cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A molecular timescale for vertebrate evolution

A timescale is necessary for estimating rates of molecular and morphological change in organisms and for interpreting patterns of macroevolution and biogeography. Traditionally, these times have been obtained from the fossil record, where the earliest representatives of two lineages establish a minimum time of divergence of these lineages. The clock-like accumulation of sequence differences in some genes provides an alternative method by which the mean divergence time can be estimated. Estimates from single genes may have large statistical errors, but multiple genes can be studied to obtain a more reliable estimate of divergence time. However, until recently, the number of genes available for estimation of divergence time has been limited. Here we present divergence-time estimates for mammalian orders and major lineages of vertebrates, from an analysis of 658 nuclear genes. The molecular times agree with most early (Palaeozoic) and late (Cenozoic) fossil-based times, but indicate major gaps in the Mesozoic fossil record. At least five lineages of placental mammals arose more than 100 million years ago, and most of the modern orders seem to have diversified before the Cretaceous/Tertiary extinction of the dinosaurs.
A link between tropical intraseasonal variability and Arctic stratospheric ozone

Previous studies using satellite measurements showed evidence that subtropical upper troposphere/lower stratosphere ozone (O_3) can be modulated by tropical intraseasonal variability, the most dominant form of which is the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) with a period of 30–60 days. Here we further study the MJO modulation in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere O_3 over the northern extratropics and the Arctic. Significant MJO-related O_3 signals (13–20 Dobson units) are found over the northern extratropics (north of 30°N). The O_3 anomalies change their magnitude and patterns depending on the phase of the MJO. Over the Arctic, the MJO-related O_3 anomalies are dominated by a wave number 2 structure and are anticorrelated with the geopotential height (GPH) anomalies at 250 hPa. The latter is similar to the findings in the previous studies over subtropics and indicates that the Arctic upper troposphere/lower stratosphere O_3 anomalies are associated with dynamical motions near the tropopause. The teleconnection from the tropics to the Arctic is likely through propagation of planetary waves generated by the equatorial heating that affects the tropopause height and O_3 at high latitudes.
Efficiency of Energy Conversion by Aerobic Glucose Metabolism in Aphanocapsa 6714

Efficiency of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) formation from glucose oxidation in Aphanocapsa 6714 was estimated by quantitative measurement of phosphorylated intermediary metabolites and glycogen (polyglucose) formed from (14)C-glucose. P/2e ratios based on oxygen uptake ranged from 2.62 to 3.08, whereas those based on (14)CO(2) evolution ranged from 1.66 to 1.72. The synthesis of glycogen, which is the dominant energy-consuming process in resting cells exposed to exogenous glucose, was almost totally inhibited under anaerobic conditions, and the cellular concentration of ATP decreased steadily. Thus, both net synthesis of ATP and the steady-state concentration of ATP are obligatorily linked to respiration in this heterotrophic unicellular blue-green alga.
Dopaminergic Mechanisms in Adhd

Investigators at Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, UK, and centers in Germany and France examined the neural mechanisms underlying attention deficits associated with ADHD and their reversal with a single dose of methylphenidate (MPH).
On the Stability of the Constrained Robotic Maneuvers

Stability of the environment and the manipulator taken as a whole has been investigated, and a bound for stable manipulation has been derived. The stability analysis has been investigated using unstructured models for the dynamic behavior of the robot manipulator and the environment. This unified approach of modeling robot dynamics is expressed in terms of sensitivity functions as opposed to the Lagrangian approach. It allows us to incorporate the dynamic behavior of all the elements of a robot manipulator (i.e. actuators, sensors and the structural compliance of the links) in addition to the rigid body dynamics. We show that for stability of the robot, there must be some initial compliancy either in the robot or in the environment. The general stability condition has been extended to the particular case where the environment is very rigid in comparison with the robot stiffness.
2‐tert‐Butyl‐1,3‐diaminopropane

2-tert-butyl-1,3-diaminopropane reactant: 45.0 g. (0.682 mole) of malononitrile product: 2-tert-Butyl-1,3-diaminopropane. intermediate: tert-butylmalononitrile (30.5 g., 0.250 mole) reactant: boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (85.3 g., 0.600 mole) Keywords: alkylation, C-alkylation; reduction, miscellaneous
Current Practices in Multicultural Assessment by School Psychologists

Angemessene Beurteilungen zu erheben, die multikulturelle Besonderheiten berucksichtigen, ist ein aktuelles Forschungsthema innerhalb der Psychologie der Beratungspraxis. Allerdings existiert bisher nur wenig an Forschung zu der Frage, wie Schulpsycholog(inn)en in ihrer Arbeit multikulturelle Problemstellungen handhaben. Pilotstudien haben gezeigt, dass diese nicht besonders beachtet wurden. In der vorgestellten Studie, die Teil einer groseren Untersuchung ist, wurden die Antworten von zahlreichen Schulpsycholog(inn)en im amerikanisch-mexikanischen Grenzgebiet ausgewertet. Basis waren eigens entwickelte Vignetten, die von zwei Studierenden mit Lernproblemen handelten, wobei in den Geschichten die ethnische Identitat variiert wurde. In dem Beitrag wird nur eine Vignette und deren Analyse vorgestellt. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0403231
Epigastric pain and an unusual perigastric mass in a 28-year-old man.

