cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developments in the vacuum systems of AGS-RHIC☆

Abstract The alternating gradient synchrotron (AGS) is a synchrotron for the acceleration of protons and heavy ions to tens of GeV amu −1 for fixed target physics research. The relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC), with the AGS as its injector, allows the collision of heavy ion beams with several hundred GeV amu −1 . The vacuum systems of the AGS-RHIC complex range from 10 −6 torr in the ion sources to the ultrahigh vacuum of low 10 −11 torr in the Booster and RHIC. The status of the machines will be described with emphasis on the following areas: the performance of the Booster ultrahigh vacuum system, the development of non-magnetic vacuum components for the muon storage ring, and progress in the construction of the RHIC vacuum systems.
An examination of the working case definition of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Abstract purpose: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) currently is defined by a working case definition developed under the leadership of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) based on a consensus among experienced clinicians. We analyzed the experience from one large center to examine the adequacy of the case definition. patients and methods: Predefined clinical and laboratory data were collected prospectively from 369 patients with debilitating fatigue, of whom 281 (76%) met the major criteria of the original CDC case definition for CFS: (1) fatigue of at least 6 months' duration, seriously interfering with the patient's life; and (2) without evidence of various organic or psychiatric illnesses that can produce chronic fatigue. The same clinical data were obtained from 311 healthy control subjects and two comparison groups with diseases that can present in a similar fashion: relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (n = 25) and major depression (n = 19). results: All of the minor criteria symptoms from the original CDC case definition distinguished patients with debilitating chronic fatigue from healthy control subjects, and many distinguished the patients with chronic fatigue from the comparison groups with multiple sclerosis and depression: myalgias, postexertional malaise, headaches, and a group of infectious-type symptoms (ie, chronic fever and chills, sore throat, swollen glands in the neck or underarm areas). In addition, two other symptoms not currently part of the case definition discriminated the chronic fatigue patients from the control/comparison groups: anorexia and nausea. Physical examination criteria only infrequently contributed to the diagnosis. Patients meeting the CDC major criteria for CFS also met the minor criteria in 91% of cases. conclusion: Patients meeting the major criteria of the current CDC working case definition of CFS reported symptoms that were clearly distinguishable from the experience of healthy control subjects and from disease comparison groups with multiple sclerosis and depression. Eliminating three symptoms (ie, muscle weakness, arthralgias, and sleep disturbance) and adding two others (ie, anorexia and nausea) would appear to strengthen the CDC case definition of CFS.
Triaxial rotor model for nuclei with independent inertia and electric quadrupole tensors

The triaxial rotor model for nuclei is investigated by relaxing the use of irrotational moments of inertia. The dependence of observables of the model on the electric quadrupole tensor, through a triaxiality angle $(\ensuremath{\gamma})$, and on the inertia tensor, through a mixing angle, is illustrated. This formalism provides insights into the physics of triaxial rotations in nuclei.
Physiologie und Anatomie der Emotionen

Wie im vorangegangenen ► Kap. 56 dargestellt umfasst emotionales Verhalten eine Reihe zentralnervoser Funktionen, die Wahrnehmungsinhalte in Beziehung setzen zur Wertigkeit und Bedeutung dieser Stimuli fur das Uberleben und die Homoostase eines Organismus. In diesem Zusammenhang lassen sich drei grundlegende Verarbeitungsstufen unterscheiden: Evaluation von Stimuluskonfigurationen, endokrine, vegetativ- autonome und somatomotorische Reaktionen sowie das Erleben der damit verknupften Gefuhlszustande.
Field emission from silicon through stable contaminant layers

Abstract Silicon field emitter arrays have been studied by field emission current-voltage measurements as well as by direct FEM and FIM imaging. A typical stable current of 1 μA per emitter was measured at extraction voltages of about 150 V. The data yielded a linear Fowler-Nordheim plot; however, an irreversible and abrupt change of slopeo was observed in the early stage of field emission 3pon the first increase in field. Subsequently stable and reversible, but displaced, F-N, plots were obtained. We postulate that this phenomenon is due to a self-regulating process that forms a thin stable contaminant on the emitting surface. This hypothesis was tested under controlled conditions using single emitters and found to be self-consistent.
The use of mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of autoimmune and chronic idiopathic urticaria: Experience in 19 patients

