O2 in a suspension of 5 mg L−1 GO after 4 hours of irradiation.
The Value of Vocational Rehabilitation in Substance User Treatment: A Cost-Effectiveness Framework

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs within addiction treatment traditionally consider employment as the desired outcome. This singular focus ignores other benefits, such as reduced substance us...
Investigation of the torsional angle at the glycosidic bond in 5′‐amino‐5′‐deoxythymidine derivatives by carbon‐13 n.m.r. spectroscopy

The conformational preference of the thymine base ring with respect to the sugar ring in β,β,β,-trichloroethyl 5′amino-5′-deoxythymidine-5′-phosphate has been studied by 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy. The magnitude of the three bond vicinal coupling constant, J(C-2, H-1′), for β,β,β-trichloroethyl 5′-amino-5′-deoxythymidine-5′-phosphate and the similarity between the chemical shifts for the furanose carbons C-1′, C-2′, and C-3′ in β,β,β-trichloroethyl 5-′-amino-5′-deoxythymidine-5′-phosphate and in β,β,β-trichloroethyl thymidine 5′-phosphate indicate that the amino analogue exists in aqueous solution predominantly in the anti conformation, as is the case with natural nucleotides.
Age-specific trends in black–white disparities in cervical cancer incidence in the United States: 1975–2009

Abstract Background Although overall cervical cancer incidence rates have decreased in both black and white women in the U.S. since the mid 1950s due to widespread screening, rates continue to be higher among blacks than among whites. However, whether this pattern differs by age is unknown. Methods Cervical cancer cases (1975–2009, N = 36,503) were obtained from nine Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program registries. Age-standardized incidence rates for white and black women were calculated from 1975–1979 through 2005–2009 by age group ( Results Among women aged Conclusion Disparities in cervical cancer incidence rates were eliminated for younger blacks vs. whites but persisted for blacks aged 50 years and older. Additional strategies are needed to increase follow-up and treatment of precancerous lesions among middle-aged and older black women.
Mapping London's Water Companies and Cholera Deaths

John Snow has become a legendary figure partly for his use of spatial data to support his once controversial theory that cholera is a water-borne disease. For his study of London south of the Thames, Snow used data compiled by William Farr for the Registrar General during the 1853–4 epidemic. Using a larger data set compiled by William Farr in 1868, we use geographical information system-based software ArcGIS to spatially illustrate the cholera mortality rate in London subdistricts during the Asiatic cholera epidemics of 1848–9, 1853–4, and 1866. We then map the waterfields of London's eight water companies allowing us to highlight the connection John Snow saw between the rate of cholera mortality within a subdistrict and which water company operated within that particular subdistrict. Our maps also show the connection between the rate of cholera mortality in each subdistrict and average subdistrict elevation, a variable which Farr initially believed was more significant than water source.
Ion Transport in the Gut

The in vitro preparation of the small intestine of the rat is well suited for studies of ion transport. Data from this preparation indicate that the passage of water and electrolytes across the intestinal epithelium depends on active transport. Glycolysis seems to be involved as a source of energy for the transport of ions from the mucosal to the serosal aspect of the intestinal wall.
3D layout of the CHARA array on Mount Wilson

A brief description of the problems found and methods used to calculate the exact position of each mirror of the CHARA Array on Mount Wilson. The problem is highly constrained due to polarization and logistic considerations, yet many unusable solutions are still possible.
Age Differences in Body Consciousness

Physical changes associated with the aging process have both private and public components, and this study investigated the degree to which elderly persons attend to these changes. Sixty subjects, elderly (n = 30) and young (n = 30), equated in terms of physical health, education, and depression, were compared on measures of private body consciousness, public body consciousness, and body competence. Results indicated that healthy elderly persons are more conscious of their external physical appearance and are more positive in their self-evaluations of body competence than are young subjects.
RNA Tertiary Structure and Cooperative Assembly of a Large Ribonucleoprotein Complex

The mechanisms that govern the ordered assembly of multiprotein ribonucleoprotein complexes are not well understood. The in vitro reconstitution of the small subunit of the bacterial ribosome provides a tractable system for the detailed study of ordered assembly. We present a quantitative thermodynamic description of the hierarchical binding of ribosomal proteins to 16 S rRNA during assembly of the platform of the 30 S ribosomal subunit. The binding of S8, S11, S15, and the S6:S18 heterodimer to the central domain of 16 S rRNA has been measured both individually and in combination using isothermal titration calorimetry and gel mobility shift assays. Both enthalpy and free energy measurements demonstrate the cooperative binding of S15 and the S6:S18 heterodimer, but no cooperativity is observed for either S8 or S11. The results define a thermodynamic framework that describes cooperative platform assembly.
Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of Halogenated β-d- and -l-Erythrofuranosylbenzimidazoles