Question: A 28-year-old Vietnamese man without any significant past medical history presented with 6 months of epigastric pain without nausea, vomiting, fevers, weight loss, or other symptoms. Physical examination was normal, as were laboratory tests, including a complete blood count, liver function tests, and chemistry panel. Proton pump inhibitor therapy was administered for 2 months without any improvement in symptoms. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was subsequently performed and revealed a 3.5 2.5-cm ubmucosal bulge at the gastroesophageal junction (Figure A). Biopsy with cold forceps elicited persistent extravasation of a thin hite fluid (Figure B). Histology was indeterminate, and Gram stain, acid-fast bacilli, and cultures were negative. After endoscopy, omputed tomography of the abdomen/pelvis revealed a 3.6 2.7 2.5-cm enhancing perigastric lesion adjacent to a normalappearing pancreas without lymphadenopathy (Figure C). What is the most likely diagnosis, and what should be the next step in determining the diagnosis? Look on page 1258 for the answer and see the GASTROENTEROLOGY web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information n submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
The Categorical Meaning of Spanish American Identity among Blue-Collar New Mexicans, Circa 1983:

Many ethnic labels and attending ideological identities vie for acceptance among the Spanish surnamed people of the Southwest. Taking a historical approach, this article searchesfor the meanings that 50 blue-collar respondents in Albuquerque, New Mexico, attached in 1983 to theirpreference for the term Spanish American. A set of qualitative interviews reveals a lack of sure ideological or knowledgeable ethnic identity. To distinguish themselves from other groups, participants relied on surface trait characteristics (categorical awareness) rather than deep cultural differences. A combination of ethnicflux and class dynamics accounts for the lack of a full-fledged ethnic identity.
Polysoaps in Backbone‐Selective Solvents: Effects of Side‐Chain Length on Collapse Dynamics

Abstract Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of model comb‐graft heteropolymers were performed to understand general mechanistic features of coil‐to‐micelle relaxation after instantaneous quench from a nonselective solvent to solvent conditions selective for the backbone monomers and poor for the side‐chain monomers. The systems considered were single bead‐spring molecules with backbones of 30 monomers and 10 equally spaced side chains of 1, 5, 10, or 20 monomers each, immersed in dense liquids of 20,000 simple solvent particles. We find that the coil‐to‐micelle relaxation time, τ r , averaged over 50 independent trajectories for each set of topological parameters considered, decreases with increasing side‐chain length. A two‐stage relaxation mechanism is observed: (1) a fast collapse and aggregation of neighboring side chains to form a chain of “protomicelles,” followed by (2) a slow intramolecular aggregation of protomicelles. Fast collapse dominates for molecules with relatively longer side chains due ...
Estimating health care costs related to cancer treatment from SEER-Medicare data.

Background. Cancer-specific medical care costs are used by health service researchers, medical decision analysts, and health care policymakers. The SEER-Medicare database is a unique data resource that makes it possible to derive incidence- and prevalence-based estimates of cancer-related medical ca
High equilibrium spin polarizations in solid 129Xe

Abstract Hyperpolarized 129Xe produced by optical pumping is of great-current interest as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. The spin 1 2 nucleus has slow spin relaxation rates, allowing appreciable polarization retention times in a frozen-spin mode far from thermal equilibrium, such as a room temperature gas. This weakness of spin interactions also makes achievement of high polarizations by equilibrium methods in the condensed state take very long. At 1 K and modest magnetic fields, the relaxation time of pure 129Xe exceeds days, and at 17 T and 10 mK, where the equilibrium polarization is about 44%, it is too long to be measurable. By forcing high concentrations of oxygen into xenon, polarizations near 10% have been obtained in about 1 day at high B and low T, and this can be improved. With rapid removal of the oxygen, this method can provide an economical source of frozen-spin hyperpolarized xenon.
LHRH messenger RNA in neurons in the intact and castrate male rat forebrain, studied by in situ hybridization.