Background There is a paucity of investigation on which to base the treatment of chronic urticaria after a patient fails maximum therapy with antihistamines. One prospective, open-label, uncontrolled study suggested that mycophenolate mofetil may be a successful second-line therapy. Objective We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil in 19 patients with autoimmune and chronic idiopathic urticaria. Methods In a retrospective chart review, records of patients with autoimmune and chronic idiopathic urticaria who were evaluated between 2001 and 2009 were analyzed. Results Improvement in urticaria was observed in 89% of patients, specifically 91% of patients with autoimmune urticaria and 88% with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Time to initial improvement ranged from 1 to 9 weeks. In 59% of these patients, complete control of urticaria was achieved, which included 70% of patients with autoimmune urticaria and 43% with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Mean time to complete control was 14 weeks, with a range of less than 1 to 31 weeks. The dose of mycophenolate mofetil at complete control ranged from 1000 to 6000 mg divided twice daily. Mycophenolate mofetil was tapered in 7 of these 10 patients after an average of 7 weeks. Six of the 7 patients tapered then discontinued mycophenolate mofetil with remissions lasting between 2 and 16 weeks up to when the chart review ended. Mycophenolate mofetil was well tolerated with no serious infections or laboratory abnormalities. Gastrointestinal symptoms were most common. Limitations This was a retrospective chart analysis. The number of patients was relatively small. Conclusions Mycophenolate mofetil is a useful and well-tolerated second-line therapy for patients with autoimmune and chronic idiopathic urticaria in whom antihistamines and other therapeutic agents have failed.
ENDORECTAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AS A PREDICTOR OF BIOCHEMICAL OUTCOME AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY IN MEN WITH CLINICALLY LOCALIZED PROSTATE CANCER

Purpose: Endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate is sometimes performed before radical prostatectomy but to our knowledge its role for predicting outcome after radical prostatectomy is not yet established. We evaluated the clinical usefulness of endorectal MRI for predicting time to prostate specific antigen (PSA) failure after radical prostatectomy in 1,025 consecutive men with clinically localized or PSA detected prostate cancer. Our analysis controlled for PSA level, biopsy Gleason score, clinical T stage and percent of positive biopsies.Materials and Methods: Using Cox regression analysis we prospectively assessed time to PSA failure to determine the role of endorectal MRI in predicting PSA outcome after radical prostatectomy at our institution, where an expert prostate magnetic resonance radiologist is available. The main outcome measure was actuarial freedom from PSA failure.Results: Endorectal MRI did not add clinically meaningful information in 834 of our 1,025 cases (81%) afte...
Software-based implementations of updateable data structures for high-speed URL matching

URL matching is used in many network applications, including URL blacklisting, URL-based forwarding and URL shortening services. These applications need fast URL queries and updates, thus requiring an efficient updateable data structure. As the processing power of general-purpose multi-core processors increases, software-based approaches are better able to meet the speed requirements of URL matching. In this paper, we present our preliminary performance study of finite-automata- and hash-based URL matching implementations on commodity PCs. The impacts of the cache and memory allocation methods are discussed.
Poor Little Ritz Boy David “Does” Hawaii or: Lucky Davy Salutes Lucky Lindy

In this article, David Bittner explodes the myth, restated in BridesheadRevisited (1945), that Polynesians are “happy and harmless.” He does so for the same reason that Evelyn Waugh does: “the grim invasion of trader, administrator, missionary, and tourist” has changed all that (p. 174). Touring Hawaii in July of ’09, Bittner was interested to discover some unusual bits of American heritage, but saddened to see how “civilization” and “Americanization” actually seem to have eroded the Hawaiian people’s rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Bittner’s dual religious heritage—Judaism by birth and upbringing and Catholicism by choice in mid-life—has given him the perspective to apply the lessons of Hawaiian history to his own personal issues, particularly forgiveness.
Mothers on the campaign trail: implications of Politicized Motherhood for women in politics

The family, and motherhood in particular, have long been themes in American politics, but have been more prominent in the last three decades [Laurel Elder and Steven Greene. 2012. The Politics of Parenthood: Causes and Consequences of the Politicization and Polarization of the American Family. New York: SUNY Press; Jill S. Greelee 2014. The Political Consequences of Motherhood. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press]. Both parties present a traditional image of a two-parent, middle-class family, a structure that invokes notions of women in a traditional domestic role. The re-emergence of motherhood in American politics, which we refer to as Politicized Motherhood, presents challenges for women who pursue leadership positions. Like previous iterations of maternal politics that justified women's political actions during the Progressive Era, Politicized Motherhood has the potential to motivate women to run for office and to frame female candidacies in beneficial ways. Yet, it also has the potential to activ...
Development and validation of The Personal Diabetes Questionnaire (PDQ): A measure of diabetes self-care behaviors, perceptions and barriers

Abstract Aim To develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of The Personal Diabetes Questionnaire (PDQ), a brief, yet comprehensive measure of diabetes self-care behaviors, perceptions and barriers. To examine individual items to provide descriptive and normative information and provide data on scale reliability and associations between PDQ scales and concurrently assessed HBA1c and BMI. Method Items were written to address nutritional management, medication utilization, blood glucose monitoring, and physical activity. The initial instrument was reviewed by multidisciplinary diabetes care providers and items subsequently revised until the measure provided complete coverage of the diabetes care domains using as few items as possible. The scoring scheme was generated rationally. Subjects were 790 adults (205 with type 1 and 585 with type 2 diabetes) who completed the PDQ while waiting for clinic appointments. Results Item completion rates were high, with few items skipped by participants. Subscales demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach α = .650–.834) and demonstrated significant associations with BMI (p ≤ .001) and HbA1c (p ≤ .001). Conclusions The PDQ is a useful measure of diabetes self-care behaviors and related perceptions and barriers that is reliable and valid and feasible to administer in a clinic setting. This measure may be used to obtain data for assessing diabetes self-management and barriers and to guide patient care.
Democratising democracy: the road from women's to children's suffrage