A series of 2-substituted benzimidazole D- and L-erythrofuranosyl nucleosides were synthesized and tested for activity against herpesviruses and for cytotoxicity. The D-nucleosides 2,5, 6-trichloro-1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl)benzimidazole (8a) and 2-bromo-5,6-dichloro-1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl)benzimidazole (8b) were prepared by coupling 1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-erythrofuranose (D-6) with the appropriate benzimidazole, followed by removal of the acetyl protecting groups. The 2-isopropylamino (9), 2-cyclopropylamino (10), and 2-mercaptobenzyl (11) derivatives were synthesized by nucleophilic displacements of the C-2 chlorine in the benzimidazole moiety of 8a. The D-nucleoside 4-bromo-5, 6-dichloro-2-isopropylamino-1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl)benzimid azo le (17) was prepared by coupling D-6 with the appropriate benzimidazole. The L-erythrofuranosyl derivatives, 5, 6-dichloro-2-isopropylamino-1-(beta-L-erythrofuranosyl)benzimid azo le (21a), its 2-cyclopropylamino analogue (21b), and the 2-isopropylamino analogue (25), were prepared by coupling L-6 with the appropriate benzimidazole. Several of these new derivatives had very good activity against HCMV in plaque and yield reduction assays (IC(50) = 0.05-19 microM against the Towne strain of HCMV) and DNA hybridization assays. Very little activity was observed against other herpesviruses. This pattern is similar to the antiviral activity profile observed for the corresponding ribofuranosides 2,5, 6-trichloro-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole (4a), its 2-bromo analogue (4b), and the 2-cyclopropylamino analogue (4c). In comparison, 8a was 15-fold more active against HCMV than 4a, and 8b was 4-fold more active against HCMV than 4b. The 5, 6-dichloro-2-isopropylamino-1-(beta-L-erythrofuranosyl)benzimid azo le (21a) was less active than 4c, which is now in clinical trials for HCMV infection. Both 8a,b had comparable HCMV activity to 4c. Mode of action studies with the D-erythrose analogues established that 8b acted by inhibition of viral DNA processing whereas 9 and 10 may act via a different mechanism. The lack of a 5'-hydroxymethyl group in all members of this series established that antiviral activity occurred without 5'-phosphorylation, a feature required for the activity of most nucleoside analogues.
Intracerebroventricular application of a vasopressin antagonist peptide prevents the behavioral actions of vasopressin.

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the memory-improving properties of peripherally-applied vasopressin (AVP) were related to its aversive (i.e arousing) actions. The memory effects of AVP were observed in a one-trial food-finding task where non-deprived rats were briefly exposed to a large open field that contained an alcove in which a high-incentive familiar food reward (sweetened milk) was freely available. AVP injections immediately upon removal from the open-field produced faster latencies to refind the alcove (compared to vehicle controls) when tested 48 h later. The aversive actions of AVP were demonstrated in two behavioral assays: (1) a conditioned taste aversion test in which rats learned to avoid a preferred saccharin solution after it had been paired with injections of AVP; and (2) a conditioned place test in which rats learned to avoid a distinctive environment associated with AVP administration. Both the memory and aversive responses to AVP were prevented, in a dose-dependent manner, by immediate pretreatment with intracerebroventricular infusions of the pressor antagonist analog 1-deaminopenicillamine-2-(O-methyl)-tyrosine AVP. The large antagonist doses required to block AVP's behavioral effects suggest that the critical site of action may be far removed from the lateral ventricles. The possibility that AVP-induced improvements in memory result from peripheral arousing actions is discussed.
Stylistic Differences across Hedge Funds as Revealed by Historical Monthly Returns

This paper utilizes two clustering techniques to provide an objective method for classification of hedge funds. A data driven classification framework that utilizes monthly hedge fund returns as inputs, is shown to pro-vide better comparisons among fund categories and can help investors in identifying common factors that can lead to better diversification strategies. Our clustering results indicate that other than the managed fu-tures category, there are only three unique hedge fund styles. These three categories are the Equity Hedge, Fund of Hedge Funds and the Emerging Markets categories. None of the other hedge fund classifications such as Global macro, Distressed Securities, Merger Arbitrage, Convertible Arbitrage appear as a unique and independent category.
Automated segmentation of pelvic bone structure in x-ray radiographs using active shape models and directed Hough transform