The purpose of the present study was to localize luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) mRNA within the male rat forebrain using an in situ hybridization approach. The expression of LHRH mRNA was compared in castrate and intact males to approach questions on the chronic influences of circulating testicular steroids on the gene expression of the peptide. Frozen 10 μm sections fixed in paraformaldehyde were obtained from the forebrain region of intact and 2 week post-castrate adult male rats. LHRH mRNA was autoradiographically detected using an oligomer (59mer) complementary to the mRNA coding for amino acids-5 to 15 of the human LHRH preprohormone. Individual brain sections were incubated in prehybridization buffer for 2 h to reduce nonspecific binding. Following this, 20 μl of hybridization buffer containing 65,000–120,000 cpm of the 59mer were applied to sections and hybridized at 37° C for 3 days. The sections were then rinsed over a 48 h period, dehydrated, dipped in Kodak NTB2 liquid emulsion and exposed for 22 days. Autoradiograms were developed and counterstained with fast green and cresyl violet. As reported in the female, LHRH message-containing cells were localized in ventral septal regions, the diagonal bands of Broca, preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus. On occasion, LHRH gene expressing cells were found to appear in loose clusters. Labeled cells were never found in control sections treated with hybridization buffer lacking the 59mer. The total number of LHRH mRNA-containing cells localized in intact rats did not differ significantly from the castrate group. The mean grain counts per cell (±SEM) for the intact (30.1±1.2) and castrate (24±1.1) groups were found to differ, as did the histogram distribution of these two populations. These results are in contrast to those expected on the basis of a negative feedback effect, and instead suggest that long term exposure to testicular steroids can actually increase the content of LHRH mRNA within individual neurons.
Effect of initial tangential velocity distribution on the mean evolution of a swirling turbulent free jet

An existing cold jet facility at NASA-Lewis was modified to produce swirling flows with controllable initial tangential velocity distribution. Distinctly different swirl velocity profiles were produced, and their effects on jet mixing characteristics were measured downstream of an 11.43 cm diameter convergent nozzle. It was experimentally shown that in the near field of a swirling turbulent jet, the mean velocity field strongly depends on the initial swirl profile. Two extreme tangential velocity distributions were produced. The two jets shared approximately the same initial mass flow rate of 5.9 kg/s, mass averaged axial Mach number and swirl number. Mean centerline velocity decay characteristics of the solid body rotation jet flow exhibited classical decay features of a swirling jet with S = 0.48 reported in the literature. It is concluded that the integrated swirl effect, reflected in the swirl number, is inadequate in describing the mean swirling jet behavior in the near field.
Evidence for the formation mechanism of nanoscale microstructures in cryomilled Zn powder

Abstract Nanocrystalline Zn powder has been synthesized by a cryomilling method. The average grain size decreased exponentially with the cryomilling time and reached a minimum average grain size of around 17 nm. Large numbers of small grains (2∼6 nm) have been found in the very early stages of cryomilling. Dynamic recrystallization was used to explain the observed phenomena. The exothermic peaks revealed in the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results were correlated with the release of microstrain as confirmed by the x-ray diffraction measurements.
The delivery of evidence-based preventive care for older Americans with arthritis

Introduction Previous research suggests patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may receive suboptimal care with respect to preventive tests and services. We evaluated the proportion of older Americans with RA, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and osteoarthritis (OA) receiving these services and the specialty of the providers delivering this care.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE EQUINE STIFLE

The purpose of this study was to define normal gross anatomic structures in the equine stifle with magnetic resonance images. Magnetic resonance (MR) images were made in sagittal, 15° supinated, transverse, and dorsal planes of two equine stifles. The MR images were scrutinized by comparing MR images to dissection specimens and frozen cross sections of stifle joints. Sagittal and 15° supinated images were the most valuable in assessing articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and soft tissue structures within the joint. Cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments, medial and lateral menisci, meniscotibial and meniscofemoral ligaments, long digital extensor tendon, and patellar ligaments were easily evaluated. MR images provided substantially more gross anatomical information than the currently available imaging modalities.
Isradipine, a dihydropyridine-class calcium channel antagonist, attenuates some of d-methamphetamine's positive subjective effects: A preliminary study

Rationale: Dopamine (DA) pathways in the midbrain mediate d-methamphetamine’s rewarding effects associated with its abuse liability. Isradipine, a dihydropyridine-class calcium channel antagonist, reduces the rewarding effects of psychostimulants such as cocaine and d-amphetamine, presumably by antagonizing these central DA pathways. This is the first experiment to test the hypothesis that the rewarding effects of d-methamphetamine, like other psychostimulants, can be reduced by isradipine. Objective: We studied the effects of high dose isradipine (0.21 mg/kg orally), on the positive subjective effects associated with the abuse liability of low and high dose d-methamphetamine (0.21 mg/kg and 0.42 mg/kg orally, respectively). Methods: Using a double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, Latin-Square, cross-over design, 18 healthy male and female volunteers received each of the following six treatments separated by a rest period of 2–7 days: a) placebo+placebo; b) low-dose d-methamphetamine+placebo); c) high-dose d-methamphetamine+placebo; d) high dose isradipine+placebo); e) low-dose d-methamphetamine+high dose isradipine, and f) high-dose d-methamphetamine+high dose isradipine. Results: d-Methamphetamine produced orderly increases in positive subjective measures of both stimulation and mood. Pre-treatment with isradipine significantly reduced some of these positive subjective effects and craving for d-methamphetamine. Conclusion: Isradipine as an anti-reward or craving reducing medication is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of d-methamphetamine dependence.
Improving Medication Management Through the Redesign of the Hospital Code Cart Medication Drawer