Political philosophers have begun to debate whether the right to vote should be extended towards some or all of the third of humanity who are under 18 years old. In addition, child and youth suffrage movements are arising globally. Much uncertainty remains, however, about whether democracy can legitimately be extended beyond adulthood. This article advances this discussion by comparing children's suffrage debates today to those surrounding the global women's suffrage movements of the past century and a half. It argues that minor enfranchisement requires postmodern rather than modern conceptions of democratic inclusion and revised understandings of voting rights as such.
Saved at Home: Christian Branding and Faith Nights in the “Church of Baseball”

Baseball has enjoyed its status as the “national pastime” in part because it has been associated with democracy. To the extent that baseball, as an institution of civil religion, fosters pluralism ...
Determination of Hormones and Non-ionic Surfactant Degradation Products in Small-Volume Aqueous Samples from Soil Columns Using LC-ESI-MS-MS and GC-MS

The leaching of two estrogens, 17β-estradiol and estrone, and two degradation products of non-ionic surfactants, octylphenol and nonylphenol, through a soil column were studied to estimate their transport behavior. Different concentration methods (lyophilization, solid phase extraction, and liquid–liquid extraction) were evaluated for analyzing these compounds in small effluent fractions (30–50 mL) collected. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed for quantitative analysis of these compounds. After comparison, the lyophilization-LC-MS-MS method was found to be best suited for the analysis of the two estrogen hormones and the liquid–liquid extraction-GC-MS method best for the analysis of the two phenols in small samples in the soil column study. Because of their high sorption capacity, these compounds were mostly sorbed in the upper part of the soil column and were difficult to detect in column effluent.
On the a priori and a posteriori assessment of probabilities

Abstract We argue that in spite of their apparent dissimilarity, the methodologies employed in the a priori and a posteriori assessment of probabilities can both be justified by appeal to a single principle of inductive reasoning, viz., the principle of symmetry. The difference between these two methodologies consists in the way in which information about the single-trial probabilities in a repeatable chance process is extracted from the constraints imposed by this principle. In the case of a posteriori reasoning, these constraints inform the analysis by fixing an a posteriori determinant of the probabilities, whereas, in the case of a priori reasoning, they imply certain claims which then serve as the basis for subsequent probabilistic deductions. In a given context of inquiry, the particular form which a priori or a posteriori reason may take depends, in large part, on the strength of the underlying symmetry assumed: the stronger the symmetry, the more information can be acquired a priori and the less information about the long-run behavior of the process is needed for an a posteriori assessment of the probabilities. In the context of this framework, frequency-based reasoning emerges as a limiting case of a posteriori reasoning, and reasoning about simple games of chance, as a limiting case of a priori reasoning. Between these two extremes, both a priori and a posteriori reasoning can take a variety of intermediate forms.
Infectivity of microsporidian spores exposed to temperature extremes and chemical disinfectants.

M ICROSPORIDIA in the genus Encephalitozoon are obligate intracellular parasites transmitted by spores via the fecal– oral route. Encephalitozoon intestinalis, E. hellem, and E. cuniculi infect humans and wild and domesticated animals. Relevant reservoirs and the routes of spread of these species infecting humans remain largely unknown. However, detection of spores in groundwater, water used for drinking, and in an outbreak thought to be waterborne strongly suggest the potential and importance of waterborne transmission (Cotte et al. 1999; Dowd, Gerba, and Pepper 1998; Fournier et al. 2000). Rendering spores non-infectious is extremely important for food and water protection and for safe facility management but data on inactivation and disinfection of spores are sparse. The present studies were designed to investigate the effects of ethanol, chlorine, heating and freezing on infectivity of E. intestinalis, E. hellem, and E. cuniculi spores using cell culture as a bioassay.
Changes in preproenkephalin messenger RNA level in the rat ventromedial hypothalamus during the estrous cycle

