cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Panel Study of Subjective Expected Utility for Adolescent Sexual Behavior

The relationship between subjective expected utility (SEU) for intercourse and sexual behavior was examined in a 3-year panel study of adolescents in North Carolina. Linear structural equation models were used to evaluate the causal priority of these variables for 225 junior high school students. Panel data allowed this examination which is not possible in more common cross-sectional studies. It was found that SEU had a significant relationship to subsequent sexual behavior in each of the 1-year intervals but intercourse was significantly related to subsequent SEU in only the 1st interval. This pattern was explained as a result of the process of development of utility during adolescent initial experience with sexual behaviors. (authors modified)
Eye Examination Techniques in Horses

Complete ophthalmic examination in the horse generally requires sedation and an auriculopalpebral nerve block. Before sedation, the symmetry of the head and globes are examined followed by evaluation of the menace response and palpebral reflex. After sedation and akinesia of the auriculopalpebral nerve, the adnexal structures, cornea, and pupillary light reflexes are examined. Diagnostics, including fluorescein staining, cytology, culture, Schirmer tear test, and tonometry, are often indicated at this time. The examination is continued with evaluation of the anterior segment, mydriasis, and indirect and direct ophthalmoscopy. Subpalpebral lavage systems are often required for the treatment of painful corneal conditions. Subpalpebral lavage systems are relatively easy to place and are relatively problem-free if maintained properly.
Factors influencing the structure and shape of stenotic and regurgitant jets: an in vitro investigation using Doppler color flow mapping and optical flow visualization.

Abstract To evaluate factors influencing the structure and shape of stenotic and regurgitant jets, Doppler color flow mapping and optical flow visualization studies were performed with use of a syringe model with a constant rate of ejection to simulate jets of valvular regurgitation and a pulsatile flow model of the right heart chambers to simulate jets of mild, moderate and severe valvular pulmonary stenosis. Ink-(0 to 40%) glycerol-water jets (viscosity 1 to 3.5 centiPoise) were produced by injecting the fluid at a constant rate into a 10 gallon rectangular reservoir of the same still fluid through 1.4 and 3.4 mm needles. The Doppler color flow scanners imaged the laminar jet length within 3 mm of actual jet length (2 to 6 cm) and the jet width within 2 to 3 mm of the actual jet width. Jet flows with Reynolds numbers ranging from 230 to 1,200 injected into still fluid yielded jet length/width ratios that decreased with increasing Reynolds numbers and leveled off to a length/ width ratio of 5–6:1 at a Reynolds number near 600. When the fluid reservoir was swirled to better mimic the effect of flow entering the same cardiac chamber from a second source, the jetts showed diminution of the jet length/width ratio and a clearly defined zone of turbulence. Studies of the pulsatile flow model were performed at cardiac outputs of 1 to 6 liters/min for the normal and each stenotic valve. Mild stenosis had an orifice area of 2.8 cm2, moderate stenosis an area of 1.0 cm2and severe stenosis an area of 0.5 cm2. Laminar jet length represented the length of the total jet, which had a symmetric width and was measured from the valve opening to a region where the jet exhibited a spray effect. Laminar jet lengths (0.2 to 1.1 cm) were imaged by Doppler color flow mapping and optical visualization only in the moderate and severely stenotic valves and only at flows ⩽3 liters/min (mean Reynolds numbers ⩽3,470). Beyond this flow rate the jets exhibited a spray effect. Laminar jet length/width ratio approached unity with an increased amount of valvular stenosis and higher flow volumes (cardiac output). Proximal aliasing was present in each valve studied. The length of aliasing (0 to 3.2 cm) proximal to the valve was longer with increased flow rates and increased amounts of stenosis. In summary, the structure and shape of jets were dependent on the orifice diameter, driving pressure (cardiac output), fluid viscosity and presence or absence of radial flow velocities that interact with the jet.
Nonlinear eigenvalue problems with positively convex operators

We consider the equation u = λAu (λ > 0), where A is a forced isotone positively convex operator in a partially ordered normed space with a complete positive cone K. Let Λ be the set of positive λ for which the equation has a solution u ϵ K, and let Λ0 be the set of positive λ for which a positive solution—necessarily the minimum one—can be obtained by an iteration un = λAun−1, u0 = 0. We show that if K is normal, and if Λ is nonempty, then Λ0 is nonempty, and each set Λ0, Λ is an interval with inf(Λ0) = inf(Λ) = 0 and sup(Λ0) = sup(Λ) (= λ∗, say); but we may have λ∗ ∉ Λ0 and λ∗ ϵ Λ. Furthermore, if A is bounded on the intersection of K with a neighborhood of 0, then Λ0 is nonempty. Let u0(λ) = limn→∞(λA)n(0) be the minimum positive fixed point corresponding to λ ϵ Λ0. Then u0(λ) is a continuous isotone convex function of λ on Λ0.
Dynamics of chemical processes in polar solvents

Understanding solution-phase chemistry requires a microscopic description of the electronic structure of the reacting molecules, and of the complex influence of the solvent medium on the reaction energetics and dynamics. Processes involving reactant charge-transfer are of particular importance in chemistry and biochemistry, and are strongly influenced by polar media. Recent advances in experimental ultrafast laser spectroscopy and in computer simulation are working together to provide insight into the underlying molecular principles governing this class of processes in solution.
Neurogenic mechanisms in rhinosinusitis.