Objective: This study utilized usability testing and human factors engineering (HFE) principles to create efficient code cart medication drawer modifications to improve code blue medical emergency (code) medication management.Background: Effective access to medications during a code is a key component in delivering optimal care and has been found to be a major problem among health care organizations; however, little research has been conducted to improve the efficiency of medication management during a code.Method: A total of 26 health care professionals (13 pharmacists and 13 nurses) were asked to locate items within a code cart medication drawer during two independent simulated code scenarios alternately using either a baseline medication drawer (control; Drawer 1) or a prototype medication drawer (prototype; Drawer 2), which was developed using HFE principles and usability testing. Overall medication retrieval time, wasteful actions, and survey responses were recorded.Results: Drawer 2 had significantl...
Radiohistochemical localization of GABA receptors

Abstract One can localize GABA receptors by light microscopic autoradiographic techniques. The technique involves labeling high affinity, sodium indepenent GABA binding sites with 3 H-Muscimol in slide mounted tissue sections. Autoradiograms are generated by the apposition of emulsions-coated cover slips. We observed large variations in the distribution of GABA receptors throughout the brain. Some high density areas included the granule cell layer of the cerebellum, the dorsal lateral geniculate body, most thalamic nuclei, the external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb and in the inner plexiform layer of the retina. The distribution of the high affinity receptors was not the same as that of suspected GABAergic nerve terminals or as that for benzodiazepine receptors in all areas. In general, this approach is valuable for obtaining information on GABA receptor densities in small regions of brain.
Source parameters of intermediate and deep focus earthquakes in the Tonga arc

Abstract The source dimensions, stress-drops and apparent average stresses of 19 Tonga-Kermadec earthquakes with depth greater than 79 km were estimated from the amplitude spectra of body waves. The results for each event were based on a combination of spectra from short and long period records of several (an average of five to six) WWSSN stations. In all cases the focal mechanism was known. The radii for intermediate and deep earthquakes are approximately 10 km for mb (CGS) = 5.8 and the stress drops are between 4 and 70 b. The stress drops do not change much with depth, but appear to be slightly larger at intermediate depths than at great depths. The apparent stresses are larger at intermediate depths. These data suggest that the shear stress necessary to cause earthquakes may also be higher at intermediate depths. At greater depth, the increasing temperature and possible phase changes and dehydration may be factors that weaken the source material and that produce a change in the material properties within the slab near a depth of about 450 km.
A New, But Old Business Model for Family Physicians: Cash

The following study is an exploratory investigation into the opportunity identification, opportunity analysis, and strategic implications of implementing a cash-only family physician practice. The current market dynamics (i.e., increasing insurance premiums, decreasing benefits, more regulations and paperwork, and cuts in federal and state programs) suggest that there is sufficient motivation for these practitioners to change their current business model. In-depth interviews were conducted with office managers and physicians of family physician practices. The results highlighted a variety of issues, including barriers to change, strategy issues, and opportunities/benefits. The implications include theory applications, strategic marketing applications, and managerial decision-making.
Media Industries, Work and Life

■ Convergence culture, as a concept, articulates a shift in the way global media industries operate, and how people as audiences interact with them. It recognizes contemporary media culture as a primarily participatory culture. In turn, this assumption renders notions of production and consumption of (mass, mediated) culture not just theoretically problematic — as has been established earlier in disciplines as varied as communication studies, cultural geography and media anthropology — but also less than useful on a practical level when making sense of the role media play in people’s everyday lives. This paper explores the practical applications of convergence culture from the perspectives of media workers, suggesting not so much the use of ‘new’ categories, but rather an alignment of production, mediation and consumption as constituent practices in all experience of (in) media life. ■
Geochemistry of Amino Acids in Some Florida Peat Accumulations-I Analytical Approach and Total Amino Acid Concentrations

Abstract Amino acids have been isolated from peats and fractions thereof at two sites in different environments in the Florida Everglades. For comparison, amino acids were also obtained by hydrolysis of organs of the plants now providing the surface cover at the sites and of discarded plant parts in surface litter. The amino acids, including a number of non-protein acids, were analyzed by GLC of volatile derivatives. There is a marked tendency for the total amino acid concentrations to increase in the order plant material
An analysis of critical incidents in a teaching department for quality assurance A survey of mishaps during anaesthesia

A prospective survey was conducted from April 1984-January 1985 and April 1985-January 1986 to study the frequency of critical incidents and factors associated with them. Eighty-six mishaps were reported in the first period, the majority of which were because of human error (80.3%); the most common were the transmission of gases and vapours and errors in drug administration. Factors frequently associated with these mishaps were failure to perform a normal check and lack of familiarity with equipment or technique. An anaesthesia equipment checklist was incorporated in the survey during the second period and 43 mishaps were reported. This decrease in incidence may have resulted from the anaesthesia apparatus checklist, awareness of mishaps since they were discussed regularly at departmental meetings, and new anaesthesia machines (eight older machines were replaced during the first period and 11 at the beginning of the second).
Treating Heart Failure and Dyspnea in a 78-Year-Old Man With Surgical Correction of Pectus Excavatum