Traumatic pelvic injuries are often associated with severe, life-threatening hemorrhage, and immediate medical treatment is therefore vital. However, patient prognosis depends heavily on the type, location and severity of the bone fracture. Detecting these fractures can prove challenging for physicians due to the complexity of the pelvic bone structure, but is vital in identifying the most severe cases. X-ray imaging is fast and requires disruption to the patient, and is an important initial diagnostic step upon a patientpsilas admission. Therefore, automated fracture detection from initial patient X-rays can assist physicians in diagonsis and treatment. However, fractures in different areas of the pelvis display different characteristics in X-ray images. As a first and crucial step, the separate structures within the pelvis - in particular, the ilium and left and right acetabulum - must therefore be correctly segmented and identified in the x-ray image. This paper describes a algorithm for segmentation of these structures, using a hierarchical approach that combines directed Hough transform and active shape models. Unlike various other X-ray segmentation methods, the algorithm presented here both handles the inconsistencies between x-ray images in a clinical environment, and performs successfully in the presence of fracture.
Multiple stacking of InGaAs/GaAs (731) nanostructures

We studied the multilayering effects of InGaAs quantum dots (QDs) on GaAs(731), a surface lying inside of the stereographic triangle. The surfaces after stacking 16 InGaAs layers were characterized with highly non-uniformity of QD spatial distribution. The bunched step regions driven by strain accumulation are decorated by QDs, therefore GaAs(731) becomes a good candidate substrate for the growth of QD clusters. The unique optical properties of the QD clusters are revealed by photoluminescence measurements. By adjusting the coverage of InGaAs, a bamboo-like nanostructured surface was observed and the quantum dots aligned up in clusters to separate the “bamboo” into sections.
Phylogenetics of Modern Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) Based on phenotypic Evidence: I—Characterization

ABSTRACT This paper provides phenotypic characters and states inferred to be informative of phylogenetic relationships among modern shorebirds (Charadriiformes), especially those exclusive of the comparatively aerial Stercorariidae, Laridae, and Rynchopidae, and the uniquely specialized wingpropelled diving Alcidae. The ingroup so delimited comprises 245 taxa, with three taxa (Turnix, Afrotis, and Himantornis) used to root trees. Characters comprise 528 features of the internal anatomy (primarily osteological), and 578 features of the integument (primarily plumages). Descriptions follow a consistent style and formal nomenclature, and include prior publications of relevance. The work resulted in a matrix of dimensions 245 (rows) taxa by 1106 (columns) characters with descriptions in style after Livezey and Zusi (2006) that is available free from www.CarnegieMNH.org/birds/livezey.html. This compilation forms the foundation for a species-level phylogenetic (cladistic) analysis of the Charadriiformes and a ph...
A multiresolution wavelet analysis and Gaussian Markov random field algorithm for breast cancer screening of digital mammography

A novel multiresolution wavelet analysis (MWA) and non-stationary Gaussian Markov random field (GMRF) technique is introduced for the identification of microcalcifications with high accuracy. The hierarchical multiresolution wavelet information in conjunction with the contextual information of the images extracted from GMRF provides a highly efficient technique for microcalcification detection. A Bayesian learning paradigm realized via the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm was also introduced for edge detection or segmentation of larger lesions recorded on the mammograms. The effectiveness of the approach has been extensively tested with a number of mammographic images provided by a local hospital.
Career development resource: academic career in surgical education

Academic surgeons play an instrumental role in the training of our medical students and surgical residents. Although volunteer faculty often have an important role in the clinical development of surgeons-in-training, the tasks of curricular development, structured didactic sessions, professional advising, research sponsorship, and mentoring at all levels fall to the academic surgeon. Historically, the career advancement path for an academic physician favored grant acquisition and scholarly publication. Broader definitions of scholarship have emerged, along with corresponding modifications in academic award systems that allow advancement in faculty rank based on a surgeon's educational efforts.
Identification and characterization of a protease from Streptococcus oralis C104.