Nasal sensory nerve stimulation leads to sensations of pain and congestion and nociceptive nerve axon responsemediated release of substance P that stimulates glandular secretion as an immediate-acting protective mucosal defense. Recruited parasympathetic reflexes cause submucosal gland secretion via muscarinic M3 receptors. Parasympathetic reflexes, sneezing, and other avoidance behaviors rapidly clear the upper airway of offending agents while protecting the lower airways. Dysfunction contributes to allergic, infectious, and other nonallergic rhinitides and possibly sinusitis. Sympathetic arterial vasoconstriction reduces mucosal blood flow, sinusoidal filling, and mucosal thickness, restoring nasal patency. Loss of sympathetic tone may contribute to some chronic, nonallergic rhinopathies.
An algorithm for non-interfering checkpoints and its practically in distributed databse systems

Abstract The goal of checkpointing in database management systems is to save database states on a separate secure device so that the database can be recovered when errors and failures occur. Recent study shows the possibility of a checkpointing mechanism that does not interfere with the transaction processing, and yet achieves the global consistency of the checkpoints. The motivation of non-interfering checkpointing is to improve the system availability. Although the property of non-interference is highly desirable in many applications of distributed database systems, where restricting transaction activity during the checkpointing operation is not feasible, it makes checkpointing complicated and increases the workload of the system. In this paper, we study the practicality of a non-interfering checkpointing algorithm by analyzing the extra workload of the system
Tracking Chromosome Conformation in Live Cells with CRISPR Imaging

In each cell cycle, chromosomes go through dramatic large-scale structural changes, oscillating between being relatively open at interphase and highly compact at metaphase. However, little is known about how they change between the two extremes. Therefore it is desirable to monitor the long-term dynamics of chromosome structure in live cells. Here we use a modified CRISPR system to directly image specific genomic loci in hundreds of live cells with high temporal and spatial resolution. By following dozens of diffraction-limited fluorescence spots sparsely decorating a single chromosome, specific genomic elements can be localized with a precision of ∼30 nm. We study how topological domains and long range interactions between chromosome loci are maintained or re-established through cell cycle. As CRISPR imaging allows us flexibility and specificity in imaging any genomic loci, the method developed here could be easily adapted to explore other systems where long-term live cell imaging is required.
Matroid optimization with the interleaving of two ordered sets

Abstract We study the structure of the minimum weight base of a matroid M = (E, I) the order of whose element set E is determined by the interleaving of two ordered subsets of E, R and W. The results imply an interesting application in economics, and are useful for the rapid recomputation of the minimum weight base when the order of E is successively modified by changing the interleaving of R and W. As a special case of the main result, the following parametric problem is efficiently solved: For M = (E, I) a matroid with weighted element set E, and R a subset of E, find for all feasible values of q, the minimum weight base of M containing exactly q elements of R. This parametric problem is a weighted matroid intersection problem and hence can be solved by known matroid intersection algorithms. The approach in this paper is different, and vastly improves the efficiency of the solution, as well as determining structural information about the bases.
Collagen Injection for Intrinsic Sphincteric Deficiency in Men

AbstractPurpose: We evaluated the efficacy of collagen injections in the treatment of male urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincteric deficiency.Materials and Methods: A total of 88 men (mean age 68 years) with mild to severe intrinsic sphincter deficiency underwent a mean of 3.5 transurethral injections of collagen (mean total volume injected 25 ml.). Patients were subdivided into 2 groups based on use of more than 3 or 3 or fewer pads per day. Patient age, pad use before treatment, duration of leakage, number of injections, volume of collagen used and etiology of incontinence were compared for the 2 groups.Results: Of the patients 42 became nearly completely dry, 19 had substantial improvement but still required 1 to 3 pads per day, 14 consistently used fewer pads but still more than 3 per day and 13 showed no improvement. Most injections were performed with the patient under local anesthesia and no significant morbidity occurred.Conclusions: In select patients collagen injections appear to be ef...
The Neglect and Recovery of Nature in Twentieth-Century Protestant Thought