Reports documenting the cardiopulmonary significance of pectus excavatum are limited, and there remains a lack of consensus as to whether surgical repair can improve function. We present a case of pectus excavatum deformity and heart failure. Surgical repair was performed with significant improvement of performance and heart function.
How computational rock-physics tools can be used to simulate geologic processes, understand pore-scale heterogeneity, and refine theoretical models

Abstract Rock physics allows us to link geologic processes with geophysical observables through a multiscale integration of data. This integrated analysis is typically done using empirical or theoretical rock-physics models, which are often calibrated with laboratory or field data. With the advent of computational rock physics, a new set of tools can be used to simulate geologic processes and interpret their signatures in the geophysical cross-property domain by computing macroscopic properties on a common or shared rock model. Furthermore, these computational tools allow us to probe, in ways that are nearly impossible with macroscopic physical samples, microscopic (pore-scale) distributions of structural and mechanical heterogeneities, which can have significant effect on macroscopic properties. This in turn can aid in refining conventional theoretical models by accounting for more complex, realistic, and heterogeneous features of porous media, thus taking the theoretical models beyond their limiting, si...
Polyphosphinoylmethanide complexes of tin(II). Crystal and molecular structure of {[(C6H5)2PO]3C}2Sn

Abstract The reaction of SnCl2 and two equiv. of Na{[(C6H5)2PO]3C} yields {[(C6H5)2PO]3C}2Sn (1). The solid state structure of 1 has been determined by X-ray crystallography: trigonal, space group R 3 c, with a=29.216(3), c=42.120(5) A, V=31.136 A3 and Z=18. Both potentially tridentate [(C6H5)2PO]3C-ligands are coordinated to the tin atom in a bidentate manner. The coordination geometry about tin is a pseudo trigonal bipyramid. Each phosphinoylmethanide ligand occupies an axial and equatorial site with the remaining equatorial site filled by the lone pair on tin. The reaction of Na{[(C6H5)2PO]2CH} and SnCl2 yields the analogous complex {[(C6H5)2PO]2CH}2Sn (2).
Selective area epitaxy of ultra-high density InGaN based quantum dots

Highly uniform InGaN quantum dots (QDs) were grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition utilizing self-assembled diblock copolymer nanopatterns. This approach resulted in ultra-high InGaN QD density of 8 × 1010 cm−2.
Life After the Women's Health Initiative: Evaluation of Postmenopausal Symptoms and Use of Alternative Therapies After Discontinuation of Hormone Therapy

Study Objective. To determine the number of women who have menopausal symptoms after discontinuing hormone therapy, to determine how many of these women subsequently require nonhormonal alternatives to manage their symptoms, and to assess the effectiveness of those therapies. Design. One-year retrospective study. Setting. Department of Family Medicine outpatient clinic at a university medical center. Patients. From 378 postmenopausal women who discontinued hormone therapy between August 1, 2002, and August 31, 2003, we randomly selected 78 using electronic medical records to provide a sample with a 95% confidence interval and a 10% margin of error. Measurements and Main Results. Reasons why the women discontinued therapy and any nonhormonal alternative therapies that they may have used to manage subsequent menopausal symptoms were recorded. The primary investigator contacted the 78 women to complete a telephone survey. In most women, at least one menopausal symptom recurred. Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) were most common and occurred in 41 (53%) women. In addition, 59 (76%) women reported using nonhormonal alternative therapies, and 40 (68%) of this group deemed the alternatives helpful. Conclusion. We strongly believe that health care providers, including pharmacists, must continue to communicate with and educate women regarding treatment options for menopausal symptoms. Clinical pharmacists are ideally suited to contribute to ongoing research in this area.
SU-FF-T-10: A Complexity Metric for Quantitative Triage of IMRT QA

Purpose: Our IMRT planning system can develop highly conformal plans with good dose homogeneity and avoidance of normal structures. As dose goals become more demanding the fluences which deliver the plans become more complex and the dose calculation becomes less accurate. Simple plans can be verified by a monitor unit calculation but complex cases can only be reliably confirmed by an ion chamber in phantom. An algorithm has been developed to quantitatively score the complexity of an IMRT plan, indicating to the physicist which cases can be verified with an MU calculation, which plans must be measured with an ion chamber, and where in the plan they should be measured. Method and Materials: Fluence patterns for each IMRT field are exported from the planning system. A complexity score, based on intensity gradient in the direction of leaf motion, is developed for each leaf pair in the plan. The calculation has been run on a number of test cases to examine the correlation between complexity score and accuracy of the dose calculation. Among the cases evaluated are several prostate plans with very little modulation, head and neck plans, and a phantom case that was manufactured to exhibit regions of high and low complexity. Results: All of the prostate plans, measured to better than 1% dose accuracy, had complexity scores below 100. In the simple region of the phantom plan the dose calculation agreed to with 2% of measurement and the complexity score ranged from 10 to 30. In the complex region of this plan the measured dose was 12% low and the complexity score ranged from 200 to 450. Conclusion: An algorithm has been developed which will allow us to direct the majority of our QA time towards difficult plans and confidently verify simple plans with an MU calculation.
Hybrid emergency radiation detection: a wireless sensor network application for consequence management of a radiological release