Abstract To gain a better understanding of the relationship between the female rat reproductive system and preproenkephalin (PPE) expressing neurons under physiological conditions, we examined changes in PPE mRNA levels in the mediobasal hypothalamus during the rat estrous cycle by means of northern blotting and in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH). In the Northern blot studies, we found that PPE mRNA levels in the mediobasal hypothalamus were significantly increased by noon of proestrus compared to those in the morning and stayed high until diestrus day 1, and returned toward low levels on diestrous day 2. In contrast, measured as controls, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase mRNA levels were significantly higher on proestrus regardless of time of day compared to diestrus day 2, and levels of calcineurin mRNA on proestrous and estrous were significantly lower than diestrous day 1 and day 2. ISHH studies revealed that these changes in PPE mRNA levels were specific in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus pars ventrolateralis (VMHVL), since we could not see any significant changes in signal in other parts including ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus pars dorsomedialis and arcuate hypothalamic nucleus. In the VMHVL, PPE mRNA levels in the afternoon of proestrous were significantly higher than those in the afternoon of diestrous day 2 whereas no significant change in PPE mRNA was observed in the caudate-putamen. The present study provides additional information relevant to possible implications of PPE gene expression in female reproductive systems, since changes in PPE mRNA levels may be associated with estrogen as well as progesterone or other hormonal concentrations during the estrous cycle. Its high levels on diestrous day 1 may suggest that its involvement in female reproductive behavior is not limited to lordosis itself.
Near-field Sub-band Beamforming for Damage Detection in Bridges

Traditional structural health monitoring techniques based on the vibration response of bridge structures are limited because of several factors — including a poorly formed aggregate system model, very low SNR, and unrealistic boundary conditions. Many times, these methods rely on global parameters to describe the dynamic behavior of local structural elements. In this paper, we proposed a novel efficient SHM technique that employs the use of compactly supported sub-band space/ frequency and time/frequency analysis using local vibration characteristics. To overcome the problem of the low-error sensitivity of features extracted from vibration signals, a near-field adaptive beamforming approach was used. This technique allows the sensor array to `scan' local portions of the structure, resulting in accurate spatial selectivity on the array and high signal-to-noise ratio for any given scan direction. Moreover, the sensor array was in direct contact with the vibrating structure, and thus the measured source is i...
Process assessment: An examination of reinforcer effectiveness and predictive validity

Abstract This research describes an assessment procedure based on measures of actual learning. First-grade children (N = 120) learned five sight vocabulary words under feedback only, and were then assigned to one of five conditions where they learned five additional words either under feedback, praise, candy, praise and candy, or reproof. In a sixth condition (reciprocal to the first treatment), students learned the first five works under praise and the second five under feedback only. Although results indicated no differences in learning rate under different reinforcement conditions, learning measures under feedback accounted for approximately 39% of the variance in achievement (r = .62), with combined reinforcement learning measures slightly improving prediction (r = .68). The order of treatments had no effect on learning rate. Implications for this process approach to assessment are discussed. Directions for future research are suggested.
Action of Pituitary Thyrotropin on the Inorganic Phosphorus of Thyroid Tissue in vitro

ADDITION of pituitary thyrotropin (TSH) to the suspending medium effects a variety of changes in the intermediary metabolism of surviving thyroid tissue1. In attempting to characterize the biochemical attributes of this transition from ‘rest’ to ‘work’ distinction has been made between the changes which can be demonstrated in simple saline media devoid of organic metabolites, and those which occur in media which have been supplemented with potential exogenous substrates such as glucose2. It has been proposed that the unsupplemented systems unmask intrathyroidal realignments for the initiation of ‘work’ from endogenous resources, while the supplemented systems reflect assimilative alterations for sustaining ‘work’ through an exogenous renewal of substrate1,2. In a forthcoming review, it has been suggested that the endogenous priming results from the simultaneous occurrence of multiple catabolic events within the thyroid1. Thus, the virtually immediate effects of TSH to: (a) promote thyroidal Qo2 in unsupplemented systems3; (b) increase intrathyroidal free sialic acid4; (c) liberate free amino-acids from thyroglobulin5 might reflect concurrent (a) mobilization of preformed endogenous substrates, as well as an activation of intrathyroidal (b) neuraminidases and glycosidases, and (c) proteases and peptidases. The more recent demonstrations that TSH may augment glyco-genolysis in thyroid slices6 and directly enhance intrathyroidal proteolysis in vitro7 afford further examples of essentially catabolic components in the initial ‘work’ response. In view of these considerations, it was considered desirable to re-examine our earlier observations that TSH can increase intrathyroidal inorganic phosphorus (Pin) in unsupplemented systems3.
Influence of cell division on an aging process. Life span of mouse mammary epithelium during serial propagation in vivo.

Summary The growth rate of mouse mammary epithelium declines during serial transplantation in vivo. Comparison of transplant lines in which cells proliferated continuously with lines in which growth was restricted showed that this decline in growth rate was related primarily to the number of cell divisions undergone rather than to the passage of metabolic time.
On the Trichotomy Character of x n +1 =(α+β x n +γ x n −1 )/( A + x n )

We show that the equation in the title with nonnegative parameters and nonnegative initial conditions exhibits a trichotomy character concerning periodicity, convergence, and boundedness which depends on whether the parameter n is equal, less, or greater than the sum of the parameters g and A .
Derivation of the Asymmetry Ratio for a Planar Ge(Li) Gamma Ray Polarimeter