PRIOR TO THE ECOLOGICAL crisis of the 1960s, which alerted the world-wide community to an imminent threat at least as great, if not greater, than that of a nuclear accident, Protestant theologians had never satisfactorily addressed the question of nature. Having abandonedeven derided-the Roman Catholic synergism of nature and grace, Protestant thought focused its energies wholly on the latter. This deplorable lacuna in the Reformation tradition had vast cultural and even ecological implications, if the pundits are correct. Internally, at least, it skewed the course of Protestant thought in the direction of theocentrism and anthropocentrism, leaving nature to the naturalists, the scientists, and the exploiters. In its worst form, the Protestant neglect of nature became explicit and willful, reinforcing the general cultural somnambulism toward nature from which we were to be awakened by voices outside that tradition. After the breakdown of the medieval synthesis and the rise of the Protestant religion of grace, the Roman Catholic interpretation of "nature and grace" became increasingly focused on soteriological and anthropological issues at the cost of neglecting the metaphysical and cosmological implications. The Western Church in its main manifestations lost sight of the larger vision of the place of humanity in the cosmos. Moreover, the Roman Church lost credibility in the culture for its regressive stand against Copernicus and Galileo, just at the time Protestantism's laissez-faire attitude toward science would lend it an air of progressivism. Meanwhile, "nature" became the ward of science and technology, with little interference-and less wisdom-from the Church.
Optical Switching with Two Symmetrically Coupled SOAs

A novel optical switching technique based on two electrically coupled SOAs (S-SOAD) operating in reverse-bias mode is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The device produces electrical and optical outputs with both non-inverted and inverted hysteresis behavior. The S-SOAD operates on the basis of two optoelectronic effects. The first is an electrical bistability resulting from the connection of two p-i-n structures in series. The second is the quantum-confined Stark effect in the multi-quantum-well structure of the SOA which is responsible for the optical bistability. This effect causes an electro-absorption modulation of the transmitted light based on the switching voltages across the p-i-n structures. Experiments show optical switching at MHz frequencies and rise/fall times lower than 1.1 us, limited mainly by the electrical capacitance of the SOAs and the parasitic inductance of the connecting wires. The electrical effects can be mitigated by photonic integrated circuit manufacturing. Predictions of the device performance at high frequencies are based on a proposed hybrid optoelectronic model of the S-SOAD. In this model each SOA is modeled as a set of parallel and series electronic components including optical parameters such as the responsivity and optical transmission of the SOA. System simulations confirm that for capacitance values in tens of femto-Farads the switching-speed increases up to GHz range. Results for the bistability behavior and switching time as a function of the electrical and optical parameters will be presented.
Real-space renormalization-group scheme for spin and gauge systems

We present a real-space renormalization-group scheme for both spin and gauge systems within a Hamiltonian formalism. The approximation, in particular, preserves gauge invariance at every step of the calculation. We apply this scheme to the (1 + 1)-dimensional Ising model in a transverse field and to the (2 + 1)-dimensional Ising gauge theory. We find reasonable results for the critical coupling and for those critical exponents which are related to energy gaps. We also obtain the correct qualitative behavior for order and disorder parameters and correlation functions. In particular, the calculation yields exponential decay for correlation functions in the disordered phase. However, the critical indices we find for spacelike quantities are not good. This defect of the approximation is related to the asymmetric scaling of space and time under the renormalization group.
Structural dynamics of PZT thin films at the nanoscale

When an electric field is applied to a ferroelectric the crystal lattice spacing changes as a result of the converse piezoelectric effect. Although the piezoelectric effect and polarization switching have been investigated for decades there has been no direct nanosecond-scale visualization of these phenomena in solid crystalline ferroelectrics. Synchrotron x-rays allow the polarization switching and the crystal lattice distortion to be visualized in space and time on scales of hundreds of nanometers and hundreds of picoseconds using ultrafast x-ray microdiffraction. Here we report the polarization switching visualization and polarization domain wall velocities for Pb(Zr0.45Ti0.55)O3 thin film ferroelectric capacitors studied by time-resolved x-ray microdiffraction.
Science versus policy in establishing equitable Agent Orange disability compensation policy

ABSTRACTThis article makes the case that current Agent Orange compensation policy for Vietnam War veterans is based neither wholly upon scientific findings about Agent Orange health effects nor on pure public health policy considerations. Rather, it is the logical culmination of decades of experience among policy makers and public health scientists trying to establish clear-cut, equitable, and scientifically defensible compensation policy in the face of limited relevant science and poor or nonexistent exposure data—all within the broader context of Veterans Affairs disability compensation policies, and a deep-seated commitment to support the men and women who served their country during the Vietnam War. Finally, attempts to update current policy will benefit from an understanding of this background.
Surgical outcomes analysis of pediatric peritoneal dialysis catheter function in a rural region

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the experience with peritoneal dialysis (PD) at a high-volume, single center institution that supports a rural population.
Mesh-Connected Computers with Broadcasting

We consider the effects of augmenting an arbitrary mesh-connected computer with a second communication system called broadcasting. In broadcasting, a processor sends a value to all the other processors simultaneously, taking unit time, with the restriction that only one broadcast occurs at any one time. We show that this significantly decreases the time to do sample problems such as semigroup calculations or finding the median, but it cannot significantly improve sorting. For example, in a one-dimensional mesh-connected computer without broadcasting, if there are n numbers, each stored separately in consecutive processors, then θ(n) time is needed to find their minimum, find their median, or sort them, while with broadcasting, this can be done in θ(n1/2), θ((n log n)1/2), and θ(n) time, respectively.
In vivo carbamylation and acetylation of water‐soluble human lens αB‐crystallin lysine 92