The Hybrid Emergency Radiation Detection (HERD) system is a rapidly deployable ad-hoc wireless sensor network for monitoring the radiation hazard associated with a radiation release. The system is designed for low power, small size, low cost, and rapid deployment in order to provide early notification and minimize exposure. The many design tradeoffs, decisions, and challenges in the implementation of this wireless sensor network design will be presented and compared to the commercial systems available. Our research in a scaleable modular architectural highlights the need and implementation of a system level approach that provides flexibility and adaptability for a variety of applications. This approach seeks to minimize power, provide mission specific specialization, and provide the capability to upgrade the system with the most recent technology advancements by encapsulation and modularity. The implementation of a low power, widely available Real Time Operating System (RTOS) for multitasking with an improvement in code maintenance, portability, and reuse will be presented. Finally future design enhancements technology trends affecting wireless sensor networks will be presented.
Embodying Inequality: A Review of Concepts, Measures, and Methods for Studying Health Consequences of Discrimination:

Investigating effects of discrimination upon health requires clear concepts, methods, and measures. At issue are both economic consequences of discrimination and accumulated insults arising from everyday and at times violent experiences of being treated as a second-class citizen, at each and every economic level. Guidelines for epidemiologic investigations and other public health research on ways people embody racism, sexism, and other forms of social inequality, however, are not well defined, as research in this area is in its infancy. Employing an ecosocial framework, this article accordingly reviews definitions and patterns of discrimination within the United States; evaluates analytic strategies and instruments researchers have developed to study health effects of different kinds of discrimination; and delineates diverse pathways by which discrimination can harm health, both outright and by distorting production of epidemiologic knowledge about determinants of population health. Three methods of studying health consequences of discrimination are examined (indirect; direct, at the individual level, in relation to personal experiences of discrimination; at the population level, such as via segregation), and recommendations are provided for developing research instruments to measure acute and cumulative exposure to different aspects of discrimination.
Evaluation of Sample Recovery Efficiency for Bacteriophage P22 on Fomites

Fomites are known to play a role in the transmission of pathogens. Quantitative analysis of the parameters that affect sample recovery efficiency (SRE) at the limit of detection of viruses on fomites will aid in improving quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) and infection control. The variability in SRE as a function of fomite type, fomite surface area, sampling time, application media, relative humidity (rH), and wetting agent was evaluated. To quantify the SRE, bacteriophage P22 was applied onto fomites at average surface densities of 0.4 ± 0.2 and 4 ± 2 PFU/cm(2). Surface areas of 100 and 1,000 cm(2) of nonporous fomites found in indoor environments (acrylic, galvanized steel, and laminate) were evaluated with premoistened antistatic wipes. The parameters with the most effects on the SRE were sampling time, fomite surface area, wetting agent, and rH. At time zero (the initial application of bacteriophage P22), the SRE for the 1,000-cm(2) fomite surface area was, on average, 40% lower than that for the 100-cm(2) fomite surface area. For both fomite surface areas, the application medium Trypticase soy broth (TSB) and/or the laminate fomite predominantly resulted in a higher SRE. After the applied samples dried on the fomites (20 min), the average SRE was less than 3%. A TSB wetting agent applied on the fomite improved the SRE for all samples at 20 min. In addition, an rH greater than 28% generally resulted in a higher SRE than an rH less than 28%. The parameters impacting SRE at the limit of detection have the potential to enhance sampling strategies and data collection for QMRA models.
Synthesis of Homologated Halovinyl Derivatives from Aristeromycin and Their Inhibition of Human Placental S-Adenosyl-L-homocysteine Hydrolase¶

Abstract Moffatt oxidation of 2′,3′-O-isopropylidenearisteromycin (1a) and treatment of the 5′-carboxaldehyde with [(p-tolylsulfonyl)methylene]triphenylphosphorane gave the homologated vinylsulfone 2. Treatment of 2 with tributylstannane/AIBN gave the (E/Z)-vinylstannanes which were converted into the E and Z fluoro- and iodovinyl analogs. Chain extension via the 5′-cyano-5′-deoxy derivative 10a gave the 6′-carboxaldehyde of homoaristeromycin. S-Adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase was strongly inhibited by the fluorovinyl, 5b, and iodovinyl, 4b and 7b, compounds, and time-dependent kinetics were observed [1–2 μM (Ki) and 0.1–0.2 min−1 (k inact)]. The mechanism of inactivation was shown to involve addition of water at the vinyl 5′ or 6′ carbons with elimination of halide. This paper is dedicated to the late Professor T. Hata.
Visual Communication in the Workplace: A Survey of Practice