Streptococcus oralis is among the earliest colonizers of the tooth surface during plaque formation. As such, its enzymatic activities may influence ecologic succession on the tooth surface. In the current study, we used zymograms and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to identify and purify a protease from S. oralis (sanguis) C104. Proteases from 5. oralis C104 were detected in cell pellets at 133, 146 and 176 kDa as clear proteolytic bands on gelatin-substrate zymograms. Preparations of the major (146 kDa) protease were obtained by continuous-elution electrophoresis. The protease was active over the pH range of 7 to 9 with optimum activity between pH 8 and 9. Protease activity was inhibited by several serine protease inhibitors including phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, di-iso-propyl-phosphofluoridate and aprotinin. The protease showed highest hydrolytic activity against azoalbumin and Bz-Pro-Phe-Arg-NA. Immunofluorescence studies with a polyclonal antiserum to the 146–kDa protease suggest it is present on the cell surface of S. oralis C104. Zymograms of cell pellets from other S. oralis strains as well as S. sanguis and Streptococcus mitis suggest that functionally similar proteases are elaborated by many early colonizers of the tooth surface.
Innate immune evasion strategies of influenza viruses

Influenza viruses are globally important human respiratory pathogens. These viruses cause seasonal epidemics and occasional worldwide pandemics, both of which can vary significantly in disease severity. The virulence of a particular influenza virus strain is partly determined by its success in circumventing the host immune response. This article briefly reviews the innate mechanisms that host cells have evolved to resist virus infection, and outlines the plethora of strategies that influenza viruses have developed in order to counteract such powerful defences. The molecular details of this virus-host interplay are summarized, and the ways in which research in this area is being applied to the rational design of protective vaccines and novel antivirals are discussed.
Hearing Experience and Receptive Vocabulary Development in Deaf Children with Cochlear Implants.

This study investigated receptive vocabulary delay in deaf children with cochlear implants. Participants were 23 children with profound hearing loss, ages 6–14 years, who received a cochlear implant between ages 1.4 and 6 years. Duration of cochlear implant use ranged from 3.7 to 11.8 years. Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Third Edition (PPVT-III) data were analyzed first by examining children’s errors for evidence of difficulty in specific lexical content areas, and second by calculating standard scores with reference to hearing age (HA) (i.e., chronological age [CA] − age at implantation) rather than CA. Participants showed evidence of vocabulary understanding across all PPVT-III content categories with no strong evidence of disproportionate numbers of errors in any specific content area despite below-average mean standard scores. However, whereas mean standard scores were below the test mean established for hearing children when based on CA, they were within the average range for hearing children when calculated based on HA. Thus, children’s vocabulary knowledge was commensurate with years of cochlear implant experience, providing support for the role of spoken language experience in vocabulary acquisition.
Effect of excess dietary riboflavin on growth of rainbow trout

Fingerling rainbow trout were fed semipurified diets containing graded levels of supplemental riboflavin (3, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 100 and 600 mg/kg of diet) to determine if dietary riboflavin in excessof requirements decreases growth. In three trials with three sizes of fish (mean initial weights, 0.5, 3.2 and 4.3 g) and two water temperatures (8.3Â° and 15Â°C), no significant diet-related growth inhibition was detected. The results suggest that rainbow trout, like other animals, are insensitive to excesses of dietary riboflavin and that the growth depression reported by other workers was the result of some other dietary influence or of faulty experimental design. J. Nutr. 114: 1660-1663, 1984.
The relationship between perceived sense of control and visceral adipose tissue - the North Texas Healthy Heart Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between one's sense of control and visceral adipose tissue. This cross-sectional study recruited 571 subjects (45 years and older) who were asymptomatic of CHD from Fort Worth, Texas from 2006 to 2008. Subjects completed a questionnaire, body measurements, a multi-slice computed tomography scan to assess for visceral adipose tissue (VAT) centered at the L4L5 spinal interspace, and serum chemistries. The natural log of L4L5 VAT (lnVAT) was used in all analyses to achieve normality of the data with final analyses including 506 participants. Linear regression was used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted beta-coefficients and standard errors for the association between sense of control and lnVAT. A total of 506 participants were used in the data after adjusting for normality of the data. An increase in sense of control was associated with a decrease in lnVAT in the unadjusted (p < 0.001) and adjusted (p = 0.03) models. Other factors significantly associated with lnVAT in the adjusted model include age, BMI, male gender, non-Hispanic African American, and diet. Sense of control remained as an independent factor associated with visceral adiposity despite adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including BMI. Future studies should focus on establishing a causal relationship between sense of control and visceral adiposity.
Toxoplasma gondii Clonal Strains All Inhibit STAT1 Transcriptional Activity but Polymorphic Effectors Differentially Modulate IFNγ Induced Gene Expression and STAT1 Phosphorylation