The integral expression, which gives the probability of a scattered gamma ray causing a coincidence count between the center and one of the side detectors, is derived using the assumptions of only a Compton scattering in the center detector and a photo-electric reaction in one of the end detectors, the necessity of leaving at least the minimum detectable amount of energy in both detectors, and the fact that only a certain proportion of the gamma rays leave the center detector with just one scattering; secondary scattering has not been included in this calculation. The calculated asymmetry for the incident energy range .42 to 1.36 Mev. agrees well with the experimental result, and compares favorably with those calculated by Metzger and Deutsch for more conventional polarimeter designs.
Impact Evaluation and Welfare Evaluation

The expression “impact evaluation” means different things to different people, but to most economists now it means the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or “quasi-experiments.” I want to focus on that side of the research and argue that, even when statistical circumstances are ideal, it constitutes at best an intermediate input into the welfare evaluation of interventions. That intermediate input is valuable, but should not be confused with the final product, a proper costbenefit analysis. I summarize arguments here that are developed at greater length, with literature citations, in Harrison [2011a][2011b][2013]. There are several simple reasons that such impact evaluations (IE) fall short. The first is that they limit themselves to evaluations of observables: this price change in delivering that product leads to what revealed change in demand? The second is that they limit themselves to average effects: what is the average change in demand? The third is that their focus has been partial equilibrium: what is the effect of this price change for the commodity I am able to randomize (or study the randomization of)?
A prospective, randomized clinical investigation ofcholecystoenterostomy and choledochoenterostomy

Summary A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of bilioenteric bypass in noncalculous distal biliary obstruction. Thirty-one patients required bypass for either malignant obstruction or chronic pancreatitis and were randomized into two groups: cholecystoenterostomy or choledochoenterostomy with cholecystectomy [ 15, 16 ]. Nine bypasses failed after cholecystoenterostomy and two after choledochoenterostomy (p
From link dynamics to path lifetime and packet-length optimization in MANETs

We present an analytical framework and statistical models to accurately characterize the lifetime of a wireless link and multi-hop paths in mobile ad hoc networks (MANET). We show that the lifetimes of links and paths can be computed through a two-state Markov model. We also show that the analytical solution follows closely the results obtained through discrete-event simulations for two mobility models, namely, random direction and random waypoint mobility models. We apply these models to study practical implications of link lifetime on routing protocols. First, we compute optimal packet lengths as a function of mobility, and show that significant throughput improvements can be attained by adapting packet lengths to the mobility of nodes in a MANET. Second, we show how the caching strategy of on-demand routing protocols can benefit from considering the link lifetimes in a MANET. Finally,we summarize all the analytical results into a comprehensive performance analysis on throughput, delay and storage.
CEFOTAXIME IN THE TREATMENT OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS

We evaluated the efficacy of cefotaxime in the treatment of bacterial meningitis and the diffusion of the drug into CSF. Eleven children(9 days to 5 yrs) with meningitis due to H. influenzae (7 cases), S. pneumoniae(2) , group B streptococcus (1) , and Salmonella sp.(1), were treated with 40 mg/kg of IV cefotaxime q6hrs. Cefotaxime levels were determined by HPLC. The mean cefotaxime plasma level 3 hrs after a dose early in the treatment was 14.1 mg/L(range 5.1-42.2 mg/L), and the mean CSF level was 3.9 mg/L(0.7-16.6 mg/L). The mean CSF diffusion rate was 26.4%. At the end of treatment, the mean plasma level was 7.9 mg/L(1.5-13.6 mg/L) and the mean CSF level was 1.23 mg/L(0.5-3.1 mg/L) representing a mean diffusion rate of 21.9%. Cefotaxime MBC for the infecting organisms ranged between 0.015 mg/L and 0.25 mg/L. CSF was bactericidal to the infecting organisms at dilutions between 8 and 256. The CSF diffusion correlated positively with the cefotaxime plasma level (r=0.86), CSF protein (r=0.63), CSF leukocyte count (r=0.61) and negatively with CSF sugar (r=-0.37).All patients responded well to treatment with no apparent sequelae. Serial levels were also determined in 5 infants with ventriculostomies. Following a single dose of 40 mg/kg, the mean cefotaxime CSF levels (and mean plasma levels) were 6.6 mg/L(28.4 mg/L) at 2 hrs, 5.7 mg/L(8.9 mg/L) at 4 hrs, and 4.5 mg/L (1.8 mg/L) at 6 hrs. Cefotaxime diffuses sufficiently and consistently into CSF. Further assessment of its efficacy in the treatment of childhood meningitis is warranted.
Monolithic integration of pseudomorphic power and low-noise HEMTs

Monolithic integration of pseudomorphic power and low-noise high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) on a GaAs substrate has been demonstrated using specially designed multiple epitaxial layers. MBE-grown layers with three heterojunctions were selectively recessed to provide optimum structures for low-noise and power operations. At 18 GHz, a record power-added efficiency of 59% with 8 dB gain and 0.4 W/mm power density was obtained for the power HEMT. The low-noise device from the same slice achieved a noise figure of 1 dB with 9 dB associated gain at the same frequency. >
Immigrant and refugee health.