Several post-translational modifications of lysine residues of lens proteins have been implicated in cataractogenesis. In the present study, the molecular weight of an α-crystallin isolated from the water-soluble portion of a cataractous human eye lens indicated that it was a modified αB-crystallin. Further analysis by mass spectrometry of tryptic digests of this modified protein showed that Lys 92 was modified and that the sample was structurally heterogeneous. Lys 92 was acetylated in one population and carbamylated in another. Although carbamylation of lens crystallins has been predicted, this is the first documentation of in vivo carbamylation of a specific site. These results are also the first documentation of in vivo lysine acetylation of αB-crystallin. Both modifications alter the net charge on αB-crystallin, a feature that may have significance to cataractogenesis.
Milk Fat Responses to a Change in Diet Fermentability Vary by Production Level in Dairy Cattle

Abstract The effects of dietary starch fermentability on plasma metabolites and hormones, milk production, and milk fatty acid profile were evaluated in a crossover study. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows (121±48 d in milk, 41±9 kg/d 3.5% fat-corrected milk [FCM]; mean±SD) were randomly assigned to treatment sequence and were fed a diet intermediate to the treatments during an initial 21-d period. Treatments were dry ground corn grain (DG) and high moisture corn (HM) harvested from the same field. Treatment periods were 14 d, with the final 4 d used for data and sample collection. Diets included corn silage and alfalfa haylage at a 2:1 ratio and were ∼26% neutral detergent fiber, 16.5% crude protein, 32% starch, and 3.5% fatty acids. High moisture corn increased plasma glucose, nonesterified fatty acid, and triglyceride concentrations, but treatment had no consistent effect on yield of milk or FCM. High moisture corn increased trans C 18:1 concentrations at an increasing rate as production level decreased across cows, and milk fat depression was evident in cows below approximately 40 kg/d FCM yield. In contrast, production level had little influence on milk trans C 18:1 concentration for DG. Milk trans C 18:1 concentration was negatively correlated with milk fat concentration, as was trans -9C 18:1 , trans -10C 18:1 , and cis -9, trans -11C 18:2 . Concentration of trans -10, cis -12C 18:2 was not correlated with milk fat concentration. Production level may influence biohydrogenation patterns and trans C 18:1 production because of differences in rumen environment; rumen pH and dilution rate can alter metabolism and populations of rumen microbes. Diets with highly fermentable starch sources and without supplemental dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids can induce milk fat depression in lower-producing cows, likely because of increased production of trans C 18:1 fatty acids.
Possible dual effect of synapses that are putatively purely excitatory or purely inhibitory: bases in stability theory and implications for neural network behavior

Depolarization of an excitable membrane has a dual effect; excitatory in that it causes rapid opening of calcium and/or sodium channels but inhibitory in that it also causes those channels to inactivate. We considered whether apparently paradoxical or dual behavior might be exhibited by excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. We used the classic Hodgkin-Huxley model for voltage-gated channels plus leakage channels of appropriate selectivity for ligand-gated postsynaptic channels. We summarize a model cell's behavior by calculating elicited firing frequency as a function of reversal potential and conductance of summed synaptic inputs, using stability theory and direct simulations. Dual behavior is elicited in the model with reasonable densities of ligand-gated channels. Thus a particular synaptic input to a neuron may be either excitatory or inhibitory depending on simultaneous activity of other synaptic inputs to the cell. This input-output map may give rise to biologically realistic and rich behaviors as an element of computed neural networks, and still be computationally tractable.
Hugh Massey Tilroe: An actor in academia

(1966). Hugh Massey Tilroe: An actor in academia. The Speech Teacher: Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 224-228.
[3H]Adenosine binding to rat mast cells--pharmacologic and functional characterization.

Rat serosal mast cell adenosine receptors were characterized by [3H]adenosine binding to cell membrane particulates, and functional changes in mast cell mediator release and cyclic AMP levels were assessed, utilizing various adenosine analogs. [3H]adenosine binding to sonicated mast cell membrane preparations at 0°C in the presence of deoxycoformycin is linear with initial cell number, rapid and reversible. The cells display 16,400±1600 high affinity [3H]adenosine binding sites/cell, equivalent to 118 fmol bound/mg protein, with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 27.97±3.0 nM. Competition studies reveal that adenosine>2-chloroadenosine>NECA>l-PIA>d-PIA in competing for [3H]adenosine binding sites and that aminophylline and cromolyn sodium also bind to the putative receptor. Adenosine and its analogs, NECA, andl-PIA, appear to activate adenylate cyclase in resting mast cells by raising cyclic AMP, suggesting anR a cell surface adenosine receptor subtype; these same analogs potentiate mast cellb-hexosaminidase release stimulated by specific antigen. The identification of rat mast cell [3H]adenosine binding sites whose stimulation augments resting cell cyclic AMP levels and antigen-induced mediator release suggests that these receptors may be important in the biochemical mechanisms of allergic diseases. The ability to assess the number and affinity of mast cell adenosine receptors will enable one to monitor receptor alterations during pharmacologic manipulation and in disease states.
Characterization of penicillin- and bicuculline-induced epileptiform discharges during development of striate cortex in rabbits.