Host defense against the parasite Toxoplasma gondii requires the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFNγ). However, Toxoplasma inhibits the host cell transcriptional response to IFNγ, which is thought to allow the parasite to establish a chronic infection. It is not known whether all strains of Toxoplasma block IFNγ-responsive transcription equally and whether this inhibition occurs solely through the modulation of STAT1 activity or whether other transcription factors are involved. We find that strains from three North American/European clonal lineages of Toxoplasma, types I, II, and III, can differentially modulate specific aspects of IFNγ signaling through the polymorphic effector proteins ROP16 and GRA15. STAT1 tyrosine phosphorylation is activated in the absence of IFNγ by the Toxoplasma kinase ROP16, but this ROP16-activated STAT1 is not transcriptionally active. Many genes induced by STAT1 can also be controlled by other transcription factors and therefore using these genes as specific readouts to determine Toxoplasma inhibition of STAT1 activity might be inappropriate. Indeed, GRA15 and ROP16 modulate the expression of subsets of IFNγ responsive genes through activation of the NF-κB/IRF1 and STAT3/6 transcription factors, respectively. However, using a stable STAT1-specific reporter cell line we show that strains from the type I, II, and III clonal lineages equally inhibit STAT1 transcriptional activity. Furthermore, all three of the clonal lineages significantly inhibit global IFNγ induced gene expression.
Outcomes of complex retinal detachment repair using 1000- vs 5000-centistoke silicone oil.

Objective To compare anatomic and visual acuity outcomes, as well as complication rates, after retinal detachment repair using 1000- vs 5000-centistoke silicone oil. Methods Records of all patients who underwent retinal detachment repair with silicone oil at one institution between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2000, were reviewed. Anatomic outcomes included retinal redetachment and macula-off retinal redetachment. Visual acuity outcomes included ambulatory vision (≥5/200) and change in visual acuity from preoperative examination. Complications included rates of secondary intraocular pressure elevation, hypotony, corneal opacification, cataract, and oil emulsification. Outcomes were assessed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Results The study included 82 eyes that underwent retinal detachment repair with 1000-centistoke silicone oil and 243 eyes that underwent retinal detachment repair with 5000-centistoke silicone oil. Demographic characteristics, cause of retinal detachment, and preoperative ocular characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of retinal redetachment at each of the follow-up intervals investigated. The cumulative retinal detachment rate was also similar between the 2 groups except among trauma cases, for which 1000-centistoke silicone oil was associated with a higher cumulative redetachment rate ( P Conclusions Anatomic and visual acuity outcomes, as well as complication rates, were similar in both groups; retinal reattachment and ambulatory vision were achieved in most eyes regardless of oil viscosity.
A novel Sliding Mode Observer with multilevel discontinuous control for position sensorless PMSM drives

In this paper, a novel Sliding Mode Observer (SMO) is presented for estimating the rotor position angle of PM synchronous motors (PMSM) to achieve position-sensorless vector control. A multilevel discontinuous control is designed and applied as a substitute of sign function applied in conventional models. Compared to other SMO observers, the proposed observer can effectively circumvent the chattering problem in its discrete implementation as well as preserving the well-known SMO features due to the discontinuous control, such as robust estimation performance and low sensitivity to variation of machine parameters. As a result, ripples superimposed on the estimated currents are comparatively small and so is the estimation error of rotor position. In addition, by applying the multilevel technique, it would not be challenging any more to design the low pass filter used for the extraction of equivalent control with little attenuation and phase delay. The proposed observer is implemented in a DSP-based digital controller of a PMSM drive system. The feasibility and effectiveness are verified through experimental testing.
Progress or lack of progress in hospitalized heart failure

.Thisunacceptably high post-discharge eventrate has not changed substantially or hasonly modestly improved over time,despite available drug- and device-basedtherapies. Thus, HHF may representone of the most pressing issues in medi-cine today. Despite these dismal statis-tics, the last decade in HHF researchhas provided significant insights intoour overall understanding of this com-plex condition. In this article, we havesummarized the major lessons learnedover the last decade to help guide thenecessary steps moving forward in clini-cal and research settings.
Application of detection theory in psychophysics

The paper reviews how current developments in detection theory have contributed to our understanding of human sensory processes. The first section of the paper emphasizes the methodological contributions of detection theory and how the theory is useful in the analysis of discrimination data. Next, a brief discussion of the substantive contribution of the theory in auditory research is considered. Energy detection, internal and external fluctuation, and some recent work using a Poisson model, illustrate these substantive applications of detection theory.
Nursing as Caring Theory: Living Caring in Practice:

This column features a report of a research project in a community hospital. Staff members were given opportunities to engage and act on the ideas of Boykin and Schoenhofer in their nursing as caring theory. Feedback from patients, family members, and all staff who touched patients informed the creation of a new model of care that positively transformed the workplace in the hospital setting. Strategies that were implemented to guide the values of nursing as caring theory are described. The result of the project was an environment that nurtures persons in their caring and growing in caring while illuminating the fullness of nursing.