Each year more than 15 million people seek political asylum or become refugees in various parts of the world. Most of these displaced persons are from developing countries where infectious diseases (e.g. tuberculosis hepatitis malaria various parasitic and emerging diseases) are prevalent. These persons migrate mainly to the United States Australia and Canada nations that receive inflows of migrants proportional to their mainstream population. Because of the speed and efficiency of modern transportation systems health interventions applicable to all persons who cross international borders are difficult to introduce and monitor. Identifying and addressing individual and public health risks necessitate international and quarantine health legislation health policy and social economic evaluation risk-benefit and utility analysis and risk-predictive modeling. Ultimately improving the health of migrants is at the heart of reducing the public health risk to the international community from infectious disease spread by travel. (excerpt)
Diode-Laser Measurements of He-, Ar-, and N2-Broadened HF Lineshapes in the First Overtone Band.

Abstract High-resolution lineshapes of the HF P(3) and P(6) transitions (2–0 band) have been recorded in a 14.9-cm long absorption cell (T = 296 K) using a pair of (InGaAsP)-distributed feedback diode lasers operating near 1.31 and 1.34 μm, respectively. The absorption lineshapes were least-squares fit to Voigt, Rautian, and Galatry profiles to determine the collision widths and velocity-changing collision frequencies for the perturbers He, Ar, and N2. Motional narrowing was observed for the He-broadened lineshapes over a range of total pressures from 50 to 646 Torr. The Ar- and N2-broadened spectra showed a strong narrowing effect for pressures less than 400 Torr. At higher pressures, narrowing parameters could not be reliably determined due to the relatively large Ar- and N2-pressure broadening. The collision widths inferred from Voigt-profile fits were systematically less than those determined from Rautian and Galatry fits (up to 25% for the He-broadened P(6) transition). The measured pressure-induced broadening and shift coefficients were compared with other experimental data and full-quantal close-coupling (CC) scattering cross-section calculations. The measured Ar-broadening half-widths were in excellent agreement with calculated values, while the measured shifts were 10 and 20% less than calculated values for the P(3) and P(6) transitions, respectively. The measured N2-broadening and shift coefficients agree reasonably well with values determined from previous experiments.
Three-dimensional Mapping of Gallbladder Wall Thickness on Computed Tomography Using Laplace's Equation

Rationale and Objectives Traditionally, maximum gallbladder wall thickness is measured at a single point on ultrasonography. The purpose of this work was to develop an automated technique to measure the thickness of the gallbladder wall over the entire gallbladder surface using computer tomography (CT). Materials and Methods Subjects who had (5-mm) thick and thin (2.5-mm) reconstruction through the abdomen were selected from a research database. Their volumetric computed tomographic images were acquired using a multidetector GE Medical Systems LightSpeed 16 scanner at 120 kVp, ≈250 mAs, with standard filter reconstruction algorithm and segmented in three dimensions. Two segmentation boundaries were obtained, an inner and an outer boundary of the gallbladder wall. The thickness of the wall was quantified by computing the distance between the boundaries over the entire volume using Laplace's equation from mathematical physics. The distance between the surfaces is found by computing normalized gradients that form a vector field, representing tangent vectors along field lines connecting both boundaries. The Laplacian technique was compared with the well-known Euclidean distance transformation (EDT) technique that provides a three-dimensional Euclidean distance mapping between the two extracted surfaces. Results The technique was tested on 10 subjects who had thin- and thick-section computed tomographic datasets reconstructed from a single scan. The mean thickness for the thick- and thin-section CT using Laplace was 3.18 and 2.93 mm, respectively. The smooth transition between surfaces resulting from the Laplace technique resulted in a coefficient of variation that was less than 1% compared to EDT. Conclusions EDT technique is very sensitive to imperfect segmentations, resulting in higher variation compared to the Laplacian technique. The smooth transition between surfaces makes the Laplacian technique more robust compared to EDT for the measurement of CT gallbladder thickness.
Emotional responses to the nonverbal behavior of French and American political leaders

This paper summarizes the results of a series of experimental studies on the emotional responses of American and French viewers to televised excerpts of their leaders' facial displays. Using a combination of ethological and social-psychological theory it develops an explanation of such emotional responses.
Role of Postadsorption Conformation Changes of β-Lactoglobulin on Its Ability To Stabilize Oil Droplets against Flocculation during Heating at Neutral pH

The influence of heating on droplet aggregation in hydrocarbon oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by a globular protein was examined using laser diffraction. Different levels of salt (0 or 150 mM NaCl) were added to n-hexadecane oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg, pH 7.0) either before or after isothermal heat treatment (30−95 °C for 20 min). At 0 mM NaCl, no aggregation was observed in any of the emulsions because of strong electrostatic repulsion between the droplets. At 150 mM NaCl, droplet flocculation occurred between 30 and 65 °C due to surface denaturation of β-Lg after adsorption. Above 70 °C, droplet flocculation became less extensive when 150 mM NaCl was added to the emulsions after heating but more extensive when the salt was added before heating, which was attributed to thermal denaturation of adsorbed β-Lg. When the droplets are in close proximity during heating (150 mM NaCl), interactions between proteins adsorbed onto different droplets are favored, but when droplets ...
Volterra method for the radial Schrödinger equation