Abstract A comparison was made between penicillin- and bicuculline-induced epileptiform activity. Aqueous solutions of either penicillin or bicuculline were applied to striate cortex of rabbit pups, and the electroencephalogram was monitored. Applications were made twice daily for 14 consecutive days beginning on postnatal day 8–9. During this time period, interictal spikes generated by bicuculline and penicillin displayed similar properties in most respects. However, the morphology of spikes induced by each convulsant was different.
Are we training pit bulls to review our manuscripts

Good early training of graduate students and postdocs is needed to prevent them turning into future generations of manuscript-savaging reviewers. How can we intercalate typical papers into our training?
A note on auditory neurons having periodic response functions to time-delayed, binaural stimuli

So-called cyclic or periodic response functions have been reported for single neurons responding to interaural differences in time of arrival. These data have apparently been misinterpreted by some, for in real-world situations these cells would not be the source of ambiguous localization information for higher auditory centers.
Improved method grid translation for mapping environmental pollutants using a two-dimensional CAT scanning system

Abstract This research reports on a new method that improves two-dimensional tomographic mapping of air pollutants. In traditional reconstruction techniques, a single grid of cells was used to reconstruct a two-dimensional map from measured line integrated open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP-FTIR) spectrometer measurements. Typically, in environmental two-dimensional imaging, the area of interest is sparsely sampled with rays. As a result, the reconstruction grid resolution has to be coarse in order to avoid grid cells that are hit by very few rays. Unfortunately, successful reconstruction of a peak on a coarse grid depends on its position with respect to a grid cell. If it lies mostly within one grid cell, the reconstructed peak value will be fairly accurate; if it overlaps two or more cells, the predicted concentrations are lower. On average, this leads to an underestimation of the peak value, as well as a strong variability when a peak changes location or when a different reconstruction resolution is selected. This paper presents a recently developed “grid translation” method that allows the choice of the reconstruction resolution to be less critical than using previous single grid methods. In addition, this method substantially improves the quantitative and qualitative reconstruction accuracy of concentration maps under the configuration constraints of OP-FTIR CAT scanning systems.
Studies of rhodium nanoparticles using the first principles density functional theory calculations

Abstract Rhodium nanoparticles in the range of 2–55 atoms were investigated using density functional theory calculations. The binding energy increases from 1.74 eV/atom for the dimer to 4.61 eV/atom for the 55-atom cluster. The stability of these nanoparticles increases in the order of linear, planar, and high-density close-packed configurations. Analysis of the atom-resolved charge density and magnetic moment reveals that the atomic charge density only depends on the coordination number while the local magnetic moment depends not only on the coordination number but also on the coordination of the neighbouring atoms.
Photovoltaic Function and Exciton/Charge Transfer Dynamics in a Highly Efficient Semiconducting Copolymer

Exciton dissociation is a key step for the light energy conversion to electricity in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. Here, excitonic dissociation pathways in the high-performance, low bandgap “in-chain donor–acceptor” polymer PTB7 by transient optical absorption (TA) spectroscopy in solutions, neat films, and bulk heterojunction (BHJ) PTB7:PC71BM (phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester) films are investigated. The dynamics and energetics of the exciton and intra-/intermolecular charge separated states are characterized. A distinct, dynamic, spectral red-shift of the polymer cation is observed in the BHJ films in TA spectra following electron transfer from the polymer to PC71BM, which can be attributed to the time evolution of the hole–electron spatial separation after exciton splitting. Effects of film morphology are also investigated and compared to those of conjugated homopolymers. The enhanced charge separation along the PTB7 alternating donor–acceptor backbone is understood by intramolecular charge separation through polarized, delocalized excitons that lower the exciton binding energy. Consequently, ultrafast charge separation and transport along these polymer backbones reduce carrier recombination in these largely amorphous films. This charge separation mechanism explains why higher degrees of PCBM intercalation within BHJ matrices enhances exciton splitting and charge transport, and thus increase OPV performance. This study proposes new guidelines for OPV materials development.
Aggregate Consumer Behavior and Household Equivalence Scales

This article presents estimates of household equivalence scales, broken down by demographic characteristics, of U.S. households. Separate estimates are given by family size, age of head, region, race, and urban versus rural residence. Commodity-specific scales are presented for five separate commodity groups—energy, food, consumer goods, capital services, and other services. The estimates are obtained from an econometric model of aggregate consumer behavior. The parameters of this model are estimated by combining aggregate time series and individual cross-section data.
TNF signaling in vascular endothelial cells.