This article reports the results of a survey of professional writers about the nature and importance of visual communication in their work. The results confirm the suggestions in the field's literature that visual communication is important to workplace practice and that the role of the professional writer has expanded beyond the domain of the verbal. Visual communication responsibilities are complex and varied, but the practitioners surveyed typically engage in substantial amounts of design-related work and value visual communication abilities. The data suggest that visual communication should be a curricular priority in professional writing programs.
Endoscopic debulking of a pituitary tumor

This article presents a case of a destructive pituitary neoplasm that proved to be an aggressive adenoma by biopsy. The excellent visualization and atraumatic surgical techniques of endoscopic sinus surgery have allowed easy access to the sella turcica and debulking of the pituitary tumor without complications. For otolaryngologists who are experienced in pituitary and endoscopic sinus surgery, biopsy of pituitary neoplasms is feasible using the endoscopic approach.
Death and bereavement in Mercer County, New Jersey: A study in ethnic diversity

In this study of ethnic patterns of practices surrounding death and bereavement in one locality, a group composed of representatives of various ethnic groups discussed these practices over a six-month period. Findings include relative homogeneity regarding communication with the dying person, a “conspiracy of silence” about death being the rule, great diversity of funeral practices, and little community participation in post-funeral bereavement processes except in Jewish and Eastern Orthodox communities. The lack of such community participation was thought to be a major factor in life disruption due to the failure of persons to grieve adequately.
First Report of Tomato spotted wilt virus in Soybean (Glycine max) in Georgia

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a member of the family Bunyaviridae and has a wide host range including important crops such as tomato, pepper, tobacco, peanut, and onion. In areas of Georgia, soybean (Glycine max) is double cropped between two onion crops and as a rotation crop with peanuts. Soybeans do not show any TSWV symptoms, and therefore, have not been tested on a large scale for the virus. However, because symptomless weed and crop plants provide a reservoir for TSWV and the thrips vectors (2), a survey was conducted during the summer of 2005 to evaluate the occurrence of TSWV in soybean. The survey took place in seven counties in southern Georgia with field sizes ranging between 0.4 and 20 ha (1 and 50 acres). Soybean cultivars included Haskell, DP7220, DP6770, Pioneer 97B52, and Vigoro V622NRR. Of 848 randomly selected plants tested using the double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) (Agdia, Inc., Elkhart, IN), 6.6% tested positive for TSWV. Plants testing posit...
Transient response of a square plate from an expanding footprint

The transient response of a free disk on crushable material striking a rigid surface was analyzed by El-Raheb (IJSS 45, 4289–4306, 2008). Unlike the free disk whose fundamental mode has a dish-like axisymmetric shape, the free square plate includes two additional modes at lower frequencies. Treated is the response of the square plate to a moving front either parallel to a diagonal or to an edge, simulating two limiting cases of oblique impact of the plate on crushable material. Emphasis is given to the difference between the two fronts and comparison to the case of the disk.
Genetic effects on transpiration, canopy conductance, stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit, and cavitation resistance in loblolly pine

Physiological uniformity and genetic effects on canopy-level gas-exchange and hydraulic function could impact loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation sustainability and ecosystem dynamics under projected changes in climate. Over a 1-year period, we examined genetic effects on mean and maximum mid-day canopy conductance (Gs, Gsmax) and transpiration (E ,m ax-E) within a juvenile loblolly pine plantation composed of 'genotypes' (e.g. different genetic entries) from each of the three different genetic groups (clones, full-sibs, open-pollinated). We also compared reference canopy conductance (Gsref or Gs at a vapour pressure deficitDD 1 kPa), maximum E (Emax) in response to D, stomatal sensitivity to D, specific hydraulic conductivity (ks), and cavitation resistance among genotypes. Based on genetic and physiological principles, we hypothesized that (1) within genotypes, physiological uniformity will increase as inherent genetic diversity decreases and (2) genotypes with greater ks and higher canopy-level gas-exchange rates will be more sensitive to increases in D, and more susceptible to loss of ks. In our results, high- and low-genetic diversity genotypes showed no differences inE andGs uniformity over time. However, E and max-E were significantly different among genotypes, and genotypes showed significant seasonal variability in Gs and Gsmax. Additionally, there were significant differences in Emax, Gsref, Gs sensitivity to D, and the pressure at which 50% loss of ks occurs (P50) among individual genotypes. We found no relationship between mean hydraulic conductivity parameters and overall Gsref or Gs sensitivity. However, the genotype full embolism point (P88) and loss of ks rate (LCrate) both showed a significant positive relationship with genotype Gsref during the spring, indicating that genotypes with higher Gs were less resistant to cavitation. Overall, genetic effects on canopy-level gas-exchange and cavitation resistance were significant, implying that physiological differences among genotypes might affect stand water use, carbon gain, drought tolerance, and hydrologic processes. Contrary to our expectations, uniformity in physiological process rates did not increase as inherent genetic diversity decreased, suggesting that clonal genotypes exhibit high physiological plasticity under plantation conditions. Lastly, our results imply that genotypes with higher spring-time gas-exchange rates may be more susceptible to catastrophic loss of ks. With changes in climate expected to continue, physiological differences among genotypes may affect loblolly pine plantation carbon and water cycling. Copyright  2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Below Room Temperature Measurements Of The 8-12 μ M Water Vapor Continuum Absorption