A new Volterra type integral equation method for the numerical solution of the radial Schrodinger equation is investigated. The method, carried out in configuration space, is based on the conversion of differential equations into a system of Volterra type integral equations together with the application of a spectral type Clenshaw-Curtis quadrature. Through numerical examples, the Volterra type integral equation method is shown to be more efficient and more accurate than the integral equation method based on the Fredholm formulation (J. Comput. Phys. 134 (1997) 134) and better than finite difference methods. Accompanying C++ code for the Volterra type method is available upon request.
Native American Women in Sport

(1999). Native American Women in Sport. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 70, No. 4, pp. 47-49.
The Teaching of Latin as a Second Language in the 12th Century

SUMMARYOne of the most obvious, yet little studied, facts about Europe of the High Middle ages is that Latin was in all times and all places a foreign language. It had to be learned as an overlay on some other native language like Old French, Irish, or Middle High German. How was this second language acquired? A survey of textbooks and teaching methods indicates that by the 12th-century European schoolmasters had evolved an effective, commonly-used mode of instruction utilizing the best elements of ancient, patristic, insular, and Caro-lingian programs. At the heart of the system was a sequence of Christian (or Christianized) progymnasmata. Both dialectic and rhetoric were elementary subjects along with grammar until the burgeoning university structure preempted dialectic and displaced rhetoric to leave grammar the basic subject for elementary education. In 12th-century schools pupils started with sounds, not rules, with writing and speaking skills taught together. This carefully devised educational plan contributed a good deal to the quality of Latin literature of the period.RESUMEEn ce qui concerne l'Europe du haut-moyen-âge, l'une des donnees les plus evidentes, bien que peu etudiee, est le fait que toujours et partout, le latin etait une langue etrangere. Il fallait l'apprendre comme un systeme superpose a telle ou telle langue maternelle, telle que le vieux-francais, l'irlandais ou le moyen-haut-allemand. Comment s'acquerait cette langue seconde? Un survol des livres de lecture et des methodes d'enseignement nous indique que, des le douzieme siecle, les maitres europeens avaient elabore une methode d'apprentissage efficace, couramment utilisee, qui reprenait les meilleurs elements des programmes de l'antiquite, de l'epoque patristique, des ecoles brittaniques, irlandaises et du monde carolingien. Au coeur du systeme se trouvait une sequence de progymnasmata chretiens (ou christianises). La dialectique et la rhetorique firent partie des matieres elementaires, en meme temps que la grammaire, jusqu'au moment ou la structure universitaire en eclosion s'appropria la dialectique et donna son conge a la rhetorique, pour laisser la grammaire jouer le role de matiere de base dans l'instruction elementaire. Dans les ecoles du douzieme siecle, les eleves commencaient par les sons, et non pas par les regles, avec exercises ecrits et parles enseignes ensemble. Ce programme d'instruction, amenage avec soin, contribua pour une bonne part a la qualite de la litterature en langue latine de cette periode.
Radio Propagation above 40 MC over Irregular Terrain

Radio transmissions in the vhf and uhf frequency region over land areas always contend with the irregularities of the terrain and the presence thereon of dispersed quantities of trees, buildings, and other man-made structures, or wave propagation incumbrances. The determination of path attenuation is not easily satisfied by simple, curved, or plane earth calculations. However, quantitative wave propagation data are available in varying degrees which take into account conditions experienced by fixed-to-fixed and fixed-to-moving transmissions over irregular terrain. This available statistical wave propagation information on terrain effects vs frequency, antenna height, polarization, and distance is analyzed, expressed by empirical formulas, and presented in the form of nomographs and correction curves amenable for use by the systems engineer.
Direct Interactions between Calcitonin-Like Receptor (CLR) and CGRP-Receptor Component Protein (RCP) Regulate CGRP Receptor Signaling

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide with multiple neuroendocrine roles, including vasodilation, migraine, and pain. The receptor for CGRP is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that requires three proteins for function. CGRP binds to a heterodimer composed of the GPCR calcitonin-like receptor (CLR) and receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP1), a single transmembrane protein required for pharmacological specificity and trafficking of the CLR/RAMP1 complex to the cell surface. In addition, the CLR/RAMP1 complex requires a third protein named CGRP-receptor component protein (RCP) for signaling. Previous studies have demonstrated that depletion of RCP from cells inhibits CLR signaling, and in vivo studies have demonstrated that expression of RCP correlates with CLR signaling and CGRP efficacy. It is not known whether RCP interacts directly with CLR to exert its effect. The current studies identified a direct interaction between RCP and an intracellular domain of CLR using yeast two-hybrid analysis and coimmunoprecipitation. When this interacting domain of CLR was expressed as a soluble fusion protein, it coimmunoprecipitated with RCP and inhibited signaling from endogenous CLR. Expression of this dominant-negative domain of CLR did not significantly inhibit trafficking of CLR to the cell surface, and thus RCP may not have a chaperone function for CLR. Instead, RCP may regulate CLR signaling in the cell membrane, and direct interaction between RCP and CLR is required for CLR activation. To date, RCP has been found to interact only with CLR and represents a novel neuroendocrine regulatory step in GPCR signaling.
Medical ethics for children: applying the four principles to paediatrics