Vascular endothelium is a major target of actions of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Increasingly, the intracellular pathways that are activated in response to TNF have been elucidated. Many of these pathways have proven to be cell type-specific, requiring that observations made in other cell types be confirmed or ruled out in endothelial cells (EC). In this review the authors will summarize the state of the field, emphasizing studies in cultured human EC.
Radiobiological basis of total body irradiation with different dose rate and fractionation: Repair capacity of hemopoietic cells

Abstract Total body irradiation (TBI) followed by bone marrow transplantation is being used in the treatment of malignant or non-malignant hemopoietic disorders. It has been believed that the ability of hemopoietic cells to repair sublethal radiation damage is negligible. Therefore, several school of investigators suggested that TBI in a single exposure at extremely low dose rate (5 rad/min) over several hours, or in several fractions in 2–3 days, should yield a higher therapeutic gain, as compared with a single exposure at a high dose rate (26 rad/min). We reviewed the existing data in the literature, in particular, the response of hemopoietic cells to fractionated doses of irradiation and found that the repair capacity of both malignant and non-malignant hemopoietic cells might be greather than has been thought. It is concluded that we should not underestimate the ability of hemopoietic cells to repair sublethal radiation damage in using TBI.
Three reliability engineering techniques and their application to evaluating the availability of it systems: an introduction

We present a brief introduction to three reliability engineering techniques: failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis; reliability block diagrams; and fault tree analysis. We demonstrate the use of one of these techniques, reliability block diagrams, in evaluating the availability of information technology (IT) systems through a case study involving an IT system supported by a three-tier Web-server configuration.
Structure and Dielectric Properties of the Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-La(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3 System

A complete range of perovskite solid solutions can be formed in the (1 - x)Ba(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 -xLa(Mg 2/3 Nb 1/3 )O (BMN-LMN) pseudobinary system. While pure BMN adopts a 1:2 cation ordered structure, 1:1 ordered phases are stabilized for 0.05 < x < 1.0. Dark-field TEM images indicate that the La-doped solid solutions are comprised of large 1:1 ordered domains and no evidence was found for a phase-separated structure. This observation coupled with the systematic variations in the intensities of the supercell reflections supports a charge-balanced random-site model for the 1:1 ordering. The substitution of La also induces a transformation from a negative to positive temperature coefficient of capacitance in the region 0.25 < x < 0.5.
A Practical Synthesis of 2,4-Dichloro-3-methyl-6-nitrophenol

Abstract 2,4-Dichloro-3-methyl-6-nitrophenol 2 was prepared by KOH/H2O hydrolysis of a product mixture obtained from chlorination of p-nitrotoluene in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst. A 95–99% yield of 2 based on 2,3,6-trichloro-4-nitrotoluene, 4 (major chlorination product) was achieved in >95% purity.
Compensation of the "Pacman" tune spread by tailoring the beam current

"Factory"-like e/sup +/-e/sup -/-colliders presently under design or construction achieve high luminosity by resorting to large numbers of closely-spaced bunches. The short bunch spacing implies that there are unavoidable parasitic collisions (PCs) in the neighborhood of the interaction point (IP). Since the bunch population of the beam is not uniform due to an intentional ion-clearing gap, the bunches at the head or tail of the train ("pacman bunches") experience different beam-beam tune shifts than those away from the edges ("typical bunches"). We present here a method to minimize the vertical tune spread at the expense of increasing the horizontal tune spread (we assume that there is only one IP). Since the beam-beam dynamics for flat beams typically tolerates a significantly higher horizontal tune spread than a vertical tune spread, this method implies a net advantage. We present our discussion in the context of the PEP-II collider.
NAS-wide simulation and passenger itinerary performance: Implications for NextGen benefits analysis

NAS-wide simulations are one of the methods used to estimate annual system-wide benefits for Air Traffic Control modernization concepts-of-operations and technologies (e.g. NextGen/SESAR). These tools simulate the operation of up to 60,000 flights per day in various combinations of demand (i.e. flights) and capacity (i.e. airport and airspace capacity). The main input to the simulation is a schedule of flights (not a schedule of passenger itineraries). As a result, estimates of passenger delays assume all passengers are on direct itineraries only, and the impact of cancelled flights, missed connection, and airline network effects are not considered. This paper describes the results of an aggregate model of the operation of a hub-and-spoke network that takes into account passenger itineraries (i.e. direct and connecting) and a ll forms of itinerary disruptions (i.e. delayed flights, cancelled flights and missed connections). This model shows that the reduction in lost economic productivity generated from NAS-wide simulations is under-reported, as passenger trip delays due to delayed flights only account for approximately 40% of the total passenger trip delays. Furthermore, the model identifies the significant roles played by factors other than flight performance, such as airline itinerary structure, airline fleet mix (i.e. aircraft size), load factors and airline hub banking structure, on total passenger trip delay. For example, a 7–10% increase in load-factor can nullify the reduction in total passenger trip delay gained by a 5% improvement in on-time performance achieved by NextGen. The implications of these results on NextGen benefits assessments through NAS-wide simulation are discussed.
Venus's shield terrain