The CO2 laser photoacoustic technique has been used to measure 002 laser absorption spectra of water vapor/air mixtures containing various water vapor partial pressures at selected temperatures down to 10°C. At CO2 laser wavelengths where water vapor continuum absorption contributions are dominant, the water absorp-tion possesses a temperature coefficient of -2.2%/°C between 27°C and 10°C. At the fixed temperatures em-ployed, the water continuum possesses a dependence on water vapor partial pressure that includes both linear and quadratic terms. A similar temperature coefficient and water partial pressure dependence has been observed in previous studies of water continuum absorption between room temperature and 100°C.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
HLA-DR4 influences glial activity in Alzheimer's disease hippocampus

The importance of inflammatory/immune mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease is supported by evidence that the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR genotype influences risk of the disease, with a protective effect associated with the HLA-DR4 allele. We investigated the influence of the HLA-DR4 allele on glial activity, assessed by quantification of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), in hippocampal tissue from subjects with Alzheimer's disease. The mean GFAP level was significantly higher in Alzheimer's disease hippocampal specimens lacking the HLA-DR4 allele compared to specimens with similar neuropathological findings that were HLA-DR4 positive. Apolipoprotein E genotype had no influence on GFAP levels. These results indicate that HLA-DR4 may exert a protective influence on Alzheimer's disease via modulation of glial activity.
A random number generator for microprocessors

An algorithm is presented for generating uniformly distributed random deviates on microprocessors or minicomputers utizizing memories with a small word- Zength. other alternative solutions are discussed, and the statistical quality of sample streams of generated numbers is evaluated and compared with the quality of other widely used generators.
Kinematics of present crust and mantle flow in southern California

In the southern California region, published geologic studies of prehistoric fault offsets yield at least 81 rates of slip covering various periods of time, chiefly since the opening of the Gulf of California. These rates, together with the known geometries of active faults, are used to constrain a hand-fit block model for present horizontal velocity of the crust. The assumptions employed are that these rates apply to the present, that the blocks are internally rigid down to the greatest depth of earthquakes, and that the over-all Pacific–North American plate motion is correctly given by global models. The resulting model fits 67 data within their uncertainties, 10 more with a small discrepancy (≤ 1 mm/yr), and fails to accommodate only 4 data (2 of which are inconsistent with other data). Nominal precision is good (∼3 mm/yr), but accuracy and uniqueness are both suspect, because many block boundaries are questionable. Despite its many local defects, this model suggests four reliable regional conclusions. First, the rate of shortening on the south side of the Transverse Ranges varies from 6 to 14 mm/yr, increasing eastward, which implies an unrecognized seismic hazard, unless the motion is taken up by folding or fault creep. Second, the pattern of block rotation rates is quite different from the pattern of rotations shown by Tertiary paleomagnetic declinations, which implies some major Pliocene(?) reorganization of blocks. Third, the “great bend” (left step) of the plate boundary fault system in the Transverse Ranges appears to be straightening gradually, by a 3°/m.y. clockwise rotation relative to both plates. Finally, if it is assumed that plate shortening has been occurring at this bend since the early Pliocene and that crust and upper-mantle velocities are similar, then this model predicts mantle-lithosphere downwelling to at least 250-km depth beneath the Transverse Ranges. This prediction is consistent with upper-mantle seismic-velocity structure.
Formal Rationality and Its Pernicious Effects on the Social Sciences

This article argues that a particular notion of rationality, more exactly a specific notion of legitimate inference, is presupposed by much work in the social sciences to their detriment. The author describes the notion of rationality he has in mind, explains why it is misguided, identifies where and how it affects social research, and illustrates why that research is weaker as a result. The notion of legitimate inference the author has in mind is one that believes inferences are guided by principles that are formal, universal and a priori-that is, that make no substantive, domain-specific empirical assumptions about the world. The author briefly provides a variety of reasons to be skeptical about such principles. Those reasons extend from broad philosophical considerations to quasi-empirical evidence. The author then argues that this notion of inference is involved with both the practice and the content of the social sciences in various ways. In terms of practice, this notion of inference lies behind the way statistical testing is generally done in the social sciences. In terms of content, the author argues that this notion of rationality is invoked, for example, in game theory and in rational expectations macroeconomics. In all cases, use of the formal rationality notion leads social scientists to put more faith in their results than is warranted and thus is an obstacle to doing better social science.