I will argue that there are difficulties with the application of the four principles approach to incompetent children. The most important principle - respect for autonomy - is not directly applicable to incompetent children and the most appropriate modification of the principle for them is not clear. The principle of beneficence - that one should act in the child's interests - is complicated by difficulties in assessing what a child's interests are and to which standard of interests those choosing for children should be held. A further problem with the four principles approach is that parental authority does not follow clearly from the four principles.
Sub-millimeter spectroscopy of BaS (X1Σ+)

The pure rotational spectrum of BaS (X 1 R + ) has been recorded in the frequency range 355–396 GHz using direct absorption methods. Data were recorded for six isotopomers: 138 Ba 32 S, 137 Ba 32 S, 136 B 32 S, 135 Ba 32 S, 134 Ba 32 S, and 138 Ba 34 S, in vibrational states ranging from v =0t ov = 6. This work is an extension of past microwave and millimeter studies. Revised spectroscopic constants have been established for the six species. The dissociation energy for 138 Ba 32 S is estimated to be D E hc � 42 392 cm � 1 .
Model reduction for a class of input-quantized systems in the max-plus algebra

We present a systematic method for model reduction of a class of input-quantized systems in the max-plus algebra. We consider a generalization of the flow shop with finite intermediate storage. These systems are useful in modeling chemical processes and manufacturing systems, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, construction, propellant manufacturing and assembly lines. The makespan minimization problem we consider is NP-complete. Our method of model reduction reduces the number of states that a system can reach, thus reducing the search space for the optimization problem. This allows us to construct a smaller NP-complete problem to approximate the solution to the larger problem. We show that the error of the approximation is bounded and that as the approximated system approaches the true system, that the error of the approximation goes to zero.
Minimum-Bias Based Experimental Design for Constructing Response Surfaces in Structural Optimization

Response surface methodology provides a powerful tool for finding approximations to complex response functions. In many applications the evaluation of each design point required to construct the response surface approximations, is expensive and/or time consuming. The cost associated with the evaluation of design points generally motivates the use of statistical design of experiments to select a small number of 'optimal' points at which to evaluate the response quantity. Response surface approximations have two types of error; the first is random error or noise and the second is bias or modeling error. Traditionally points are selected so as to minimize the random error using minimum variance based designs, for example the Z?-Optimal design. However, when using a low order polynomial to approximate a response quantity with unknown behavior, large bias errors may be introduced. In the present work, a genetic algorithm is developed for obtaining a minimum-bias based design. Two example problems are evaluated and the results as obtained from both .D-Optimal as well as minimum-bias designs are compared.
RNA-Directed DNA Methylation: Getting a Grip on Mechanism

Small RNAs guide repressive chromatin modifications to regions of the genome containing transposons and repeats. An Arabidopsis genetic screen reveals that the guidance machinery includes a novel ATPase complex that could act as a dynamic molecular gripper.
Perforated dried blood spot accurate microsampling: the concept and its applications in toxicokinetic sample collection

Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling has gained considerable interest as a microsampling technique to support drug discovery and development owing to its enormous ethical and practical benefits. Quantitative determinations of drugs and/or their metabolites collected in DBS matrix in its current format, however, have encountered technical challenges and regulatory uncertainty. The challenges of DBS bioanalysis are largely ascribed to the way how samples are collected and analyzed. Currently, an uncontrolled amount of a blood sample, e.g. 20 µl, is collected per time point per sample and spotted onto cellulose paper. Quantitation is based on removal of a fixed area of the DBS sample, resulting in sample waste, a need for mechanical punching and concomitant potential punching carryover, uncertainty in recovery assessment and the adverse impact of hematocrit on accurate quantitation. Here, we describe the concept and applications of a novel concept, namely perforated dried blood spot (PDBS), for accurate microsampling that addresses previous challenges. Advantages of PDBS are enumerated and compared with conventional DBS in the context of microsampling and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry bioanalysis. Two approaches for accurate microsampling of a small volume of blood (5 µl) are proposed and demonstrated, i.e. Microsafe® pipettes and the Drummond incremental pipette. Two online sample enrichment techniques to enhance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry sensitivity for microsampling bioanalysis are discussed. The PDBS concept was successfully applied for accurate sample collection (5 µl) in a toxicokinetic study in rats given a single oral gavage dose of acetaminophen. Perspectives on bioanalytical method validation for regulated DBS/PDBS microsampling are also presented.