Plains, planitiae, or lowlands—expanses of gentle, long-wavelength (~1000 km) basins— cover ~80% of Venus’s surface. These regions are widely accepted as covered by volcanic fl ows, although the mechanism(s) responsible for resurfacing remains elusive; in addition, a volcanic origin for the lowland surface may be open to question. Lowland resurfacing is typically attributed to catastrophic emplacement (10–100 m.y.) of globally extensive, thick (1–3 km) fl ood-type lava. This model of resurfacing has been postulated on the basis of impact crater distribution, taken together with a lack of obvious volcanic fl ows or edifi ces, and a lack of viable alternative models. Ongoing geologic mapping of ~15,000,000 km2 (0–25N/90–150E) using 225 m/pixel and 75 m/ pixel NASA Magellan SAR (synthetic aperture radar) data indicates that small edifi ces, called shields (1–15-km-diameter edifi ces, <<1 km high), play a major role in lowland resurfacing. Individual shields are radar-smooth or rough, quasi-circular to circular features with or without a central pit. Shield shapes, which have been previously documented, range from shield, dome, or cone, to fl at-topped or fl at. Shield deposits typically coalesce, forming a thin, regionally extensive but discontinuous, mechanically strong layer, herein called shield paint. Shield paint conforms to delicate local topography, providing evidence of its thin character and indicating generally low viscosity during emplacement. Shield terrain (shields and shield paint) covers more than 10,000,000 km2 within the study area. Detailed mapping of fi ve 2° × 2° regions using coregistered normal and inverted right- and left-illumination SAR imagery indicates shield densities of 3500–33,500 shields/106 km 2 ; thus, the map area hosts more than 35,000–335,000 shields. Shield terrain generally postdates, but is also locally deformed by, fractures and wrinkle ridges, indicating time-transgressive formation relative to local deformation and/ or reactivation. The regional scale crust was strong throughout shield-terrain formation. Shield terrain may extend across much of Venus’s surface.
Work-related injuries and illnesses reported by World Trade Center response workers and volunteers.

Introduction: In 2002, the Mount Sinai Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, with support from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), began coordinating the World Trade Center (WTC) Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program (MSP) to monitor the health of qualified WTC responders. Enrolled participants were offered a clinical examination; interviewed to collect medical, mental health, and exposure information; and requested to complete a self-administered medical questionnaire. The objective of this study was to better understand work-related injuries and illnesses sustained on-site by WTC responders.Methods: A descriptive analysis of select data from the MSP self-administered medical questionnaire was conducted. Data collected July 2002 through April 2004 from MSP participants enrolled at the Mount Sinai clinic were reviewed using univariate statistical techniques.Results: Records from 7,810 participants were analyzed, with most participants associated with either the construction industry (n = 2,623, 34%) or law enforcement (n = 2,036, 26%). Approximately a third of the participants (n = 2,486, 32%) reported at least one injury or illness requiring medical treatment that was sustained during WTC work/volunteer activities. Of the total 4,768 injuries/illnesses reported by these participants, respiratory complaints were most common (n = 1,350, 28%), followed by traumatic injuries excluding eye injuries (n = 961, 20%), eye injuries/ailments (n = 709, 15%), chest pain (n = 375, 8%), headaches (n = 359, 8%), skin conditions (n = 178, 4%), and digestive system conditions (n = 163, 3%). Participants reported that 36% of injuries/illnesses were treated off-site and 29% were treated on-site, with the remaining not specifying treatment location. Off-site treatment was prevalent for respiratory complaints, psychological stress, and chest pain. On-site treatment was predominate for eye injuries/ailments and traumatic injuries excluding eye injuries.Conclusion: Study results underscore the need for rapid deployment of personal protective equipment for disaster responders and medical care stations mobilized near disaster worksites. Additionally, the results, many of which are comparable to findings from previous WTC studies where data were collected in real-time, indicate that a screening program such as the MSP may be effective in retrospectively providing general information on disaster responder demographics and work-related injuries and illnesses. Language: en
High-resolution physical adsorption on supported borosilicate MFI zeolite membranes: comparison with powdered samples

Abstract We have performed physical adsorption measurements to analyze the structure of intact MFI membranes with a nominal Si:B ratio of 12.5:1. Argon adsorption isotherms of membranes at 77 K are nearly identical to isotherms of corresponding zeolite powders throughout most of the domain of relative pressures, the exception being the micropore-filling region (between 10 −5 and 10 −4 relative pressure). The isotherm in the micropore-filling region is steeper by a factor of 4–5 for the borosilicate membranes than it is for a powder made under the same conditions, while the saturation loadings are found to be similar. This implies a difference in how the zeolite pores fill with argon – either thermodynamic or kinetic in origin – and that fluxes for argon permeation through such powder and membrane samples may differ. Our membrane adsorption measurements reveal no hysteresis and hence no mesoporsity in the zeolite membranes. This finding, from adsorption measurements, stands in contrast to recent alkane permeation measurements on these membranes, which suggest the presence of mesopores. We reaffirm the conclusion, found in previous work, that zeolite membranes can be approximated as a zeolite powder plus a support for the purposes of adsorption characterization.
Call for library websites with a separate information architecture for visually impaired users

This study explored the usability and accessibility of library websites for visually impaired users with the objectives of identifying the Web-browsing needs of those who use screen readers to access and browse the Web and applying this knowledge to the practice of accessible website design. Data were collected in a usability test setting with six blind users who were asked to navigate three different library and two non-library websites while researchers observed their navigation through think-aloud protocols. Analysis of data identified specific accessibility barriers to website information and explored related navigation issues. The findings suggest that, in addition to the technical accessibility standards, libraries should consider integrating into their website design process a high-level information architecture for screen readers. This poster will provide a graphical illustration of the additional layer of information architecture for screen reader access.
Positive density dependence in seedlings of the neotropical tree species Garcinia macrophylla and Xylopia micans

Question: The Janzen-Connell hypothesis predicts that herbivores and pathogens prevent seedlings from establishing in dense patches near adult conspecifi cs. Although many studies have investigated the Janzen-Connell hypothesis, the environmental context – local or regional – in which juveniles establish is often overlooked. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate Janzen-Connell effects in contrasting environments, and (2) to incorporate microsite variation into the study of this hypothesis. Location: Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, Peru. Methods: I assessed seedling performance of two tree species, Garcinia macrophylla and Xylopia micans, during one growing season. In an observational study, mortality and growth rates were regressed against distance to the nearest adult conspecifi c, conspecifi c seedling density, heterospecifi c plant density, and several abiotic variables in upland and fl oodplain forests. Field and shadehouse experiments were used to isolate distance- and density-dependent effects. Results: Contrary to predictions, seedling survivorship increased in the presence of conspecifi c seedlings (Garcinia) and heterospecifi c understory plants (Garcinia and Xylopia) in the observational study. Survivorship in the fi eld experiment, however, was unaffected by conspecifi c seedling density or adult proximity. In the shadehouse, Garcinia growth rates were highest in fl oodplain soils collected near adult conspecifi cs, but mortality was unrelated to the soil’s habitat or proximity to an adult. Conclusions: The positive density dependence found in this study could have been produced by: (1) environmental factors that increase both density and survivorship, or (2) interspecifi c facilitation, if heterospecifi cs reduce herbivore or pathogen pressure on the focal species. Such interactions could help explain species coexistence in tropical forests.
Neural Network Perception for Mobile Robot Guidance

From the Publisher: Vision based mobile robot guidance has proven difficult for classical machine vision methods because of the diversity and real time constraints inherent in the task. This book describes a connectionist system called ALVINN (Autonomous Land Vehicle In a Neural Network) that overcomes these difficulties. ALVINN learns to guide mobile robots using the back-propagation training algorithm. Because of its ability to learn from example, ALVINN can adapt to new situations and therefore cope with the diversity of the autonomous navigation task. But real world problems like vision based mobile robot guidance present a different set of challenges for the connectionist paradigm. Among them are: how to develop a general representation from a limited amount of real training data, how to understand the internal representations developed by artificial neural networks, how to estimate the reliability of individual networks, how to combine multiple networks trained for different situations into a single system, and how to combine connectionist perception with symbolic reasoning. Neural Network Perception for Mobile Robot Guidance presents novel solutions to each of these problems. Using these techniques, the ALVINN system can learn to control an autonomous van in under 5 minutes by watching a person drive. Once trained, individual ALVINN networks can drive in a variety of circumstances, including single-lane paved and unpaved roads, and multi-lane lined and unlined roads, at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour. The techniques also are shown to generalize to the task of controlling the precise foot placement of a walking robot.
Sleep problems in the elderly

Epidemiologic studies have shown that approximately 50% of older adults have sleep problems, many of which carry deleterious consequences that affect physical and mental health and also social functioning. However, sleep problems in late life are often unrecognized, and are inadequately treated in clinical practice. This article focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the 2 most common sleep problems in older patients: sleep apnea and insomnia.
Odorant Reception in Insects: Roles of Receptors, Binding Proteins, and Degrading Enzymes

Our knowledge of the molecular basis of odorant reception in insects has grown exponentially over the past decade. Odorant receptors (ORs) from moths, fruit flies, mosquitoes, and the honey bees have been deorphanized, odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) have been isolated, and the functions of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) have been unveiled. OBPs contribute to the sensitivity of the olfactory system by transporting odorants through the sensillar lymph, but there are competing hypotheses on how they act at the end of the journey. A few ODEs that have been demonstrated to degrade odorants rapidly may act in signal inactivation alone or in combination with other molecular traps. Although ORs in Drosophila melanogaster respond to multiple odorants and seem to work in combinatorial code involving both periphery and antennal lobes, reception of sex pheromones by moth ORs suggests that their labeled lines rely heavily on selectivity at the periphery.